The moment Yun Lintian's fingers made contact with the wooden box, the world dissolved around him once more. When his vision cleared, he found himself standing before the towering World Tree again, its majestic branches stretching endlessly into the heavens.
"Young man, don't stand too close to the World Tree."
The same elderly voice called out from behind. Yun Lintian turned and saw Old Man Li again, his expression as calm and knowing as before.
This time, Yun Lintian did not reveal his knowledge. Instead, he smiled faintly and cupped his hands in greeting. "Elder, this junior has come to the Sacred City of Origin to broaden his horizons. Might you have any recommendations for places worth visiting?"
Old Man Li chuckled, stroking his beard. "Ah, a traveler seeking enlightenment? Good, good. Come, let me treat you to tea, and I'll tell you about this city."
Yun Lintian nodded and followed, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings with far more scrutiny than before.
The Sacred City of Origin was unlike any place he had ever seen. The streets were filled with cultivators and mortals alike, walking side by side in perfect harmony. True Gods strolled casually among the crowds, their auras restrained, while High Gods were as common as merchants in a marketplace.
The air itself hummed with dense spiritual energy, yet there was no tension, no struggle for power—only peace.
This… is the world before the Primordial War? Yun Lintian mused. A time when gods and mortals coexisted without conflict?
As they walked, Old Man Li pointed out various landmarks—the Celestial Pavilion, where divine laws were studied; the Hall of Eternal Flames, where the greatest alchemists refined their pills; the Library of Forgotten Ages, said to contain knowledge from the dawn of creation itself.
Yun Lintian listened attentively, committing every detail to memory. If this was truly a memory of the past, then understanding it might be the key to unlocking the wooden box's secrets.
Soon, they arrived at the same teahouse as before. The moment they sat, the server brought tea without needing to be asked.
Old Man Li poured a cup for Yun Lintian, his eyes twinkling. "Now, young man, if you're seeking enlightenment, there are three places you must visit in this city."
Yun Lintian took a sip of tea. "Please enlighten me, Elder."
"The first," Old Man Li said, "is the Mirror of Eternity, where one may glimpse fragments of their destiny. The second is the Garden of a Thousand Dawns, where time flows differently, and a single step may span centuries. And the third…"
Before he could finish, a deafening BOOM shook the heavens.
Yun Lintian's body tensed. He knew what was coming.
The sky split open, revealing a vortex of chaotic energy. Divine figures clad in golden armor descended, their weapons radiating destruction.
The World Tree's leaves began to wither.
Old Man Li's face paled. "No… it's too soon!"
Yun Lintian immediately channeled his divine energy, preparing to resist—but to his shock, he found that his cultivation had vanished. He was as powerless as a mortal.
Before he could react, a beam of golden light—a True God's full-powered strike—slammed down directly toward the teahouse.
Yun Lintian's instincts screamed at him to dodge, but his body wouldn't move.
Pain—unimaginable pain—flooded his senses as his body disintegrated.
Yun Lintian's eyes snapped open. He was back in the ruins, lying on the cold stone floor, Yue Zhihe's worried face hovering above him.
The wooden box lay in his palm, its runes glowing faintly.
The silver serpent coiled around the pillar, its mocking voice dripping with amusement.
"Died again, did you? How pitiful."
Yun Lintian sat up slowly, his mind racing.
That was no ordinary illusion.
He had truly experienced death—not just as an observer, but as a participant. And worse, his powers had been sealed within that memory.
The serpent chuckled. "What's wrong? Did you think the World Tree's trial would be so easily overcome?"
Yun Lintian sat cross-legged before the wooden box, his fingers tracing its ancient runes. The serpent's mocking laughter still echoed in his ears, but his mind was calm.
Two deaths. Two failures.
He still didn't understand the trial's purpose. Was he meant to change fate? Survive? Or was there something deeper?
The serpent naturally wouldn't tell him. The only way was to try again.
Taking a deep breath, Yun Lintian reached out and touched the box.
The surroundings began to change.
Once more, Yun Lintian stood before the towering World Tree. The same scene unfolded—Old Man Li's voice calling out to him, warning him not to stand too close.
This time, Yun Lintian didn't follow.
"Many thanks for your concern, Elder," he said with a polite bow. "But this junior has matters to attend to."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and strode into the city.
Observation failed. Intervention failed. This time… I'll wait.
He found a secluded spot near the city's central plaza, where he could watch the World Tree and the skies. The city thrived around him—mortals bartering with gods, children laughing as they played in the streets.
This peace… it's unnatural.
In all his years, he had never seen such harmony between the strong and the weak.
The sky split. Golden-armored warriors descended, their leader wielding a halberd that radiated destruction.
Yun Lintian's eyes narrowed.
That aura… the God of Heaven's power, but not the God himself.
The golden-armored general raised his weapon, and a beam of light annihilated an entire district in an instant.
Yun Lintian barely dodged, his mortal body barely avoiding the blast. He hid behind a crumbling wall, watching as the city's defenders—True Gods clad in silver armor—surged forward.
Their leader, a woman with twin sabers, blocked the next strike.
"How dare you attack the Sacred City?!" she roared.
The golden-armored general laughed. "By Heaven's decree, nothing is forbidden!"
The battle erupted. Space itself fractured under their clashes.
Yun Lintian moved carefully, avoiding the chaotic energy. He had no power here, but he had experience.
Then he saw her—a little girl, no older than five, kneeling beside a charred corpse, screaming for her mother.
Even though Yun Lintian knew this wasn't real, he couldn't resist the urge to save her. The scene was too tragic and heartbreaking.
Yun Lintian cursed out loud and dashed towards the girl.
He sprinted through the destruction, dodging falling debris. Just as he reached the girl, a stray blast of golden light lanced toward them.
Yun Lintian threw himself over her—