At the very center of the Umbral Expanse, Lu Yin used his domain to watch as An Jiu and the others demonstrated their various battle techniques while he tried to find any possible clue that might reveal a connection to the Origin Universe.0

It was impossible to determine any specific connection between the two universes with just Inverse Step, as Progenitor Chen had clearly not been the first person to master the movement technique. He had merely been one of the people to learn it.1

Each universe had its own unique characteristics. The Umbral Universe was certainly not a weak universe, and its people had developed many battle techniques, all of which were reliant on the ever present darkness.0

The universe’s darkness was a unique form of power, much like stellular energy, and Lu Yin could even start cultivating the power if he chose to.0

While contemplating the matter, Lu Yin failed to notice that, as An Jiu demonstrated his battle techniques, the Umbral Expanse was growing darker and darker.0

At the beginning, it had been impossible to see anything clearly on the continent, as it was even darker than outer space in the Umbral Universe, but that darkness was growing even more intense.0

An Jiu deliberately slowed his breathing so that he did not reveal any sign of abnormality. He was indeed demonstrating a battle technique, but this particular battle technique only had a single purpose: to awaken their ancestor.0

The Umbral Universe...4