Chapter Three: Alien Realm

luyun slowly sat up, initiating the cultivation to restore his power, preparing to traverse that mystical formation. A rainbow-colored radiance began to flow around him, drawing in the hidden spiritual and true energies from the air. Like a magnet, he rapidly absorbed the surrounding energy, converting it into his own power, replenishing what he had previously expended.

As time passed, his body ascended, hovering three feet above the ground, spinning ceaselessly. The rainbow hues converged into a peculiar glow, swirling the surrounding air into a mesmerizing display. After a while, his body slowed down, the radiance gradually receding within him and gently settling on the ground.

His eyes shimmered with divine light as he stood before the mystical formation. The gleam in his eyes flickered with brilliance. Suddenly, the air currents surged around him, his body moving without wind, a burst of dark blue light enveloping him. He unleashed the ultimate Daoist technique taught by his master—the "Supreme Profound Heaven-Splitting" method. His power erupted at an astonishing rate, an incredible and formidable display.

In an instant, Luyun's body seemed to fade away, disappearing in the swift motion, leaving only a residual shadow while forcibly traversing the outermost layer of the mystical formation, the "Eight Demons Subduing the Heavens" formation, entering the first layer of the barrier. He resembled a speck in the sky, growing from small to large and then, in a slow convergence, returning to his original form, revealing his handsome countenance once more.

Standing calmly before the four guards, Luyun knew that passing through this barrier was the key to unveiling the secrets within the stone coffin. He summoned the supreme occult of the Demon Sect, the "Traceless Heart Desire," exploring the secrets of this layer of the barrier with an incredibly rapid mental frequency, seeking any loopholes for a smooth passage.

From afar, within the central chamber, a black nebula shimmered, black spiritual energy swirling around the four guards, fervently exploring. Luyun increased his mental frequency to its limit, reaching a pace of 2,400 vibrations per instant, thanks to his prior exploration that had depleted his strength. After absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy, his cultivation had a significant breakthrough, allowing such progress.

With the rise in mental frequency, Luyun began to perceive aspects of this layer of the barrier, gaining insights into its nature and hints for bypassing it. The black clouds dissipated, leaving Luyun sweating profusely, gently panting. Glancing at the stone coffin, he closed his eyes slightly, rapidly restoring his energy and replenishing his strength through the circulation of his true energy within his meridians.

While restoring his power, Luyun keenly observed the surroundings. Suddenly, he realized that this mysterious formation housed boundless spiritual energy, a treasure sought after by cultivators—a rare and coveted find. In the realm of cultivation, these anomalies, considered demonic spirits, absorbed the hidden spiritual energy of the world, transcending normalcy, evolving into something beyond, eventually ascending to immortality. However, being non-human, they faced rejection and were labeled as demons by society.

Luyun relaxed his body, absorbing the surrounding spiritual energy to strengthen his cultivation and enhance his spiritual power. Time passed, and Luyun unexpectedly spent twelve hours on this endeavor, ceasing his absorption of spiritual energy. Despite uncertainties about unlocking the secrets of the stone coffin, he felt immensely benefited by his current experience, akin to the advantages gained from consuming millennium ginseng. He sensed that his cultivation had doubled, a pleasantly surprising development.

Taking a deep breath, Luyun's body radiated brightly before vanishing instantly. In a blink, adjusting his mental frequency to 4,800 vibrations per instant, he traversed the barrier, entering its innermost layer. While the method seemed simple, very few cultivators could achieve it. Without his mysterious mentor and a stroke of luck, Luyun would have faced the fate of those who perished outside—forever barred from entry.

Quietly observing the stone coffin, Luyun's eyes flickered with anticipation. The coffin appeared unique, only vaguely visible from the outside. However, upon closer inspection, it seemed seamless, leaving him curious about its contents and how to open it. Mystifying, mysterious, and intriguing.

Circling the coffin, his gaze settled on its lid. An intricately detailed pattern adorned it, depicting a peculiar battle scene. Dark clouds roiled in the sky, eyes flashing red and blue amidst the darkness, horrifying. On the ground lay heaps of bones, figures battling with countless demonic beasts, amidst a sea of red, a poignant sight. Below the dark clouds, a rainbow-hued radiance emitted from a multicolored sword engaged in a fierce battle within the cloudy darkness.

Examining the painting, Luyun pondered its implications. After a moment, he noticed a palm print on the coffin, distinct yet inconspicuous. Musing to himself, "Whose imprint is this, and what does it signify?" He extended his right hand, comparing it gently. Surprisingly, the imprint matched his hand perfectly, as if tailored for him. It dawned on Luyun that this coffin was an ancestral legacy of the Lu family, specifically for him—an uncanny revelation.

With a slight smile, Luyun gently pressed his right hand against the print. As the print connected, a jolt surged through him, a peculiar energy seemingly extracted from within him, akin to his soul being forcibly drained, a frightening and discomforting sensation. Trembling, he struggled to break free, but his hand remained firmly attached, and he plunged into the coffin. The lid closed swiftly, concealing his disappearance within it.

Shocked by the sudden turn of events, Luyun felt the previous unsettling sensation fade away and cautiously opened his eyes. Expecting to be lying in the coffin, he was astonished to find himself in a wondrous space, seemingly infinite, devoid of boundaries. Glowing nebulas of various hues surrounded him, a sight both beautiful and mysteriously divine. His body floated effortlessly, weightless and free to move as he pleased, a marvelously surreal feeling.

As Luyun settled himself, examining his surroundings, a voice suddenly resonated within his mind: "Welcome, inheritor of the Lu family. This is a space I've left behind, an alien realm distinct from your original world. It was crafted specifically for you."

Luyun's heart skipped a beat, then swiftly settled. Glancing around, he inquired, "Where are you, and why can't I see you? Are you an ancestor of our Lu family? Why leave behind this mystical space?"

The voice chuckled, "What remains here is my essence, formless and unseen to you. Indeed, I am your ancestor, separated from you by a hundred generations, six thousand years exactly. The reason for this space's existence is our family's enduring legacy, not to be squandered. Thus, this space waits for a destined successor of the Lu family. And you, among a hundred generations, are the only one fit to inherit what I've left behind. Your innate lack of a soul and spirit makes survival challenging. But there's a reason for this."

Luyun, puzzled, queried, "What reason? How could you, six millennia ago, know my fate? It's unfathomable, I find it hard to believe."

The voice explained, "This reason is tied to my past. If back then, I hadn't claimed this spirit vein, securing the prosperity of the Lu family for generations, you wouldn't exist, lacking a soul and spirit. It's a form of divine retribution, compelling our lineage to end from your generation, to restore balance."

Luyun's expression shifted, a glint of determination in his eyes. He now understood but wasn't inclined to yield easily. Having survived, he intended to challenge fate, wondering if higher powers could indeed control him. Gazing upward, he asked, "If you knew of this outcome long ago, what method exists to defy fate, to challenge destiny? I refuse to give in; I'll challenge the heavens. Can fate truly dictate my existence?"

The voice responded, "Your destiny was foreseen before my ascension. Thus, to safeguard the Lu lineage, I created this space, preparing everything for you to contend with fate. Your life is unlike any other, unpredictable, anyone's guess. To empower you in this battle, I left instructions for the Lu descendants to guide the destined one here, reclaiming the family heirloom. Yet, even I wasn't certain if you could enter."

Luyun chuckled, "You mean the formation outside? It trapped me for a while, quite formidable. I saw numerous corpses outside, curious explorers seeking the secrets of this coffin, claimed by that formation."

The voice chuckled, "Those individuals couldn't enter. Even if someone bypassed the barriers and entered, unless they were a Lu descendant lacking a soul and spirit, they'd be barred. I worried most about your entrance; that's the crucial point. Your innate lack makes survival uncertain. This space is unique, needing protection. The formation outside was formidable; your entry was unexpected but welcomed."

Curious about the family legacy, Luyun queried, "The family heirloom you speak of, what is it? How significant is it for me? And where is it?"

The voice explained, "Your arrival here is a tremendous stroke of fate. Originally, I planned to cleanse your qi, re-imparting my lifelong skills. However, discovering five mysterious, superior techniques within you, I find it regrettable to destroy them. I'll impart a unique technique of our Lu family, while those five stay intact. As for the family's legacy, it's a pair of weapons I acquired, hidden around you, invisible to your eyes."

Luyun paused, wondering about the weapons. They must be extraordinary, given the ancestor's reluctance to part with them, despite ascending. Surveying the surroundings filled with shining nebulae, he asked, "Is transmitting martial skills and weaponry the sole purpose of my arrival here? Anything else? What about the patterns on the coffin outside?"

The voice emphasized, "Your arrival aimed to inherit my legacy, resurrecting Lu's glory. Life, to survive, is a continuous struggle against fate. The path of cultivation, defying the heavens, is forbidden. Every cultivator faces countless tribulations; many perished on the verge of ascension. True immortality is rare. The symbols on the coffin contain secrets I cannot reveal; they're of no benefit to you now. Everything will be known in time; don't dwell on it."

Luyun inquired, "When will you transmit the weaponry and skills? What's the name of your unique technique, and what are the weapons? Can you reveal it now?"

The voice chuckled, "Patience. There's much to tell you this time. Pay attention and remember; this is our final conversation. After this, you won't hear from me. Regarding the exotic space here, it's a realm crafted with spiritual force, time moving tenfold slower. It's rich in spiritual energy, one of nine major spirit veins in the world.

"Understand, there's only one true realm in this world, where humans dwell. The so-called Demon Realm is artificially created, home to malevolent beings sealed by cultivators. There are also other realms, dark and divine. Don't worry about these special spaces; they have minimal impact for now. Focus on the human realm; that's where life truly exists.

"As for replenishing your soul and spirit, relax your mind; I'll handle the rest. I'll mend your missing essence; just maintain a serene state."

Luyun, tranquil, murmured, "I'm ready." He closed his eyes, letting go of all thoughts, leaving no trace.