Wu Tian sat in quiet contemplation within his secluded chamber at the Ethereal Moon Sect. The weight of knowledge pressed against his mind, yet instead of being overwhelmed, he felt invigorated.
The ancient texts had provided insight into the most legendary treasures of existence—artifacts and liquids that even celestial beings would wage war over. However, what stood out the most was a chilling realization:
The Mortal Realm was merely a stepping stone.
If these texts could detail the wonders beyond this world, then someone—or something—must have glimpsed those higher realms before.
The Boundless Veil and Its CreatorWu Tian leaned back, his gaze lifting toward the ceiling of his chamber. He thought about the so-called veil between realms—the force that prevented mortals from even sensing higher worlds.
His own existence was an anomaly. From the moment he had discovered the Seven-Colored Soul-Warming Lotus, he had known that fate had set him on a different path.
The veil was not natural.
As he focused on the book inside his Knowledge Sea, he felt a hidden truth unraveling. The ancient book had always guided him, yet it had remained silent about the nature of this world. Until now.
A sudden surge of energy radiated from the book, and a fragmented memory surfaced in his mind.
"The Boundless Starsea is cruel. Mortals are nothing more than fuel for the strong. This planet... this world was too weak."
"To protect them, I sealed it away."
"If you are reading this, you must be the one destined to break my seal."
Wu Tian's breath hitched. The book belonged to the one who had sealed this world.
The veil existed because of its former master—an unknown cultivator who, on their dying breath, sealed the entire planet away from the rest of the Boundless Starsea.
The reason? To protect it.
Thousands of years ago, this world had been constantly raided by powerful forces from higher realms. Cultivators had no chance to grow before they were slaughtered or enslaved. The one who had owned the book had become the Planet Master, a guardian who made the ultimate decision—to isolate this world.
But now, the seal was weakening.
Wu Tian's fingers curled into fists. If this was true, then sooner or later, the outside world would come crashing in.
He had to be prepared.
The Trial of AdvancementHis first step was clear: breaking through to the Core Formation Realm.
He reached into his storage ring and retrieved a selection of spirit herbs he had gathered from his last excursion. While the sect provided cultivation resources, Wu Tian had no intention of relying on them entirely. He preferred his independence.
Seated in a lotus position, he calmed his breath and guided his Qi through his meridians.
The Core Formation Realm was a critical stage. It was when a cultivator condensed all their Qi into a singular core within their dantian, greatly increasing both power and longevity.
He circulated his energy carefully, focusing on compressing the boundless flow of Qi within his body into a solid foundation. His skin glowed faintly, his meridians pulsed, and an unseen force within him stirred.
A lesser cultivator would need weeks, perhaps even months, to properly form their core—but Wu Tian was different.
With his Knowledge Sea supporting him, his comprehension was leagues ahead of his peers.
Hours passed.
Then, as the first light of dawn touched the horizon—
Boom!
A faint golden light surged from within Wu Tian's body, radiating outward before stabilizing into a barely perceptible aura.
He opened his eyes.
His Qi had fully condensed. His dantian now held a solid golden core.
Core Formation—Early Stage.
His lips curled into a faint smirk. One step forward. Many more to go.
Understanding the Mortal Realm's BoundariesBreaking through was only the beginning. Wu Tian needed knowledge, and for that, he had to find someone who actually understood the boundaries of this world.
There was one possibility: The Grand Archive of Ethereal Moon Sect.
The archive was ancient, containing scrolls and tomes collected over countless generations. If any records of past anomalies, lost knowledge, or hints of the Boundless Starsea existed within the Mortal Realm, they might be hidden there.
He rose from his seat, adjusting his robes before stepping out into the cool morning air.
The Grand ArchiveThe Ethereal Moon Sect's Grand Archive was a towering structure, guarded day and night by elite disciples. It was said that some of its scrolls contained knowledge so old that even the sect elders did not fully comprehend them.
Wu Tian arrived at the entrance, where an elder seated behind a stone desk glanced up at him with mild curiosity.
"Wu Tian? You seek entry into the Grand Archive?"
"Yes," Wu Tian said calmly. "I wish to study the historical records."
The elder stroked his beard. "Hmph. Inner disciples may enter the first level, but the more restricted sections require special permission."
Wu Tian nodded in understanding. He didn't need everything—just a lead.
The Search for Lost KnowledgeStepping into the archive, Wu Tian's eyes immediately scanned the towering shelves filled with jade slips and parchment scrolls. Dust and the scent of aged paper filled the air.
He moved methodically, searching for any mention of anomalies, ancient explorers, or lost realms.
After an hour of searching, he finally found something curious.
A record titled "The Vanished Grandmasters."
Flipping through the ancient pages, his eyes narrowed as he read:
"For thousands of years, the greatest cultivators have ascended beyond this world, never to be seen again. No record tells of where they have gone, only that they vanish upon reaching the peak of their cultivation."
"Some say they step into the unknown, transcending mortality itself. Others believe they have perished, their ambition leading to their downfall."
Wu Tian's fingers tightened around the parchment.
So, even in the Mortal Realm, there were whispers of something beyond.
But where had these grandmasters truly gone?
The more he read, the clearer it became—even the sects had no idea.
The text hinted at ancient ruins where traces of those who had "ascended" still lingered. If Wu Tian wanted true answers, he would have to find these ruins himself.
And so, a new objective emerged in his mind:
Seek the remnants of those who came before.
A smirk formed on his lips. This world had been stagnant for too long.
It was time to stir the waters.