Suddenly, an unexpected change occurred. Everyone’s nerves were on edge, their eyes constantly scanning the surroundings, extremely vigilant.

Chen Qingyuan lost his interest in drinking, a trace of worry appearing between his brows.

“Rumble, rumble…”

The rotation speed of the island became faster and faster. The waterfalls at the north and south froze in place, countless laws converging into a massive net, covering the entire space.

Boom!

Abruptly, an ancient sound echoed, as if it came from the end of time, resonating in every corner of the space.

Following that, with a “boom,” the rotating island came to a halt.

In the void, ancient laws outlined a vague, towering figure.

Dressed in light-colored cloth, wearing simple and plain cloth shoes, with long, ink-black hair cascading down his back in a somewhat messy manner.

This figure stood with his back to the crowd, giving off an aura of standing above the nine heavens, unattainable.

Just this indistinct silhouette alone felt like it stood at the pinnacle of the world, incomparable to ordinary Mahayana cultivators.

At this moment, everyone couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe. Simultaneously, their bodies seemed to be suppressed by a strange law, unable to move.

No one could act, speak, or mobilize their inner spiritual power to transmit sound at this time.

“Who is he?”

Everyone present was shocked, all having the same question in their hearts.

“The aura of my master is not even a fraction of this figure’s.”

Su Xingyun of Penglai Manor tried to break free from the shackles of the law, but each attempt ended in failure. He looked up, recalling his master’s appearance, which paled in comparison.

“This must be a top-tier powerful figure from some era!”

Everyone could only marvel in their hearts. It was hard to discern his true identity from just a silhouette.

Above, the towering figure stood with hands behind his back, slowly turning his body, revealing a partial profile.

Seeing this, everyone’s hearts trembled, as if they were looking at a deity, indescribable in words.

The ancient powerful figure’s face bore a hint of transcendence from the mundane, a touch of desolation, and an unattainable majesty standing at the pinnacle of the heavens.

“No path ahead, born at the wrong time!”

After a while, a slightly desolate and unwilling voice came from the direction of the powerful figure’s silhouette, reaching everyone’s ears, like a soul-stirring Dao sound, making them personally feel that sense of despair. Many people’s eyes reddened, tears uncontrollably streaming down.

Hearing this, Chen Qingyuan and the other evildoers couldn’t help but have a question arise in their hearts.

Is the peak of Mahayana the end of cultivation?

Is there a path beyond?

Looking at the silhouette of the ancient powerful figure’s will, Chen Qingyuan’s heart tightened, an inexplicable urge to uncover the truth arising.

“Ding…”

The projection of the laws changed, showing the powerful figure now aged, his silhouette desolate, sitting on the edge of a cliff on a high mountain, with an ancient zither placed before him.

His withered, blackened fingers slowly fell onto the strings, gently plucking, and the sound of the zither followed.

At first, the melody was melodious, full of vigor.

Chen Qingyuan and the others seemed to see a young man full of spirit, climbing out from the bottom of society, unyielding, enduring hardships, surviving life and death, finally standing at a height, gaining the power to protect himself.

Then, the melody became increasingly urgent, like a waterfall crashing down from a height, carrying immense force, striking the rocks below. The sound of rushing water was endless.

Everyone couldn’t help but imagine a person standing alone at the peak of the clouds, facing enemies from all directions without fear, slaughtering all around, invincible in the world.

At this point, the zither sound became intense, like the clash of countless immortal soldiers and sharp weapons, containing a hint of killing intent, a sense of disdain for the world.

After the climax, the zither sound gradually softened.

Standing at the peak, unwilling to stagnate. Thus, everyone saw the vague silhouette again, tirelessly moving forward to explore higher paths, pouring countless efforts.

He never enjoyed the prosperity of the world.

Power, status, beauties, and wealth were all regarded as dirt.

He had only one goal, to pursue the Dao until the end of his life.

To the common people, this was an extremely foolish act. Being invincible in the world, one should enjoy life to the fullest. But he had no mortal desires, exploring the path ahead was his only thought, regardless of success, it was of great significance.

He would rather die on the path of pursuit than stay in place and enjoy prosperity.

In an instant, Chen Qingyuan and the others seemed to witness the arduous process of the ancient powerful figure’s pursuit of the path, a few traces of vicissitudes appearing in their eyes.

Effort does not always yield results.

As the sun set, with small bridges and flowing water.

In the final moments of his life, he returned to his hometown, finding everything changed.

Later, he climbed an unknown high mountain, sat on the edge of a cliff, gazing at the horizon, quietly feeling the ebb of life.

A song of parting, filled with desolation.

“Sigh!”

This long sigh carried the emotions of this powerful figure’s entire life.

The projection of the laws shattered like glass.

Bang!

With the collapse of the projection, the shackles of the laws on Chen Qingyuan and the others also broke.

Everyone seemed to be immersed in that bygone era, their eyes filled with tears, silent and desolate.

“Who is this predecessor?”

After an unknown period, someone asked a question.

Everyone’s hearts tightened, also wanting an answer.

Unfortunately, no one knew the answer to this question, no one recognized this ancient powerful figure.

“This is a will that has endured endless years, it’s hard to speculate which era the predecessor lived in.”

If their feelings were correct, this powerful figure was once invincible in an era. If the era wasn’t too distant, there would surely be records in ancient texts.

The vicissitudes of time, the place where the powerful figure passed away became an independent space within the ancient secret realm.

Although the Hundred Veins Banquet had been held many times before, this space had likely never been entered.

The ancient secret realm was more mysterious than what the common people saw, with more hidden things.

“The waterfalls have changed, look quickly!”

The waterfalls at the north and south gradually became transparent, then disappeared.

Next, the area of the lake extended infinitely, turning into an ocean, bottomless.

The entire island was in the middle of a boundless ocean, many people felt fear, not knowing what they would face next.

“Boom!”

Moments later, a whirlpool appeared near the island. As time passed, the whirlpool expanded rapidly, like a giant abyssal mouth, swallowing the island.

“Retreat quickly!”

Everyone instinctively soared into the air, trying to evade.

Unexpectedly, the entire island was sealed by a layer of laws, making it impossible to escape.

Just like that, everyone, along with the island, was swallowed by the giant abyssal mouth.

“Where are we going?”

Everyone fell rapidly, darkness enveloping their vision, filled with fear and unease.