Chapter 242
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Chapter 242: Title
“Premonition?” Ye Linlang mulled over the term before asking, “Then what exactly is this impending danger?”
【Abyssal invasion.】
Ye Linlang: “?”
She naturally understood the Abyss – hadn’t she once used it to terrify Blue Star’s inhabitants? Now the tables had turned, and cosmic retribution had come knocking?
【In Six Hundred Years, Blue Star will face simultaneous invasions from the Abyss and high-tier worlds.】
“High-tier worlds.”
“Meaning they’re vastly superior to Blue Star? What becomes of us then – victory or defeat?”
True defeat in an interworld war meant annihilation, not mere “danger”. Though the world consciousness had urgently summoned her, its demeanor suggested this wasn’t yet an existential crisis.
【Victory is achieved, but at catastrophic cost…】
As the world consciousness spoke, prophetic visions flooded Ye Linlang’s mind – she alone could endure such direct cognitive transmission.
Even so, the aftermath left her temples throbbing.
The mental imagery rendered her momentarily mute. This wasn’t mere tragedy but apocalyptic grandeur – Blue Star’s fundamental structure shattered by collision. How could any low-tier world withstand a mid-tier world’s assault? The foreseen scenes suggested Blue Star wouldn’t surpass tier five development.
Yet the attacking mid-tier world would be at minimum tier six.
“How did things spiral so badly?” She massaged her forehead. “Are these truly events from Six Hundred Years hence?”
A mid-tier world combined with Abyssal forces? What was Blue Star – some alluring maiden attracting every predator in existence?
This contradicted her calculations. By her projections, Blue Star should’ve reached mid-tier thresholds within six centuries, attaining at least tier six status. Even that might prove insufficient against dual invasion.
【The timeline fluctuates between five to six centuries.】
“…Leaving me five centuries to devise solutions?” Ye Linlang’s jaw tightened. The horrific visions made her itch to throttle the world consciousness itself.
Just survived one calamity, only to face another?
Five centuries to achieve world ascension beyond tier six – this upheaval demolished her long-term strategies. Never had she felt so acutely the truth that no plan survives contact with reality.
【Affirmative.】
“You truly believe I can conjure miracles?” she challenged.
【Ye Linlang, you are the anomaly.】
【My capabilities here are null. I can only accelerate your access to deeper permissions, hoping you might avert this future.】
This meant full authority over Blue Star’s sovereignty.
Though nominally granted world governance, she’d always faced restrictions – like accessing mere fragments of source power reserves without explicit authorization.
“This ‘privilege’ brings me no joy,” she countered with mirthless smile.
【……】
The world consciousness lapsed into silence, perhaps recognizing the injustice of its demands.
Ye Linlang sighed in exasperation at the unresponsive world consciousness, though she couldn’t truly blame it. Given its feeble state, the fact it had managed to foresee anything at all was remarkable enough – demanding further assistance would be pure wishful thinking.
Realizing she was caught in this predicament, Ye Linlang massaged her neck and assured, "Don’t worry. I’ll preserve enough source power to sustain you – not a drop more than necessary."
【During this period, I shall enter deep slumber within the world’s core to minimize source power expenditure.】
The world consciousness clearly understood the value of source power, even without bearing full responsibility.
"But what if emergencies arise during your hibernation?" Ye Linlang pressed. Normally the system mediated communication during its rest, but such profound dormancy might disrupt oversight.
【Seek me directly here.】
Without ceremony, the world consciousness granted her access to the source realm’s sanctum.
The offer held little appeal for Ye Linlang. Why would she visit that hazardous place without reason? Without the system’s protection or the consciousness’ safeguards against the source’s corrupting influence, mere exposure could unravel her mind.
"If you insist, let’s proceed."
"I’ll manage somehow. World-saving becomes routine with practice – you’ll see." She shrugged with forced nonchalance, the picture of someone resigned to mounting burdens.
*
While Ye Linlang contemplated the prophesied crisis, Blue Star’s tier four evolution continued reshaping reality.
Special Bureau Headquarters, Capital City.
Lin Jing’s ageless features mirrored his appearance from centuries past, though his demeanor now carried the weight of accumulated wisdom. The Bureau had transformed dramatically since its founding, evolving into Zhongxia’s premier governing agency that sifted through countless applicants to recruit only supreme talents.
Over centuries, the organization witnessed constant personnel shifts. Original members like Li Canghai and Huixin had long retired, their initial recruitment driven by staffing shortages now replaced by abundant experts. They returned to secluded cultivation, pursuing higher realms.
The Awakening of Spiritual Energy revolutionized human longevity and vitality. Where average lifespans once capped at seventy, ninety years became standard. Even ordinary people could now lift heavy loads effortlessly and traverse miles without fatigue.
Originally created to regulate extraordinary individuals, the Bureau transitioned into a standard governing agency after global shifts two centuries prior. With cultivators becoming the majority, non-practitioners dwindled to a curious minority. The promise of extended vitality, robust health, and formidable power proved irresistible to most.
Wealthier citizens pursued alternatives through Galactic Empire’s life technology, achieving longevity via genetic manipulation. Yet such artificial extensions paled against cultivation’s natural enhancement of life essence. Though medical marvels could replace organs and preserve consciousness through spells, the underworld’s immutable Book of Life and Death rendered true immortality impossible. Bodies might be preserved, but souls remained bound to predetermined lifespans.
This balance reflected Ye Linlang’s original design – preventing Blue Star from stagnating under immortal overlords. The strategy succeeded, evidenced by multiple leadership transitions across nations. Not all excelled in cultivation; many found purpose through ordinary means, while others labored for karmic rewards in future incarnations. The exact mechanics of posthumous judgment remained elusive, despite widespread belief in virtue’s transmigratory benefits.
"Still inaccessible?"
"Completely sealed. We’ve contacted Senior Ji Lang regarding White Jade Capital’s restrictions."
"Senior Ji Lang confirms the realm only admits cross-border ascenders or tier seven cultivators."
Lin Jing’s brow furrowed. "Tier seven… the Immortal Realm threshold. Beyond ancient practitioners, Blue Star hosts none at that level."
The statement hung with self-evident finality.
The cultivation of Practitioners is intrinsically tied to the world’s tier. With Blue Star currently at tier four, it cannot possibly accommodate tier seven Ascenders.
Moreover, the world ascension to tier four only occurred today, leaving few tier four Practitioners across Blue Star… It’s entirely possible that these cross-border Ascenders possess higher cultivation than modern extraordinary individuals here.
This realization brought Lin Jing a wry sense of resignation. By that logic, wouldn’t they owe gratitude to the ancient practitioners? At least their presence had preserved Blue Star’s dignity and standing.
Blue Star’s extraordinary individuals often harbored inherent superiority when encountering Another World’s natives—understandable given their world’s profound foundation compared to primitive or medieval realms.
Coupled with Blue Star’s title as the source world, its inhabitants naturally assumed elevated status. Yet few anticipated how many Practitioners remained cultivation-suppressed due to world tier limitations.
Even post-ascension, they require closed-door cultivation periods to fully assimilate their progress before officially reaching tier four.
Ancient practitioners like Ji Lang held distinct advantages, having long surpassed tier four. For them, world ascension simply shattered cultivation restraints, effortlessly restoring their former prowess.
"The White Jade Capital… a fairy city accessible only to Ascenders. How enigmatic," Lin Jing mused, turning to his assistant. "Did you secure my appointment with Senior Ji Lang?"
"Confirmed," came the prompt reply.
/White Jade Capital./
Towering arches carved with celestial landscapes stretched beneath flared eaves, where murals of cosmic rivers flowed between jade pillars wreathed in mystical herbs. The fairy city lived up to its legendary name.
Though designed to receive Ascenders, White Jade Capital’s activation awaited Blue Star’s tier four ascension—its Spiritual Energy reserves insufficient until now.
After eons of slumber, the pearl gates finally swung open… yet revealed only swirling mists to unqualified observers.
Perched on Kunlun’s unremarkable midslope peak, this location drew scant attention until the fairy city’s manifestation four centuries past. Zhongxia initially stationed troops at the mountain’s base for perpetual surveillance, though vigilance waned over time.
When centuries showed no progress, authorities permitted extraordinary individuals access—better chance explorers than eternal spectators.
Initial enthusiasm faded as decades yielded no breakthroughs, reducing the site to mere tourist curiosity. Yet proximity itself posed challenges: an overwhelming pressure repelled all but the most formidable. Even at its phantom stage, only peak cultivators neared the gates. Now fully manifested, the fairy city enforced stricter barriers—unqualified intruders faced instant immobilization.
Not even technology circumvented these defenses. State-of-the-art Simulation Robots matching tier four physiques disintegrated upon approach.
Mythology holds no records of White Jade Capital, but how much divine lore remains lost or distorted? Mortals can only accept mysteries with equanimity.
The fairy city’s awakening soon attracted its first visitors—Cross-border Ascenders from Hanjiang.
Every millennium births extraordinary talents embodying a world’s essence. Hanjiang’s inhabitants never doubted their realm’s severed Ascension legacy—until Blue Star travelers arrived speaking of golden bridges and interworld connections.
Through centuries of collaboration, Hanjiang’s forces channeled their realm’s power to reignite the Ascension conduit.
True Ascension remains rare. Of Hanjiang’s current seventeen candidates (excluding Blue Star travelers), some are millennium-old veterans while others prodigies blooming with unprecedented talent.
However, only five individuals from Hanjiang successfully endured the Lightning Tribulation for Ascension.
When the golden bridge reappeared, travelers from Blue Star could choose to face the tribulation or return directly to their homeworld.
—Those returning from Hanjiang would first undergo teleportation to the Immigration Bureau for Other Worlds within the Heavenly Law Battleground.
This bureau managed immigration affairs between the source world (Blue Star) and other realms, primarily focused on Cross-border Ascenders.
Cross-border Ascenders were not a new phenomenon. Previous arrivals had been directed to the Battleground, where an automated system would initiate explanations before their integration into the world… Subsequent incidents involving hazards prompted Jiang Nan to transfer administrative authority to the Blue Star Civilization Alliance, governed by its leading nations.
“Is this the upper realm?”
A bandit-esque middle-aged man materialized first, gripping a nine-section chain sabre—his demeanor more reminiscent of a highwayman than a Practitioner.
The White Jade Capital’s ethereal splendor left him awestruck. Though cultivation sects existed in Hanjiang, they paled like counterfeit treasures beside this celestial city. Every corner of the jade architecture thrummed with indescribable charm, an intoxicating aura transcending mortal comprehension.
Four figures soon joined him.
Among them stood a willowy enchantress in violet silks, golden bells chiming from her bare feet. Beside her, a regal matron exuded quiet authority. Completing the group were a vacant-eyed youth and a benevolent elder leaning on his cane.
Each was legendary in Hanjiang. Li Mosheng—once a fairy sect disciple—had embraced the demonic path under Li Lisi’s tutelage, attaining Ascension within centuries. The matron had forged the Fengyao Dynasty, ascending its throne through imperial ambition and communal faith.
The nameless sabre-wielder had carved his Dao through bloodshed, purging the world of wickedness with an ordinary blade.
Though born blind, the youth possessed peerless spiritual perception. His innate Dao physique weathered countless trials, culminating in Ascension at sixteen—youngest of the five.
The elder, once a mortal physician, had stumbled onto cultivation while seeking cures for human suffering, dedicating his existence to healing.
“This resembles the paradise my master described,” mused Li Mosheng, who’d adopted her mentor’s surname. “Yet she ascended with us—why isn’t she here?”
Her certainty stemmed from logic—if they’d succeeded, their master couldn’t have failed.
“Welcome to the White Jade Capital, gateway for Ascendants.”
A voice interrupted as a white-robed figure materialized. “Please accompany me for registration.”
The speaker was an aloof maiden with cerulean-marked brows, her garments flowing like moonlit mist. “Your questions will be answered in due course.”
“Your identity?” Li Mosheng demanded.
“I am Floating Cloud, Immortal Officer of this domain.”
Though appearing thirteen, her transcendent aura defied mortal classification. The quintet sensed unfathomable cultivation depths beneath her courtesy, tempering their impulses.
“Immortal Realm officials exist?” whispered the matron.
“This isn’t the Immortal Realm,” Floating Cloud clarified while guiding them. “That lies beyond the Nine Heavens. We stand upon Kunlun Mountain’s platform for receiving Cross-border Ascenders…”
Their path ended at a jade pavilion. “Seating yourselves will expedite registration and grant source world access.”
Mid-sentence, Floating Cloud stiffened, gaze sharpening toward distant arches.
“We’ve company.”
/Moon Lake Wonderland/
The typically serene Moon Lake Wonderland buzzed with unusual activity today, even drawing out the ever-elusive Xiao Tianji.
Since the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, Xiao Tianji had developed a habit of vanishing without trace, his daily whereabouts shrouded in mystery. Yet three hundred years ago, after purging the Mysterious Awakening world of spectral entities using the Kunlun Mirror, he had inexplicably retreated to Moon Lake Wonderland and remained there ever since.
Though Xiao Tianji’s cultivation lingered at tier four, none dared belittle him. When the Mysterious Awakening world merged with the source world, its "mysterious" denizens became the primary obstacle to integration. The thorough cleansing of these entities proved crucial—a task that might have faltered without Xiao Tianji’s intervention.
Once home to reclusive sects, Moon Lake Wonderland now stood mostly abandoned. Most former residents had either established new sects in Zhongxia or taken posts at cultivation universities, leaving the ethereal realm steeped in quietude.
Among the migrated sects, Tiangong Palace maintained its stronghold, its architecture woven with the Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams formation, celestial patterns shimmering through layers of defensive arrays.
Perched on the palace roof, Xiao Tianji swayed a wine cup lazily, the vessel’s crisp, sweet fragrance teasing the senses. "A draught of carefree bliss," he slurred, raising his cup to the heavens, "to drown a day in delight—marvelous, simply marv—"
"Xiao Tianji."
The voice froze his hand mid-gesture, wine sloshing perilously close to his robes.
"Where. Are. You."
Relief washed over him as he recognized the speaker. Ghost in Red’s impatience today seemed peculiar—after millennia of waiting, why this sudden urgency in the final stretch?
"I know you’re near. Show yourself."
The cold feminine tone jingled with golden bell echoes, drawing an involuntary eye-roll from the diviner.
With a resigned sigh, Xiao Tianji drained his cup and leaped down from the roof, landing with practiced ease before the crimson-clad figure. His star-embroidered robes fluttered about raven-black hair, handsome features schooled into exaggerated resignation.
"Your history with my master-uncle grants no license for rudeness," he chided, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeves.
The woman’s gaze sharpened at the mention of Tiangong Palace’s former heir—a man who’d lain "dead" in an ice coffin for twelve centuries until the Awakening of Spiritual Energy rekindled hope. Revival demanded astronomical costs: Xiao Tianji’s near-exile from underworld dealings, Ghost in Red’s relentless gathering of tier-four spiritual items, all accelerated by the recent world ascension’s unnatural harvests.
"How much longer?" Her voice cracked like thin ice.
"Who can say? After this long, perhaps he’d rather—" Xiao Tianji danced aside as scarlet silk lashed where his throat had been. "Must you lack humor?"
"You promised the elixir would rouse him."
"Patience, Red." The diviner’s fingers flickered through arcane calculations. "Two quarters of an hour remains. Should you tarry here… well, his awakening eyes might glimpse another first."
A crimson blur vanished mid-sentence.
"Ah, love’s impetuous dance," Xiao Tianji chuckled, twirling his empty cup. But mirth faded as he turned skyward, whisper dissolving into the breeze: "The True Form stirs?"
Where celestial roof tiles met empty air, the diviner disappeared—leaving only speculation in his wake.
