Chapter 34: The Azure-Robed Traveler
Zhang Ruochen stood still, his gaze fixed on the figure before him. The man wore a simple azure robe, his face obscured by a bamboo hat, making it impossible to see his true appearance. Yet, the aura emanating from him was unmistakable—a profound and unfathomable power that seemed to ripple through the very air around them.
"Who are you?" Zhang Ruochen asked cautiously, his hand resting on the hilt of the Abyssal Ancient Sword.
The azure-robed man did not answer immediately. Instead, he slowly raised his head, and beneath the brim of the bamboo hat, a pair of eyes gleamed like stars in the night sky. "I am but a traveler passing through this land," he said, his voice calm and resonant, carrying a weight that seemed to transcend time itself.
"A traveler?" Zhang Ruochen repeated, his brow furrowing. He could sense that this man was no ordinary wanderer. The energy surrounding him was ancient and powerful, far beyond what a mere traveler should possess.
The man smiled faintly, a gesture that was barely visible beneath the shadow of his hat. "You carry the mark of the Heir of Time and Space. It seems fate has brought us together."
Zhang Ruochen's heart tightened. The Heir of Time and Space—a title he had inherited from Xumi Saint Monk. Few knew of this secret, and yet this stranger spoke of it so casually. "What do you know of me?" he demanded.
"Enough," the man replied. "I know of your journey, your struggles, and the burden you bear. But I am not here to hinder you. On the contrary, I have come to offer guidance."
"Guidance?" Zhang Ruochen's eyes narrowed. "From whom?"
The azure-robed man took a step forward, and the ground beneath him seemed to ripple like water. "From one who has walked the path you now tread. The road ahead is fraught with danger, Zhang Ruochen. The Dark Great Triangle Star Domain stirs, and forces far greater than you imagine are aligning. You must be prepared."
Zhang Ruochen's grip on his sword tightened. "If you know so much, then tell me—what is it you truly want?"
The man chuckled softly. "Sharp as ever. But I am not your enemy. Consider me a friend, if you will. Or perhaps, a shadow that walks beside you, watching from afar."
Before Zhang Ruochen could respond, the azure-robed man raised his hand, and a scroll materialized in his palm. "Take this. It contains knowledge that may aid you in the trials to come. But remember, the path of the Heir of Time and Space is one of solitude and sacrifice. Trust no one too easily."
Zhang Ruochen hesitated, but the man's words carried an undeniable sincerity. He reached out and accepted the scroll. As his fingers touched it, a surge of energy coursed through him, and visions flashed before his eyes—battles, realms, and a figure standing against the void.
When he looked up, the azure-robed man was gone, as if he had never existed. The wind rustled through the trees, and the world returned to its quiet stillness.
Zhang Ruochen unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the ancient script. It was a map—a map of the Starry Sky Battlefield, marked with locations he had never seen before. At the center of the map, a single line of text stood out: "The key lies within the Abyss of Darkness."
He folded the scroll and tucked it into his robe, his mind racing with questions. Who was that man? And what secrets awaited him in the Abyss of Darkness?
For now, there were no answers. Only the path ahead.