Gu Jianlin wanted so desperately to see the face of that person, but it was beyond his ability.
After all, the principle of the Destiny Mud Tablet is only to show you visions that relate to your own fate—what you perceive is but a phantom of events that have already happened or are predetermined to occur. You remain merely an observer, a ghost that doesn't truly exist.
You can do nothing.
Nor can you change anything.
The figure was shrouded in indistinct gray mist, making it impossible to discern specific features or stature. All Gu Jianlin could faintly sense was that it appeared to be a human male, who had lived in modern society, speaking with a tone of utter indifference toward all.
The most crucial detail was—this person was unfathomable.
Fine, that was an obvious conclusion.
After all, anyone who could partner with an Ancient Supreme would naturally be unfathomable.
This time, Gu Jianlin's profiling ability entirely failed; he couldn't even sense a single trait. The man seemed absent of all individual characteristics—just a vague, elusive shadow, coming and going without a trace.
At some unknown moment, faint sounds arose again in this silent tomb, akin to grains of sand drifting through the wind, or waves rising and falling in the sea—so tranquil was everything.
The man sealed within the golden coffin remained incredibly calm. His form seemed to ignite in silent combustion, gradually scattering into ashes inch by inch. Countless golden dust particles withered and swayed in the darkness, cascading like a relentless rain, while the majestic Qilin's shadow collapsed quietly.
Vitality dissipated.
Death pervaded.
After the Qilin Venerable somehow created that mask, it seemed he headed toward death.
There was no earth-shattering roar of destruction.
Nor any cries of rage and resentment.
Everything unfolded in utter silence, a dissolution as ephemeral as breaking bubbles.
Yet, in that final instant, after the Qilin Venerable's body had disintegrated into ashes, he left behind an apparition resembling a soul. The shadow glimmered with an exalted gold hue, yet its aura was adrift and unstable.
A horrifying scene unfolded.
The Qilin Venerable took a single step forward, disregarding the seal that had imprisoned him for two thousand years.
Like a ghost, he passed through effortlessly.
In the blink of an eye, he emerged from the dark tomb, a brilliant golden radiance cascading from the heavens.
This was the uppermost layer of the Qilin Immortal Palace, where a massive Golden Tree grew, its vast canopy shrouding the sky entirely. Words fell short of capturing its enormity, the Sky Dome burned fiercely with its golden illumination, akin to the blazing Sun.
The pinnacle of majesty and splendor within this world.
Under the golden glow, the lifeless ancient city seemed to revive, towering and magnificent.
Threads upon threads of golden light swirled downward, draping like curtains.
He gently raised his hand, brushing the Void.
An ancient white bone coffin appeared out of thin air, its vague contours transforming into a golden Qilin.
He seemed to awaken from deep slumber and murmured in admiration, "There's wisdom in Humanity's saying: 'If you wish to wear the crown, you must bear its weight.' As the Ancient Supreme, the great master of the Deep Space of the Universe, I too carry my curse. Especially having descended into this world, that curse amplifies without end."
He paused briefly, adding, "There are no exceptions—not even the Candle Dragon Venerable."
The Qilin Venerable gave no reply but instead ascended toward the Sky Dome.
Bathed in golden brilliance, his bearing resembled that of an Ancient King.
"After endless torment, to finally escape your madness and prison—congratulations, Lord!"
The golden Qilin gazed up at the colossal Golden Tree towering skyward: "During the battle on the East Sea, the Primordial Authority you wielded and the Authority held by the Candle Dragon Venerable merged into one. Unfortunately, it lacked the most crucial core. Now, two thousand years have passed, and everything is complete—doomsday is imminent."
He fixed his gaze on the Golden Tree and said solemnly, "The union of the three shall recreate the Primordial Zhu Zhao Law. Though it hasn't yet revealed its true form, even now, it is immensely powerful."
The Qilin Venerable's phantom appeared to fly beyond the heavens, merging into the golden Sky Dome.
"The question is—how do we stop the Candle Dragon?"
The golden Qilin sighed, "Even though Xu Fu has discovered the antidote, it's ultimately the Candle Dragon's Divine Blood. He cannot achieve true liberation. And the Stairway to Immortality has already taken shape—the laws of the Human World can no longer restrict the Candle Dragon. He will become unprecedentedly powerful; no man or god can stand as his match."
He lamented, "This was meant to be yours to enjoy."
From the heavens above echoed a faint, raspy chuckle.
"I see now. It seems the Human World harbors an extraordinary figure. The one who freed me earlier must already have prepared everything."
In an instant, the white bone coffin crumbled with a thunderous roar. The golden Qilin surged skyward, colliding into the Golden Tree: "I offer up my bones and blood, sacrificing my soul to grant you my final aid."
The Qilin Venerable vanished within the golden brilliance.
It seemed he cast a glance toward some unknown direction.
Boom!
·
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Gu Jianlin felt his head would explode, his mind consumed by the earth-shattering golden brilliance. That enormous Golden Tree was so grand, words failed to describe it.
It was a divine miracle born in the domain of gods!
Even the World Tree in Nordic Mythology might pale in comparison.
As the golden radiance burst forth, in that instant, the Qilin Venerable seemed to glance his way!