Cultivation Online

1323 Earth

"I apologize for the wait, Yuan. My business took a little longer to deal with than expected." Senior Bai apologized after stepping through the portal.

Yuan shook his head, "It's fine. I came here unannounced, too."

After taking a seat and receiving some tea, Senior Bai poured a cup for him.

"Thank you."

"I'm relieved to see you've survived the Nameless Emperor's Tomb. How was your experience? I can sense that there's something different about you, but I can't quite pinpoint it," Senior Bai remarked.

"It was quite an experience. I came close to death a few times, to be honest. Oh, I also encountered a few individuals from the upper heavens," Yuan shared.

"Even though they are supposed to be hunting a certain individual…" Senior Bai shook his head at these people from the upper heavens.

"But I cannot blame them for visiting the Nameless Emperor's Tomb. Even Immortals used to travel to the Third Heaven all the time just for that place."

"Anyways, what are you going to do now?"

"I'll be making my way towards the Fourth Heaven after this."

"The Fourth Heaven already, huh? You are probably one of the fastest climbers out there. In my experience, you are definitely the fastest climber. Even the most talented cultivators spend years preparing before challenging each door, yet you undertake them whenever you please," Senior Bai smiled.

"Once you transition from the Third Heaven to the Fourth Heaven, it'll be akin to stepping into an entirely new world. The disparities in cultivation will be even more profound, and the world itself will unfold in grander proportions."

Yuan pondered for a moment before asking, "Do you know anything about the Vanishing Valley in the Fourth Heaven?"

Senior Bai immediately frowned at this name, and he asked in a grim tone, "I hope you are not planning on visiting that godforsaken place."

A bittersweet smile appeared on Yuan's face as he said, "Unfortunately, I must go there."

The frown on Senior Bai's face deepened.

"Do you have any idea what kind of place the Vanishing Valley is?"

"I am aware that it's a very dangerous place."

"It's more than just dangerous. The magical beasts alone could threaten even Immortals, not to mention the real monster dwelling within."

"Monster?" Yuan raised his eyebrows.

Dong Ye didn't mention anything about a monster.

"This creature is neither human nor beast, but a spirit. Even the most powerful magical beasts within the valley are akin to toddlers in comparison to this spirit. Fortunately, unlike the magical beasts, the spirit won't approach you unless provoked. However, that doesn't diminish its danger," Senior Bai explained.

"Regardless, I'd like to know your reason for venturing into the Vanishing Valley," he then inquired.

"I have to go even if it kills me because the lives of many are at risk, including mine."

"What kind of trouble did you get yourself into? Let me see if I can help you."

Yuan smiled and said, "I didn't get into any trouble, it just happened. And as much as I'd like your help, I don't think it's something you can assist me with."

Senior Bai narrowed his eyes slightly and proceeded to ponder in silence.

"Does it have anything to do with 'your world'?"

Yuan's eyes widened with surprise.

"There's no need to be surprised. I've known about it ever since we first met." Senior Bai continued.

"Is it really okay for you to say that?" Yuan asked in a worried tone.

He was already aware that top cultivators weren't affected by the Celestial Emperor's curse, but he harbored a suspicion that other rules were preventing them from divulging such information.

Senior Bai stroked his beard and replied calmly, "Actually, we are not supposed to acknowledge it, reinforced by the Celestial Emperor himself, so I am currently going against the Celestial Emperor by telling you this. With that being said, we are in a safe zone, so they won't know unless we tell on ourselves."

"Is that so…"

Yuan saw Senior Bai in a new light.

After taking a deep breath, Yuan nodded, "Yes, it's related to my world—a place we call Earth."

"How much do you know about our world?" he then asked.

"Not much. As far as I'm aware, Earth used to be part of the Nine Heavens before it was separated. If you weren't aware, the Nine Heavens used to be one extensive world, but it was divided into ten different realms after a certain incident."

Yuan nodded, "I know that much. While the Nine Heavens remained relatively close to each other, my world drifted away."

"Yes, it happened so fast that nobody was able to do anything but watch as it disappeared into the distant void. Though, even if there was time, I doubt anyone would be willing to exert any resources to save a piece of the world that was drastically smaller than the others—almost insignificantly so."

Yuan agreed with Senior Bai. Compared to the Nine Heavens, Earth was incomparably small, and no sane person would go out of their way to save a pebble that had fallen off a mountain.

"What about the Celestial Emperor? What did he tell you guys about us?" Yuan then asked.

"He told us that he'd found a method to bring those from Earth back to the Nine Heavens through some kind of spiritual technique, but he didn't go into details. Of course, we were also told to not acknowledge your world."

"Did he tell you why he brought us back to the Nine Heavens?"

"No, and I don't have the slightest idea of his intentions. However, he wanted us to raise you guys."

"Raise us?" Yuan tilted his head in a puzzled manner.

"Yes, to nurture you as cultivators. However, we aren't allowed to approach you until you guys reach the Seventh Heaven, as that is punishable by death."

"Eh? But you…"

Senior Bai smiled, "There are exceptions, such as when you approach us by chance. It's not like we are forbidden from speaking with you entirely. If we somehow meet through special circumstances, we are allowed to interact, just like how we met in the Myriad of Techniques, which is connected to my personal realm. We are just not allowed to leave our world and travel to the lower heavens to find you."

Yuan was excited to learn so much new information regarding the Nine Heavens and Cultivation Online, and he could feel himself slowly approaching the truth behind the Celestial Emperor's intentions.