The Guest Elder's Night: Settling into the Qi Hall

Even at the banquet in the palace, the golden light of the heavens continued to circulate.

As Yun Yanwan gave the order, the sacred banquet music and dance of the Chaos First Palace slowly began. Countless golden musical wheels suspended in the sky rotated, emitting dreamlike sound waves. This was not ordinary music, but rather woven from Source of Epochless's own "Heavenly Sound Rhythm". Every time the strings vibrated, it would cause the galaxy to resonate, calm all living beings, and cause spacetime to tremble slightly.

At this moment, the main hall was filled with a misty haze, and ninety-nine spiritual lotuses appeared in mid-air. From the lotus platforms emerged fairy disciples of the Chaos First Palace. They wore semi-transparent, radiant gauze robes, their flowing light resembling a silver river falling to earth. Their steps were light and graceful, as if they were traveling between the wind and time.

As the music began, heaven and earth resonated in unison. The sounds of the pipa, yaoqin, gusheng, and lingdi intertwined to create a dreamlike celestial symphony.

As the first fairy raised her sleeves and danced lightly, starlight flew from her palm, transforming into countless fireflies that scattered throughout the palace.

Every step, every turn, stirred up ripples of golden light, like waves of time extending to the endless sea of clouds outside the palace.

Then, dozens of fairies rose into dance, swirling with ribbons of light, their skirts billowing in the wind. Their dance contained the essence of an ancient ritual from the Chaos First Palace.

"Use dance to Sacrificial Dao, use music to soothe the soul."

Nan Yao sat to the side, her expression gradually softening, her eyes revealing complex emotions.

Gazing at the celestial figure within the lotus light, she murmured softly, "If Master were here, he would surely delight in this scene."

Extinguished Light watched quietly, her long, black hair swaying gently in the wind, her eyes reflecting the flowing light. She was as calm as a mirror, yet one could see endless emotions—the beauty and sorrow of this world are often intertwined.

Qin Yu turned his head to look at her; there was no word between them, yet their hearts were connected.

As the music and dance intensified, the star rings on the palace roof rotated, and streams of light flowed down, like the Milky Way hanging upside down.

Each star transformed into shimmering fragments of light on the hem of a dancer's skirt, enveloping their figures and sparkling with the softest colors of heaven and earth.

Fairies, holding feather fans, swept by, and illusory scenes appeared in the void.

There is a photograph of Elder Nan Lan preaching back then;

There are scenes of Nan Yao cultivating together with her master;

There is a scene depicting the disciples of the Chaos First Palace throughout the ages taking an oath in front of the hall.

This is a commemoration, and also a vow.

As light and shadow shifted, tears and laughter intertwined.

Yun Yanwan sat upright in the main seat, her eyes half-closed, and sighed softly, "In this chaotic world, ten thousand years of peace are but a dream. I only wish that this moment of tranquility can remain in everyone's hearts."

The elders also raised their cups and chanted the ancient hymns of chaos in unison:

"Use the Way as your melody, and the heart as your wine;"

Dance in silence, dream in brilliance;

May chaos endure forever, may the spirit of the temple shine eternally.

The entire palace was like a dream, with light rain falling and golden feathers fluttering down.

That night, the disciples of the Chaos First Palace drank divine wine, listened to celestial music, and watched dancing figures, as if even heaven and earth had frozen in this eternal radiant night.

Inside the banquet hall, the sky was as bright as day, and celestial music played softly.

Yun Yanwan raised his cup, his eyes deep yet smiling. The golden light from the palace ceiling shone down, making him appear like a god.

He asked in a gentle tone, "Young Master Qin, may I ask where you studied under? Such cultivation and aura are extremely rare even in the Source of Epochless · Middle Layer."

Qin Yu bowed slightly, his tone calm yet carrying a hint of composed strength. "In response to the Palace Master's question, this junior hails from the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall and is a disciple of Hao Yuanzun. Due to the sudden outbreak of the Life Source Storm in the Void Obliteration Domain, which caused spatial collapse, I was accidentally swept into it and ended up here."

After those words were spoken, the entire hall fell silent.

The dozen or so elders exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with shock and respect. The Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall —that was an absolute existence that surpassed the five great temples, and its disciples were almost on par with gods.

Yun Yanwan's eyes flickered slightly. After a moment of contemplation, she laughed loudly, "So that's how it is. Young Master Qin is actually a member of the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall. No wonder his aura is so unique. The Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall is the main lineage of the upper echelons of the Stainless Realm. If I hadn't heard it with my own eyes, I really wouldn't have believed it."

He paused, gently set down his wine cup, and looked at Qin Yu with a gentle gaze. "Young Master, you saved the people of my Chaos First Palace and possess the Eternal Extreme Inheritance. Now that the Void Obliteration Domain in chaos, with the Asura Divine Hall and the Nine Alliances Gang running rampant, if Young Master Qin still has nowhere to stay, I wonder if you would be willing to temporarily reside in my Chaos First Palace?"

Qin Yu took a sip of wine, smiled faintly, and said calmly, "Palace Master, please speak frankly. This junior currently has no fixed abode."

Yun Yanwan's smile deepened, a hint of expectation and sincerity flashing in her eyes. "In that case, I have a request. If Young Master Qin does not mind, I would like to invite you, in the name of the Chaos First Palace, to serve as our palace's only guest elder—a position equivalent to an elder, with free access to the sacred domain of the palace, without any restrictions. This is a position that our Chaos First Palace has not held for billions of years."

These words caused another uproar in the hall.

More than a dozen elders stood up, their expressions respectful—no outsider had ever received such an honor since the Chaos First Palace was established.

"The position of Guest Minister is not that of an outsider, but rather a friend of the Palace Soul," a white-bearded elder solemnly stated. "This position is bestowed upon the young master as a sign of the Palace Master's respect for Ying."

Another elder smiled and said, "With your cultivation and wisdom, young master, if you wish to stay in my palace, you will surely make my Chaos Qi a hundred times stronger."

Extinguished Light sat quietly beside Qin Yu, glancing at him slightly, a gentle smile flowing in the dark light in her eyes—she knew that at this moment, Qin Yu had truly taken root in the Void Obliteration Domain.

After a moment's thought, Qin Yu found the hall completely silent, with golden light swirling around him, Qin Yu the cup of divine wine in his hand reflecting a faint glow.

He lowered his eyes slightly, not answering immediately, but lost in thought.

--The Void Obliteration Domain, though vast, is rife with undercurrents. The Nine Alliances Gang's tentacles are spread throughout the realms, and the Asura Divine Hall has sworn a blood oath to rule over the middle-level karma. Although I have reached the Severed Observation Realm · Supreme, I have not yet established a firm foundation. Without the support of a powerful force, my future actions will be severely restricted.

The scene of the battle at Gray Spirit Mountain flashed through his mind: the Soul Annihilation pressure of Venerable Yuhuang of the Asura Divine Hall, the hunt by the Heavenly Sha Alliance, and Nan Yao's critically injured and dying figure...

If it weren't for Extinguished Light and Azure Ring by my side, I would probably have turned to dust by now.

Qin Yu exhaled softly, raised his eyes to look at the Palace Master Yun Yanwan and the dozen or so elders. Their divine senses were calm and profound, their auras solemn and solid, without the slightest hint of hypocrisy.

Although the Chaos First Palace is not as powerful as the Eternal Extreme Sacred Hall, it is still one of the five great temples of Annihilation Void, with immense power and a profound heritage. If one can establish a foothold here, one can not only resist the Asura and the Nine Alliances Gang, but also investigate the cause of the turmoil in the origin of Annihilation Void.

"If I want to go further in this realm, I'm ultimately too lonely to rely on my own strength alone."

He murmured to himself, his eyes flashing slightly. Qin Yu raised his head, tilted his wine cup slightly, and smiled faintly.

That smile, seemingly humble and calm, concealed a resolute determination born of deep thought.

He understood that from this moment on, what he needed was not just protection, but a new game of chess.

The Chaos First Palace will become the first solid foothold he has established in the Void Obliteration Domain.

He then slowly rose and cupped his hands in greeting. "The Palace Master's hospitality is too kind; if I were to refuse, it would appear cold-hearted. Since that is the case, I shall respectfully accept. I wish to temporarily reside in the Chaos First Palace as a guest minister to repay this kindness today."

Upon hearing this, Yun Yanwan laughed loudly, and the Chaos Divine Fire in her palm suddenly rose up. A golden radiance leaped out from her palm, transforming into a "Chaos Seal Heavenly Talisman" that floated in the void, with runes flowing like a galaxy rolling backward.

He solemnly reached out and pushed the golden seal towards Qin Yu: "This is the 'Guest Elder Chaos Seal' of the Chaos First Palace. Whoever obtains this seal can wield the palace's sacred decrees, summon the palace guards, access the scripture library, and travel freely within any area of the temple—this seal is unique."

Qin Yu reached out and took it. Golden light flowed in his palm, and the mixed imprint instantly resonated with the energy within his body, transforming into a very faint rune imprinted on the back of his hand. In an instant, the Spiritual Qi of the entire palace seemed to bow slightly to him.

The elders all stood up and bowed. "Congratulations to Young Master Qin on his promotion to Guest Elder of the Chaos First Palace!"

Congratulations, guest elder!

"The Chaos First Palace is fortunate to have such a wise man!"

The shouts surged like a tidal wave, resonating throughout the mountains and rivers outside the palace.

Yun Yanwan stroked his long beard, his eyes revealing sincerity and a hint of profound meaning. "Young Master Qin, tonight's banquet at the Chaos First Palace is made more magnificent and radiant by your presence. From now on, this place will be your final resting place."

Extinguished Light smiled faintly and gently raised her glass, "Return to the place... not bad." Her voice was like light flowing in the wind, gentle yet not fading.

At this moment, the night sky outside the temple shone brightly once more, and the Chaos Moon slowly rose, illuminating the entire temple. As the golden light flowed, Qin Yu's expression also became serene.

He knew that this stopover was not just a rest, but the beginning of a new plan and a new era.

The Chaos Guest Elder, Qin Yu.

As the banquet drew to a close, the shimmering light continued to slowly dissipate, and thousands of chaotic lamps floated above the dome. The curtain woven from starlight resembled a celestial veil, illuminating every smiling face.

The music was soft and gentle, the celestial mist swirled, the nectar rippled in the jade cup, and a faint, ethereal fragrance permeated the hall, as if even the air itself had transformed into intoxicating celestial dew.

The dozen or so elders were already slightly tipsy, their laughter mingling with the clinking of glasses, like a harmonious echo reverberating deep within time.

"Guest Elder Qin —truly a man of great stature!"

"Come on, have another drink!"

"Haha, to meet you today is truly a great fortune for my Chaos First Palace!"

Surrounded by a radiant glow, Nan Yao smiled, her eyes still bright with the reverence of a young girl. She raised her jade cup and offered a slight toast to Qin Yu: "Elder Qin Nan Yao, on behalf of the Chaos First Palace, I thank you for saving me. Without you, I fear I would have already Annihilation Void. Now that you have become a guest elder of our palace, it is an honor for the entire temple."

Qin Yu nodded slightly, his smile gentle, "Miss Nan, you flatter me. It's fate that we've traveled together."

Extinguished Light sat quietly to the side, her long, black hair shimmering with a cold, stardust-like light under the lamplight. She took a sip of wine, her gaze calm as a mirror, yet revealing a hint of tenderness.

Palace Master Yun Yanwan raised his cup and laughed, his voice booming like thunder throughout the hall. "Haha—today, Chaos First Palace has gained the return of a sacred treasure, the peace of Nan Yao, and the addition of Guest Elder Qin. Truly, it is a triple celebration! Come—everyone, let us drink to the future of the Chaos First Palace, to this gathering today!"

The crowd responded in unison, and the palace resounded with a thunderous roar. Light and shadow surged, and divine wine poured down like a waterfall. The cranes, goldfish, and luminous butterflies in the sky circled and danced in response, creating a magnificent fairyland.

At this moment, even heaven and earth seemed to be drunk.

As the banquet ended, the golden mist gradually dissipated, the music slowly faded, and the lingering sound echoed in the hall.

The dozen or so elders either leaned against the jade table or slept with smiles on their faces, their consciousness enveloped in a gentle dream.

Palace Master Yun Yanwan looked pleased and turned to Qin Yu, her laughter deep and resonant. "Young Master Qin, it is late, you must be resting. Someone—take Guest Elder Qin to the Qi Primordial Chaos Hall for his lodgings."

Two disciples in white robes entered from outside the hall, bowing respectfully. "Yes, Elder Qin! Please follow me."

Qin Yu stood up, cupped his hands in a respectful bow, and said, "Palace Master, esteemed elders, thank you for your hospitality today. I thank you again."

"Good! Haha--No need for formalities, from now on, the Chaos First Palace will consider you its home." Yun Yanwan said loudly.

Qin Yu smiled slightly, his robes fluttering, and turned to follow his disciple out of the main hall.

Extinguished Light's figure transformed into a ray of soft light and followed.

The night was bathed in shimmering light, and the breeze outside the palace carried a faint Spiritual Qi, fluttering the hems of their robes. The moonlight spilled onto the ground, paving a dreamlike divine path.

As the palace doors slowly closed, the boisterous aroma of wine gradually dissipated.

Yun Yanwan picked up the unfinished cup of Annihilation Spirit Wine alone, her gaze fixed on the distance.

He recalled that moment at the banquet—he, with his cultivation at the Chaos Realm · Extremity, had secretly probed Qin Yu's aura with "Annihilation Law Spiritual Breath," only to have it neutralized by that unfathomable stillness. It wasn't resistance, but some kind of higher-dimensional "devouring."

His eyes flickered slightly, and he murmured softly:

"The Severed Observation Realm... can actually withstand the aura of the Silent Origin Core without collapsing?"

"This child is no ordinary disciple of the Hengji lineage... His aura is like that of the Annihilation Realm Fate Soul..."

Yun Yanwan's gaze deepened, but then turned to a smile, and she sighed softly, "However, if such a prodigy were to stand in my Chaos First Palace, it would be entirely beneficial to the Palace. That girl Nan Yao... she inadvertently brought me back a surprise even greater than a sacred treasure."

He put down his wine cup, his gaze piercing through the myriad clouds, landing in the direction Qin Yu had gone.

His figure stood aloof, yet as serene as the night. The lamplight and moonlight mingled behind him.