When Mingyin entered the mortal world, he was entirely unaware of the ripple effect he had caused. The exact moment his root touched the world's anguish, the temporal stasis gripping the realms instantly dissolved. The time stop vanished. Across the lands, people who had been frozen like statues began to move again, completely oblivious to the fact that time had ever paused.
One Day Before Mingyin's Entry: The Empire ContinentIn a vast field, the ground was choked by thick, twisted branches of dry twigs tangled among the grass and bushes. Strangely, every single leaf and blade of grass here was stained a deep, visceral red, glistening with a fluid that looked exactly like blood.
Huge wings suddenly crashed into the foliage, swaying violently.
They whipped through the thickets, scattering droplets of the blood-like liquid into the howling, unavoidable wind.
Anyone caught in this gale would have been instantly overwhelmed.Yet, amidst the storm, someone stood with an imposing presence that defied the chaotic elements
.She was a tall woman, standing at an impressive six feet one inch.
She wore smooth, hemp-like black clothing that gave off a clean, fresh fragrance, contrasting sharply with the grim environment. Wrapped tightly beneath her shoulders and around her back were protective bandages.
Around her neck hung a magnificent, intricate necklace.Her waist was cinched by a dark belt adorned with glowing metallic symbols—one shaped like a star, one like the sun, and one like the moon. Each emblem pulsed with a profound, brilliant white light.
Her hair was tied back cleanly with a simple headband.
She kept one eye closed; her open left eye revealed long, beautiful eyelashes framing a striking purple pupil. Floating silently just above her shoulder was a long katana, its blade exquisitely carved from pure amber stone.
She looked like a warrior born for the battlefield, yet she possessed a beauty that defied belief. Anyone who looked upon her—man would find their heart racing.
She radiated an aura so dependable that it felt as though merely standing by her side could protect anyone from the terrors of the night.Staring out toward the horizon, she sighed, her breath misting in the air."Father, why are you bringing me to the Region Continent without telling me?"
There was no one standing behind her. To an outsider, it would seem as though she were talking to a ghost—and in a way, she was. The person she addressed cultivated the Spirit Path.A ghostly face gradually materialized from the empty air, sweeping gracefully through the wind."
My little princess," the spirit voice echoed. "I ordered a ship to bring you to the Region Continent because the upcoming battle will be brutal, but it will serve as an invaluable lesson for you. If you pass this trial, any other exam I give you in the future will be as effortless as breathing."
The woman smiled faintly, turning her head. "Is this truly just a trial? Or is it because you are trying to find me a wealthy groom to fund our clan's ascent to true Secthood?"The ghostly face nodded solemnly."Yes.
Coming to the Region Continent will help us grow. The Supreme Elder of the Region Continent chose not to join this war, leaving an opening. So, prepare yourself, Mu Guiying.
"Mu Guiying smiled and nodded determinedly. "Yes, Father. This daughter of yours will make you proud."The Zhou Lian SectMeanwhile, inside the Zhou Lian Sect, the Supreme Elder lay flat on his back in a medical bay.
He stared blankly at the ceiling, letting out a heavy, weary sigh."Sun Tzu... you truly are a dangerous man."
The Supreme Elder of the Immortal Continent had lost to Sun Tzu—not just in a standard conflict, but in a high-stakes bet of fate."Bastard," the Elder muttered bitterly.
"If you weren't so experienced in that game, I would have won for sure.""Supreme Elder, it was inevitable that he would win," his advisor murmured softly from the bedside.
The Supreme Elder looked down at his own body, wincing as a sharp pang of pain shot through his torso. His torso was heavily wrapped in bandages to stabilize his fractured bones and torn muscles.
"Do not strain yourself, Supreme Elder," the advisor comforted him, holding out a hand in a reassuring gesture. "Your bone and muscle tissues will be fully repaired within two days.
You will be as fresh as a flower soon. But the game of chess is brutal. In our continent, losing even a single chess piece can inflict a fatal, real-world wound on the player."The Supreme Elder nodded, his voice cutting through the quiet room like a sharp but miserable blade. "
I made a bet. I thought if he lost, we could enslave his soul and kill him. But because Sun Tzu was far stronger and possessed more raw power, he pitied us. He lured us into a trap. He knew that by winning, he wouldn't just defeat us—he would completely destroy our mental and physical resolve.m
"He sighed deeply. "Ah... the game of chess is no simple game. It relies heavily on fate itself. And now, the battle for the Region Continent begins."
The advisor bowed deeply several times, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "Yes, sir. But sadly, we have lost Kiruma. He was the one who could have guided our fleet, improved our battle styles, and helped us navigate the perils of the ocean to discover new frontiers."
The Supreme Elder closed his eyes. "Then we will just have to move forward, regardless of the inevitable risks ahead."
The Awaken MountainDeep within the Region Continent, a massive mountain pierced straight through the clouds, creating a suffocating, heavy atmosphere for miles around.Inside the peak of the Awaken Mountain, an old man floated effortlessly in mid-air.
He looked down at a long, winding river below, strokes of his beard as he pondered out loud."That damn anointed brat... he didn't want to become a hero or defy fate. Man, if I were him, I would have stayed calm and collective.
Where did he even dissolve to?"The old man chuckled to himself, though the sound was tinged with sorrow. "
Heh, I am sure he is out there flying somewhere. He was someone truly worthy of fighting fate..."
He sighed deeply. "Yeah... and I am still here. Maybe in some... regar... regard—""Ahhhhh!""Mingyin?!" the old man choked out.
Out of absolutely nowhere, Mingyin materialized in the air right beside him. Without a moment's hesitation, Mingyin poured a massive surge of Soul Force energy into his leg, snapped it forward, and delivered a mighty kick straight to the old man's face.
The impact sent the old man hurtling backward, tumbling through the air for several yards.Mingyin remained floating gracefully in the sky, a strange, celestial aura swirling around him."
My Sovereign Path has fused with my Vision Path," Mingyin announced, his voice echoing with absolute authority.
Deep within his consciousness, a magnificent, tall tree bearing mystical fruits could be seen growing inside a vast pond. Beyond the banks of this pond stretched an endless, boundless ocean of pure droplet-colored Soul Energy, interconnected like glowing cosmic webs.
Mingyin realized that unleashing his Vision Path alongside his Sovereign Path would grant him power rivaling the legendary Dragon Warriors."
With a trillion memories unlocked," Mingyin said, staring coldly at the old man as the elder struggled to sit up, "I am in a class of my own."He locked his eyes onto the old man. "You've got a lot of explaining to do."