“Qianye… Qianye…”

The calling appeared once again. He moved ever so slightly in an attempt to open his eyes, but it felt as though there was a mountain pressing down on his eyelids. He couldn’t open them no matter how hard he tried. He was gasping, but not as a normal person would. Every part of his body was respiring, so he didn’t feel as great a discomfort.

Just like an origin array coming back to life, he gradually began to sense some parts of his body and could command them to make small movements. Energy rolled into his body, seeping in through his skin and rousing his slumbering shell.

He finally opened his eyes.

Before him was an azure screen of water, and on the other side was a familiar countenance—Nighteye.

Qianye struggled to sit up, but all he managed to do was raise a single hand. Overjoyed, Nighteye reached out and carried him out of the water.

Qianye looked around in puzzlement and realized that he was in a dark, ancient hall. The walls were covered in relief sculptures, which seemed worn despite them being indoors. It would seem this hall had been around for countless...