Qin Yu had just put the few [Ember of the Ruins of Return] that emitted a faint golden-blue light into his palm. The silent light of the Azure Evolution Core had not yet completely disappeared. He had just taken a step when he was about to turn around and leave.
However, at that very moment—
Deep within the void, as if a sea of stars had been torn open from within, an ancient and vast aura swept in. It was not the power of an ordinary cultivator, but rather the "primordial breath" that had existed since the beginning of time. As the clouds swirled, it slowly condensed into a human figure.
He was an old man.
His hair and beard were all white, his long hair and beard resembling a flowing galaxy. His robes were adorned with golden stardust-like runes that swayed in the wind, as if ancient Fate Book were being turned. In his left hand, he held up an ancient book, the scroll itself radiating light. What appeared on the pages were not words, but projections of the cosmos and galaxies. His right hand was slightly raised, and in his palm, light mist gathered into the birth and death evolution of countless stars.
His eyes were deep, as if they could see through all the secrets hidden within Qin Yu, as if with a single glance they could read a person's entire life from beginning to end, word by word.
At this moment, the clouds, the wind, and even the remaining embers of the Dao Shadow Soldier were all forced to stand still, as if entering a silent painting.
The old man stood there in front of Qin Yu, as if he had traveled across billions of years, from the ends of the stars to this place.
The world remained silent, with only starlight rising and falling in the void.
The old man's eyes were warm, yet contained an endless depth and vastness. He gazed at Qin Yu, his eyes revealing a light that was both admiration and scrutiny. After a moment, he smiled slightly, his voice deep and ancient, as if it came from the depths of an ancient galaxy:
"Young friend... truly impressive skill. To single-handedly Annihilation three 'Phantom Demonic Spirit' here. In all my time Source of Epochless · Middle Layer, I've rarely seen anyone achieve this. I... admire you."
Having said that, he gently turned a page of the ancient book in his hand. Starlight overflowed from the pages, illuminating the surroundings and causing the outlines of three Phantom Demonic Spirit that had just been annihilated to appear in the void. The remaining aura vanished Wuhen the old man swept over them.
Even with his unwavering resolve, Qin Yu dared not be disrespectful in the face of such a figure. He concealed his arrogance, clasped his hands in a respectful greeting, and responded with utmost deference.
"Senior, you flatter me. I only managed to force those three phantom Phantom Demonic Spirit into Entering Stillness by relying on the power of my Innate Martial Soul. The process was extremely dangerous, and I almost perished in it. If you have made me laugh at this, I am truly terrified."
At this point, Qin Yu lowered his head slightly, his tone humble and composed, showing no arrogance born of victory, but rather as if he was trying his best to conceal his true brilliance.
Upon hearing this, the old man's eyes showed even more appreciation. As his beard and hair fluttered in the wind, his air of "having seen it all" inspired awe.
At this moment, the atmosphere of heaven and earth became even more tranquil, as if the old man's true intentions would be revealed in the next instant.
The Space Silence, save for the long, mournful cry of the Milky Way. The old man slowly closed the ancient book in his hands, his beard and hair fluttering in the ethereal light. His figure seemed to merge with the universe, each step appearing as if he were treading on the boundary between eternity and nothingness.
He stood with his hands behind his back, his voice calm yet carrying an irresistible air of authority.
"My name is Yuan Xuanzi, and I have been living in seclusion in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer for countless eons. The world often calls me -- [Ancient Venerable of the Chaotic Abyss]. Young friend, please don't blame me for showing myself so abruptly. I witnessed the scene of you Annihilation the three Phantom Demonic Spirit just now, and I had no choice but to show myself."
His voice was like a rolling galaxy, deep and resonant, each word resonating with the pulse of heaven and earth.
With a slight raise of his hand, his aura suddenly expanded. It wasn't ordinary pressure, but the primal power of the Chaos Realm Supreme expert—
The clouds collapsed and dispersed, the void crumbled and reformed, and billions of stars lost their brilliance under his aura, as if the world had been returned to its original state of chaos and uncertainty.
The oppressive aura caused Qin Yu's heart to tremble slightly. Even though he already possessed the Azure Ring and the Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword, he could clearly feel that the two trembled slightly in the face of the Chaos Supreme Aura, as if instinctively showing their fear.
The old man concealed his aura, as if afraid of disturbing Qin Yu, and slowly said:
"The Chaos Realm... you must have never truly witnessed it, have you? Above this realm, there is no time, no cause and effect, no narrative. I—am one of the oldest witnesses of chaos in this world."
As he said this, his gaze became intense, as if piercing through nothingness, and landed on Qin Yu:
"Young friend, you are no ordinary person, capable of single-handedly Annihilation the Phantom Demonic Spirit. The 'ineffable' aura emanating from you is something even I, an old man, cannot fathom."
The old man put away the ancient book, his eyes filled with appreciation and a sense of heaviness.
He spoke slowly, his voice deep and resonant, like a galaxy resonating in a low murmur:
"Young friend, my name is Yuan Xuanzi, from [Mysterious Abyss Temple]. For tens of thousands of years, I have traversed many forbidden areas in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer, and now I am here only to investigate one kind of existence... namely, the 'Phantom Demonic Spirit' that you just Annihilation."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and waved it gently, and a tragic scene immediately appeared in the void: a Phantom Demonic Spirit squad swept across a certain territory, Annihilation tens of thousands of cultivators and mortals, leaving only the golden-blue Ember of the Ruins of Return floating in the blood-red sky.
Yuan Xuanzi's gaze was deep as he slowly said:
"Phantom Demonic Spirit originate from another unspeakable dimension. They have no flesh and blood, no soul, yet they can annihilate existence with the purest 'power of negation.' Even Supreme Realm expert, once locked onto by them, will be reduced to nothingness without any means of countermeasure."
His tone was extremely solemn:
"Why have they come? I still haven't been able to fully deduce it. But one thing is certain— the Phantom Demonic Spirit don't appear without a purpose; they must be carrying the orders of some 'higher will.' And all we can do is one thing: Annihilation them one by one!"
At this moment, he looked at Qin Yu, a hint of admiration in his eyes:
"I originally thought that once the Phantom Demonic Spirit appeared in swarms, no one in the middle level would be able to stop them. But you... young friend, you actually slew three Phantom Demonic Spirit all by yourself! Such a feat is among the best in the entire Source of Epochless · Middle Layer."
Qin Yu's heart stirred slightly, but he simply clasped his hands in a humble response. "Senior, you flatter me. I only managed to win by using all my strength and my Innate Martial Soul."
Yuan Xuanzi nodded, not pressing the matter further, but simply sighed, his expression growing even more somber.
"Good lad, do you know what you've done? You didn't simply kill three Anomalous Spirit; you bought the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer a chance to catch your breath."
As he said this, he stood with his hands behind his back, seemingly lost in the void, his robes fluttering, as if all the winds and clouds in the world were gathering around him.
"The entire middle level is now in a state of panic. Countless races, temples, and sects have issued bounties for the Phantom Demonic Spirit. But until their true source is discovered, all efforts are merely delaying tactics."
Then, he suddenly turned around, his sharp gaze sweeping over Qin Yu like a blade:
"Young friend, would you be willing to join me? Even if we don't know the true purpose of the Phantom Demonic Spirit, as long as we can kill a few more before they expand, we can slow their advance and protect this land!"
Qin Yu clasped his hands in a fist salute, his voice respectful yet tinged with a hint of distance. "I appreciate your kindness, senior. However, I am accustomed to working alone, and if I were to burden others, it would only become a constraint. Though the road may be treacherous, only by traversing it myself can I find peace of mind."
The old man was slightly taken aback, then saw the cold determination in Qin Yu's eyes, and a sigh rose in his heart.
Just then, Azure Ring's voice slowly resounded in Qin Yu's sea of consciousness, flashing with azure light and carrying an undeniable solemnity:
"Qin Yu, remember, only you can know the true identity and origin of Dao Shadow Soldier. Even this old man before you cannot be completely trusted. If you leak even a single clue, not only you, but the entire Source of Epochless · Middle Layer will regard you as a source of disaster. At that time, what awaits you will not be your comrades, but endless pursuit and betrayal."
A blue light bloomed deep within Qin Yu's mind, like a chilling alarm bell, each word hammering against his heart. A deep coldness flashed in Qin Yu's eyes, his resolve unwavering—he could only bear all of this himself.
Seeing that he remained silent for a long time, the old man's gaze became deep. Suddenly, he spoke slowly, "Young friend, could you tell me which temple you come from? Judging from your extraordinary combat power, you cannot possibly be truly a rootless person."
Qin Yu remained expressionless, smiled faintly, and calmly replied, "Senior, I do not belong to any sect or temple; I am merely a Rogue Cultivator. If you require a name, please call me 'Mo Chen'."
Upon uttering these words, his aura subsided as if nothing had happened, so ordinary that he seemed easily swallowed up by the crowd. Yet, his silhouette resembled a sharp edge in a lonely night, unyielding and resolute.
The old man looked into Qin Yu's calm, Silent Abyss eyes, remained silent for a long time, and finally withdrew his tentative sincerity. He sighed softly, his tone softening. "Very well, since Mo Chen is unwilling to travel with me, I will not force him. The world is a long road, and everyone has their own path."
Immediately, he raised his hand, and a profound annihilation light surged from his fingertips. The light slowly condensed in the void, transforming into an ancient black-gold jade talisman. Countless intricate logical patterns flowed across the talisman, faintly reflecting the illusion of "cause and effect." Each rune seemed to resonate with the origin of heaven and earth, and with a slight tremor, the surrounding space produced an indescribable tranquility and stability.
The old man gently pushed the jade talisman towards Qin Yu, his voice deep and steady. "This is a logical treasure I obtained years ago from slaying an enemy [The Causal Abyss Order-Locking Talisman]. When an enemy launches an attack based on cause and effect, logic, and narrative, it can sever a complete causal chain for the holder, causing the enemy's technique to collapse and allowing the holder a moment's respite. Although it cannot aid you in your offensive, it is enough to protect your life for a moment in dire straits."
The jade talisman hovered in front of Qin Yu, slowly rotating. Its surface reflected billions of severed causal threads, like shattered stars or the lingering echo of a broken string of fate, awe-inspiring and breathtaking.
Qin Yu was slightly taken aback, then bowed respectfully, his expression solemn. "Thank you for your gift, senior. I will remember this Mo Chen and repay it if I have the opportunity."
The old man waved his hand, his expression calm yet his eyes held a profound glint. "No need for repayment. I am old and may never see you again, young friend. But I believe in one thing—the future of the Source of Epochless will be shaken by you."
Having said that, the old man's robes fluttered, and he transformed into a stream of light, disappearing into the vast void as if he had never existed.
Qin Yu gazed silently at the jade talisman in his hand, his eyes deep. Azure Ring whispered a reminder in his mind, "This treasure is precious, but it also means that this person has already seen that you are extraordinary. Qin Yu, remember, the more someone places high hopes on you, the more you must know how to protect your secrets."
Qin Yu narrowed his gaze, gently clenched his palm, and stored the [Causal Abyss Order-Locking Talisman] into the Azure Evolution Core. He then turned and stepped into the boundless Heavenly Abyss- like street once more.