Liang's expression shifted instantly from shock to wariness. Every muscle in his body tensed as he took several quick steps backward, turning sharply to face the source of the sound. His Universe Pricing Eyes activated instinctively, scanning for any signs of danger.
When he finally laid eyes on the figure who had spoken, Liang's unease deepened. Standing where there had been nothing monts ago was a blind old man. His appearance was peculiar—gaunt, with sunken cheeks and milky white eyes that seed to stare through Liang rather than at him. The man's robes were tattered and stained, yet they carried an air of dignity, as if they had once belonged to soone far greater. A gnarled wooden staff rested in one hand.
The old man smiled crookedly, his lips curling into a grin that revealed yellowed teeth. "You are fortunate; that fire is a spectacle not intended for mortal eyes."
Liang took a deep breath trying to make sense of what was happening. Who—or what—was this man?
For this old man to appear behind him undetected can only an one thing, he is far more powerful then him.
"Who are you?" Liang subtly adjusted his stance, ready to flee or fight depending on the old man's next move.
The blind man tilted his head, seemingly pondering the question. Then, with a chuckle that sent chills down Liang's spine, he gazed intently at him and said, "Nas hold little significance in the grand sche of things. Who you are remains unchanged, no matter the na you bear."
Liang narrowed his eyes, suspicion heavy in his gaze. "What do you an?"
The old man's smile widened, a disturbingly knowing glint in his milky eyes. "You should leave right now, It's not the right ti for you to be here yet."
Without waiting for the old man to say anymore words, Liang was already gone, In fact whither the old man would say sothing else or not matter little him, the existence of just this strange fire is already enough for him to leave .
The old man stood motionless, his milky eyes lingering on the space where Liang had vanished. After a mont, he let out a low, rasping laugh, the sound echoing like dry leaves skittering across stone.
"Flee, then , but the fire you fear today will one day light the path you cannot yet walk."
He raised his milky eyes to the heavens, as though reading secrets etched into the void, and murmured to the emptiness: "All seeds must burn before they bloom."
He tapped his staff once against the earth, and the ground beneath him rippled like water. Before the echo faded, both the old man and the eerie fire dissolved into the night, leaving only the scent of charred destiny hanging in the air.
The space near the outer edge of the region shimred like water disturbed by an invisible hand, rippling uncontrollably as if reality itself had been torn apart. In a flash, Liang erged from the distortion, his body moving with urgent montum. His Universe Pricing Eyes were still alight with caution, scanning his surroundings for any sign of pursuit or danger. The eerie encounter with the blind old man lingered heavy in his mind, and he couldn't shake off the feeling that he had narrowly avoided sothing far beyond his comprehension.
He didn't stop to ponder it further. With swift strides, Liang made his way toward the boundary of the Yin Yang Abyssal Mountains Range, As he crossed into open terrain, the suffocating weight pressing on his chest began to lift slightly.
Whatever had happened back there was beyond comprehension, and Liang knew better than to dwell too long on things he couldn't understand. For now, survival and progress were his priorities.
Just as he stepped out into the clearing at the boundary of the mountains, Liang caught sight of a figure standing near the edge. She was dressed in flowing blue robes that shimred faintly under the dim light filtering through the clouds. Her hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall of fresh water. There was sothing strikingly familiar about her, though he couldn't quite place it.
Their eyes t briefly—hers sharp and calculating, his wary yet curious. They exchanged a brief nod, acknowledging each other without words, before continuing along their respective paths.
Liang didn't stop or look back. He had learned long ago that lingering too long on chance encounters often led to complications he wasn't prepared for. But after taking only a few steps, the woman paused mid-stride. Turning her head slightly, she gazed back at Liang's retreating form, her brow furrowing ever so slightly. A soft whisper escaped her lips, barely audible even to herself.
"This person… is without a doubt Liang Yifei."
Frowning, she tilted her head thoughtfully, watching until his figure disappeared entirely.
"What could he be doing here?" Her frown deepened as she considered the implications. What could soone like Liang Yifei possibly be doing here? This area was far removed from the usual routes taken by ordinary cultivators.
After a mont of contemplation, she shook her head dismissively. "It doesn't matter. I'll think about that later."
Yue Xin quickened her pace as she moved deeper into the heart of Inner depths.
Unlike Liang, whose journey had been marked by uncertainty and evasion, Yue Xin moved with purposeful precision, her path guided by intimate knowledge of the terrain.
As if sensing sothing amiss, her expression shifted subtly. Her calm deanor faltered for the first ti, replaced by a flicker of anxiety.
"Could it be that he was here?" she whispered, her voice trembling faintly. She clenched her fists tightly, shaking her head as if trying to dispel the sudden rush of emotion. "It couldn't be a coincidence, right?"
Finally, after what felt like hours of relentless travel, she arrived at the edge of the Inner core. Pausing briefly, she took a deep breath, steadying herself for whatever lay ahead. Then, without hesitation, she rushed forward, her movents fluid and deliberate. It was evident from her deanor that she knew exactly where she was going—a stark contrast to Liang's cautious trepidation earlier.
As she delved further, the terrain began to change once more. The forest thinned out until it vanished entirely, revealing a vast expanse of barren land. At its center stood a massive graveyard, though it bore little resemblance to any burial site she had seen before. There were no rows of tombstones or markers lining the ground—only one solitary stone.
Inscriptions ran along its face, written in a language long forgotten by most. Her gaze lingered on the inscription, trying to decipher its aning. Though parts of it were obscured by ti, enough remained to give her pause:
"Beneath lies he whose fate was sealed not by death, but by choice."
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