Initial Key Unlocking

Nightmare's gaze fell back onto the ancient stone slab in the center. Since this stone chamber was the so-called "Third Observation Post" and the "Foundation of the third gate," the control core must still be this stone slab.

The key to leaving must also be upon it.

He pressed his palm onto the stone slab again. This time, instead of blindly injecting energy, he calmed his mind, attempting to communicate with it slowly, using a unique rhythm, incorporating his Divine Sense, Demonic Essence, Azure Qi and Blood, and that trace of Power of Annihilation.

He recalled words like "observation," "positioning," and "Anchor Point" mentioned in the "Star Scar" records, imagining himself as an ancient Cang Clan observer, trying to "understand" rather than "drive" the stone slab.

Gradually, he entered a profound and mysterious state. It was as if his consciousness had left his body and connected with this cold stone slab, this entire stone chamber, and even this forgotten Void Realm.

He "saw" outside the stone chamber—a solidified, chaotically colored nothingness. This seemed to be the depths of an immense spatial rift, wrapped in layers of chaotic Laws, making it extremely hidden.

He "saw" that the seemingly random patterns on the stone chamber walls actually constituted an enormous composite Formation, possessing multiple functions such as concealment, defense, energy gathering, and spatial teleportation. Its intricacy far surpassed his imagination.

His consciousness, guided by the stone slab, finally sank into the **deepest part** of the stone chamber.

It was not a physical object, but a mass of **brilliant starlight** bound and confined by countless rune chains! This starlight emitted an indescribably vast, ancient, and Origin aura, seeming like the source of all energy, and perhaps the core of the Universe!

"Is this... the **Star Core**?! Or something similar?" Nightmare was profoundly shaken. He felt that this confined starlight was the energy source and core of the entire stone chamber, and even the entire Third Observation Post!

The rune chains that wrapped around and confined it did not seem malicious; they were more like a form of protection and regulation, preventing its energy from wildly leaking out, while also guiding its power to the stone slab's teleportation array and other functions.

At this moment, this mass of starlight appeared somewhat dim, perhaps due to depletion over the long passage of time or some other reason.

Nightmare, enlightened by intuition, attempted to guide the purest trace of **Azure Qi and Blood**, obtained from the Cang Clan Finger Bone, through the stone slab and slowly transfer it to the confined starlight.

It was like rain after a long drought!

That mass of starlight instantly "came alive," joyfully absorbing the aura of the same Origin. Its light visibly brightened slightly! Although it was only a negligible amount, the entire stone chamber seemed to be injected with new vitality, and the runes on the surrounding walls faintly lit up.

Simultaneously, a clearer stream of information fed back into Nightmare's mind:

[Third Observation Post Energy: 3.71%... Low Energy Alert Status...]

[Basic Functions: Concealment (Active), Defense (Active), Spatial Teleportation (Cooling down, requires Energy ≥ 5% to restart, target requires marked Anchor Point)]

[Anchor Point Status: Anchor Point One (Lost Village, Finger Bone) - Signal weak; Anchor Point Two (Gui Xu Sea Eye, ?) - Signal interrupted; Anchor Point Three (This Station, Star Core) - Signal stable.]

[gate key Status: 'cloud key' detected (Not Activated) located at this station.]

Nightmare suddenly understood!

So that was it! The stone chamber itself was a massive Magic Treasure or base, and its energy core was the "Star Core." To use the teleportation function to leave, the energy must recover to above 5%, and they could only teleport to areas marked by existing "Anchor Points."

Currently, the only confirmed Anchor Points were the Lost Village and the station itself. The Anchor Point at the Gui Xu Sea Eye seemed to have an issue.

But besides teleportation, was there perhaps another way to leave?

He continued to sense, and quickly discovered new information. The stone chamber's concealment and defense Formation was not completely sealed; it maintained an extremely subtle "**Observation Hole**," used to receive external information and energy, and theoretically, it was also a one-way exit channel, but required special authorization or means to open.

Nightmare tried to condense his Divine Sense and extend it outwards following the guidance of the "Observation Hole."

This time, his Divine Sense successfully penetrated the stone chamber's barrier and "saw" the external scene—it was a dead, fragmented Void Realm. In the distance were huge, slowly rotating chaotic-colored nebulae, and further away, massive, broken star fragments seemed to be floating.

This place was not in a normal spatial dimension at all! It was more like a fissure outside the world!

No wonder it was so hidden!

At the same time, through the Observation Hole, he was absorbing the sparse yet incredibly pure **Void Energy** from the outside. This energy was extremely violent, and ordinary Cultivators could not absorb it directly, but after being filtered and transformed by the stone chamber's Formation, it became much gentler, slowly replenishing the Star Core's consumption, though the speed was maddeningly slow.

At this rate, recovering 5% energy would likely take decades or even longer!

Nightmare frowned. He could not wait that long.

He had to find a way to accelerate the process.

His gaze turned back to the Star Core. Since Azure Qi and Blood could replenish it, what about other energies? For example... Demonic Essence? Or... Xiangliu Poison?

This idea was bold, even dangerous. But he was accustomed to taking risks.

He carefully separated a trace of pure Demonic Essence and attempted to inject it into the Star Core through the stone slab.

The Star Core trembled slightly, seeming somewhat repulsed, but there was no violent reaction. That trace of Demonic Essence was filtered and transformed by the rune chains on its surface, eventually turning into an extremely weak amount of energy that was absorbed.

[Energy: 3.72%]

It worked! Although the efficiency was far lower than Azure Qi and Blood!

Nightmare's spirits lifted, and he tried to draw a trace of Xiangliu Poison.

This time, the Star Core reacted more violently, its light flickering as it seemed to fight against the poisonous annihilation power, but the rune chains once again took effect, forcibly neutralizing and decomposing the poison. It was ultimately converted into energy, and due to the high quality of the Xiangliu Poison, it actually provided slightly more energy than the Demonic Essence!

[Energy: 3.75%]

"That's great!" Nightmare was pleasantly surprised. Although each increase was minuscule, he at least saw hope!

He immediately sat down cross-legged, placed his hands on the stone slab, and began continuously injecting his own Demonic Essence and Xiangliu Poison slowly into the stone slab, allowing the Formation to convert it and replenish the Star Core.

This was a painstaking effort, draining his mind and strength. But he had no other choice.

Time flowed in silence.

He did not know how long passed, but just as Nightmare felt his Demonic Essence was almost depleted—

[Energy: 5.02%]

It was finally enough!

Nightmare let out a long breath, his face pale, but his eyes filled with excitement.

He could activate the teleportation again!

The target Anchor Point... currently, the Lost Village was the only choice.

Although he had only recently escaped from there, and a great secret was hidden there, this was his only option right now. Moreover, he vaguely felt that the Anchor Point in the Lost Village—the "Finger Bone"—might be related to the "gate key." The Star Scar records mentioned the "gate key lost," and the white token, the "cloud key," was found here. What about the other two keys?

Perhaps the Witch Grandfather and Azure Glass of the Lost Village knew something. Or perhaps, what they were guarding was the other key?

Regardless, he had to go back!

He adjusted his breathing, preparing to initiate the teleportation.

However, just as he was about to issue the command to the stone slab—

Through the "Observation Hole" he had maintained, his Divine Sense suddenly captured an extremely brief, yet spine-chilling image:

In the depths of that dead, fragmented Void Realm, an indescribably immense, blurred **The Shadow** slowly slid past. The Shadow seemed to be composed of countless twisted stars, shattered worlds, and fragments of wailing Souls, emitting a cold, indifferent, reaper-like aura of terror.

It made no move, yet its mere existence caused that section of the Void Realm to solidify and tremble.

Nightmare's Divine Sense merely brushed its edge unintentionally, yet it felt as if it were about to be frozen and assimilated!

Terrified to the point of Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, he instantly severed the Divine Sense connection, his heart pounding, cold sweat soaking his back!

What was that thing?!

A Sky Patrolmen? The Shepherd? Or something else?

The sheer terror and oppressive feeling from that single glimpse surpassed even facing the Void Demon Whale and Elder Mo Sha!

This world was infinitely more terrifying than he had imagined!

A strong sense of crisis surged into his heart. He had to become stronger quickly, figure out the truth quickly, and quickly find the method for transcendence!

Without further hesitation, he placed his hands on the stone slab, concentrated his will, and issued the command:

"Activate Teleportation! Target: Anchor Point One (Lost Village)!"

Buzz—!

The stone slab once again erupted in dazzling white light, enveloping his entire body!

The familiar sensation of teleportation struck him again.

In the final instant before leaving, Nightmare seemed to hear the Star Core deep within the stone chamber subtly fluctuate, transmitting an extremely weak, aged thought, as if spanning across millennia:

"...Hurry... grow... time... is running out..."

Whoosh!

The white light dissipated, and silence returned to the stone chamber.

Only the Star Core, seemingly because of this teleportation, dimmed slightly once more.

[Energy: 4.21%...]

...Lost Village, on the edge of the Forbidden Ground behind the mountain.

Space fluctuated, and Nightmare's figure emerged, slightly staggering.

The familiar damp air and faint miasma rushed toward him.

He was back.

Almost the instant he appeared, a cold, clear figure materialized nearby like a ghost. Silver hair and purple eyes—it was Azure Glass.

She looked at the suddenly appearing Nightmare, and a distinct ripple finally appeared in her calm eyes. She seemed both surprised by his return and yet... perhaps expected it?

"You've returned," her voice was still flat, but lacked some of the previous distance.

Nightmare stabilized himself, his gaze sharp as he looked at her, cutting straight to the chase: "I went to the Gui Xu Sea Eye, saw The Fisherman's altar, and obtained information about the Third Observation Post."

He took out the white token, the "cloud key": "Now, tell me, what exactly is the 'gate key'? What is the 'Reverse Scale Plan'? And are you guarding another key?"

Azure Glass's gaze fell upon the cloud key token, and her pupils contracted slightly. She was silent for a moment, then sighed softly.

"It seems you have indeed reached this step," she lifted her head, looking toward the depths of the Forbidden Ground. "Witch Grandfather was right. You are the 'variable.'"

"Come with me. Witch Grandfather... has been waiting for you."