Deep within the Sea of Chaos, where Zhen Yuanzi was in seclusion.
Xu Ping'an sat cross-legged atop a Chaos primordial stone, while the Chaos aura around him surged in wave after wave, washing over his protective spiritual radiance like a tide.
Suddenly, he saw them.
Not with his eyes, but through his perception of the Time Law.
All around him, translucent phantoms silently flitted back and forth.
Some were merely passing by.
Others were fiercely battling something invisible.
Every phantom was so lifelike, as though it had truly existed.
"What are these?"
"You saw them?"
"Master, I saw them!"
"What did you see?"
"People—so many people. No, not people from the present, but people from the past!"
Zhen Yuanzi looked at Xu Ping'an, a rare trace of approval appearing on his face. "The fact that you can see them means your control over the Time Law has already touched the threshold."
Xu Ping'an was utterly shocked. "This is only the threshold?"
Every word in Zhen Yuanzi's voice carried an echo. "Those phantoms you saw are not phantoms at all.
They are people who truly appeared in this region at different points in time.
The Time Law differs from the Space Law. It does not erase old traces simply because coordinates shift.
Everything that happens in every moment leaves a permanent mark upon time.
You can see them because your perception has already surpassed the 'present.'"
Unable to suppress the excitement in his heart, Xu Ping'an said eagerly, "Master, I want to strike while the iron is hot and directly attempt a breakthrough into the Body Integration Realm!"
Zhen Yuanzi fell silent for a breath, then shook his head. "No rush."
"Why?"
Xu Ping'an could not understand. "If I wait any longer, I fear I will miss this perfect opportunity."
Zhen