The Bizarre Coffin of the Grave Slope Ruins

A sea of clouds churned, and golden runes swirled around the ninety-nine floating palaces of the suspended palace complex. Ling Liangyan soared through the air, her moonlit figure passing through the Radiant Waterfall. As she landed before the main hall of the Chaos First Palace, she immediately sensed something—

The atmosphere of the entire temple had changed. The air still held the lingering effects of the great battle.

The spatial traces of shattered yet rapidly reconstructed structures still resonate;

The disciples looked solemn and acted with urgency;

Many buildings still bear faint traces of annihilation.

Her heart tightened: it seemed that a great change had occurred within the sect... She dared not delay and immediately flew towards the main hall.

Main Hall - Cloud Radiance Hall

The moment Ling Liangyan stepped into the main hall, fifteen elders of the Annihilation Dawn Realm were surrounding Yun Yanwan and Yun Yanxi, all with somber expressions, but they showed surprise and shock when they saw Ling Liangyan.

Yun Yanwan looked up, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes:

"It's Liangyan? Good, good! You've only been away for two or three months... and you've already reached the Void Emanation Realm —and the Ultimate one at that!"

Ling Liangyan immediately knelt on one knee and bowed, her voice clear and respectful. "Greetings, Palace Master. This disciple has returned from exploring the secret realm; I am late."

The temple master waved for her to rise, his tone revealing a hint of admiration:

"Excellent, excellent! The Void Emanation Realm · Ultimate... With your innate talent and comprehension, this speed is Pre-Nonbeing."

The elders in the hall exclaimed in unison, "She is truly the most outstanding female elder in the Chaos First Palace for tens of millions of years!"

"Liangyan is back! The temple has gained a new pillar of support!"

"The Void Emanation Realm · Ultimate... one more step and she will be the Supreme. She will surely become a pillar supporting our divine temple in the future!"

Ling Liangyan blushed slightly and gave a gentle bow. "You flatter me, seniors."

Yun Yanwan frowned and gently scanned the surroundings of the hall:

"Huh? Where's Qin Yu? You two left the palace together, why did only you return?"

Upon hearing this, Ling Liangyan lowered her gaze slightly, her tone gentle yet earnest: "Reporting to the Palace Master, Young Master Qin did indeed leave the secret realm with me. He has now reached the Annihilation Dawn Realm · Supreme, and we both gained many opportunities within the secret realm." "However, he has his own matters to attend to, so he asked me to return first. He said... he will be here soon."

A slight commotion arose inside the main hall.

The elders exchanged glances—truly remarkable. It seems the two of them indeed obtained many opportunities and treasures in that secret realm. Now, our Chaos First Palace has gained two more powerful figures.

Yun Yanxi scoffed, "That kid... he's probably gone off to cause trouble again."

It was a reproach tinged with a smile. Yun Yanwan nodded gently, her tone softening:

"Since he has already Annihilation Dawn Realm · Supreme and is quite knowledgeable in the arts of destiny, he must have a plan in mind if he goes on a journey."

Then, the temple master's expression instantly turned serious.

Deep Root Lower Layers - Starting in One Month

Yun Yanwan spoke in a deep voice, "Liangyan, during the time you and Qin Yu were away, the temple experienced a great battle."

"Although the troubles caused by the Asura Divine Hall and the Nine Alliances Gang have been temporarily resolved, but..."

His gaze swept across the people in the hall like a blade. "The real key... is the opening of the 'Deep Root Lower Layers' in a month."

The atmosphere inside the hall instantly became tense.

Yun Yanxi continued, "The opening of the Deep Root Lower Layers each time affects the survival of the Void Obliteration Domain. This time, it is even more related to the future of the five great temples."

Yun Yanwan looked at Ling Liangyan and said in a steady tone, "Liangyan, your cultivation has reached the Ultimate of the Void Evolution. You are now ready to follow the Chaos First Palace into the Deep Root Lower Layers."

"From this day forward, you must stabilize your cultivation level as soon as possible and prepare together with the elders."

Ling Liangyan took a deep breath and clasped her hands in a fist salute. "This disciple obeys."

The hall shone brightly, illuminating her figure with golden runes. The admiring gazes of the surrounding elders warmed her heart.

But one name lingers in her heart... Qin Yu... Where are you now?

The Deep Root Lower Layers operation will begin in a month. You... you'll definitely be back, right?

Two dark figures disappeared into the dark layer of the Chaos First Palace's cloud sea barrier. Their concealment spells were about to dissipate, but they still stared intently at the figures coming and going in front of the palace.

The first figure in the shadows frowned. "Strange... why hasn't that kid come back yet?"

The second person slightly reduced his divine sense and said coldly, "Logically speaking, if that kid were alive, he would definitely not be absent from such a large-scale attack on the Chaos First Palace."

"You forgot? He went out with that girl." "Yes, but now we only see Ling Liangyan returning to the sect alone... he's nowhere to be seen."

The first shadowy figure spoke in a low voice, "Could it be... that he really died out there?"

The second person shook his head. "Last time I infiltrated the Chaos First Palace, I learned that the place is the Yuanxu's Last Writings: The Bookless Ruins... Even our Palace Master and Ancestor are wary of it."

"Going to the Severed Observation Realm... Hmph, it's almost certainly a dead end."

The two exchanged a glance, both having already reached a conclusion. "Forget it." "We're here to monitor him, not to collect his body."

"Now that Ling Liangyan has returned, and that boy has not returned for ten days, we should report the truth."

With a flash of shadow, the two disappeared into the dark rift.

Asura Divine Hall - Main Hall - Blood Iron Council

The palace features patterns of deep red and black gold, resembling a sky scorched by annihilation flames. Dozens of black stone pillars stand tall, engraved with the names of countless sects that were slaughtered.

Palace Master He Xunsu sat upright on a black chair with dragon patterns, his aura as Chaos Realm · High Stage cultivator surging like a storm.

Two shadowy figures knelt down. "Reporting to the Palace Master!"

He Xunsu squinted. "Speak."

Shadow One clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Our two subordinates have been monitoring Chaos First Palace for ten days, and have only discovered that Ling Liangyan has returned to her sect, but... we have still not found any trace of that kid."

Shadow Number Two added, "Furthermore, according to the disciples of the Chaos First Palace, that kid did indeed enter the --Yuan Xu's Last Words: The Bookless Ruins Secret Realm with Ling Liangyan three months ago."

The hall fell silent instantly. The next moment—

Boom!!!

The long table in front of He Xunsu shattered into dust!

He jumped up, his voice booming like thunder. "What? You're sure??"

The two figures in the shadows bowed their heads as firmly as rocks. "Absolutely accurate!"

The powerful figures inside the hall were shocked.

The Grand Elder, Zhongli Jun (Silent Mystery Realm · Supreme), burst into wild laughter. "Hahaha! Even we old monsters wouldn't dare to easily attempt that secret realm!"

"He's just a mere Severed Observation Realm? Going in is suicide!"

Deputy Hall Master Li Xiaohong (Chaos Realm · Middle Stage) snorted coldly, "Not bad."

"The Bookless Ruins are sealed with fourteen layers of magic; even those in the Chaos Realm would face a near-certain death if they tried to break through." "That kid has probably already been reduced to a speck of conceptual ash."

Palace Master He Xunsu coldly sat back on his throne, his expression sinister. "So... he is indeed very likely dead. You may all leave."

The two shadow figures withdrew. The discussion shifted to the Deep Root Lower Layers.

Zhongli Jun clasped his hands in a fist salute. "Palace Master, we no longer need to worry about that brat—"

"The most important thing right now is to start the Deep Root Lower Layers in a month."

Li Xiaohong's tone was grim. "Once the Deep Root Lower Layers, the five great temples, the nine domain alliances, numerous forces from the Void Obliteration Domain, and the Liu Yuan Practitioners will all enter."

"If the Chaos First Palace gains the upper hand in this, it will be detrimental to the future of our Asura Divine Hall."

He Xunsu sneered, his eyes gleaming with a chilling crimson light. "Not bad."

"Especially today, although the Chaos First Palace was not severely damaged, its layout has been completely disrupted by us."

Then he raised his hand, and a crimson-black soul token appeared in his palm:

"Pass on my orders—" "The Nine Alliances Gang, Shadow Umbrella Pavilion, Moon-Swallowing Devil Race, and all others shall assist my palace at the Deep Root Lower Layers. If necessary, for every Chaos First Palace Elder Annihilation at the Deep Root Lower Layers, a reward of one million Annihilation Starlight Crystal will be given. Upon entering the Deep Root Lower Layers —upon seeing anyone from the Chaos First Palace, kill them as a sign of respect."

The elders replied in unison, "Yes, sir!" The Palace Master's gaze was as cold as an abyss. "This time—we must make the Chaos First Palace bleed to a crisp."

The black mist swirled back, and the annihilating, soul-devouring aura within the hall reverberated throughout the entire Asura Divine Hall.

In the Annihilation Void ancient pavilion beneath the Annihilation Realm, Qin Yu slowly withdrew the Annihilation Dawn Realm Supreme Power surrounding him.

The void seemed to be gently crushed and then restored by him, the silent yet deafening ripples of Jiwu's Single Silence's true form.

It spread around him and then disappeared, as if he had never existed.

Extinguished Light stood quietly outside the pavilion, her long, black hair swaying gently.

Her eyes were deep, like a fissure in Star Abyss, filled with satisfaction and a touch of pride.

Extinguished Light looked up. "Xiao Yu, where are we going now? Back to the Chaos First Palace?"

Qin Yu opened his eyes, and in an instant, the invisible pressure of the Annihilation Dawn Realm · Supreme swept across the entire ruins.

The distant void rippled with the sensation of being "deleted."

He spoke slowly, "There's no rush to go back yet."

A gentle breeze blew by, stirring up ancient dust in the pavilion, but it couldn't settle on him.

Qin Yu gazed towards the distant southwest. "Back in the Chaos First Palace, I heard one of the disciples mention the Grave Slope Ruins."

"A very strange coffin appeared there."

Extinguished Light raised an eyebrow slightly, a hint of interest flashing in his eyes as the black and gold patterns on his forehead appeared. "A coffin? What level of aura does it possess?"

Qin Yu pondered for a moment, "Even Chaos Realm expert would feel their soul being watched by 'something' if they got close."

"I was delayed by Elder Ling's trip to the Bookless Ruins a few days ago... but now is just in time."

Extinguished Light smiled slightly, and the light beneath his feet surged like an annihilating sea of stars:

"Then let's go take a look." "Something that interests you... must be something special."

Qin Yu raised his hand, and an annihilation crack slowly tore open in front of the two of them.

Deep within the crack, there was neither light nor darkness, only an "unnamed blank."

He said softly, "Let's go." Extinguished Light nodded, "Okay."

The next instant—the two of them stepped into the spatial rift simultaneously.

Annihilation winds swept through, and a massive "erasure tremor" simultaneously appeared around the entire ruins.

It was as if even the fact that they had left had been obliterated. The space closed, leaving only a series of low rumbling sounds echoing from the void.

The moment the void shattered, Qin Yu and Extinguished Light slowly stepped out from the crack, and the world beneath their feet suddenly became deathly silent.

The world seemed to have been "hollowed out" beforehand. The sky wasn't black, nor gray, but rather a kind of "blankness after color has been erased."

It was as if paint and light had been swallowed up, leaving only an indescribable void and wasteland.

The surrounding broken hills, collapsed walls, and twisted withered trees all present a state of incompleteness, as if "two-thirds of it has been bitten off"—not broken, but as if a piece has been eaten away from its very existence.

The wind blew. But it wasn't wind—it was a Does Not Exist wind blowing. There was no sound in my ears, only a series of "silent frictions," as if the air was being slowly chewed by some unseen, enormous entity.

Extinguished Light's eyes darkened. "This place... seems to have been licked by some 'unborn calamity'."

Qin Yu nodded slightly. His Annihilation Dawn Realm soul even experienced a slight stinging pain, a first since his advancement.

At the edge of heaven and earth, the earth's surface sunken into a vast, dark, valley-like slope, where all the terrain folds, bends, and twists in that direction.

It's as if the universe is kneeling before a certain center point.

And in the very center... lay a coffin, lying quietly.

It's not a "coffin," no, it should be said—it's not something that "can have a name" in this world.

The moment Qin Yu and Extinguished Light saw it from thousands of feet away, their souls trembled simultaneously.

The annihilation light surrounding the pupil of the Extinguished Light instantly collapsed, as if it had encountered a natural enemy.

It was a coffin, yet it didn't resemble a coffin at all. It was entirely grayish-white, but that wasn't its color.

It's more like "the shell left after even the concept of color has been stripped away".

Its outline is constantly and slightly distorted, as if light is being refracted at the wrong angle;

Ripples of distorted reality spread around the rim of the coffin, like stones thrown into water, yet without any energy fluctuations, only—

The sound of rules being broken. Some "runes" were engraved on the surface of the coffin.

But just as Qin Yu was about to examine it, the rune vanished from his perception, as if to say, "You saw it—no, you never saw it."

For every inch closer, consciousness is erased. Even more horrifying is...

wisps of translucent gas floated around the coffin. They were neither smoke, nor fog, nor energy.

They are invisible, yet they forcefully make people aware that they are being "re-narrated".

For the first time, Extinguished Light's expression turned serious. "... That wasn't an aura, it was the first wisp of Nameless Primordial Ash released at the 'Chaos's First Birth'..."

Qin Yu's brow twitched slightly, and even his divine soul in the Annihilation Dawn Realm felt numb.

Extinguished Light continued in a low voice, "It can release 'Nameless Primordial Ash'..."

This means that what's sealed inside the coffin... even those at the Chaos Realm · Supreme dare not approach it.

The heavens and earth trembled slightly. It wasn't the coffin that moved, but everything around it—the air, the light, the soil, time and space, logic—

The coffin lay there silently, like a corpse before the world was born, inspiring an instinctive urge to kneel before it.