From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 536 The Price of the Collapsed Magic Array

A surge of pure spiritual energy flowed from Wen Chen's warm palm, instantly entering my meridians like a warm current and forcefully suppressing the turbulent tremors in my mind.

But that voice, like a curse, echoed again and again in the depths of my mind—he said that he was my true master.

How can it be?

My master is the only one who reached out to me when I was reduced to a cripple and abandoned by my family. He brought me back to the sect and carefully taught me to rebuild my spiritual roots.

His voice, his smile, and his image are etched into my very bones.

What gives this cowardly, cold-tongued fellow the right to impersonate my master?

"Yao'er?" Wen Chen's voice was full of urgency and worry. He gripped my hand tighter, as if trying to use his power to shield me from all disturbances. "Answer me, who exactly is it?"

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to pull myself out of that moment of shock.

I shook my head, not to deny it, but to try to shake off the irritating echo in my mind.

I looked up at Wen Chen, and also at the Void Immortal, Zi Ling, and Elder Qing Feng who had gathered around. Their faces were all filled with solemnity.

“He said…” My voice was a little dry, and each word was spoken with great difficulty, “He said that he is my true master.”

The moment these words were spoken, the air seemed to freeze instantly.

Zi Ling abruptly swallowed her exclamation. Elder Qingfeng's brows furrowed into a knot, and even the usually composed Kongling Immortal showed a hint of disbelief in his eyes.

"Nonsense!" Wen Chen reacted the most fiercely, his aura instantly becoming sharp. "Immortal Venerable Yunya has been incredibly kind to you. This person must be a demon from the Netherworld Sect, trying to disturb your mind!"

I did not refute him, because my first reaction was no different from his.

This must be a psychological warfare tactic employed by the enemy.

But why?

Why this particular sentence?

Why does that fluctuation of power resonate so strongly with the mysterious seal within my body?

It's as if two magnets that were originally one finally sensed each other's existence after being separated for thousands of years.

"Yao'er," the ethereal immortal pondered for a moment, his expression regaining its usual wisdom and profundity, "Don't rush to conclusions. Do you remember the jade slip I gave you?"

I instinctively gripped the jade slip in my sleeve; its cool touch calmed my chaotic thoughts slightly.

"remember."

“The power of that phantom, the voice in your mind, and the seal within you all likely point to the same source.” He pointed to the magic array, which was already riddled with cracks and on the verge of collapse. “And this source is very likely at the other end of this passage. It is no coincidence that this person chose to speak to you at this time; his purpose may be to lure you there.”

Before he finished speaking, the ground beneath our feet suddenly sank!

"Boom!" The last bit of light at the core of the magic array went out completely, and rubble flew everywhere.

What was originally just a cracked array eye is now like a mirror shattered by a tremendous force, with countless fragments collapsing inward to form a constantly rotating and expanding black vortex.

A surge of bloodlust and chaotic energy, a hundred times more concentrated than before, erupted from it, carrying a chilling aura capable of freezing even the soul.

That was not simply energy, but a will, a call from the abyss, filled with death and despair.

"Oh no! The magic array is completely destroyed, and the passage is out of control!" Zi Ling exclaimed. She and Elder Qing Feng immediately raised their protective spiritual light to resist the erosion of that aura.

At the edge of the black vortex, space was torn apart with countless tiny, irregular cracks, emitting a teeth-grinding "sizzling" sound.

It is like a primordial beast that devours its prey, opening its gaping maw to the unknown and death.

Everyone was on high alert, and the atmosphere was extremely tense.

However, in that deep darkness, I felt a faint, almost imperceptible pull.

The feeling was strange, both dangerous and deadly alluring.

It felt as if something that belonged to me was waiting for me to retrieve it at the end of that darkness.

Is it that erased memory? Or is it my true origin story?

"Don't waste your energy, you can't escape the cycle of fate." The voice rang out again, this time not just echoing in my mind, but seemingly coming from the center of the black vortex, carrying a hint of mockery and sigh, "Come back, my... disciple."

This time, I heard it clearly.

He didn't say "You are my disciple," but rather "Come back."

I suddenly looked up and stared intently at the darkness.

escape?

These two words have never existed in my dictionary, Xiao Yao's dictionary.

If I could rise from the ashes in my past life, I will not be scared off by a pretentious charlatan in this life.

Whoever he is, whatever his purpose, he should never have used the word "Master" to shake my resolve to follow the Dao.

This touched a nerve.

I straightened up, and the chaotic power within my body began to flow slowly, no longer to repair the magic array, but to prepare for an unpredictable battle.

I gently pushed away Wen Chen's still tightly clenched hand, not to refuse him, but to indicate that he didn't need to worry about me.

"Yao'er, you..." Wen Chen

"I have to go." My tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable resolve.

I looked at him, and at the others, and said, word by word, “You all heard it. He knows I exist; he can even transmit his voice directly into my mind. This means that no matter where I hide, he can find me. In that case, instead of passively waiting for him to make a move, I'd rather take the initiative and go in to see what he's up to.”

"It's too dangerous!" Zi Ling exclaimed anxiously. "Nobody knows what's behind this crack! What if it's the Netherworld Sect's lair? Wouldn't we be walking right into their trap?"

“Ziling is right,” Elder Qingfeng echoed. “Xiao Yao, this matter needs careful consideration. We can retreat to our sect first, unite with the righteous factions, and then make further plans.”

I shook my head, my gaze resolute: "It's too late. From the moment he was able to pinpoint my location and knew about the seal within me, this game began. He's already made his move; if I don't respond, I'll lose everything. Besides..."

I paused, then raised my hand to my chest, where memories of my past life intertwined with emotions of this life, and where the power of chaos and a mysterious seal coexisted.

"I have a feeling that the answers to all the mysteries that have been troubling me, including why I was reborn and why I possess the power of chaos, are all in there."

This is not only to seek the truth, but also to sever the karmic entanglements that are binding me.

This person who calls himself "Master," and the Netherworld Sect behind him, have become the biggest inner demon on my path of cultivation.

If I don't break this demon, I can forget about ever making any progress in my life.

The ethereal immortal had been silent until now. He slowly stepped forward and placed the jade slip back into my hand.

“Go.” He said only two words, but his eyes seemed to see through the past and the future. “Once the gears of fate start turning, they cannot stop. It is both a calamity and an opportunity. Remember, you are not alone.”

I nodded emphatically and gave him a grateful look.

Then, I turned to Wen Chen. His lips were tightly pressed together, and his obsidian-like eyes were churning with complex emotions that I couldn't understand—worry, anger, and above all, a resolute determination.

"I'll stay with you." He didn't waste any words, using only the three simplest words to state his position.

I smiled, a warm feeling welling up inside me.

I know that no matter what decision I make, he will stand by my side unconditionally.

This is enough.

"Okay," I replied.

Without further hesitation, I turned to face the black crack that was swallowing up all light.

It was like a gate to hell, but to me, it was more like the only path to break free from all constraints.

I took a deep breath, concentrated the power of chaos beneath my feet, and took that step.

The moment I stepped into the crevice, I felt as if I had been plunged into a huge, silent vortex.

The concepts of time and space are instantly stripped away; up, down, left, and right lose their meaning; and all five senses and six consciousnesses are blocked.

The only thing I could sense was the familiar and resolute aura following closely behind me—it was Wen Chen.

Immediately afterwards, several more auras followed, including Zi Ling, Elder Qing Feng, and even the Void Immortal.

They all came along.

Behind us, the crack suddenly closed, completely cutting us off from the way we came.

After endless darkness and deathly silence, a solid feeling finally came from underfoot, but the chilling aura felt like countless steel needles, piercing through the protective spiritual power and straight into the soul.

I know we've arrived.