Yun Xutian had his eyes wide open, extremely surprised, staring at a nearby object without understanding it at all.

Before him stood a gigantic mirror, one hundred square meters adorned with beautiful jewels and runes.

Yun Xutian observed the abnormally sized mirror, where his reflection extended into an imposing and magnificent image.

The surface of the mirror, polished to perfection, reflected with crystal clarity every nuance of light that dared to touch its surface. In turn, its immensity seemed to capture the very essence of the cosmos, where reflections intertwined in an infinite play of lights and shadows imbued with the very energy of the universe, time, and space. Every inch was imbued with an ancestral energy that seemed to pulsate under the dim light of the room.

Yun Xutian gazed at the mirror, still stunned, whose reflection returned an image that left him breathless. The surface of the mirror, as vast as the night sky, seemed to contain an entire universe within it, with each square centimeter capturing the essence of eternity.

Yun Xutian's skeptical eyes meticulously scanned his reflection from top to bottom, from side to side, not overlooking even the slightest detail.

Yun Xutian felt an electric current coursing through his skin as he approached, as if the mirror were alive and vibrating with an unknown force.

He wondered how it was possible for such an extraordinary object to have found its way to such a common and mundane place. This treasure did not belong to this world.

Memories gradually flowed into his mind for a while. Without understanding why, he had awakened from what he believed would be certain death.

No... He had died, that was undeniable, but not in this world, not in this universe. Not even in this reality.

And what had brought him here was...

Yun Xutian continued to observe the mirror for a while, never averting his gaze for a moment.

After regaining some composure, Yun Xutian focused on himself.

Not only did he see his own face in that reflection, but a distant version of the lofty and powerful one he once was.

The features that once inspired resentment, hatred, respect, and desire in equal parts now reflected vulnerability and humanity. His white hair fell disheveled over his forehead in rebellious strands. His blue eyes, once deep, calculating, and enigmatic, now showed a spark of astonishment and childlike curiosity.

However, even in his mortal state, there was an almost transcendental beauty in Yulian's reflection, a special glow in his eyes.

And all this was for a reason...

For now, his thoughts focused on one person.

The purest feelings almost overflowed, generating a wave of warmth in his chest.

In this parallel reality, he had not experienced that tumultuous past. A past with which he learned to live in the most torturous way possible, because he had no other choice.

As a result, the Yulian of this reality was a tremendously different person from who he was, transformed by the cruel world of cultivation.

No, at this moment, he no longer answered to the name of Yun Xutian.

He was his former self, Yulian Duvallier, the sixth prince of the illustrious royal family of the Kingdom of Valencourt. An identity that, over time, would be recognized in certain dark circles and corners of the underworld as Yunthar Duvallier.

Yulian's blue eyes left his reflection after a long, long time.

So absorbed had he been in everything that was happening that he had barely paid attention to his surroundings.

Yulian found himself in an enclosed, rocky space, practically devoid of life.

Under his feet stretched a small platform of rocks, with the mirror embedded on one side. Its twisted position created a beautiful but completely asymmetrical view from a distance.

Just below the rock platform, a winding stream flowed. The water's reflections contrasted with the image of the mirror.

As far as Yulian could remember, he had discovered this mysterious object years ago while searching for plants that only thrived in specific environments: dark places devoid of sunlight and with abundant water.

What the original Yulian of this parallel reality did not know was that this object should not be here. If Yun Xutian had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.

Especially because...

The Chronomirror was a treasure that was not meant for Yulian. A 'fortuitous encounter' of this caliber could only be attributed to immense fortune and extraordinary karmic luck.

The kind of luck that only the highest-level Blessed ones could have, the Blessed ones.

Yun Xutian raised his hand, touched the mirror, and tried to release a small stream of energy to store it.

This was something Yulian had tried to do before unsuccessfully. His failure was understandable, given that the energies on this planetary plane lacked the same nature as those of higher planes.

In simpler terms, the energies available in this world were of significantly inferior quality to those Yun Xutian was accustomed to manipulating.

Yulian considered that some form of residual energy might have been imprinted on his true essence, but at this moment, he found it impossible to release it. Therefore, the mirror would remain in the cave until he found a solution.

Regarding moving it...

The answer was a resounding and absolute: Impossible.

Not even moving a fraction of the mirror was feasible. A single particle of it weighed more than an entire planet!

If it weren't for the extraordinary mystical properties of the Chronomirror, this planet would have been diverted from its orbit long ago, destroying it in the process.

'Temporal Connection?' Yulian's voice resonated in his mind.

The Temporal Connection was one of the powerful advantages granted by the Chronomirror. This ability established a bridge between different moments in time, allowing communication and interaction with individuals and events from different eras.

Yulian had heard about this capacity of the mirror, but he never imagined it could be used in such a challenging way.

Ignoring the barriers of alternate realities!

Furthermore, if one started from this premise, then not only had the Temporal Connection been injected into Yulian's stream, but the energies of Temporal Travel and Temporal Protection must also be included.

Three chrono-temporal connections used simultaneously!

''If only I could manipulate them in some way...'' For the first time, Yulian's voice was heard resonating in every corner of the small cave, charged with a determination that reverberated on the walls of ancient stone.

It was a bold thought, a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of time. Yulian then understood that, if he could master those energies, he would open up a myriad of infinite possibilities, capable of changing the very course of history.

If those in the Higher Planes were to hear his idea, they would label him as crazy, lunatic, a fool. It was an idea as audacious as it was fleeting because essentially speaking, it was impossible to harbor this kind of energy in an object not refined with the purest energies of the Mystic Dao. And even if Yulian could replicate them in his body, the level of cultivation required for such action was far beyond his own knowledge.

But, what would happen then if Yulian refined his own body?

What would happen if Yulian refined his body? This question reverberated in his mind like a resonant echo, challenging the barriers of time and possibility.

SIIING

An intense light pierced Yulian's eyes, but it was not just a physical experience; his mind was invaded by a tearing blaze that triggered unbearable pain.

''Aaahhgg!'' His screams reverberated, filled with anguish and torment, resonating in the darkness like a desperate lament.

At that moment, Yulian's mind turned into chaos, unable to formulate coherent thoughts, while an unrelenting force threatened to tear it into tiny fragments.

If that were to happen, Yulian would be reduced to nothingness, like a newborn without consciousness or identity.

''AAAHHHHGGGG!''

Thus, he paid the price for his ambition, for desiring beyond human limits.

Or perhaps...

Only those blessed by the Celestial Dao could desire the sweetness of honey and the beauty of flowers without being consumed by the flames of punishment.

A great deal of memories crossed Yulian's divergent mind, his lost childhood, and the hope of a better future. A future that was being torn away at this moment from its roots! Everything he had had been snatched away for this very reason!

An eternal time passed before Yulian collapsed to the ground, his eyes glazed, on the verge of death itself.

However, the mental pressure that had almost driven him insane began to gradually diminish, releasing the crushing burden he had borne.

With a titanic effort, Yulian managed to keep his bloodshot eyes half-open, staring fixedly at the mirror lying above him before falling into a state of deep unconsciousness.