A strange mist dyed with darkness spread out, stretching the sense of time infinitely.
The scene, like stars, flickered faintly through the black fog, mixed with whispering murmurs—sometimes illusory, sometimes wild, sometimes restless.
Scattered thoughts continuously split and gathered, sinking deeper and deeper.
Finally, the gathered consciousness formed into several figures standing on a desolate ice field.
In the distance, magnificent mountains cut across the world like beastly jagged fangs.
The sky was divided in two by a river of stars cutting through the horizon, its rolling currents flowing into a temple atop the highest peak.
"This place is..."
Orochimaru, now fully awake, looked around the unfamiliar environment, suddenly feeling a strange sense of familiarity.
"This is not a dream. But it feels like one."
Uchiha Mikoto looked up at the 'Milky Way' in the sky and murmured, "Is this the spirit world? No, it should be the realm of the mind."
Then, a third figure appeared—Hatake Sakumo—with an expressionless face, but a hint of shock showed in his eyes.
Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo spoke in a hoarse, aged voice, quickly drawing everyone's attention. "If I'm not mistaken, the flow of time here and the basic makeup are different from the real world. But it's not just a simple dream. This should be an independently created world!"
At that moment, the last to appear, Konan, seemed to have known something all along. She looked at the surprised crowd calmly and said, "Follow me."
Could it be…?
Orochimaru's pupils flickered, as if he guessed something but couldn't be sure.
"Wait, shouldn't there be one more person?" Hatake Sakumo frowned slightly and said, "Onoki isn't here."
Konan stopped walking but didn't turn around. She said calmly, "There's no need to wait for him."
No need to wait? What did that mean?!
As soon as she said this, a storm of speculation stirred inside everyone's hearts. They all started to guess wildly.
But before anything was confirmed, no one dared to be sure if it was as they imagined.
Led by Konan, they soon arrived beneath the pitch-black mountain range. Luckily, all of them were shinobi, using chakra to cling to the jagged, sawtooth-like cliffs. Before long, they reached the mountain's peak.
Before them stood the magnificent Corpse Cathedral.
Could it really be?!
Though they had already guessed something vaguely before.
But only when they saw the grand Corpse Cathedral with their own eyes did they finally confirm their suspicions.
"Lord has been waiting for us for a long time."
After a brief silence, Konan was the first to step inside the cathedral. "Let's not keep Lord waiting too long."
As expected!
Their guess was right!
No wonder Konan suddenly gathered everyone and rekindled that old bronze lamp again!
Yes, besides 'that great lord,' who else could be worthy of them using that bronze lamp once more?
After sleeping for over ten years, has he finally awakened?!
The rest of the group restrained their excitement as they followed inside the Corpse Cathedral.
Inside the massive cathedral, the pillars and arches were made of different creatures' bones, holding up the ceiling.
Countless empty eye sockets of white skulls stared blankly down at the hall below.
Underneath the towering white bone cross hundreds of meters tall, a majestic figure seemed formed from thousands of merged bodies, bathed in pale golden light, sitting prominently on a huge bronze throne.
In front of that bronze throne was a long bronze table with many chairs on both sides.
What shocked Orochimaru and the others was that besides 'Lord Adam' in the main seat, two additional figures now occupied chairs at the table.
Were they new members?
Konan was already seated, and 'Lord Adam' lightly tapped the table with his index finger and said calmly, "Please, everyone, take your seats."
"Yes, Lord Adam."
Orochimaru, Sakumo Hatake, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, and Uchiha Mikoto all took their seats.
That familiar feeling returned once again.
But Orochimaru frowned slightly, quietly studying the two 'new' members, observing their spiritual presence.
One person's aura was deep black and profound, containing a power distinct from 'Beyonder potions,' yet it gave him a familiar feeling, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
The other was more steady and calm, showing almost no distinct traits, except an impression that they were older in age.
"I'm glad, after awakening, to see all of you again."
Adam's eyes scanned the people seated on both sides. He nodded with apparent satisfaction.
"In such darkness, you have all persisted until now. Your performance makes me very pleased."
"No, it is Lord Adam who granted us strength. To hold on for that reason is nothing," Orochimaru composed himself and slowly spoke, "Rather, it should be said that we have disappointed you. Since Lord Adam fell into slumber, the Twilight Hermits have weakened to this day. We bear an unshirkable responsibility. Please forgive us, Lord Adam."
Uchiha Mikoto and Hatake Sakumo glanced at him, their mouths twitching slightly.
If anyone should say it, it's you. That obvious flattery!
"Heh."
Suddenly, someone opposite laughed aloud. "Indeed, for useless people like you, if it weren't for Lord Adam's magnanimity, you would have been discarded long ago."
As an original member being mocked, his expression clearly soured.
But out of respect for 'Adam,' he dared not retort. Besides, it was somewhat true, so he could only swallow his anger forcibly.
"All right, no need to argue."
Adam tapped his index finger on the table to calm the discussion. His voice was calm. "Let me introduce these two. They are 'Nidhogg' and 'Izanami.'"
Orochimaru seemed completely indifferent. Despite being mocked earlier, he still smiled. "Welcome to the Twilight Hermits, both of you."
Konan, Mikoto, and Sakumo showed little reaction, only nodding slightly.
Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo's gaze lingered faintly on 'Nidhogg.' From him, Hagoromo sensed an unprecedented pressure.
Nidhogg is not simple at all!
"This gathering has two matters to discuss."
After briefly introducing everyone, Adam spoke again, slowly. "The first matter: the tide of the era is about to arrive. I hope you all prepare well."
The tide of the times. Orochimaru's eyes brightened as he quickly recalled the original meaning that Adam mentioned about the Twilight Hermit's plan.
That was to awaken the 'First Creator' who had fallen into 'death' within the proper flow of the times.
And now, they were getting closer and closer to this goal!
"Lord Adam, is there anything we can help with?" Orochimaru asked, his tone carrying a hint of excitement.
"No need to do anything. We are all part of the tide of the times."
Adam's voice was calm and indifferent as his gaze fell on everyone present.
"Next is the second matter. I hope you all can advance quickly to face the crisis that is coming."
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