The Chosen One's Token and the Realm's Fortuity, the Power in the Shadows
The Chosen One’s Token and the Realm’s Fortuity, the Power in the Shadows
The All-Encompassing Border City stood at the very edge of heaven and earth, incomparably majestic, as if it could prop up this entire universe.
The place was bustling beyond measure, a boiling sea of noise, with tens of thousands of Cultivators gathered here.
Some came from the various heavens of the Beyond, while others were young seeds who had followed their sects through the cross-realm Transportation Arrays, arriving in the Beyond for the very first time.
The two groups kept to their own clusters, never mixing, as if a clear line divided them, neither side interfering with the other.
The Cultivators of the Beyond were mostly aloof and detached, looking down with utter disdain upon these prodigies from the Overworld, not believing them worthy of standing at their side.
The people from the Overworld understood this perfectly well in their hearts, yet dared not show any displeasure.
The younger generation in particular could only clench their fists in humiliation, forcibly suppressing the emotions roiling in their hearts.
Back in the Overworld, they had all been the finest of their generation, capable of sweeping through their peers invincible, unmatched within their sects, looking down upon all heroes.
But upon arriving in the Beyond, their radiance dimmed, and they faded into the crowd.
Any random young prodigy around them possessed an aura more terrifying than theirs.
This dealt them a heavy blow, and their Dao Hearts wavered.
Still, some quickly recovered, admonishing themselves inwardly that they were no worse than the prodigies of the Beyond.
It was merely a difference of birth. As long as they could achieve good results in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, they could naturally join the various immortal orthodoxies, obtain the methods of longevity, and roam the world unchallenged.
We are no weaker than anyone else.
They said this to themselves in their hearts.
“Elder, this time, is our goal to obtain the Life Changing Decree, or to seize the Realm’s Fortuity within the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds?”
Meanwhile, among the crowd from the Overworld,
a handsome youth in green robes was asking a question of an elderly man beside him, whose face was aged and who wore a long white beard.
The youth looked only fifteen or sixteen years old, of medium build, yet he carried a quality about him that was hard to ignore.
With fine features and an extraordinary bearing, the way his eyes moved gave one the impression of a resolute person destined for great things.
Though his strength could not compare to the prodigies of the various races of the Beyond, among the prodigies of the Overworld he stood out conspicuously, a cut above the rest.
The many young men and women traveling with him looked at him with somewhat unusual gazes, as if quite wary of him.
The Third Elder the youth addressed frowned at his words, seemingly rather apprehensive.
He glanced left and right before saying in a low voice to the youth, “Do not speak of this matter for now. Until we enter the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, do not mention the Realm’s Fortuity again.”
The youth furrowed his brows. Though somewhat puzzled, he did not press further, merely touching his nose as if by habit.
“Lu Ming, my father gave instructions about this matter. We’d best not let word of it leak out.”
At that moment, a stunningly beautiful young woman in a long red dress, with snow-white, delicate skin and a tall, graceful figure, seemed to have overheard. She walked over, her red lips parting slightly as she spoke in a low voice.
“The Sect Master said so?”
The youth named Lu Ming was somewhat taken aback, but he did not doubt the young woman’s words.
After all, the beautiful girl before him was the daughter of the Sect Master of the Mysterious Rainbow Sect, the sect he belonged to.
In terms of status and position, in the world they came from, she was noble beyond measure.
The world behind them was called the Blue Flood Ancient World, which had four overlord-level powers and sects,
one of which was the Mysterious Rainbow Sect.
Including him, the young disciples the Mysterious Rainbow Sect had sent to the Beyond this time numbered fewer than ten, but every one of them was among the finest of their generation in their world.
The young woman Xue Yan was rather close to him, so it was unlikely she would speak carelessly about such a thing at a time like this.
The Hundred Worlds War is not only about competing for the Life Changing Decree—it seems we must also fight over the Realm’s Fortuity.
The youth Lu Ming murmured in his heart, his gaze turning toward that majestic, ancient, terrifying Divine City, his expression complicated.
The Life Changing Decree was a reward granted to those who achieved a ranking in the Hundred Worlds War. Possessing a Life Changing Decree, they could join the orthodoxies and sects of the Beyond.
As for the Realm’s Fortuity, it concerned the evolution and development, the rise and decline, of the world behind them.
And not just their world—the other worlds would also fight for it by every means possible, sparing no cost whatsoever.
The Realm’s Fortuity was controlled by the immortal orthodoxies and Longevity Families of the Beyond.
If they did not want the worlds behind them to collapse and perish, they had to find a way to seize the Realm’s Fortuity, so as to maintain stability for the millions of years to come.
This method, akin to raising venomous gu, was also meant to make these many Overworlds devour one another, so as to select the strongest Gu King of all.
“The prodigies the Blue Flood Ancient World sent this time don’t seem like much. Not a single one of them looks like they can fight.”
“Perfect. We’ll take this Hundred Worlds War as a chance to settle our old grudges with them.”
In another direction, quite a few young prodigies from another ancient world had fixed their eyes on this side.
The various ancient worlds were not on good terms with one another, and especially because of the Hundred Worlds War, they regarded each other as mortal enemies, irreconcilable as fire and water, wishing they could annihilate each other completely right here.
Of course, this situation was not directed solely at the Blue Flood Ancient World.
Once the prodigies of all the ancient worlds entered the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, their lives and deaths would no longer be their own.
Unless they were taken in advance by an orthodoxy of the Beyond that had taken a liking to them, they would all face endless slaughter.
“Everyone who wants to enter the city, get over here! Whether you’re from the Overworld or anywhere else, all of you, get your asses over here and obediently submit to inspection!”
At that moment, the numerous patrol guards at the gates of the Border City suddenly looked over and spoke.
Their voices were utterly cold, imbued with a certain Dao rhythm that made everyone’s blood and qi churn.
Those with weaker cultivation nearly lost their footing, almost falling to the ground.
These patrol guards all wore Dark Iron Battle Armor, their figures tall and burly, mounted upon ferocious beasts,
wielding Heavenly Blades and Heavenly Daggers, their murderous aura soaring to the heavens, their strength unfathomable.
Even some Sacred Realm Cultivators dared not say much, dared not offend these patrol guards, and could only obediently abide by the rules of this place.
“These people are terrifying. Even the elders of our sect probably wouldn’t be their match—they’d be cut down with a single slash.”
“I feel like a single glance from them could shatter our souls.”
Many of the Overworld prodigies turned somewhat pale. It was their first time in the Beyond, and their first time encountering such terrifying patrol guards.
They felt their very souls trembling, fear rising from the depths of their hearts.
One day, I hope we can be as powerful as them.
Lu Ming, Xue Yan, and the others of the Blue Flood Ancient World likewise dared not say much, and could only honestly follow behind the crowd, waiting for the patrol guards at the city gate to inspect and question them, to account for their origins.
Never mind the Cultivators of the Overworld—at this moment, even many people from the Beyond had to do the same,
terrified of offending these patrol guards.
Because these patrol guards represented the rules of the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, and behind them stood the support of the various immortal forces. Who would dare underestimate them?
Just then, from among the patrol guards conducting inspections on the other side, a sudden commotion arose,
as if they were quite shocked.
A patrol guard mounted on an enormous Heavenly Wolf stood before a figure wearing a bamboo hat, their face concealed behind a black scarf.
Seeing the token the figure held out, he seemed for a moment unsure how to handle it.
“Since they hold a Chosen One’s Token, there’s no need for inspection. Let them through.”
Hearing the commotion, a tall man who looked like a commander walked over from among the patrol guards.
He swept a glance over the token to verify its authenticity, then said indifferently.
The Battlefield of Hundred Worlds had existed to this day, and behind it lay the shadows of many powers and orthodoxies.
Since the other party had come bearing a Chosen One’s Token, it surely meant they acted on the orders of some Chosen One, and the guards naturally would not ask further questions.
This scene left everyone before the Border City utterly astonished.
Only a small number of people understood what a Chosen One’s Token signified. Their gazes held some envy, but they dared not say anything.
Apart from the successors of the great sects, everyone else entering the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds was basically a rogue cultivator with no sect or school, hoping to try their luck inside.
Something like a Chosen One’s Token existed only in the hands of the successors of the great sects—ordinary people could never come into contact with one.
“That person must be some great figure, to enter without even being inspected.”
“A Chosen One’s Token—what is that?”
Lu Ming, Xue Yan, and the others noticed this scene as well and were quite astonished, speculating about the identity of that black-clad figure.
It was their first time in the Beyond, and practically everything filled them with wonder.
But they also understood clearly that a figure like that was probably not of the same world as them.
Roar——
And just as all the Cultivators before the Border City were shocked by the Chosen One’s Token, speculating about the identity of that black-clad figure,
from the depths of the distant firmament, beneath the cosmos, the stars trembled and rustled, and a heaven-shaking dragon’s cry suddenly rang out, incomparably clear and piercing, nearly rupturing everyone’s eardrums.
Azure Dragons like mountain ranges stretched across the sky, their bodies pressing down upon the very stars, causing the surrounding heaven and earth to tremble.
And the terrifying pressure was like that of primordial ferocious beasts reviving, their vicious might unrivaled,
threatening to sweep across the world and shatter the void.
These several Azure Dragons possessed cultivation at the Sacred Lord Realm, their bodies alone like thick, heavy mountain ranges.
Behind them, they pulled a resplendent carriage of gold and jade, radiant with immortal light, sweeping across
the sky in this manner, unbridled and unrestrained, crossing over the walls of the Border City and descending toward its depths.
“Azure Dragons pulling a carriage—could it be that one?”
“Why would that one come to the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds? Other than him, no one in the Beyond would dare put on such a grand display!”
At this moment, nearly every Cultivator and living being could not help their legs going soft, nearly falling to their knees,
bowing in worship toward those colossal creatures.
Even Sacred Realm Cultivators felt dread rise within them, their expressions changing drastically.
They knew how terrifying those Azure Dragons were, but even more terrifying was the identity of the one seated within that carriage.
To actually have such terrifying ferocious beasts pulling his carriage—just who was inside that golden carriage?
“Too frightening...”
All the beings of the Overworld felt the humbling emotion of being mere ants, their faces pale, their hearts shrouded in the shadow of fear.
Just one of the beasts pulling that carriage, in their eyes, was enough to slaughter every last one of them here.
If such a creature appeared in their original world, it would absolutely bring catastrophic destruction.
And now, it was actually reduced to a mere tool for pulling a carriage?
For a time, their hearts were filled with dread and horror, unable to imagine it, unable to accept it.
“Judging by these people’s expressions, they should know who’s inside.”
“Barging into the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds so brazenly, yet these patrol guards are pretending they know nothing about it—they even look quite frightened.”
Lu Ming, Xue Yan, and the others also felt their scalps tingle. It was only their first day in the Beyond,
and they had already witnessed such a terrifying scene.
A shadow of fear fell over everyone’s hearts. They could not forget that these patrol guards had not acted this way before.
The airspace before the Border City was forbidden. No matter who it was, anyone who dared break the rules
would be making an enemy of the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
Yet the other party had barged in so brazenly before everyone’s very eyes, utterly unbridled.
And these patrol guards simply did not dare ask or interfere, even pretending they knew nothing about it.
This made the mouths of the Overworld Cultivators go dry. For the first time, they experienced what true might and dominance meant.
Perhaps in the eyes of such a figure, they and the ancient worlds behind them truly were no different from ants.
“Why...”
“Why would he come to the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds? Could he have caught wind of something? That shouldn’t be...”
The black-clad figure wearing the bamboo hat, face concealed behind a black scarf, now seemed to stand frozen in place like everyone else.
The jade hands beneath her sleeves clenched involuntarily. She had never expected that after rushing to the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds,
she would actually run into Gu Changge here.
In the vast Beyond, there was probably no one else like Changge, who traveled about with Azure Dragons pulling his carriage.
Now, whenever anyone saw Azure Dragons pulling a carriage across the sky, nearly every Cultivator and living being would immediately connect it to him.
Moreover, Su Qingge had, after all, spent a considerable period of time with Gu Changge.
Even separated by such a great distance, she could be certain that the one seated within
was absolutely Gu Changge.
What Su Qingge could not figure out was why, with his wedding day fast approaching, Gu Changge would appear at the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
Outside the Border City, the passage of the dragon-drawn carriage caused a tremendous uproar, and the various persons in charge within the city also received the news at the first moment, greatly shocked.
The Battlefield of Hundred Worlds was divided into six great regions, clearly demarcated, hostile to one another, fighting to the death.
But that did not mean the masters behind these six regions were enemies.
On the contrary, in secret they were in frequent contact, their relations rather close.
“Gu Changge suddenly appearing here—just what is his goal?”
In an underground palace where the light was extremely dim, an emaciated old man in black robes,
his face somewhat sinister, was pacing back and forth, muttering to himself.
The underground palace was piled with countless white bones, and even the steps were built from crystalline skulls,
flowing with a hazy radiance.
All around the palace, many black shadows knelt prostrate, an inexplicable killing intent interweaving and spreading through the air.
“Someone, go notify the other nine Hall Masters. Tell them to stay on their guard and not let any word leak out.”
“I keep feeling that the Nephrite Breeze Pavilion is inextricably linked to Gu Changge. Otherwise, why would they repeatedly obtain so much information, ruining so many of our plans?”
The withered old man’s gaze turned cold. With a wave of his large hand, he addressed the many figures hidden in the shadows... the rules, the future Xian’er saw (please subscribe)
Because of Gu Changge’s appearance, undercurrents began surging throughout the entire Battlefield of Hundred Worlds.
Regarding this matter, the masters behind the six great districts all frowned in silence, speculating one after another about Gu Changge’s purpose in coming.
In their eyes, Gu Changge’s current power and status had practically reached the very peak of the Beyond, with no one able to stand as his equal.
Could there be something within the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds that Gu Changge wanted? Something that would actually make him appear here in person?
Selecting suitable followers? Or techniques and divine abilities? Or perhaps some divine treasure of heaven and earth?
On the surface, the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds had six great masters who seemed to control everything. But in truth, even they were merely working on behalf of others.
The ones truly controlling the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds were several immortal orthodoxies with unfathomably deep foundations, and the domains involved were vast beyond measure.
There were some matters they dared not inquire too deeply into, fearing they would invite a fatal disaster upon themselves.
“They say Young Master Changge has personally come to the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds. Do you think he might be here to select followers?”
“That sounds unlikely. After all, for Young Master Changge, he only needs to say a single word, and every prodigy in the entire Beyond would move at his command. Why would he come here to select followers?”
“In my opinion, he’s probably looking for someone—or something.”
The cultivators and living beings within every ancient domain had already received the news and rumors, and discussions erupted everywhere.
In the streets and alleys, and even within the pavilions and palaces, voices of discussion filled the air.
After all, in the current Beyond, no one’s limelight could surpass Gu Changge’s.
Even the True Daoist ancestors of the various clans had to bow their heads before him. Ordinary cultivators probably couldn’t even stand steadily in his presence.
His every move naturally stirred up countless storms.
Meanwhile, in the east of the six great districts, within Vermilion Bird Hall—
Inside an extremely magnificent palace.
“Reporting to you, Young Master, the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds is divided into six great districts, named Vermilion Bird, White Tiger, Black Tortoise, Azure Dragon, Nether Luo, and Heaven...”
“Each hall has a total of one hundred and eight cities, all hostile to one another, attacking each other and fighting over resources, wealth, and women. A great war breaks out practically every month.”
“Slaughter and chaos have always been the principles upheld by the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds. Anyone who fails to follow these rules will be executed by the patrol guards of the various cities.”
“Once, a figure named Dugu Huo emerged in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, and he nearly broke its rules single-handedly. But in the end, he was still besieged and killed by the combined experts of the various halls.”
“All these years, this place has been quite stable. Those cultivators who come from the Lower Realms don’t dare violate the rules here either. They can only obediently slaughter one another, becoming fresh blood for the various halls.”
An extremely portly middle-aged man, wearing a fawning, ingratiating smile, stood before Gu Changge and reported respectfully.
He was the branch manager of the Alliance of Thousand Merchants in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, responsible for the transactions here, and his cultivation had reached the Sacred King Realm.
In the eyes of outsiders, he was extremely mysterious and rarely showed himself, merely arranging various matters from behind the scenes and keeping everything in perfect order.
Even the great figures of the various halls found it difficult to request an audience with him. After all, he controlled a merchant network, and the power backing him was extremely terrifying.
Not to mention, for the entire Beyond, the Alliance of Thousand Merchants stretched across all directions, connecting the heavens. Even the immortal forces dared not casually make an enemy of it.
Beside the portly man stood a charming young girl, dressed in a soft yellow long dress, with delicate fair skin, large eyes, and cloud-like hair that carried a hint of mischief.
She wore an extremely curious expression, standing on tiptoe to look at Gu Changge, who had his back to them and was sipping tea inside the palace. The admiration in her eyes was completely undisguised.
“So this is a fine place for raising gu. I actually never thought of this place before.”
Hearing the report, Gu Changge set down the teacup in his hand and sighed softly, seemingly with some regret.
The reason he had rushed to the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds was naturally because the scenes Bai Hua had deduced through the Hongmeng Purple Mirror showed that clues about Pagoda and Nether were here.
After arriving, he sent people to investigate briefly, and sure enough, it was so.
Absorbing fresh blood could naturally replenish the seeds of assassins in an endless stream—this was the very foundation upon which Nether and Pagoda stood.
To cultivate killing intent from a young age, they had even ordered the halls to be enemies, slaughtering each other day after day. What a fine method indeed.
Gu Changge shook his head, his words seemingly rather emotional.
Although he understood the origins of the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, destroying Nether and Pagoda would not be so simple.
Moreover, if he directly exposed his intentions, it would only startle the snake in the grass.
He planned to sweep away all obstacles before his wedding, and that included annihilating those two ancient assassin organizations, Nether and Pagoda.
At their peak, they had assassinated True Daoists and even Immortals. Their foundations were no small matter.
The portly man’s expression changed slightly. He was a core figure of the Alliance of Thousand Merchants and understood that Gu Changge was the true master behind the Alliance of Thousand Merchants today.
So even though he knew the words Gu Changge spoke contained unimaginable information, he didn’t dare ask a single question. He could only stand obediently with hands hanging at his sides, awaiting instructions.
“During this period, I plan to stay here.”
Gu Changge wasn’t worried about the portly man leaking anything. He glanced at him casually and said.
“Rest assured, Young Master. This subordinate has already arranged everything properly,” the portly man said, his expression turning solemn as he gave his guarantee.
Gu Changge nodded and waved his hand, intending to dismiss him.
However, the portly man glanced with some difficulty at the charming young girl beside him, seemingly hesitating. Then he gritted his teeth and said, “Young Master, this is this subordinate’s little daughter, Qing’er. She has always admired you greatly, and she grew up here since childhood.”
“Could the arrangements for your daily life during this period be entrusted to her? She is very familiar with all one hundred and eight cities of the six great halls of the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds and can handle many matters for you.”
Hearing this, the charming young girl named Qing’er also widened her eyes, her jade hands clenched tightly, her heart filled with nervousness.
Within this Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, she could be called a young lady of the highest standing, bar none.
Even the masters behind the six great halls had to give face to the Alliance of Thousand Merchants.
As the portly man’s daughter, she could walk sideways through the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, and no one dared offend her.
Yet she still wanted to serve Gu Changge. This matter had even been her own initiative—she had begged the portly man for it.
Gu Changge seemingly hadn’t expected the portly man to say such a thing. He raised an eyebrow slightly and looked the girl named Qing’er up and down.
“Familiar with the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds?”
“Then stay for now.”
He didn’t consider it for long. He merely glanced at her once before withdrawing his gaze and nodding slightly.
It just so happened that he had only just arrived at the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds and was short on hands at his side. This girl looked clever and quick-witted, so she would probably save him some trouble.
Seeing Gu Changge agree, Qing’er also revealed an expression of wild joy, her voice even trembling as she said, “Thank you... thank you, Young Master. Qing’er definitely won’t let you down.”
By the end of her words, she was practically incoherent.
The portly man was also stunned, his eyes wide with astonishment. He had thought Gu Changge would refuse. After all, with Gu Changge’s status, what kind of goddess in this world had he not seen?
To serve him, one would at least need to be a Saintess or goddess of a Cult of Immortality, no?
What qualifications did his daughter Qing’er have to catch his eye?
He had even worried earlier that saying this might incur Gu Changge’s displeasure.
“Tell me about the rules of this gu-raising in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds. I’m quite interested in seeing them.”
Afterward, once the portly man had respectfully withdrawn, Gu Changge looked at the somewhat restless girl Qing’er and chuckled lightly.
“The rules of raising gu?”
Qing’er pursed her lips, then realized that Gu Changge was referring to the matter of the great halls ordering mutual slaughter.
To cultivators from the outside world, such rules would indeed be regarded as raising gu.
However, she had grown up in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds since childhood and was extremely familiar with all this.
Her expression straightened slightly, and she began explaining to Gu Changge.
“Every month, the one hundred and eight cities of the various halls sound their horns. All cultivators and living beings who have joined the great halls must participate in this slaughter. Otherwise, before the battle begins, they will be executed in advance and used as a blood sacrifice for the banners.”
“Only neutral forces can be exempted from this.”
“After young cultivators join the great halls, the struggle for fortune begins. Even those within the same hall will slaughter one another, leaving only the strongest alive.”
“After entering the great halls, each of them carries a Points Token, which accumulates points based on the cultivation level of those they kill.”
“And every day, in the Battle Arena deep within each great hall, deathmatches take place. Among the spectating cultivators, there are those who specialize in gambling on the fights, those who just watch for excitement, and also those from outside who come specifically to select slaves or followers.”
(Seeking flowers)
“Battle Arena? Points Token?” Gu Changge nodded, somewhat enlightened.
After Qing’er’s introduction, he had gained some understanding of the rules of this place.
It sounded rather like a survival game. Every cultivator who set foot here became something like points, and only the one with the highest points could leave alive.
Moreover, the points within the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds could even circulate as currency within the cities of the various halls, exchanged for all kinds of techniques, divine abilities, and even pills and weapons.
This also fit the methods of assassin organizations for cultivating young seeds. It was just that these cultivators were all completely unaware of it.
“Going by what you say, there will be deathmatches in Vermilion Bird Hall tonight as well?”
Gu Changge asked with considerable interest.
Qing’er nodded and said, “In reply to you, Young Master, of Vermilion Bird Hall’s one hundred and eight cities, practically every city will have deathmatches.”
“However, the main city where we are now has a larger Battle Arena, and more cultivators will come. The cultivators participating in the deathmatches will also earn more points.”
“Mm, then tonight I’d quite like to go see these so-called deathmatches.” Gu Changge revealed a faint smile.
He felt that behind these deathmatch arenas, there were forces controlling them. As long as he followed the vine to find the melon, he could eventually locate the hiding places of Nether and Pagoda.
“Young Master wants to go? Then I’ll make arrangements right away.”
Hearing this, Qing’er was quite surprised. She had thought Gu Changge was merely somewhat interested—she hadn’t expected he would actually want to go watch.
Having grown up in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds since childhood, she had long since grown accustomed to these brutally cruel deathmatch scenes and found nothing unusual about them.
And just as Gu Changge was in the Battlefield of Hundred Worlds, planning to find the locations of Nether and Pagoda—
Far away, billions of li distant, on a certain radiant island suffused with immortal qi—
A slender green-dressed girl with a face as beautiful as an immortal’s stood somewhat dazed, staring in disbelief at the spirit pool before her, wreathed in curling mist.
“This is the Lake of Rebirth. It can glimpse the past and probe the future... You only need to silently recite what you wish to know in your heart, and it will show it to you.”
A Big Red Bird, looking somewhat sparse of feathers, stood beside the green-dressed girl, seemingly shaking its head with a sigh.
However, its voice sounded very childish, like that of a little girl, yet it put on the airs of an elder.
“I passed your trial...”
But the green-dressed girl seemed to still not have recovered from the earlier events, murmuring to herself.
Her originally ethereal, immortal-like expression now looked somewhat dazed.
It was all because she had believed the Big Red Bird’s nonsense back then and been tricked by it all the way to this remote little island, who knew how far from the center of the Beyond.
And on this little island, there were actually all kinds of terrifying Array Patterns and Restrictions left behind, as well as dreadful trials set up who knew how long ago.
To pass through these trials and return to where she came from, she had failed who knew how many times, and had even nearly encountered life-threatening danger in between.
After a long, long time like this, she had finally passed through those trials by the skin of her teeth, broken those Restrictions and Array Patterns, and could now leave safely.
That said, the benefits of doing so were considerable. Both her cultivation and her comprehension had improved greatly.
The green-dressed girl even felt that after leaving, she could go challenge a certain detestable fellow, suppress him into the ground, and make him never dare bully her again.
“Stop spacing out. This Lake of Rebirth is about to dissipate. Is there really nothing you want to see?”
The Big Red Bird looked at the green-dressed girl with an expression of utter disdain, glancing at her sideways as it urged her to hurry up and look into the spirit pool.
“Lake of Rebirth? Is this real?”
“Just by reciting it in my heart, I can see the past or the future?”
The green-dressed girl wore a half-believing, half-doubting expression, her crystalline eyes like glazed glass turning toward the spirit pool before her.
She soon gently closed her eyes and silently recited “the future” in her heart. Compared to the past, she actually wanted to know more about what the future would be like.
As the green-dressed girl closed her eyes, ripples began spreading across the Lake of Rebirth.
Immediately after, the originally clear water suddenly became translucent and crystalline, like an Ancient Mirror capable of reflecting the past, present, and future.
Sensing this fluctuation, the green-dressed girl opened her eyes, full of anticipation.
But when she saw the scene within, her entire body felt as if struck by lightning. Her face turned pale, seemingly unable to believe what she saw.