Chapter 296: Outsider

The Sacred Land of the Time-Space Island.

On that island hidden deep within layers of time-space, the Founder of the Time-Space Island, his body wrapped in bandages, stood at the island's edge, his gaze piercing through infinite time-space to observe the illusory future line.

"This Lin Qing…"

A flicker of shock and doubt surfaced in the Founder of the Time-Space Island's deep eyes. "He suddenly vanished from the universe, and after returning, I could no longer see his future line—I can't locate him anymore. And… he only went away once, yet his strength has advanced to this level?"

He has already crossed the threshold of future rules, thereby touching the origin of time-space, and with his Void-level divine office specializing in prediction, he excels at calculating the future.

Over these years, he has been constantly observing Lin Qing.

Any being not yet transcending the universe should, in theory, lie within his observation—even if they obtained relics from a Level-3 civilization or became entangled in great matters, it would only increase the difficulty of his observation, not render him completely blind.

"Unless… he is entangled with some higher Gao Wei entity…"

The Founder of the Time-Space Island narrowed his eyes slightly. "During the time he left the universe, which Level-3 civilization's small universe did he visit? The recent Lie Wang Realm?"

His gaze was complex.

As a transcendent, he naturally knew that Level-3 civilizations transcended time and space, existing as small universes beyond the cosmos. Lin Qing's sudden and total disappearance from the universe meant he had gone to one of these Level-3 civilizations.

According to his knowledge, the nearest Level-3 civilization to this era was the Lie Wang Realm, which frequently descended over the past thirty billion years, bestowing various opportunities.

The Lie Wang Realm could clearly use future lines to precisely select those geniuses with potential.

He, as the Founder of a Sacred Land, had never been granted entry into the Lie Wang Ruins—even if he somehow obtained the King's Seal, it would vanish on its own.

He had transcended the universe and believed his talent could not possibly be inferior to those youngsters, yet the Lie Wang Realm looked down on him.

Clearly, in the eyes of the Lie Wang Realm, his potential had been entirely spent the moment he became a transcendent—there was no further value in cultivating him.

"It's truly unbearable…"

The Founder of the Time-Space Island's eyes burned with intense resentment. "Because I wasn't born in a Level-3 civilization, you refuse to accept me? Not even one chance?"

He could transcend the universe, could depart from it.

But as a newly broken-limit transcendent, he dared not touch the dark ignorance beyond the universe, dared not remain outside it for long.

Each time he departed from the universe, he was slightly corroded by the darkness beyond.

With each departure, the portion of him corroded grew larger, until he was entirely consumed and reduced to nothing.

When the Yu Xingyuan Monarch caused the Great Extinction, he could leave the universe and hide beyond it for a time to easily avoid the Great Extinction—but each departure deepened his corrosion.

Over countless aeons, each escape from the Great Extinction accelerated his corrosion.

Even his avatars were useless—the corrosion penetrated deep into the soul and consciousness.

"That old thief Tian Yuan has survived so many aeons, and his corrosion is deeper than ever. If he leaves the universe again during this Great Extinction, his corrosion will deepen further—he might not survive…"

The Founder of the Time-Space Island narrowed his eyes. "He's showing such favor to Lin Qing—he clearly sees Lin Qing as his only hope. He'll surely act to help Lin Qing soon. I must find the right opportunity…"

The last time he gave his direct disciple's time talent and that chaotic divine artifact was merely a token of goodwill.

"But why hasn't that woman from the Ten Thousand Gods Hall taken any action?"

The Founder of the Time-Space Island frowned slightly. "After all… I still don't know her origins. She isn't Tian Yuan's disciple—then where did she come from?"

According to his knowledge.

Aside from Level-3 civilizations, only a 2.9-level civilization's Sacred Land, which has jumped beyond time-space, could possibly produce an ultimate genius with an 11th-level time talent.

But…

In Level-3 civilizations, there is no need to fear the Yu Xingyuan invasion every 38 million years, nor any Great Extinction that erases all life—why would a genius from a Level-3 civilization willingly throw himself into this cage?

Thus, Sacred Land Founders are almost always born within a Sacred Land, then reincarnated into other civilizations to elevate another into a civilization's Sacred Land.

For example, he himself was a disciple of the Tian Yuan Seat Founder.

Yet he did not know the origins of either the Tian Yuan Seat Founder or the Ten Thousand Gods Hall Founder.

Perhaps they came from some ancient Sacred Land of a bygone era—but he had completely failed to trace their origins.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, the Founder of the Time-Space Island turned his head slightly, gazing at a certain point in the Void Sea, then slowly furrowed his brow.

"What entered this Void Sea from beyond the universe?"

The Founder of the Time-Space Island's eyes revealed a trace of surprise.

With his mastery of time-space, the entire Void Sea lay within his perception—except for the other two Sacred Lands, the Shanhai Realm, and a handful of rare Void Sea hazards possibly linked to Level-3 civilizations, nothing escaped his observation.

Yet just now, he had detected an unknown entity suddenly entering this Void Sea from beyond the universe.

Even after carefully sensing, he found no trace of it.

"Where did it come from?"

The Founder of the Time-Space Island narrowed his eyes and did not hesitate—he immediately condensed a manifestation at that distant location across space.

…

Vast ocean.

Above a dark, silent sea, boundless energy quietly coalesced into one, instantly forming a figure wrapped in bandages.

Simultaneously, two other figures formed from boundless energy, rapidly taking shape—within moments, they became an old man in white robes with black hair, and a beautiful girl with blood-red long hair.

They were none other than the Three Sacred Land Founders, gathered here at this very moment.

"You all sensed it?"

The Tian Yuan Seat Founder glanced at the Founder of the Time-Space Island and the Ten Thousand Gods Hall Founder. "Any findings?"

"Unclear, but it's definitely an entity from beyond the universe," the Founder of the Time-Space Island said coldly. "Most likely a living being—it vanished the instant it entered this Void Sea."

"From a Level-3 civilization?" the Ten Thousand Gods Hall Founder murmured. "If it's alive, its life tier should be below ours—if a transcendent from a Level-3 civilization had come, we'd have noticed. Most likely, it's a non-transcendent."

"No idea which race it belongs to."

The Tian Yuan Seat Founder spoke slowly. "But this Void Sea is our human territory. Alien races wouldn't dare intrude casually—even mechanical allies must apply for permission."

The Founder of the Time-Space Island nodded slightly. "Then it's most likely human—from a Level-3 civilization?"

The Ten Thousand Gods Hall Founder smiled at him. "Even you, the best at detection, found no trace at all? Did you try observing its future line?"

"Cannot be traced." The Ancestor of the Space-Time Isle said calmly: "Nor can any future thread be found. Perhaps he is not an ordinary existence even in a Level-Three Civilization—perhaps he is not a typical Level-Three Civilization at all?"

The Ancestor of Tianyuan Seat chuckled: "Regardless of what Level-Three Civilization he belongs to, if he's willing to hide, even your abilities couldn't detect him, right?"

The Ancestor of the Space-Time Isle shot him a sharp glance and said coldly: "Even if our eyesight were poor, it wouldn't be as bad as yours. I wasn't born from a Level-Three Civilization either. When I reincarnated back then, didn't you fail to find me?"

"We were master and disciple. I merely gave you opportunities." The Ancestor of Tianyuan Seat smiled without changing expression. "If I truly meant to eradicate you completely, do you think you'd still be alive?"

"Then you're welcome to try again."

The Space-Time Isle let out a cold laugh and vanished from where he stood.

Above this stretch of ocean, only the Ancestor of Myriad Gods and the Ancestor of Tianyuan Seat remained.

"Tianyuan Old Man," the Ancestor of Myriad Gods looked at the Ancestor of Tianyuan Seat and said: "I cultivate the Path of the Heart. I am certain the Ancestor of the Space-Time Isle has discovered something—but deliberately concealed it."

The Ancestor of Tianyuan Seat paused, then asked: "What do you think it is?"

"Too many possibilities. Hard to say." The Ancestor of Myriad Gods shook his head slightly. "Perhaps a Level-Three Civilization sent a genius to train here. Or perhaps a Level-Three Civilization's Chaos God has chosen this place to ascend to the Throne of the Supreme Deity. Or maybe a fugitive escaped or was banished down from a Level-Three Civilization. Or even a Chaos Child deliberately descended… all are possible."

"Chaos God?"

The Ancestor of Tianyuan Seat laughed in disbelief. "There are countless Void Seas in the universe. How many Chaos Gods does a Level-Three Civilization even have? And one just happens to be sent to our Void Sea? If that were true, Lord Jing and the others would have known long ago."

…

On an island in a sea billions of li away.

A young man clad in Jin Jia suddenly appeared out of thin air, yet not a single ripple disturbed the space, nor did he emit even a trace of aura—as if he were pure, empty void.

"This is the Void Sea?"

The youth in Jin Jia surveyed his surroundings, his eyes tinged with disappointment. "The cultivation environment within the true universe is indeed poor. Such a barren place—no wonder no strong cultivators emerge… Fine. At least this avatar here will become a Chaos God and sit upon the Throne of the Supreme Deity—that's enough…"

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes. "Even if achieving Chaos God status in the Void Sea is harder, my strength gives me a strong chance—and I can avoid being discovered by that treacherous Kanuo Clan…"

The youth in Jin Jia took a deep breath, calmed his emotions, then smiled again as he began probing this Void Sea.

"Hmm… First, let me survey the situation and the strong ones here. Eliminate those little ones who might compete for Chaos God status…"

…

…

In the boundless Void Sea, a divine artifact vessel surged forward at an astonishing speed, covering tens of millions of kilometers every second.

Occasionally, when passing near a Void Star or a Main Star, the vessel would pause briefly, swiftly land on the Void Star or Main Star, imprint its soul mark, then depart immediately.

Departing from a corner of the Eastern Pole Sea, the vessel traveled a winding route across the vast ocean, passing every life-bearing Void Star and Main Star along its path. The Void Beings and Void Sovereigns it encountered, stunned by its terrifying speed, dared not interfere.

The vessel's route was nothing short of reckless.

Even when encountering perilous zones where even veteran Void Sovereigns had to detour, it charged straight in, forcing its way through with raw power.

Though some Void Wormholes stretched across unimaginable distances and their tearing pressure could overwhelm even the strongest Void Sovereigns, the vessel entered them without hesitation.

In merely several thousand years, the divine artifact vessel had blasted its way from the Eastern Pole Sea all the way to the Central Sea.

The Central Sea was the largest and most prosperous region, producing the richest and most varied treasures.

Deep within the Central Sea lay a region known as the 'Mystic Star Sea,' where countless strange stars floated in the sky.

The Mystic Star Sea was the most mysterious region of the Central Sea. Though not inherently dangerous, anyone who entered either became eternally lost in its endless, labyrinthine, disordered space—or was trapped for countless years before barely escaping.

Over the past eight billion years, countless powerful beings had sent avatars into the Mystic Star Sea, yet none had ever uncovered its secrets.

Thus, the Mystic Star Sea was called the First Mysterious Place of the Void Sea.

"Huu!"

A streak of light shot across the chaotic space above the endless sea, instantly traversing millions of li toward the edge of the Mystic Star Sea.

"Mystic Star Sea…"

Inside the vessel, Lin Qing gazed at the distant sea dotted with countless floating stars, a strange sense of reflection rising in his heart. "I hope the method I discovered in my Future Simulation works…"

In his Future Simulation, after becoming a Chaos God, he had attempted to explore the Mystic Star Sea. Using the Secret Art 'Qi Yuan Xiang,' he had barely uncovered its deepest secret.

It was a Level-Three Civilization ruin.

Unfortunately, he had only seen the information lifeform guarding the ruin and learned of the existence of Fourth-Generation Void Divine Clan bloodline.

But at that time, he was already a Supreme Deity, unable to transcend the universe, and failed to meet the entity's requirements—so he could not obtain the Fourth-Generation Void Divine Clan bloodline, and was forced to leave without understanding anything.

"With my current strength, I should be able to investigate."

Lin Qing activated the Qi Yuan Xiang Secret Art, observed from afar, then immediately propelled the divine artifact vessel, transforming into a streak of light heading toward the Mystic Star Sea.

Within the Mystic Star Sea region, one could see stars of red, yellow, blue, green, and other seven colors, as well as a black star resembling a black hole and a white star radiating endless light—each star contained immense energy.

Even a Void Divine Official who dared enter would trigger reactions from numerous stars, engulfed by overwhelming energy and lost within.

"Swoosh!"

As the divine artifact vessel drew nearer to the Mystic Star Sea, Lin Qing prepared to surge straight in along the luckiest route—

"Boom!"

At that moment, countless razor-sharp streaks of light descended from the heavens, tearing through space and instantly hurtling toward Lin Qing's vessel.

"Hm?"

Lin Qing's eyes shifted instantly—he confirmed those streaks were weapons, each brimming with boundless killing intent!

Most importantly, he had seen these weapons in his Future Simulation.

"He's already here?" A thought flashed through Lin Qing's mind.

(End of Chapter)