Chapter 111: The Grand Void Illusionary Realm

"By the way, Senior Brother Feng," Han Yi said, noticing Feng Jingyu's keen interest, "do you know what kind of trials await us in the Cave Heaven we're heading to?"

"Ah, I know a bit about that."

"You know Senior Brother Qi, right? He's ranked ninth on the Earth Ranking. He's over there, participating in his second Cave Heaven Trial. Every time I asked him about it before, he was tight-lipped and wouldn't say much. But after the official top 100 Earth Ranking list was finalized a few days ago, he finally opened up."

"Since you're on the Immortal Boat and will be participating in the trial anyway, there's no harm in sharing this information with you."

"Junior Brother Han, do you know what a Cave Heaven actually is?"

"A Cave Heaven?" Han Yi frowned. "As I understand it, it's a small, self-contained world. Is that correct?"

Feng Jingyu nodded, then shook his head. "Senior Brother Qi explained it this way: a Cave Heaven is indeed a small world, but more accurately, it's a world that either failed to fully develop or was never completely formed."

"There's another theory: our Cultivation World belongs to the Great Thousand Worlds, while Cave Heaven Worlds are classified as Small Thousand Worlds. Theoretically, if a Small Thousand World continues to evolve, it could transform into a Great Thousand World, just like our own."

"The True Dawn Grand Void Heaven, a realm within the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land, is one such Small Thousand World."

"After claiming the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven, the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land spent eons reshaping it and establishing the Grand Void Illusionary Realm. Connected to the Grand Void Heaven, this realm possesses unfathomable power."

"The place we're actually heading to is the Grand Void Illusionary Realm. Through the realm's mystical power, identical bodies known as Grand Void Bodies are created within it. Our Divine Souls enter these bodies, allowing us to access the Cave Heaven World. Apart from Magic Artifacts, our divine sense, skills, and everything else remains exactly as it is in the real world."

"Thus, even if we die in the Cave Heaven World, it's merely the Grand Void Body that perishes. Our Divine Soul returns to the Grand Void Illusionary Realm, regenerates a new Grand Void Body, and we can re-enter the Cave Heaven World."

"In essence, we're practically immortal within the Cave Heaven World."

Han Yi's heart skipped a beat. "So that's how it works."

Twelve years ago, during the first Cave Heaven Trial, he had heard that the rules within the Cave Heaven World were different, granting cultivators immortality. Now he understood the truth behind it.

Sensing Han Yi's interest, Feng Jingyu continued without pausing. "The Cave Heaven World, also known as the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven, exists in a state similar to the ancient era of our Cultivation World, a time when myriad races coexisted."

"Of course, the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven never truly evolved into a Great Thousand World. Only four foreign races inhabit it: the Demon Race, the Demon Race, the Winged Race, and the Shadow Race."

"The Demon Race, the Demon Race, the Winged Race, and the Shadow Race?" Han Yi raised an eyebrow. He had encountered these ancient powerhouses in the Scripture Pavilion.

"Exactly. Only these four races exist within the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven."

"Wait, that's not entirely accurate. It would be more precise to say that these four foreign races exist alongside humanity."

"When we enter the true Cave Heaven through the Grand Void Illusionary Realm using our Grand Void Bodies, our initial landing locations are largely fixed. Upon revival, we will reappear near our previous landing site."

"As for what else you need to know once you're inside," Feng Jingyu said, "Senior Brother Qi only said that you'll naturally find out once you're there—you'll be guided."

Feng Jingyu finished his explanation in one breath. Turning to Han Yi, his tone became serious. "Everything else is secondary."

"The most important thing is to seize the token."

"To seize the Grand Void Token Fragment."

"In the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven, obtaining a Grand Void Token Fragment brings tremendous benefits. With a fragment, you can exchange it for earth-shattering spiritual treasures that enhance your Comprehension, Root Bone, and physical constitution. Isn't that incredible?"

Han Yi's heart skipped a beat.

He had recently used the Blood Bone Spirit Flower to triple his Root Bone. Yet here he was, hearing of another such opportunity.

"Even Root Bone can be enhanced?"

Feng Jingyu's eyes filled with envy. "Senior Brother You Wu should know about this."

"I heard he seized a Grand Void Token Fragment during the last Cave Heaven Trial. Inside the Cave Heaven World, he exchanged it for an extraordinary treasure that transformed his physical constitution into an incredibly powerful Fire Attribute one. That's why his cultivation has advanced by leaps and bounds. Moreover, those with such a constitution possess terrifying killing techniques, allowing them to easily defeat opponents far above their own level."

"If they can even transform physical constitutions, I don't see why Root Bones would be any different," Han Yi mused, his eyes deep in thought.

"The Grand Void Token?"

Fu Xuanxu's earlier mention of "seizing the token" must have referred to acquiring the Grand Void Token.

A thought sparked in Han Yi's mind, and he was about to ask for more details when Feng Jingyu flashed a mysterious smile, leaned in, and whispered, "By the way, Junior Brother Han, you might not know this, but there's an intriguing legend about the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven. It's said that the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land discovered it near the ancestral grounds of the Grand Void Sect. Several Transformation God Great Powers from Jade Capital Mountain then used astonishing immortal methods to relocate the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven to their own territory. The entire operation was carried out with utmost secrecy, so the Grand Void Sect remained completely unaware."

"But later, word of the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven's existence spread. When the Sect Leader of the Grand Void Sect personally visited Jade Capital Mountain to demand its return, he was unceremoniously driven away."

"The Grand Void Sect is one of the Three Great Sects of Great Qian, while the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land is one of the Two Great Holy Lands—a world-dominating power with Transformation God Great Powers presiding over it. They firmly outrank the Grand Void Sect."

"Back then, the entire Cultivation World believed the Grand Void Sect was about to launch a desperate attack. After all, the True Dawn Grand Void Heaven had been discovered within the sect's ancestral lands, and its very name reflected the sect's heritage."

"But to everyone's surprise, the Grand Void Sect completely backed down, withdrawing all aggression. Of course, all the major powers suspected that some secret deal had been struck behind the scenes to defuse the situation."

As Feng Jingyu spoke, he seemed to realize he had said too much, revealing his talkative nature. He abruptly clamped his mouth shut, straightened his back, and resumed his aloof demeanor.

"Senior Brother Feng, you really know a lot," Han Yi complimented him, knowing that flattery rarely failed.

He still wanted to ask about the Grand Void Token, but Feng Jingyu's face had already regained its icy composure. His lips were sealed tight, refusing to utter another word. Clearly, Feng Jingyu was aware of his weakness; saying too much might inadvertently expose hidden secrets, with unpredictable consequences.

Such incidents had happened before.

Seeing Feng Jingyu's resolve, Han Yi didn't press the matter and decided to drop the subject for now.

Han Yi scanned his surroundings. Most of the disciples were meditating, while a few chatted quietly or gazed at the rapidly receding landscapes on either side of the Immortal Boat.

Spotting He Fengdi among them, Han Yi saw that he was already meditating and decided not to disturb him. Instead, he found his own spot, settled into a meditative posture, and patiently cultivated.

The Profound Pill Mountain Range spanned three prefectures: Taibai, Nanyang, and Luofeng. The Profound Pill Sect's main gate was located in Nanyang County.

Departing from Nanyang County, the Immortal Boat would traverse Luofeng and five more prefectures—Huaibei, Jiang Prefecture, Andu, Lingfu, and Shu Prefecture—before reaching the border between Shu and Qian Prefectures. Crossing this boundary into Qian Prefecture and continuing southeast across most of the prefecture would finally lead to the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land.

Even for a mid-grade magic treasure like the Tribulation Transcending Immortal Boat, traveling at full speed without stopping would take a full month.

The sheer quantity of high-grade spirit stones required to continuously power the Immortal Boat for such a prolonged journey would astonish even ordinary Golden Core cultivators.

And that was before factoring in the cost of securing one of the coveted 109 entry quotas upon reaching the Jade Capital Mountain Holy Land.

The previous Cave Heaven Trial had crippled the Profound Pill Sect, and twelve years had passed before they dared launch a second session. One month later...

The Immortal Boat came to a halt. Fu Xuanxu and Su Changkong soared off the deck and vanished into the distance. Half an hour later, they returned, and the boat resumed its journey.

Han Yi surmised that they had gone to negotiate with representatives from Jade Capital Mountain.

Another hour passed, and the Immortal Boat stopped again.

The three Golden Core Stage Supreme Elders leading the expedition stood on the deck, their solemn gazes sweeping over the disciples.

During the journey, Han Yi had learned the names of these three Golden Core cultivators from Feng Jingyu.

Fu Xuanxu was the primary leader, a fact Han Yi already knew. When the Immortal Boat had first set sail, Fu Xuanxu had personally sought him out to remind him of the task entrusted to him by Yuan Shun.

The two deputy leaders were Fu Canghai and Su Changkong.

"Ahead lies our destination," Fu Xuanxu announced, his face grave. An imposing aura radiated from him, enveloping the entire Immortal Boat. The disciples stiffened, their expressions turning solemn.

Han Yi felt it too.

"The Cave Heaven Trial is about to begin. I believe some of you have already learned about the trial's format from previous participants."

"Nevertheless, let me reiterate the key points."

"..."

"The Grand Void Token is your primary objective on this journey."

"Very few of you will obtain a Grand Void Token Fragment—perhaps none at all. But that doesn't matter. The struggle for these fragments will be a brutal, chaotic battle—a crucible that will forge you. Though the fighting will be fierce, this very brutality will rapidly elevate your combat prowess. This is your Immortal Opportunity."

Han Yi listened intently, noting that Fu Xuanxu's explanation largely aligned with Feng Jingyu's, albeit with more detailed elaborations on minor aspects.

"That's all for now. Specific instructions will be provided upon entering the Grand Void Illusionary Realm. You'll understand everything then."

"Now, follow me."

With a wave of Fu Xuanxu's sleeve, the disciples felt their bodies lighten, drifting upward as they followed him into a descent.

To Han Yi's surprise, their landing destination wasn't an Immortal Mountain or celestial palace, but the edge of an enormous lake.

Han Yi's eyesight was exceptional; he could discern the finest details even from miles away. Yet, gazing across this vast lake, he could only make out the vague outlines of distant structures, a testament to its immense size.

After everyone had landed, Supreme Elder Su Changkong flipped his hands. One hundred and nine luminous orbs materialized in mid-air, each ethereal and roughly the size of a fist. Within these illusory spheres, fleeting glimpses of mysterious, tragic scenes swirled indistinctly.

"These are the True Ascension Marks," Su Changkong announced. "With these marks, you can enter Jade Capital Lake and reach the Grand Void Illusionary Realm. Once inside, you will know what must be done."

"Each True Ascension Mark is valid for one year only. After that, regardless of your progress, you will be expelled."

"Now, go."

Su Changkong's gaze swept over the hundred-plus cultivators, his eyes burning with fervent anticipation. Fu Canghai and Fu Xuanxu stood silently to one side, their roles distinct in this expedition, even though Fu Xuanxu was the primary leader.

With Su Changkong's instructions clear, the cultivators hesitated no longer. They reached out and grasped the enigmatic orbs before them.

Han Yi experienced the same phenomenon.

As he grasped the orb of light, he felt a faint warmth. Then, it seamlessly merged into his body and vanished without a trace.

Startled, Han Yi glanced around and saw the other disciples undergoing the same process. Reassured, he relaxed.

"The True Ascension Mark?" he murmured.

As the True Ascension Marks fused with their bodies, the disciples closest to the massive Jade Capital Lake stepped forward and entered the water.

To Han Yi's astonishment, the first senior brother to enter the lake didn't sink. Instead, his body shimmered, and he vanished completely from sight, leaving no trace of his presence behind.

Following the first senior brother's example, the second and third disciples unhesitatingly stepped into Jade Capital Lake as well.

When it was Han Yi's turn, he took a step into the lake's boundary. A flash of light and shadow obscured his vision, and suddenly he found himself in a mysterious space bathed in soft, ethereal light.

The space was small, roughly a hundred square meters, with gentle radiance emanating from all directions.

The only feature within this enigmatic chamber was a shimmering portal of light, so ephemeral it seemed ready to dissolve at any moment.

Cautiously, Han Yi retreated two steps.

In the next instant, a phantom orb of light materialized in the hand that had been gripping the True Ascension Mark.

The True Ascension Mark.

As the mark floated free from Han Yi's arm, it stretched and elongated rapidly. In a single breath, it transformed into a complete physical body.

Han Yi, who had retreated a few steps in anticipation, couldn't suppress his astonishment.

The body that had emerged from the True Ascension Mark was none other than his own—an exact replica. Apart from the absence of his sword at the waist, it was as if he were looking in a mirror.

No, wait, those eyes held no spark of vitality.

Is this the Grand Void Body?

Before Han Yi could speculate further, a surge of information flooded his mind: True Ascension, Grand Void Body, Small World...

After processing the information, enlightenment dawned in Han Yi's eyes.

"So that's how it is."

"This is the key to immortality within the Cave Heaven World."