C10 Zeus!

When the peculiar book had consumed 99% of the Earth Shrinking Shadow in Ling Han's grasp, Ling Han was taken aback as the voice of the Earth System, hidden within him, grew alarmingly faint.

"Ding! 99%..."

A voice, barely audible and quieter than a mosquito's buzz, reached Ling Han's mind.

"What's happening? The system was just fine, why has it started to fade, even vanish, after reporting the percentage?" Ling Han wondered, confused.

"Haha, Ling Han, you're out of options now, aren't you? All the treasures you've acquired are now mine!" the Chief Elder boasted triumphantly. "Did you know, everything you've gained was merely preparing a bridal gown for me?"

Initially, the book was dim and lackluster, but it began to glow radiantly, as if it were a celestial phenomenon capable of encompassing all creation.

The Chief Elder, seeing such a spectacle, was ecstatic, and he bellowed at Ling Han, "Ling Han, you dared to harm my grandson, and now I will utterly annihilate you."

At that moment, Ling Han appeared stunned, seemingly frozen in place.

"Ling Han, surely you haven't been frightened into stupidity? Do you think feigning this state will persuade me to spare your life?"

In reality, Ling Han was witnessing an entirely different vista.

Before him stood only a book, a book that seemed to hold the entire world within its pages.

Atop the book was a figure resembling a Spiritual Body, ageless, as though it had been eternally guarding the tome.

"Senior, may I inquire about your identity?" Ling Han asked cautiously, bowing. It was at the moment the supreme system reported 100% that he was drawn into this mysterious space by a blinding light.

Ling Han had felt an odd connection to the book from the moment he entered this space, as if it were something inherently his.

Of course, now that Ling Han noticed a Spiritual Body seated upon the book, he naturally refrained from any rash actions.

Following Ling Han's respectful bow, the book underwent a transformation. It shrank infinitely, from the size of a building to the size of a brick, similar to the one the Chief Elder had previously produced.

Indeed, a book resembling a brick was now cradled by the Spiritual Body, mirroring the way Ling Han had held the Earth Shrinking Shadow.

"Are you the one chosen by fate?"

"Can you enlighten all those across the vast cosmos who have faith in you?"

"No! Why are you so powerless at this moment?"

Before Ling Han could gather his thoughts, the Spiritual Body bombarded him with three rapid-fire questions, each tinged with a quiver of astonishment and delight.

Though puzzled, Ling Han courageously stepped forward and spoke with respectful modesty, "Elder, I am unfamiliar with what you speak of. Nonetheless, since you have summoned me here, may I inquire how far we are from my original location?"

Unable to discern the age of the Spiritual Body, Ling Han still chose to refer to himself with the deferential 'young man.' Having witnessed the Chief Elder's prowess, he had quickly grasped the truth that there are always greater powers beyond one's own.

Furthermore, Ling Han's inquiry served as a subtle probe. Should they be near the Chief Elder's location, Ling Han could make necessary preparations.

"Hahaha! Very well! You, too, are a child of destiny, preordained to reign as emperor amongst the stars! What does it matter how you grow?" The Spiritual Body's voice grew buoyant, "Henceforth, dispense with formalities between us. We are peers."

"Regarding the distance from your starting point, take another look now." With that, the Spiritual Body waved his sleeve, pulling Ling Han through the fabric of space.

In that instant, Ling Han was engulfed by the same blinding light he'd experienced upon entry, and then he was staring at the familiar surroundings of his sect's ancestral hall.

"Hmm?" Ling Han's mind churned with confusion. How had he ended up back at the site of his confrontation with the Chief Elder?

Yet, scanning the area, Ling Han saw no trace of the Chief Elder.

"Haha! Young man, you must be puzzled about the whereabouts of the one who struck at you, aren't you?"

The Spiritual Body opened the book he held for the first time, revealing a scene where the Chief Elder was launching an attack on Ling Han's apparition.

Despite the Chief Elder's use of astral force, far surpassing that of genuine energy, his attacks had no effect, as if striking at the air itself. Eventually, the Chief Elder grew increasingly feeble, and by the time he realized something was amiss, he had already been eternally sealed within the profound recesses of the book.

"Kid, I've just taken care of a big problem for you. In the future, try not to tangle with formidable characters, or I might be exposed," the Spiritual Body warned with a sigh. "In truth, my original form was a heavenly book destined for disaster. Thankfully, despite the calamity, it was meant to merge with the strongest system within you. My future accomplishments will surely surpass my former glory!" The Spiritual Body seemed invigorated by this revelation.

"Senior, your powers are vast and your magic limitless." Ling Han felt a weight lift from his chest when he saw someone as significant as the Chief Elder get absorbed and sealed by the book. If the Chief Elder had not been dealt with, Ling Han would have still been fearing his vengeance. Now, he felt as though he had been rescued by this enigmatic Spiritual Body.

"Don't get cocky," the Spiritual Body interjected before Ling Han could relax, "I managed to eliminate that old man who attacked you solely because he once tried to consecrate my shattered form with his blood."

"He was foolish to do so. A mere ant at the Astral Force Stage daring to meddle with my domain," the Spiritual Body remarked, clearly looking down on the Chief Elder's level of cultivation.

"Hiss, Senior, are you saying that if that man hadn't fortuitously tried to refine you, you wouldn't have been able to defeat him?" Ling Han asked, puzzled.

"Exactly. My original form is still damaged and should be incapable of wielding any spiritual power. But your strongest system has given me a glimmer of hope," the Spiritual Body explained calmly. "You once gathered a trace of the power of faith from a tiny star, and it's that power that has enabled me to appear before you."

"So that's why the system's voice inside me went silent. It was completely consumed by Senior's book, and the two have now become one." Ling Han, who had been sharp-witted from birth, was beginning to see things more clearly after piecing together the recent events.

"I am now the strongest system, as well as a heavenly-grade Weapon Spirit in control of this Heavenly Weapon," the Spiritual Body gently coaxed Ling Han. "In the future, I will accompany you, and together we will gather the purest power of faith to help you ascend as the sovereign of the stars."

"Senior, your cultivation is unmatched. I'm confident that with your assistance in the future, I will face no difficulties." Ling Han inquired of the spirit, "May I have the honor of knowing your name?"

"I am called Zhou, just one syllable."