Darkness.
That was all Lin Tian could see.
There was no sky.
No ground.
No wind.
Nothing.
He slowly opened his eyes, but the endless darkness remained the same.
His breathing became faster.
“Where…
am I?” His voice echoed into the distance.
No one answered.
Then…
Boom!
A powerful pressure filled the endless space.
Lin Tian felt his knees weaken.
It was as if an invisible mountain had landed on his shoulders.
He gritted his teeth.
“What is this terrifying aura?” A pair of giant golden eyes slowly appeared in the darkness.
They were larger than mountains.
Ancient.
Cold.
Powerful.
Lin Tian couldn’t even look directly at them.
His entire body trembled.
Then, the deep voice from before echoed once again.
“You are calmer than the last one.” Lin Tian swallowed.
“Who are you?” The eyes remained silent for a moment.
Then the darkness around them began to change.
Golden flames lit up the empty space.
An old man slowly walked forward.
He wore long black robes decorated with golden dragons.
His silver hair reached his waist.
His eyes shone like stars.
Although he looked like an ordinary old man…
The pressure coming from him made Lin Tian feel as small as an ant.
The old man stopped a few steps away.
He smiled faintly.
“It has been ten thousand years since I last spoke to another living person.” Lin Tian stared at him.
“You were the voice…” The old man nodded.
“I was.” “Who are you?” The old man looked toward the endless darkness.
“My name…” “…has long been forgotten.” “I once ruled countless worlds.” “I once stood above the Heavenly Dao.” “I was known by many titles.” “The Immortal Emperor.” “The Heavenly Tyrant.” “The World Breaker.” He looked back at Lin Tian.
“But you may simply call me…” “Master.” Lin Tian frowned.
“You said the heavens betrayed you.” “They also called my Spiritual Root cursed.” “Do you know why?” The old man’s smile disappeared.
His expression became serious.
“They lied.” Lin Tian’s eyes widened.
“Lied?” The old man nodded slowly.
“The Heaven-Forbidden Root is not a curse.” “It is the rarest cultivation talent ever born.” “It is a power so dangerous…” “…that Heaven itself fears it.” Lin Tian stood frozen.
Everything he had believed only moments ago suddenly felt uncertain.
If this old man was telling the truth…
Then the Lin Clan had made a terrible mistake.
The old man looked directly into Lin Tian’s eyes.
“They called you an outcast.” “They abandoned you.” “They laughed at you.” “But one day…” “They will kneel before you.” Lin Tian remained silent.
His fists slowly tightened.
For the first time since leaving the clan…
A small spark of hope appeared in his heart.
Maybe…
Just maybe…
His story wasn’t over.
It had only just begun.