Mu Changqing’s gaze fell upon Yuan Datou, noticing his extraordinary state.
At this moment, his aura had completely merged with the gray island, as if he *was* the gray island, and the gray island *was* him.
Yuan Datou’s appearance naturally brought a slight surprise to Daozu and Empress Xuanyue, but they said nothing more.
As beings of this caliber, they could readily surmise Yuan Datou’s connection to the gray island.
Or, more accurately, to the entrance of the Gray Ancestral Origin.
“Sir.”
Yuan Datou’s current demeanor was devoid of its usual fawning amusement, replaced instead by a calm and serene presence.
The aura of time surrounding him was equally peculiar; he seemed to have lived for countless eons, possessing an antiquity even greater than that of innate beings.
Yet, he also appeared as a newborn infant, pure and untouched by the dust of the mortal world upon its first arrival.
Mu Changqing’s eyes flickered, emitting a radiant glow as he instantly peered into Yuan Datou’s true origin.
Behind him, layers upon layers of strange mist enveloped him, obscuring his true source.
However, under the deduction of Mu Changqing’s supreme power, the strange mist peeled away like an onion, revealing its core.
It was a diamond-shaped gray stone, resembling a Chaos Realm Stone, but far more resilient and terrifying.
Its aura was ancient, tracing back to the most primordial eras, perhaps even to the very beginning of all creation.
With a blink of his eyes, Mu Changqing’s expression returned to its serene state, the violet light receding.
“Are you connected to the entrance of the Gray Ancestral Origin?”
Mu Changqing asked directly, without any preamble.
For him, there were no beings in this world who necessitated circumspect words.
Yuan Datou looked up, nodding calmly, and spoke.
“The entrance to the Gray Ancestral Origin, which is also its exit, is named Xuanmiao. Before the Primordial Eons, a terrifying war erupted within the Gray Ancestral Origin. That war was so devastating that it influenced the course of subsequent epochs.”
“The battle lasted for billions of epochs. The entire Gray Ancestral Origin nearly collapsed, and eventually, a forbidden entity shattered Xuanmiao, escaping the Gray Ancestral Origin and hiding within unknown eras.”
“And I am a cornerstone from the Gate of Xuanmiao, carried away by the forbidden entity and falling into the unknown epochs with it.”
Yuan Datou spoke concisely, revealing the truth about his origins.
Simultaneously, he unveiled a world-shattering secret concerning the Gray Ancestral Origin.
Daozu and Empress Xuanyue were shocked beyond measure. What kind of existence could ignite such a momentous war within the Gray Ancestral Origin?
Furthermore, based on Yuan Datou’s brief account, this battle was not a one-sided slaughter but a fierce clash, perhaps even resulting in mutual destruction.
Indeed, it led to a terrifying forbidden entity escaping the Gray Ancestral Origin and vanishing into the unknown eras.
Upon hearing this, Mu Changqing remained rooted to the spot, unmoved.
His head was slightly lowered, his thick, black hair, as if cast from pure gold, cascading over his shoulders, obscuring his gaze.
Within his pupils, wisps of violet mist swirled, and the shadow of the Burial of the Heavens Pearl spun and danced, as if Yuan Datou’s words had stirred forgotten, forbidden pasts.
After a long silence, a complex sigh echoed through the desolate space.
This voice, naturally, belonged to Mu Changqing.
His face lost its usual detached expression, replaced by a profound, indescribable complexity.
“Are you connected to this? It seems… my arrival here was not by chance, but destiny.”
Mu Changqing could feel the intricate emotions emanating from the Burial of the Heavens Pearl, and thus, he let out a soft sigh.
After all, he *was* the Burial of the Heavens Pearl now, having merged with it completely.
His gaze casually fell upon Yuan Datou, who looked up to meet it.
Moments later, his eyes involuntarily shifted away, unable to endure Mu Changqing’s chilling gaze.
His body bent slightly, and he spoke respectfully.
“Sir, I can summon Xuanmiao into being and help you step into the Gray Ancestral Origin.”
Yuan Datou now understood that the Burial of the Heavens Pearl was the forbidden entity that had shattered Xuanmiao and carried him away from the Gray Ancestral Origin countless eons ago.
At the same time, he realized that his birth and his encounter with Mu Changqing were both fated, by no means accidental.
His purpose, his mission, was now revealed.
“No regrets?”
Mu Changqing’s expression returned to its former tranquility as he spoke faintly.
Yuan Datou fell silent for a moment.
Then, he looked up, scratched his bald head, and displayed his once roguish demeanor with a fawning smile.
“No regrets. I was but an inanimate object, drifting through time and space for endless epochs. Meeting you, Master, brought me new life. I’ve had the fortune to meet good friends like Brother Zhang, Brother Wei, Brother Nalan, and of course, Nan Yao… my time has been filled with brilliance, and that is enough.”
“My mission was predetermined. It is my honor to help you return to the Gray Ancestral Origin.”
As he said this, Yuan Datou’s gaze grew distant, his mind flashing through all his past experiences, a look of contentment settling on his face.
Seeing this, Mu Changqing said nothing more, nor did he feel much emotion.
He was, after all, a solitary wanderer in the world, with all beings of heaven and earth as mere pawns.
The beings of time could all be discarded.
If it was fated, why harbor regret?
“Very well. I will preserve your consciousness and, following the flow of time, return to the present. Perhaps in some future era, you will awaken anew, regain your memories, and return to the Heavenly Court.”
This was Mu Changqing’s promise, one he would surely keep.
Of course, this was a task he undertook as a matter of convenience. If it proved impossible, he would have to cast aside Yuan Datou as a pawn.
After all, his mission had been fulfilled.
Hearing this, Yuan Datou offered a smile of serene acceptance of his fate. He took a few steps back, and for the first time, meticulously adjusted his robes, bowed deeply, and said respectfully.
“Thank you, Master.”
“Mm!”
Mu Changqing responded with a soft hum. Then, his gaze flickered towards Empress Xuanyue and Daozu.
This journey was, in essence, a return, a re-entry.
For this was the birthplace of the Burial of the Heavens Pearl.
And now, Mu Changqing and the Burial of the Heavens Pearl were one; he was the Burial of the Heavens Pearl, and the Burial of the Heavens Pearl was him.
Their joining forces seemed to be guided by an unseen hand, and thus, he was now curious about the roles Daozu and Empress Xuanyue would play.
As Yuan Datou stood up, he closed his eyes. When they opened, a wisp of gray, ethereal light flashed, piercing the void and striking the heavens.
Yuan Datou remained standing in place, a swirling mist rising around him, instantly engulfing him.
The dense mist permeated the entire gray island, releasing an ancient, primordial aura that ceaselessly buffeted the surrounding space.
The sound of dao principles echoed through the heavens, accompanied by thunderous roars. The entire gray island resonated with Yuan Datou’s form, drawing forth countless ancient, primordial runes from the void. These runes transformed into a radiant, miraculous flowing door.
*Dong dong dong!*
A knocking sound reverberated, and boundless radiance scattered outwards, traversing the vast expanse of time.
Laws, rules, order, the power of the Great Dao, eternal cycles, and supreme, ultimate forces surged forth. There was the radiant glow of primal immortal light, and the very essence of the Primordial Heavenly Dao flowed like a crystal-clear stream, alluring and pure.
At this moment, Yuan Datou’s body dissolved into a streak of light, merging into the Gate of Xuanmiao, becoming an unremarkable part of it.
The instant Yuan Datou’s form vanished into light, Mu Changqing acted decisively, his sleeves sweeping to peel away Yuan Datou’s consciousness, which coalesced into a ball of gray mist.
Gazing at the swirling gray mist floating before him, Mu Changqing could vaguely discern, within its unseen depths, the sleeping form of a miniature Yuan Datou.