The Immortal Realms

The Immortal Realms . . .

The atmosphere in the inn reached a fever pitch. Excitement and curiosity filled the hearts of those who gazed upon the descending figures.

"Could the portal to the outside worlds truly be open?" murmured one patron.

"Is this really the Royal Sacred Region?" Another questioned in amazement.

High above, the expert riding the golden jiao turned his penetrating gaze towards the inn's occupants. His eyes gleamed with an otherworldly golden light, emanating an aura that instilled fear deep within the hearts of those who met his gaze.

"Yes, it is," a trembling voice replied from the inn.

The young man astride the golden jiao emitted an imposing presence. His eyes scanned the inn's occupants, seemingly able to discern their cultivation levels effortlessly. After a moment, his brows furrowed deeply, and he spoke in a cold tone, "Why would His Majesty Eastern Sage choose to come to such a weak world to accept disciples? Is there a hidden reason behind this?"

In the vast universe, there existed thirty-three heavenly worlds, also known as the thirty-three immortal realms. Each of these immortal realms was surrounded by countless tiny worlds, referred to as internal worlds. These internal worlds were minuscule in comparison and were inhabited by people considered, by those from the immortal realms, as "country bumpkins."

The heavenly worlds were the pinnacle, while the internal worlds were mere particles in comparison. Only when the "country bumpkins" within these internal worlds grew stronger and broke the restrictive boundaries of their worlds could they step into the immortal realms for cultivation, aiming to ascend to greater heights.

To those from the immortal realms, the internal worlds were insignificant. The news that the Eastern Sage Great Emperor intended to recruit a disciple from the Royal Sacred Region had caused a frenzy among hopeful talents. Many sought the coordinates of this specific world.

However, finding a particular "particle world" was no simple task. There were countless particle worlds around the immortal realms, making the search akin to finding a needle in a haystack.

After extensive searching, they finally located the Royal Sacred Region. Inviting their elders, they tore through the world's restrictive barriers and entered the space tunnel leading to this tiny, inconspicuous world.

The legend of the Eastern Sage Great Emperor sent shockwaves through the inn's patrons. They couldn't fathom why such an awe-inspiring figure would descend upon their seemingly insignificant world for a disciple recruitment event. To them, the Eastern Sage Great Emperor's power was beyond imagination; he possessed the ability to crush entire inner worlds with a mere thought. His words could reshape the fate of countless beings. Thus, the very idea of him conducting a disciple recruitment in their world left them utterly astounded.

To the Eastern Sage Great Emperor, talents were but fleeting clouds in the vast sky. In the immortal realms, countless geniuses emerged daily, yet only a rare few would ever ascend to the heights of a being like him. Talent, in the grand scheme of things, was ephemeral. The Eastern Sage Great Emperor had no need to concern himself with it. If he chose to recruit disciples, it was likely because he was in high spirits or had taken a liking to someone.

The reality was, no matter how extraordinary one's talent might be, catching the attention of an Immortal Emperor was a nearly insurmountable feat. If your potential didn't border on the miraculous, you would remain unnoticed. Thus, the hopefuls who had gathered were all there to test their luck, to hope that the Eastern Sage Great Emperor might take a fancy to them and extend an offer of discipleship.

Yet, they were well aware that the Great Emperor might not even personally grace the recruitment event. Still, the mere possibility of being chosen by such a legendary figure was enough to kindle their dreams.

The very name "Eastern Sage Great Emperor" resonated with awe and reverence among those in the inn. Could this legendary figure truly be the one coming to recruit disciples in their humble realm?

A rush of wind announced the arrival of Zai Xuan, a representative of the Royal Sacred Sect, accompanied by several experts from the sect. His demeanor exuded elegance as he addressed the newcomers.

"I am Zai Xuan, a disciple of the Royal Sacred Sect, the dominant power in this world. It would be an honor if you would all consider visiting our Royal Sacred Sect. We would extend our warmest hospitality to our esteemed guests," Zai Xuan courteously offered.

The gazes of the outsiders flickered with curiosity. They had just arrived in the Royal Sacred Region and were unfamiliar with this world. Since the world's controller was extending an invitation, they thought it might be beneficial to explore this new realm and gather some insights.

"Very well."

"We appreciate your hospitality."

Although they nodded politely, their expressions hinted at their indifference towards Zai Xuan. To these experts from the immortal realms, the ruler of a remote world held little significance, especially when Zai Xuan's strength was considered unremarkable in their eyes.

"Are there any beauties to captivate our attention?" a sinister-looking young man inquired, his malevolence radiating palpably. His eyes gleamed with wicked intent, and his aura exuded an eerie malevolence that set others on edge.

Zai Xuan responded with a knowing smile, "Certainly, we have some exquisite beauties to accompany you."

The sinister young man couldn't contain his lecherous excitement, and his unsettling grin sent shivers down the spines of those around him. He shamelessly commented, "Haha, the beauties of a particle world must be quite a delectable treat, don't you think?" His eyes flickered with a disturbing glint, eliciting disgusted looks from those who witnessed his crassness. Typically, cultivators of his caliber would have tamed their desires and held firm control over their 'lust,' yet this man's insatiable appetite suggested he had delved into the darkest of practices. It was as if his cravings had been unleashed without restraint.

"The audacity of this man! In the immortal realms, he dares not act on his desires, but here in a humble particle world, he reveals his true colors. Many innocent women may fall victim to his wickedness before long. It's a shame that the ruler of this world seems to have no ethical principles," some mused quietly. However, as this matter did not concern them directly, they chose to ignore it, following their own paths instead. Their paths were divergent, as their pursuits in the world of cultivation led them to distinct destinations.

The expert riding the golden jiao observed the lecherous young man with a cold laugh hidden in his heart. To him, inner worlds like this were like tiny droplets in the vast ocean of the immortal realms—small, remote, and suitable for conducting clandestine affairs. It was common knowledge that those who had offended major powers in the immortal realms often sought refuge in inner worlds precisely because they were challenging to locate unless one possessed specific coordinates.

"Are there any unique or extraordinary places to explore in this inner world?" The expert's golden jiao emitted a resounding roar before soaring into the sky, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Above the Medicine Sovereign Valley, the Medicine Sovereign and a group of figures hovered in the air. Among them were Uncle Black and the elderly man who had rescued Mo Qingcheng from the Pill Emperor Hall.

"The space tunnel connecting the Royal Sacred City to the outside worlds has been opened. I never expected that a supreme being would come here to select disciples. It seems this world is about to become the center of attention, possibly even attracting the superlative entities of the immortal realms," the elderly man murmured with a thoughtful furrowed brow.

Uncle Black's somber words hung in the air like a heavy cloak of uncertainty. Those gathered around him fell into a hushed silence, their anxious eyes fixated on the depths of the Medicine Sovereign Valley, where Qin Wentian remained.

"I can't help but feel a heavy heart at the thought of leaving the young master here," someone admitted with a sigh, their voice tinged with genuine reluctance.

"Reluctance won't alter the reality we face," Uncle Black responded, his tone resolute. "We've already made our presence known, and experts of the Eastern Sage Great Emperor's caliber can envelop this entire world with their immortal will with a mere sweep. No one can elude their scrutiny. Moreover, with the Eastern Sage accepting disciples here, it's inevitable that the Royal Sacred Region will attract the attention of other supreme beings. We have no choice but to depart." He spoke with a calm demeanor, but his words carried the weight of necessity. The others nodded in understanding, acutely aware of the power wielded by those at the Immortal Emperor Realm.

An Immortal Emperor from the immortal realms would soon arrive, and they could not afford to draw the slightest inkling of attention. It was their collective hope that their presence wouldn't jeopardize the young master's future.

With a heavy sigh, one of them turned to address the Medicine Sovereign. "Medicine Sovereign, we entrust the young master's safety to your care."

The Medicine Sovereign's response was filled with sincerity as he reassured them, "You need not worry. After living for countless years, my life should have ended over two decades ago. It was all of you who extended my existence, allowing me to transcend mortality and ascend to immortality in a single leap. Simply by prolonging my life, you have bestowed upon me a debt of gratitude that I can never fully repay, not to mention aiding me in reaching the immortal foundation realm. My life belongs to you now, even though I know not who you are or why you hold such regard for Qin Wentian. But I can promise you this: as long as there's breath left in my body, I will safeguard him from harm."

The Medicine Sovereign's words held the weight of a profound commitment. He had never probed into Qin Wentian's identity, as that was a realm far beyond his reach. His only concern was repaying the debt of gratitude and bearing witness to the astounding growth of a once-in-a-lifetime genius.

Uncle Black's words resonated with a stern and unyielding tone, much like his previous lectures to Qin Wentian. He emphasized the importance of adhering to their master and madame's wishes, reminding the others that their actions on behalf of the young master had already gone beyond the bounds set by their superiors. As the offspring of their esteemed master and madame, Qin Wentian bore a remarkable destiny, one that required him to ascend to greatness through his own efforts. This was the mandate left behind by their revered leaders, and there was no need for them to stubbornly remain and ensure Qin Wentian's safety any longer.

Reluctantly, the experts conceded to Uncle Black's words, their glances reflecting their complex feelings. They couldn't forget the events of the past, especially the incident that had left Uncle Black as a cripple. It was a reminder of the profound connection they all shared.

Their eyes shifted towards the spot where Qin Wentian continued his cultivation. With a heavy sigh, they acknowledged that there was little more they could do or say.

Turning his attention to the Medicine Sovereign, Uncle Black entrusted a message to be relayed to Qin Wentian. He emphasized the significance of Mo Qingcheng, who remained in the shadows, tirelessly safeguarding and watching over him. He mentioned the powerful seal binding her body and hinted at her extraordinary status, speculating that the Eastern Sage's arrival had a connection to her.

The Medicine Sovereign wore a puzzled expression as he observed Mo Qingcheng nearby. He nodded in acknowledgment of Uncle Black's message, understanding the sentimentality that existed between Qing'er and Qin Wentian. Love, like the path of cultivation, was a deeply personal journey, and no one could make those choices for another.

With these final words, Uncle Black and his companions departed from the Royal Sacred Region. Unbeknownst to Qin Wentian, they had left, leaving him to focus on his cultivation. He sought to condense a second constellation, an endeavor that required an epiphany—a moment of enlightenment. Without it, no amount of effort would yield results. He had already explored various methods to fuse his true intents, but none surpassed or equaled the power of his Dreamworld Constellation. In such a case, he reasoned, it was better to abstain from condensing a second constellation until the right fusion revealed itself.