Chapter 117: Spatial Rifts

High above a majestic, verdant mountain wreathed in swirling mists, streaks of dark, ominous vapor descended from the heavens. They soon converged upon the highest, most jagged peak of the range, where a young man cloaked in black stood at the center of the gathering shadows.

"It seems we are too late," the young man in the black robe muttered to himself, shaking his head as he watched three figures retreating into the distance below.

"Indeed, what a pity! This affair is truly bizarre. To think that even the formidable Dark Guards were swallowed into the earth without the slightest ability to resist—such power is terrifying. Could this be the heritage site left behind by some ancient powerhouse, or perhaps..."

"Master Li, you jest," the young man in black interrupted with a faint smile. "In a place as densely populated as this, how could there possibly be any ancient heritage? If there were, it would have long since been unearthed by the Spirit Lord; it would never have fallen to us."

Hearing this, Master Li, who had been somewhat excited and expectant, felt as if a basin of cold water had been poured over him. His enthusiasm vanished instantly. "That is true. But in your opinion, Brother Xie, could this be the work of human hands?"

"Exactly. Master Li is quick to grasp the point. If I am not mistaken, these people are still deep underground, merely separated by some barrier. But for us, they are nothing to fear. If they had the strength to resist, they would not be cowering and hiding."

"Still... if we allow them to continue their insolence, it will be quite problematic."

Xie Xin pondered for a moment, his gaze sweeping coldly over the hazy, abyss-like crater at his feet before he continued.

"Are you suggesting, Brother Xie... that we eradicate them entirely? But they come and go like shadows, leaving no trace. I fear it will be a long time before they reappear, and forcing them out will be incredibly difficult!"

"Brother Xie, how could we possibly root them out?" Master Li asked, stunned and clearly incredulous.

Xie Xin did not answer. He merely smiled at Master Li’s confusion and turned his gaze toward the six hazy gray shadows hovering behind him. "Greed, Sorrow, Cold, Cruelty, Meanness, and Fury—this matter is of grave importance. I hope you will assist me."

"Speak..." A voice as cold as the depths of winter emanated from the six shadows after a moment of silence.

"Since those people below refuse to emerge, I shall force them to. I request that you travel to other continents and abduct a number of humans who have not yet been touched by the dark essence. If they are so eager to play the hero, I shall give them more than enough lives to save." Xie Xin’s expression was as cold and detached as a lone wolf, his eyes glinting with malice as a faint smile touched his lips.

"Slaughter! Slaughter is coming once again!"

"Those people are so pitiable, but I love it! Hahaha..."

"Hmph! Such petty compassion will only become the blade that pierces their own hearts in the end!"

"Death? By comparison, I am far more interested in the mysterious artifacts buried underground. That golden, shimmering luster—how dazzling it must be!"

As Xie Xin finished speaking, four of the six gray shadows erupted into cackling laughter, each voicing their own twisted desires. Only "Cold" and "Sorrow," the two previously named, stood by in stony silence, seemingly unmoved by the chaos.

"Please, I urge you all to act with haste," Xie Xin said, bowing his head toward the gray figures.

Before he could finish, the six shadows dissolved into wisps of dark mist and vanished into the horizon. Seeing them depart, Master Li felt a slight easing of his heavy heart.

"I understand. Brother Xie, you intend to lure them into a trap. This is a brilliant strategy—this way, they will surely be exposed!" Master Li glanced cautiously at the spot where the shadows had disappeared, his expression a mix of awe and fear, before turning back to Xie Xin. "But... those six?"

"Master Li, rest assured. Even if you do not trust me, you must trust them. I will say no more; whether this succeeds or fails depends on the whims of fate."

*Crackle!*

Just as Xie Xin was about to continue, a ripple of dark lightning streaked down from the sky. Hearing the sound, Master Li turned, discovering a middle-aged man dressed in fiery red robes kneeling before Xie Xin.

"Protector... I..." the man began, head bowed.

"How can you hope to achieve great things when you are so flustered? Do not blame yourself; I already know everything. Begone!" Xie Xin’s face darkened, and he waved his hand, cutting the man off.

"Thank you for your mercy, Protector. However, there is one more thing..."

"It is about Chu Yun of the Chu Estate, is it not? He is indeed highly suspicious. Why would he appear here for no reason and involve himself in such trivial matters that do not concern him? No matter. Tonight, we shall put him to the test. Go and make the preparations..."

...

Deep beneath the earth, within a rift in space.

The sky was a brilliant, vivid blue, streaked with pristine white clouds. A refreshing breeze carried the seeds of colorful dandelions, which drifted through the air like a sea of floating stars. Flowers, as bright as fire and as white as snow, bloomed in competition, filling the air with fragrance.

In the center of an vast, boundless grassland, under the gentle warmth of the sun and the caress of the breeze, a massive, multicolored magic circle began to pulse. Driven by the energy of the surrounding world, it erupted into a colossal beam of light that reached toward the heavens...

"Where is this?"

"How did we end up here?"

"Such beautiful scenery! It is truly rare in this world!"

"Is this the time to admire the view? Are we dead? Have we entered the cycle of reincarnation?"

"No! I don't want to forget! I don't want to be reincarnated!"

As the beam of light faded, a group of people suddenly appeared in the center of the formation. Seeing their surroundings, they erupted into a clamor, for such a sight was beyond anything they had ever heard of or seen. There were no buildings, no foul miasma—only clear, pure air and an endless, boundless expanse.

"A celestial paradise on earth, a grassland landscape that intoxicates the soul!"

As the dizzying darkness finally receded, a scholar in white robes among the group gazed around with a look of pure fascination. He showed no sign of panic, his face radiant with genuine joy as he looked up at the sky and the vast plains.

Just as he began to walk toward the beautiful scenery, a figure materialized out of thin air to block his path. The newcomer was also dressed in white, with a tall, handsome frame.

"Do not be alarmed, everyone. You are safe now. I am Yi Sha, a disciple of one of the four great sects of the Central Divine Continent. I ask that you reside here for a time. The scenery is beautiful, and the resources are abundant—you will be entirely self-sufficient. This place is no less magnificent than the world above..."