Chapter 102: The Guardian of the Spatial Talisman

A sea of white clouds stretched endlessly, obscuring all the scenery around her. When Yinyao regained consciousness, she found herself alone in this strange world. The other four companions had vanished without a trace.

“Welcome to the Void Continent, little girl from the Wasteland Continent!”

A kindly elderly voice floated through the air, warm and gentle, stirring a sense of goodwill within Yinyao.

“May I ask who you are?” Yinyao asked politely, her tone respectful.

“Fear not, young one. I am merely the guardian of this spatial talisman. It’s been ages since anyone has managed to tear through it by sheer strength, as you and your friends just did. My curiosity drew me here this time. Hmm?” The old man’s voice faltered slightly, betraying a hint of puzzlement.

Sensing his hesitation, Yinyao inquired softly, “Elder, is something amiss?”

“Heh, old age, old age. I just sensed a faintly familiar aura emanating from you—strange, it feels as if someone with a similar presence passed through here not long ago. Let me think carefully... Ah, memory fails me more often these days! Wait a moment, young lady!” The old man’s chuckle was warm and inviting.

His approachable nature was a comfort to Yinyao. Had he been arrogant or dismissive, she might have been inclined to confront him. But she liked this old man. Moreover, from his words, she suspected that the familiar aura might belong to her mother, the Silver Fox.

“Ah, I remember now!” The old man’s voice rang out in surprise, betraying his excitement.

Yinyao tried to pinpoint his location, but his voice came from all directions, making it impossible to tell where he truly stood. She stepped forward and asked, “Then, Elder, can you tell me who it was?”

“Ah, that was about six years ago, I think. The spatial talisman was breached by those above, and they came to your homeland. They took a woman with them—a woman who, back in the Wasteland Continent, had hair as white as snow. Oddly enough, once brought to the Void Continent, her hair turned black again. At the time, I took special interest in her because of this. Who would have thought that six years later, I’d encounter a young girl whose aura closely resembles hers!”

His tone shifted suddenly, taking on a mischievous edge. “Young lady, what is your relationship with that woman? Don’t try to fool me—I can sense the connection between you two! I have my suspicions about your bond, so don’t try to hide it from this old man!”

Yinyao smiled wryly. She knew better than to lie to such a kindly elder, especially since she needed information.

“Elder, I will tell you the truth. That woman from six years ago should be my mother—the one I thought was lost to me. I am her daughter.”

“Ha! I believe you. If I recall correctly, that woman—whom you think is your mother—escaped from the Void Continent to the Wasteland Continent. Yes, I believe she came through here. At that time, she was heavily pregnant. I took pity on her and gave her some help. Only later did I learn her true identity. Quite extraordinary indeed!”

The old man’s voice held a tone of deep contemplation. He had never imagined that the Silver Fox had fled through his domain to the Wasteland Continent—and that he had once aided her.

“Elder, do you know who took my mother away?” Yinyao pressed, sensing a crucial lead.

“Sigh, young one, it’s not that I don’t want to tell you, but with your current strength, you would be powerless against them. However, I have something for you.” From the air, an ancient pouch floated down. Yinyao caught it and glanced at it before tucking it safely away. “Thank you, Elder.”

“Now, enough chatter. I shall send you to the Void Continent. Remember, soon your mind will be filled with knowledge—do not resist it; it will only aid you.” The elder’s voice faded into the distance.

A gust of wind swept through, and Yinyao closed her eyes, feeling her body suspended in midair. Her mind flooded with new knowledge: The Void Continent was ruled by the descendants of four great divine beast clans—the Dragon Clan, Phoenix Clan, Tiger Clan, and the divided White Fox and Nine-Tailed Fox Clans. Each occupied a direction: Dragon to the south, Phoenix to the east, Tiger to the west, and the White and Nine-Tailed Foxes to the north.

The inhabitants of the Void Continent were mostly those bearing the spiritual beast heritage, though a small number of ordinary humans dwelled there as well. Those common folk who failed to become powerful would be reduced to slaves.

Upon entering the Void Continent, the Void Realm was merely the starting point. Every newborn possessed the power of the Void Realm. Beyond it lay three higher stages: Void Sect, Void Emperor, and Void Sovereign—each subdivided into early, middle, and peak phases.

Armed with these basics, Yinyao slipped once more into unconsciousness. Yet before the darkness claimed her, she realized that when she awoke again, the true life of the Void Continent would begin.

...

Amidst a sea of flame, Ji Xuanyu awoke, the searing heat enveloping him. As he opened his eyes, a voice spoke.

“Welcome, young man of the Dragon Clan!”

Ji Xuanyu scanned his surroundings but could discern no source for the voice.

“You cannot find me! Calm yourself and listen carefully to this old man. If you regret it later, I won’t have the patience to repeat myself.”

Hearing the voice again, Ji Xuanyu steadied his mind and looked up into the empty air. “Elder, please speak.”

“Ha! Good lad! I’m here only to tell you that upon entering the Void Continent, you face a brand new world. You might be a formidable force in the Wasteland Continent, but here, you are among the most unremarkable. Every person born in the Void Continent wields the power of the Void Realm!”

The old man’s words were blunt, without pretense—just the way Ji Xuanyu needed to truly grasp the reality of this new world.

“You are a descendant of the Dragon Clan. With your strength on the Wasteland Continent, I expect the Dragon Clan will soon come seeking you here. Think carefully when that happens. I won’t say more. Now, I shall send you to the Void Continent. Remember well the knowledge that will soon flood your mind!”

The voice vanished, and a tongue of fire surged forth, engulfing Ji Xuanyu. His mind absorbed the incoming knowledge without resistance, until once more, consciousness slipped away.

...

In a dense primordial forest, Gu Xinyu stood atop a high mountain, surveying the land below. He did not understand why he had awakened here and longed for an explanation.

Suddenly, a voice broke the silence, startlingly abrupt. “Descendant of the Tiger King Clan, not bad at all! The strength of those who tore through the spatial talisman is truly extraordinary!”

“Who are you?” Gu Xinyu immediately became alert, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

“Ha! Young man, no need for alarm. I’m no villain—just the guardian of this spatial talisman! Rest assured, I mean you no harm!” The old man’s voice rang with playful amusement.

Though cautious, Gu Xinyu trusted his instincts and relaxed, addressing the air respectfully, “Elder, greetings.”

“Congratulations, young man. You return to the Void Continent, to your true home. Your ancestors never had such a chance. Those from the four great clans who were exiled to the Wasteland Continent rarely return here.”

“Exiled from the four great clans? Elder, what does that mean?” Gu Xinyu seized upon the critical detail, eager to understand.

“You have sharp ears! Well, you are a descendant of the Tiger Clan, one of the four great clans. Perhaps your ancestors erred and were banished by the ruling powers to the Wasteland Continent. The four great clans often do such things—quite normal. But you and your companions are the first I’ve seen return to the Void Continent. I hope you will create miracles!”

Gu Xinyu nodded thoughtfully.

“Enough talk. I shall now send you to the Void Continent. Prepare to receive the knowledge that will soon flood your mind.”

Like the others, Gu Xinyu closed his eyes and slipped into unconsciousness.

...

“Why a mutated Phoenix Clan member?” Yin Su had just regained consciousness when an elderly voice sighed nearby. She frowned, looking around at the misty void, unable to see anything clearly.

“Little girl, don’t look so hard. Your powers have mutated; the original form is hidden from your sight. Why did you let your powers mutate? If you go to the Void Continent like this, the Phoenix Clan will see you as an outcast. How will you survive there?” The old man was full of concern, sighing repeatedly.

Yin Su listened coldly, unmoved by the elder’s muttering. She hardly knew what the Phoenix Clan was or why he knew of her mutated powers. Her demeanor was detached, as if none of it concerned her.

Noticing her expression, the old man sighed again. “Alright, alright, let this old man meddle once more.” As he spoke, Yin Su felt a force forcibly enter her body, and she was powerless to resist.

After a while, the power withdrew. Yin Su fell into unconsciousness. While still semi-aware, a torrent of knowledge flooded her mind, and she endured the discomfort to absorb it before losing consciousness fully.

...

When Li Su awoke, he found himself beside a warm spring. A calm elder’s voice greeted him. Li Su smiled serenely and replied, “Guardian of the spatial talisman, greetings.”

“Ha! Seems you no longer need my guidance!” The elder vanished after speaking.

Li Su felt the old man’s departure with a smile, calmly awaiting the next loss of consciousness.

...

All five had encountered this mysterious elderly guardian of the spatial talisman. Just as the old man prepared to return to his chair for a well-deserved rest, he sensed another presence. Startled, he sprang up and hurried toward the source.

...