Jiye's First Rumblings · The Eve of Resonance

Golden light shimmered on the Cloud Stair Street of the Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital, where merchants came and went, spirit boats crisscrossed, and the air was filled with the clamor of voices.

As Chi Ning lightly stepped onto the floating light bridge, she turned her head with a grin, looking at Qin Yu, who appeared somewhat calm beside her, a slight smile playing on her lips:

"Junior Brother Qin, do you know what the main currency is in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer?"

Qin Yu thought for a moment, then shook his head.

Chi Ning raised his hand and waved it, and a crystal coin with a faint blue starlight appeared at his fingertip. The round, thin piece looked like it was formed from stardust from outer space, with a faint star ring pattern engraved in the center, and the surrounding area was surrounded by chains of secret runes, as if it had its own logic.

This is called -- Starlight Crystal.

"In the middle and even deeper layers, all formal transactions, resource circulation, Soul Seal transfers, and even life chain buyouts are all based on it as the benchmark unit."

She casually tossed the crystal coin into the air, and its brilliance streaked across the void, as dazzling as if parting a starry curtain.

"Legend has it that this main city— the Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital —was formed from the power of the Heavenly Abyss stars, and the Starlight Crystal are made from the very first 'shattered echo of a star,' forged into the core of trade. Each crystal is engraved with the symbol of the main city—a star surrounded by radiance, symbolizing prosperity, eternity, and fairness in trade."

Luo Huan added from the side, "Starlight Crystal come in three forms. Gold Starlight Crystal are used for large-scale transactions within the sect, Silver Crystals are mostly used in ordinary markets, while Annihilation Starlight Crystal... are forged using the rare crystal 'Annihilation Ash Primordial Star' as their base material, and are only used in high-value transactions."

Shen Yuzhi chuckled, "Of course, only the most powerful cultivators deserve to use the rarest medium of exchange."

"And now—" she looked up at Qin Yu, "You just returned from the Fate Severing Gorge, and the Limitless Resonance Crystal Fragment you handed over, based on its market value, is enough to exchange for a full thousand Gold Starlight Crystal, or the equivalent of ten complete Annihilation Starlight Crystal."

Qin Yu lowered his head in thought.

Chi Ning's tone shifted, becoming slightly mysterious:

"But remember, in the Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital —the most valuable thing isn't these Starlight Crystal."

She slowly uttered those words, with profound meaning:

"It's Limitless Resonance Crystal."

She opened her palm, her five fingers delicately tracing the shape of a resonance crystal. "A complete Limitless Resonance Crystal can be exchanged for 100,000 Annihilation Starlight Crystal, but conversely... those who Annihilation Starlight Crystal want to exchange them for resonance crystals? Sorry, not even 100,000. Only those who possess Limitless Resonance Crystal can exchange them for Annihilation Starlight Crystal."

"Resonance Crystals are top-tier materials for refining seals, upgrading, reshaping techniques, and connecting life chains. They are especially crucial for cultivators who have reached the Annihilation Dawn Realm or higher, as they can be a matter of life and death."

Qin Yu, his gaze calm, had already silently memorized the order and value behind the Starlight Crystal system— the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer was not only a testing ground for realms and strength, but also a vast logical market Origin Framework.

Every unit's resource circulation serves as a stepping stone for the next stage of combat capability transformation.

And he had only just begun to enter this game.

The Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital, bathed in radiant light, boasts a network of pathways like rivers, where all things intertwine in its streets and alleys.

The group strolled along the wide path woven from starlight and cascading light, their clothes fluttering as they chatted and laughed easily. They passed through a series of shops brimming with the energy of crafting techniques, auction houses for Soul Seal, and halls for forging life chains, before finally entering a quieter yet still dazzling street.

Chi Ning suddenly turned around, a playful look in her eyes. "Alright, aren't we all hungry?"

She smiled at Qin Yu, "Junior Brother Qin, today I'll take you to the most famous restaurant in the Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital— [Star Banquet Heavenly Abode]. It's said that their head chef is a royal chef from the Fate Flavor Divine Hall, and they use only star-level spiritual ingredients gathered from all realms."

Everyone laughed and responded, then followed Chi Ning to the end of the street.

What comes into view is a temple-like restaurant that looks like it's made of glass. The entire building is layered, and the crescent-shaped golden roof ripples under the starlight, with a faint fragrance wafting through the air.

Above the plaque, three characters floated with a divine light: "Star Banquet Heavenly Abode".

The inscription on it reads, "Consume from the stars of all realms, harmonize the breath of heaven and earth, and feast heroes amidst the floating light."

Two gentle-faced greeters, dressed in brocade robes, stood at the entrance. Upon seeing the golden insignia of "Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall" on Chi Ning and his entourage's clothing, they immediately became solemn and bowed respectfully.

"Distinguished guests, welcome to Star Banquet Heavenly Abode. The private rooms on the second floor of the Star Tower are now open for your use. Please follow me."

As Qin Yu stepped through the gate, he was immediately struck by the vast interior space, resembling a temple of light. Crystal walls floated in the air, and intricate patterns danced nimbly through the air. Pale gold barriers separated the dining tables, creating a sense of both privacy and openness. The display stands around the perimeter showcased rare ingredients such as Five Realms Heavenly Fruit, Star Abyss Cloud Beast Meat, and Illusory Spirits Fish Marrow, whose subtle movements could stir one's Spiritual Sense.

Guided by the trail, they ascended the spiraling, winding staircase—

On the second floor, in the elegant seating area, a curtain hangs down, like a veil draped over the Milky Way.

Each location is constructed as a suspended constellation, beneath which a pool of starlight and mist flows gently, as if bathing in a galaxy.

Chi Ning took her seat first, patting the seat next to her with a smile, "Junior Brother Qin, this is my favorite seat. Come and try their 'Spirit-Evolving Star Crane Soup.' It's said that drinking it can make your mind clear for three days, and even your dreams will be bright and clear."

The group exchanged smiles, the atmosphere relaxed and pleasant. Qin Yu smiled slightly, slowly sat down, his gaze sweeping around the private seating area.

The Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital truly lives up to its reputation as the core of Fate Soul in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer.

A meal, a Silver Starlight Crystal, a restaurant—all embody the essence of the world's logic.

But he knew that the real journey of destiny had only just begun.

In the Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital, the lights shone brightly, and the radiant light of the crystal realm reflected between the towering buildings. At this moment, Qin Yu and his companions were seated in the most prestigious Star Banquet Heavenly Abode in the city, on the second floor of an elegant table. On the star-patterned jade table, the aroma of immortal soup and spiritual fruits filled the air. Chi Ning was explaining the origin of a dish called "Star Core Ice Crystal Flame Dragon Slice" to everyone, and the atmosphere was relaxed and pleasant.

Suddenly--

A slight commotion arose downstairs, and a few hushed whispers drifted in like a breeze through the curtains, their voices carrying a hint of barely suppressed excitement:

"Have you heard? A few days ago, there seemed to be strange noises coming from the Jiye Abyss Forest. It's said... to be the phenomenon of the Limitless Resonance Crystal appearing in the world."

"I heard it too. Someone saw a sudden surge of eerie blue starlight deep within that forest, accompanied by a profound ripple in the void, like the legendary 'Divine Power of Logic'..."

"Yes, yes, and some people have also said they saw the phantom of a dark golden life chain traversing the sky. That kind of sight couldn't possibly be caused by fragments; only a true resonance crystal, when fully activated, could cause such a phenomenon."

At this moment, Du Linglin an eyebrow and whispered, "The Jiye Abyss Forest is a special area near the middle depths... If there really is a complete Limitless Resonance Crystal, its value cannot be measured in Starlight Crystal."

"But precisely because it's so close to the depths, even those of us at this level find it difficult to venture in easily," Mu Xun sighed softly. "Without a corresponding logical barrier or the protection of one's Fate Soul, the flow of origin there can even cause one to lose oneself in an 'unnamed state of existence'."

Mo Zhiyan tapped his teacup lightly and said with a faint smile, "However, if a resonance crystal really does fall to the ground, it won't just be us who are interested; even the core disciples and perhaps even the temple's deacons won't sit idly by."

Chi Ning then turned her gaze to Qin Yu, scrutinizing him for a moment with a complex expression, and said softly, "Junior Brother Qin, you must remember that although there are abundant resources in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer, once a true treasure appears, all the rules will be broken."

Luo Huan chimed in, "Opportunities often come hand in hand with calamities."

Qin Yu merely smiled slightly, gently swirling the teacup in his hand, the delicate fragrance slowly spreading from his fingertips. He offered no response, only a silent glimmer of blue light flashing in his eyes.

On the second floor of Star Banquet Heavenly Abode, Qin Yu and the others were quietly sipping tea, while the echoes of the rumor about the "strange sounds in Jiye Abyss Forest" still lingered. Everyone had different expressions and was deep in thought.

But at this moment--

"Thump thump thump--!!"

Suddenly, a series of booming gongs and drums echoed from the street outside, like metal striking stone, reverberating through the air. Then, accompanied by thousands of streaks of flame bursting into the air, a magnificent and intense wave of celebration swept in, like a galaxy descending from the sky.

Everyone was taken aback. Chi Ning exclaimed "Huh?" and was the first to walk to the window and look out. The others also put down their bowls and chopsticks and walked to the carved cloud window on the second floor to look down.

Then, on the main road of the Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital, a massive wedding procession suddenly appeared!

At the very front was the Radiant Golden Feather Chariot pulled by twelve Starwave Dream Qilin Beast. The beasts' bodies seemed to be forged from the molten fire of stars, their hooves treading on the air, creating ripples of colorful light with each step. The Radiant Golden Feather Chariot was engraved with divine patterns from all realms, and at the top fluttered a golden star banner embroidered with the emblem of the "Imperial Radiance Divine Lineage," shining brightly.

Following closely behind were three hundred wedding guards clad in dark gold battle robes and treading on shimmering, ethereal steps. Each guard possessed an Annihilation Source Realm above the Annihilation Origin Realm, carrying radiant gift boxes on their shoulders, their spirits gleaming. They marched along the street in a grand procession. With each step they took, golden star array patterns appeared on both sides of the street, as brilliant as clouds and surging with myriad phenomena.

Further behind, there were dozens of high-level cultivators riding exotic beasts, clad in crimson armor and with spiritual weapons at their waists, clearly all direct descendants of a powerful Lineage in the capital. In the air, a Thousand-Plume Flame Phoenix spread its wings and flew by, its tail trailing a hundred feet of flame, adding to the extraordinary grandeur of the procession.

People along the street stopped to watch, and many vendors temporarily put aside their business to express their admiration.

"This is the wedding of the Imperial Radiance Divine Lineage today! I heard they're marrying the Fairy Mengxi from the Moonlight Hall. The entire capital's celestial secrets are paving the way for them today!"

"This is truly... a once-in-a-century event for the capital!"

In a private room on the second floor, Shen Yuzhi sighed softly, "What a grand gesture... It seems the Imperial Radiance Divine Lineage holds a higher position in the main city than we imagined."

Du Linglin narrowed his eyes and said, "The Jiye Abyss Forest that caused the strange phenomenon just now... I heard that it was also the place where the Imperial Radiance Divine Lineage obtained ten Limitless Resonance Crystal. Tsk, cause and effect are not necessarily coincidental."

Qin Yu gazed out the window as the ceremonial procession, its starlight gleaming, slowly disappeared into the distance. His eyes were deep, yet a subtle ripple of emotion stirred within him.

That Fairy Mengxi may not be an ordinary person either.

The wedding procession moved slowly forward like a long scroll of stars, with magnificent celestial music and ceremonial light echoing through the streets of the Radiant Heaven Imperial Capital. Accompanied by the radiant glow of the Thousand-Plume Flame Phoenix, the entire main city seemed to be shrouded in a magnificent dream.

Standing by the window, Qin Yu quietly watched the ceremonial guard gradually disappear into the distance. His gaze sharpened slightly, and after a moment of silence, his fingertips lightly tapped the rim of his teacup. Yet, the lingering rumor in his mind resurfaced:

--In the Jiye Abyss Forest, strange sounds appear in the world; the Limitless Resonance Crystal omen.

--The Imperial Radiance Divine Lineage welcomes the bride today, with the phoenix leading the way and the divine emblem shining brightly in the heavens.

A vague thread gradually formed in his mind, and the instinct that had gradually become clearer since returning from the Fate Severing Gorge was whispering to him.

An unprecedented intuition quietly arose within me.

"Jiye Abyss Forest..." Qin Yu murmured softly, a barely perceptible smile slowly curving his lips.

"The Imperial Radiance Divine Lineage... It seems I'll have to make a trip there."

With a slight thought, Azure Ring trembled gently in his sea of consciousness, as if she too sensed something extraordinary brewing deep within a vortex about to be revealed, something that did not belong to an ordinary destiny.

The echoes of the sounds outside the window had not yet faded, and everyone was still immersed in this magnificent spectacle. Qin Yu's gaze, however, had already quietly moved beyond the golden clouds of the main street, casting its light towards the more distant borders of the capital.

That ancient forest, rumored to be so treacherous that no one dared to enter lightly:

--Jiye Abyss Forest.