The cosmic chamber remained silent.
Countless galaxies revolved slowly around the crystal platform.
Ancient starlight illuminated the endless darkness.
Yet Lin Shuan no longer paid attention to any of it.
His mind had become a battlefield.
Protector Yi's words continued echoing inside his heart.
"You must never allow the past to repeat itself."
Again.
And again.
And again.
Every time he thought about those words, an indescribable feeling appeared within him.
Confusion.
Uneasiness.
And a strange sense of familiarity.
It was as though those words were not meant for the current him.
As though somewhere within the endless flow of time, another version of himself had already heard them once before.
Lin Shuan unconsciously clenched his fists.
His thoughts drifted toward his destroyed clan.
Toward the blood covering the snow.
Toward the cries of his family.
Toward the hatred that had supported him all these years.
If the past must not repeat itself...
Then what exactly had happened in the past?
What was Protector Yi hiding?
And why did she look at him as though she knew something he himself did not?
The more he thought about it—
the more unsettled he became.
Finally—
he raised his head.
His gaze landed on Protector Yi.
The mysterious crimson-robed woman stood beneath the stars.
Beautiful.
Calm.
Unfathomable.
No matter how many secrets he uncovered, she always seemed to possess even more.
After several moments of hesitation—
Lin Shuan finally asked the question that had been bothering him ever since arriving.
"Protector Yi..."
Protector Yi looked toward him.
"Mm?"
Lin Shuan took a deep breath.
"What realm are you actually in?"
The moment those words appeared—
Han Qing Li immediately looked toward Protector Yi as well.
Because she wanted to know the answer too.
Perhaps more than anyone.
The woman before them possessed abilities that completely surpassed common sense.
Ancient knowledge.
Terrifying perception.
Control over mysterious formations.
And perhaps even control over time itself.
What realm could such a person possibly possess?
Protector Yi smiled faintly.
She seemed unsurprised by the question.
In fact—
it was almost as though she had expected it.
For several moments she remained silent.
Then she slowly looked around the cosmic chamber.
Her crimson eyes reflected the countless galaxies.
Finally she spoke.
"I am not as powerful as you imagine."
Lin Shuan frowned.
Han Qing Li blinked.
Neither believed her.
Protector Yi continued calmly.
"When I first arrived here..."
She lightly touched one of the floating crystal pillars.
"This place already existed."
The surrounding galaxies continued revolving.
"This chamber."
"This universe."
"This star domain."
"It was already here."
A trace of nostalgia appeared in her eyes.
"I merely gained control over it."
Silence followed.
Lin Shuan slowly nodded.
That explanation sounded reasonable.
At least to him.
After all—
he had already suspected that Protector Yi was a Divine Cycle Emperor.
Someone standing near the peak of Xing Luo Planet.
Such an existence controlling an ancient inheritance was not impossible.
However—
Han Qing Li's thoughts were completely different.
The princess felt her heartbeat accelerate.
She merely gained control over it...?
Merely?
MERELY?
The word itself sounded absurd.
This chamber contained stars.
Galaxies.
An entire separate universe.
Even if she hadn't created it herself—
the ability to control it was already unimaginable.
Her mind immediately reached a terrifying conclusion.
Divine Cycle Emperor?
No.
Impossible.
A Divine Cycle Emperor could not possibly achieve this.
Then...
Could she be...
A Heavenly Sage?
The thought alone caused Han Qing Li's heart to skip a beat.
A Heavenly Sage.
An existence spoken of only in myths.
An existence nobody had seen for countless years.
The strongest beings known within Tian Yuan Continent were Divine Cycle Emperors.
Yet now—
the Da Cang Empire might secretly possess someone beyond that level.
Someone capable of influencing the entire Xing Luo Planet.
The mere possibility made her scalp numb.
Of course—
even she knew this conclusion was outrageous.
Almost impossible.
Yet the woman standing before her was already impossible.
Meanwhile—
Protector Yi's attention returned to Lin Shuan.
Her gaze became thoughtful.
Then she suddenly said something unexpected.
"Shuan Hao."
Lin Shuan looked toward her.
Protector Yi smiled faintly.
"There are many monsters sleeping inside you."
Silence.
Lin Shuan froze.
Han Qing Li froze.
Inside the Dragon Pendant—
Tian Wuchen's expression immediately became strange.
Protector Yi continued.
"You should learn to make full use of their power."
Lin Shuan's face twitched.
The way she said it sounded incredibly suspicious.
Inside the pendant—
Tian Wuchen nearly laughed.
"This girl..."
At the same time—
deep within Lin Shuan's body—
Longshe slowly opened his eyes.
The ancient serpent had been resting quietly.
Yet the moment Protector Yi spoke—
he felt as though someone had called his name.
His massive eyes opened briefly.
Then closed again.
Remaining hidden.
Observing silently.
Lin Shuan awkwardly coughed.
"Protector Yi..."
"I don't think describing them as monsters is appropriate."
Protector Yi smiled.
"Is it not?"
Lin Shuan decided not to continue that topic.
Instead—
he straightened his posture.
His eyes gradually became firm.
"Protector Yi."
"I will use every power available to me."
His voice became heavier.
"To become an Emperor."
Silence.
Then—
Protector Yi smiled.
Han Qing Li smiled too.
Yet their reactions were different.
Protector Yi smiled because she already knew his destiny would never be ordinary.
Han Qing Li smiled because she found his confidence amusing.
"An Emperor?"
Han Qing Li softly laughed.
"That won't be easy."
Lin Shuan grinned.
"I know."
Then—
he suddenly pointed toward Protector Yi.
"But if Protector Yi stands with us..."
"I don't think even Emperors could fight us alone."
The moment those words appeared—
Protector Yi narrowed her eyes.
A dangerous smile appeared.
"Oh?"
Lin Shuan immediately felt something was wrong.
Protector Yi folded her arms.
"If that is what you think..."
"Then you should first pass a test."
Lin Shuan blinked.
"A test?"
Protector Yi nodded.
"Yes."
Her smile became brighter.
"Defeat Yu Long Wei."
Lin Shuan's expression stiffened.
Protector Yi continued calmly.
"Or defeat me."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Lin Shuan stared.
Han Qing Li stared.
Even Tian Wuchen nearly choked.
Defeat Yu Long Wei?
Defeat Protector Yi?
Was there any difference between those two options?
Lin Shuan's face darkened.
After a moment—
his expression slowly became serious.
His eyes became cold.
Very cold.
"Then perhaps..."
Protector Yi looked at him.
Lin Shuan's voice deepened.
"The time has finally come."
His fists tightened.
"To take revenge."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
The hatred hidden within his heart surfaced once more.
Protector Yi calmly observed him.
Then—
she spoke mercilessly.
"You are an ant."
Lin Shuan froze.
Han Qing Li froze.
Protector Yi continued.
"At least in their eyes."
The words were harsh.
Cruel.
But true.
Lin Shuan remained silent.
Because he knew she was right.
At his current level—
he could not challenge those enemies.
Not yet.
Before the atmosphere became too heavy—
Han Qing Li suddenly stepped forward.
Her beautiful eyes became determined.
"The Wanling Empire stands with Shuan Hao."
Lin Shuan turned toward her.
Surprised.
Protector Yi looked at her thoughtfully.
Then she smiled faintly.
"Princess Han Qing Li."
"Although you survived..."
"The Wanling Empire no longer exists."
Her words were calm.
"But how exactly will your assistance help him?"
Han Qing Li fell silent briefly.
Pain flashed through her eyes.
The destruction of her empire was still a wound that had not healed.
Yet she quickly regained her composure.
"There are still survivors."
Protector Yi's eyes narrowed.
Han Qing Li nodded.
"Nine warriors escaped the Void Chaos alongside me."
"They are all loyal."
"They are all willing to help Shuan Hao obtain revenge."
Her voice contained conviction.
Determination.
And sincerity.
Protector Yi watched her carefully.
Almost as though testing her.
Then she asked casually:
"Or perhaps..."
A faint smile appeared.
"You expect something in return?"
Han Qing Li froze.
The question caught her completely off guard.
For several moments—
she remained silent.
Then she slowly shook her head.
"No."
Protector Yi continued observing her.
Han Qing Li took a deep breath.
"I never considered Shuan Hao a transaction."
Her voice became softer.
"I consider him a companion."
Lin Shuan looked surprised.
Han Qing Li continued.
"Someone I can trust."
"Someone I wish to travel with."
"Someone I cannot bargain with."
The sincerity in her voice was unmistakable.
Even Protector Yi became slightly surprised.
Finally—
Han Qing Li lowered her head respectfully.
"There is only one thing I wish to request."
Protector Yi listened quietly.
Han Qing Li's voice became solemn.
"The remaining citizens of Wanling Empire."
"They have nowhere to go."
"If possible..."
She bowed deeply.
"I ask Da Cang Empire to grant them refuge."
"We are willing to become ordinary citizens."
"We are willing to obey the Emperor's orders."
"We are willing to work."
"We only seek a place to survive."
Silence followed.
Lin Shuan looked toward her.
For the first time—
he realized how much pressure she had been carrying.
She wasn't only responsible for herself.
She carried the future of her people.
Meanwhile—
Protector Yi quietly studied her.
Then slowly nodded.
"You speak well."
Hope immediately appeared in Han Qing Li's eyes.
However—
Protector Yi continued.
"But I can only do so temporarily."
Han Qing Li's expression stiffened.
Protector Yi calmly explained.
"Until the Emperor learns of it."
Han Qing Li's heart sank.
She understood.
This matter involved politics.
Authority.
Responsibility.
Even Protector Yi could not simply make such decisions permanently.
For a moment—
disappointment appeared in her eyes.
She remembered her father.
The late Emperor of Wanling.
He had never established strong relations with neighboring empires.
And now—
she was paying the price.
She had left her homeland.
Lost her kingdom.
And could only hope to find a place to stay.
Yet before her disappointment could deepen—
Protector Yi suddenly continued.
"However..."
Han Qing Li immediately looked up.
Protector Yi smiled.
"The refugees may assist Da Cang warriors during missions."
"They may work."
"They may contribute."
"And as long as they do so..."
She nodded.
"They may remain."
Han Qing Li froze.
Then her eyes widened.
Joy instantly appeared.
"Really?"
Protector Yi nodded.
"I will observe the situation personally."
The princess immediately bowed.
"Thank you!"
"Genuinely, thank you!"
The excitement in her voice was impossible to hide.
Protector Yi accepted the gratitude calmly.
Yet—
her eyes drifted toward Lin Shuan.
As though silently saying:
This favor is because of him.
Han Qing Li noticed.
But remained silent.
Then—
Protector Yi unexpectedly spoke again.
"There will soon be a rebellion."
The atmosphere immediately changed.
Han Qing Li's expression became serious.
Lin Shuan frowned.
"A rebellion?"
Protector Yi nodded.
"And when that happens..."
She looked directly at Han Qing Li.
"You should stand beside Shuan Hao."
Han Qing Li immediately lowered her head.
"Understood."
"We will."
Lin Shuan looked confused.
"What rebellion?"
Protector Yi simply smiled.
"You'll know soon enough."
The answer only created more questions.
But before Lin Shuan could ask further—
Protector Yi turned around.
"The discussion is finished."
The galaxies continued rotating.
The crystal platform gradually dimmed.
Moments later—
the three left the cosmic chamber.
The ancient black gate slowly closed behind them.
BOOOOM.
The mysterious universe disappeared once more.
Outside—
they arrived at a vast palace garden.
Golden flowers swayed beneath the wind.
Spirit butterflies danced among glowing trees.
The atmosphere felt peaceful.
Completely different from the oppressive mysteries hidden beneath the palace.
As they walked—
a crimson talisman suddenly appeared before Protector Yi.
Whoosh.
The message unfolded automatically.
Protector Yi read it.
A faint smile appeared.
Lin Shuan noticed.
"What happened?"
Protector Yi looked toward him.
"A large gathering is about to take place."
"What gathering?"
"The Merchant Organization."
Han Qing Li's eyes widened.
The Merchant Organization was famous throughout multiple empires.
Protector Yi continued.
"Representatives from countless cities will attend."
"Even merchants from neighboring empires."
"The scale will be enormous."
Lin Shuan immediately understood.
This was no ordinary event.
Merchant Organizations controlled resources.
Information.
Connections.
Influence.
Sometimes even wars.
Protector Yi nodded.
"Since you are already associated with the Merchant Organization..."
Her eyes landed on him.
"You should attend."
Lin Shuan slowly nodded.
"I understand."
Yet something told him—
this gathering would not be simple.
Because recently—
nothing around him had been simple.
Protector Yi looked toward the distant horizon.
The wind gently moved her crimson robes.
Deep within her eyes—
countless thoughts flashed.
The rebellion.
The ancient secrets.
The sleeping age.
And the future standing before her.
Lin Shuan.
The young man himself remained unaware.
But destiny had already begun moving.