In the pure white world, a narrow, crystal-clear ribbon of light stood out starkly.
No one knew where this ribbon of light began or where it ended, but two figures could be seen moving slowly along it. One was short and somewhat stout, with graying hair; his broad black robe showed none of the usual flowing grace when worn on him. The other was also short, of average build, and dressed in a red robe—the second most eye-catching color in this Blank Land.
Their backs trembled slightly against the pure white backdrop, blurred around the edges.
Yet their voices echoed through this world with remarkable clarity.
"Sir, how did this road appear?"
"When we find our direction and begin moving forward, the road naturally appears."
"Sir, why can we leave the Blank Land by following this little road paved with Sand Hour Worm eggs?"
"Because the Blank Land is a land of consciousness, and time is the most stable anchor for the existence of consciousness. Sand Hour Worms are creatures that pursue time. What we see is a little road laid by Sand Hour Worms, but in truth, these Sand Hour Worms have attached themselves to the 'framework' of the Blank Land. Only by following that framework can we find the nodes of the Blank Land."
"And after we find them? Sir, how do we get out?"
"We are wizards. We know magic."
After a pause, the voices resumed their question-and-answer exchange in the empty world:
"Sir, you said I am the fifth Forbidden Curse... then what is this Forbidden Curse called?"
"Aren't you called 'Zheng Qing'?" The teacher's voice carried a trace of surprise, as though he found the boy's question absurd.
The boy coughed awkwardly.
"Cough," he defended himself in a low voice. "...I just think that compared