In the Annihilation Lord, the rain of blue light had not yet ceased, but the grand ceremony had already concluded. All the generals, elders, and members of the Divine Soul Sect withdrew, and were assigned the task of repairing the hall. The main hall gradually quieted down, and its radiance, like water, shone on the jade steps.
Qin Yu in the main seat, his gaze sweeping over the few people he cared about in the hall. His expression was no longer as solemn as before, but rather held a touch of gentleness. He exhaled softly and said in a clear voice:
"Gentlemen, you have all assumed your duties. The subsequent reconstruction and defense will proceed according to the previously arranged plan."
Upon hearing the command, everyone cupped their hands and replied in unison, "Yes, Annihilation Lord!"
Immediately afterwards, Xuancang Shenying, Grand Venerable Mingxu, Ling Jingxi, Yao Wanqing, Zhou Yu and others all left the main hall one by one and returned to their respective realms to handle the reconstruction matters.
After everyone had left, Qin Yu's gaze shifted slightly to the white-clad woman standing quietly beside the hall, his voice gentle yet tinged with seriousness:
"Yao Zhiyan, you stay."
Yao Zhiyan was slightly taken aback, but quickly replied in a low voice, "Okay."
Qin Yu glanced at Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan beside him. The two women were quietly watching him, their expressions calm, their eyes Wenwan, yet their gazes held a hint of thought. Qin Yu smiled slightly, took their hands, and led them to him.
"Wan'er, Ruishan, let me introduce you."
"Her name is Yao Zhiyan. She's a friend I met while clearing out the eerie mist in the Soul Cavern Dense Forest of Source of Epochless." His voice was slow and steady, and his memories unfolded with each word.
"Afterwards, she and I were caught in a teleportation array and arrived at the Source of Epochless land of Ji Wuzhiyuan— the Star Abyss Forecourt. At that time, space cracked and soul consciousness collapsed, and I was completely cut off from you for a time."
"It wasn't until... we joined forces to shatter the [Dawn Soul Book Prison - Fate-Annihilating Heaven-Sealer] formation that we were able to escape the realm's trap and return in time."
Upon hearing this, Qian Ruishan was deeply moved, but felt no resentment whatsoever. She gently tightened her grip on Qin Yu's hand, looked at Yao Zhiyan, and her expression was sincere:
"Yao Zhiyan... thank you for being there for your husband when he was alone, for clearing obstacles for him, and for ultimately Annihilation Abyss."
Mu Qingwan stepped forward, a smile playing on her lips, but her eyes filled with emotion. "If you hadn't fought alongside him, he probably wouldn't have made it in time today... You weren't just protecting him, you were protecting us too."
Yao Zhiyan was slightly flustered and quickly shook her head. "I... I didn't actually do anything."
She lowered her eyes for a moment, then whispered, "Throughout the journey, the one who truly protected me was 'Mo Chen'..."
As soon as the words left their mouths, Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan exclaimed almost simultaneously, "Senior Brother Mo Chen?"
The two exchanged a glance, both revealing a hint of suspicion mixed with a smile, as if they had sensed something.
Qin Yu coughed lightly and scratched the back of his neck with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"Ahem... Actually, I was ordered by Senior Tong Ning and Senior Yan Xu to change my appearance and name to 'Mo Chen' when traveling through the Soul Cavern Dense Forest and the Star Abyss Forecourt to avoid being spied on..."
"Only after returning to the Annihilation Abyss did he regain his original identity."
He turned his gaze to Yao Zhiyan: "In fact, Miss Zhiyan, you already guessed it, didn't you?"
Yao Zhiyan nodded quietly, her voice soft:
"Hmm... that day in the Star Abyss Forecourt, when you used the Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword, I was almost certain."
"That's no ordinary combat technique, but rather the sword spirit aura unique to Lord Qin Yu. Furthermore, your phrase 'Fate Trajectory Profiling' has already revealed clues about your identity."
"But... since you haven't brought it up, I won't ask. You have your reasons for keeping it to yourself, Zhiyan doesn't want to elaborate."
As she spoke, she slowly raised her eyes, looked at Qin Yu, and added softly:
"I trust you."
This sentence, though without any dramatic ups and downs, was like a gentle spring flowing quietly into a lake of the heart, causing Qin Yu's heart to tremble. He gazed into her clear eyes, speechless for a long time.
Seeing this, Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan did not disturb them. Instead, they looked at each other and understood each other's feelings.
Qian Ruishan said softly, "Zhiyan, we don't care who accompanied him through that dark period, as long as that person... is trustworthy."
Mu Qingwan gently took her hand. "We... will be family from now on."
At this moment, the blue light had not yet faded. The four women looked at each other, but there was no arguing between them. There was only a warm feeling of mutual recognition, as if their souls had formed a bond through the intertwining of fate.
Qin Yu's eyes also held a hint of tenderness, a reluctance to leave the mortal world.
He knew in his heart that the real war was not over.
But at this moment, within the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, the most precious warmth has been found.
The hall was quiet, with only the sound of raindrops falling gently, casting a warm glow on the glazed floor of the main hall. After Yao Zhiyan took her seat, the atmosphere became slightly calmer, but Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan still had slightly furrowed brows.
They had already sensed that although Qin Yu had returned safely, he had been suppressing a secret he hadn't revealed.
Finally, Qian Ruishan spoke softly, her voice Wenwan yet tinged with unease:
"My lord... this time you've returned... why are only you and Miss Zhiyan here? Where are Yunyi, Extinguished Light, and Sister Yan Yue...?"
Upon hearing this, Mu Qingwan also looked over, her eyes filled with a mixture of worry and anticipation.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu's expression hardened slightly. After a moment of silence, he finally nodded gently. He slowly rose, walked to the glass window on the side of the hall, looked at the sky filled with the falling blue rain, and spoke softly.
He said, "Wan'er, Ruishan, I know you have doubts in your hearts, about Yan Yue, about Yunyi, about Extinguished Light... I will tell you everything now."
The two women nodded gently, their eyes fixed on him, their expressions a mixture of concern and slight unease.
Qin Yu spoke slowly and deeply, his voice echoing throughout the main hall. "Deep within the Heavenly Emanation Treasure Realm, Yan Yue was severely injured by nine dark beings using cruel methods. In that battle... she almost died. At the time, I desperately tried to take her away, but the power of those nine dark beings far exceeded my ability to resist..."
His knuckles turned slightly white, his grip tightened slightly, and his tone suddenly turned heavy. "It was the Void Threshold Empress — Huayan— who appeared. She single-handedly suppressed those nine terrifying beings and forcibly pulled Yan Yue and me back from the brink of death."
Upon hearing Mu Qingwan was deeply shaken. "Void Threshold Empress... what kind of existence is that...?"
Qin Yu nodded, deep respect appearing in his eyes. "She didn't say much, only leaving behind the short phrase—'The cause and effect are not yet finished, the destiny has not yet ended,' before Time Splitting and taking Yan Yue away."
"When Yan Yue was rescued by Huayan, her Fate Soul was extremely fragile, but Void Threshold Empress's strength was unfathomable, and Yan Yue only improved when she was by her side."
With tears welling in her eyes, Qian Ruishan whispered softly, "Sister Yan Yue... was she seriously injured...?"
Qin Yu gently pulled her into his arms, then held Mu Qingwan's hand, saying, "Don't worry, she'll be fine."
As for Yunyi and Extinguished Light...
At this point, his expression darkened. "The two of them, while fighting the dark creatures summoned by Mystic Emanation Nether Venerable Liang Jichen, forcibly suppressed the remaining shadows to cover our retreat. Although they didn't perish, they are still severely injured in their sea of consciousness and are currently sleeping and recuperating under the Tree of the Void in my sea of consciousness. Azure Ring once said—that is the Origin Consciousness Annihilation Flower Sealing Layer, which cannot be forcibly awakened by those with extraordinary vitality. As of now, they have not yet awakened."
After these words were spoken, both Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan remained silent for a moment.
After a long while, Mu Qingwan gently leaned close to his shoulder and said softly, "Husband, you don't need to blame yourself... They were willing to risk their lives for you because you were already someone they could entrust their lives to."
Qian Ruishan also looked up, gently wiping away her tears. "I know that Sister Yan Yue will definitely come back, and we will wait for her to protect the Annihilation Abyss Epoch together."
Qin Yu nodded slowly, his eyes as deep as a galaxy, reflecting the ever-falling blue rain curtain from the sky.
He murmured softly, uttering the words like a vow. "Yan Yue, Yunyi, Extinguished Light... I will definitely bring you all back."
The Rain of Azure Radiance began to brighten slightly at this moment, as if sensing his intentions. It fell into the radiance like pure tears cleansing the dust of calamity, illuminating the remaining world and lighting the way for all those who have not yet returned—the path they will eventually take.
Qin Yu gently embraced Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan, and was about to speak again when the palace doors quietly opened. A familiar snow-white figure walked gracefully out from the azure light, surrounded by starlight and cascading black feathers.
"Zi Xue!" Qian Ruishan spotted the figure at a glance and immediately stood up happily, quickly going to greet her, "Are your injuries all healed?"
Zi Xue walked slowly, bowed slightly, and spoke in a respectful yet clear voice, "Reporting to Master's Wife, this disciple is now out of danger. My Star Power and Phoenix Soul have returned to their original positions, and my combat strength has been fully restored."
She raised her eyes, and the purple-gold starlight still burned in her phoenix eyes, but the dejection after the battle was gone. Instead, there was a sense of composure and determination honed from the ordeal.
Qin Yu looked at her, his gaze deep, and slowly said, "Zi Xue, you truly endured a long and arduous battle."
Zi Xue, however, showed no sign of being flattered. Instead, she took a few steps closer without hesitation, knelt on one knee, and performed the disciple's salute, her voice booming like stars in the sky.
"You are my master. If it weren't for you bestowing the Flower of Stars upon me at the Fate Emanation Nether Cliff, breaking the Realm Lock between me, a Transdimensional True Immortal, and the original Epoch Origin, I would still be nothing more than an Outer Dimension cultivator, never able to truly establish myself in the Source of Epochless."
She slowly raised her head, a phoenix pattern quietly blooming between her brows, her eyes filled with unwavering determination:
"It is you who gave me the foundation to return to this world; it is you who gave me a true Fate Soul trajectory; it is you who made me, amidst the turmoil of this Epoch Origin, no longer a firefly, but a true guardian of the stars."
"The Annihilation Abyss Epoch is now the great realm you rule. Your disciple, Zi Xue, even if ten thousand enemies are at the edge of the abyss and the heavens and earth collapse, there is absolutely no way I would stand idly by."
Her words, spoken with unwavering conviction, resonated throughout the main hall, moving everyone present.
Qin Yu looked at her quietly, his eyes filled with both the satisfaction of a teacher and the solemnity of the World Enforcement. He slowly extended his right hand and helped Zi Xue up. "Get up, Zi Xue."
"You did very well in this battle; you are no longer just my disciple."
"You are one of the true battle spirits of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch."
Zi Xue pursed her lips, her eyes slightly red, but she said nothing more. She simply nodded respectfully and stood beside Qin Yu. Her phoenix shadow stood in the azure light of the main hall, like the only undying point in the unmoving star map.
Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan looked at her, both with relief in their eyes. Qian Ruishan chuckled softly, "Sister Zi Xue, having a battle spirit like you makes the Annihilation Abyss Epoch even more reassuring."
Mu Qingwan took her hand and whispered, "You've had a tough journey. We'll work together on the reconstruction."
A glint of light flickered in Zi Xue's eyes as she gently nodded. "I am willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with my master's wife and protect the Annihilation Abyss together."
At this moment, the Rain of Azure Radiance outside the main hall gradually transformed into a layer of azure sky, illuminating the entire Annihilation Abyss Epoch and reflecting the even more determined figures after their rebirth.
The Lord of the Annihilation Abyss has returned, the generals of Annihilation Abyss have reunited, and the souls of this realm will never perish again.
Inside the main hall, the azure light still shone brightly, like starlight that never faded. Qin Yu slowly rose from his high position, his gaze falling on Zi Xue. His eyes held no trace of domineering authority, but rather a hint of inquiry and sincerity:
"Zi Xue."
His voice was low and slow yet authoritative, and a faint blue light flickered within it, like the surging waves of the Epoch Origin era shaking the heavens.
"Your current cultivation has reached the [Annihilation Lord Realm - Supreme], and with the Star-Commanding Mystic Phoenix Soul's blessing, wielding the Star-Silence Phoenix Sovereign Sword, whether you are in the Source of Epochless or guarding the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, you are a true powerhouse capable of cutting through all enemies."
"You have also passed the grand competition at the gates of the Eternal Evolution Realm Hall, obtained the Source Realm Pill, and your Fate Soul structure has stabilized, allowing you to attempt to break through to the Primordial Void Gate at any time."
Qin Yu's tone was calm, but his words were also full of concern and respect for her future:
"If you are willing to return with me to the Source of Epochless, you can participate in the battle for the Temple Guardians several years from now, officially assume the position of Discipline, and stand shoulder to shoulder with me to guard the Source."
"If you prefer to protect the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, this great world where you once fought and bled together will still be your sacred ground for training and growth."
"The Annihilation Abyss Epoch is vast; the nine layers of star regions remain unexplored, and the Ancient Clan of the Eight Abyss still harbor hidden influences. You may choose for yourself."
His voice was like the wind piercing through a snowy plain, vast yet carrying a profound respect. He did not use his status to oppress her or impose orders, but simply left the choice to her.
Upon hearing this, Zi Xue's gaze fell silent for a moment, a thoughtful look of starlight and affection flashing in her phoenix eyes.
She slowly stepped forward, her figure like a phoenix solitary in the snowy night, her voice like starlight illuminating mountains and seas, solemn and resolute:
"Master."
"Now that the Annihilation Abyss Epoch is in its initial stages of recovery, the Star Palace has not yet been rebuilt, the Eight Abysses are not yet stable, and undercurrents still surge within the Great Realm."
"I know that you are about to return to the Source of Epochless to purge the remnants of the True Word Extremity Hall; and the official election for the Temple Guardians is still several years away. If I were to accompany you now, I could only stay temporarily with you and there would be little I could do."
As she said this, she turned slightly, looked at Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan, and then looked back at the Annihilation Abyss universe under reconstruction:
"This disciple wishes to remain here, to accompany my master and his wife, and to assist all the disciples of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch in rebuilding the realm's veins and jointly constructing the soul of this realm."
"When the Temple Guardians are reinstated in a few years, I will definitely go to the Eternal Evolution Realm Hall and, with my achievements and the light of the Star Path, step into the ranks of those true Destiny Masters!"
Her voice was clear and melodious, yet it was like the cry of a phoenix in the heavens, causing everyone present to be deeply moved.
Qin Yu gazed at her for a long time without speaking, only nodding, his eyes showing both a faint sense of relief and deep admonition.
"Very well," he said. "I can rest assured that this vast territory is in your care."
Zi Xue bowed respectfully. "I will obey your orders, Master."
At that moment, Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan quietly walked to her side, took her hand, and smiled gently, "Zi Xue, let's rebuild the Annihilation Abyss together."
Outside the palace, the Rain of Azure Radiance had not yet ceased, the Milky Way hung low, and beneath the sky of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, everything was being reborn.
The Annihilation Abyss Epoch is protected because of them; the Annihilation Abyss Soul will never perish or retreat.