"This kid..."

The elder looked at Chen Mo, his eyes full of complexity.

The punch he demonstrated earlier was just a simulation based on Chen Mo's own strength under ideal conditions.

In reality, due to various limiting factors, it's practically impossible to reach such a level.

Although he said for the kid to comprehend on his own, he was actually waiting for him to surrender and humbly seek guidance, which would satisfy his own idle whims.

After all, it's been many years since he's seen fresh blood.

He didn't expect Chen Mo to actually explore out a path of his own!

"Using Dragon Qi as a foundation, then utilizing the Divination Technique to deduce, he found several balance points of the Power of Laws, thereby deriving his own 'Dao'."

"Even though due to the short time and lack of refinement, it appears somewhat rough, since it's his own deep understanding, its potential is astonishingly high with so much Origin-level power as its base!"

"If he continues to practice, perhaps he truly has a chance to break through the shackles and transcend the ordinary..."

"For me to meet him at this moment, is this destiny?"

As the collapse of this world was imminent, the elder no longer hesitated, raising his hand to point at Chen Mo's forehead, saying, "Young one, destiny has brought us together, I don't have much to teach, my life's insights are all within, hoping to help you go further."

A ray of light flashed by, countless information poured into Chen Mo's Divine Soul.

At the same time, the elder's figure gradually became thin, like a wisp of smoke ready to disperse.

Feeling the vast and magnificent Martial Arts truth, Chen Mo was momentarily lost, then he quickly responded, "What will happen to you after imparting all this to me?"

"Dust to dust, earth to earth, where the breeze passes, there is no trace." The elder's expression was calm, his words carried the depth of experience.

Chen Mo frowned deeper upon hearing this, saying, "So you were lying to me before, right? You are definitely more than just a mere projection..."

"What if yes, what if no?"

"I've long since died, my Dao dissipated, and standing before you now is merely the obsession formed from past regrets and dissatisfaction."

The elder saw through Chen Mo's thoughts, saying, "You need not overthink it, even without doing this, this consciousness will soon dissipate, moreover meeting such an interesting person like you in the last moment, my luck isn't too bad."

Looking at the nearly indistinguishable figure, Chen Mo was silent for a moment, then asked, "May I ask your name, elder?"

"Lingxiao Fuyun Guest, Worldly Dust Sweeping Elder." The elder said lightly, "I am Pei Fengmian."

Chen Mo brushed his lapel, his expression solemn, clasped his hands and bowed respectfully to the silhouette, "Disciple greets Master Pei."

The elder stared for a moment, then a smile appeared at the corners of his mouth, as if a burden had been lifted, clapped his hands and laughed heartily, "Hahaha, good, good! I accept you as my disciple!"

The breeze whisked through, the figure completely vanished, yet the hearty laughter lingered in the air.

"When you leave, remember to tell my friend this: In this life, separated by Heaven and Earth, we can no longer meet. If there is a next life, I seek not immortality, but merely to wander the world with him, enjoying the mortal realm!"

"Wait, you must first tell me, who is your friend?"

Crack—

As soon as the words fell, a crisp sound echoed, and the entire Illusory World shattered.

Chen Mo's consciousness detached and returned to reality, slowly opening his eyes, shocked by the scene before him.

He saw an imposing creature lying before him, its fine scales glimmering with iridescent light, affectionately nuzzling its forehead against his palm.

Upon seeing Chen Mo awaken, it excitedly wagged its tail, its expression almost saying "pet me."

"What is this thing?!"

Chen Mo was momentarily bewildered.

Raising his eyes, he saw Huo Wuya and the Empress standing in the courtyard, staring dumbfoundedly at him.

Outside the door, crowds gathered densely, disciples packed tightly, looking at him with disbelief as if something monumental had happened.

"Master Huo, why are there so many people gathered here?" Chen Mo looked around, puzzled, "And where did this big dog come from?"

Huo Wuya's throat moved, his voice dry as he said, "This is not a dog, but our sect's Elder Ling Xiao, also known as the Guardian Qilin."

"Elder?"

Chen Mo scrutinized it carefully.

Though its appearance was extraordinarily brave, its foolish demeanor made it difficult to connect it with the legendary Qilin.

"It is the companion beast of the founding ancestor of Martial Saint Mountain, possessing the bloodline of the Ancient Qilin, with an extremely long lifespan, personally named as Great Elder by the ancestor, the Lingxiao Peak is also named after it."

At this, Huo Wuya's words paused, continuing, "Since the ancestor's ascension, it has become reclusive, unwilling to communicate with outsiders, simply transforming into a stone lion guarding the mountain gate, only appearing when the sect faces a major upheaval."

"I see."

Chen Mo nodded knowingly.

"Mmm..."

The Qilin saw Chen Mo ignoring it, looked down, thinking perhaps its size scared him.

Tilting its head in thought, the antlers on its forehead flashed, its body rapidly shrank to about three feet, jumped onto Chen Mo's shoulder and licked his cheek.

"Stop, don't lick, you're getting saliva all over me!" Chen Mo disliked wiping with his sleeve, frowned and said, "Master Huo, is this what you call reclusive? It's overly enthusiastic!"