A man in a black robe appeared at the hall's entrance. His footsteps were unhurried, yet with each pace the suffocating pressure within the hall seemed to fade as if retreating of its own accord.
It was Xiao Ning.
The instant his gaze landed upon the white-haired youth, a faint ripple stirred within his sea of consciousness.
[CODEX ALERT]
[A SOUL THAT ESCAPED THE HEAVENLY DAO DETECTED]
[SUGGESTED ACTION: OFFER THE SOUL TO THE CODEX]
[REWARD: TEN YEARS OF LIFESPAN]
Xiao Ning's expression remained unchanged, though the depths of his pupils tightened imperceptibly. Within, a wave of astonishment rippled.
A soul beyond Heaven's shackles… and the Codex itself seeks it…
Even so, his face betrayed nothing. Matters of survival took precedence.
"Elder Zhuo, take the others and withdraw." His voice was calm, yet left no room for refusal.
