Then, finally, the moment arrived when the ship of his own family, the Hu family, made its appearance. An imposing construction, forged from pearlescent metal and imbued with Void Qi. BaiShe couldn't help but smirk ironically at the presence of certain figures he knew all too well: the White Tiger.
Among them, he immediately noticed Guowei. The latter stood proudly at the forefront, his expression oozing with arrogance, as if he were already assured of victory. Around him, several Saint-Sage rank guards stood ready to intervene at the slightest sign of threat.
There was also one of the elders, who obviously wouldn't follow him into the ruins. He quickly recognized Hu Zhen and Hu Fei, and finally, Ling'er was also present, though she remained more discreet, her gaze fixed elsewhere, as if none of this concerned her.
"The ancestral families are all here…" whispered a young cultivator beside him, his eyes shining with admiration.
"Of course. The Eternal Ruins only open once in decades. There's no way they'd miss this opportunity," another replied excitedly.
"Look at that ship… That's the Hu family, isn't it?"
"Yes, they're formidable. But between us, the Feng family isn't far behind…"
"It's unfair. We, the lesser sects, barely stand a chance against them. They're born with resources and techniques we'll never have."
"That's the way of the world. Strength and lineage determine everything."
Ignoring these insignificant cultivators, he turned his gaze toward Guowei, who had finally noticed him. The latter's smile stretched further as their eyes met, a smile that was nothing but a provocation.
"BaiShe," he said loudly, drawing attention to them. "I didn't expect to see you here."
BaiShe didn't respond. He simply fixed Guowei with an impassive stare before turning away.
Guowei narrowed his eyes slightly before bursting into laughter.
"You're playing the distant, arrogant young master. I hope you won't grovel to spare yourself in the ruins."
"..." Still no response.
The words stirred some of the cultivators around them. Some looked at BaiShe as if he were afraid. After all, he had lost everything, and Guowei now had everything in his possession to extort him, even if he didn't kill him. But in reality, BaiShe intended to create an image—not necessarily a good person, that was tedious to maintain, but a cold individual living only to avenge himself against the Devourer.
Suddenly, a piercing cry tore through the air, vibrating the eardrums of the cultivators present. A colossal shadow stretched across the sky, and through the clouds, a gigantic sword appeared, slicing through space with a silent yet immeasurably powerful movement. On its blade floated a man dressed elegantly, his white hair billowing in the wind like silk threads. His sharp gaze swept over the crowd with cold detachment. He was one of the greatest masters of the Moon Sword sect, a name no one here could ignore.
Following him, other ships emerged, each announcing the arrival of a formidable power. A floating palace carved from ethereal crystal appeared, its luminous walls reflecting the setting sun's light. BaiShe immediately recognized the Ethereal Soul family.
Then, another colossus split the sky, a moving structure covered in eternal snow. There was no need to guess its owner: Snowy Night Mountain, one of the oldest pillars of the Immortal Clan, had just revealed itself. Hooded figures stood on its flanks, already sizing up their future opponents.
But it was the last arrival that made BaiShe shiver. An azure dragon took shape in the clouds, its titanic body undulating with undeniable majesty. Then, in an instant, the illusion dissipated, revealing a massive floating carriage: the Imperial Family.
As these powerful lineages unveiled themselves, the rift at the center of the sky began to pulse violently. Space itself seemed incapable of containing the energy it emitted. Black lightning crackled along its edges, tearing reality like invisible claws. A shockwave rippled through the assembly, shaking the weakest.
A violent wind blew, laden with Qi so dense it was almost tangible. But beyond this familiar energy, another force was present. BaiShe recognized it immediately. It wasn't ordinary Qi. It was Aether, a pure and divine energy, the kind used by gods. His heart tightened slightly.
"These natives won't be as easy to handle."
The rift widened further, pouring chaotic light. Some cultivators, impatient, immediately rushed toward the opening, convinced they'd be the first to reach the treasures of the Eternal Ruins. BaiShe didn't move, observing the scene with coldness.
The next instant, a deafening tremor shook the space. An explosion of Qi and Aether burst from the rift like an uncontrollable storm, sweeping everything in its path.
Thousands of cultivators were disintegrated in an instant. Not even a cry escaped their lips. Only a rain of ashes fell slowly.
Around him, silence had settled, disturbed only by the wind carrying the last remnants of those who had perished.
"The weak die before even starting."
His eyes remained fixed on the rift, whose tremors were beginning to subside. The black lightning had dissipated, and the energy was gradually becoming more stable.
"It's time."
He didn't wait any longer and rose, entering the portal.
Around him, millions of other cultivators followed, plunging into the unknown under the greedy and predatory gazes of their rivals.
***
PanGu sat in his favorite pavilion, a cup of hot tea between his fingers, gazing pensively at the sky. The rift leading to the Eternal Ruins had just opened, drawing all the world's powers. Even the Cloud Dynasty, which usually stayed out of mortal affairs, had sent its emissaries.
He brought the cup to his lips but stopped abruptly. The silence had thickened in an unnatural way. He lowered his eyes to his tea. The surface of the liquid trembled slightly, as if an invisible wave were passing through it. With a fluid motion, he tossed the tea backward. Instead of spilling, the liquid transformed into fine black ice blades, slicing through the air with precision.
"Still as precise," a calm voice murmured.
She stood there, straight and impassive, observing the projectiles frozen in time as if their very existence were a banality. Then, with the tip of her index finger, she touched one of them. The resulting wave reduced the blades to a fine snow.
PanGu sighed and slowly set down his cup. His piercing gaze rested on her without hesitation.
"What are you doing here, Sijin?"