Annihilation Departure · Heart of the Severed Realm
The next morning, a light mist hung over the Star Abyss Palace Hall, and before the morning light had even penetrated the eaves, Qin Yu stood quietly waiting in front of the palace gate.
On the stone steps before the palace, Chi Ning, clad in a flowing robe embroidered with butterfly patterns, flew over. She didn't use any soul skills, yet her movements were as graceful as fluttering butterfly wings, her aura ethereal and pure. Her eyes flickered, the smile from the previous night still lingering in her expression. "Junior Brother Qin, good morning. Let's go; we'll go to the Fate Authority Mission Hall together today."
Qin Yu nodded slightly and walked alongside her.
It was just after the morning classes had ended, and many disciples were already practicing on the main path inside the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall. Seeing the two of them walking side by side towards the Fate Authority Mission Hall, they couldn't help but turn their heads to look.
When Chi Ning lightly touched the token's crystal core, revealing their destination, several inner disciples instantly stopped in their tracks.
"Wait... Annihilation Ranking? Quest number 4319! Isn't that -- 'Mid-Level Secret Quest: Mist Soul Severed Realm'?"
"Are you crazy...? That's a five-star heterogeneous danger level, the recommended cultivation level is Annihilation Source Realm - Supreme. Although those two are strong, they're only at the Annihilation Source Realm, one high and one extremely high... Do they really want to go and throw their lives away?"
"Chi Ning is one thing, at least she's Butterfly Soul Glazed Sound Mirror, but who is that guy?"
"You don't know? That's an inner disciple personally recruited by the Ancestor, named Qin Yu. He previously completed the 'Limitless Resonance Crystal Fragment' collection mission on his own... But that was collection, this is Annihilation Ranking mission!"
The whispers rose and fell like waves on both sides of the passage. Many disciples had stopped quietly, and several even gathered on the black stone steps, their faces showing disbelief.
A young man with a cultivation level of mid-stage Annihilation Source Realm sneered, "These newcomers don't even understand the concept of the Annihilation Ranking, do they? Do they think they can challenge a five-star ranking just by accumulating points through a few gathering missions?"
"Heh, after they leave the Mission Hall, I'd like to see if they can even access the 'Heart of the Annihilation Origin Severed Realm'."
But all the sounds only overwhelmed Qin Yu's ears like a tide. His eyes remained calm and clear as he stood Fate Authority Mission Hall.
There, a magnificent ancient stele stands like a mountain, its entire surface engraved with the myriad phenomena forming a flowing array of light, upon which the following appears:
[Annihilation Ranking - Number 4319 - Mid-Level Secret Path - Mist Soul Severed Realm]
Mission Rating: Five Stars - Heterogeneous Danger
Maximum number of members: three
Recommended cultivation level: Annihilation Source Realm - Supreme
Main objective: Search for [Heart of the Annihilation Origin Severed Realm]
Reward: 3000 points + 1 complete Limitless Resonance Crystal
The palace doors opened quietly at that moment, and the array sensed the golden Eternal Pole Crystal Core, allowing two figures to step inside.
The murmurs had barely ceased when they were abruptly cut off by the sound of the magnificent palace doors closing.
The moment Qin Yu and Chi Ning stepped into the hall, they felt as if the world had suddenly turned upside down.
The entire Fate Authority Mission Hall is maintained by a massive array that connects the Sea of Consciousness and the Fate Authority. Nine-tiered Xuanhuang floating images intertwine and rotate in the sky, surrounded by the dual imprints of [Fate Ring Dao Sequence] and [Annihilation Origin Logic Track].
At the center, a towering "Mission Myriad Phenomena Disc" hovered silently in the void. Its structure resembled a five-tiered tower, with the bottom tier inscribed with "Outer Sect Missions," followed by "Inner Sect Missions," "Secret Hall Missions," "Annihilation Ranking," and "Forbidden Origin Sealed Register" in order.
At this moment, the two of them were standing directly opposite the bottom entrance of the "Annihilation Ranking" disc. A surface shimmering with golden light slowly opened, reflecting the light pattern of the annihilation mission numbered [4319].
Chi Ning took a light breath and slowly embedded his golden Eternal Pole Crystal Core into the receiving platform.
"Inner disciple Chi Ning requests to accept the Annihilation Ranking quest [Mid-Level Secret Quest: Mist Soul Severed Realm]."
Buzz--
The myriad phenomena swirled and vibrated, the Annihilation Ranking's floating patterns rotated, and upon successful recognition, the light and shadow suddenly dispersed, revealing the mission inscription floating out:
Annihilation Ranking - Mission No. 4319
[Quest Name] Mid-Level Secret Quest: The Mist Soul Severed Realm
[Objective] Explore the Source of Epochless, and search for the [Heart of the Annihilation Origin Severed Realm].
[Rating] ★★★★★ · Heterogeneous Risk
[Recommended Cultivation Level] Annihilation Source Realm - Supreme
[Maximum number of participants] Three
[Confirmed Member] Chi Ning
[Reward Details]
Constant Integral +3000
Complete Limitless Resonance Crystal x1
Please be aware that the mission area is a place with multiple forbidden zones and unclear logical traps. Please ensure that at least one person has the "Logic-Tracing Construct Technique Authority" or equivalent logical analysis ability.
Then Chi Ning turned to look at Qin Yu.
"Your turn."
Qin Yu nodded slightly, then flipped his right hand and gently embedded his golden Eternal Pole Crystal Core into the second receiving slot.
"Inner disciple Qin Yu has confirmed his participation in mission number 4319."
The golden patterns vibrated once more, and a layer of "logical harmony" echoed from top to bottom across the entire Mission Myriad Phenomena Disc. After the dual identity binding was completed, the Task Dimension suddenly lit up:
Task confirmed successfully. Current number of members: 2/3
Current array configuration result: Conditions met - Mission initiation command can be activated.
At the same time, a crystalline [Annihilation Transmission Guidance Seal] condensed from the void and slowly floated between Chi Ning and Qin Yu. The seal was engraved with special coordinate codes and the words "Mission Area - Forbidden Abyss Boundary", and faintly emitted a summoning fluctuation that connected to the Source of Epochless - Middle Layer Realm Splitting Boundary.
The hall remained as quiet as ever, except for a faint, unrecognizable sealing seal that flickered slightly at the fifth rotating disc of the Annihilation Ranking, seemingly observing the two who had accepted the mission.
Chi Ning chuckled softly, "Alright, now we officially become the executors of this mission."
Qin Yu's gaze remained calm, yet a thought, though unspoken, flickered through his mind.
--What exactly is the component of the Heart of the Annihilation Origin Severed Realm? Why does the mission description emphasize that only a "logic interpreter" can execute it?
He subconsciously gripped the Fate Cause Master Seal, which was floating not far from his right shoulder.
That feeling, which I had never experienced before but felt was "destined to come," slowly rose from the depths of my body...
At the very moment Fate Authority Mission Hall, as Qin Yu and Chi Ning completed accepting and officially recording their Annihilation Ranking missions—
In the inner sect disciple's Rear Ring Shadow District, in a private hall made of obsidian, a crystal mirror vibrated slightly, then reflected the images of two figures, namely Chi Ning and Qin Yu.
Chen Po stood before a statue of candlelight and shadow, his arms crossed over his chest, his face still bearing his usual cold and mocking expression.
"The Annihilation Ranking?"
He repeated it in a low voice, his eyes filled with disbelief and amusement.
"Hahahaha... This is utterly absurd." Chen Po suddenly flicked his sleeve, and several of his trusted disciples behind him chuckled.
"That Chi Ning is one thing, a mere Annihilation Source Realm girl clinging to life by protecting herself with her Butterfly Soul... But Qin Yu? He actually went to join the fun too?" Chen Po sneered, a cold glint in his eyes. "It seems that my three subordinates were too foolish to completely wipe you out in the Ancient Soul Forest last time."
He slowly walked to a niche on one side, staring coldly at one of the floating images of a fragment of annihilated gold crystal, and said:
"Very well. Since you two are determined to die, then I'll see if you can truly emerge alive from the 'Boundary'."
His tone grew colder, each word almost freezing the temperature in the hall.
"Annihilation Origin Severed Realm... Ha, go ahead, leave your corpses there—just in time to test the schemes of those old madmen under the 'Annihilation Ranking,' saving me the trouble of taking action."
Meanwhile, at the summit of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall, in the Nine-Layered Ring, a mysterious floating palace called "Faint Dawn Pavilion" quietly floats above the clouds of the rings.
This place is the forbidden area for core disciples; only those who possess Purple-Gold Crystal Core are allowed to set foot here.
At this moment, a young man dressed in a long robe with flowing black and gold patterns stood on the edge of the pavilion. His face was as beautiful as jade, and his eyes were sharp. Behind him floated a "Source Seal Wind Wheel" formed by the convergence of nine layers of destiny, appearing and disappearing. He had obviously reached the Ultimate realm of "Annihilation Dawn Realm".
He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze seemingly able to penetrate the palace domain, staring directly at a coordinate afterimage at the Myriad Manifestations Disk below the Holy Temple.
"The Annihilation Source Realm? They actually accepted the [Mist Soul Severed Realm] quest?"
A meaningful smile appeared on his lips, and with a flick of his finger, the Annihilation Ranking No. 4319 appeared in the void.
"This is getting more and more interesting."
The space behind him seemed to be gently stirred by the light of time, rippling with subtle folds and waves, causing the entire attic to tremble silently.
"The Source of Epochless · Middle Layer can still produce such a spark... Then let's see if your 'Annihilation' can shake the Boundary."
After saying that, he gently closed his eyes and said nothing more.
But the number [4319] engraved in the void slowly ignited a purplish-black flame between his fingers, which never went out.
Fate Authority Mission Hall, on the shimmering celestial staircase, the morning mist had not yet dissipated. Qin Yu and Chi Ning had just stepped out of the Heavenly Curtain Mission Ring when they saw a familiar figure standing amidst the light patterns.
Shen Yuzhi, Luo Huan, Mu Xun, Du Linglin, Mo Zhiyan —those who stood shoulder to shoulder with us to resist the Seyan Ancient Soul Forest of the Annihilation on that day—have all gathered here today.
"Junior Brother Qin Yu, Chi Ning..." Shen Yuzhi stepped forward lightly, her eyes filled with undisguised worry and hesitation, "You... really want to accept that Annihilation Ranking quest?"
Qin Yu nodded slightly, his tone as cold and gentle as jade. "I have indeed accepted."
Chi Ning, standing behind them, looked cheerful and gave them a playful smile, "Don't worry, Junior Brother Qin Yu is here."
However, none of them dared to relax.
"The quests on the Annihilation Ranking are never ordinary," Luo Huan said in a low voice, his brow furrowed. "The Heart of the Severed Boundary... that's no ordinary illusionary Xiao Kao in the middle outer ring."
Mu Xun stood with his arms crossed, his expression unchanged, but a ring of dark golden flames had already subtly appeared between his fingers, indicating that his mind was not at peace. "We were almost unable to withstand three Logic Realm Realm in the Ancient Soul Forest. If the Mist Soul Severed Realm is truly as rumored, a 'Land of Annihilation and Chaos,' then you..."
"There will be no way out." Du Linglin for him, his voice tinged with coldness. "There, not only is the logic reversed, but the fixed values Fate Soul will also be distorted. Those at the Annihilation Source Realm who enter there will have their consciousness devoured and their souls stolen if they are not careful."
"Even if you didn't underestimate your opponent, the mission list clearly states: Recommended cultivation level is Annihilation Origin - Supreme." Mo Zhiyan took out a fictional soul disk from his sleeve and retrieved mission fragment number 4319. "You... there are only two of you. You haven't even filled your ranks."
In just a few breaths, the air seemed to freeze.
Qin Yu did not respond immediately, but stood in the morning light, the illusory Azure Ring on his right shoulder moved slightly, as if ripples of light were quietly appearing.
He looked at them quietly and spoke in a deep voice:
"I know you're worried, but... I have my own solutions."
"If it were an ordinary mission, I naturally wouldn't rush into it. But since it's the Heart of the Boundary... then I can't give up."
As he spoke these words, his gaze seemed to pass over everyone and fall upon the distant heavens of the Fate Realm, as if he were searching for something, waiting for something.
After a moment, Shen Yuzhi sighed and ultimately didn't try to persuade her anymore, but simply said softly:
"Then you absolutely must... you absolutely must come back alive."
Luo Huan, Mu Xun, and the others remained silent for a moment before finally nodding.
This is the most silent, yet most steadfast, trust and entrustment between friends.