The River of Time surged onward.
Its waters were muddy, carrying billions of golden grains of sand as wave after wave rose and rolled.
"Everyone—"
Suddenly, a resounding voice rang out from within the river.
At the same time, a humanoid phantom appeared above the river's surface.
It was the phantom of a man in azure robes, his features blurred, his long robe resembling distant blue-green mountains.
"Brother Qingshan—"
Another resounding voice rose from the river.
Then, in the distance upon the river's surface, a male figure glowing with white light emerged.
His robes were like white clouds and immortal cranes, elegant and detached from the mortal world.
"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qingshan!"
A lingering, melodious voice rang out. It was the pleasant voice of a woman.
Then, an azure-blue phantom appeared above the river.
"Fellow Daoist Qingshan!"
The voice was loud and clear, rippling across the waves.
A dark yellow phantom appeared in response.
"Qingshan!"
At that moment, a lofty, ethereal voice descended from above the river's surface, yet seemed to echo from all directions. It was incomparably majestic, like an emperor reigning high above the Nine Heavens.
"Greetings, Immortal Lord Xuan'e."
"Greetings, Immortal Lord Xuan'e."
"Greetings, Immortal Lord Xuan'e."
"Greetings, Immortal Lord Xuan'e."
The three figures who had just appeared, along with the first figure known as Qingshan, all bowed toward the purple qi figure that had emerged above the river.
"I am here. Tell me your thoughts," said the purple qi figure known as Immortal Lord Xuan'e.
"Immortal Lord Xuan'e." The azure-blue figure bowed from afar toward the purple qi phantom formed by Immortal Lord Xuan'e, then said, "Whether the Martial Saint has passed away remains unclear. We must first test him before proceeding with our plans."
"Indeed." The white-light figure nodded slightly. "Fairy Shuiyun is right. The