Here it comes

(TN: Demons: creatures fighting human cultivators.

demonic cultivators: dark side cultivators.

beast race/Kin mutated plants or animals.

Monsters: unknown creatures controlling the souls of living beings.

unknown entities: entities who we don't know anything about yet and will uncover later on in the story.)

..............

Three minutes

Liu Ping didn't allow himself to think too much. He quickly loaded spirit stones into his storage bags and began cultivating with utmost focus.

Three minutes was enough.

Spiritual energy coursed through his body in several large circulatory cycles. As the energy reached perfection, it began to radiate from his body, forming a dense, continuous spirit fog above his head. When he completed the final circulation, the spirit fog descended and merged back into his body.

A voice broke the silence beside him.

"Your advancement is quick."

Liu Ping opened his eyes and replied, "Yes. I had no choice but to rush it—I just established my foundation not long ago and didn't have time to consolidate."

Xie Dongliu studied Liu Ping intently before saying, "Your spiritual power fluctuations are remarkably steady. This shows that your past cultivation was diligent and thorough, without shortcuts or sloppiness. However…"

"What's the issue?" Liu Ping asked.

Xie Dongliu lowered his voice. "This place isn't secure enough. You need a safe location where you can devote yourself to cultivation with full focus. Only then can you prepare for your next breakthrough."

He paused before adding, "Also, after establishing a foundation, it's customary to consult a diviner for a divination reading to seek luck and avoid calamity. But now... with Heavenly Mystery in chaos…"

Liu Ping's heart stirred at the words.

Xie Dongliu knows Heavenly Mystery is chaotic?

This was just as Liu Ping had suspected. Xie Dongliu, a Rejuvenation cultivator sent by the Grand Profundity Palace to recruit disciples, must have noticed something was amiss. His emphasis on security suggested he'd uncovered something troubling.

Suppressing his thoughts, Liu Ping feigned surprise. "Senior Brother Xie, I've always heard that Heavenly Mystery is tied to the natural laws of fate. If it's fate, how could it become chaotic?"

Xie Dongliu frowned and said gravely, "We'll discuss this further once we return to the sect."

Liu Ping nodded. "Understood."

Xie Dongliu observed Liu Ping's calm demeanor and refrained from pressing further. After a moment of thought, he advised, "Until we return, don't practice further. Once we're at the sect, the elders will ensure your cultivation proceeds safely."

"Got it," Liu Ping replied.

Meanwhile, several lower-rank cultivators approached the Grand Profundity Palace's recruitment tent, eager to join the sect. However, Xie Dongliu's standards were unforgiving. One hopeful barely explained two combat techniques before being dismissed outright.

Liu Ping glanced at the void in front of him.

[00:04]

[00:03]

[00:02]

[00:01]

[The pursuer has arrived. The judge is coming]

They were here.

Liu Ping remained silent, his hand resting discreetly on his storage bags. Beside him, Xie Dongliu pulled out a chicken and began roasting it over a fire.

"How shall we travel tomorrow?" Xie Dongliu asked casually. "Should we use the Teleportation Formation directly, or shall I summon my flying boat to enjoy the breeze and relax?"

"I leave the decision to you, Senior Brother Xie, but I think Teleportation would be safer," Liu Ping replied.

Xie Dongliu nodded. "Fair enough. With the frontlines secure after the recent victory, we don't need to be overly cautious—but we should still hurry back."

As he spoke, his expression suddenly shifted. His sleepy demeanor vanished, replaced by sharp alertness.

"The spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth is changing. What's happening?" he said in a low, urgent tone.

In an instant, Liu Ping had donned his battle armor.

Xie Dongliu turned to him with a raised eyebrow. "You're quick to act."

Liu Ping smiled faintly. "I'm naturally cautious."

Suddenly, a cacophony of cries and roars erupted outside the tent.

"What's going on?" Liu Ping and Xie Dongliu stepped out to investigate. Cultivators in the camp had stopped in their tracks, their spiritual senses extending outward. All eyes turned to the dark night sky.

"That way!"

"Something's happening indirection!"

"Quick, let's see what it is!"

As if compelled by an unseen force, the crowd surged toward the southeast edge of the camp. Liu Ping followed Xie Dongliu, both of them silent as they reached the camp's border. Together, they gazed into the depths of the sky.

"What could it be?" Liu Ping whispered.

'Could this be the unprecedented event the Sequence foretold?'

"I'm not sure," Xie Dongliu replied gravely. "But something big is happening."

The murmurs of the crowd died down as the cultivators sensed the growing intensity.

A chill wind swept through the camp, carrying with it an ominous presence. The sky was shrouded in dense clouds, broken only by streaks of lightning that illuminated the heavens. From the depths of the storm, something began to emerge.

Liu Ping's eyes widened as he exclaimed, "That is—"

A grand, shattered jade palace broke through the clouds, scattering luminous fragments across the sky.

One massive fragment hurtled toward the camp's eastern mountain, striking it with an earth-shaking crash.

The ground trembled violently. Dust and mist surged upward before being swept away by a powerful gust of wind.

When the light subsided, Liu Ping saw it clearly—a Demon subduing pole of colossal proportions. It was larger than the mountain peak itself, radiating immense spiritual power that surpassed anything Liu Ping had ever known.

Xie Dongliu steadied himself and whispered, "This… this weapon can't belong to our world. It's from the upper realms!"

'What kind of cultivator could wield such a weapon? And who managed to defeat them?'

Before they could dwell further, the sky erupted once more. Fragment after fragment of magnificent jade palaces descended, scattering across the land. The heavens seemed to collapse, scattering divine remnants everywhere.

"It's as if the upper realms have been destroyed!" someone exclaimed.

Amidst the chaos, a powerful voice resounded through the camp.

"Stay calm!"

A silver-haired elder rose into the air, his presence commanding immediate attention. "All Rejuvenation stage cultivators, follow me! We must investigate the situation. The rest of you, hold your positions and prepare for orders!"

The cultivators, though shaken, began to regroup. Liu Ping tightened his grip on his storage bags, his thoughts racing.

The collapse of the upper realms marked the beginning of an era unlike any other.

"Others, persevere the camp! No one is to act rashly. Disobeying orders will be punished by death!"

This was no ordinary cultivator, he was a Devine Transformation Stage Elder, a renowned figure from Azure Heavens Sect. Liu Ping's gaze shifted to Xie Dongliu, who appeared conflicted. Even for members of the Seven Great Factions, battlefield orders from such a high-ranking cultivator were absolute—defiance meant severe punishment.

Xie Dongliu sighed, his face showing a hint of helplessness. He placed a reassuring hand on Liu Ping's shoulder and spoke quietly:

"That's Elder Wang. With his disposition, he'll inevitably take the lead in investigating this situation. No one can stop him."

Liu Ping nodded, urging, "Senior Brother Xie, you should go quickly."

Xie Dongliu hesitated, then sighed again. "Stay safe. I'll return as soon as I can."

Liu Ping's expression grew serious. "Senior Brother Xie, what exactly is happening? I can't shake this feeling of unease."

Xie Dongliu looked hesitant, glancing around before lowering his voice and speaking through sound transmission:

"You're my junior from Grand Profundity Palace, so I'll tell you. But keep this to yourself, if word spreads, it could harm the morale of the troops."

"Understood," Liu Ping replied.

"There's news that the Demons have sent envoys to propose a truce. This revelation is fresh, but for some reason, it has driven many mind-controlled cultivators into a frenzy. They're attacking everywhere, likely trying to provoke a decisive battle and eliminate us in one strike before negotiations can take hold."

With that, Xie Dongliu nodded at Liu Ping, his figure blurring as he joined Elder Wang and the other rejuvenation cultivators heading toward the disturbance.

Liu Ping stood still, processing the information. The tension within him eased slightly.

"So that's it," he muttered to himself. Those entities were desperate to prevent any alliance between Humans and Demons. If such a peace were established, it could signify a disruption in the larger, unseen plot governing this world.

Just as he was lost in thought, burning lines of text materialized in the void before him:

[Attention. Even in the infinite worlds, we have never witnessed such a large-scale Skyfall. Further investigation is required.]

Liu Ping's heart skipped a beat. "Another exploration?" he whispered.

[The third exploration will commence shortly. Please examine the situation surrounding the Demon Subduing Pole near the Western Desolate Great Camp. This Sequence will analyze it further to provide clarity on the current situation.]

[Complete the exploration successfully, and you will receive Role points.]

Liu Ping did not say anything.

In fact, he was as curious as the sequence. He could not help but want to see what was going on.

Above, Elder Wang rallied the gathered cultivators.

"Lower the camp's defense formation. All Rejuvenation cultivators, follow me!" he commanded, taking off into the sky, a confident grin on his face.

A curious disciple asked, "Elder Wang, why were you smiling just now?"

Elder Wang chuckled without looking back. "Upper Realms are likely embroiled in a large-scale war. That's why so many objects are falling into our world. This old man is willing to bet that This is a golden opportunity for us. Let's move!"

The cultivators followed him eagerly, disappearing into the distance. Left behind were two Rejuvenation stage cultivators tasked with guarding the camp. One activated a formation plate, and a protective barrier shimmered into place, sealing off the camp.

"By Elder Wang's decree, everyone is to stay in the camp. Disobeying orders will be punished severely!" one of them declared loudly.

The other added, "Remain calm and stay in your tents. Any disturbances will not be tolerated!"

The chaotic discussions within the camp gradually subsided. Most cultivators returned to their tents or lingered near the edges of the camp, gazing at the sky in anticipation of further phenomena. The camp grew eerily quiet.

Liu Ping remained still, observing the diminishing celestial disturbances. After ensuring the situation had stabilized, he began making his way back to the Grand Profundity Palace tent. As he passed the Heavenly Resonance Pavilion's quarters, a soft melody from a zither drifted out, accompanied by a gentle female voice singing:

"Treading on grass, fearing mud will stain my embroidered socks. Pitying flowers, mourning their fading fragrance. If one never reaches the garden, how could they know spring's beauty?"

The song's poignant tone made Liu Ping pause and glance toward the pavilion. Inside, a woman sat elegantly, her fingers dancing across the zither. Her eyes, clear as flowing water, met his gaze. She raised a delicate eyebrow and smiled charmingly.

Before Liu Ping could react, burning lines of text appeared above her:

[Pursuer. Monster. Gold Core Stage.]

His heart raced, though his face remained calm. He smiled with a polite nod, clasping his hands in salute. Without waiting for her reaction, he turned swiftly and continued toward his tent, his mind working rapidly.

In the void before him, new lines of text appeared:

[Using 'Legendary sight,' you have identified a monster hiding within the Western Desolate Great Camp.]

[This monster has occupied the corpse of a dead cultivator like Wang Cheng to infiltrate the camp.]

[It has also noticed you.]

[Warning: If it captures and kills you, you will transform into a monster like it.]

[Prepare to defend yourself.]

Liu Ping's breath hitched. He whispered sharply, "What about you? Can't you assist? The monster is Gold Core Stage!"

The void text responded:

[To remain undetected, this Sequence is entering hibernation mode.]

[Special Note: 'Legendary sight' is an ability exchanged for your unique divination talent. It is yours alone and cannot be used by this Sequence.]

[Good luck.]

With that, the burning text faded, leaving Liu Ping alone.