Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures

Eastern Sage Thirteen Prefectures . . .

Tears welled up in Qin Wentian's eyes, his heart heavy with sorrow as he bid farewell to his homeland and his loved ones. Leaving behind the Royal Sacred Region, the place where he had grown, learned, and forged lifelong bonds, was an agonizing choice. But his destiny beckoned him toward an uncertain future, a quest to uncover the secrets of his birth, and the relentless pursuit of reuniting with Qing'er.

In his heart, he knew that remaining within the confines of the Royal Sacred Region would only hinder his growth. The boundless universe awaited him, and his aspirations reached higher than the skies.

The Medicine Sovereign had chosen to stay behind, dedicating himself to nurturing and guiding Mo Qingcheng in his absence. Thus, the responsibility of escorting Qin Wentian beyond the particle world fell to none other than Swordsaint Li Mubai, a trusted companion in this profound journey.

Together, they embarked on a flying boat, soaring through the heavens at breakneck speed. As they ascended, the world below them grew smaller, the silhouettes of familiar landmarks fading into the distance until they were but a speck on the horizon.

"Is there a boundary to these skies?" Qin Wentian questioned, gazing down at the shrinking world beneath them.

"In particle worlds, there's typically a formless restrictive force that envelops them," Li Mubai explained. "To leave a particle world, one requires the assistance of an immortal-ranked expert from the outside, someone who can create a passageway to break through this energy barrier."

Qin Wentian nodded in understanding. He had sensed the presence of constellations in the nine heavenly layers and even summoned astral warbeasts, revealing that the restrictive layer was composed of invisible, formless energy rather than a tangible barrier.

Time passed, and they ascended to such great heights that Qin Wentian could no longer perceive the restrictive force. Even the flying boat's speed slowed perceptibly.

"Prepare yourself. I'm going to break through the restriction layer," Li Mubai announced. With determination, he propelled himself forward, slashing through the invisible pressure with the force of an immortal sword. The space around them quaked, and a soft buzzing filled the air. Suddenly, Qin Wentian was flung into an expansive, star-filled void.

His eyes widened in astonishment. Before him stretched a breathtaking canvas of twinkling lights, a boundless expanse of starry skies.

"Where's the Royal Sacred Region?" Qin Wentian asked, his heart pounding.

Li Mubai gestured toward a distant pinpoint of light. "Over there. From our perspective, it's merely a particle now."

Qin Wentian's gaze followed Li Mubai's direction, and his heart skipped a beat. The Royal Sacred Region, once an immense world, had become a tiny speck amidst countless others.

"What is this place?" Qin Wentian wondered aloud.

"Each of those lights represents a particle world," Li Mubai explained. "We are now far removed from them, which makes them appear small. But each particle world is vast in its own right. Nevertheless, when compared to the immortal realms, they are but minuscule drops in the ocean."

Qin Wentian's eyes were drawn to the radiant horizon, where the immortal realms radiated a dazzling light. It was as if the light from the particle worlds were mere reflections of the brilliance emanating from the immortal realms. He scanned the vast expanse around him, realizing that no matter where he looked, he remained within the boundaries of the immortal realms.

As Qin Wentian continued his journey through the enigmatic void, he couldn't help but ponder the nature of particle worlds and their relationship to the immortal realms. With the infinite expanse of space all around them, concepts like "above" and "below" lost their meaning. Li Mubai chuckled at his youthful curiosity, reminding him that in the boundless void, there were no true directions, only relative positions. It was a place where two people drifting in opposite directions might both believe they were on the main path.

Li Mubai went on to explain that the Royal Sacred Region, along with other pinpoint lights in the distance, constituted the particle worlds surrounding the Azure Mystic Immortal Region. This mention piqued Qin Wentian's interest, and he inquired about the thirty-three heavenly realms he had heard of.

"Those are celestial realms, far beyond the scope of your current journey," Li Mubai replied, his gaze focused on the vastness around them. He advised Qin Wentian not to overthink things and to stay focused on their immediate path.

With determination, they continued their voyage toward the Azure Mystic Immortal Realms. Li Mubai informed Qin Wentian about the impending challenge he would face as they neared the atmosphere: the gravitational force would create a powerful suction. While Li Mubai could withstand it, Qin Wentian would have to endure it alone.

Qin Wentian expressed his gratitude, understanding the sacrifices Li Mubai had made for him. As they drew closer to the Azure Mystic Immortal Realms, Qin Wentian couldn't help but smile, his heart brimming with anticipation.

Soon, the gravitational force began to tug at him relentlessly, and Li Mubai released him with a final piece of advice. Qin Wentian felt like a shooting star as he descended, a mere glimmer compared to the brilliance of the immortal realms. His trajectory hinted at the extraordinary path he would carve in this new world.

...

The Azure Mystic Immortal Realm was a bustling hub within the vast expanse of the immortal realms, teeming with countless experts and a myriad of powers. Among these, the most renowned were the thirteen prefectures of the Eastern Sage, including the Cloud Prefecture.

The Eastern Sage thirteen prefectures were a testament to the sheer size and complexity of the Azure Mystic Immortal Realm. Previously unnamed, they earned their title after the appearance of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, who unified the thirteen regions under his rule. His Eastern Sage Palace and the Eastern Sage Mountains, his personal sect, became pivotal in this vast realm.

The naming of worlds in the immortal realms often depended on the ruler of the region. The Evergreen Immortal Empire, for instance, had its name changed after Immortal Emperor Evergreen took control. Similarly, the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor's disciples and subordinates triumphed in the competition for the thirteen prefectures. With several hundred years of history, the Eastern Sage Mountains stood as the sacred grounds of the region, a silent testament to the true master of these territories.

The Cloud Prefecture was one of the thirteen governed by a disciple of the Eastern Sage Immortal Emperor, known as the Idle Cloud Immortal King. While countless powers existed within the Cloud Prefecture, none dared to declare themselves as independent countries. To establish a sovereign nation without approval within an immortal emperor's domain was tantamount to inviting one's own demise.

The Cloud Prefecture, a vast region in the immortal realms, boasted a staggering total of eighty-one countries, each containing numerous cities. The sheer number of cities within the Cloud Prefecture was so vast that it could scarcely be counted.

Among the countless cities in the Cloud Prefecture lay Worryfree City, a thriving metropolis filled with the hustle and bustle of daily life. At this particular moment, high above the city's skyline, a luminous streak appeared in the sky, descending with the speed and intensity of a lightning bolt. The ear-splitting sonic booms that accompanied its descent reverberated throughout the city, causing its denizens to crane their necks in astonishment.

"What in the heavens is that?" The citizens of Worryfree City gazed upward at the celestial spectacle, their expressions a mix of awe and trepidation. As the object hurtled closer, many agile individuals quickly retreated, fearing that the impending collision would bring devastation.

A colossal impact rocked the earth as the object crashed into the ground, creating an enormous crater. The tremors radiated across a hundred-mile radius, shaking the very foundations of the land. Those closer to the impact felt their bodies quiver with the earth's vibrations. Their collective gaze locked onto the freshly formed crater, curiosity piqued.

From the midst of the crater, an individual drenched in blood slowly emerged, his appearance pitiable and disheveled. He was unmistakably a human being.

"Why on earth did this person fall from the sky?" Confusion clouded the expressions of those who had witnessed the dramatic descent.

"Such a young person. Plummeting from such a height and speed... If he's not dead, he must surely be paralyzed," one observer mumbled. However, their skepticism was soon silenced by the sounds of vehement cursing emanating from the wounded figure. To their astonishment, the figure began to move, struggling despite his battered state.

Incredulous, the onlookers marveled at the stranger's seemingly unbreakable spirit. It was nothing short of miraculous that he could move at all.

Qin Wentian, still reeling from the ordeal, felt a strong urge to vent his frustration physically. He couldn't help but resent Swordsaint Li Mubai for deceiving him. When Li Mubai had departed, he had been under the impression that he possessed enough strength to resist the gravitational pull to some extent. However, when the suction force had taken hold, he realized that all his efforts were futile. He had been plummeted mercilessly to the ground, leaving him in a state of agony. If he had known, he would have insisted on Li Mubai accompanying him down personally, regardless of the circumstances.

Seated at the edge of the crater, Qin Wentian surveyed the bewildered crowd with intense, searching eyes. His gaze spoke of a determination to find his place in the unfamiliar realm of the immortal realms.

The bustling streets of the Cloud Prefecture continued to buzz with activity as its inhabitants went about their daily lives. The majority of them had cultivated to the Celestial Phenomenon Realm, while the younger generation consisted mostly of Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns. It was essential to debunk the common misconception held by many in the particle worlds that everyone in the immortal realms were eternal beings.

The immortal realms were a vast tapestry of life, teeming with countless individuals. Here, every human was born and then left to carve their own path towards strength, just as in the particle worlds. It was an immutable law. Immortals were a rarity among the populace, and only a select few could ascend to such heights.

Amidst this vibrant scene, a young man, aged around sixteen or seventeen, approached the crater where Qin Wentian had crash-landed. His eyes held a genuine and unadulterated curiosity as he examined the stranger who had seemingly fallen from the heavens.

"Hey there, why did you fall from the sky?" The young man's voice was friendly and open, reflecting his innocent fascination with the unusual turn of events. He locked eyes with Qin Wentian, awaiting a response.

Though Qin Wentian remained silent, the young man pressed on, undeterred. "Your injuries seem quite severe. Let me take you back with me. My grandpa should be able to help treat your wounds."

Qin Wentian regarded the young man with a mix of gratitude and curiosity. Despite his battered condition, he couldn't help but appreciate the kindness of this stranger who had come to his aid in a moment of need.