**Chapter 21: The Forgotten History of Earth and the Heavenly Realm**

**Chapter 21: The Forgotten History of Earth and the Heavenly Realm**

Xiao Feng stood in the heart of the ancient ruins, his breath steady despite the trials he had endured. The journey had been arduous, filled with traps and formations that tested even his extensive knowledge from the Heavenly Realm. As he reached the center of the chamber, a grand statue began to glow, and a powerful consciousness emerged, taking the form of an elderly man with eyes that shimmered like stars.

"Welcome, young cultivator," the consciousness intoned, its voice resonating with an ancient power. "You have passed the trials and reached this sacred place. I am the guardian of these ruins, left behind to protect the knowledge and treasures of a time long forgotten. What brings you here?"

Xiao Feng bowed respectfully, recognizing the immense power before him. "I seek the truth of these ruins and the secrets they hold," he replied. "How did such knowledge of the Heavenly Realm's formations come to be on Earth? And what is the connection between Earth and the Heavenly Realm?"

The consciousness nodded, as if expecting the question. "The history of Earth and the Heavenly Realm is one that has been buried in the sands of time, forgotten by all but a few. Long ago, Earth was not as it is now. The spiritual energy here was abundant, nearly on par with the Heavenly Realm itself. The two realms were closely linked, and many powerful cultivators roamed the Earth, some even surpassing the Dao Seeking Realm."

Xiao Feng's eyes widened in surprise. He had always believed the Dao Seeking Realm to be the pinnacle of cultivation. "Surpassing the Dao Seeking Realm? Is that truly possible?" he asked.

The consciousness smiled faintly. "Indeed, the Dao Seeking Realm is not the ultimate peak. It is a realm of immense power, but there are levels beyond it, realms that only a few have ever glimpsed. But those days are long gone, lost to the catastrophe that befell this world."

The guardian continued, its voice heavy with the weight of history. "Millions of years ago, Earth was home to powerful cultivators who could challenge even the mightiest beings of the Heavenly Realm. However, this prosperity attracted the attention of a far more dangerous enemy—the Void Walkers. These beings were not cultivators in the traditional sense but a highly advanced civilization with bodies enhanced by technology far beyond what we know. They were formidable foes, their physical strength, speed, and resilience making them nearly unstoppable. Even the most powerful cultivators struggled against them."

Xiao Feng listened intently, his mind racing as he tried to comprehend the enormity of what he was hearing. "If these Void Walkers were so powerful, how were they defeated?" he asked.

"Defeating them was not easy," the consciousness admitted. "The Void Walkers, while not capable of manipulating space and time as some higher beings can, were still incredibly difficult to deal with. Their sheer physical prowess allowed them to evade even the most powerful cultivation techniques. They moved with such speed that many cultivators found their attacks ineffective. It took the combined efforts of the most powerful cultivators, including those who had surpassed the Dao Seeking Realm, to create a space wormhole and banish the Void Walkers from this realm."

The guardian's expression darkened as it continued. "But the battle had a cost. The spiritual energy that once flowed freely between Earth and the Heavenly Realm was severed. Earth was pushed away, distanced from the source of its power. Over time, the spiritual energy here grew thinner and thinner, leaving the world as it is now—a shadow of its former self, where cultivation beyond a certain level is nearly impossible."

Xiao Feng felt a chill run down his spine as he absorbed the guardian's words. "So the Earth I know is but a remnant of a once-great world. And the Dao Seeking Realm is not the limit of cultivation… There are beings even more powerful, like the Void Walkers, who were merely level three beings according to their own classifications."

"Yes," the consciousness confirmed. "The Void Walkers were level three beings, but there are levels far beyond that. The strongest known beings reach level six, with power so immense that they could easily destroy or create worlds with a mere thought. Some speculate that level eight beings exist—beings that could control the universe itself—but none have ever been confirmed."

The weight of this revelation settled heavily on Xiao Feng. He had always thought of the Heavenly Realm as the pinnacle of existence, yet here was proof that there were realms and powers beyond his imagination. "So the Void Walkers were not even the greatest threat?" he asked.

"No, they were not," the guardian replied. "The Void Walkers were formidable, but they were not the ultimate power in the universe. They were simply one of many threats that exist beyond what most cultivators can comprehend. The fact that they were level three beings while the highest known beings are level six should give you an idea of just how vast the difference in power can be."

Xiao Feng took a deep breath, trying to process everything he had learned. "Then, what is the purpose of this place? Why was such powerful knowledge left here on Earth?"

"This ruin," the consciousness explained, "was created as a safeguard, a hidden sanctuary for those who might one day rise to challenge the limits of this world. The map you found was one such treasure, leading you here. But it is not the only one. The knowledge stored here could help you, Xiao Feng, to unlock your true potential and perhaps even reach those realms beyond Dao Seeking."

Before Xiao Feng could respond, the guardian raised its hand, revealing a mysterious stone that glowed softly. "Take this stone," it said. "It will aid you in your future endeavors, guiding you when you face challenges that require wisdom beyond your years."

Xiao Feng accepted the stone, feeling a surge of energy flow through him as he held it. "Thank you," he said, awe evident in his voice. "I will honor the legacy of this place."

The consciousness nodded, a proud glint in its ancient eyes. "Then take what you have learned here, Xiao Feng, and continue your journey. The path ahead will be difficult, but I believe you have the potential to succeed where others have failed."

With those final words, the consciousness began to fade, leaving Xiao Feng alone in the ancient chamber. He stood there for a moment, reflecting on all that he had learned, before turning to leave. The world was far more vast and dangerous than he had ever imagined, but he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As he stepped out of the ruins and back into the sunlight, Xiao Feng knew that his journey would be of great Difficulty.