In the central square of the Stele Forest Imperial City, a sea of people surged from all directions, their clamor tinged with a tense anticipation. The enormous projection screen suspended high in the sky slowly rotated, intermittently projecting fragments of everything from the Endless Abyss.
At that very moment, a subtle yet undeniable fluctuation suddenly appeared deep within the light screen. The patriarchs of the Lineage looked up almost simultaneously, their gazes locked onto the center like sharp blades.
"The second Mystic Void Non-Stillness Seal... has already been obtained." The voice was deep, yet it instantly shook the entire plaza.
The patriarch of the Shangguan Lineage, Shangguan Lingxiao, stood with his hands behind his back, his aura as restrained as an abyss. He narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze fixed on the reflected world, his tone carrying a mixture of solemnity and interest, "This second seal... it was actually so fast."
He paused, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "There are still ten days until the trial ends."
"Two have already been fired." "The remaining two..." "I'm afraid the consequences will be even more devastating." Before the words were finished—"BOOM—!!!"
In the center of the square, a beam of light suddenly descended from the sky!
That light was not just ordinary light, but a "light of Order Adjudication" formed from the very origin of space. The moment it fell, the world seemed to freeze, and all the cultivators' gazes converged on it.
"He's out!" "Who is it?!" "The recipient of the second Mystic Seal!" "Mystic Void Realm... it's the aura of the Mystic Void Realm!!!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as a figure slowly emerged from within the beam of light.
The man was dressed in a dark blue robe. His aura was steady but carried obvious chaotic fluctuations, indicating that he had just experienced an extremely fierce battle. His face was slightly pale, but his brows revealed an undeniable sharpness.
As the light Rogue Person across the entire square, a deafening roar of discussion and cheers erupted.
"Mystic Void Realm · Middle Stage!" "Mystic Void Realm · Middle Stage expert has actually obtained the second Mystic Seal!"
"Incredible! And it's only been a short time?!"
At this moment, the Chi Lineage's host slowly stepped forward, his voice carrying solemnity and authority, echoing throughout the entire square.
"Second place—" won by Feng Qingyuan, Mystic Void Realm · Middle Stage cultivator!
As soon as he finished speaking, the cultivators from all directions erupted in another uproar.
The man, Feng Qingyuan, stood amidst the afterimages of the pillar of light, slightly raising his head to look at the place where the four supreme treasures were placed in the center of the plaza.
The first one. A Mystic Seal was already floating silently. That was the first place. His gaze darkened slightly.
A sense of resentment quietly surfaced in her heart. "Only... second place."
He exhaled softly, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and then, without further hesitation, stepped forward and slowly walked towards the center according to the rules.
The Mystic Void Non-Stillness Seal, faintly visible in his palm, was placed in the second position as he raised his hand.
In an instant, the Four Seals Formation trembled slightly, and the two Mystic Seal echoed each other, as if confirming each other's "existence." A deeper wave of rules quietly spread out, but quickly subsided.
Feng Qingyuan didn't linger. He knew his current condition was extremely poor; the backlash from the forbidden technique hadn't subsided, and the cracks in his Fate Soul were still spreading.
He turned around, quickly walked into the waiting area to the side, sat cross-legged, and his aura rippled slightly.
The next moment, he flipped his hand, and two divine pills appeared in his palm.
One was entirely dark blue, with what appeared to be cold stars flowing within; the other was a dark gold, with faint causal patterns flowing across its surface.
Without any hesitation, he swallowed it directly. "Boom--!" The power of the pill entered his body, and his Fate Soul trembled.
Two completely different primal forces rapidly spread within his body; one repaired the cracks, while the other forcibly stabilized his existence, gradually calming his Fate Soul, which was on the verge of collapse.
He closed his eyes to heal his wounds, ignoring the outside world. Meanwhile, Shen Qingchen sat quietly not far away, his gaze never leaving the illuminating screen.
He had already won first place, but his mind was still not at ease. "Brother Qin..."
He clenched his fist slightly, a hint of anxiety barely concealed in his eyes. "Only ten days left..." "You... you must be safe and sound."
His Fate Soul slowly circulated, but his mind remained uneasy, as if in that Endless Abyss, there was still a figure who had not yet returned.
On the plaza, as the second Mystic Void Non-Stillness Seal returned to its place and Feng Qingyuan took his seat to heal his injuries, the previously extremely tense atmosphere of killing gradually dissipated with a layer of worldly warmth. The light above the sky shifted slightly, indicating that it was time for a meal.
Suddenly, a soft, spiritual light spread out like water from the sides of the high platform, and ripples spread silently through the space. Then, rows of figures slowly walked out from the light and shadow.
That was a female disciple of the Chi Lineage.
They wore matching light blue flowing dresses, their garments fluttering like spring water. Delicate jade ornaments adorned their waists, and their steps were light yet perfectly synchronized. Each of them carried a faint aura of Spiritual Qi, clearly indicating that they were not merely servants, but specially trained cultivators.
In their hands, they each carried an exquisite tray, upon which lay not ordinary food, but celestial cuisine.
Each dish radiated a soft glow, some like starlight gathering, others like flowing rosy clouds. Even before tasting them, a faint Daoist charm spread through the air, bringing a sense of relaxation to the mind.
There was a jade cup filled with crystal-clear immortal wine. The wine was like flowing moonlight. When it was gently shaken, tiny star patterns could be vaguely seen floating and sinking. The aroma of the wine was not strong, but it could directly penetrate into Fate Soul and gradually slow down one's breathing.
A celestial fruit floated in the dish, its peel as transparent as glass, seemingly sealing within a complete essence of the four seasons. Once tasted, it could nourish one's foundation and replenish what one had consumed.
Some special immortal dishes even contain a faint power of causal regulation. Although they cannot reverse injuries, they can stabilize the fluctuations of the Fate Soul, allowing cultivators who have experienced battle to quickly recover their state of mind.
The entire square was soon enveloped in a warm and luxurious atmosphere.
The surrounding cultivators, who were originally immersed in the struggle and killing intent, were now involuntarily affected by this "intention to regulate their breathing," and their expressions gradually calmed down.
"The Chi Lineage is truly thoughtful..." "The Chi Lineage... they've prepared so thoroughly?"
"This is no ordinary trial competition; it's clearly a grand feast of cultivation..."
"A month... food, lodging, and training have all been arranged..."
"Think back to the Shangguan Lineage last year; not only did they eat terribly, but they also lived in dilapidated conditions."
A murmur of discussion rose and fell, while on the high platform, Chi Boqian, the patriarch of the Chi Family Lineage, stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent, as if all of this was perfectly natural.
After all, this grand event wasn't a one-day contest, but a month-long "battle for Fate Soul."
Anyone who enters this place to watch the battle, regardless of their faction, will witness a series of clashes of Fate Soul and a changing of the tides of opportunity during this month. At the same time, they will need to adjust their mind, stabilize their foundation, and recover their energy during the long wait.
Without a sufficient supply, the strong can remain in seclusion and maintain their strength, while the weak have long been unable to continue due to the exhaustion of watching the battle and the mental shock.
Therefore, long before the conference began, the Chi Lineage had already set up a complete system of immortal cuisine, immortal residences, and Fate Soul conditioning, providing a complete place for all spectators, as well as those cultivators who chose to retreat during the trial but remained here to follow the situation, to rest and recover.
This grand event, spanning a full month, featured both intense battles and Limit clashes within the realm of combat.
There were also meditation sessions in the square, and the interplay of movement and stillness created a grand spectacle that resonated with Fate Soul and the heart of the Dao.
At this moment, two female disciples of the Chi Lineage slowly walked over to the area where Shen Qingchen was, and gently placed the immortal food and wine in front of him and Feng Qingyuan.
Shen Qingchen was slightly taken aback, his gaze falling on the plate of immortal food, but he did not immediately touch it.
His thoughts remained on the world of images.
Feng Qingyuan, standing to the side, merely opened his eyes slightly, glanced at the immortal wine and delicacies on the tray, then closed them again to continue circulating his inner energy to heal his injuries. Clearly, he had little interest in these external things. The square was brightly lit.
On the high platform, Shangguan Lingxiao's gaze was as deep as an abyss as he silently stared at Feng Qingyuan, who was sitting cross-legged and meditating below. After a moment, he slowly turned his head and spoke calmly to a white-haired elder beside him, "Go and fetch a Fate Soul Retracing Divine Pill from our clan and give it to the second-place winner— Feng Qingyuan."
The elder paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, but dared not speak further, only asking in a low voice, "Chieftain, what do you mean...?"
Shangguan Lingxiao's gaze remained unmoved, his tone calm yet carrying an all-knowing certainty. "This boy's aura was chaotic just now, and his Fate Soul was collapsing layer by layer. Clearly, he forcibly used some forbidden divine power to reverse the situation."
He paused slightly, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "To be able to escape from such a chaotic situation and take the Mystic Void Non-Stillness Seal shows that this person's character and methods are both of the highest quality."
"Although he has taken his own elixir, it only stabilizes the surface of his Fate Soul. The cracks in his foundation have not healed. Without a higher level of retrospective power, it will take at least several dozen days to fully recover."
He slowly withdrew his gaze, his tone calm yet profound. "Our clan's Retrospective Fate Soul Pill can perfectly mend the cracks in its very essence."
"Mystic Void Realm · Middle Stage..." "Such a person, if we could bring him under the command of the Shangguan Lineage, would be of great use in the future."
The elder was startled and immediately understood. He respectfully cupped his hands and said, "Your subordinate understands, clan leader, please rest assured."
He turned and left a moment after he finished speaking.
The elder, accompanied by two disciples of the Shangguan Lineage, slowly descended from the side of the high platform. The three were dressed in neat robes and their auras were restrained, yet they exuded an undeniable power. Wherever they passed, the surrounding cultivators who were watching the battle made way for them.
They soon arrived at the area where Feng Qingyuan was located.
At this moment, Feng Qingyuan was closing his eyes to regulate his breathing. Although his aura had stabilized, there was still a faint sense of breakage, as if there were still unhealable cracks deep within his Fate Soul.
He suddenly sensed the presence of the newcomer, his eyes snapped open, and upon recognizing the person, his expression changed drastically. He immediately stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and bowed deeply. "Junior Feng Qingyuan greets Senior!"
Elder Shangguan nodded slightly, his tone gentle yet carrying an undeniable air of composure. "No need for formalities."
Having said that, he flipped his hand, and a warm, smooth jade box appeared in his palm, unopened.
Yet a faint halo was already seeping out from it; the light was not like spiritual power, but more like "the afterglow of time and Causal Retracing," soft and profound.
The elder gently opened the jade box, and in an instant, a pill that was entirely "transparent silver-white" floated quietly inside.
Within the elixir body, there were no fixed patterns, but rather constantly flowing concentric rings of fine causal light. These rings would sometimes contract and sometimes expand, as if they were constantly "regressing to a certain state" and "rewriting a certain existence."
Even more strangely, a very faint "illusory image of Fate Soul" appeared around the pill, as if countless fragmented Fate Soul were being pieced together again and Return to One, in an endless cycle.
It possesses a restorative power that directly targets the very essence of the Fate Soul. "This pill is called the Retrospective Fate Soul Pill."
Elder Shangguan slowly spoke, "It was specially refined to repair the shattered Fate Soul and reverse the loss of its origin."
"In your battle in the Endless Abyss, you used forbidden power, and the foundation of your Fate Soul has been disrupted."
"This pill can help you stabilize your Fate Soul, mend rifts, and even..."
He paused slightly, his tone calm, "To further solidify your Fate Soul." Feng Qingyuan's gaze fell upon the pill, his mind reeling.
He knew very well that these elixirs were no ordinary things; in fact, they could be considered opportunities that could change one's destiny.
Without hesitation, he knelt on one knee, "Junior Feng Qingyuan thanks Clan Chief Shangguan for bestowing upon me the elixir!"
His voice was filled with barely concealed excitement and respect. Elder Shangguan smiled slightly and handed over the jade box, saying, "Get up."
"Recover well." "Ten days later, someone will take you to pay your respects to the clan chief."
Having said that, he said no more, turned and left with his two disciples, disappearing into the crowd with a slight rustle of his robes.
Feng Qingyuan slowly rose, holding the Retrospective Fate Soul Pill in his hands, his gaze filled with complex emotions.
Shocked, grateful, and... ambitious, he slowly composed himself and sat cross-legged again.
He put the pill into his mouth. Buzz—
The moment the elixir entered his body, a warm and vast force of retrospection suddenly unfolded deep within his Fate Soul. The originally broken Fate Soul structure was "reversely reconstructed" little by little at a level invisible to the naked eye, and the cracks slowly healed, becoming even more stable than before.
Feng Qingyuan closed his eyes, and a barely suppressed smile slowly appeared on his lips.
"The Shangguan Lineage..." "I, Feng Qingyuan..." "Finally, I've stepped inside."