Deep in the black water.
A fiendish monster kept descending.
Suddenly.
A voice sounded beside its ear:
"I sensed its presence... That is the only reason you're still alive."
The next second.
All the black water vanished.
The fiendish monster found itself standing in an abandoned city.
There were no people, no living things.
Weeds choked the city, buildings had collapsed, and the whole Emptiness was filled with an air of age and desolation.
A man who looked exactly like Lu Feiming stood in the middle of the street.
"State your purpose."
The man spoke.
The fiendish monster bowed slightly and said:
"I come on behalf of the great Aspect of Truth, the supreme Ancient God whose Mission is Annihilation, to convey His Supreme Majesty's will."
"He wishes to work with you and form a united army."
"My Mission is to return the Ancient Gods and the Universe alike to the Origin of Truth. I see no need for cooperation," the man said.
"But you now possess only thirty percent of your original power. That will make your Mission difficult to complete," said the fiendish monster.
The man fell silent for a moment, then asked:
"What does the Ancient God want from me?"
The fiendish monster answered at once, "His Supreme Majesty wants nothing from you. He only hopes to join forces with you and kill Lu Feiming once and for all."
"That way, His Supreme Majesty will be rid of a fly that never stops buzzing around him, while you will gain greater power. It benefits you both."
After a long silence, the man said, "But afterward, I will still carry out my Mission. I will eventually send the Ancient Gods back into the depths of Truth!"
"That is a matter for later," the fiendish monster said softly. "Before