Chapter Thirty-Three: The Mysterious Shadow of Space

Seven days passed.

The first light of dawn gently unfurled across the sky, casting a serene calm over the Heavenly Evolution Sect. As the morning sun pierced the lingering mist and bathed the heavenly avenue in freshness, disciples from the outer sect and those tasked with menial duties began to emerge from the Heavenly Lodging area, their laughter and chatter gradually filling the air.

Within this tranquil rebirth, a certain dwelling in the Heavenly Lodging region embodied the essence of renewal.

In a world shrouded in white fog, a transparent figure wandered aimlessly, searching for direction...

"…Get out… get out!"

A resolute voice echoed endlessly in the figure’s ears, yet no matter how he tried to find his way, the scenery ahead remained unchanged.

He did not know who he was, nor what he was doing. All he could do was follow his instincts, continuing to walk onward in this infinite realm, driven by an obsession rooted deep in his heart...

For he had no choice, no other way.

The end of the white radiance was still confusion. He stopped, as if his subconscious was pondering who he was and what he was doing. But every time he tried to recall, a splitting headache seized him.

Now, the white figure was utterly desolate.

Helpless, he lingered in place, at a loss. Though the voice kept urging him onward, he had grown weary, having lost the meaning of moving forward...

Just then, as despair nearly consumed him, a streak of purple light shone toward him from ahead.

The transparent figure looked on in bewilderment, stepping slowly toward the purple glow.

Just as his foot fell, he seemed to sense something and raised his confused gaze.

Above him, in the endless white, a giant purple silhouette emerged, dominating half the space. Whenever the white mist touched the purple shadow, it was transformed, swirling around it in ethereal streams of violet.

"...Tianming?"

As the figure curiously examined the apparition, the purple hand of the shadow reached toward him, accompanied by a voice so powerful it shook the entire space. Instantly, the white fog vanished...

His instinctive reaction was to close his eyes, but suddenly a piercing pain erupted in his mind!

He could feel a pure energy coursing through his skull, sharp as a thousand ants crawling.

He was Tianming—the one and only!

"Poor little one… you have suffered."

In a haze, Tianming recalled the last words spoken to him by Xiaotianji, the most vivid memory. Now, that phrase swept through his soul like a sweet stream, a spring breeze, bringing unparalleled comfort that made him open his eyes.

Gradually, memory after memory resurfaced in his mind, welling up like a spring...

He raised his head, curiosity shining in his eyes as he stared at the purple giant shadow.

"…Who are you? Why are you here? What is this place?"

His confusion gave way to clarity, and a series of questions welled up in his heart.

By Tianming’s reasoning, he should be at the Heavenly Evolution Sect, so why had he appeared in this strange place?

But unfortunately, the purple giant seemed uninterested in his questions. Its gaze wandered over Tianming, the massive face shifting through various expressions.

Tianming, meanwhile, scrutinized the old man’s face, trying to remember if he’d seen it before.

"…Would you be willing to become my successor—the second generation?"

The atmosphere grew awkward, when suddenly a frail, ancient voice emerged.

"…Sir, could you answer my questions first? One must be courteous. Why should I become your disciple? At least give me a reason or show you’re qualified as my master." Tianming frowned after a moment's thought.

Though he respected this person’s power, Tianming was a man of principle. He did not want to become someone’s disciple for no reason—after all, he was the protagonist protected by the all-powerful Doraemon, unique among all.

The purple shadow...

The elder’s face creased with frustration, falling silent as Tianming finished speaking.

He had lived through endless ages, a celestial being above millions, now being challenged by a mortal questioning his worthiness as a master?

Countless mortals and even golden immortals had dreamed of seeing him, yet today he was embarrassed by this brash youth.

"…If you won't answer, just let me go! Don’t think you can intimidate me—I have backing… Or I'll call Xiaotianji to deal with you!" Seeing the elder’s face flush, Tianming thought he'd succeeded and pressed harder.

Xiaotianji?

"You…"

At these words, the purple shadow's mouth twitched. To frighten him with a mere mortal—what an insult!

His expression darkened, purple lightning crackling through the space, and the towering purple hand seemed ready to descend...

"…Who is mentioning my name?"

Elsewhere on a street, a white-haired old man held a delicate, fair hand, when a spray of saliva shot out uncontrollably.

"…Master, you… scoundrel!" The woman, her hand wet with spit, blushed angrily and slapped the old man's face.

The old man regained composure, ignoring the sting. His aged hand lifted, fingers gently pinching, sensing something. His face turned pale, a trace of red at his lips.

"This is bad!"

His voice trembled as he shook his cane.

In an instant, the stream of light reversed… leaving a bewildered woman standing alone, murmuring to herself.

…

Gulping at the giant hand nearly covering the space, Tianming broke into a cold sweat.

But just as the celestial hand reached him, it vanished with a sigh. Reason had prevailed over impulse.

If not for certain constraints, by his usual temper he would’ve struck long ago. The elder’s face was helpless—he could not defy the heavenly law.

Tianming...

Seeing the giant shadow hesitate, Tianming grew bolder.

"Getting angry, are you? You old trickster! Still trying to fool me? I’m not falling for it. Go ahead, try something if you dare!"

Hands on his hips, Tianming pointed upward, cursing.

As he suspected, the old man was bluffing—no sincerity, yet wanted him as a disciple. Ridiculous.

"Very well, as you wish—leave!"

The voice, tinged with disappointment, erupted in a thunderous roar. As the last word faded, the white space shattered into fragments, vanishing into oblivion...

In that instant, a vast purple radiance blossomed across the realm!

Had Tianming remained, he would have seen the white realm replaced by a magnificent purple palace. Above the palace, immortal mist billowed like an ocean, dragons soared, phoenixes danced to the heavens. Inscribed above the palace were four grand characters: Divine Immortal Palace, glowing with endless brilliance…

Yet Tianming could not witness this, for just before the great roar, he had vanished completely from the realm.