Shadows Gather in the Annihilation Abyss · The Constellation Banquet Begins

Annihilation Abyss Star Palace

That was one of the most magnificent buildings in the upper core area of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall, designed specifically for core disciples who were granted the "Purple-Gold Eternal Pole Crystal Core". The entire palace was suspended independently above the boundless abyss, backed by the deepest starlight Annihilation Origin of Eternal Extreme Divine Mountain, and surrounded by layers of intersecting dimensional structures that rotated like a galaxy - and its name originated from the eternal intersection of this "Annihilation Star and Abyss Realm".

The moment Qin Yu stepped into that realm, the entire space unfolded like a logical scroll that opened automatically, layer by layer, with him at its center.

The Star Palace appeared to float in the air, its entire structure forged from "Annihilation Void Star Glass." Every brick and tile was inscribed with unrecognizable "Original Script of the Source Realm," slowly flowing through the void, like a living heart of the universe. Its main hall stood ten thousand feet tall, with a "Eternal Extreme Star Seal" emitting a chaotic azure light hanging from its ceiling, slowly rotating and illuminating the entire palace, as if the eye of all heavens was watching over this place.

Before the steps are nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps of annihilation light, each step inlaid with an Annihilation Star crystal core. Walking on them is like stepping between rules and dimensions. With each step, starlight vibrates and space surges like a tide, making one feel as if they have entered a divine realm.

On either side of the palace stand guardian pillars of the Annihilation Abyss Beasts, resembling nine-headed divine dragons entwined with the Star Abyss Kun King, spewing primal fire from beneath their claws and teeth, their eyes seemingly burning with the flames of the Law of Annihilation. The palace gate is a gate forged from boundary patterns, usually tightly closed, but only those who possess the Purple-Gold Crystal Core can awaken it, opening it with a single touch, as if a god has descended.

In the void surrounding him, a layer of Annihilation Abyss barrier faintly appeared, within which billions of starlight flowed and fell like rain, yet silently, like an ink painting slowly unfolding. Within the barrier, the flow of time, spatial logic, and causal rhythm were all exclusively controlled by Qin Yu. If any outsider stepped in without permission, they would be immediately erased by the "Eternal Extreme Rule Matrix".

Even more astonishing was that the moment Qin Yu stepped through the palace gates, rings of the Source Realm Dharma Rings automatically formed beneath his feet, resonating with the Nine-Ring True Evolution Dharma Wheel in his sea of consciousness. The entire Annihilation Abyss Star Palace seemed to awaken, emitting an ancient, profound, and Heavenly Abyss -inspiring roar—

"The Annihilation Origin Source Main Wheel has arrived! Lord of the Star Abyss, return to your seat!"

From the depths of the Star Palace, a beam of radiant light, like the primordial light of the universe, shone down precisely upon Qin Yu, as if this divine temple were recognizing him as its true ruler.

Azure Ring leaped out of his sea of consciousness, gazed at all of this, and sighed softly:

"Hey... this treatment is even more extravagant than those countless Annihilation Origin Lord level experts... Little Qinzi, you've got a pretty good job as a core disciple."

Qin Yu stood in the center, his figure surrounded by starlight and annihilation light. He slightly raised his head and looked at the curve of the universe at the far end of the Star Abyss, his eyes shining like an abyss.

His journey has only just begun.

Within the Annihilation Abyss Star Palace, the starlight still lingers, its silent glow slowly fading.

Not long after Qin Yu first stepped onto the main seat, an almost silent figure quietly appeared outside the palace gate. Without any announcement or spiritual pressure fluctuations, the person merged into the void like a wisp of amnesiac remnant. As he approached, the palace gate automatically cracked open, as if sensing his "existence but unrecordable" life structure.

It was a young man with a handsome face but a deathly indifference. A faint golden life mark between his brows had blurred, seemingly present but now deliberately detached. He was like a fragment cut out from time and space, his gaze and aura devoid of any origin or source, sending chills down one's spine.

He is none other than [the Attachmentless Legacy Lord, Wang Yuan].

Only Book Realm: The Supreme, one of the core disciples at the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer, an existence whose name cannot even be recorded in the Epoch Origin Stele - the Judge of the past, the Recognition Annihilation of the present.

He slowly stepped into the Star Palace, his black and gold woven robe fluttering slightly, the hem embroidered with the ancient pattern "Annihilation Thought Severance Mark". As he approached, the entire Star Palace trembled slightly, as if even this sacred place symbolizing the authority of the temple had briefly fallen into a logical blank of "forgetting his existence".

Qin Yu stood up instantly. Although he hadn't noticed the person's entry, his Spiritual Sense instinctively went off the moment the other person appeared. The "True Evolution Dharma Wheel" in his sea of consciousness gently rotated, autonomously manifesting a ring of Recognition Annihilation defense, while the Azure Ring solidified in an instant, its radiance enveloping everything.

But the other party simply smiled slightly, clasped their hands in a fist and bowed, speaking in a polite and gentle tone:

"Senior Brother Qin, my name is Wang Yuan, a fellow core disciple of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall. I've come to pay you a visit today, and I hope you'll take good care of me."

His words were calm, yet carried an elusive, vacuum-like aura, as if they had been forgotten by time and space the moment they were uttered. But Qin Yu could clearly sense the weight of each word he spoke on his mind.

Qin Yu was slightly taken aback, then respectfully returned the greeting:

"Senior Brother Wang Yuan, greetings. May I ask what brings you here?"

Wang Yuan remained gentle, a smile playing on his lips, his voice penetrating yet devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"It's like this, Senior Brother Qin. Some time ago, I witnessed you and Miss Chi Ning completing the arduous task of the Annihilation Ranking. I was truly shocked."

"And this time, you actually entered the 'Purge the Devil Palace' alone, escaped unscathed from that perilous place, and even beheaded the enemy. Such strength... makes me extremely interested in you."

His voice was calm, yet every word struck straight to the soul, as precise as analyzing the trajectory of fate using rules.

"I never make friends lightly, but I have come here today solely to forge an alliance with Senior Brother Qin."

"If the opportunity to fight together arises in the future, I am willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with Senior Brother Qin to slay the enemy and together break through the peak of the Annihilation Realm."

These words were spoken with firm conviction and politeness, yet they also contained a deeper meaning. It was highly unusual for someone of Wang Yuan's background to personally come to extend a friendly gesture.

Qin Yu's expression remained unchanged, but he was already on guard. He had already judged that this person was the one who had secretly "observed" his and Chi Ning's mission that day. His soul aura fluctuations were special. Although he was no match for the person who appeared that day, Azure Ring had quietly captured a clue about his logical coordinates and "real perception".

He smiled slightly, neither humble nor arrogant:

"Senior Brother, you flatter me. I only managed to complete the mission by chance."

"However, since Senior Brother Wang Yuan has extended such a sincere invitation, I, Qin Yu, am not one to turn people away. It would be an honor to have Senior Brother Wang Yuan meet me."

Their eyes met, both smiling, yet a subtle wariness flickered within their minds.

Suddenly, Wang Yuan raised a pot of Annihilation Fire Divine Brew in his hand and laughed:

"Then let's not mince words. Tonight, Senior Brother Qin and I will share a drink, as a way of celebrating your entry into the Annihilation Abyss Star Palace!"

Qin Yu smiled faintly and nodded, "Alright, let's drink until we're drunk."

The two raised their cups and drank them down in one gulp.

The cup is empty, the starry palace is silent, and time seems to stand still for a moment.

The intertwined destinies of fate slowly unfolded their first scroll of cause and effect at this moment.

Within the Annihilation Abyss Star Palace, spiritual light swirled, and the palace was deep and secluded.

Starlight descended from the dome like an inverted Milky Way, flowing clearly across the white jade floor, creating a dreamlike scene. Behind the main seat, Qin Yu and Wang Yuan sat facing each other, drinking. The atmosphere was warm, but undercurrents were surging. Then, the palace doors quietly opened.

Familiar and warm auras came from the Star Palace Spirit Steps.

The first thing that catches the eye is Chi Ning, dressed in Qingyi robes, her face radiant with joy, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Junior Brother Qin... wait, no, I should call you Senior Brother Qin now, hahaha~"

She smiled lightly and walked into the main hall. With a wave of her hand, Shen Yuzhi, Luo Huan, Mu Xun, Du Linglin, and Mo Zhiyan appeared one after another. Their clothes fluttered, and their expressions were all joyful and relaxed, as if they had been preparing for this celebration "belonging to the newly promoted core disciples" for a long time.

Qin Yu stood up to greet them, a smile on his face, "You've come at the perfect time. I was just about to send you a message: tonight, Bugui!"

Mu Xun laughed heartily, his eyes burning with both fighting spirit and brotherhood. "With your Senior Brother Qin promoted to a core disciple, how can we be absent? Tonight, the Annihilation Abyss Star Palace is our home ground!"

Amidst laughter and chatter, everyone took their seats, and the Annihilation Abyss Star Palace automatically raised a spiritually patterned altar, displaying crystal jade cups, spiritual brews, divine wines, and a hundred kinds of divine fruits. In an instant, the air was filled with fragrance, and the palace felt as warm and inviting as spring.

As soon as everyone was seated, Qin Yu pointed to Wang Yuan beside him and introduced him gently, "This is Senior Brother Wang Yuan, one of the core disciples of our Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall. He has come to visit today and is accompanying us as well."

Before anyone could ask a question, Chi Ning spoke first, a slight smile in her eyes:

"Hehe, Senior Brother Qin needs no introduction. Senior Brother Wang Yuan's reputation in our temple is legendary. Who doesn't know him, and who doesn't respect him?"

"However, it is our honor to drink together today. Come—let us Wang Yuan!"

After saying that, Chi Ning raised her glass first, and the others also stood up:

Shen Yuzhi gently raised her hand, a smile playing on her lips; Luo Huan's expression was bold and unrestrained, the power of his spiritual claws faintly visible; Mu Xun raised his cup like fire, his smile seemingly capable of swallowing mountains and rivers; Du Linglin's cold demeanor revealed respect; Mo Zhiyan was calm and reserved, yet his eyes were clear.

The seven people raised their glasses together, their radiance reflecting each other, like seven stars merging into one, making the aura of the entire star palace even more solid.

Seeing this, Wang Yuan remained expressionless, a slight smile playing on his lips, though a strange glint could not be concealed in his heart. It should be known that although he was once renowned throughout the Divine Palace, he had never interacted with these young disciples before, yet now they were able to sit and drink together because of "Qin Yu"... Behind this lay a silent "restructuring of destiny."

He raised his glass, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture, and spoke in a gentle yet sincere tone:

"You're all too kind. I'm just used to traveling alone, and it's already a rare and fortunate coincidence that I can sit with you all today."

"You are all among the best in the inner sect, not only possessing extraordinary cultivation, but more importantly, you are loyal, righteous, and courageous. Although I have judged the hundred realms, today I truly wish to share a drink with you all—to become true friends."

Everyone laughed in response.

Qin Yu downed his drink in one gulp, the spirit cup falling to the ground, starlight splashing three feet high. "Now that we're sitting in this Annihilation Abyss Star Palace, there's no need for further distinction!"

"From this day forward, we are brothers in arms, inseparable friends!"

Luo Huan raised his cup and downed it in a hearty, spirited gulp. "Well said! Come on— Bugui!"

Although Du Linglin was not good with words, he raised his cup and nodded, his murderous aura fading as the dim light shone through; Shen Yuzhi smiled gently, her eyes filled with tenderness; Mo Zhiyan remained silent, silently engraving this moment in his heart on the Mirror of Fate.

A silent yet profound "oath" slowly unfolded within the palace of the Nine-Ring True Evolution Lord.

Beyond the star palace, the stars shine brightly.

Inside the palace, the reflections of glasses shimmered in the sunlight, and laughter filled the air.

This night may well mark the quiet beginning of a new era of destiny in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer.