## ⚔️ *Age of Reflection Arc — Part V*
### **Chapter 162 — The Collapse of Mirrors**
The reflection realm imploded behind them. Endless shards of light spiraled into the void like dying stars. Yang Lin's group emerged on a floating cliff above a crimson ocean — the *Outer Lands of the Mirror Sea*. The skies here twisted with aurora-like storms, fragments of Dao-law drifting freely.
Yang Lin inhaled the thick spiritual essence. "Five years in there… yet it feels like a lifetime."
Qin Lian nodded, her spear strapped across her back. "Outside, only two months have passed. The world thinks we vanished."
Yang Lin's gaze was distant. "Then we start again."
He stepped forward, boots echoing against black stone, unaware that shadows already moved beneath the Mirror Sea.
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### **Chapter 163 — The Beast of a Thousand Eyes**
Night fell abruptly. From the ocean rose a colossal serpent—its scales carved with ancient runes, a creature from before recorded history. Its cultivation was **Incarnation Realm, 1st Layer**, and its countless eyes reflected every fear a mortal could have.
The others prepared to retreat, but Yang Lin raised his hand.
"Run and it will hunt you for eternity. We kill it here."
He surged forward, void energy coiling like a tidal wave. The serpent roared; a hundred eyes exploded into black flame. Yang Lin's strike split the sky, shattering the creature's soul core. The sea boiled crimson, and silence returned.
Chen Yi whispered, trembling, "He's still human… right?"
Qin Lian didn't answer.
---
### **Chapter 164 — Ruins of the Forgotten Star**
Beyond the Mirror Sea lay the *Forgotten Star Ruins* — floating islands of broken temples. Each fragment contained trapped spirits of long-dead cultivators.
Yang Lin entered the largest ruin, where a massive statue of an unknown god lay half buried.
Touching the statue's forehead, visions flooded his mind: wars between **World Creator Realm** titans, entire universes shattering under their wills.
He withdrew, sweat on his brow.
"So that's the path ahead," he murmured, "a path where even gods bleed."
He collected an ancient blade fragment radiating faint Dao resonance — a piece of a weapon once wielded by a **Universe Creator Realm**.
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### **Chapter 165 — The Treasure Hunters' War**
Three rival teams appeared — treasure hunters led by the *Azure Rain Clan*. Their leader, Mo Tian, was a **Tribulation Realm – 3rd Layer** cultivator known for cruelty.
"Hand over the relic," Mo Tian demanded.
Yang Lin replied calmly, "Take it if you can."
The air cracked as Mo Tian attacked. Lightning wrapped his blade, but Yang Lin deflected it with two fingers. A pulse of Void Dao power blasted through the ground, turning the island into ash. Mo Tian fell without a scream.
The remaining hunters fled.
Qin Lian sighed, "You really don't negotiate."
Yang Lin: "Negotiation is mercy for those who deserve life."
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### **Chapter 166 — The Skyfall Domain**
A massive gate appeared in the sky, its runes pulsing like a beating heart. The *Skyfall Domain* — gateway to a trial left behind by an extinct sect.
They entered. Inside was a boundless desert, where illusions mirrored their deepest desires. Chen Yi saw his lost sister, Qin Lian saw her dead master, and Yang Lin saw… himself — standing atop broken heavens, eyes empty.
He struck the illusion down. "I don't chase crowns," he said. "I forge them."
The desert turned to glass beneath his feet, acknowledging his will.
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### **Chapter 167 — The City of Bones**
They reached a ruined metropolis carved from the skeletons of titans. Each building hummed with sealed energy. When Yang Lin placed his palm on a pillar, runes awakened, releasing spectral warriors.
Hundreds of skeletal cultivators rose, their cultivation ranging from **Qi Condensation – 9th Layer** to **Venerable Realm – 3rd Layer**.
Yang Lin unleashed the *Requiem Flame* within his heart — souls ignited silently, dissolving into light.
As ashes rained, he whispered, "Rest, old ones. Your duty's done."
The City of Bones bowed in radiant silence before collapsing into dust.
---
### **Chapter 168 — The Hunter from the North**
A new pursuer appeared — *Bei Rong*, a bounty hunter from the Northern Heavens, **Incarnation Realm – 2nd Layer**, carrying a bounty scroll marked *Yang Lin — Eliminate at all cost*.
The two met in midair.
"You shouldn't exist," Bei Rong said coldly.
"Neither should fear," Yang Lin replied.
Their battle ripped open the firmament — Void energy versus incarnate spirit. When it ended, Bei Rong knelt, defeated but alive.
"Why spare me?"
"Because one day," said Yang Lin, "you'll remember who you were before the hunt."
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### **Chapter 169 — The Chain of Realms**
During rest, Yang Lin meditated under a silver moon. He analyzed the cultivation chain — the endless climb that had defined all existence.
"Qi, Venerable, Tribulation, Void Dao… every realm a cage made by someone above," he mused.
His eyes turned azure. "Then I'll break the chain itself."
A ripple spread across the land, sensed by distant powers. Somewhere far away, ancient beings stirred — the ones from the *World Creator Realm* — whispering, *He's coming.*
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### **Chapter 170 — The Fall of the Silver Pagoda**
To reach the surface world, they had to cross the *Silver Pagoda*, guarded by mechanical monks forged from divine metal.
Each automaton fought with perfect unity, their leader holding power equal to **Incarnation Realm – 3rd Layer**.
Yang Lin faced them alone, void blades materializing around him. For hours he fought — every slash echoing like thunder, every wound carving deeper willpower.
When dawn broke, the pagoda collapsed. Yang Lin emerged, blood-stained, breathing slow.
Qin Lian whispered, "You could've died."
He smiled faintly. "Death's just another reflection."
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### **Chapter 171 — Heaven's Rumor**
Back in the mortal realms, rumors exploded: *A youth named Yang Lin, age 20, killed an Incarnation-Realm lord with bare hands.*
Sect elders debated his origin, empires whispered his name with both fear and hope.
Meanwhile, Yang Lin gazed at a distant mountain where the winds howled like prophecy.
"I've walked through reflections, shadows, and blood," he said quietly. "Next… I walk through Heaven itself."
His aura surged — the threshold to **Incarnation Realm – 1st Layer** began to fracture.
Lightning gathered around him, signaling that destiny was about to open another door.