Ten Thousand Years of Time and Space Change, One Thought Determines Lord and Subject

"Dean Long, you have finally arrived."

Luo Yun bowed respectfully, her gaze sweeping over Long Jinyu's still-pale face with a hint of concern.

"Mr. Tuoba has been awake for three days and has been asking to see you. It's just... his mental state seems quite unstable and somewhat chaotic. I sent you a letter a few days ago; I wonder if you've had a chance to look at it?"

Long Jinyu coughed lightly, looking slightly apologetic. "...I didn't have time to read the letter; I came straight here after waking up. What did it say in general?"

"Nothing of great urgency, just a detailed report on Mr. Tuoba's condition."

Luo Yun stepped aside to lead the way.

"Dean, I have a few questions I would like to consult you on. Could we move to the office?"

Long Jinyu nodded and turned to Ma Xiaotao. "Senior, why don't you look around for a bit? Stay safe."

Ma Xiaotao was very understanding. "Fine, go handle your business. I'll go see how that girl named Tang Ya is recovering."

"That would be perfect."

The two parted ways, and Long Jinyu followed Luo Yun to the office.

As soon as the door closed, Luo Yun set up a sound-dampening barrier, her expression turning serious. "Master, I will get straight to the point. Mr. Tuoba Xi's body is no longer in any major danger; the foundation of a Titled Douluo is indeed formidable. However, his mental state and all psychological assessment data... are abnormally severe."

She paused, then continued, "If I had to put a name to it, his condition resembles a hypothetical symptom mentioned in Sister Su's early notes—'Transmigrator Syndrome'. It's as if... there is a severe fracture and confusion in his perception of the current space-time, accompanied by conflicting memories and a strong sense of unreality."

A flash of surprise crossed Long Jinyu's eyes—thinking to himself that the people at the Medical Pavilion were truly not simple—which then turned into appreciation. "Cough... Sister Luo Yun, you all are even more perceptive than I imagined."

Luo Yun's pupils constricted, and she blurted out, "Master! Does 'transmigration' actually exist..."

"Cough, cough—" Long Jinyu interrupted her with two coughs, his eyes carrying a warning.

Luo Yun immediately realized her slip of the tongue, lowered her head, and said, "Apologies, Master. It was my place to be silent..."

"It is fine," Long Jinyu waved his hand, his tone carrying a trace of sincere apology. "I am the one who should apologize. There are some things I cannot disclose to you all just yet; please forgive me."

He had his own considerations. Although the Medical Pavilion was more trustworthy than Shrek, it was ultimately Sister Su's property. Everyone respected him as their master, perhaps because of the Yanhuang Order or the need for a leader.

If Sister Su were to return one day, he would naturally return what belonged to her. At that time, there was no guarantee that hearts would not change. The fewer people who knew certain core secrets, the better.

Luo Yun was a clever woman and did not ask further, instead saying, "I understand. Then, Master, would you like to see Mr. Tuoba Xi now?"

"Yes, have him come to my office. I will wait for him here."

"As you command."

A moment later.

Long Jinyu sat in the large chair, his fingertips tapping lightly on the desk as he pondered how Tuoba Xi would react upon seeing him. Would it be confusion? Resistance? Or the absolute loyalty promised by the system?

Just then, a steady knock came from outside the door.

"Knock, knock, knock."

"Please, come in."

The door was pushed open, and a tall, stern-faced middle-aged man walked in. He closed the door and walked to the center of the office with slightly stiff movements. It was Tuoba Xi.

His face was full of struggle and bewilderment, and his eyes looked at Long Jinyu with complexity.

Suddenly, as if driven by an invisible force, he dropped to one knee, his head bowed, his voice strained and difficult as he spat out, word by word:

"Tuoba Xi... pays respects... to... Master..."

This action, this form of address, was like an instinct branded deep into his soul, making it impossible to resist. Yet, the pride belonging to a Titled Douluo and a sect leader made the process filled with painful conflict.

Long Jinyu took in his struggle, understanding that this was the "absolute loyalty" of the system at work.

He did not force the man to say the awkward "Master" or "Lord" out loud, interrupting him at the right moment:

"Rise, sit."

Tuoba Xi's body shuddered slightly. He stood up as told and sat in the chair to the side, his back straight, revealing the habits of his military background. However, his gaze remained lowered, not daring to meet Long Jinyu's eyes, as if in fear.

Long Jinyu withdrew his pressure and watched him with a calm gaze, speaking slowly in a voice that carried a steadiness and dignity beyond his young appearance: "Tuoba Xi, since you have been reborn, all that has passed is like smoke in the wind. From today on, you must remember your new identity and duties—you are no longer the Sect Leader of the Holy Dragon Sect, but an Outer Sect Elder of my Nine-Colored Dragon Valley. In the future, there is no need to call me Master or Lord; just call me 'Young Master'."

"Nine-Colored Dragon Valley... Outer Sect Elder... Young Master...?"

Tuoba Xi repeated these unfamiliar terms in a low voice, the chaos in his eyes seemingly finding a vague anchor.

"Yes... Young Master."

Long Jinyu nodded slightly, his tone shifting to one of scrutiny and assessment: "The Codex brought you to me when you were dying. I gave you a new life, dispelled your ailments, and granted you the possibility of glimpsing a higher realm. Now, tell me, what are you prepared to give in return for this grace?"

Tuoba Xi raised his head to meet Long Jinyu's gaze. Those eyes were clear yet profound, as if they could see through everything he was.

He said in a deep voice, "Since the Young Master has granted me a new life, I shall naturally do my utmost to serve the Young Master, even unto death! It is just..."

He paused, eventually asking the question, "All of this is truly too inconceivable. I have too many questions stuck in my heart; if I do not understand them, I fear I will find it difficult to focus on my duties in the future. Young Master... would you be willing to enlighten me?"

Long Jinyu had already anticipated this and said calmly, "Very well, granted. What do you wish to know?"

Tuoba Xi asked the most core question impatiently: "May I ask, Young Master, is this... still the Douluo Continent? Why does this place feel both familiar and yet strange in every way?"

Long Jinyu did not evade, giving a shocking answer directly: "This is naturally the Douluo Continent. However, it is not the era you are familiar with. This is... ten thousand years after the timeline you originally belonged to. The world has changed... it is perfectly normal for you to feel like a stranger."

"Ten... ten thousand years later?!" Tuoba Xi stood up abruptly, his face filled with disbelief, his voice trembling. "Then... what of Martial Soul Hall? What of the Spirit Hall Empire?! Are they now..."

"They have all turned into the dust of history."

Long Jinyu's tone was calm yet cruel, shattering his final illusions.

"Pope Bibi Dong fell at the hands of Tang San, the Angel God Qian Renxue's divine position was shattered, and the Spirit Hall Empire collapsed in their wake. As for your Holy Dragon Sect..."

He watched Tuoba Xi's pale complexion and felt a pang of pity, pausing before continuing, "I fear it has long since been swallowed by the river of time."

"Ten thousand years... it has actually been ten thousand years... everything is gone..."

Tuoba Xi looked as if he had been struck by lightning; he stumbled back and collapsed into his chair, his eyes vacant, remaining silent for a long time.

His sect, his faith, everything he had once fought for—it had all vanished like smoke. This shock was far more lethal than any physical wound.

Long Jinyu did not disturb him, giving him time to digest this earth-shattering news.

A moment later, he spoke again, his voice carrying a tone of guidance and reassurance:

"Time turns, and people change. The curtain falls on the old era so that the new may begin; there is no need to cling to the past—what matters is the present and the future."

"Tuoba Xi, you are not an isolated case. In the future, perhaps more people with similar fates will come at my summons. Since you are the first, you must shoulder the responsibility. Everything I tell you later, you must keep firmly in your heart, so that in the future, you may resolve their doubts and help them settle in."

Tuoba Xi slowly lifted his head from his immense sense of loss and bewilderment, looking toward Long Jinyu.

This young "Young Master" seemed to be shrouded in a mysterious and powerful halo, connecting the past to the future.

After his original world had completely collapsed, this new identity and new mission seemed to be the only piece of driftwood he could grasp.

He suppressed his churning emotions and rose once more. This time, his movements were much smoother, and his bow carried a measure of genuine sincerity:

"Subordinate... Tuoba Xi, will strictly obey the Young Master's command!"