Kayden and Eliana arrived in the bustling city of Luminescent Haven, the departure point for their journey to the 3rd realm. The city was alive with a vibrant energy as people from various walks of life, including slaves, merchants, and fellow cultivators, prepared to leave the 8th realm. Both masked and veiled to conceal their identities, Kayden and Eliana marveled at the organized chaos around them.
The guards at the ship's entrance collected the required fee of 1,000,000 spirit stones per person. Kayden, with a sense of responsibility, paid for both of them. Once on board, they found their standard two-bedroom accommodation, a modest space compared to the more luxurious options available at a higher cost. Eliana settled inside the room, while Kayden ventured out to explore the massive ship.
The vessel, designed to accommodate up to 10,000 passengers, boasted five floors. The interior was a labyrinth of corridors and rooms, with a mix of travelers, cultivators, and curious individuals moving about. Kayden observed the diverse crowd, noting that many cultivators, even at the peak celestial stage like himself, were outer court disciples from the Guangong sect. This realization surprised him; despite their formidable cultivation, they held the status of outer court disciples. Their elderly master, a figure even Kayden struggled to discern, sat among them – a testament to the individual's formidable strength, surpassing even Ascendant cultivators like General Huo Song.
As Kayden strolled through the ship, he witnessed the powerful aura emanating from fellow passengers. The ship's design, with its intricately adorned walls and spacious halls, reflected the prosperity of the 8th realm. The cultivators were scattered across different floors, engaged in various activities or discussions about the upcoming entrance exam.
Noticing Kayden's gaze, the elderly master from the Guangong sect briefly acknowledged him before returning to his rest. Kayden sensed that this journey held much more than just a passage to another realm – it was an encounter with cultivators of diverse backgrounds, each carrying their own stories and ambitions.
Kayden, fueled by curiosity about the 3rd realm and the upper world, decided to approach the disciples of the Guangong sect. As he approached, their eyes widened in surprise, not expecting to encounter someone at the peak celestial stage in the 8th realm. Intrigued, they welcomed him and inquired about his name in great detail.
With a sense of mystery, Kayden removed his mask, revealing his handsome features that left the sect disciples in awe. His striking appearance surpassed even that of the 3rd realm prince they had seen before. The girl students, in particular, couldn't help but wonder about his relationship status, but Kayden disclosed that he was already married, leading to a collective sigh of disappointment. Nonetheless, their curiosity about him persisted, and they bombarded him with questions.
Even the elder, who had been resting, took notice. Standing at a towering height of over 9 feet, he approached Kayden, captivated by a strange sense of familiarity. In the recesses of his mind, the elder couldn't shake the resemblance between Kayden and a statue he had seen in the 1st realm, depicting a monarch from a million years ago. Though he wanted to share this observation, he dismissed it as impossible. Instead, he engaged Kayden, questioning his intent to participate in the entrance exam in the 3rd realm.
Kayden affirmed his purpose, and the elder, seasoned with wisdom, cautioned him about the strict regulations of modern sects. Grateful for the advice, Kayden sought more information about the upper realms. The elder willingly shared details, explaining the hierarchical structure – the 7th to 9th realms as the lower realms, the 4th to 6th realms as the middle realm, and the 1st to 3rd realms as the upper realms, with the 1st realm being the ultimate destination. The elder elaborated on the existence of multiple planets in each realm.
Inviting Kayden to join their sect, the elder extended a warm welcome. However, Kayden humbly declined, mentioning a prior invitation he had received. The elder respected his decision, and their conversation continued, delving deeper into the intricacies of the realms and the upcoming challenges that awaited Kayden in the 3rd realm.