The embers of starlight still flickered in the void, as if the world had not yet recovered from the devastating scene of Annihilation. Qin Yu sheathed the Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword, his gaze softening as he looked at Mengxi, but his tone was unusually solemn.
"Mengxi, your cultivation has now fallen to the Final Cycle Realm · Initial Stage. Mengxin's cultivation is only at the Annihilation Lord Realm, and although Senior Uncle Meng has a strong foundation, he is only at the Final Cycle Realm Middle Stage." Qin Yu's voice was not loud, but every word was clear and cold. "At this moment, the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer is in turmoil, with strong individuals vying for power, and danger is greater than ever before. Especially those creatures that attacked just now, I have a premonition that there is more than one of them."
He took a deep breath, his gaze as resolute as a burning starry river. "So, if you trust me, I want to take you somewhere first. That place is absolutely safe, protected not only by my beloved but also by my sworn brothers. That is the Great Realm I personally created— the Annihilation Abyss Epoch. It is not within the Source of Epochless, isolated from the chaos, yet it can protect you completely. You can cultivate there in peace, and once your cultivation has recovered, you can return to the Source of Epochless and create your own foundation and glory."
Upon hearing this, Mengxi's eyes glistened with tears. She gazed intently at Qin Yu, nodded slowly, and her voice trembled slightly with emotion. "Thank you, Young Master Qin... no, benefactor. You not only saved me from the seal, but you are also willing to protect us with your own great realm. We absolutely believe in you."
She turned to look at Mengxin and Uncle Meng, her tone gentle yet resolute. "Sister, Uncle Meng, let's do as Young Master Qin says, first enter the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, and temporarily avoid the brunt of the attack."
Tears welled in Mengxin's eyes, and the loneliness that had been suppressed in her heart for millions of years finally melted away at this moment. She bowed deeply, her voice clear yet trembling. "Young Master Qin, Mengxin will remember this forever, and is eternally grateful."
At this moment, Uncle Meng's eyes were filled with tears, his knees slightly bent, and he said in a trembling voice, "Young Master Qin's great kindness will never be forgotten by Uncle Meng! With such protection, this old man can finally rest easy."
Bathed in starlight, the three bowed to Qin Yu at the same time, as if their eternal destinies were being re-established between them.
The scene was frozen in a radiant glow that combined warmth and solemnity.
Qin Yu gently reached out, and the Azure Evolution Core between his brows instantly appeared. The deep, Annihilation Devil Pupil slowly opened, releasing a vortex of countless strands of silent light and demonic flames. In the void, the originally silent rules suddenly trembled, as if an invisible great world was responding from the endless depths.
The void split open, revealing a Gate of the Annihilation Abyss. Countless chains of cause and effect stretched along the edges of the gate, like an inverted galaxy, encircling an unfathomable black-gold ocean. Floating within the ocean was a colossal realm, magnificent as if created at the dawn of time. Within it, continents could be vaguely seen floating, mountains undulating like dragon veins, and galaxies flowing like waterfalls, where life and Annihilation coexisted.
The Annihilation Abyss Epoch —the great realm personally created by Qin Yu —was fully revealed for the first time in front of Mengxi, Mengxin, and Uncle Meng.
Mengxi held her breath, gazing intently. She could clearly sense that the foundation of this great realm was unlike any other world in the Source of Epochless. The rules here were far more profound; time and cause and effect seemed to have been rewoven, shrouded in an "unshakeable" solemnity. She murmured softly, "It's... such a world..."
Tears welled up on Mengxin's pretty face, her eyes moist with shock. "This is... a realm created by Young Master himself? It can actually protect all things and reshape cause and effect... This is the first time I've truly felt the power of a main realm."
Uncle Meng's aged body trembled slightly. His eyes, which had witnessed countless wonders throughout the ages, were still filled with tears. "Young Master Qin... you are not only our savior, but also a creator of realms comparable to the Primordial Walker! To be able to settle here is the greatest honor of my life!"
Qin Yu's gaze softened as he replied softly, "No need for further words. This is your new sanctuary. Once you enter the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, my most trusted family and close friends will guide you. After your cultivation recovers, we will fight side by side again."
As soon as he finished speaking, he gently pushed with his palm, and the Gate of the Annihilation Abyss slowly opened. Starlight cascaded down like a waterfall, and the Annihilation Demon Flame and the Limitless Evolving True Flow intertwined to form a magnificent path of light.
Qin Yu gestured, "Let's go, the Annihilation Abyss Epoch is now open to you."
Deep within the void, Azure Ring's voice gently resonated within Qin Yu's sea of consciousness, like a clear spring falling into a vast ocean. "Little Qinzi, why not send the Void Finality Saint Emperor, the Primordial Dao-Extinguishing True Emperor, Eternal Annihilation Heavenly Emperor together into the Annihilation Abyss Epoch? They were originally the strongest guardians under your Soul Stealing. If they were stationed in the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, it would surely make the foundation of this world incomparably stable, and no external enemy could break through it."
Qin Yu's eyes sharpened, and he nodded, replying in a deep voice, "Alright, that's exactly what I was thinking too."
In an instant, the phantoms of the three divine beasts suddenly appeared in his sea of consciousness. The vortex black pupils of the Void Finality Saint Emperor seemed to swallow everything, the chaotic light ball of the Primordial Dao-Extinguishing True Emperor roared and burst countless fragments of the Dao, and the figure of the Eternal Annihilation Heavenly Emperor surrounded the collapsing star river, its pressure like the eternal end.
"The three of you, go with them into the Annihilation Abyss Epoch. Guard the Annihilation Abyss Epoch for eternity and await my return," Qin Yu transmitted his thoughts, his voice solemn yet gentle.
The figures of the three divine beasts roared in response simultaneously, their deafening roars echoing through the void. "We obey our master's command!"
The Gate of the Annihilation Abyss opened once more. Billions of starlight surged like a tsunami, and amidst the flowing waterfall of light, Mengxi, Mengxin, and Uncle Meng stepped in one after another. Then, the massive figures of the three divine beasts pressed in like a galaxy, directly traversing the void and slowly disappearing into the territory of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch.
Just then--
Above the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, a magnificent Qin Yu Yingling suddenly appeared!
It was a phantom formed autonomously by the origin of the boundary core, a magnificent figure woven from countless causal lines and Annihilation Demon Flame, with eyes like two stars and a solemn and dignified expression.
Yingling raised her head, her gaze passing through the boundary to look directly at Qin Yu's true form in the void.
After a moment of Ji Ran, Yingling slowly nodded, her expression solemn, as if silently acknowledging and responding to her master's command and decision.
With this salute, the entire Annihilation Abyss Epoch and rivers roared in unison, and countless voices chanted in unison, as if welcoming the arrival of the three divine beasts and the three members of the Meng Clan.
At this moment, Qin Yu truly felt that the Annihilation Abyss Epoch had become powerful once again. It was no longer just his personal realm, but a sacred land with unparalleled protection and inheritance.
The sky roared, and countless layers of starlight cascaded above the palace of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, illuminating the entire realm as if it had transformed into Wuji divine realm. Qin Yu's Yingling slowly appeared, its power enveloping mountains and rivers, leading Mengxi, Mengxin, Uncle Meng, and the three supreme divine beasts to descend.
At the summit of the palace, Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan had already been gazing up at the sky. Clad in white, their hair danced in the wind, their eyes gleaming with complex emotions. At this moment, when they truly saw the shadows of the three divine beasts that suppressed heaven and earth, their hearts trembled violently, and they almost simultaneously gasped in astonishment:
"My lord... where did you subdue this three-headed divine beast... so invincible, so terrifying..."
Their voices, though soft, were filled with shock and disbelief, as if they were only now truly appreciating the heights Qin Yu had reached.
Guided by Yingling, the bridge of starlight extended, carrying Mengxi, Mengxin, Uncle Meng, and the three divine beasts as they slowly descended above the Annihilation Abyss Epoch Palace. Countless cultivators throughout the realm were awestruck, their souls trembling as they gazed up at this unimaginable scene, as if witnessing the most glorious page in the ancient history of the heavens.
Yingling stepped forward and gently explained the situation to the two women, recounting the experiences and origins of Mengxi, Mengxin, and Uncle Meng. Upon hearing this, Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan's gaze softened further, and a mixture of respect and pity welled up within them. Almost simultaneously, they quickly stepped forward.
They gently took Mengxi and Mengxin's hands, then bowed respectfully to Uncle Meng: "The three of you need not stand on ceremony. This is the Annihilation Abyss Epoch, a great realm created by our husband himself, and your new home. From this day forward, please consider this your true home."
Mengxi's eyes trembled slightly, tears welling up, and she whispered, "I never imagined... we could be so accepted in this world." Mengxin's eyes were also moist. "Thank you so much. We will certainly not let Young Master Qin down." Uncle Meng, whose hunched back was now unusually straight, replied in a tearful voice, "Meeting Young Master Qin is the greatest fortune of our lives..."
In this magnificent yet deeply moving scene, the sky of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch flows like a vast epic, engraving new vows and bonds.
The dome of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch was completely rewritten at this moment due to the appearance of the three divine beasts.
First, there was the Eternal Annihilation Heavenly Emperor (Eternal Silence Sovereign), who resided in the northernmost region of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch. A vast and boundless aura of Annihilation swept across the starry sky, transforming the northern heavens into a black-gold "Silent Abyss Curtain." Countless causal threads snapped in its low murmur, dissipating into ethereal flames. All living beings in the Northern Territory felt an indescribable solemnity, as if death and end had been imbued with a protective significance.
Secondly, there was the Primordial Dao-Extinguishing True Emperor, who guarded the Eastern Region of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch. The chaotic light orb transformed into countless shattered "Dao Law Waterfalls," encircling the mountains and rivers. The stars in the eastern sky all collapsed and reassembled at this moment, forming the "Annihilation Flood" of the heavens. Any external force that dared to tamper with the rules of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch would be crushed into nothingness in an instant. The beings of the Eastern Region knelt in worship, understanding that the chaotic light orb above their heads was not only about destruction, but also about protection.
Secondly, there was the Void Finality Saint Emperor, standing silently in the Western Territory of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch. That sky was completely covered by the "Light of the End," transforming into a boundless void vortex. Stars, mountains, rivers, wind, and rain seemed to lose their definition within its aura; only the will of "Qin Yu" became the sole truth. When cultivators in the Western Territory looked up, their gazes would instantly dissolve, their souls tremble, yet they remained Anran due to that invisible barrier. That was the strongest "Absolute Forbidden Domain" that the Saint Emperor had erected for this great world with his own power.
As for the Southern Territory and the Realm Core, they are guarded by the Grand Venerable Mingxu and the Mysterious Xuancang Shenying. The azure radiance of the Yingling spreads from the Realm Core, illuminating the four corners of the earth, causing the auras of the three divine beasts to resonate with each other, ultimately converging into an unparalleled magnificent scene:
--The Northern Territory Annihilation, the Eastern Region is annihilated, the Western Territory is nothingness, and the heart of the realm Yingling.
The entire sky of the Annihilation Abyss Epoch was forever etched with the majestic mark of the three divine beasts. Billions of living beings knelt before the earth, a shared belief rising in their hearts:
This realm is no longer an ordinary realm, but an "Eternal Realm" jointly governed by supreme Fate Soul and invincible divine beasts.
Qian Ruishan and Mu Qingwan stood side by side behind Qin Yu, watching this scene with tears glistening in their eyes. They whispered, "Husband, because of you, the Annihilation Abyss Epoch has become the most unshakable foundation after the Source of Epochless."
Qin Yu, Yunyi, and Hong Xiuxiang had already emerged from the lingering Nether Abyss Bone Marsh, and the faint light of heaven and earth shone upon them. The swirling, Limitless Evolving True Flow in the air, as if washing away their fatigue.
Hong Xiuxiang let out a soft breath, withdrawing her gaze from the distance, her expression extremely solemn. She turned around and looked at Qin Yu, her eyes gentle yet filled with deep gravity.
"Senior Brother Qin," her voice was soft yet exceptionally clear in the silence, "Sister Mengxin and Uncle Meng have settled in the Annihilation Abyss Epoch. Now, I must tell you something extremely important."
Qin Yu frowned slightly, raised his hand to brush her hair behind her ear, and said calmly, "Xiuxiang, what's the matter that you're so serious about?"
Hong Xiuxiang's eyes darkened slightly, as if all the heavy images of the past year were echoing in her mind. She spoke slowly, each word like a heavy stone falling to the ground:
"In the year we were gone, the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer... underwent a complete upheaval. The Phantom Demon Army Corps emerged from the boundless rifts, their sheer numbers and terrifying aura sweeping across almost the entire middle layer territory. Countless sects, Ancient Clan, and temples were annihilated in the great war, and the entire middle layer was once awash in blood. The souls of the fallen even drifted across the sky year-round."
Her voice was low and deep, as if one could still hear the screams of millions of cultivators from that period.
"And what's most terrifying is that beneath the middle level lies a secret legion that has existed for countless eons— the Sourceless Hidden Army. They are not ordinary cultivators, but rather forged from the remnants of souls and secret blood of countless ancient powerhouses, dedicated to guarding some unknown ruins."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yu's gaze suddenly sharpened, and the causal fluctuations in his chest seemed to echo it subtly.
Hong Xiuxiang continued, her hands unconsciously clenching, her voice trembling slightly. "But just as the Phantom Demon Army Corps and the Sourceless Hidden Army were locked in fierce combat, a... mysterious powerhouse appeared. His figure was towering, his aura boundless and ethereal; even elders at the Chaos Realm · Supreme were instantly Annihilation before him. With a single move, he suppressed the high-ranking commanders of both sides, completely taking the entire Phantom Demon Army Corps away, disappearing into the Limitless Void Abyss."
As soon as he finished speaking, the air seemed to suddenly turn cold and still.
Yunyi slightly opened her eyes, her dragon pupils reflecting boundless starlight. She whispered, "There was actually someone who could single-handedly take away the Phantom Demon Army after that catastrophe... What kind of terrifying will was that?"
A blue light flowed between Qin Yu's brows, and the Azure Ring trembled gently in his sea of consciousness, seemingly responding to the subtle sense of crisis.
He gazed into the distance, his voice low and deep. "Xiuxiang, do you mean that this mysterious powerful figure... is very likely related to the profound cause and effect we are about to face?"
Hong Xiuxiang nodded, her gaze resolute. "Yes, Senior Brother Qin. This year, almost every mid-level cultivator was gripped by fear. Countless forces were destroyed, with only a few major temples and Holy Clan struggling to hold on. Now that we've returned, the situation is completely different. You must be prepared; the true Source of Epochless · Middle Layer... will never be what we once saw."