The voice seemed to strike directly at the deepest recesses of their souls, carrying a guiding force they could scarcely resist. Dai Youheng and the Snow Empress exchanged a glance, each seeing gravity and resolve in the other's eyes. Since they could not resist, they would face it calmly.
He tightened his grip on the Snow Empress's hand, took a deep breath, and led her onto the eerie path that had appeared in the endless void.
On either side of the path, the chaotic scenery began to change violently, unfolding into seven enormous visions, utterly different yet equally soul-shaking, like seven gateways into the abyss of human nature.
In the first vision, a towering throne stood majestically, built from the bones of countless kneeling creatures. The figure seated upon it was indistinct, yet radiated an overwhelming majesty that looked down upon all things and regarded all living beings as ants. His mere existence dimmed the surrounding stars and bent the laws to his will. It was absolute arrogance, placing the self above heaven, earth, and all creation.
The second vision became a grand celebration of the gods. Yet in a shadowy corner, a twisted figure stared fixedly at the being who commanded everyone's attention at the center of the festivities. He clutched a poisoned dagger, an unquenchable green flame of venomous resentment burning in his eyes, as though he longed to drag everything beautiful in the world into the same muddy abyss he inhabited. It was a soul-gnawing anguish born of possessing nothing while others had everything.
In the third vision, heaven and earth seemed to become a furnace and a sea of blood. A colossal god who spanned heaven and earth had descended into utter madness. Every punch shattered mountains and rivers and tore space apart. His boundless fury