The Netherworld fell into an eerie silence after Gui Xuan's words. Even the wailing souls in the River of Forgetfulness seemed to quiet, as if sensing the gravity of what had just been revealed.
Yun Xia took a slow step forward. Her silver eyes, usually serene, now burned with quiet intensity.
"Senior Gui," she said softly, "if Lintian truly slaughters all the Primordial Gods and absorbs their powers... what would happen?"
The question hung in the air like a blade.
Gui Xuan closed his eyes for a long moment, as if weighing his words. When he opened them again, his gaze was heavy with the wisdom of countless eons.
"Technically," he began, "he would grow to the point of stepping into the Creator's realm."
A ripple of shock passed through the group.
"But," Gui Xuan continued, his voice measured, "there is a reason why Nian Shi himself has never done this—despite having all the time in the world."
Long Qingxuan's fists clenched. "What reason?"
