A Separate Path Through the Broken Realm · Alone to Annihilation Judgment

The world was silent, and the blue afterglow drifted like a veil of light.

Qin Yu slowly withdrew his steps. The Azure Ring had not completely faded. The azure light swirled and flowed above his sea of consciousness, like a bottomless azure abyss. The suppression brought by that attack had not completely dissipated. The Heavenly Dao of the entire remnant space seemed to be "avoiding" his presence.

He stood at the very center, like a writer of final judgment.

Only eight soul breaths remained around.

--Yun Yunyi stood to his left and behind, her breathing slightly disordered, but her eyes still revealed determination. Although the fusion of her three souls in her Illusory Dragon body was under immense pressure, it had not collapsed or dissipated. Her pair of radiant dragon eyes remained firmly locked on the distant Realm Splitting, in preparation for any further turmoil.

--Wang Long stood on the right, his body covered in wounds. The black and gold life wheel Soul Seal kept rotating to repair his fractured bones, but his gaze was as calm as iron.

He chuckled softly and said, "That last move... it doesn't even deserve the word 'battle' to describe it."

Heng Yan knelt on the half-collapsed stone structure, his body surrounded by a protective ring of blazing flames, which was recovering. The burning power of the "Shattered Cause Blade Fire Wheel" had not yet fully recovered, but his soul consciousness was still accurately perceiving the changes in the battle situation.

Luo Qingluan sat behind Wang Long, her palms cracked, tiny drops of blood trickling down her fingers. She gently wiped them away and whispered, "As long as the chain of consciousness remains... it's not a defeat."

--Gui Ming Luo stood in front of the ruins not far away, his gaze complex.

He sighed, "... The Annihilation Lord Realm is not the Ultimate. I pride myself on my battle strategies, my Sever Thought and discern the true nature of all enemies, but that attack just now—was something that annihilated all 'thoughts'."

He looked at Qin Yu, and for the first time, a deep respect and... heart palpitations appeared in his eyes.

Chu Linyou coughed up a mouthful of blood, her voice trembling but earnest. "That Daoist technique... what's your name?"

She no longer concealed her identity, but instead, as a disciple of the Era Severance Primordial Hall, solemnly asked the question.

Qin Yu didn't answer immediately, but calmly glanced at her and whispered four words:

"No Perception, Myriad Extinctions."

She froze, trembling slightly. "... Idea-killing?"

-- Ji Chen stood at the edge of the battle circle, looking at the azure light in the void that had not yet completely dissipated, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

He took a few steps closer and finally spoke, "I understand... Ling Wan'er said back then, 'Behind you, there is a chain of fate that doesn't belong to any historical record'... So, she was referring to the ring behind you..."

He spoke, letting out a long sigh, his voice clearer than ever before:

"Ji Chen, a formal-level member of the Shattered Cause Eternal Hall. I approached Lü Tan before only to conceal my identity, but from now on, I will fight only for you."

After this catastrophe, only eight people survived, all of whom were seriously injured or had their souls shaken. Only Qin Yu was immune to the backlash from the Azure Ring and suffered almost no real damage.

The sky has not yet returned to its original compositional logic; the rules of heaven and earth seem to still be "analyzing" the basis for the existence of that attack.

The group gathered around Qin Yu, exhausted, but a clear thought simultaneously surfaced in their eyes:

Qin Yu is no longer just a participant in this competition; he has become a "defining level" existence of the current era— the Source of Epochless.

After annihilating the three enemies, the Forgotten Realm fell silent once more. But before the group could recover, the space in front of them suddenly trembled, as if layers of thin curtains were being torn apart and collapsed—

Qin Yu suddenly looked up, his eyes flickering slightly. "The source... is echoing."

All they saw was a black and silver core domain emerging from the depths of the torn composition. There was no sound, no flow of time, and all sense of existence was stripped away. When their souls probed into it, it was as if their own "logic of origin" had been returned to blankness.

A half-broken stone tablet floats atop the core, inscribed with ancient, forgotten text: [Origin Cause Root Seal, Silent Construct Cause Core]

"The success of a skill depends on its cause; if the cause is destroyed, the skill itself is ruined."

This is the hiding place of the second Remnant Construct Soul Crystal.

Just as everyone was wondering how to approach this "logic death zone," Qin Yu suddenly had a thought—

Azure Ring slowly emerged from his sea of consciousness, silent yet gently rotating. A faint blue light flickered in and out of the world, and then—a "staircase" emerged from the "Does Not Exist space," leading directly to the "Core Stele Body."

Each level is composed of fragmented logical pieces of failed techniques, each step a remnant of the loser.

Wang Long whispered, "This is... a conceptual-level structural ladder?"

Qin Yu nodded. "Not just anyone can leave."

He took a step forward, Azure Ring light flashed accordingly. The Silent Construct Cause Core trembled slightly, as if it had begun to awaken.

The crowd followed one after another, and only under the protection of the blue light behind him could they avoid being devoured by the "source of deprivation".

As the eight people stepped onto the last blue staircase, an endless void suddenly unfolded before them—the mirror chamber structure of the Origin Core.

In the center of the mirror chamber, a quietly floating crystal of nuclear imprints, like a cosmic embryo still in its placenta, has a core that is triple-layered: the cause of technique, the cause of cognition, and the Fate-Cause.

Azure Ring halo of light floated above the crystal. With a slight rotation, a wisp of annihilation pattern emerged from the crystal, slowly revealing four characters:

The Silent Construct Cause Core is not a physical entity, but rather a "primordial authoritative entity of the authority of annihilation."

Just then—a wisp of azure light drew out an annihilation script from the core crystal and slowly landed in Qin Yu's palm.

In an instant, Qin Yu felt a line of celestial blue characters appear in his sea of consciousness:

[Acquiring the Origin Cause Root Seal, and the Silent Construct Cause Core]

Effect: Annihilates the root cause of enemy skills, removing the source of their skill creation authority. One-time use of Cause Annihilation: 1 time.

Everyone fell silent.

Heng Yan whispered, "... This is a power even more terrifying than 'killing enemies'."

Gui Ming Luo gazed at the Silent Construct Cause Core, muttering to himself, "I thought I was good at Sever Thought, but only now do I realize—you can sever 'cause'."

Yunyi stood behind him, a slow smile playing on her lips, "After Ji Gou, I'm afraid... no one can stop him."

This was the first time Ji Chen had witnessed Qin Yu truly "acquiring the ultimate treasure" up close, and he finally understood why even Ling Wan'er had said:

"He doesn't fight for the sake of fighting, but for—to completely rewrite the world's construction techniques."

In the deepest abyss of judgment in the Soul Realm, Tong Ning beneath the "Construction Technique Judgment Mirror," her Triple Chain-Severing Pupil slowly rotating.

The moment the "Silent Construct Cause Core" is truly activated, the mirror ceases to record and automatically activates a soul-shaking warning.

Without her command, all the technical chains within the trial tower surfaced [overflow curves], and the deduction system became completely unbalanced.

Tong Ning's eyes flashed with a sharp light as he said in a deep voice, "... That Azure Ring, this time, it won't annihilate the enemy, but rather— Cause Annihilation."

She stretched out her hand, Triple Chain-Severing Pupil manifested in her palm. With a gentle clench, she forcibly sealed the nuclear fluctuations that had just been triggered into the core of the Soul Mirror Tower.

For the first time, her expression showed emotion. "Severing the cause, cutting off the starting point."

"If this continues... he will become someone I cannot observe, just as I have become."

Yan Yue and Zi Xue stood side by side in front of the mirror, still watching the battlefield from behind Shu Xunyan.

The moment the Origin Cause Root Seal Silent Construct Cause Core " was truly acquired, the Observation Mirror was struck as if by lightning, and a blue chain of causal totems appeared from top to bottom, causing even the Phenomenon-Observing Mirror itself to tremble for a moment.

Yan Yue instantly gripped her sleeves tightly and whispered, "That is... the true power of the Silent Construct Cause Core..."

She turned to look at Shu Xunyan, a rare hint of unease appearing in her eyes:

"This Remnant Construct Soul Crystal is the key to future 'Fate Soul fusion'. But if it falls into Qin Yu's hands... wouldn't it be even more dangerous than if I fused with it?"

Shu Xunyan for a long time. Looking at the image in the mirror —the Azure Ring and the Cause Annihilation mist—he sighed:

"You say he's dangerous... but it's more accurate to say that under Azure Ring, there's no logic left to rely on."

Zi Xue remained silent for a long time before softly saying:

"He didn't just steal things... he tore the world apart from its old structure."

Inside a tower hall known as the "Epoch Inquiry Main Platform," a group of the Annihilation Lord Realm or above were recording the martial arts competition.

At this moment, a message automatically appeared on the observation array, the technical screen, and the record book:

[The Eleventh Era of the Source of Epochless: The Appearance of the Azure Ring - Cause Annihilation Granted]

[ By the Cause Judge Qin Yu - Record Acquisition]

[Structure Approval Level: Transcendent - Unclassifiable]

The entire observation hall was silent; even the oldest chief priest of the broken structure murmured softly:

"Azure Ring... is repeatedly stripping the entire world from our control."

At this moment, Azure Ring was no longer just a mysterious unknown.

Its true identity has already been given a real name at the very top of the Source of Epochless: the Annihilation Construct Sequence Cause Bearer.

Under the gloomy sky, the Annihilation Ash Plateau remained Silent Void.

The main palace of the Ceyuan Clan is hidden beneath the Broken Flow Layer, where a cup of ancient strong liquor is slowly swirling at Yu Yuance's fingertips.

However, the next moment-

Above the Soul Mirror, a beam of "Cause Annihilation Blue Radiance" shot straight to the top of the mirror, and the spell structure that appeared contained only one sentence:

[Qin Yu - Already Seized the Origin Cause Root Seal - Silent Construct Cause Core]

[All six people sent by Feng Li were wiped out]

--Click!

Yu Yuance's fingers suddenly tightened, and the cup of wine shattered instantly.

Amber liquid spilled onto the Life Chain diagram in front of him, causing the Soul Chain runes to flicker, as if they too were trembling slightly.

His eyes were icy cold as he muttered to himself:

"Feng Li, the 'Disruptor of Fate' you spoke of actually wiped out your entire scheme in just a few days?"

"Your four 'Annihilation Realm Assassins,' not a single one of them survived?"

[Feng Li - Secret Palace Core - Faceless Audio-Visual Image]

At this moment, within the fractured palace, a mirror image of annihilation patterns appeared, Feng Li dressed in a platinum robe, her face still distorted and obscured by soul energy.

Her voice was calm, yet it concealed an intense inner turmoil.

"... Heng Nian is dead, E Zhen has fled."

"Yan Chu, Lan Guilian, Yuan Zhi... all died from the 'Azure Ring Technique.' I... never expected that thing would actually awaken."

"Lü Tan also severed his own Fate Soul, but failed to replace that 'Core of Cause'..."

Yu Yuance sneered, his voice like shattering metal:

"You didn't expect that? You think your few dogs can tear Qin Yu to shreds? If he's just Final Wheel, why would I even notice him?"

"Now he holds the 'Construct Abyss Fragmented Page' and the 'Silent Construct Cause Core,' do you know what that means?"

He turned around and looked at the dark, colossal monument at the edge of the plateau, his voice now undisguisedly sharp:

"--This means he already possesses the key to the components that can shake the very foundation of [the structure of the epoch]."

"You've failed twice. The third time, I will personally intervene."

Feng Li remained silent for a moment, then spoke in a low, hoarse, and stubborn voice:

"You can take action. But I will lay the final fuse."

"If he dares to take the third item [the Cause-Observing Mirror Wheel], that battle will be a trial of annihilation for Azure Ring herself."

Feng Li also used her last remaining power, which she had never used before, for the first time.

The ruins were silent, and the sky was as clear as a mirror.

After the land of the Silent Construct Cause Core was pacified, the eight people stood on the high ground in the middle of the Lost Realm, surrounded by ruins, but their souls still burned brightly.

Qin Yu slowly stood up, his figure as calm as a mountain. Although the Azure Ring on his back had returned to his sea of consciousness, the lingering power of "the Cause Annihilation has been severed" still lingered in everyone's hearts.

His gaze swept over the eight people, and he slowly spoke:

"The first item [Construct Abyss Fragmented Page]... I took it."

"The second item, [Silent Construct Cause Core], has also been acquired."

"Yu Yuance, Feng Li, the people they sent have all perished here."

After these words were spoken, everyone's expressions varied, but only Wang Long nodded slightly:

"Indeed, we cut off all their paths."

Qin Yu suddenly paused for a moment, his gaze fixed on the third unopened fragment of the ancient structure in the distance, and his tone abruptly changed:

"--But I don't plan to take the third item, the [Cause-Observing Mirror Wheel]."

Everyone was taken aback. "This last item is for you."

"Wang Long." He looked directly at Wang Long, "You take Heng Yan, Luo Qingluan, Gui Ming Luo Chu Linyou, Chu Linyou, and Ji Chen with you to retrieve the Cause-Observing Mirror Wheel."

"You'll oversee everything; the rest is up to you."

Wang Long frowned instantly and asked in a low voice, "And what about you?"

Qin Yu turned around, his robes fluttering in the wind, his gaze fixed on the unrevealed boundary of the void on the other side—an area never marked on the map, the only "Ending Domain" that Azure Ring had vaguely hinted at in her sea of consciousness.

"I'm going alone... to the Abyss of Annihilation Judgment."

"The Key of Annihilation Judgment is right there."

Wang Long asked in a deep voice, "That place isn't even shown on any map. What makes you think you can go there alone?"

Wang Long strode forward, his voice urgent: "I'll go with you—"

Qin Yu reached out and stopped him, his voice calm:

"That place is too dangerous. The Key of Annihilation Judgment is one of the fragments of the Annihilation Abyss First Light, a 'residual cause of anti-construction' born before the world's judgment."

"I have the protection of the Azure Ring, the Soul Chain of Annihilation Abyss, and resistance to construct techniques. You are not suitable to go."

Gui Ming Luo frowned slightly and said, "Even if you can withstand it, you'll be all alone..."

Qin Yu looked at them, his eyes clear, calm, and unwavering.

"I can die, but you cannot die with me." "So go and take what is rightfully yours."

"The Cause-Observing Mirror Wheel will be the third stroke in your journey to write the answers for the world."

His gaze swept over Yunyi one last time, and he said softly, "Don't worry, I'll be back."

At that moment, everyone fell silent, except for Wang Long, who slowly walked up to him and whispered:

"If you don't come back, I'll storm the Annihilation Abyss and drag your soul back."

Their eyes met, and they smiled as if nothing had happened.

Qin Yu turned around, the Azure Ring glowing faintly. In the direction of the Annihilation Abyss, layers of space automatically cracked open, as if opening a "Path of Annihilation" just for him alone.

--The Annihilation Judgment Forbidden Domain has officially launched.

The world's deepest judgment is about to be faced by him alone.

After the fierce battle, the snow and wind in the Ring Erosion Ruined Realm had just stopped, and the flames of war had died down, but the azure glow that lingered around everyone had not yet dissipated, like an echo that had not yet Cause Annihilation, leisurely swirling between heaven and earth.

At this moment, Qin Yu stood on the broken steps of the high platform, with the Space Silence cliff behind him and seven people standing silently in front of him.

He slowly reached out, and two crystals appeared in his palm.

--First, there are the fragmented crystal pages reflecting countless remnants of crafting techniques, [Remnant Construct Soul Crystal - Construct Abyss Fragmented Page].

--First, there is the azure core that carries the seal of the Origin Destroyer cause, [Origin Cause Root Seal · Silent Construct Cause Core].

Both float lightly, yet are as heavy as a record of life's origins.

Everyone who looked at the two items felt a sense of shock, awe, and even a hint of barely concealed greed, but these were all suppressed.

The next moment, Qin Yu slowly extended his hands toward Wang Long.

"Wang Long." "These two items are for your safekeeping."

Wang Long was taken aback, his expression turning serious. "You believe me?"

Qin Yu smiled and said, "We fought side by side to the death. If you had harbored ulterior motives, how could I have survived until now?"

Wang Long solemnly accepted the two artifacts. As soon as he held them in his hands, the surrounding spiritual energy seemed to be reshaped.

Heng Yan murmured, "This isn't just a simple quest item... it could practically rewrite the rule chain."

Qin Yu had already turned around, a blue talisman in his hand slicing through the void, and then he reached out and took the hand of someone— Yunyi.

Everyone was taken aback.

Yunyi remained composed, but her calm eyes gave a slight nod to the others.

"Don't worry, we're just going ahead."

Qin Yu said calmly, "Wang Long will lead your team to handle the next Cause-Observing Mirror Wheel."

"The Abyss of Annihilation Judgment... is only suitable for us to go there."

Boom--!

A ripple of Azure Ring shook the heavens and earth, as if a concept had torn apart the spatial barrier. Qin Yu and Yunyi's figures vanished instantly into the void. The heavens and earth closed like a mirror, with only a faint wisp of azure light drifting down and landing in Wang Long's palm.

A single word faintly appeared within the bluish glow: [Save]

The crowd remained silent for a long time.

Heng Yan: "He's... bearing too much on his own."

Gui Ming Luo took a deep breath. "But he's not alone anymore. Yunyi... is no weaker than anyone else."

Wang Long gripped the two Remnant Construct Soul Crystal tightly in his hand, gazed into the distance, and said calmly:

"Then we will protect all of this for him."

At this moment, Azure Ring's host has entered the Forbidden Domain of Annihilation Judgment.

Those who remained in the Lost Realm no longer bore only the weight of victory or defeat in the competition, but also the responsibility of [protecting the future left behind by Qin Yu].