The ice-blue halo on Lin Tian's body gradually contracted, into a transparent soul seal that hovered before his chest. The pulsations of the spirit pearl grew more intense, and the familiar will of Hanyuan began to resonate with his own soul, as if they had become one.
The woman before him slowly rose, the cold energy emanating from her resonating with Lin Tian's aura. Her existence seemed to have always belonged to this world, and now, it had finally returned to its rightful place.
"Are you... the embodiment of Hanyuan?" Zidian's voice trembled, a mix of shock and fear in her eyes. She had never encountered such an aura before.
Mu Changsheng squinted his eyes, a hint of complexity flashing in his gaze: "The Heart of Hanyuan... has finally descended." He murmured quietly, as if witnessing some kind of omen. "It seems... everything has begun."
Lin Tian didn't respond. He simply stared at the woman, calmly analyzing the current situation. He could feel that the Hanyuan power within him was entirely different from his previous cultivation. This power seemed to come from a higher dimension, beyond all of his previous understanding and imagination.
The woman's ice-blue eyes locked onto him, and she suddenly spoke, her voice soft: "The Lord of Hanyuan has finally returned. You need not worry about my existence. My soul is no longer bound. All of this will ultimately become your power."
Lin Tian's gaze grew cold. "Who are you? Why does my spirit pearl resonate with you?"
The woman smiled faintly. "I am the soul of Hanyuan, and you, Lin Tian, are my successor. You and I share blood, and it was always destined that you would inherit all that Hanyuan is." Her eyes seemed to peer through countless years, seeing deep into Lin Tian's soul, as if she had already seen his future. "You have awakened, and all the memories and power will revive within you."
Mu Changsheng suddenly stepped forward, his eyes flashing with urgency: "The power of Hanyuan is not to be trifled with. It is a force that transcends all boundaries. If misused, the consequences will be unimaginable. What you bear is not only power, but an ancient destiny."
"Destiny?" Lin Tian smiled faintly. "Do you really think I believe in destiny?"
"You may only have a choice in how to wield this power," Mu Changsheng's tone grew heavy. "But the secret hidden behind this power is enough to shake the entire Three Realms and Four Domains."
Lin Tian looked at Mu Changsheng, and a new question arose in his mind: "Who exactly are you? I remember you are not just an ordinary cultivator."
Mu Changsheng smiled faintly. "It seems you haven't fully understood the changes within you." His eyes became deep, as if recalling something. "I am 'Changsheng'—an existence that transcends time and space. I have witnessed the rise of Hanyuan, and also its fall. I am the only one left alive who has had a deep connection with Hanyuan."
Zidian, seeing that their conversation was becoming more intense, broke into a cold sweat. "What do you mean? Changsheng, what is your purpose?"
Mu Changsheng paused for a moment, and his gaze turned cold: "My purpose? Between me and Hanyuan, there are no personal desires left—only one truth remains: once Hanyuan is reborn, the entire Three Realms and Four Domains will fall under its control."
Lin Tian's eyes flashed with confusion. "What does all of this have to do with me?"
"You are the successor of Hanyuan, which means you will lead Hanyuan into a new era of glory. But all of this is destined to end in one way—by controlling everything." Mu Changsheng's tone suddenly turned cold. "You must understand that the power of Hanyuan is not something anyone can easily wield. Even if you inherit it, you must face the endless abyss."
The woman's voice sounded again, like a heavenly sound: "I can teach you how to control it, how to make the power of Hanyuan truly your sword. And you will be the first to transcend everything."
Lin Tian suddenly lowered his head and clenched his fists. "Transcend everything? Then I will transcend."
At that moment, from the darkness in the distance, a presence that did not belong to this world suddenly descended. The black mist surged, and the distant mountains seemed to be summoned, shaking violently. A glint of caution flashed in Lin Tian's eyes: "What is this?"
Zidian gritted her teeth. "It seems something is coming..."
"It's finally here..." Mu Changsheng's voice echoed coldly. "That is the existence sealed within the Ten Thousand Demons—The power of Yinyuan has finally awakened."
As the words fell, a figure slowly emerged from the darkness. A man clad in black armor, his face obscured, exuding an aura like the depths of the ocean, capable of devouring everything. The power radiating from him caused the surrounding air to almost solidify, as if the entire space was distorted under this oppressive force.
"The Lord of Yinyuan... The King of Yinyuan?" Lin Tian felt an intense pressure coming toward him.
The man walked toward them slowly. Each step shook the earth, bringing with it an overwhelming force: "Hanyuan is no longer something you can control. Now, the time for me has come."