At the entrance of the Taichu Star‑Gate, on the ninth layer of Wheel Mountain, a Heaven‑Venerable girl born from ancient spacetime seemed to command the world and firmament. Her hair was free of all adornment, her jade feet exquisitely clear, and from her as the center, circles of tri‑colored light radiated outward.
"Defeat me."
"You will know everything."
The girl's lips were rosy, her teeth white, and her voice was soft and lingering, tinged with a smile.
Her expression and bearing were delicate, bathed in supreme radiance. The Heaven‑Venerable phantom manifested on the ninth layer of Wheel Mountain was actually awakened, resonating with traces of time, and with utmost realism drew forth the ancient Wheel Heaven‑Venerable herself.
"You... the Heaven‑Venerable herself!"
Separated by ten thousand meters, a subtle fragrance wafted over. Andrew Han's expression was one of shock.
Who could have imagined that on the ninth layer of Wheel Mountain, one would face the mountain's own Heaven‑Venerable directly! By normal logic, this should only happen on the tenth layer!
Completely unexpected!
Moreover, this Wheel Heaven‑Venerable appeared as a young maiden, so plain and unadorned!
Even more unimaginable!
Andrew Han, nearly suffocating, tried to steady his mind, then saw Wheel Heaven‑Venerable cover her mouth and laugh: "Are you still alive?"
He asked subconsciously across the void.
He forgot that Heaven‑Venerable phantoms normally lacked intelligence and spirit, because no matter how he sensed it, the girl before him was neither a simple phantom nor a mere projection.
This was a truly existing Heaven‑Venerable!
Hearing Andrew Han's question,
Wheel Heaven‑Venerable gently shook her head, then nodded, her lips curving into a faint, radiant smile.
In that instant, her eyes shone brightly. She wore an unknown pale blue dress, her skin milky and jade-like, her slender fingers seeming to play a cosmic melody. She gathered all things, surveyed all events, and drew forth tri-colored light to manifest countless tiny wheels.
Her graceful, delicate palm supported a unique wheel, spinning nimbly.
Her perfectly proportioned figure radiated vibrant life, and Wheel Mountain itself seemed to cheer and rejoice.
"You..."
Andrew Han furrowed his brows.
He had confidence, he had composure, but also clear self-awareness.
A true Heaven-Venerable and a Heaven-Venerable phantom were worlds apart; the latter was but a lifeless thing, its thoughts and consciousness fixed. The former, however, was a Heaven-Venerable who swept across the universe and all races—regardless of realm or cultivation, her incomparable will alone could shake the stars and great seas.
Fighting a phantom posed no issue.
But to battle a true Heaven-Venerable, that was a major problem.
"Heh heh."
The Heaven-Venerable girl stuck out her tongue, lightly tapped her jade foot on the ground, and in a surge of rippling motion, the mountain peak trembled as the illusionary, flowing star wheels sent the girl hurtling toward Andrew Han.
Retreat!
Retreat again!
A violent alarm flared in his heart; Andrew Han did not hesitate for an instant, withdrawing at the critical moment. Yet the girl's loose hair brushed past his left arm as she sped by, and in the blink of an eye he felt his left arm nearly snap.
"Heaven-Venerable above."
Andrew Han silently muttered the phrase.
In that instant, spacetime rippled with ceremonial waves, and a clear voice rang in his ear: "Even if you say I'm above you, sweet talk is useless!"
"???"
Stunned, his expression brilliantly colored, Andrew Han felt a surge of old blood stuck in his chest.
He nearly spat it out.
What kind of Heaven-Venerable was this—surely she wouldn't descend just to tease him with a split avatar?
Tsk!
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Heaven-Venerable girl extend her crystalline fingertip, lightly tapping twice, and with the majestic force that subdued all laws, she adjusted the distance between them.