Ye Tianchen was left with only a trace of Divine Thought. In his dying moments, he charged towards the mystical mountain with no regard for anything else. His sole thought was that, even in death, he could not allow his enemies any opportunity to humiliate him. Even if he were to die, he must catch a glimpse of the ancient treasure; otherwise, it would be too painfully unworthy!

However, when Ye Tianchen awoke in the soul-rending pain, he realized he had a trace of Divine Thought remaining, floating uncertainly. It was only then that he discovered he had collided into the mountain. His physical body had exploded, yet not completely extinguished, leaving a trace of Divine Thought lingering. He couldn't tell whether this was fortunate or unfortunate.

"Only a trace of Divine Thought left, my Cultivation Realm suppressed; the power of my physical body nearly annihilated. Just a faint breeze, and this trace of Divine Thought would dissipate completely, leading to total obliteration, dying utterly in this realm!" Ye Tianchen couldn't help but mutter to himself.

If a trace of Divine Thought were left amidst an unsuppressed Cultivation Realm and a sufficiently powerful physical body, Ye Tianchen could employ a potent secret technique from Yijin Jing to gradually restore himself, gathering the scattered Divine Thought. But in this Immortal Light Array, even if an Ancient Saint were to arrive, they might perish; let alone him. He didn't even know where he was now—a mere trace of Divine Thought drifting aimlessly, without any power to speak of. A gust of wind alone could make him vanish.

In that moment, Ye Tianchen truly felt the weakness within—no need for a Martial Artist, even an ant could end him. Should this last trace of Divine Thought disappear, he would be dead, no longer able to survive.

"Hmm? Why is there light ahead? Where have I come to? Have I entered within this mountain?" Ye Tianchen gazed at a beam of light appearing ahead, startled in thought.

After pondering for a while, Ye Tianchen did not feel afraid, despite having only a trace of Divine Thought with a chance of vanishing at any time. He wasn't one to be timid; slowly he moved towards the position of that light beam. All the way, he was cautious, not daring to touch anything—not a flying insect or a leaf in the air, fearing that mere contact would mean certain death given his precarious state of just one remaining trace of Divine Thought.

Upon reaching the source of the light beam, Ye Tianchen was shocked to find it was a stone—a stone shaped uncannily like a person, standing there as if nothing strange. Just as Ye Tianchen was about to leave, suddenly a trace of Divine Thought emerged from the stone, speaking to him: "Young man, reaching this point is truly remarkable!"

An old, seasoned voice resonated, clearly that of a long-practiced Martial Artist. Ye Tianchen paused in thought; was this the voice of a person, or had the Stone Man gained Spiritual Wisdom over ages? If it were indeed a person, Ye Tianchen would be thoroughly astounded. The mountain's formation wouldn't even dare tamper with it; only circumstances would allow entry, yet someone had entered here without dying. It was truly shocking! Who was this person? Could it really be an Ancient Saint?

"You're too kind, senior. I'm left with just a wisp of Divine Thought, hardly remarkable, and liable to perish any moment!" Ye Tianchen replied with a bitter smile.

"Hehe, young man, to come here demonstrates exceptional ability and certain destiny. Understand, even a Saint managing to preserve a trace of Divine Thought to enter here would find it difficult, yet you accomplished it. Would you not say you are remarkable?" The seasoned voice laughed.

"Perhaps. Senior, who are you? Are you trapped here? Is there anything I can do to assist you?" Ye Tianchen wondered if this entity in the stone had no ill intentions, casually asking.

"Help me? You can barely help yourself yet consider aiding my escape! Youngsters like you are hard to find. What's your name?"

"Ye Tianchen. What's your name, senior?" Ye Tianchen inquired.

"Time has long passed. I sealed myself here, unsure of how many eras have elapsed. Call me Qin Kongdao if I must have a name!" came the voice from the stone.

Qin Kongdao—a name unfamiliar to Ye Tianchen, but he could tell the entity capable of surviving here over time by self-sealing within a stone without perishing was surely a formidable one. The old man within the stone must be immensely powerful, though his origins were unclear!

"Have you come here for the treasure, young friend?" Qin Kongdao asked, as casually as if conversing.

"Indeed. Sadly, I face death before seeing the treasure!" Ye Tianchen answered with a forced laugh.

"Ah, the allure of treasure is great. I too was drawn here for a glimpse, resulting in being trapped for nearly ten thousand years. I remember it was a night, coming here alone and suppressing my Cultivation Realm upon entering the Immortal Light Array. Although my combat ability was strong, having studied the formation around the mystical mountain, I saw its strength was formidable yet managed to force myself in; unfortunately, the domain within was too overwhelming, suppressing my cultivation, annihilating anything with life. After three days and nights, I had no choice but to seal myself in this special stone till now..." Qin Kongdao recounted his storied past to Ye Tianchen in an understated manner.

"Such power; then why do I have a trace of Divine Thought remaining?" Ye Tianchen pondered in surprise.

"You've had fortune, and also after ten thousand years, the formations around the mountain have weakened; otherwise, your life would have been forfeit!" Qin Kongdao explained.

"I see!" nodded Ye Tianchen.

"Sadly, I, Qin Kongdao, have waged countless battles without defeat yet find myself trapped here for nearly ten thousand years. Now, I am beyond extricating myself; the unique stone conceals me as I'm on the brink. To emerge proves difficult!" Qin Kongdao lamented.

"Senior, let me try to break this stone for you!" Ye Tianchen instinctively suggested.

"You are left with a trace of Divine Thought, unable to accomplish it. I do not fear death; entrapment for nearly ten thousand years has altered the world outside, my family, loved ones likely long gone. My sole wish is to see them, even their graves, to announce: Qin Kongdao still lives!"

To Qin Kongdao, Ye Tianchen resonated with shared sentiment, realizing they both prioritized emotion and integrity amidst adversity—not seeking their own escape or survival, but longing to see their loved ones again. Such a heartfelt privilege and sentiment was rare, deserving admiration.

"Haha, no need to linger in sadness, senior. Let us two dying souls laugh and chat together; I too shall soon part. Sad that you cannot emerge, and my body is gone, otherwise we could enjoy wine and drink three hundred cups!" joked Ye Tianchen.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a beam shot from the stone, striking Ye Tianchen. Though merely a trace of Divine Thought, he felt immense vitality—such that any entity might seemingly rise anew.

Gradually, Ye Tianchen sensed his Divine Thought stabilize; despite being singular, the vitality gathered him, unifying scattered Divine Thoughts. Captivated, Ye Tianchen marveled at this extraordinary life force's awe-inducing magnitude.

Within three hours, Ye Tianchen gathered his scattered thoughts within the mountain, no longer fragile. Employing a secret technique from Yijin Jing, he sustained his Divine Thought, preventing its aimless drift; now he must slowly restore his physical body to forestall death. Elatedly, he realized.

"Senior..." Ye Tianchen expressed gratitude.

After a prolonged silence, Qin Kongdao's diminished voice emerged: "This is the last droplet from my internal Tree of Life. Didn't expect it would indeed aid your survival!"

"Thank you, senior... If I manage to emerge, one day I will assist in your liberation!" vowed Ye Tianchen earnestly.

"No need; my escape is too difficult. My vitality is waning. After nearly ten thousand years, without reaching the Emperor Realm nor consuming the Immortal Elixir, survival required my own vitality and the stone's specialty. Now I'm near dwindling; my family has perished. What lifespan bears meaning? Just wish you visit our ancestral site, for any Qin family descendants, aid their survival!" With enlightening wisdom Qin Kongdao remarked. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote and support. Mobile users please read at m.qidian.com.)

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