The Perplexity of the Key of Creation, Yuheng

There exists a peculiar and mystical resonance among the Chosen Ones of Destiny.

Like the magnetic poles attracting each other, as if yearning to merge into one!

This is a natural phenomenon, for the Heavenly Keys behind them were originally a single entity.

In nearly every era, the Nine Great Divine Realms' Heavenly Keys select a Chosen One to act as their proxy, seeking out other Heavenly Keys to communicate and attempt the reunification of the Divine Realm's Heavenly Dao.

Yet, alas, variables are too numerous, compounded by the interference of the Immortal Realm behind the scenes. Almost every Chosen One, fresh out of their "beginner village," either falls to the corruption of Calamity's power or is slain by mutated Calamity Spawn.

One could say the Divine Realm's coffin lid has been nailed shut too tightly, leaving no visible hope for revival.

But the Heavenly Keys refuse to give up. Instead, they select increasingly powerful Chosen Ones, generation after generation, each paving the way with accumulated experience and latent potential, awaiting a single explosive moment!

...

Well, that was just wishful thinking born of unwillingness.

At their peak, they had only managed to stand toe-to-toe with the Immortal Realm. Now, after eons of the Immortal Realm's dominance, the force pressing down on that coffin lid is far beyond what the shattered, nine-fragment Heavenly Keys could hope to lift.

Thus, when Tianxuan—the Key of Balance—chose to manifest her proxy here and clashed with one of the current era's Destiny Candidates,

Yuhang—the Key of Creation, hidden in the shadows—fell into deep contemplation.

She, too, was a fragrant elder sister, identical in appearance to Tianxuan's proxy, yet differing in aura.

If Tianxuan embodied the paradox of balance, then Yuhang was the very definition of vibrant vitality. The dense spiritual essence of heaven and earth filled the entire space—a single breath could extend a mortal's life, and with sufficient endurance, a few more might even grant immortality!

"Wait, Tianxuan, how did you know I was hiding here?"

"Likely a coincidence, but we can't rule out the possibility that Tianxuan has undergone some change!"

"According to the calculations of the Epoch Deviation Calendar, there are still one hundred and eight years and two and a half months until the current era's Chosen One is meant to set forth. Tianxuan, as the guardian of balance, has always been the last to intervene as the final safeguard. Yet this time, she has activated the Chosen One prematurely—there must be a reason behind it!"

"Judging by the strength of this proxy, she shouldn't have been able to withstand the corruption of the Calamity Sea and traverse the void to arrive here. There must be external assistance involved!"

"Tianxuan... have you been exposed?"

As Yuhang pondered and analyzed, a sudden anomaly erupted on the battlefield!

A ferocious Sixth-Rank Calamity Spawn descended from the skies!

"RAAARGH!!!"

"You smell delicious—I’m going to devour you!!!"

The monstrous Calamity Spawn roared, launching an attack toward Dai Yuanshan and Yuhang’s Destiny Candidate.

Once the mask was donned, Ye Ancai fully unleashed his unrestrained self, his body convulsing and twisting grotesquely.

"Don’t you dare harm my brother!"

Liu Bi, who had been standing idly by, suddenly bellowed. His muscles bulged as wind and thunder exploded around him. He lunged forward with a sliding tackle...

Only to slide perfectly into the Sixth-Rank Calamity Spawn’s gaping maw.

Ye Wuchen: "..."

Seriously? That acting was so bad.

Don’t you dare call yourself my student outside—I refuse to be associated with this embarrassment!

"BROTHER!!!" Dai Yuanshan’s eyes nearly burst from their sockets. He forcibly halted his struggle against the teacher, instantly sent flying by the residual shockwaves. After tumbling twice on the ground, he scrambled back up and charged furiously at the Calamity Spawn, which was still smacking its lips.

"GIVE HIM BACK!!!"

Such crude theatrics might not fool the sharp-witted, but they worked perfectly on this naive and gullible fool.

Especially someone like Dai Yuanshan, whose temper flared too easily. His mind was blank, completely forgetting that his teacher was still lurking in the shadows.

Ye Wuchen: "..."

You too. Don’t ever admit you’re my student—utterly shameful.

"Sir, I urge you to calm down. Whoever you are, and whatever grudge you hold against my student, we now face a common enemy. Let us join forces to eliminate this monstrosity before settling our differences!"

The teacher’s voice was stern.

His surname was Murong, given name Dugu—a cultivation instructor at the nearby Third People’s Middle School, specializing in all disciplines. He had some knowledge of these randomly appearing creatures.

In truth, such monsters frequently "dropped" into the world at random. According to the pioneers' research, this world existed within a shifting, eerie sea—moving at a speed of 0.009527 light-years per day, devouring everything in its path. The creatures that couldn’t be fully digested would then fall into the world.

These abominations were known as Calamity Spawn!

And this one that had just appeared was clearly a powerful specimen!

Yet, compared to normal Calamity Spawn, something felt off—though he couldn’t pinpoint what.

But this one was undeniably strong. The energy scanner labeled it as Sixth-Rank, equivalent to a Unity-stage cultivator. Worse, the eerie black mist it emitted disrupted signals, preventing him from calling the school for backup.

He was only at the mid-Nascent Soul stage. Though he carried a plasma-field bracelet gifted by his elders—capable of suppressing Unity-stage foes—it couldn’t deal significant damage.

If his energy ran out and the monster escaped, the three students he’d brought for practical training would be doomed!

That was unacceptable!

Fortunately, there was a fire-type superhuman here. Though his level wasn’t high, his offensive power was exceptional—his flames registered off the charts!

With his cooperation, they stood at least an 80% chance of defeating this Sixth-Rank Calamity Spawn.

It was just a shame about that other wind-and-thunder dual-type superhuman. How did he get swallowed in one sliding tackle?

Ah, right—how did Liu Bi get eaten?

He wasn’t.

The moment he "entered," Ye Ancai had casually tossed him into the bushes.

The smacking lips and chewing act? Pure psychological pressure—to force the two Destiny Candidates to unite, thereby testing whether Murong Dugu could shed the "Candidate" from his title.

Such a crude trick might fool those embroiled in the moment, but trying to deceive a Heavenly Key of the Divine Realm? That was like covering one’s ears while stealing a bell!

Yuhang—the Key of Creation—saw right through the clown beneath that demonic mask.

"Mid-stage True Immortal, reeking of rootless water—Tianxuan’s signature purifying power of balance..."

"Yet, that necklace around his neck is no ordinary artifact. Had he not revealed it, even I wouldn’t have noticed..."

"Tianxuan, you’ve truly handed me a dilemma."

Yuhang’s gaze deepened. After a brief silence, she waved her hand, summoning a mist-shrouded path leading to the depths of the Abyssal Void.

At its end stood a grand coral palace.

Inside, Xie Buruo lay slumped within an ice coffin, his fingers idly flicking through the images reflected in the Primordial Mirror of Beginnings. Scenes of the past played before him as he stared blankly, lost in nostalgia, occasionally chuckling to himself.

Yuhang—the Key of Creation: "..."

What’s wrong with this kid?

Why does he seem... done with life?