"Young one, you don't seem surprised by my arrival?" The black-robed old man's voice echoed through the Sea of Spirits, carrying a hint of scrutiny. His deep-set eyes watched Yan Hongchen as though they intended to see through him completely.
Naturally, Yan Hongchen was not surprised. It was merely a matter of whether this happened sooner or later. He had been planning to visit the Star Dou Great Forest eventually; he simply had not expected this one to arrive near the Extreme North several years ahead of schedule.
A thought turned in his mind. Was this early-arriving being truly the fragment of divine consciousness from the original story? After all, fragments of divine consciousness could be scattered into countless pieces. Who knew which fragment was which?
Back then, in order to turn the Snow Empress into a soul spirit, Electrolux had used the last of his strength at a critical moment. But Yan Hongchen had also wondered whether fragments of his divine consciousness might exist elsewhere. Perhaps this was another one?
However, even if every fragment were gathered, he could never fully return to how he had been. A broken mirror could not be made whole again; in the end, nothing could go back to what it once was. It was like a starfish splitting into several individuals—each one possessed its own consciousness. Even if they were forcibly merged, the mind would remain divided.
"This junior is very weak," Yan Hongchen said, his tone carrying a trace of helplessness as well as resignation.
"Even the two outside may not necessarily be able to deal with you, Senior. How much could my martial soul possibly accomplish? I simply choose to believe that Senior means me no harm."
The black-robed old man studied him. After a moment, the corners of his lips