As their gazes converged, the scene in the passageway transformed once more. At the center, the man’s silhouette reigned supreme. In the world devoid of anything but the Light of Imagination, a dramatic shift unfolded. In an instant, it was as if a Star Sea descended upon the Desolate Star.

And that man, standing alone in the Star Sea, dazzled more brilliantly than the stars themselves.

"What is this?"

Under Qin Jin’s watchful gaze, the man glanced at him twice, then without changing his expression, closed his eyes once more.

As he closed his eyes, the images on the passageway that showed him suddenly vanished. In their place, other grand and awe-inspiring scenes appeared. A magnificent Divine Hall supported by towering pillars stood in one corner, while colossal celestial bodies resembling a Star Ring or a Great Wall moved within the Star Sea.

"These images..."

Qin Jin had a hunch: "This is the Land of Illusion within the Desolate Star, and it’s already reached a very high level of existence."

"Could these appear on the passageway due to some unique property of the Desolate Star?"

"That senior?"

Thoughts raced through his mind: "While other images persist, only the man’s silhouette flashed by as if he deliberately severed the connection. Did he intend to take a look at me?"

The scene when he first appeared, along with the ever-increasing other images, began to reveal the man’s identity to Qin Jin.

The person was very likely the Federation Martial God whom Lv Chuyun referred to, currently meditating in this place.

A sensation of ascent grew more pronounced, and after reaching a certain height, the majestic images flashing around began to freeze and then gradually disappeared, turning the surrounding passageway into a state akin to a black hole.

Qin Jin chose not to dwell on it further.

That senior merely cast a casual glance, seemingly informed about his identity through some channel, directing a bit of attention his way. When it comes to a supreme power from the Federation, no one can fathom the thoughts in the other party’s mind.

During the ascension, at the very peak, a Teleportation Gate emerged, with vortices swirling within.

Without hesitation, Qin Jin stepped into it. As the ripples flowed, he returned once more to the normal Star Sea.

Setting foot on solid ground, in that fleeting moment, Qin Jin surveyed his surroundings. They felt somewhat familiar; it was the same platform from which he departed. However, the platform’s current state was peculiar. Besides him, there were also a dozen other figures, seemingly also returning from the Desolate Star during this window period.

There were both men and women, but among them, only one was as young as Qin Jin. As he observed, he noticed quite a few glances intentionally lingered on him.

Around the platform, a protective barrier arose.

Inside the predominantly azure blue barrier, vibrant streams of light intertwined above, giving the entire protective barrier an ethereal aura.

Upon witnessing this scene, Qin Jin squinted slightly.

Although his senses detected nothing abnormal, having dealt with the Light of Imagination daily for some time now, the patterns on the barrier immediately reminded him of it.

"Ladies and gentlemen,"

Suddenly, a broadcast echoed from the platform, the voice stern.

"Everyone present here is experiencing their first entry into the Desolate Star and first return from the Desolate Star’s window period. However, arriving here does not mark the end of this journey."

"You still have one final step to undergo."

"Please take out the contractual book you obtained within the Desolate Star."

Qin Jin raised an eyebrow slightly, doing as instructed.

What he retrieved was the book documenting information about the Desolate Star.

With a sweeping glance, he noted that everyone on the platform held the same item. After entering the Desolate Star, obtaining this artifact was mandatory to gather information and simultaneously form an intangible contract to ensure that information about the Desolate Star remains contained.

"Next..."

"Prepare to experience the real world."

The broadcaster concluded his remarks.

As the words faded, under Qin Jin’s watchful gaze, the protective barrier enveloping the platform suddenly dissipated.

Just as the barrier disappeared, the book in his hand silently ascended into the air, transforming instantly into countless light specks resembling stars. These light specks, resembling grains of sand, reformed overhead into a unique pattern.

The pattern seemed akin to hieroglyphics, and upon closer inspection, vaguely resembled the character [净] (pure).

The barrier vanished, and the pattern solidified.

For an instant, though Qin Jin remained grounded, he felt as if he were a solitary boat amidst a vast ocean, waves crashing fiercely. Simultaneously, he sensed immense pressure from all directions upon his physique, sweeping over him entirely.

The Domain automatically activated!

The pressure bore down on the Domain!

Within the Domain, penetrating deeper into his physique, blood, bones, flesh, and even the primordial power surging within his body keenly sensed this strange pressure.

Even...

Amid the continuity, Qin Jin distinctly sensed that at a certain moment, his Dao Foundation quivered slightly.

The external, mysterious pressure seemed to have found a new outlet, entering through the Dao Foundation, delving deep into the Spirit Ruins, refining the Grotto Heaven, and exerting pressure on the Mysterious Land.

This could no longer be accomplished by mere strength alone.

At this moment, above each of the dozen figures on the platform, patterns emerged as if forming an Array. Below, each figure revealed expressions of anguish.

The weight oppressed their entire being.

Qin Jin clearly sensed that under the influence of this unknown pressure, his self-defense mechanisms activated. Primordial power surged continuously, spiritual power flowed within the Spirit Ruins, solidifying everything to collectively fend off external calamities.