“Refining spatial rifts into mustard seed spaces? Such an extraordinary secret technique has already emerged?” A trace of astonishment was faintly visible on Han Li’s face as he spoke with disbelief.
Anything involving spatial techniques is invariably earth-shattering and of immense significance. In the cultivation world, the most common spatial artifact—the storage pouch—is actually the most widespread application of spatial techniques. However, no matter how high-grade a storage pouch is, its capacity remains limited and cannot truly be considered a mustard seed space in the real sense.
Many cultivators even believe that higher-tier spatial techniques are impossible to manifest in the human realm, as they should only be abilities wielded by beings from higher realms. This notion is almost universally accepted in the southern regions.
Yet, according to Elder Wang’s words, the Great Jin Empire had already developed a secret technique for refining spatial rifts over a thousand years ago. How could this not shock Han Li?
“Brother Han, there’s no need to be so surprised. This so-called ‘mustard seed space’ isn’t as profound as you imagine. Its emergence was merely a coincidence,” the elderly Fu suddenly chuckled and said.
“Brother Fu is right. For most people, the mustard seed space is essentially a useless existence. Not only is its refinement extremely difficult, but its usage is also fraught with numerous restrictions, making widespread application impossible. In fact, there are only about a dozen such mustard seed spaces in the entire Great Jin Empire, and the one here in our pavilion happens to be the earliest to appear,” Elder Wang added with a bitter smile.
“The earliest? Could it be…” Han Li’s eyebrows twitched as a hint of suspicion arose.
“Indeed, this technique was accidentally developed by a few of our pavilion’s artifact refining masters. To this day, only two of our refining masters are capable of crafting such mustard seed spaces. In a way, the Sky Mechanism House and Sky Mechanism Mansion are also derived from research based on this mustard seed space refinement technique,” Elder Wang explained without holding back, laying out all the details.
“Heh, so that’s how it is. I truly must witness the marvel of this mustard seed space for myself,” Han Li replied, having regained his composure with a smile.
“Brother Wang, please take Fellow Daoist Han there. I’ve already visited the mustard seed space and won’t be joining you. I need to attend to this Crimson Ganoderma first, so I’ll take my leave of you two,” the elderly Fu said with a solemn bow, bidding them farewell.
“Since Brother Fu has other matters to attend to, I won’t press you to stay. We’ll meet again another day,” Elder Wang replied with a cupped-hand salute.
Meanwhile, Han Li heard a few whispered reminders from the elder, urging him not to miss the final day of the underground trading event. Han Li nodded subtly in acknowledgment.
With that, the elder strode out of the hall without hesitation and descended the stairs with heavy footsteps.
“Brother Han, let’s go as well. The mustard seed space is just behind the pavilion—we’ll be there in no time,” Elder Wang said, turning to Han Li with a smile. As he spoke, his sleeve brushed lightly over the table, causing the larger jade box to vanish instantly.
Han Li naturally had no reason to refuse. Following Elder Wang through a series of formidable restrictions, they arrived at a small clearing behind the pavilion. In the center of this clearing stood a peculiar teleportation formation unlike any Han Li had seen before—far more intricate and larger than ordinary ones.
Han Li frowned slightly, taken aback.
“To reach the mustard seed space, one must use this teleportation formation,” Elder Wang explained, noticing Han Li’s confusion.
“A teleportation formation? Does that mean the refined spatial rift is anchored to a fixed location?” Han Li mused inwardly, his lips twitching in surprise. However, since this clearly involved the refinement technique, he refrained from asking directly. After a brief hesitation, he followed Elder Wang into the formation.
Only then did he notice that the seven or eight spirit stones surrounding the formation were all mid-grade. Just entering the mustard seed space would cost seven to eight hundred low-grade spirit stones. If exiting required another teleportation, the round trip would exceed a thousand spirit stones—a sum far beyond the means of ordinary cultivators.
As Han Li pondered this, the spirit stones around the formation emitted a brilliant white light, and the two vanished in a flash.
After a dizzying moment of disorientation, Han Li and Elder Wang found themselves on a gravelly slope, standing atop a teleportation formation similar to the one they had just used.
Regaining his bearings, Han Li surveyed his surroundings.
Before him stretched a space roughly a thousand zhang in area, its ground covered in pale stones and dotted with craters of varying sizes—some over ten zhang wide, others barely a zhang, scattered haphazardly.
Han Li took a deep breath, his heart unsettled. Not only was there no trace of greenery in this space, but he also sensed no spiritual energy. The sky above was a dull gray, unmistakably a lifeless void.
“Brother Han must have noticed—this space is essentially a dead zone. Naturally occurring spatial rifts with spiritual veins are exceedingly rare, perhaps one in ten thousand. The legendary Spirit Orchid Gardens, with spiritual energy surpassing even the human realm, are beyond wishful thinking. Since the discovery of spatial rifts in the Great Jin cultivation world, only three or four with even faint spiritual energy have been found—none rivaling the density of spiritual energy in our realm. Yet, even these were refined into mustard seed spaces by the sects that discovered them, with our pavilion’s assistance,” Elder Wang explained with a smile after stepping out of the formation.
“So, apart from saving space and allowing free entry and exit, these mustard seed spaces seem to have no special utility. No wonder I’ve never heard of them despite being here for so long,” Han Li remarked, stroking his chin with a strange expression.
“That’s not entirely accurate. For sects wishing to store large, secret items, hoard vast quantities of materials, or create hidden retreats in times of danger, mustard seed spaces remain the best option. Even our Sky Mechanism Pavilion uses one as a testing ground for artifacts and treasures. Their scarcity stems from the difficulty of finding suitable spatial rifts. Few are known to exist, and even fewer are in accessible or discreet locations. Coupled with the exorbitant cost of refining such spaces, these factors together explain their rarity,” Elder Wang hastily elaborated, somewhat embarrassed.
“Even so, your pavilion’s mustard seed space falls far short of what I imagined—something that could be freely manipulated or even carried on one’s person. Requiring a teleportation formation for entry and exit hardly lives up to the concept of ‘a mustard seed containing a universe,'” Han Li sighed with regret.
“Heh, the ability to carry such vast spaces on one’s person likely belongs only to ascended beings of the Spirit Realm or true immortals of the Celestial Realm. In our human realm, such power is inconceivable. Merely stabilizing existing spatial rifts with copious rare materials is already a monumental breakthrough,” Elder Wang countered dismissively.
“Stabilizing space? Can collapsing spatial rifts be reinforced?” Han Li’s heart raced as his eyes flickered with urgency.
“Indeed, as long as the rift hasn’t fully collapsed, we can use materials to stabilize it. Why? Does Fellow Daoist Han know of such a rift?” The silver-robed elder’s expression shifted slightly in surprise.
“Heh, I did come across one such rift overseas. Whether it’s on the verge of collapse, I couldn’t say—I lacked the means to enter and only noticed instability at the entrance,” Han Li replied vaguely with a smile.
Recognizing Han Li’s reluctance to elaborate, the elder tactfully refrained from pressing further. Instead, he flipped his hand, producing the jade box containing the Sky Mechanism Mansion.
“I’ll now release the Sky Mechanism Mansion so Fellow Daoist can inspect its interior. If it meets your satisfaction, we can discuss the transaction,” Elder Wang said amiably.
“Very well, Fellow Daoist Wang may proceed,” Han Li nodded in agreement.
Without delay, the silver-robed elder opened the jade box, revealing a milky white glow that obscured its contents.
Before Han Li could get a clear look, Elder Wang began chanting incantations and gave the box a gentle shake. A ball of white light shot out, rapidly expanding in the wind. After a brief swirl, it transformed into a vast expanse of white mist spanning several mu, within which jade-carved buildings and pavilions flickered faintly.
With a decisive finger-point and a low shout, Elder Wang directed the mist downward.
A thunderous boom echoed as radiant light erupted, and an exquisite jade-constructed mansion materialized on the slope below.
Han Li narrowed his eyes, hands clasped behind his back, and scrutinized the structure.
Though smaller than typical abodes, this mansion boasted pavilions, courtyards, and was enveloped in a shimmering white barrier, lending it an ethereal, otherworldly aura.
After a moment’s observation, Han Li transformed into a streak of azure light and shot toward the mansion.
Elder Wang quickly produced a white jade token and waved it at the mansion. The barrier dissipated instantly, allowing Han Li’s azure streak to pass unhindered through the gates, vanishing from sight.
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