That scene was truly magnificent.
Evan Lin looked up, watching as the dome was split open, revealing immortal jade pavilions above, white cranes crying in unison. His heart was stunned.
Back then, when he opened the Heaven Gate and was about to step into the Immortal Realm, he was blasted down by the Left-Hand Dragon. He never got a glimpse of anything in the Immortal world.
Yet everything revealed above the small world’s dome—even if it was just a divine thought illusion conjured by Immortal Lord Everlost—carried such immortal melody and dao resonance that anyone would feel their heart yearn for it.
“This is a corner of the Immortal Realm as I saw it—so bland and flavorless, yet people still fight to rush in.”
“I entered the Immortal Dust from the mortal world, then returned from Immortal to mortal again. The mortal world has attachments; the Immortal Realm has nothing at all.”
Immortal Lord Everlost looked up at that scene, his tone indifferent: “Besides that, if I told you that above this tranquil, harmonious so-called Immortal Gate, there are even darker dealings—scheming, petty ambitions, and ‘might makes right’ no less than the mortal world—what would you think?”
“To put it simply, killing and grudges in the mortal world last but a lifetime—entanglements and karma may linger for a hundred lifetimes at most. But after crossing the Immortal Gate, the causes and effects of what you slay or seize become entangled for countless lifetimes, and what you take or fight for becomes the very laws and principles of ten thousand generations.”
“Compared to that, it’s bound to be disappointing.”
Everlost shook his head, his tone calm.
But these words fell on Evan Lin’s ears like thunder.
On the Immortal Martial Continent, for so many years, people only heard of those who became Immortals, but never of someone who entered the Immortal Gate, took a tour, and then returned on their own.
Yet all these things, spoken by Everlost, sounded extremely calm, as if describing something trivial and not worth mentioning.
Where is the Immortal Martial Continent?
Evan Lin withdrew his gaze. The torn dome above the small world restored itself, returning to its original calm appearance.
The Immortal Martial Continent is naturally beneath our feet. Where else could it be?
Over there, Everlost looked at Evan Lin calmly, then shook his head: "I’m tired. You may leave."
Perhaps there will be a chance to truly meet again in the future.
He shook his head and said nothing more.
Watching Evan Lin step into the mist and leave this small world, Everlost stood in place for a long time without speaking.
Before his eyes, Peacebrook County, long ruined, suddenly began to recover.
The burning fires gradually went out, the charred wood reverted to its pre-burned state, collapsed bricks returned to their original places one by one, and the dead townsfolk slowly came back to life.
Once silent and lifeless, Peacebrook County became bustling again, full of vitality.
The kidnapped little girl reappeared on the street.
Everlost walked slowly through the streets, stopping at a spot to wait quietly.
Soon, a little girl clamored for candied haw; the boy beside her carefully took out six copper coins, counted five, bought a skewer, and promised her they would always be together.
Forever.
Everlost’s gaze was cold as he looked up at the sky.
His sight seemed to pierce through the entire dome, seeing the immortal palaces and wonder-mountains beyond.
The world was silent, all things withered; only he was eternal.
Someone cried out, recognizing the person, and immediately everyone rushed over in a flurry.
"Weren’t they dead?"
Yvette Ye couldn’t help but ask, "Could it be that everything we experienced inside was just an illusion?"
Her words immediately made everyone turn their gaze toward Evan Lin.
They had just seen Evan Lin exchange words with that man, who only spoke to Evan Lin.
And with just a glance, he sent Kevin Qin flying—his strength was already beyond their imagination.
If the Four Saints of Hidden Dragon came, would they be able to stand against that man?
Someone spoke up at this moment.
"Maybe?" someone echoed, but their voice was very soft.
They thought it was just a simple exploration of the Mysterious Ruins, but everything inside was not only unbelievable, it completely overturned their worldview.
How strong can one person really be?
"Don’t think about it. That man’s strength and identity are not things you can comprehend."
Evan Lin spoke simply: "Let’s go. Let’s leave here first. They need rest and recovery."
Seeing that Evan Lin had no intention of discussing the matter, everyone stopped asking.
They arrived by helicopter, but left by mountain road, walking nearly ten hours along a mist-shrouded path before finally leaving the fog’s domain.
They reached a clearing, boarded the waiting helicopter, and finally left safely.
The helicopter landed at a secret base in Beijing.
When they stepped out of the cabin, a woman in a red trench coat was already waiting.
Her gaze fell on Evan Lin, she sized him up, gave a slight nod as a greeting, then began to arrange treatment for Kevin Qin and the others.
"I am Vermilion Bird. There are some things I need to clarify with you."
Once everything was arranged, the woman walked up to Evan Lin and spoke crisply: "I want to know who the person who appeared at the end of Mysterious Ruins No. 3 was."
"And, can you explain the Divine Wind Dynasty?"
"After you returned, we found Mysterious Ruins No. 3 was extremely hard to locate, its entrance likely closed. The original stone pillar used to open the gate has sunk underground. We believe the gate has been closed."
"Most importantly, I need you to hand over the woman you brought out from Mysterious Ruins No. 3."
After speaking, Vermilion Bird looked quietly at Evan Lin, her expression calm and steady, with not a hint of panic or hesitation.
"That person was not brought out from Mysterious Ruins No. 3."
Evan Lin shook his head, his gaze indifferent: "I won’t hand her over to you either."