Yuan Xiang's words left everyone, including Lin Qian, utterly stunned.
Give him the small world?
What kind of joke was this? Could a small world really be handed over to someone just like that?
"Senior, are you pulling my leg because I'm young?" Despite Yuan Xiang being a revered elder on the Soul Martial Continent, a legendary figure known as Xuán Jūn, Lin Qian still looked at him with skepticism.
Seeing Lin Qian's doubtful expression, Yuan Xiang understood his hesitation and pointed to the small world beneath them. "Just as people have hearts, so too do worlds. A small world has a core, and if you leave your mark on it, the world becomes yours."
Yuan Xiang's explanation was logical, causing everyone to nod in agreement.
Lin Qian, however, quickly picked up on a critical detail. Frowning, he asked, "Senior, does this mean I need to personally find this small world's core and leave my mark there?"
The elder nodded approvingly, his expression one of satisfaction. "Smart lad. I knew I didn't misjudge you," Yuan Xiang praised, his tone as if speaking to a promising student, which only served to irritate Lin Qian further.
"Old man, are you kidding me? You're making me do all the work and then calling it a gift?" Lin Qian retorted with dissatisfaction.
Standing beside him, Zhao Long pointed his Tai Long Spear at Yuan Xiang, shouting, "How dare you deceive the emperor!"
To Zhao Long, titles and seniority didn't matter. In his mind, nothing was more important than protecting his emperor.
Yuan Xiang merely glanced at Zhao Long and dismissed him as a simpleton, turning his attention back to Lin Qian. "Don't be so hasty, lad. Haven't you wondered why, despite your powerful soul, you couldn't sense me, even though you could easily detect the Swift Shadow Clan?"
Yuan Xiang's question made Lin Qian pause. It was true—if not for the faint impression left in his sea of consciousness the night before and Yuan Xiang revealing himself, Lin Qian wouldn't have noticed him at all.
Even Zhao Long, who had been wary, was now more focused on hearing the explanation.
Yuan Xiang could see through them both and continued, "Just as the world has its unique essence, so too do all things within it. Try using the same method you used to sense this small world and see if you can sense me."
With Yuan Xiang's guidance, Lin Qian closed his eyes, expanding his soul sense and carefully attuning it to the world around him.
Indeed, each world had its distinct aura. The small world's essence was clearly imprinted in Lin Qian's mind, and within that essence, Yuan Xiang's presence stood out. The elder's aura was deeply entwined with the world, almost indistinguishable from it.
Lin Qian opened his eyes, realization dawning on him. Yuan Xiang wasn't just residing in this world—he had become a part of it.
Understanding this, Lin Qian sighed and respectfully bowed. "So, Senior, you sacrificed yourself and merged with this small world, preserving a fragment of your soul within it."
Lin Qian finally comprehended that Xuán Jūn Yuan Xiang hadn't perished attempting to reach a higher realm, nor had he succumbed to old age. Instead, he had become one with this small world. His translucent form was a testament to the toll this had taken on him.
When Lin Qian explained this, the others also realized the truth, bowing deeply to Yuan Xiang with solemn expressions.
But when they looked up, they were puzzled to see Yuan Xiang's face contorted in anger.
Weren't they supposed to be paying their respects and honoring him? Shouldn't he be moved to tears by their reverence?
"Smack!"
The gathered spiritual energy in the air condensed and delivered a sharp tap on each of their heads, not too hard but firm enough to express Yuan Xiang's irritation. "Who said I'm dead? I'm still very much alive!" Yuan Xiang grumbled.
Zhao Long didn't mind being smacked, but when he saw that the elder had also tapped his emperor, he bristled with indignation.
Before Zhao Long could react, Lin Qian quickly ordered him to stand down. Rubbing his head, Lin Qian asked, "Senior, you're saying you're still alive? Then what's with this form…?"
"Didn't I explain earlier? To claim a small world, you must leave your soul imprint on its core. This ethereal form you see is that imprint," Yuan Xiang explained, flexing his translucent form. "As for my true body, I left the Soul Martial Continent long ago. This world can no longer contain me, so I had to leave."
With this clarification, everyone finally understood, and Lin Qian felt a sense of relief. Yuan Xiang had made invaluable contributions to the human race on the Soul Martial Continent—he was a true hero. The idea of him being gone would have been a great loss, but fortunately, he was still alive.
"The Swift Shadow Clan and Formless Clan entered this small world with the intention of taking control. They aim to destroy my imprint and claim the world as their own," Yuan Xiang continued, explaining the presence of the two hostile clans.
Seeing the elder's concern as he spoke, Lin Qian couldn't help but ask, "But with your strength, Senior, wouldn't it be difficult for those two clans to erase your imprint? And considering your abilities, is this small world really that valuable to you? After all, it was jointly managed by four clans, not just the human race."
Yuan Xiang chuckled at Lin Qian's barrage of questions. "You're full of curiosity, aren't you? It seems I'll have to explain things more clearly today."
"The truth is, erasing my imprint isn't as difficult as it used to be. My true body may be powerful now, but the imprint I left behind was made at a time when my cultivation wasn't nearly as advanced."
"Time is the most powerful force of all. Over the years, even the strongest imprint weakens. When I first left it, my form was solid, not this semi-transparent state you see now."
"And as for entering your sea of consciousness last night, I wanted to explain everything to you. But your sea of consciousness was so overwhelming that it scattered my form. Although I've stabilized somewhat, I'm still far weaker than before."
Hearing this, Lin Qian could only shrug helplessly. "So… this is my fault?"