Yue Zan spent seven to eight years traversing myriad worlds to protect the Xuan Realm.
Finally, in the depths of the universe, he discovered a peculiar gray space.
The entire space was filled with chaotic energy.
"If you want chaotic energy, you must agree to one condition."
Yue Zan watched as the gray space continuously shifted into various shapes.
Wisps of gray light surged, and a voice emanated from within.
"Can we talk face-to-face? Speaking to the void feels very strange."
Standing outside the space, Yue Zan spoke loudly.
He neither agreed nor refused.
He didn't even ask what the condition was.
Because he wanted to see the person speaking.
"Am I not right in front of you? You are looking at me."
The space before him rippled, and the voice spoke again.
It felt as distant as the horizon, yet as close as his own breath.
"You mean, you are this space, and this space is you?
Do you have a name? What should I call you?"
Yue Zan said in surprise, he understood.
The one making the sound was this strange gray world.
Could it be that a space could possess consciousness?
Like a person, having thoughts, able to speak, and communicate!
"You are correct, what you see is me.
I have no name, if you insist on a title.
Call me Wu, for I am formless and intangible, unseen and unfelt.
I am the essence of all things. If you dislike this name, you can also call me Kong.
For emptiness gives rise to existence, and I can contain all things.
But do you really want to discuss these things with me here?
As far as I know, the Xuan Realm cannot last much longer; it will collapse at any moment.
Only chaotic energy can repair it.
You haven't asked about the condition for obtaining chaotic energy. Do you not believe me?"
The gray space changed shape again, resembling a human head.
It spoke to Yue Zan unhurriedly.
"Alright, since you are both empty and without, I shall call you Kong Wu.
I want to know, what is your condition?
Why should I believe you, and how do you know about the Xuan Realm?"
Yue Zan's intuition told him that the space before him was dangerous and he should leave immediately.
But for the sake of the Xuan Realm, he had no choice.
His earlier delay in asking about the condition was deliberate.
He wanted to make the other party feel that he was not overly eager to obtain chaotic energy.
This way, he wouldn't be at a disadvantage in negotiations.
However, since the other party knew everything about the Xuan Realm, he had to be upfront.
"To tell you the truth, I am the origin of chaos.
Without me, there would be no chaos.
Whether it's the three thousand great worlds created by Hongjun or your Xuan Realm.
They are all born from chaos, and I am the root.
Therefore, I know everything that happens in this universe.
As for whether you believe me, that is up to you.
After all, whether the Xuan Realm collapses or is destroyed is insignificant to me.
My condition is, if you want to obtain chaotic energy.
Exchange it for the Xuan Wen on the Gate of Myriad Wonders."
"Impossible, the Xuan Wen is the source of power for the Gate of Myriad Wonders, I cannot give it to you."
Before Kong Wu could finish speaking, Yue Zan flatly refused.
The Xuan Wen must not be given to anyone else. Without it, the Gate of Myriad Wonders would truly be just a door, losing all its power.
"Let me finish. I am not asking to take the Xuan Wen away.
But to copy it, without any impact on the Gate of Myriad Wonders."
Kong Wu's voice was devoid of emotion, like a machine.
"Copy? Impossible.
The Xuan Wen is the power and enlightenment gained by the ancestors of the Xuan Realm from chaos. It cannot be copied."
Yue Zan's face held a hint of mockery, believing Kong Wu was boasting.
This was because the past realm lords of the Xuan Realm had all attempted to copy the Xuan Wen.
None had succeeded, and some had even become lost within it, losing their lives.
"You don't need to worry about whether it can be copied.
You only need to decide whether to agree.
Remember, the Xuan Realm could collapse at any moment.
And chaotic energy is the only way to save the Xuan Realm. You don't have much time."
Kong Wu seemed to have Yue Zan cornered. After speaking, he fell silent.
The constantly shifting wisps of light also quieted down.
They seemed to merge with the silent universe, undetectable if not observed closely.
"I agree!"
Yue Zan shouted loudly after thinking for over ten minutes.
For the Xuan Realm, he had no other choice.
Because in the Xuan Realm lived hundreds of thousands of his people.
He could not bear to see so many people perish with the Xuan Realm.
"I knew you would agree.
Take this bead back and place it at the core of the Xuan Realm.
It will emit chaotic energy, repair the Xuan Realm, and protect it from collapse for a million years.
Now, summon your Gate of Myriad Wonders. I need to copy the Xuan Wen."
The silent, strange space began to shift its shape again.
The voice spoke, and a gray bead, the size of a fist,
flew out from the space and landed in Yue Zan's hand.
"Aren't you afraid I'll take this bead and run away?
After all, the Gate of Myriad Wonders can traverse time and space.
And you, it seems, cannot leave this place."
Yue Zan smiled mysteriously and then, with a thought,
the Gate of Myriad Wonders appeared. He raised his foot as if to enter.
But his foot landed on empty air, and the majestic white jade portal vanished.
It transformed into a crystal-clear jade bell. Yue Zan was greatly shocked.
He immediately activated his divine sense, trying to recall the jade bell.
But the jade bell, which was connected to his mind, was now beyond his control.
It flew directly towards the gray light world. The gray light rippled,
wrapping around the jade bell like a giant octopus.
"Kong Wu, I was just joking.
Give me back the Gate of Myriad Wonders. What are you doing?"
Yue Zan was greatly alarmed. The Gate of Myriad Wonders could not be lost.
It was the treasure that protected the Xuan Realm. Moreover, without the Gate of Myriad Wonders,
even if he obtained chaotic energy, he wouldn't be able to return.
He was currently in the boundless cosmic void, not in any world.
He relied entirely on the Gate of Myriad Wonders. Without it,
in at most three hours, he would die here.
"Scared now? Don't worry, I'm just copying the Xuan Wen.
I won't keep it for myself. I'll return it to you immediately after copying."
Kong Wu's voice echoed, but this time, Yue Zan detected a hint of excitement in it.
A few minutes later, the space that had enveloped the jade bell opened, returning to its calm state.
Yue Zan felt his connection restored and quickly recalled the jade bell.
He inspected it carefully several times and found no anomalies.
He then transformed it back into a white jade portal. The Xuan Wen on it shimmered, and not a single pattern was missing.
Yue Zan looked at the silent light space before him, wanting very much to enter and see what mysteries it held.
But he suppressed his curiosity, turned, and entered the Gate of Myriad Wonders. The white jade portal vanished shortly after.
"If it weren't for my urgency to return and repair the Xuan Realm,
I would have gone inside to take a look. I suspect Kong Wu was bluffing.
How could a space-world have consciousness and be able to speak?
He must be a powerful being hiding inside the space, playing tricks.
However, he didn't lie to me. After returning,
I followed his instructions and placed the bead at the core of the Xuan Realm.
The Xuan Realm was indeed repaired, which is why I went to Tianlong Star to bring your mother back."
Yue Zan said, holding a cup of tea, with a somewhat dejected tone.
"Uncle, whether Kong Wu is a person or not, I don't know.
But he was definitely exaggerating, and you might have been an accomplice."
Ming Yue slapped the table, causing Yue Zan to spill a cup of tea all over his face.