The divine tree had reached the clouds.
Its roots spread through the heavens like veins of gold, pulsing in rhythm with Tian Yuan's heartbeat. Each leaf shimmered with qi so pure it sang the melody of a newly forged world.
But far beyond the edge of his sky, something stirred.
The first Void Pulse came without warning.
A wave of soundless pressure, dark and corrosive, rippled through the barrier of Tian Yuan's realm. The mountains trembled, rivers froze, and every divine beast lifted its head in unison. Even the Golden Dragon—who usually napped through celestial events—opened its eyes and growled, scales flaring like molten suns.
> "Alert: Unknown external energy signature detected,"
said the system, its tone for once serious.
"Energy matches classification: Abyssal Void Essence Grade: Cataclysmic."
Tian Yuan's eyes snapped open.
He was standing in the central garden, barefoot, his long white hair flowing as divine light rippled around him. The aura that leaked from his body wasn't just spiritual it was elemental life itself.
"System," he said calmly, "trace it."
"Already on it, boss farmer." A map of luminous sigils unfolded in the air, marking the breach's origin. "It's not a full invasion. Looks like a scouting pulse something testing the edge of your realm's fabric."
He nodded slowly. "Then let it test."
---
At the northern edge of his realm, the barrier shimmered like a mirror made of water. The Pulse pressed against it silent, yet immeasurably heavy. Space twisted. Time distorted.
Then, a hand emerged.
Pale, clawed, dripping with essence so black it devoured light.
A divine beast one of the Sky Serpents screamed as it dove toward the intruding force. But before it could strike, Tian Yuan appeared beside it, one palm raised.
The hand froze mid-motion.
"You've touched what you shouldn't," Tian Yuan said quietly. His voice echoed through the void itself, calm yet absolute.
The claw trembled. Cracks formed around it. And then in one slow motion it shattered like glass, scattering into dust.
The Pulse receded.
But not before a whisper came through.
> "...found you..."
Tian Yuan's eyes narrowed.
System.
Yup. I heard it too. Very creepy. Zero out of ten, do not recommend.
Analyze the signature.
"It's complex. The system's voice glitched slightly. "There's something inside it not just void qi. It's divine and familiar.
Before Tian Yuan could respond, Mu Qingyi appeared behind him, her robes flowing in the golden wind. Her expression was grim.
"That presence she said softly. It's him. The Shadow Lord. He's found this place.
Tian Yuan looked at her, reading the fear she tried to hide. You're certain?
"Yes," she whispered. "That voice I'd know it anywhere. He was the one who twisted the realm I once guarded. The one who turned my disciples against me."
For a brief moment, silence reigned between them. Then, Tian Yuan turned toward the horizon, his gaze hardening.
"Then let him come."
Mu Qingyi blinked. "You're not alarmed?"
He smiled faintly. "Why should I be? He'll find no death to reap here only life waiting to devour him."
---
Later that night, the sky of Tian Yuan's realm pulsed faintly with golden and black light. The barrier had sealed itself, but the residue of the void remained — coiling like unseen smoke.
Mu Qingyi sat by the river, gazing at her reflection. Her mind was a storm. The memories of her temple, her fall, and the moment Tian Yuan found her replayed again and again.
"You're troubled," came a voice behind her.
She turned to find Tian Yuan standing there, a faint glow surrounding him.
"How could I not be?" she murmured. "I brought danger to your sanctuary."
He walked closer and knelt beside her, his hand gently brushing the water. "Danger exists wherever life takes root. What matters is how we face it."
She looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the starlight. "You've changed, Tian Yuan. You're no longer the man who once doubted himself."
He chuckled softly. "Maybe. Or maybe I just learned that even a farmer must sometimes face storms."
The system, listening from above, sighed dramatically. "Aww. Touching. You two should start a motivational sect."
Both ignored it.
Instead, Tian Yuan extended his hand toward the water. A small seed of light floated above his palm — delicate, glowing softly.
"This," he said, "is a new ward. I'll plant it at the heart of the realm. It will keep your aura hidden from anything beyond the void."
Mu Qingyi hesitated. "That means the Shadow Lord won't sense me?"
He nodded. "He'll see only endless life — not you."
Her eyes softened. "Thank you."
He smiled faintly. "No need. You're a guest here."
She lowered her gaze. "And if the void reaches again?"
"Then it will find that even life can bite back."
---
Deep within the heart of the realm, the seed sank into the soil.
Instantly, light spread across the land a pulse of divine creation. Every creature, every tree, every grain of dust responded, singing in resonance.
But far away, in a shattered dimension between realms, a shadow stirred.
A tall, featureless figure stood among ruins of dark crystal, its form wrapped in tendrils of void mist. Its eyes if they could be called that burned like dying suns.
> "He cultivates the barren…"
The voice was a whisper and a growl.
"He grows life where there should be none. How… delightful."
It raised one skeletal hand and traced a circle in the air. Within it appeared an image — Tian Yuan's realm, glowing faintly through the abyss.
> "Then let us see," the Shadow Lord murmured, "how long your garden lasts when the void begins to bloom."
End Of Chapter 77