In the primordial chaos, outside the long river of time, there existed an ancient universe named the Shiyin Universe.
The Shiyin Universe was one of the oldest in the primordial chaos, once a territory under the command of the Primordial Chaos King. Within it resided countless powerful beings, all loyal to the Primordial Chaos King.
However, after the Primordial Chaos King's defeat in the Seven Kings War, all life in the Shiyin Universe fought to the death and were ultimately annihilated by the Watchers. Not a single living creature remained, and the universe was utterly destroyed.
Following this, the Shiyin Universe was completely abandoned. It drifted outside the long river of time, and even the Watchers' archives contained no information about it.
Even the Watchers who participated in the Seven Kings War believed the Shiyin Universe had long since vanished into spacetime.
This abandoned universe became the new stronghold that Tian Xing sought in the primordial chaos. Ye Ling's companions were all within this Shiyin Universe.
After Ye Ling left the Watchers' headquarters with Bai Lan, he followed Tian Xing's guidance and, after considerable effort, found the Shiyin Universe outside the long river of time in the primordial chaos.
The Shiyin Universe was enveloped by the ceaselessly flowing long river of time, hidden within thick mist, undiscovered by any Watcher for eons.
At this moment, Tian Xing stood alone above the long river of time, awaiting Ye Ling and Bai Lan.
"Tian Xing, over here!"
Ye Ling's voice carried from a distance. Tian Xing looked and saw Ye Ling and Bai Lan flying out of the long river of time, heading their way.
Upon seeing Ye Ling, Tian Xing's lips curved into a smile. "You've grown stronger again... You've experienced a lot out there recently, haven't you?"
"Just minor skirmishes, not worth mentioning," Ye Ling said, waving a hand at Tian Xing. He then pulled Bai Lan forward and introduced her, "Oh, you haven't met Bai Lan yet, have you? My new disciple."
Bai Lan politely bowed to Tian Xing. "Hello, Sister Tian Xing. I've always heard my master mention you, saying you are kind, generous, decisive, and resolute. Seeing you now, it's truly as they say!"
Tian Xing smiled back at Bai Lan. "It's funny, Ye Ling has also been mentioning you to me constantly, always saying you are intelligent, quick-witted, and have a promising future."
"Really?" Bai Lan's eyes lit up. "Did Master really say that about me?"
"Of course," Tian Xing replied with a smile. "Every time he contacts me, he talks about you."
"Is that so, is that so!"
Seeing that Tian Xing and Bai Lan had quickly become acquainted, Ye Ling turned to Tian Xing and asked, "By the way, Tian Xing, how did you find this universe? I couldn't even teleport here using the Source Text."
"Ah, that's thanks to someone. She's the one who brought us here," Tian Xing said with a slight smile to Ye Ling. "You'd never guess who we met in the primordial chaos."
"Who?" Ye Ling inquired.
"Let me keep you in suspense for a bit. It's a surprise, you'll know when you enter the Shiyin Universe yourself... This place is simply our perfect stronghold."
"Hearing you say that, I'm getting more and more curious."
Ye Ling's curiosity piqued by Tian Xing, he immediately followed her into the Shiyin Universe.
However, as Ye Ling passed through the Shiyin Universe's cosmic barrier, he found another cosmic barrier within. He was stunned. "What is this..."
A universe within a universe?
A Russian nesting doll?
Tian Xing stood beside Ye Ling, her eyes narrowing into a smile. "It seems you've been away too long, you don't even recognize this universe anymore."
Hearing Tian Xing's words, Ye Ling's body trembled. He instantly understood, and his entire being became agitated.
Without a word, Ye Ling plunged into the cosmic barrier, entering the universe within.
Seeing Ye Ling's excited reaction, Bai Lan turned to Tian Xing and asked, "Sister Tian Xing, does this cosmic barrier have any special significance? Why is Master so excited?"
Tian Xing explained with a smile, "Because that is the Three Thousand Universes, your master's homeland."
"The Three Thousand Universes?" Bai Lan blinked. "Why is there a universe inside the Shiyin Universe?"
Tian Xing elaborated, "The Shiyin Universe had already died, leaving only an empty shell. Back then, when your master and we were not strong, and the Watchers were destroying the Three Thousand Universes, we had to leave our homes and flee the primordial chaos."
"Then why did the Three Thousand Universes appear here?" Bai Lan asked curiously. "I remember the Shiyin Universe was a territory under the Primordial Chaos King, with no connection to the Three Thousand Universes."
Tian Xing replied, "It was done by Shan. At the last moment of the Three Thousand Universes' demise, he took all their inhabitants with him and rebuilt the Three Thousand Universes within the Shiyin Universe, placing everyone there."
"Since the Shiyin Universe was long dead and drifted outside the long river of time, even the 'Brain' could never find it. Moreover, the Shiyin Universe serves as a natural barrier for the Three Thousand Universes."
"I dare say, this place is the safest in the entire primordial chaos."
Bai Lan inquired, "Since this place is so hidden, how did you find it?"
Bai Lan was like a curious baby. She was originally the Daughter of Chaos and had a thorough understanding of the operating rules of the primordial chaos. It was precisely because of this that she knew...
How incredible it was for a dead universe, drifting outside the long river of time, to contain a living universe within it.
"That has to do with an old acquaintance of Ye Ling's..." Tian Xing paused here. "We'll talk about the rest on our way. I can also take you to tour your master's homeland. That place is quite interesting, and there are many legends about your master in the Three Thousand Universes."
"Oh, yes! I'm very curious about what kind of environment could nurture a remarkable person like Master!"
Bai Lan's eyes sparkled, and she entered the Three Thousand Universes with Tian Xing, full of excitement.
She was also very curious about Ye Ling's past.
...
Meanwhile, within the Three Thousand Universes, in the Lower Realm of Origin.
In Earth's orbit, Solar System.
A multitude of satellites orbited the Earth, and several astronauts were working outside the space station.
Everything here remained unchanged.
Human civilization was flourishing. Despite ongoing disputes between nations, everyone was striving to develop into an interstellar civilization, aiming to break out of the Solar System and contact other civilizations in the Milky Way.
Ye Ling, eager to return, saw a woman in a blue dress, with exquisite beauty, standing on the moon, gazing into the distant blue cosmos.
Upon seeing the woman, Ye Ling stopped, instinctively calling out, "Xuan Yu?"
Sensing Ye Ling's presence, Xuan Yu turned to face him, her eyes curving into crescent moons. She smiled, "Long time no see, Ye Ling."