Azure Radiance Shines Upon All · All Beings Cross Realms
The lingering warmth of the dissipating golden gate lingered in the Spirit Firmament for three whole hours. The remaining Daoist radiance of that Azure Ring, like fine soul threads, wrapped around every inch of the Spirit Firmament's mountains and rivers, and every sect's Soul Stele, seemingly silently guarding it, or perhaps commemorating the figure that had stepped into the boundary.
Xuancang Shenying stood on the high platform at the heart of the Spirit Firmament. Most of the divine radiance of the Silent Origin Venerable Rank was subdued, leaving only a wisp of pale blue soul energy lingering around his fingertips. He stared at the direction where the golden light dissipated, remaining motionless for a long time. Grand Venerable Mingxu slowly stepped forward, his black soul robe sweeping across the broken stones in front of the steps, making a soft rustling sound that broke the silence between heaven and earth.
"He has already stepped into the Annihilation Epoch Realm." The voice of the Grand Venerable Mingxu was deep and resonant, like an ancient bell, carrying a hint of melancholy yet also an unwavering certainty. "That ring merged with his soul frequency; it was the call of the Annihilation Epoch Realm's origin, which no one could stop or disturb."
Xuancang Shenying slowly turned around, his divine eyes reflecting the outlines of countless sects in the Spirit Firmament. His tone was heavy yet clear. "We have guarded the Spirit Firmament for billions of years, only to end the false era of the Immortal Antiquity Era, but we never imagined that we would ultimately entrust the hope of this realm to a young man who steps into an unknown dimension." He raised his hand and stroked the boundary marker beside him. The marker was engraved with the Soul Seal of the guardians of the realm throughout the ages, and it was now slightly warm in the lingering aura of the Azure Ring. "Do you know that the Fate Beginning Realm in the Annihilation Epoch Realm, seemingly the starting point, is actually the Ultimate trial for 'existence'? The strongest beings of the Spirit Firmament throughout history have not even had the qualification to approach the boundary gate."
The Grand Venerable Mingxu nodded slightly, a wisp of Netherworld consciousness condensing at his fingertip, transforming into a pale black soul pattern that hovered between the two. "I once saw fragments of remnant consciousness from the Annihilation Epoch Realm deep within the Mingxu. There are no shackles of the Spirit Firmament's realm there, but there are even more stringent judgments of the Dao—every step of cultivation is a reshaping of one's own Fate Soul destiny. The slightest carelessness will result in annihilation by the realm's laws, leaving not even a broken soul." He paused, his gaze turning towards the direction of the Jade Moon Hall, his tone softening slightly, "But Qin Yu is different. His ring is the adjudicator above the Silent Beginning, possessing its own primordial Dao laws. Perhaps, he can truly break through those ten realms and find the truth of a higher dimension."
Jade Moon Hall, the faint light of the broken mirror lingered. Yao Wanqing held the Soul Seal Qin Yu had condensed in her hand, her fingertips gently caressing the seven soul patterns on it. Her voice was so soft it seemed to blend into the wind. "He said he would only take us, but this realm is separated from the Annihilation Epoch by tens of thousands of dimensions. Soul frequencies cannot communicate; we cannot even sense a trace of his aura." She raised her hand and pressed the Soul Seal to her brow. The mirror trembled slightly, reflecting Qin Yu's departing figure. Her eyes held unspoken longing, yet without a trace of resentment. "But I believe him. He never breaks his word. Just like he promised, he will definitely end the Immortal Antiquity War and protect the Spirit Firmament Dome."
Zhou Yu leaned against a pillar, his Thunder Sword planted diagonally in the ground, the lightning patterns on its blade still humming faintly, as if echoing the lingering soul energy of Qin Yu. He raised a hand to scratch his hair, his tone still carrying a hint of arrogance, yet unable to conceal the desolation in his eyes. "What Ten Realms of Annihilation Epoch, what dimensional truth? He's so carefree, leaving us here in the Spirit Firmament without even a proper farewell." Despite his words, he bent down and gripped the hilt of the sword, slowly channeling lightning energy into it, the sword techniques and soul patterns Qin Yu had taught him appearing on the blade. "But it's alright. He's gone to explore his higher dimensions, I'll guard this Spirit Firmament, and when he returns, we'll have a proper sword duel. This time, I will not lose."
Qian Ruishan stood by the window, the Ice Butterfly Soul Seal in her palm trembling slightly, transforming into a small ice butterfly that danced around her fingertips. Gazing at the world outside, nourished by the Azure Ring glow, her tone resolute, her usual coldness softened, replaced by a gentler expression. "He took my Ice Butterfly Soul Seal, a part of my soul source. No matter where he is in the Annihilation Epoch Realm, as long as the Soul Seal remains intact, I can sense his safety." She raised her hand, and the Ice Butterfly Soul Seal transformed into a stream of light, merging into the ice patterns outside the hall. "I will protect the Thousand Stamens Sect, protect every inch of this icy domain of the Spirit Firmament, and when he returns, I will show him that I am no longer the disciple who needed his protection."
Mu Qingwan held Xueli in her arms, sitting on the jade steps. Xueli's nine tails gently coiled around her wrist, the icy light merging with her Mirror Moon Soul Breath. She softly stroked Xueli's fur, her voice Wenwan yet powerful. "He never belonged to this realm; the Annihilation Epoch Realm is his true home. All we can do is protect everything he left behind, ensuring his sacrifices are not in vain." She looked up at the sky, her eyes reflecting the countless stars, "When he breaks through the Ten Realms and looks back at the Spirit Firmament, he will know that this is always his home, and we are waiting for him here."
Ming Zhen and Ming Ye stood on either side of the palace entrance, their Netherworld auras subdued, their expressions solemn. Ming Zhen spoke first, his voice calm yet carrying an undeniable firmness. "Qin Yu's soul consciousness is already connected to the origin of the Annihilation Epoch Realm. We cannot interfere, but we can protect the Soul Seal he left behind and the order of the Spirit Firmament." Ming Ye nodded slightly, adding, "If any extraterrestrial evil dares to covet the Spirit Firmament while Qin Yu is away, we will use our Netherworld Souls as blades and the Silent Origin as shields to protect the peace of the Spirit Firmament and live up to his trust."
Outside the hall, a slight breeze stirred, Ling Jingxi reappeared. She was still dressed in plain white, holding a fragment of the Realm Mirror identical to the one Qin Yu held. She stood quietly before the steps of the Jade Moon Hall, gazing in the direction Qin Yu had crossed the boundary, remaining silent for a long time. Yao Wanqing walked out of the hall and approached her, softly asking, "Are you waiting for him too?"
Ling Jingxi slowly turned her head, a faint smile playing on her lips. There was no sadness in that smile, only relief and anticipation. "I'm not waiting for him, I believe in him." She raised her hand, placing the fragment of the Realm Mirror in her hand against the Soul Seal in Yao Wanqing's hand. The two faint lights merged, transforming into a pale blue soul line that shot straight into the sky. "This fragment of the Realm Mirror is the mark of my Boundary Soul's initial awakening. It shares the same origin as the fragment in his hand. As long as he uses the power of the Realm Mirror in the Annihilation Epoch Realm, I will be able to sense it."
"He's stubborn by nature. Once he's made up his mind, he won't turn back, even if it means facing death," Yao Wanqing said softly, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes. "The Annihilation Epoch Realm is too dangerous. The Ten Realms Trial is a life-or-death test at every step. I'm afraid..."
"There's no need to be afraid," Ling Jingxi interrupted her, her tone firm. "He possesses the Soul Diagram of the Silent Beginning Ring Master Soul Diagram, a supreme being that transcends the laws of all realms. Moreover, he holds us and the Spirit Firmament in his heart; this unwavering devotion is his strongest armor." She raised her hand, gently wiping away the glimmer of light from Yao Wanqing's eyes. "All we can do is protect the Spirit Firmament, focus on our own cultivation, and wait for his return—wait for him to break through the Ten Realms of Annihilation Epoch and return to the Spirit Firmament in the name of the Ring Master."
Meanwhile, within the various sects of Spirit Firmament, a solemn yet not sorrowful atmosphere prevailed. Disciples of the Divine Flame Radiant Realm stood in neat rows, gazing towards the direction of the lingering Azure Ring in the sky, and swore in unison. "We are willing to Spirit Firmament and await the return of the Ring Master!" Disciples of the Thunder Prison Mystic Gate Profound Sect gripped thunder blades, their thunderous breath soaring into the sky, their shouts shaking the heavens, "Protect our Spirit Firmament, await the Master's return!" In the mortal world, though the common people did not know who Qin Yu was, they could feel the warm power of the Dao in the world, and they burned incense and prayed, wishing that the figure who protected heaven and earth would return safely.
Xuancang Shenying and Grand Venerable Mingxu stood on the high platform at the heart of the Spirit Firmament, gazing at the thousands of cultivators below, their eyes filled with satisfaction. Xuancang Shenying raised his hand, injecting his own Silent Origin Venerable Rank into the core of the Spirit Firmament, his voice resounding throughout the entire Spirit Firmament: "From this day forward, the Spirit Firmament Great Realm, beginning with the 'First Era of Silent Origin,' shall all sects unite to protect the realm and await Qin Yu's return!"
The Grand Venerable Mingxu also raised his hand, his Netherworld Consciousness spreading throughout the entire Spirit Firmament, merging with the Dao principles of the Xuancang Shenying, transforming into a massive Soul Seal that hovered above the Spirit Firmament: "All cultivators of the Spirit Firmament take it upon themselves to protect the Spirit Firmament. If Qin Yu returns, we will follow him to conquer all realms; if Qin Yu needs us, we will use our souls as torches to help him break through to higher realms!"
Jade Moon Hall, everyone gathered. Yao Wanqing placed the Soul Seal condensed by Qin Yu in the center of the palace. Seven Soul Patterns on the Soul Seal shone brightly, each corresponding to one of their seven Soul Frequencies. Zhou Yu planted the Thunder Sword beside the Soul Seal, the Thunder Patterns merging with the Soul Seal's faint light. Qian Ruishan's Ice Butterfly Soul Seal rested on the Soul Seal, its icy light flowing. Mu Qingwan and Xueli infused their Soul Breath into the Soul Seal, the light of the Mirror Moon intertwining with the light of the Ice Soul. Ming Zhen and Ming Ye's Netherworld Consciousness transformed into two Soul Patterns, entwining the sides of the Soul Seal. Ling Jingxi placed her fragment of the Realm Mirror in the center of the Soul Seal, a pale blue light enveloping the entire Soul Seal.
"We'll wait for him here," Yao Wanqing said softly, her gaze fixed on the Soul Seal, her eyes filled with determination.
"When he returns, we'll have a sword fight." Zhou Yu gripped the hilt of his sword, his tone both arrogant and gentle.
"When he returns, he'll see the ice domain I've guarded." Qian Ruishan gazed at the Soul Seal, her eyes gentle.
"Wait for him to come back, and listen to his stories about the Annihilation Epoch Realm." Mu Qingwan gently stroked Xueli, her smile Wenwan.
"We'll wait for him to return, and together we'll Spirit Firmament," Ming Zhen and Ming Ye said in unison, their expressions solemn.
Ling Jingxi looked at everyone, her smile growing even brighter, "When he comes back, tell him that we never left, that we've always been here."
At this moment, in the pure white space of the Annihilation Epoch Realm, Qin Yu's soul consciousness slowly condensed. The Silent Beginning Ring Master Soul Diagram floated behind him, slowly rotating, and the cyan-gold Dao radiance enveloped his entire soul body. He could vaguely sense the seven familiar soul breaths coming from the direction of the Spirit Firmament, and could feel the concern and expectation that transcended dimensions.
He slowly raised his hand, and the fragment of the Realm Mirror appeared in his palm. On the fragment, the figures of everyone in the Spirit Firmament Jade Moon Hall were reflected, along with the expectations of countless cultivators in Spirit Firmament. He spoke softly, his voice, though soft, pierced through the Dao law barrier of the Annihilation Epoch Realm, reaching towards Spirit Firmament: "I will break through the Ten Realms, I will find the truth of dimensions, I will return—wait for me."
In the pure white space, the Soul Seal Wheel of the Fate Beginning Realm slowly emerged. Qin Yu's soul consciousness merged with the Source Dao of the Annihilation Epoch Realm. The Silent Beginning Ring Master Soul Diagram rotated once more, emitting the divine sound of the first cry of all realms.
The trials of the Ten Realms of Annihilation Epoch officially begin at this moment.
In the Spirit Firmament Great Realm, the lingering aura of the Azure Ring has not yet dissipated, and the faint light of the Soul Seal remains. Everyone is holding fast, waiting—waiting for the young man who has crossed the boundary to return to the Spirit Firmament in the name of the Ring Master, and to shatter all realms with the might of the Silent Beginning.