Chapter 492: The Beginning

He is returning.

Lin Chuan and the Human Ancestor's gazes simultaneously turned toward the unified Black Mist.

The Black Mist gradually shapeshifted.

It formed a humanoid shape identical to theirs, yet still without facial features.

"We meet again."

He looked at Lin Chuan, "Congratulations, you have once again reached the end of destiny."

"An Ying Zhu?"

Lin Chuan frowned, once again sensing the fluctuations of Shikong law; all his expectations and plans still diverged.

The reason for the misjudgment was simple.

It was that An Ying Zhu possessed an ability akin to his "Dream Reincarnation."

In countless Dream Reincarnations, Lin Chuan reached the end only once; lacking ample reference, everything could only be guessed.

The Human Ancestor sensed something amiss; previously Lin Chuan said he saw a glimpse of the future, but now it was far more than merely "seeing the future."

An Ying Zhu calmly said, "I have said before, no matter how many times I return, the outcome is the same."

"Then let's try."

Lin Chuan said no more and, together with the Human Ancestor, attacked An Ying Zhu.

In this state, An Ying Zhu was not strong, yet a subtle power shielded him; no matter how Lin Chuan and the Human Ancestor assaulted, they could not erase him.

The Star River fractured, and the void trembled.

The battle on both sides seemed endless.

"Chuan, have you noticed?" the Human Ancestor transmitted.

"Hmm."

Lin Chuan sensed an anomaly, "No matter how we assault, we cannot reach An Ying Zhu's true life thread; he seems to have a part outside this Shikong."

Before, Lin Chuan hadn't thought so, due to insufficient understanding.

Now, having witnessed An Ying Zhu's strangeness, he naturally associated more things.

The Human Ancestor's thoughts differed, for being a born Ancient God, his perspective on this matter was clearer, and he guessed the clue.

The Human Ancestor asked, "Have you seen An Ying Zhu in the future?"

"I have."

Lin Chuan gave a brief explanation, "You can treat it as a dream; at the end of my dream I killed An Ying Zhu."

"But he uttered those words."

"No matter how many times I return, I will wait for me at the end of destiny."

"After waking, I resolved to take an unconventional path to reverse everything, so the tragedy would not recur."

"I see," the Human Ancestor speculated, "An Ying Zhu's own realm should be at a higher level."

"Higher than the Fifth Layer of the Immortal Realm we imagined."

"Perhaps the Sixth, the Seventh, at least mastering the power to transcend the river of time."

"So..." Lin Chuan said gravely, "If we do not reach that tier, we cannot erase him?"

"In theory, that is so."

The Human Ancestor sighed lightly, "But if he truly attained that realm, killing us would be too easy, it wouldn't have come to this point."

A shock rang in Lin Chuan's heart, and he suddenly understood, "So, he is under some restriction."

The two exchanged a glance.

The Human Ancestor voiced his inner speculation, "The restriction on him should have two aspects; the first originates from himself."

"Because of this limitation, only under certain conditions does he transform into An Ying Zhu."

"On the other hand, there must be another force pulling him."

"That force, standing on our side, perhaps even he himself does not know."

"Like the Black Mist, in most cases it lacks An Ying Zhu's sentient intelligence, being a mass that writhes by instinctual awareness."

The Human Ancestor's reasoning was clear; each hypothesis enlightened Lin Chuan.

Lin Chuan murmured.

"That force, even he himself does not know?"

"Most of the time lacking sentient intelligence?"

"Only awakening at crucial moments?"

For some reason, a figure spontaneously surfaced in Lin Chuan's mind.

It was the little maid Xiao Ya Huan Lü Ya who had always been by his side.

"Could it really be so?"

Combining the previous anomalies, Lin Chuan thought more and more that this possibility existed.

In his perception, the Living World had passed a long time, and his sister Lin Yangyang had already set foot in the Immortal Realm.

Bringing Lü Ya, they came toward this Starry Sky.

"I understand."

Lin Chuan, his mood heavy, said, "Human Ancestor, are you confident you can stall An Ying Zhu? Perhaps I have already found a solution."

"Hmm."

The Human Ancestor nodded, unsurprised, "Go then; before you return, I will guard everything here."

"Alright!"

Lin Chuan clasped his hands in thanks, turned away, and rushed toward the Starry Sky where Lü Ya had come.

Traverse the Starry Sky.

He did not know how many years had passed, and he saw Lü Ya.

"Young master!"

Seeing Lin Chuan, Lü Ya ran up excitedly, threw herself into his arms, "Young master, I finally see you, I've missed you so much."

Lü Ya was still the same Lü Ya, simple‑minded, completely unaware of the danger.

The more so, the more it matched Lin Chuan's and Human Ancestor's speculation.

Just as Black Mist was restrained, left only with instinct, everything about Lü Ya had a similarly subtle yet effective quality.

"Chuan'er, how is Black Mist?"

Lin Yangyang asked.

"There is a solution, but it may take some time; the strong one from another Living World, 'Human Ancestor', is dealing with it."

Lin Chuan briefly explained the situation.

Lin Yangyang glanced at Lü Ya, then at Lin Chuan, and understood, "I'll go aid Human Ancestor; you go do what you must."

"Sister, be careful."

Lin Chuan originally intended to end all this on his own, but with his sister arriving, it was destined not to end.

Fortunately, An Ying Zhu's current state is not strong; Yang Zu and Human Ancestor are, aside from him, the two strongest of the Living Worlds.

Stalling for a while is not difficult.

Soon, Lin Yangyang left, rushing to the battlefield where Human Ancestor faced Black Mist.

Lin Chuan, meanwhile, took Lü Ya to a dead, silent star.

"Young master, what are we doing here?" Lü Ya asked, puzzled.

"I'll tell you later," Lin Chuan said, looking into her eyes, silently thinking, "System, I want to restart the Dream Cycle!"

【Warm tip: …】

"No need for a tip, just open it for me."

Lin Chuan forcibly interrupted the system's casting, "Plant Dream Seed."

【Ding! Congratulations, host, you have completed planting the 'Dream Seed', target: Lü Ya.】

【You have met the basic condition to initiate Dream Cycle Linkage with 'Lü Ya'.】

Then Lin Chuan purchased the Forced Trait (Initial).

He wants to see the very first life where he and Lü Ya met in the chaotic timeline.

Complete all prerequisites.

Lin Chuan built a cozy little house, led Lü Ya into the room, and quietly lay on the bed.

Lü Ya blushed, heart racing, "Young master, what are we doing? Sister is still fighting the villains, shouldn't we go help?"

"No more questions, sleep," Lin Chuan said, closing his eyes.

"Alright then."

"Young master, I can't fall asleep; may I hug you while sleeping?"

"Yes."

Lin Chuan silently consented.

Only then did Lü Ya approach, snuggling against him, her breathing becoming soft, lingering, rhythmic, and soon she fell into dreamland.

System prompts followed.

…

【A new Dream Cycle is about to begin.】