In the blink of an eye, a hundred years had passed.
Creak—!
Within the Nine Heavens' void, the dust-sealed palace doors were pushed open bit by bit. Starlight streamed through the widening crack, spilling into the dim hall and illuminating the cold, smooth floor.
At the center of the Main Hall, a young man sat cross-legged. He slowly lifted his eyelids, his numb gaze fixed on the figure entering from outside.
"Deputy Hall Master Yi, you're here."
"I'm here..."
Yi Xing's words abruptly halted, as did his advancing steps. He stared at the young man in startled suspicion and asked uncertainly,
"What did you call me?"
"Of course, 'Deputy Hall Master Yi'!"
A touch more life appeared in Li Qingshan's eyes as he asked in confusion,
"Deputy Hall Master Yi, this was the form of address you requested yourself. Is there a problem?"
Was there a problem?
Yi Xing frowned, his expression immediately twisting with conflict.
There was nothing wrong with the title. He had indeed requested it himself, and Li Qingshan had always addressed him this way.
But right now...
Yi Xing looked up at the young man seated high above, then lowered his gaze to his own gait, which resembled an audience before a superior. Adding that faint "Deputy Hall Master Yi"...
Somehow,
though the title had not changed, its flavor was completely different.
It was no longer a junior's respectful address for a senior. Instead, it sounded like... a superior confirming a subordinate's identity?
Yi Xing slowly raised his head, his gaze focusing on the young man's calm, nearly numb face, confirming his feeling once more.
That was right!
Superior to subordinate, Hall Master to Deputy Hall Master!
"Qingshan..."
The corner of Yi Xing's mouth twitched as he reminded him,
"God Slayer Ascendancy was a rule specifically