Chapter 1584: The Vast World

The turbulence changed, and it was unclear whether this was a normal phenomenon or caused by Su Zinan forcibly opening the Boundless Hall. Qin Sang remained cautious. After passing the previous node, a different scene appeared within the turbulence.

Su Zinan continued to move forward, circling the outer edges of the turbulence, his purpose unknown. The deeper parts of the ruins should be above.

At this moment, Qin Sang felt a premonition. He looked up and saw a dark shadow plummeting from above. He quickly dodged, and several currents of turbulence brushed past him. He focused his gaze and saw that it was a massive boulder. The boulder was perfectly square, tumbling within the turbulence. Runes flickered on its surface, protected by enchantments that prevented it from being ground to dust by the currents.

Qin Sang noticed colorful, indecipherable patterns on the boulder's surface, clearly carved by human hands. It was most likely a part of some structure. The entire building had already fallen apart.

After this boulder flew past, more specks of light appeared above, clearly fragments of various kinds, erupting from the turbulence like a tsunami.

"Hiss..."

Qin Sang drew a sharp breath and quickly dodged. The fragments were extremely dense, but fortunately, Qin Sang was not in the direct center. However, it was still troublesome; at first, he could dodge, but eventually, he had to surround himself with demonic flames and force a path through. To avoid being detected by Su Zinan, Qin Sang tried his best to suppress the fluctuations of his demonic flames, nearly losing track of him.

Relying on his cultivation and divine abilities, Qin Sang remained unharmed. Others were not so lucky. Many Nascent Soul cultivators, who were already struggling to reach this point, were scattered by the impact of the fragments, and many were injured and forced to retreat.

After a wave of fragments erupted, the secret realm quieted down for a while. It was too chaotic here. The Heavenly Eye Butterfly had to monitor Su Zinan's movements and couldn't be distracted, so Qin Sang had to personally stay vigilant for changes deep within the turbulence.

"Surely the entire Boundless Hall hasn't been shattered, has it? There should still be things preserved inside. Why is Su Zinan circling aimlessly? Why doesn't he go in?" This thought had just flashed through Qin Sang's mind.

A moment later, the Heavenly Eye Butterfly transmitted a thought: Su Zinan and his companions had changed direction and were heading upwards.

In the leading group, Su Zinan led the way, with Mo Xingdao and the Nether Moon Guard flanking him. Behind them were the helpers Su Zinan had recruited, including the Crying Spirit Cave Lord. Even late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators found it far from easy at this location. Maintaining formation within the turbulence was already extremely difficult; a single lapse could scatter them.

The Crying Spirit Cave Lord remained silent, secretly observing Su Zinan. As the fragments flew past, he sensed the commotion behind him, turned his head for a glance, and marveled, "Fortunately, Fellow Daoist Su is leading the way. We didn't rush in blindly and avoided this wave of impact. I heard that the Eight Scenery Temple and the Sweet Dew Zen Monastery were scattered by a single wave back then. They should have invited Fellow Daoist Su as a guide earlier; they wouldn't have suffered such great losses."

Su Zinan calmly replied, "Cave Lord, you flatter me. I merely gathered information about the previous situation, learned from past mistakes, and made my plans accordingly."

The Crying Spirit Cave Lord nodded slightly, but inwardly, he didn't believe a word. He had been a witness to the previous event. Last time, after the Sweet Dew Zen Monastery and Eight Scenery Temple had entered, it took some time before fragments began to erupt. The ruins were chaotic everywhere; it was impossible to deduce any patterns based solely on the last incident. Unless Su Zinan knew something beforehand.

After his reply, Su Zinan fell silent. With his back to the others, his expression was somewhat grim. He could only blame Old Demon Lu for not explaining things clearly back then, and Su Zinan dared not inquire further. The power of the turbulence within the Boundless Hall ruins far exceeded Su Zinan's estimates, even stronger than during its last opening. Even with all these helpers assisting him with all their might, he wouldn't be able to reach his destination; he would have to abandon one of his objectives.

Unbeknownst to them, the secret realm exhibited a certain cyclical change. When the turbulence's power fluctuated to its weakest, the secret realm's beacon would stabilize, and its connection with the outside world would be clearest. During this period, it was relatively easy to locate; the Eight Scenery Temple and Sweet Dew Zen Monastery had opened the secret realm precisely at such a time during their last attempt. One cycle lasted for several centuries. Missing the timing greatly increased the difficulty of finding the secret realm. That was why, after the ruins disappeared last time, countless cultivators came to the Chinan Island Chain but found nothing. By opening the secret realm now, Su Zinan was bound to encounter even stronger turbulence. They hadn't even reached the core of the ruins, still in the outer periphery, and were already struggling to cope. If nothing unexpected happened, they would likely be forced to turn back before even breaking through this patch of turbulence. It was conceivable how dangerous the interior of the ruins must be.

No wonder his foster father, after discovering the Boundless Hall ruins back then, had repeatedly weighed his options and decided against forcibly entering the core of the ruins. Su Zinan sighed inwardly, a hint of gloom flashing in his eyes. He glanced at Mo Xingdao out of the corner of his eye but maintained a normal, relaxed demeanor as he chatted with the Crying Spirit Cave Lord. "I had planned to visit Nanzhou after this matter was settled and pay respects to a few fellow Daoists. I never expected to encounter the Cave Lord here. Coincidentally, I have something I'd like to ask."

The Crying Spirit Cave Lord was rather surprised. "What is it, Fellow Daoist Su? Please speak freely. I will certainly tell you everything I know."

While observing the changes in the turbulence, Su Zinan said, "I'd like to inquire about someone from the Cave Lord. This person's cultivation is comparable to mine. He is skilled in swordsmanship, and his fire manipulation techniques are quite remarkable, mastering two unique spiritual flames."

"A Grand Cultivator! Fire manipulation techniques!" The Crying Spirit Cave Lord's eyes narrowed slightly, and he pressed, "What kind of flames does he wield?"

Su Zinan sighed softly, "I haven't directly fought this person, so my knowledge is incomplete. One is a black spiritual flame, almost demonic, and the other is exceptionally violent. Both are quite powerful, unlike anything I've ever seen..."

After hearing Su Zinan's description, the urgency in the Crying Spirit Cave Lord's eyes faded, and he thoughtfully remarked, "There are many fellow Daoists in the cultivation world skilled in fire manipulation, but their origins are traceable. I truly cannot think of anyone who could cultivate such spiritual flames on their own. Since this person is a Grand Cultivator, even if they are far away in the Western Desert or overseas, they couldn't possibly be unknown! What is their background, and how did they offend Fellow Daoist Su?"

"One of my elders was harmed by this person, and I share an irreconcilable feud with them!" Su Zinan's tone was grim and filled with murderous intent.

"To be frank, Cave Lord, I have been discreetly investigating in the Northern Wilderness and Central Continent for years, but have found nothing. This person seems to have appeared out of thin air. You and I both know that such powerful divine abilities cannot be achieved overnight and must leave traces. I firmly believe I will find this person sooner or later."

The Crying Spirit Cave Lord paused, a look of shock flashing in his eyes. "That elder of yours, Fellow Daoist Su, could it be Elder Wu?" In Luyue, only a handful of individuals were qualified to be respectfully addressed as elders by Su Zinan. Unless under exceptional circumstances, Old Demon Lu could not have been harmed by a mere Nascent Soul cultivator.

Su Zinan exclaimed, "Oh? Does the Cave Lord also have a connection with Elder Wu?"

"I've long heard his esteemed name, but unfortunately, we've never met." The Crying Spirit Cave Lord's eyes flickered. He lowered his head slightly, pondered for a moment, and then asked, "I heard that Elder Wu followed Senior Lu since his Golden Core stage and was highly regarded by him. If Elder Wu was harmed by such a nobody, why didn't Senior Lu personally avenge him? No matter how great that person's divine abilities, they wouldn't stand a chance of escaping death."

"My foster father is currently indisposed to act." Su Zinan fell silent for a moment, deliberately speaking vaguely.

The Crying Spirit Cave Lord understood and stopped pressing the issue, returning to the previous question. "In my opinion, for a Grand Cultivator to appear out of nowhere is truly illogical, unless this person deliberately conceals their true origins. But if this person's fire manipulation techniques are so formidable that even Elder Wu was no match, and if that's not even their fundamental divine ability, then that's truly terrifying! Has Fellow Daoist Su considered that they might be from an outer domain?"

"Outer domain?" Su Zinan paused, a thoughtful expression on his face.

The "outer domain" the Crying Spirit Cave Lord referred to was not places like the Western Desert, Northern Wilderness, or Eastern Sea, but other protected realms within the storm belt, beyond the Central Continent. In this world, the Central Continent was not the only one!

The Crying Spirit Cave Lord hummed in affirmation. "Beyond the Central Continent, there are other cultivation worlds, cut off by the storm belt, losing contact. But over countless years, some legends have still circulated. I hear that cultivators at the Deity Transformation stage can harness heavenly secrets, directly refine chaotic worldly essence within the storms, and are less restricted, able to travel anywhere in the vast world. Presumably, the storm belt poses no threat to Senior Lu. I've only heard of one place, the Western Land, and my knowledge is shallow, so I wouldn't dare show off before Fellow Daoist Su."

Having said that, the Crying Spirit Cave Lord looked at Su Zinan with anticipation, hoping to confirm the matter from him.

Su Zinan pondered for a long while before saying, "Thank you for the reminder, Cave Lord! My foster father once mentioned that the Western Land truly exists, and there are other realms around the Central Continent, not just the Western Land."

Their conversation was not private; they didn't avoid others. The Crying Spirit Cave Lord was not surprised. The others, especially cultivators like Mo Xingdao who were not from renowned sects, were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this, thrilled to learn such a secret. Although they had heard rumors before, they had dismissed them as mere gossip. This was the first time they had heard it confirmed directly by Su Zinan, a successor of a Deity Transformation cultivator!

"Can we go to the Western Land?"

"Has Senior Lu personally been to the Western Land?"

"Where is the Western Land?"

Everyone pressed with continuous questions.

Su Zinan did not hide anything. "Have any of you fellow Daoists been to the west of the Western Desert? Beyond the barrier there is not sea, but torn land, with rolling, boundless magma. In ancient times, the complete landmass was incredibly vast, beyond our imagination, and the Western Land is at the other end of this landmass. Whether by rumor or by my foster father's own observation, the Central Continent is a sacred land for cultivation, incomparable to other places; there's no need for you to pursue minor gains and neglect the fundamental. My foster father didn't say much, only mentioning that the Western Land is far smaller and poorer than the Central Continent, and it is a realm dominated by Buddhism."

After a pause, Su Zinan continued, "The journey to the Western Land is filled with magma, and it's very easy to lose direction. Unless there's another method, only Deity Transformation cultivators can cross it. It's certain that the Sweet Dew Zen Monastery and Zen Master Huiguang definitely know about the Western Land. As for whether there's a connection between the Western Land's Buddhist sect and the Central Continent's Buddhist sect, that remains unknown."

It took a while for everyone to digest this information. Someone continued to ask, "Could the Sweet Dew Zen Monastery's continuous prosperity be due to their monopolizing resources from both realms? I wonder if they've brought over any eminent monks from the Western Land's Buddhist sect."

The Crying Spirit Cave Lord interjected, "Everyone, think carefully. Perhaps some of those eminent Buddhist monks who were previously unknown but suddenly became famous came from the Western Land."

"Besides the Western Land, how many other places has Senior Lu visited? How vast is this world, really?" The question came from Mo Xingdao, who had been silent until now.

It was Mo Xingdao's first time speaking since entering the turbulence. Su Zinan glanced at him. "My foster father only visited the Western Land and returned disheartened. There are rumors, however, of similar places north of the Central Continent, even more distant than the Western Land. Do not assume that Deity Transformation cultivators are omnipotent. Once inside the storm belt, my foster father also has to proceed cautiously and does not travel far easily..."

"There's another reason: Deity Transformation is not the end of the Grand Dao. Heavenly tribulations hang like a suspended sword; to not advance is to die. Deity Transformation cultivators dare not relax for a moment and must seclude themselves for arduous cultivation," the Crying Spirit Cave Lord sighed, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Everyone looked sideways, realizing this person seemed to know many things.

At this moment, a tremendous roar erupted from above, interrupting their conversation. The gray turbulence condensed into vast sheets of gray mist, covering the sky and descending, with only a few narrow gaps in between.

"Watch out!" Su Zinan shouted, raising his hands, palms facing each other. Veins bulged on his arms, and his meridians visibly turned black, coiling under his skin, appearing exceptionally sinister.

Finally, all five of Su Zinan's fingers turned black, and a black ball of light appeared in his palms. Astonishing power circulated within it, its whistling sound even overpowering the noise of the turbulence. The ball of light was directly aimed at the gap between the two sheets of gray mist. Even before the power was unleashed, the edges of the gray mist began to vibrate, affected by the incoming force, showing the immense power of the attack.

Su Zinan seized the moment, his arms shaking. The black light transformed into a black demonic dragon, its head adorned with formidable horns, roaring forth and instantly plunging into the gap in the gray mist.

"Boom!"

The tremendous power exploded, forming a vortex between the gray mists. As it touched the edges of the mist, streaks of gray mist were torn and consumed, and the gap widened.

"Quick!" Su Zinan surged upwards. The others also assisted with their magic treasures and divine abilities, successfully passing through this gray mist.

Once safe, the Crying Spirit Cave Lord praised, "What a magnificent Dragon Slaying Demonic Force! It truly lives up to its reputation!"

Su Zinan withdrew his technique and looked at the Crying Spirit Cave Lord. "This is not the place for detailed discussion. After we leave the Boundless Hall, I will pay you a visit."

"It's a deal!" The Crying Spirit Cave Lord nodded cheerfully. "I also have something to discuss and was just thinking of inviting Fellow Daoist Su as a guest."

A peculiar glint flashed in Su Zinan's eyes, and he nodded slightly.

Behind them, Qin Sang found it increasingly difficult to follow. He couldn't openly trail behind them, and he also had to withstand the impact of the turbulence alone, finding it exhausting to cope.

Having tracked them this far, Qin Sang was already beginning to reconsider. Su Zinan had many masters by his side, and he understood this place better than Qin Sang, holding the advantage of timing, terrain, and people. Furthermore, as they continued upwards, the power of the turbulence increased too rapidly. Qin Sang judged that unless Su Zinan had some other method, they wouldn't be able to go much further.

After a brief contemplation, Qin Sang decided to wait and see.

They traveled for less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Qin Sang suddenly heard a muffled thunder-like roar, coming from high above. Recognizing the abnormality, Qin Sang was secretly alarmed. He quickly instructed the Heavenly Eye Butterfly to follow the sound and saw that a great gray tide had appeared in the depths of the void at some unknown point. It was a vast expanse of gray. All the turbulence along its path crumbled, swept into it. The great tide descended from the heavens, sweeping everything away!

"Rumble..."

Heaven and earth trembled. Cultivators who had entered the secret realm now felt as if the place was about to collapse.

Beneath the great tide, Su Zinan and the others appeared so tiny. They stared at the phenomenon above for a moment, then made an immediate decision.