The Ring of Judgment · Recognition of the Silent Realm

Beneath the ruins of Gloomshadow Source Village, a dark red stone door slowly opened, and an ancient aura surged from the abyss-like passageway. The surrounding walls were inlaid with countless broken soul crystals, retaining the will fluctuations of the former guardians, and specks of eerie light flickered in the darkness, like a sleeping galaxy.

Qin Yu walked at the front, his footsteps echoing between the heavy stone slabs. His gaze was cold and stern, yet it also carried a complex emotion of nostalgia.

Hong Xiuxiang gently stroked the mottled carvings on the wall, her eyes widening slightly as she whispered, "This is the underground palace you mentioned back then... How magnificent..." Her voice carried a mixture of awe and tender warmth, as if she were revisiting the path Qin Yu had walked.

Qin Yu turned around, his gaze falling on her eyes, his tone calm yet firm. "Yes, let's go. We'll go directly to the area where Sister Mengxin and Mengxi are."

Yunyi leaped behind, raising her hand to light a spirit pearl. The eerie blue light illuminated the vast palace passage ahead. She muttered to herself, "This place looks gloomy, but it's also very mysterious... It really is a miracle that only Little Qinzi could discover."

Mengxin watched quietly from the side, her eyes subtly revealing emotions she couldn't hide—a longing for her sister and a complex sense of unease.

The stone gate slowly closed, and the darkness deep within the palace seemed to beckon them. The figures moved slowly forward amidst the interplay of light and shadow, carrying a renewed determination, heading towards the place where Mengxi slept.

In that instant, a torrent of billions of stars swept over the three of them, as if they had traversed countless unnamed cosmic dimensions. Qin Yu felt his soul being stretched to an incredible river, with all the past and future whispering in his ears, until—the light suddenly receded.

Beneath my feet lies a Stainless and silent void plain.

Above the celestial canopy, the entire universe seemed to have tilted over, and every star was so close that you could reach out and touch it. They were not lifeless celestial bodies, but living sources of light, whispering, breathing, and burning, weaving the entire space into an eternal symphony of stars.

A shimmering radiance floated in the air, each wisp of light seemingly carrying some ancient "primordial rhythm," the original beat before the heavens and earth were written. Each breath felt like touching the very lifeblood of the universe.

And in the depths of this silent and magnificent sea of stars—

Qin Yu's gaze suddenly froze.

There, suspended, was a "Silent Realm Light Egg".

It is translucent, formed from billions of starlight waves and fragments of cause and effect, with the remnants of ancient laws slowly flowing across its surface. The light egg itself is like an independent world, with billions of runes spreading like water ripples, sometimes turning into quicksand, sometimes burning into starlight.

In the center of the luminous egg lies a woman who is like a holy spirit.

She seemed to be born from the dreams and flowing light of the stars, clad in a crystal-feathered holy robe, the thin gauze cascading down like a waterfall of the Milky Way, layer upon layer refracting the brilliance of crystal stars. Behind her, six wings slowly unfolded, each feather shimmering with spatial rifts, the tips of which flowed with the light of Annihilation. The wings were both a guardian and a seal, solemn enough to take one's breath away.

Her eyes were closed, her expression serene, like a spotless moon hanging in the heavens. Floating around her were bubbles of serene light, like a sea of divine consciousness, isolating her from the outside world, as if she did not exist here, but was sealed in a dimension beyond logic.

Above his forehead, a pale blue star mark appeared and disappeared, seemingly some kind of "seal of destiny." The fluctuations emanating from that mark caused the Fate Soul in Qin Yu's chest to resonate and tremble, as if whispering: She is Mengxi.

At this moment, Qin Yu, Hong Xiuxiang, Yunyi, Mengxin all held their breath and stared intently, none of them daring to speak.

In this divine space that transcends everything, Mengxi is no longer just a name, but an "embodiment of a cosmic concept."

Mengxin stared at the "Silent Realm Light Egg," so close yet seemingly separated by billions of years. Her eyes instantly welled with tears, her chest heaved, and her voice trembled almost as she cried, "Sister..."

She took the first step.

In an instant, the entire Miracle Space trembled violently.

"Boom--"

Billions of starlight chains surged across the surface of the light egg, each chain inscribed with ancient runes, weaving together a restriction that transcended heaven and earth. As the chains vibrated, the entire dimension seemed to transform into a court of judgment, proclaiming to all who approached: This existence is untouchable.

Mengxin's body stiffened abruptly, as if her soul was being gripped by an invisible giant hand. The pressure wasn't murderous intent, but rather an absolute rejection and judgment, seemingly asking her:

--What makes you think you can approach someone who is "transcendent"?

Her face was pale, and blood seeped from the corner of her lips, but she did not stop walking.

"Sister, it's me, Mengxin!" she whispered, tears welling in her eyes, her voice trembling yet more resolute than any other. "For countless years, I've searched every corner of the Realm of Primordial Echoes, all for this moment... Even if I'm shattered to pieces, I will stand before you!"

The second step is to land.

The sealing laws suddenly erupted. Countless starlight runes transformed into sword-like rays of light, slashing in from all directions to judge her soul and bloodline. The void roared, and even Qin Yu, Yunyi, and Hong Xiuxiang felt the earth-shattering pressure, causing their souls to tremble involuntarily.

But Mengxin endured it all. Her breath was breaking down, and blood stained her clothes, yet her eyes burned with a light more intense than the stars.

"Sister, can you hear me?" Mengxin cried, pointing her finger at the Egg of Desolation. "I am your sister, Mengxin! Even if this world forbids me from approaching, even if karma wants to annihilate me, I still want to tell you—I have never given up searching for you!"

The third step is to land.

Her figure was completely absorbed into that boundless oppression, as if she would shatter in the next instant as the chains of light tore apart.

However, at this very moment--

Deep within the luminous egg, the slumbering Mengxi trembled slightly.

Above the sealing law, the billions of starlight suddenly paused, as if hearing some kind of call. On the surface of the light egg, a faint light pattern quietly emerged, outlining the profile of Mengxi. Her eyes were still closed, but a crystal tear slowly slid down from the corner of her eye, disappearing into the starlight in an instant.

In that instant, Mengxin burst into tears, kneeling on the ground, tears falling like broken beads.

"Sister... you really... remember me..."

Just as Mengxin called out to Mengxi, and the entire seal and the light egg intertwined to create supreme pressure, a faint light suddenly appeared behind the crystal shell.

It was an "entrance" that almost perfectly overlapped with space itself; without careful observation, it would appear as nothingness. But as the light intensified, its shape gradually emerged: like the twisted arc of a broken star core, with dreamlike starlight cracks flowing along its edges, as if the very origin of the universe had been forcibly torn open by supreme power, leaving behind a "gateway to the true world."

The next instant, a gaunt figure slowly stepped out of the cave entrance.

In a short while, an old man appeared before Qin Yu and the others.

He wore a long robe with feather patterns, upon which flowed dark silver star patterns, each stroke seemingly inscribed with the origin and annihilation of the "realm." The old man was hunched over, his steps slow and deliberate, yet he possessed an irresistible aura, as if the rules of heaven and earth, the rhythm of time, and the chain of cause and effect all fell silent in his presence, as if the entire universe held its breath, awaiting his every move.

His face was thin and ancient, like a shadowy figure from ancient times; his long eyebrows drooped down to his cheeks as if they spanned the Milky Way. Most shocking was the dark blue boundary ring between his eyebrows—the boundary ring was engraved with billions of structural cracks, and one could vaguely see the microcosm of the collapsing Milky Way and the sinking universe, as if a broken universe had been solidified within it, becoming his mark.

The old man slowly opened his eyes.

His pupils were a pure white, containing a deep, dark light. A single glance seemed to pierce through Qin Yu's sea of consciousness, peering into his past, present, and future along the threads of destiny. However, in that instant of gazing, his gaze suddenly froze, his brows furrowing deeply, as if he sensed some incomprehensible power emanating from Qin Yu, a power even the "boundary ring" rejected.

The oppressive and chilling atmosphere in the air suddenly dissipated.

Just then, Mengxin's figure trembled at the sudden familiar aura. She abruptly raised her head and instantly recognized the person who had come.

"Uncle Meng...?"

Her voice trembled, and tears instantly filled her eyes.

The old man's gaze shifted to Mengxin, his eyes softening instantly. The next moment, tears streamed down his face, and he cried out in a trembling voice:

"Second Miss... I've finally... I've finally met you!"

His voice was as aged as the wind and sand, yet it contained endless joy and a sob. That one "Second Miss" seemed to carry billions of years of protection and waiting, making even the starlight in the void tremble slightly.

Mengxin rushed forward, sobbing and crying out, "Uncle Meng! I thought I'd never see you again..."

The old man reached out a trembling hand and gently stroked Mengxin's hair. His eyes shimmered with a mixture of light and tears, and his voice was hoarse. "I have risked my life to guard this desperate situation, hoping that one day, the Second Miss would return safely... Today, that day has finally come."

With tears in her eyes, Mengxin nestled in Uncle Meng's arms, and the oppressive feeling around her seemed to quietly dissipate at that moment.

However, Uncle Meng's gaze gradually shifted to the "Silent Realm Light Egg" in front of him.

Within the crystal shell, Mengxi slumbered peacefully, like the most sacred ray of light in the entire universe. With her six wings half-spread and radiant light descending, her face was serene and immaculate, and the sealing laws surrounding her still exuded an inviolable aura.

As Uncle Meng watched, his vision blurred again, his chest heaved with each breath, and his emotions were so suppressed that they felt like they were about to burst.

"Miss..." His voice trembled, deep and hoarse with pain, "This old man... has finally seen you again..."

He slowly took a few steps closer, his beard and hair trembling in the starlight storm, but he seemed to be hindered by the sealing power in the light egg, his steps heavy as if he were carrying a thousand pounds.

"For countless years, I have been trapped here, watching helplessly as the young lady was sealed in the Eternal Silence, without even the right to reach out and comfort her." Uncle Meng's voice grew lower and lower, as if the obsession and grief in his heart had turned into echoing heavenly music.

"After that battle, I was fortunate enough to survive, but I was also deprived of the freedom to leave this place. I understand that my only mission is to protect the young lady and this Silent Realm until one day, a destined person can break this seal."

As he spoke, his hand trembled slightly and he slowly pressed it to his chest. The azure ring between his brows shone with an even more intense light, and within the cracks, it seemed as if the illusion of billions of collapsing galaxies flickered, reflecting his unwavering devotion that he had guarded for billions of years.

Uncle Meng said softly, "The years have long since worn me down to a frail body. But if only the young lady could return to this world, I would give my last Fate Soul and my life for it, without any regrets."

As soon as he finished speaking, a mournful resonance seemed to echo in the void, as if countless souls from different realms were sighing silently.

Mengxin was already in tears, clutching Uncle Meng's hand tightly, and said in a trembling voice, "Uncle Meng, please don't say such things... I will definitely work with Young Master Qin Yu and the others to save my sister, so you won't have to stay here alone anymore!"

Qin Yu and Yunyi exchanged a glance, both of them able to sense the unwavering resolve within Uncle Meng —it wasn't the loyalty of an ordinary guardian, but rather a "faith in the Dao" born from billions of years of solitude and sacrifice.

Uncle Meng sighed and nodded slowly, but his gaze never left Mengxi in the light egg. His eyes held both endless pity and a deep longing.

Qin Yu slowly walked forward, his gaze fixed on the translucent "Silent Realm Light Egg".

Upon closer inspection, the surface of the light egg is shimmering with countless starlight ripples, each wisp of light seemingly carrying ancient laws, forming layers upon layers of runes. It is neither ice nor crystal, but an absolute barrier woven from the most primordial "remnants of causality" and "fragments of the order of Annihilation."

As the footsteps drew closer, the heavens and earth suddenly trembled.

Boom--!

The void beneath Qin Yu's feet transformed into star-like cracks, the starry dome suddenly tilted, and all the stars seemed to swoop down, pressing down on his chest and causing it to throb.

"This is... a sealed self-defense?" A flash of light appeared on the Azure Ring between Qin Yu's brows, Void Source Truth Command within his body automatically surged out, barely managing to stabilize his body.

Suddenly--

Ripples spread across the surface of the Silent Realm Light Egg, and a gigantic, invisible handprint emerged from the void!

It has no physical form, but is woven from billions of fragmented causal threads, as if the fate of the entire universe has converged here, carrying a cold, judgmental will, pressing directly towards Qin Yu.

Boom!

Before the handprint even landed, Qin Yu felt his own existence begin to waver—figures from the past, present, and future simultaneously appeared around him: his naive appearance as a child in the mortal realm, his current figure bearing the burden of his Fate Soul, and a blurry, unpredictable phantom of the future.

"This is... a direct judgment on the very foundation of my existence?" Qin Yu's mind jolted, and his blood surged.

Azure Ring's voice suddenly rang out in my mind, clear and urgent:

"Little Qinzi, don't try to resist! This seal is confirming whether you are 'qualified' enough. If you don't demonstrate the true power of the fusion of your Fate Soul and the Void Source, it will erase all traces of your existence!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Azure Ring aura burst forth from between Qin Yu's brows, and nine layers of ring patterns unfolded, resonating with the Void Source Truth Command within his body.

Boom!

The azure light and the Void Source Ripple intertwined, transforming into a "Annihilation Ring Wall" that spanned the heavens and earth, forcefully blocking the invisible causal handprint.

Even so, the impact still made Qin Yu feel a sweet taste in his throat and a trace of blood trickle from the corner of his mouth.

Yunyi's pretty face changed drastically, instantly transforming into dragon eyes. A dark blue soul light burst forth from her pupils, turning into the Annihilation Abyss Dragon Breath to protect Qin Yu's side.

"Elder Brother Yu Qin!" she cried urgently, her soul trembling.

Hong Xiuxiang's expression tightened. With the Soul Brush in hand, the phantom of the Spirit Book unfolded, and as the pages turned, a layer of book-like defense was constructed, weakening the aftershocks of cause and effect.

Uncle Meng's gaze was intense, his hands clenched tightly, but he did not stop him—he knew that only Qin Yu himself could take this step.

As the Azure Ring and the power of the Void Source were released, the Void Hand gradually paused, its fingers stiffening in the air, making cracking sounds, as if it were re-examining Qin Yu.

The next moment--

A pale blue mark suddenly appeared on the surface of the Silent Realm Light Egg, like the heart of a star, and slowly lit up.

As if in response:

This person is qualified.