HEART OF THE SIXTH REALM

They closed in around them like liquid darkness, swallowing all light until Li Hua could barely see her own hands. Soon, they emerged into a realm drained of all color, a world that defied mortal comprehension. The transition felt like being pulled through the fabric of existence, each breath stretching into infinity until reality snapped back into place.

The Sixth Realm lived up to its name. Monochromatic landscapes stretched endlessly, creating an atmosphere outside of time. Buildings rose like shadows against a pewter sky, their architecture ancient and forbidden. Every surface, from stone paths to twisted trees, reflected shades of grey, both beautiful and unsettling.

Mo Tao stumbled, his usual grace failing him. "Remind me again why we had to use your method?" he groaned, steadying himself against a granite pillar. "Surely, you have a less... dramatic way of moving between realms."