Location: Crystal Palace of the First Void Emperor — Sealed Ancient Gate
The enormous eyes remained fixed on Qin Huaian.
Not Fenglan.
Not Meiyue.
Not Xiaoxiao.
Only Qin Huaian.
The atmosphere inside the Crystal Palace grew heavier with every passing second.
Ancient pressure filled the chamber.
Fenglan instinctively took a step back.
His Void Mark pulsed rapidly as if warning him of danger.
Meiyue's expression was equally serious.
Using Void Sight, she could see countless invisible distortions spreading from the darkness beyond the gate.
Reality itself seemed unstable around the awakened presence.
Yet Qin Huaian remained still.
His hands rested calmly behind his back.
His gaze never wavered.
For a brief moment, the scene felt strange.
An ancient existence that had survived since forgotten ages...
And a man who had already surpassed the limits of the current cultivation world...
Quietly observing each other.
Neither willing to move first.
---
The Emperor's Will appeared once more.
Its translucent figure stood between the group and the ancient gate.
For the first time since they had entered the ruins, its voice carried unmistakable caution.
"Leave."
The single word echoed throughout the palace.
Fenglan frowned.
"Leave?"
The Will did not look at him.
Its attention remained fixed on the awakening corpse.
"That is not an inheritance guardian."
Another pulse erupted from the darkness.
BOOM!
The palace shook violently.
Several crystal pillars cracked.
Ancient dust rained from above.
The corpse slowly rose from the throne.
Every movement seemed to affect the surrounding space.
As if reality itself was struggling to support its existence.
---
Qin Xiaoxiao narrowed her eyes.
"What exactly is it?"
The Emperor's Will remained silent for several moments.
Then it finally answered.
"A seeker."
The answer only created more questions.
Meiyue immediately spoke.
"A seeker of what?"
The Will looked toward the corpse.
Its voice became unusually heavy.
"The realm beyond Originless Crown Ascension."
The group froze.
Even Fenglan's breathing stopped for a moment.
Beyond the Twelfth Realm.
The very secret they had entered the ruins to uncover.
The ancient corpse had already attempted it.
---
The creature finally stepped down from the throne.
CRACK.
The floor beneath its foot shattered instantly.
Dark Void mist spread throughout the chamber.
Its skeletal body appeared fragile.
Yet every movement carried terrifying authority.
Then—
The creature spoke.
Its voice sounded ancient.
Like countless whispers layered together.
"...How many years..."
Silence followed.
"...How many ages have passed..."
The words echoed through the palace.
Not directed at anyone.
As though the creature was speaking to itself.
Trying to remember something long forgotten.
---
Fenglan felt chills run down his spine.
This being was unlike any enemy they had ever encountered.
Even Shaw Huangdi seemed insignificant compared to it.
Not because of raw power.
But because of what it represented.
Ancient history.
A failed path.
A warning.
---
The creature's glowing eyes slowly shifted.
Eventually landing on Qin Huaian once again.
For the first time—
Its expression changed.
A trace of recognition appeared.
"...Interesting."
The ancient voice echoed through the hall.
"You carry the same scent."
Everyone immediately looked toward Huaian.
Even the Emperor's Will seemed surprised.
The creature continued.
"The scent of one standing before the final step."
Silence filled the chamber.
---
Fenglan looked at his father.
Although he had always known Qin Huaian was powerful...
Hearing those words from an existence older than history itself felt different.
It made him realize something.
Even now...
He still had no idea how strong his father truly was.
---
The creature took another step forward.
Dark mist swirled around its body.
Its glowing eyes never left Huaian.
"You seek the path beyond."
It was not a question.
It was a statement.
Qin Huaian finally spoke.
His calm voice cut through the oppressive atmosphere.
"Yes."
The ancient creature stared at him.
Then suddenly laughed.
A dry.
Broken.
Ancient laugh.
One that sounded more tragic than amused.
---
"Then turn back."
The laughter faded.
Only silence remained.
"I walked that path."
A pause.
"And I ceased to be myself."
The chamber grew colder.
Even the Emperor's Will lowered its gaze.
As though remembering an unpleasant truth.
---
The creature slowly raised its skeletal hand.
Above its palm appeared a faint image.
A vision.
A memory.
The group watched in silence.
Within the vision stood a proud cultivator dressed in black robes.
His aura shook the heavens.
Stars bent around him.
Reality itself seemed beneath his command.
He stood beyond the Twelfth Realm.
Beyond Originless Crown Ascension.
Beyond everything they knew.
Yet—
His eyes were empty.
No emotion.
No desire.
No identity.
Nothing remained.
---
The vision shattered.
The creature lowered its hand.
"Power."
Its voice echoed softly.
"Without self."
Another pause.
"Is not ascension."
The words struck everyone deeply.
Especially Meiyue.
Because she immediately remembered what the Emperor's memories had revealed.
The hidden price of the Void.
The deeper one entered...
The closer one came to becoming nothing.
---
Qin Huaian remained silent.
His expression unchanged.
But his eyes grew slightly deeper.
As though considering something.
---
The creature noticed.
And smiled.
For the first time.
A strange smile.
One filled with regret.
"...You are different."
The Emperor's Will suddenly spoke.
"What do you mean?"
The creature's gaze remained on Huaian.
"He answered the question differently."
The Will fell silent.
It understood immediately.
The trial.
The choice between destruction and preservation.
The choice that even the First Void Emperor had failed to fully understand.
---
Then the creature pointed toward the darkness behind the throne.
A hidden corridor slowly appeared.
Ancient seals faded one after another.
A path deeper into the ruins.
Deeper than even the Crystal Palace itself.
---
"The truth lies there."
Its voice echoed through the hall.
"The place where the First Void Emperor failed."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
Even Qin Huaian's eyes narrowed slightly.
For the first time since entering the ruins...
A genuine mystery stood before him.
---
The creature slowly returned toward the throne.
Its aura weakened.
Its glowing eyes began dimming.
"As for whether you succeed..."
A faint smile appeared.
"...that is your story."
Silence filled the chamber.
The hidden corridor remained open.
Waiting.
Inviting.
Dangerous.
Unknown.
---
Qin Huaian looked toward the newly revealed path.
Then calmly stepped forward.
No hesitation.
No fear.
No excitement.
Only certainty.
Fenglan grinned and followed.
Meiyue quietly adjusted her sleeves.
Xiaoxiao shook her head with a helpless smile before joining them.
Together, they disappeared into the darkness.
Toward the place where even the First Void Emperor had failed.