"A great calamity strikes every so often, repeating in an unbroken cycle."
"The forebears of Deer-Chasing Academy once devised many ways to escape this great calamity, but all ended in failure."
At the mention of the great calamity, Shi Qingyun's expression grew grave, and anger rose in his heart.
No one could remain calm when treated as food for others to crush and knead at will.
"Only when the previous Sacrificial Spirit found a Small World at the cost of his life did we gain a way to face the great calamity."
Shi Qingyun understood now. The current Sacrificial Spirit must have been left behind by the previous one.
"The Boundless Sea?"
Their conversation gradually drifted away, and Shi Qingyun came to understand Deer-Chasing Academy's present circumstances.
Under the Mountain Master's expectant gaze, he nodded, choosing to become the new Mountain Master after all.
"I promised the Sacrificial Spirit I would look after the academy. I won't go back on my word."
The Mountain Master nodded in satisfaction. Just as he had anticipated, Shi Qingyun had agreed.
"You needn't worry, either. Though the academy has no Venerables, Elder Bai and others in the Arraying Realm are still here."
"You can leave all the miscellaneous affairs to them as well."
After giving him a few more reminders, the Mountain Master turned into a wisp of smoke and vanished from the mountaintop, drifting farther and farther away on the breeze.
Shi Qingyun stood where he was, watching the sea of clouds churn. A brilliant divine light flashed in his eyes, and he, too, vanished.
The sun rose and the moon set. Time slowly passed in waiting.
Inside a secluded chamber, a youth slowly opened his eyes, and a terrifying aura instantly spilled from his body.
Before him, an eye with Double Pupils