The eerie voice of the Ancient Emperor Morning Star echoed across the plaza. As the laughter subsided, a terrifying black mist suddenly surged from the pitch-black void on the ground, rising abruptly and spreading across the plaza.
"What is this?!"
The sudden turn of events caused Hun Changqing, who was about to move forward, to abruptly halt, his greedy and evil smile freezing on his face as he exclaimed in surprise.
Xing Su was also stunned. She had been watching Hun Changqing approach the black disc, preparing to unleash the seal her ancestor had placed there, and her fingers, which were forming hand seals, stopped abruptly. Even Xing Su herself was completely unaware of this change; the information left by her ancestor did not record this scene.
Black mist rose and swirled in the sky. Hun Changqing and Xing Su were both extremely vigilant as they watched the spreading black mist, their energy surging forth to envelop themselves and try to resist the approaching black mist.
However, the black mist seemed to exist in a different space from Hun Changqing and his companion, directly piercing through the energy barrier they had erected. It enveloped them without the slightest hindrance, leaving them both horrified.
Yet, the expected pain from the black mist's attack did not materialize. As the mist passed through their bodies, they only clearly felt a probe sweeping across their surfaces. Under this probe, everything within them, even their souls, became completely exposed. It felt as if all their secrets had been laid bare.
This probe came and went quickly; in moments, the black mist dissipated around them. As it receded, Hun Changqing felt a slight relaxation in his tense nerves.
The feeling of being instantly seen through had been terrifying. He then focused his gaze on the gathering point of the black mist, which resembled rising, swirling infernos of hellfire. His eyes were filled with solemnity.
The black mist looked terrifying, and the feeling it gave him earlier was extremely strange. However, Hun Changqing couldn't sense even the slightest aura from it. If it weren't for the Three Lights Divine Water protecting his soul, he would have detected it with any soul-searching techniques. He might even have thought the black mist was just an illusion.
If it wasn't an illusion, it was even more terrifying. The fact that Hun Changqing couldn't sense any aura from the black mist, even with his current soul strength, demonstrated its strangeness and terror, forcing him to be cautious.
The energy within his body began to circulate rapidly. His hands, hidden in his sleeves, clenched into fists, his expression extremely solemn. If anything seemed amiss, he would immediately act. If it wasn't something he could withstand, he would not hesitate to break through space and escape.
While profit is incredibly important, nothing surpasses one's own life. As long as one lives, there are endless possibilities; without life, even the most valuable possessions are meaningless. Therefore, Hun Changqing always prioritizes his safety.
Just as Hun Changqing was becoming increasingly wary, the rising black mist began to converge towards the circular disc in the center of the plaza.
As the dense black mist surged before the disc, it eventually transformed into a giant black lotus bud. The bud slowly bloomed, its enormous petals unfolding, revealing a pitch-black, slightly ethereal figure atop the giant black lotus.
Seeing this suddenly appearing figure, Hun Changqing's gaze sharpened, his eyes flashing with an uncertain light. Although he couldn't sense any aura from this ethereal black figure, he had some vague guesses. After a moment's hesitation, Hun Changqing tentatively asked...
"Could it be Senior Saint Ganmu? This junior discovered the location of your cave by chance, and thus came to explore. Please forgive me if I have disturbed you."
As Hun Changqing spoke, his Taiyin True Qi circulated wildly within him, his fists clenched tightly, and his teeth gritted. His vigilance and wariness were at their peak.
Hun Changqing had clearly already assumed the figure before him was the remnant soul of Saint Ganmu. He never expected that Saint Ganmu, who had been dead for ten thousand years, would still have a remnant soul. Faced with this remnant soul of Saint Ganmu, whose temperament and purpose were unknown, Hun Changqing had no choice but to test the waters first. Logically speaking, this remnant soul, preserved from ten thousand years ago, should be extremely weak, barely able to take form, even if it hadn't been completely dissipated. However,
Hun Changqing couldn't detect any trace of its aura or discern its state. He could only sense an unfathomable depth emanating from the figure.
Furthermore, the irresistible, probing black mist from before had put immense pressure on Hun Changqing; everything related to the remnant soul now exuded an eeriness.
This made Hun Changqing extremely uncertain, and cold sweat beaded on his smooth forehead. He felt a growing urge to retreat, and his Yin True Qi was gathering strength within him, ready to be unleashed.
Upon hearing Hun Changqing's probing words, the pitch-black figure sitting cross-legged on the giant black lotus suddenly opened its eyes, black mist swirling around them, its sharp gaze fixed on Hun Changqing.
Under the gaze of that figure, Hun Changqing felt a chill run through his body, as if he had fallen into an ice cave. Even a slight glance caused him excruciating pain in his soul. This sensation filled him with immense horror; his eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief, and his heart roared incessantly.
"Just how strong was this Saint Ganmu in his previous life?! Why does his remnant soul still possess such terrifying power after ten thousand years?! What's going on?"
After glancing at Hun Changqing, the dark figure slowly rose from the giant black lotus, waved his hand, dispelling the swirling black mist around him, revealing his true form.
It was an old man in a black robe, with black eyes and black hair. His face appeared quite ordinary, without any unusual features. The old man withdrew his gaze from Hun Changqing and then turned it to Xingxiu beside him.
After sensing Xingxiu's aura, a smile appeared in the old man's eyes, and the coldness in his dark pupils softened. After looking at Xingxiu for a moment, the old man withdrew his gaze, stood with his hands behind his back on the black lotus, and said calmly to Hun Changqing,
"Ganmu? I remember his self-created fighting techniques were quite remarkable. He was an interesting little fellow. That little fellow died at my hands back then, without leaving behind any cave dwelling. However, if you're looking for what he left behind, you've come to the right place. His things are indeed in my possession."
"What?!"
Hun Changqing was shocked by the old man's words, his eyes filled with disbelief. Especially when he heard the old man refer to the Ganmu Saint as "little fellow," Hun Changqing was instantly enveloped by a strong sense of unease and subconsciously cried out.
"And who are you?"
Hearing Hun Changqing's panicked cry, the old man's gaze deepened, as if lost in some kind of memory. He then smiled faintly and said softly,
"Me? So much time has passed, I've almost forgotten myself. You can call me 'Emperor Morning Star.'"