He awakened from the Ancient Coffin of gold, and the three pitch-black chains binding him abruptly snapped.
The Qilin Immortal Palace trembled violently.
His consciousness seemed to fuse further with this immense tomb.
This was not his power.
If nothing unexpected happened, this must be the true Qilin Venerable preparing to break free.
This Qilin Immortal Palace had originally been constructed as a tomb for It.
Yet, over the course of more than two thousand years, the Supreme sealed in the depths of darkness never ceased trying to leave this place, using Its power every moment to erode this dimension.
As the three chains shattered, the Qilin Immortal Palace in Gu Jianlin's mind grew increasingly tangible, as if dense, dark mist spread out, shrouding the massive floating islands in shadowy depths.
Gu Jianlin realized that as he continued breaking free from his constraints, while in his transformed state as the Qilin Venerable, he could glimpse the outside world from this tomb—and perhaps even take control in the future!
This island had three layers.
Sunken wastelands beneath the ocean.
An island still floating atop the desolate seas.
And an enormous floating island suspended above the heavens.
A spine-like column reaching sky and earth pierced through them.
He could also feel the Qilin Immortal Palace in his mind growing increasingly stable, with only a few visible cracks.
These seemed to be tunnels through time and space, linking various entrances to the deep interior of the Immortal Palace.
The scope of the Qilin Immortal Palace defied imagination, impossible to comprehend with ordinary concepts of space and time. He could feel countless life rhythms resonating here, like the roar of waves across a vast ocean.
Some brimmed with vitality, while others were eerily stagnant.
Most belonged to humans who had entered the Ancient God Realm from the real world—their life rhythms were distinctly vibrant, large in scale, sometimes gathered, sometimes scattered, spread across various regions but not delving too deep.
Some were the Fallen, sick beyond redemption, with chaotic and erratic life rhythms.
Gu Jianlin attempted to perceive further. This time, in the depths of infinite silence, he sensed terrifying life rhythms buried in the darkness—howling like Evil Spirits.
Even he felt deeply apprehensive.
Of course, his apprehension stemmed from knowing that, in his human state, he stood no chance at all.
But once he transformed into the Qilin Venerable, fear was no longer an emotion he possessed—he looked down on everyone.
"Could it be the Kui Dragon Ancestor?"
Gu Jianlin murmured to himself, "Or perhaps some other ghostly thing?"
Over two thousand years ago, after two Supremes fought their decisive battle here, this Ancient God world was buried within the chaotic flow of time-space—until eight years ago, when it returned to the human realm.
During those two millennia, it was possible the dimensional door of the Qilin Immortal Palace had been opened before.
Who knows how many people, seeking the power of the Ancient Gods and the secrets of immortality, had recklessly entered here from the Qin Dynasty to now—only to end up turning into neither-human-nor-ghost abominations.
Many who crossed over in consciousness claimed to have seen a corpse rising from the Ancient Coffin.
The mere thought of it sent shivers down the spine—what kind of monstrosity could that be?
Alright, Gu Jianlin muttered to curse at himself.
He was the biggest "corpse" in the Qilin Immortal Palace.
"This is the Qilin Immortal Palace… if only I could escape from here."
By now, Gu Jianlin had pieced it all together.
The Qilin Immortal Palace—it was just a name.
Xu Fu likely used alchemy to construct the outer bronze palace.
Then came the actual tomb sealing the Qilin Venerable.
And the secret passage leading deep into the tomb.
Humans lack the capabilities to create a world of this colossal scale.
Within the Qilin Immortal Palace lingered an aura that made him deeply uncomfortable—it was the golden radiance burning fiercely in the darkness.
Its vastness unknown, blazing wildly!
The Heavenly Person Realm!
Just as Gu Jianlin sought to perceive more, the mist surrounding the floating islands suddenly churned violently.
From the shadows emerged a terrifying fissure, the roaring Nether River raging in the darkness, with blood rain cascading across the skies. A colossal pillar piercing the heavens and the earth rose amidst the distant echoes of a dragon roar.
Two divine vertical pupils, crackling with storm and lightning, ignited within the darkness.
Crimson as blood, seductive and eerie!
This time, Gu Jianlin had somehow sensed her arrival beforehand!
Apparently, his connection with the Qilin Immortal Palace had grown stronger, though he still couldn't prevent her descent.
But at least he could anticipate it now.
Like the collapse of heavens and earth, an overwhelming pressure swept down upon him.
Gu Jianlin's mind roared in chaos, his soul trembling with screams, his mental defenses shattering.
He had to admit, even among Supremes, there were gaps in power.
Especially now, during his weakened state. Even if she wasn't at her peak, she was far too strong for him.
It felt as though the world was plunging into an abyss.
Gu Jianlin braced against the collapsing weight of the heavens and earth, forcing himself to remain composed.
His golden eyes burned fiercely, unyieldingly locking gazes with the crimson vertical pupils.
On the edge, ancient hymns faintly resonated amidst the chaos.
Her voice—like chiming wind bells, ethereal yet fierce as thunder tearing through the skies—resounded with boundless authority.
She spoke softly, "Return it to me."
Gu Jianlin could no longer think, his mind drowned in endless reverberations.
It felt as though destruction was imminent.
Anyone else in his position would've been obliterated instantly.
Though he carried the status of Supreme, sheer pressure couldn't break him.
But his endurance was, after all, still that of a mere human.
The situation was delicate.
He wouldn't die, but he was miserably uncomfortable.
Perfect—exactly the desired outcome.
Unable to discern what she wanted, Gu Jianlin merely held his stance, summoning his last ounce of strength.
On the verge of mental collapse, he spoke coldly: "Candle Dragon, you've grown weaker."
A fleeting glimpse of an unparalleled, blood-red silhouette flashed before his eyes.
Those crimson vertical pupils burned with divine wrath!
Gu Jianlin's mental defenses crumbled entirely, forcibly pulling him back into the human realm!
Darkness overtook him completely, with faint stars flickering intermittently.
A deafening hum filled his ears.
The breakdown of his mental state flooded his body with fatigue, leaving him drenched in cold sweat and utterly weakened.
He collapsed onto the toilet seat, gasping heavily for air.
What on earth was that?
The First Generation Qilin Venerable could actually fight this woman.
"But what did she just say? To return what to her?"
Gu Jianlin muttered softly.
The Candle Dragon Venerable's pressure far surpassed that slaughter-domain nonsense.
Clenching his teeth, Gu Jianlin revisited the structures of the Qilin Immortal Palace in his mind.
Sister, wait for me—I'm coming!
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