Grave Abyss Star Sea · Undercurrents Rising

Deep within the palace, a misty, ethereal atmosphere permeated the air, as if all dust had been washed away, transforming everything into a lofty and serene realm. Inside the highest palace of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall, countless golden rays descended, and glazed palace lanterns hung like a galaxy, illuminating the jade steps.

Qin Yu respectfully presented the memory crystal core with both hands, a trace of solemnity still lingering in his heart. Amidst the swirling immortal energy, a white-haired old man sat upright on a cloud couch, his aura faint and elusive, seemingly present yet absent. Between his brows flowed a serene radiance that transcended all cause and effect and morality. He was none other than—Ancestor Hao Wuli, whose cultivation had reached the Ultimate of the Stainless Realm, the supreme guardian of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall.

As the patriarch received the crystal core and slowly imprinted its image into his divine sense, the atmosphere of the entire hall suddenly froze. His eyes snapped open, his gaze as deep and still as the universe, and his voice boomed with fury:

"Outrageous! The Chen Clan... how dare they be so Wudao? The Aohuang Divine Beast, a rare and powerful beast already listed on the forbidden list, they actually dared to unseal it without permission! This is a provocation against the entire Source of Epochless · Middle Layer, it's simply... defying the heavens and the laws!"

Qin Yu bowed respectfully, his gaze firm and heavy, and said slowly:

"Ancestor, what should we do next? If this matter is not stopped, I fear... not only the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall, but the entire middle level will be plunged into catastrophe."

Ancestor Hao Wuli remained silent for a moment, his aura growing even stronger, as if countless calamity flames and heavenly light were intertwined within him. His tone was low yet imposing:

"This matter must not be known to anyone for the time being. If the Chen Clan dares to betray us, I will settle accounts with them. But before that, we must not alarm the outside world. In Hao Yuanzun is currently in seclusion, breaking through to the Severed Intent Realm. Any disturbance could affect the overall situation."

Qin Yu, next, you will secretly investigate the Chen Clan's movements. Remember, do not confront them directly. Wait until I set up the Heaven-Locking Breath-Severing Formation, then choose an opportune moment to act! As for the wicked Lin Jiesheng, you will execute the plan I just discussed with you in detail."

Having said that, the ancestor waved his sleeve, and the celestial radiance of the entire hall subsided, leaving only Qin Yu standing at the foot of the jade steps.

Qin Yu solemnly replied, "This disciple understands."

He bowed again in farewell, and as he left the magnificent, Stainless, and radiant palace, the weight in his heart grew even heavier. But at the same time, a cold, sharp glint flashed in his eyes:

"The Chen Clan... you've played with fire and are now burning yourselves. This time, there's no turning back."

Turning around and disappearing into the void, Qin Yu returned to his Radiant Cosmos Star Hall. The magnificent palace was quiet and peaceful, a stark contrast to the storm raging in his heart.

A new storm is brewing beneath the surface.

Radiant Cosmos Star Hall, starlight descended, as if the entire sky had been moved into the palace. At the center of the palace Nine-Wheel True Evolution Dharma Wheel floated and swirled, reflecting Qin Yu's seated figure.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, but his eyes revealed an unprecedented coldness.

"Lin Jiesheng..." he murmured to himself, his voice so deep it seemed to shatter the void.

At this moment, Qin Yu recalled the ancestor's instructions, and Hao Wuli's cold, sharp gaze still echoed in his mind:

"Lin Jiesheng is no longer the same person he once was. His contact with the Chen Clan must be hiding something. You must keep a close eye on him, and if necessary, eliminate him at all costs."

The atmosphere in the Radiant Cosmos Star Hall fell silent. Qin Yu's "Limitless Yuan Absorption Art" automatically activated, his soul energy resonating with the Nine-Wheel True Evolution Dharma Wheel, and the entire palace faintly exuded a murderous aura. He knew that this trip was no longer simply surveillance, but rather—a test and a hunt.

"Lin Jiesheng brought this upon himself..." Qin Yu's eyes grew colder and colder, his fingertips gently stroking the hilt of the Source-Extinguishing Divine Sword, its cold light reflecting in the void, chilling to the bone.

At this moment, the Azure Ring silently floated deep within his sea of consciousness, rotating without a sound, emanating a faint aura of Annihilation, as if responding to his killing intent.

Qin Yu rose, donned a long robe embroidered with star patterns, and his silhouette stretched long within the Star Palace, seemingly merging with the entire sea of stars. He murmured to himself:

"Since the Ancestor has given the order, then Lin Jiesheng... I will see you off on your final journey."

Then he concealed all his aura, pushed open the gate of the Radiant Cosmos Star Hall, and the void beneath his feet shattered into silent ripples. He disappeared into the silent light.

Night stretched long in the corridors of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall, the moonlight fragmented by the eaves of the buildings. At this moment, an elder clad in a platinum law enforcement robe walked silently to the gate of Lin Jiesheng's palace.

Lin Jiesheng was playing with a talisman by the window when he heard footsteps. He responded calmly and opened the door. The elder bowed respectfully, his face solemn.

"Lin Jiesheng, the Ancestor has ordered that unusual activity has recently occurred in the Grave Abyss Star Sea. The secrets of heaven cannot be delayed; you must investigate immediately. This matter was personally ordered by Ancestor Hao Wuli; it must be treated with utmost seriousness and without error."

Lin Jiesheng Hao Wuli immense power; issuing a decree in his name alone was enough to draw a disciple into the spotlight. Yet, a moment later, his face showed no panic, but rather a hint of smugness in his expression:

"The patriarch personally gave the order... Indeed, such an opportunity is rare."

The elder added, "Qin Yu is also going on this trip; I'll have the two of you go and investigate."

These three words seemed like deliberately placed bait. Lin Jiesheng's lips curled into a cold smile: Qin Yu? That's perfect.

He respectfully said to the elder, "Thank you for your order, elder. I will obey and depart immediately."

The elder nodded and handed over a sealing talisman and a brief detection order. "This talisman will guarantee your passage. If anything unusual happens along the way, immediately report back to the palace. The patriarch repeatedly warned you not to reveal this matter."

Lin Jiesheng accepted the talisman, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his expression as always respectful. "Disciple obeys."

The elder turned and left, and the corridor returned to its tranquility. But Lin Jiesheng's gaze returned to the room, and his eyes instantly turned cold—the door closed, and the formalities and costumes were removed. The night was like a mirror in his eyes, reflecting his true feelings.

He walked slowly to the window, placed his palm on the windowsill, his fingertips twirling the talisman, and murmured, "Qin Yu's arrival is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Recalling his previous whispers and agreements with the Chen Clan, he realized that Chen Clan were already waiting in the shadows. If they could lure Qin Yu to a remote starfield, a so-called "reconnaissance" could turn into a perfect ambush. Today, the name of their ancestor provided them with the best cover—who would doubt that this was an official mission from the Holy Temple?

A dark line crept into Lin Jiesheng's mind. He muttered to himself, "Since the ancestor personally instructed me, that's the best cover. I just need to quietly inform the Chen Clan and set up an ambush. Then— Qin Yu will have nowhere to retreat."

He took out a pre-prepared miniature communication bead, tapped it a few times, and sent a coded message: "East of the Radiant Domain, in the Grave Abyss Star Sea, an opportunity arises tonight. Prepare the Chen Clan's forces and await my command."

The communication bead flickered for a moment, and a reply returned like a shadow, carrying the Chen Clan's cold and swift words. "Since the opportunity has arrived, act quickly. We cannot afford to miss it."

Lin Jiesheng smiled with satisfaction, "What a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Little did he know—before this plan was exposed, an even more dangerous force had already quietly taken notice of this seemingly ordinary "temple mission."

As night deepened, Lin Jiesheng packed his belongings, tied his hair up, and put on his sword. On the surface, he respectfully hung the messenger talisman on his chest, but secretly he carved another blood-red pattern on the back of the talisman. That blood-red pattern could only be recognized by the Chen Clan, representing the mark of "cooperation"—and also the irrefutable proof of his alliance with the Chen Clan.

The air was slightly chilly. He stepped out of his room and headed towards the assembly point at the palace gate. Outside the gate, Qin Yu stood silently, the Azure Evolution Core circulating in his sea of consciousness, his gaze like a cold star. Lin Jiesheng stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said in a clear, cold voice, "Senior Brother Qin, the Ancestor instructed us to travel together, passing through the Grave Abyss Star Sea to investigate unusual activity. We humbly request your guidance."

Qin Yu nodded indifferently, his gaze lingering, but his cold and sharp aura slicing through the air like a blade. The two stepped out of the temple side by side, heading towards the star path, which was tinged silver-gray by the moonlight.

In Lin Jiesheng's heart, calculations were as heavy as the night. He thought: If everything goes smoothly tonight, Qin Yu will be forever lost in silence.

Deep within the Chen Clan palace, vermilion palace lanterns burned with eerie flames, their light flickering and reflecting on the stone walls carved with ferocious ancient beast patterns, as if those ferocious beasts were about to burst out of the walls at any moment.

A stunningly beautiful woman with an imposing presence sat in the main seat. Her eyes held a captivating charm, yet were shrouded in a chilling, sinister aura. This was Chen Xintong, the current matriarch of the Chen Clan, and also the mother of the late Chen Yue.

"Your Highness," a servant knelt respectfully on the ground, his voice trembling but trying to be clear.

"Reporting to Madam, Lin Jiesheng of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall has sent back conclusive news... The person who Annihilation the Second Young Master a few days ago has been identified as Qin Yu of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall! Although his cultivation is only at the Ultimate of the Logic Realm Realm, he possesses the Nine-Wheel True Evolution Dharma Wheel and has had a conflict with the Eldest Young Master, Chen Chao."

The atmosphere in the hall instantly froze, as if even the air itself had turned to ice. Chen Xintong's eyes narrowed sharply, her jade-like hands gripping the armrests tightly. The next instant, her red lips parted slightly, her voice as cold as a snake's shadow:

"What? How could a Logic Realm Realm possibly Annihilation Yue'er? Yue'er led a squad of guards that day, all of whom were cultivators at the Severed Observation · Supreme!"

Her voice suddenly rose, and the lights in the hall flickered as if pulled by her anger.

The servants hurriedly kowtowed, their foreheads striking the stone bricks heavily, fearing they might anger the lady.

"Madam!" Lin Jiesheng spoke with absolute certainty. He had personally confirmed that Qin Yu's aura matched the residual power left behind when Chen Yue was Annihilation. Moreover— the Nine-Wheel True Evolution Dharma Wheel he possessed was already a rare find throughout the entire Source of Epochless · Middle Layer...

Upon hearing this, Chen Xintong slowly closed her eyes, as if suppressing the fire within her chest. After a long while, a chilling smile slowly curved her lips, a bewitching smile that revealed a bone-chilling killing intent.

"Ha... Nine-Wheel True Evolution Dharma Wheel? Exceptional talent? So what? Since he has a conflict with my Chen Clan, regardless of whether he was the one who started it, he deserves to die."

A demonic aura suddenly spread throughout the hall, and the flames of the palace lanterns turned blood red. Chen Xintong slowly rose, her voice low yet carrying an irresistible pressure:

"Pass on my order: dispatch one of your Shadow subordinates, a Supreme the Only Book Realm, to the Grave Abyss Star Sea to meet with Lin Jiesheng. Together, they will surely slay Qin Yu."

Her gaze seemed to pierce through the palace, looking towards the distant starry sea, its cold light gleaming:

"Yue'er, your mother will avenge you. Even if the heavens obstruct, even if the Source of Epochless trembles, I will make that person pay for their blood debt!"

As her cold voice fell, several dark figures in the hall knelt down in unison, their cries of "We obey your orders, Madam" echoing between the blood-red lamplight, like a low murmur from the Nether Prison.

The star path stretched like a ribbon, and night fell low. Qin Yu and Lin Jiesheng walked side by side on the silent star path, stardust rustling beneath their feet, moonlight casting long shadows beside them. There was no one else around, except for a strange, cold light faintly emanating from the direction of the distant Grave Abyss Star Sea.

Lin Jiesheng's face appeared even more stern in the moonlight, but his heart was churning with undercurrents, and a smile spread like a flame beneath the ice in the shadows.

He slightly suppressed the outward respect he should have shown, thinking to himself:

"Qin Yu, do you really think you can return Anran after disappearing for a year? How naive. If you were already dead, Chi Ning would be mine; since you are still alive, you are my prey. Since you dared to return to the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall, how can I wash away all the sacrifices I've made for Chi Ning over the years if I don't completely erase you?"

Thinking of this, a sinister smile crept onto his lips as he recalled the previous conspiracy and blood pact with the Chen Clan. Lin Jiesheng mentally rehearsed the steps, like planning a game of chess: first, lure Qin Yu to a remote star sea, then Chen Clan launch a surprise attack, using the Only Book Realm · Supreme to kill Qin Yu in one fell swoop—this would both avenge the Chen Clan and keep Chi Ning by his side forever.

"The Chen Clan will definitely send someone. No matter what their cultivation level is, even if Qin Yu is Nine-Wheel True Evolution, he will find it difficult to escape unscathed." He secretly rejoiced, a greedy glint in his eyes.

He quietly pressed the small talisman bead used to communicate with the Chen Clan into his palm, his fingertips icy cold. Several faint rays of light emanated from the bead, carrying hidden feedback signals, like an invisible command arrow secretly shooting into the distance. A surge of triumph welled up in Lin Jiesheng's chest, as if he could already see Qin Yu lying in a sea of blood.

Qin Yu wasn't entirely oblivious. Although he appeared calm and composed, the Azure Ring swirled silently in his mind, and the Book of Fate Law trembled subtly within him. Lin Jiesheng's aura carried an unusual tension and calculation; the sharpness hidden beneath his polite demeanor was not something an ordinary disciple could possess. A cold glint flashed across Qin Yu's eyes as he silently assessed the situation:

"Lin Jiesheng... is more cunning than he appears. He has secretly allied with the Chen Clan; tonight, we will utterly Annihilation him."

He didn't stop walking, his tone calm. "The journey is safe. Be cautious when you reach the Grave Abyss Star Sea, and report any unusual activity immediately."

Lin Jiesheng said respectfully, "Senior brother, rest assured, this disciple will be cautious." However, a hint of contempt flashed across his words.

"Although Qin Yu is at the Ultimate of the Logic Realm Realm, to ensure your complete Annihilation, I have to make good use of the Chen Clan. Although we don't yet know who Annihilation the second young master of the Chen Clan, framing Chen Clan will surely be enough for the Chen family to stand by and do nothing." Lin Jiesheng thought to himself, overjoyed. He figured the Chen Clan would definitely send experts to help him eliminate Qin Yu.

On the star path, the wind grew colder. The two shadows intertwined on the ground, like two opposing blades moving closely together. Lin Jiesheng was already planning his next move: when he reached the vicinity of the Grave Abyss, he would secretly send a signal to the Chen Clan family to ambush them in the predetermined locations; while he himself would lure Qin Yu into danger at the crucial moment to ensure that everything would go smoothly.

Qin Yu secretly laid several layers of defense in his heart—acting before speaking. The Azure Ring secretly operated in his sea of consciousness, and the Book of Fate Law whispered in his chest. If Lin Jiesheng any move, he could instantly throw the truth into the sky, leaving those scheming schemes nowhere to hide. But he would wait for the ancestor's instructions and the right time before unfolding all of this.

At the end of the star path, the edge of the Grave Abyss Star Sea was close at hand. The night wind carried a smell of decay and old grudges, as if foreshadowing some ominous event. Lin Jiesheng quickened his pace, his heart overflowing with joy. Qin Yu, however, remained calm, like a mountain peak concealing a cold light, so cold that it was impossible to look directly at him.

Carrying their own secrets, they stepped one after the other into the sea of stars where bloodshed and conspiracy were about to erupt. Under the cover of night, the gears of fate had already begun to turn slowly.