Not far away from him stood a man with disheveled snow-white hair, suspended in mid-air. His hair, resembling a wild, untamed storm, danced around his head in chaotic strands. It was as if the very essence of winter had settled upon his scalp, leaving behind a soft frost that shimmered in the dim light of the desolate land.
He was shackled by five dark and ominous chains, their ebony tendrils snaking around his body with an otherworldly grace. These chains, as thick as ancient tree roots, seemed to have taken root in the void of the world, their origins hidden in the depths of its unfathomable darkness.
The largest chain, a massive iron behemoth, was attached to the man’s heart. Its links, each one adorned with intricate designs etched with an ancient script, encircled his chest tightly, constricting his very essence. The other four chains were bound to his arms and feet, their grip unyielding, rendering any movement impossible.
A swirling presence of ethereal energy emanated from the man’s heart, weaving through the chains like a river that had found its course. It flowed with a mesmerizing grace, as if it held secrets and depths beyond mortal comprehension. The energy extended towards the void, its tendrils stretching out like invisible hands seeking something obscured by the shadows.
Curiously, the chains appeared to be more than mere restraints. They acted as conduits, extracting and siphoning the man’s seemingly boundless energy. Each chain pulsated with a sickly black glow, as if intoxicated by the unlimited source of power it contained.
Despite his constrained state, the man bore a serene expression, his features untouched by the turmoil that surrounded him. His face, though lined with the weight of countless years, possessed an unearthly beauty that transcended mortal concepts. It radiated an air of tranquility amidst the chaos, like a calm lake untouched by the raging storm that raged around it.
As Liang gazed upon the man, every drop of his blood quivered. The sight before him eluded ordinary explanation, leaving him both captivated and uneasy.
Suddenly, the man’s eyes, previously closed as if in a deep slumber, fluttered open, revealing two swirling dark abysses. They were devoid of color, like twin whirlpools that devoured all light and life. These eyes, cold and detached from the passage of time, fixated upon Liang’s position with an intensity that sent shivers down his spine.
The sheer intensity of the man’s gaze had the ability to consume the very souls of even the most powerful cultivators. It was a gaze that pierced through layers of reality, seeing through pretense and falsehood, and exposing the true nature hidden within.
Then, without warning, the man’s mouth parted, unveiling a commanding voice that resonated with both fear and awe. It was a voice capable of instilling profound emotions in even the bravest of experts, a voice that stirred the depths of one’s very soul.
"Finally, you are here," the man spoke, his words echoing through the desolate land like a thunderclap. There was a sense of weariness in his voice as if he had been waiting for this moment for an eternity. "Though it may be a bit late, you have arrived nonetheless."
Liang’s eyes narrowed slightly upon hearing these words, sensing that the man had already anticipated his arrival. The corners of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, a subtle sign of his wariness. Nevertheless, his expression remained calm and composed, a mask of controlled curiosity. "Waiting for me?" he repeated the man’s words, his voice steady but laced with a hint of skepticism.
The man chuckled, his laughter carrying a touch of amusement and fondness. "A bit cautious, but that’s good. You would need that," he remarked, his tone like a gentle breeze that brushed against Liang’s senses.
Continuing, the man revealed his secret observation. "I have been keeping an eye on you since the second awakening of your bloodline." His voice held a tinge of excitement, the kind one might hear in a scholar who had just stumbled upon a long-lost artifact.
A hint of shock crossed Liang’s features as the full implications of the man’s words sank in. His mind raced to make sense of it all, connecting the dots of his own experience. Soon, his shock was replaced by a sense of realization, a dawning awareness that he had always felt this man’s presence, even before they met. The strange familiarity enveloped him, tugging at his very core, as if the man’s presence resonated with something deep within him that he couldn’t quite comprehend.
"Though you aren’t exceptionally talented, you have impressed me," the man continued, his voice a mixture of admiration and intrigue. It carried a melody, each word a distinct note in a symphony of complex emotions. "Your bloodline is somewhat thin and distant, and even your soul isn’t entirely pure."
Liang’s eyes widened slightly at the man’s candid assessment, his mind processing the implications of such statements. It was like the man had unraveled the very fabric of his being, unveiling secrets that he himself always kept.
Pausing briefly, the man then revealed a startling revelation, his voice quivering with a mix of caution and excitement. "But that, at the same time, is your fortune. If your bloodline had been a bit thicker and your soul had been of a pure Infernal Void Serpent, you would have most likely been obliterated by the will of The Great Void upon your birth."
Liang felt a chill crawl up his spine, the man’s words seemed to have triggered something deep within his bloodline. It was as if an invisible hand had squeezed his heart. His breath hitched, and he fought to maintain his composure, his voice laced with caution as he asked, "Who are you?"
The man’s eyes flickered with a glimmer of amusement as if he had expected Liang’s question. "Ah, the question of identity," he mused, his voice carrying a melodic cadence that resonated with ancient wisdom. "Names have power, young ones, but they are also fleeting and ever-changing. What is important is the essence, the core of who I am."
A gust of wind, cold and biting, swept through the desolate land, causing Liang to shiver involuntarily. The man’s presence seemed to intensify, his aura expanding like a tempest unleashed. It was as if the very fabric of reality shifted, bending to his will.
"I am the Infernal Void Emperor, the progenitor of your bloodline," he declared, his voice echoing with a sense of immense authority.
"The progenitor?" Liang’s eyes widened with curiosity as he digested the Infernal Void Emperor’s words. He took a deep breath, his mind racing with possibilities. "A Primordial Being?"
A Primordial Being is a mythical entity that has captivated the imaginations of Cultivators for ages, with tales of its omnipotence and transcendence. It is said to be the very first manifestation of life to emerge in the vast cosmos, existing since the dawn of the creation of Heaven and Earth itself.
In the hierarchies of mythical creatures, a Primordial Being stands at a much higher level compared to beings like True Dragons and Divine Phoenixes, commanding unparalleled might and influence.
These extraordinary beings not only possess eternal life, but they also wield limitless power and hold dominion over the very forces that govern the world. Their authority is said to extend beyond the realms of cultivation, allowing them to shape reality according to their will. The lore surrounding a Primordial Being embodies a mixture of reverence, awe, and speculation, leaving Cultivators to ponder the impact such beings might have on the fabric of existence.
The Infernal Void Emperor laughed. "You are overestimating me. If I were a Primordial Being, I wouldn’t have needed to challenge the Heavenly Void God for the position of the Great Void Law Lord."
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"Great Void Law Lord?" Liang’s curiosity was piqued.
The Infernal Void Emperor’s lips curled into a smirk, "Ah, the Great Void Law Lord," he repeated, his voice laced with nostalgia. "It is a title bestowed upon the one who wields the ultimate authority over the vast expanse of the Void across the Infinite Domains."
"Regrettably, I was defeated by him, and as a consequence, I have been trapped here for eternity. Furthermore, the repercussions of this defeat led to the extermination of all my descendants." The emperor continued somberly.
Liang’s eyes flickered with sadness upon hearing the news. He never could have imagined that he would be the final surviving member of the once powerful and majestic Infernal Void Serpent Race.
As if reading Liang’s thoughts, the emperor spoke with a somber tone, confirming their shared fate, "Yes, young one. You and I are the sole remnants of our once-mighty race. Our lineage ends here, and our existence hovers on the edge of eternity."
Each syllable uttered by the emperor resonated in Liang’s mind as if the words themselves carried the weight of centuries of history, now reduced to a single, dwindling ember. It was a truth that cut deep, slicing through the very essence of his identity, leaving only a hollow void in its wake.
"Let’s not dwell on that for now," the Infernal Void Emperor said with a chuckle.