Midnight, just past midnight.
Suddenly, the center position of the fairy cave's entrance to the heavenly realm began to radiate an endless array of multicolored light.
Chen Yun watched in amazement as the door, resembling a mirage or moon in water, gradually transformed into something "real" at a visible speed.
"Opened!"
"Gate to the heavens opened!"
"Haha, we can finally go back!"
The more than 5,000 cultivators in the fairy cave couldn't help but become agitated upon seeing this.
Wu Kexiu's spirit surged, "Ladies and gentlemen, the gate to the heavens has been opened. This gate will exist for twelve hours. If one does not go out during this time, they will remain in the cave forever and be crushed by mighty forces."
A group of people moved excitedly towards the gate to the heavens.
Qin Ming was still explaining the specific situation to Chen Yun, "Teacher, once we go through the gate to the heavens, I will see countless small paths scattered with light. Each path leads to a world... well, universe. If we take the wrong path, we will have to wait for fifty years before entering the Moon and Sun Taro Cave of Heaven again and finding the path that leads to our own universe in order to return. We need to walk along a path that meanders with qi of seventy-two colors. After going through that path, we will appear on the back of Moon and Sun Taro."
Chen Yun listened in confusion, not quite understanding the difference between a "small path" and a "large path."
However, he knew that following everyone would be safe, so he nodded vaguely.
The cultivators swiftly passed through the Gate to the Heavenly Realm.
Because there were simply too many people.
Some people had to wait for a moment.
Chen Yun, along with Wu Kexiu, Qin Ming, and others, was among them.
After waiting for about half a watch, the crowd became sparse, and they finally crossed the gate.
It was as if they had passed through a water wall, with a distinct barrier, but it was incredibly easy to cross through.
The scenery before our eyes changed rapidly.
The next moment, as Chen Yun felt an emptiness around him, he saw an expansive and magnificent spectacle before his eyes.
Suddenly, an endless void appeared before him.
This void gave Chen Yun a feeling similar to that of the "nothingness" before the creation of the universe, as led by the future disciples.
The only difference from the "nothingness" is that in this boundless void, there are countless bridges resembling magpies building nests.
These bridges resemble rainbow after the rain, forming arches towards the distance.
As Qin Ming had said, there were countless "rainbows."
At least with Chen Yun's current cultivation level, he still could not discern exactly how many paths were before him.
This was not what shocked him.
What shocked Chen Yun was not this, but rather the sight of what appeared to be countless "light points" floating in the void at the ends of those "rainbow arches." These light points were small like particles, yet they seemed to be larger than the universe itself.
Through these "light points," he could clearly see the inside of the mountains, rivers, and landforms, as well as all living beings within.
If I'm not mistaken, each light point represents a world!
Gazing at the boundless expanse of "light points" which were countless more than the stars in the sky, he was completely astounded.
He guessed that these "light points" must be what is referred to as "countless heavens and worlds."
That's why Wu Kexiu, Qin Ming, and Long Nü Sanjian knew about the existence of "countless heavens and worlds," because they had witnessed it here.
Chen Yun wasn't sure if what he was seeing was real, but he was indeed overwhelmed by the sight.
Just as he was somewhat stunned, Qin Ming's voice came from his ear, "All of these are illusions. Only the small paths are real and exist. Teacher, let's take the path that meanders with the qi of seventy-two colors."
Chen Yun finally came back to his senses, following Qin Ming's lead and stepping forward into the void, while puzzlingly asking, "Are all these illusions?"
Qin Ming laughed, "Yes, and everyone sees a different landscape, depending on their inner feelings, which the scenery reflects. I don't know what kind of scenery you see in your eyes, teacher, but what I see is a sky full of brilliant stars."
Wu Kexiu also turned to look and blinked, saying, "What I see is different from Qin Master. It's not a sea of stars, but a vast ocean of fire."
Zhang Ling exclaimed on the other side, "The flowers here are so beautiful."
Alright, no need to guess; it's clear that this girl is seeing a sea of flowers.
After hearing everyone's descriptions, Chen Yun had truly developed an interest in the Moon and Sun Taro Cave of Heaven for the first time.
Before, he merely regarded the Moon and Sun Taro Cave of Heaven as a "level."
He was only interested in the celestial and spiritual roots within it, as well as the various treasures.
Now, he finds that the Moon and Sun Taro Cave of Heaven seems to be much more magical than what he had previously understood.
This cave of heaven, which overlaps with countless heavens and worlds, seems to harbor many mysteries.
No matter how interested he was, he didn't have time to delve into it now; he had to leave this place as soon as possible.
"I'll study it thoroughly when I come here again next time."
Chen Yun made a secret resolution in his heart.
In fact, during this exploration of the Moon and Sun Taro Cave of Heaven, they had been following a fixed route without much actual exploration.
Perhaps it was only a fraction of the full view of the Lu Island and the Moon and Sun Spring.
As for the mysterious Cat Tower Mountain, Chen Yun had not even glimpsed its appearance.
After all, their cultivation levels were relatively low, and they could not move swiftly like real people to reach distant places.
Chen Yun believed that there must be many surprises waiting for him within the Moon and Sun Taro Cave of Heaven that he had yet to discover.
Thinking about it, he followed Wu Kexiu, Qin Ming, and Long Nü Sanjian as they passed through the "rainbow" that meandered with the qi of seventy-two colors.
The "rainbow" felt solid and soft at the same time underfoot, as if it were made of stone yet as soft as cotton.
This feeling is incredibly strange.
Unfortunately, before Chen Yun could fully appreciate the specific sensations, his body seemed to be pulled by an irresistible force, and the scenery before his eyes changed again.
...
Suddenly, the world went black.
In the next second, bright light pierced into his eyes.
Chen Yun then looked in shock and realized that he had returned from the "void" back to the reality where he was at the foot of Qinglong Mountain, to the north of the Moon and Sun Lake.
At this time, it was noon. Although it was late spring, the refraction of the sunlight on the water made it feel very dazzling.
Therefore, when he regained his vision, he felt the light was too intense.
At the foot of the mountain, besides Chen Yun, Wu Kexiu, Qin Ming, and others, there were also two or three thousand other cultivators present. Many of them were already using flying spells to head towards the distance.
Yuan Chu and others were also among the crowd.
Perhaps seeing them, Yuan Chu was walking over with Yun and his disciples.
Wu Kexiu, with full vitality, said, "Gentlemen, this is over a million miles from the Central Plains, and we have to cross the strait. There might be dangers along the way. Why don't we travel together to Minzhou and then part ways and head home separately?"
"Very well."
"Traveling together is safer."
Long Nü Sanjiu, Ding Xu, Gao Chen, and others responded in turn.
Chen Yun, however, shook his head and said, "Gentlemen, I have some important matters to attend to in Wanli Shitang and fear that I cannot travel with you."
Saying this, he looked to the side and said, "Qin Ming, I had previously agreed to take you as my disciple, but it requires approval from my master. Since I will return to Zongnanshan after handling some matters, would you like to accompany me?"
Qin Ming was overjoyed, "Thank you, teacher. I will accompany you."
Wu Kexiu was somewhat disappointed and said, "Since Mr. Chen has important matters to attend to first, I will visit Qingcheng Mountain when I have free time in the future."
Chen Yun nodded, "Alright."
Wu Kexiu, Long Nü Sanjiu, and Ding Xu, among others, bid farewell to Chen Yun and flew away.
At this moment, Yuan Chu and Yun and his disciples had already arrived.
"Teacher."
"Grand Ancestor."
A group of sword refiners bowed in unison.
Chen Yun raised his hand in a gesture of deference, saying, "You may rise."
Yuan Chu only asked with a smile, "Teacher, before in the Moon and Sun Taro Cave of Heaven, I had mentioned the subject of forging swords to you. Will we go there immediately?"
Chen Yun's gaze was directed towards the South China Sea, shaking his head slightly and said, "I have important matters to attend to. I will find you once I finish this matter."
Yuan Chu dared not contradict him, "Very well, then the disciple will await your arrival in the sect."
Later, Yuan Chu, Yun and other sword refiners also left to part.
After everyone had left, Qin Ming asked, "Master, where are we going now?"
Chen Yun narrowed his eyes slightly, "To take care of some family matters!"
After saying that, he placed his hands behind his back and, with the mist and vapor rising from under his feet, soared upward into the sky.
Qin Ming and his phantom quickly each used their flight technique to follow him.
...
Seven days later.
Chen Yun, Qin Ming and his phantom had already traveled for sixty to seventy thousand miles. They were near Wanli Shitang now.
The sun was setting, and the sunset was hovering in the sky as it began to get late.
Chen Yun, Qin Ming and their phantom were preparing to find a place to rest nearby.
The water surface on the horizon was sparkling with reflections of the setting sun, blending into the dusk and night, looking like a beautiful landscape.
Qin Ming pointed ahead and said, "I've been to Huangyan Island before. There are some indigenous people living there; we can stay the night there."
Chen Yun said, "Very well."
The three of them stepped on the mist and soared towards the distant island at high speed.
They had just reached the shore of the small island.
Suddenly, while in the midst of rapid flight, Chen Yun stopped in his tracks and hovered in mid-air, with a perplexed expression as he gazed downwards.
Qin Ming and his phantom also came to a halt.
"Teacher, what's wrong?" Qin Ming asked.
Chen Yun had not yet activated his vision, so when he looked downwards, it was not very clear. "It seems to be someone I know below."
"An old acquaintance?" Qin Ming was surprised.
"Yes, I'm not sure. I'll take a closer look."
Chen Yun responded, activating his vision to look carefully towards the shore.
There were about fifteen cultivators wearing various styles of clothing on the shore of the small island.
In front of these cultivators, there was a sea snake spirit beast coiled up, about ten to fifteen zhang (a traditional Chinese unit of length) long.
Of these ten or so cultivators, there were few who had any kind of magical item. The most they had were a couple of talismans at most.
Moreover, their cultivation bases were very weak. The strongest one was no more than a first-level six-tier practitioner.
This sea snake spirit beast was different; it emitted an extremely strong spiritual glow, perhaps comparable to a fourth-tier practitioner, which is a mid-level practitioner.
Chen Yun judged that if this sea snake spirit beast's body was slightly smaller, those ten or so cultivators with low cultivation bases might still have a chance to defeat it.
However, with such a massive body, the sea snake spirit beast might sweep past and cause massive casualties among the fifteen cultivators.
Indeed, all of these cultivators looked very desperate.
None of these are a problem.
Cultivators hunt spirit beasts.
Spirit beasts counter-attack and kill cultivators.
Survival of the fittest is the most normal thing.
But there were two cultivators among these ten or so that Chen Yun recognized!
The two cultivators were Zhang Qian and Lin Chen!
Chen Yun used his observation technique to see that Zhang Qian and Lin Chen's current cultivation level was about late-stage seventh-tier cultivators.
Although cultivating the 'Yin God' technique is a shortcut, it is noteworthy that they have reached this realm in just four to five years, which indicates their exceptional talent.
It was at this moment that Chen Yun felt an endless wave of confusion in his heart, not understanding why these two people, who should have been making a living in the city of Luoyang, had suddenly appeared here and encountered such great danger.
(Chapter complete)
