Shi Hao stared blankly, his heart quaking with awe. What kind of terrifying realm was that? Vast and boundless, everything there brimmed with the unknown. Even the mighty rulers of the Upper Realm dared not set foot there.
Was that the place one reached after taking that crucial step?
There are multiple paths, each with different choices. Ancient legends speak of unimaginable horrors and eerie phenomena accompanying the final breakthrough—could that be the very place?
The Upper Realm stretches infinitely, its domain where countless races and innumerable beings dwell. The vast lands surpass beyond imagination compared to the Lower Realm, yet all of it is merely a fragment, a mere corner of the Upper Realm.
“Do you remember that herb near the medicinal capital in the Land of Fire?” asked Xiao Ta.
Shi Hao snapped out from his trance and nodded. “Naturally.”
Within that valley grew a miraculous herb, hailed as the supreme divine root in the Upper Realm, protected by countless magical arrays. During the Second Great Calamity, several mighty overlords launched attacks, determined to harvest it.
Yet, it turned out to be a deadly trap.
“This divine root was once a terrifying living being,” explained Xiao Ta. “In a distant ancient age, three dying overlords journeyed together into that boundless, mysterious domain and encountered this being. Two perished, and with immense struggle, they managed to slay it, transforming it into that herb.”
“What?!” Shi Hao gasped in disbelief.
Such a secret was incredibly strange and hard to believe. A miraculous herb, though reputed to be the ultimate divine root, its original form sounded simply absurd.
“It’s merely regarded as the supreme root by the various sects. Such is the enormity of the mysterious domain—no one knows how many more such beings remain undiscovered,” Xiao Ta added.
Silver moonlight bathed Shi Cun like gentle water, veiling the village in misty haze. Nestled within the vast wilderness, it was tranquil and serene, secluded from the mundane world.
Distant mountains loomed majestically, their primeval forests echoing with the distant roars of vicious beasts and fierce birds. Yet none dared approach the village.
At its entrance, an ancient willow tree glowed with verdant light.
Shi Hao sat beneath it, momentarily stunned. Just the initial tales had captivated him, carrying his thoughts far beyond, yearning to grow stronger and uncover its mysteries.
Indeed, this was merely one among many eerie phenomena.
“White Deer Academy and Creation Academy, neither weaker than any great sect, once ventured together into that unknown region. Two deans, whose powers shook ancient and modern worlds, led their strongest disciples inside. Yet all met a bloody fate—massacred,” Xiao Ta recounted another instance.
According to one survivor, shortly after entering, one dean encountered a charred piece of thunderwood, about a few yards long. Despite his formidable aura, it reduced him to a puddle of blood.
The other dean fell under stranger circumstances. He discovered a droplet of ten-colored shining water. Upon drawing it into his palm, it instantly dissolved his flesh and soul, leaving only a skeleton.
Shi Hao was dumbfounded by such absurdity—it was beyond imagination.
“Are there no living beings inside that mysterious domain?” Shi Hao finally asked after a long silence.
“There are. They’re monstrous and powerful beyond belief—those who have encountered them are mostly dead,” Xiao Ta responded.
Occasionally, recognizable lifeforms were found. A person once discovered a stone egg wreathed in chaotic mist. Upon careful inspection, it was identified as a true dragon egg capable of hatching a real dragon.
He immediately transmitted the news using secret techniques, summoning his sect’s greatest experts to assist. Yet while en route, the entire sect perished mysteriously upon stepping onto a fist-sized patch of yellow mud.
Words failed Shi Hao as he pondered under the moonlight, his heart torn between fear and a desire to explore.
What truly lay in the Upper Realm? Even countless immortal legacies could only occupy a small corner. The lands where infinite races and billions of beings roamed amounted to less than a tenth of the Upper Realm—an awe-inspiring fact indeed.
Vast, even more expansive territories remained shrouded in mystery, cloaked in enigma.
“In ancient times,” spoke Liu Shen, “I chose a path beyond life and death. Ultimately, I suspected I’d entered deep into that region and encountered a great anomaly. I shattered a passage and returned.”
Its words were calm, yet not only Shi Hao, but even Xiao Ta trembled inwardly, shaken by the revelation.
Liu Shen rarely spoke, offering no further explanation.
No wonder Liu Shen suspected that passing through the Primordial Gate might lead to the most mysterious depths.
“Those ancient academies and institutions, after long research, have made countless terrifying inferences,” Xiao Ta explained.
“Above the Heavens,” Liu Shen sighed.
Their conversation meandered, fragmented yet profound. Hours passed until the deep of night.
“Xiao Ta, you’re so mighty—once saying you’d reforge a world. Can’t even you fully explore that mysterious domain?” Shi Hao asked curiously.
“I spoke of reforging this world, not the Upper Realm. Though this world encompasses sun, moon, and stars with boundless territory, many constellations are merely projections from above. This world is just a cage—I have my own methods,” Xiao Ta unusually spoke humbly.
In its words, the Upper Realm was extremely resilient.
Shi Hao was amazed, falling into deep contemplation.
Today he had heard many secrets, requiring time to fully absorb.
“The Eight Realms still await a final battle,” Liu Shen said.
The Upper Realm’s rulers may descend once more. This captive world still harbors treasures they crave, such as the chapter of transcendence from the Primordial Dao.
The beings of the Lower Realm aren’t mighty, and though the land is vast, it pales in comparison to the Upper Realm. Logically, these treasures should’ve been found long ago—but remained elusive.
In ancient epochs, some treasures were indeed claimed. Yet more crucial ones remained unseen.
“The last chance will be the Divine Purging War,” Xiao Ta added.
“What is the Divine Purging War?” Shi Hao asked, puzzled.
“One who resents the Upper Realm seeks to see no gods remain in Lower Heaven,” Xiao Ta explained.
“What do you mean?” Shi Hao furrowed his brow further.
“Most powerful beings in the Lower Realm were captured in the first two descents. The remaining false gods are now under immortal lineages. Someone is angry—seeking their eradication,” Xiao Ta elaborated.
Shi Hao gasped, realizing this revelation could shake the Eight Realms to their foundations were it to spread.
“Who is he?”
“You know him,” Xiao Ta replied, exuding chaotic mist, implying it too would intervene.
“The undying being imprisoned beneath the Five Elements Mountain?” Shi Hao was startled. He’d known that figure would never relent—yet hadn’t expected such intensity.
“After this war, he ascends. Heh, I imagine certain great sects will face major headaches—expect a great upheaval,” Xiao Ta chuckled in schadenfreude.
This war would sever the bond between Upper and Lower Realms, making further descents impossible, until another immeasurable age.
This time differs. In the past, by now, the Eight Realms would have flourished, with gods emerging and saints contending, exploring the Lower Realm en masse.
Now, it is the titans clashing, with few divine or saintly manifestations.
“After this severance,” Xiao Ta continued, “this realm will truly begin to prosper, giving rise to countless rising stars, manifesting gods and saints anew.”
By then, however, the Upper Realm will have no concern with it.
And with all those “divine herbs” stored away, awaiting future harvest in the next golden age—whether it would be blessing or tragedy, happiness or sorrow, no one could tell.
Clutching his fist tightly, Shi Hao muttered bitterly. Upper Realm inhabitants treated the Eight Realms with utter disregard, treating it as little more than a medicinal field, where life and death were decided at their whim.
“I wish to see the true Dao of the Upper Realm—flawless laws, a near-perfect world,” Shi Hao mused, his eyes glowing with determination.
“Heh, I’ve got faith in you, kid. The Upper Realm is boundless, populated by countless races and prodigies from endless generations. I hope you don’t vanish among them when you ascend,” Xiao Ta remarked.
“I haven’t even arrived yet, but I already look down on it. If even a tenth of their realm is that glorious, how much more remains unexplored,” Shi Hao scoffed.
“Do you even understand,” Xiao Ta retorted, “even a tenth of their realm is beyond measure—it would require countless Eight Realms combined to match it. The Upper Realm is filled with godlike landscapes, countless holy mountains, fairy lands—so many sacred domains await your exploration.”
Xiao Ta grinned mischievously and exhaled another chaotic breath. “Here’s a suggestion—when you reach the Upper Realm, enroll in the immortal Tianxian Academy. Ohhh~ it’s full of beauties…”
Shi Hao gave a disapproving look. “A tower drooling over beauties? Seriously! By the way, last time you chased that Devilish Beauty and encountered the Soul-Sealing Stone Pearl—what was that all about? Was it related to someone from the past? Are even magical artifacts allowed lovers?”
Xiao Ta was momentarily speechless, then expelled a chaotic surge so explosive it nearly sent Shi Hao soaring to the heavens. A single green vine from Liu Shen pulled him back just in time, stabilizing him.
“Master Liu Shen, I truly hate to part with you!” Shi Hao sincerely expressed.
Normally cheerful, sometimes even carefree, even cruelly playful—he now felt unusually sentimental. He feared he might never see Liu Shen again.
For that Primordial Gate was too mysterious and terrifying. Since ancient times, none who entered it emerged—only blood ever flowed out from within. Nothing more was ever heard.
Yet despite this, it attracted the greatest and most brilliant beings across all eras—those seeking ultimate transcendence.
“Above the Heavens… for the sake of transcendence,” Liu Shen whispered.
In that moment, it transformed into human form, standing before the village. Clad in flowing white robes, beneath the moonlight, it was a vision across time and space.
Around it, countless radiant orbs appeared, hovering like suns, each emitting sacred chants—those were the Thirty Thousand Worlds!
Within each hazy orb was a divine being bowing respectfully, behind them, an infinite number of mortal souls.
“What is that?” Shi Hao asked.
“A record of its journey,” Xiao Ta answered.
Among these countless flickering worlds, some were immortal divine kingdoms; others were entire realms or places similar to the Eight Realms—each represented a chapter of Liu Shen’s path.
What was Liu Shen truly? Shi Hao was stunned.
To ascend to the Upper Realm, would he hear legends of Liu Shen? Could he ever fully grasp its past?
“Will we meet again?” Shi Hao asked once more.
“Perhaps. One day, above the Heavens… we shall meet again,” Liu Shen replied.
Shi Hao trembled. This was both his teacher and friend. Liu Shen had given him so much; if one day he could repay that, he would strive with all his might.
He would never forget his grandfather’s words—that long ago, Liu Shen descended amidst ten-thousand-foot thunderbolts, landing in Shi Village, charred and nearly drained. Only after a dozen years did a new branch grow from its blackened frame. What kind of path had it chosen? What had it experienced?
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