Han Yi stared at the colossal structure looming in the far distance, his heart pounding with awe.
"It's been twenty years since the Great One's Ascension," he murmured.
"The Dao Boat's ascent now undoubtedly heralds another upheaval."
"I must return immediately."
Suppressing his astonishment, Han Yi tore his gaze from the gargantuan edifice and swiftly fled, simultaneously activating the Mind Realm Immortal Technique and True World Eternity.
Having recently ascended to the Peak Profound Immortal realm, mastered a Fourth-Rank Thought Realm, and cultivated to the Senior Great Truth Ancient God stage, his full-speed flight propelled him into the ranks of the Peak Golden Immortals.
This was his harvest from over a century of cultivation since Donghuang's rebellion.
Yet Han Yi harbored a lingering regret.
By the time his strength allowed him to probe the Outer Void for the Wisdom Realm Life Seed, the Wisdom Clan and their subordinate races had already retreated to their realm, vanishing beyond reach.
Should he encounter the Scarlet Ghost Race unleashing the Scarlet Dimension again, he would eagerly seize the opportunity to infiltrate it and completely absorb the Life Seed's power from the Wisdom Core.
Moreover, with his current might, he no longer needed to skulk or hide. He could stride boldly into the dimension, devour the Life Seed, and then obliterate the dimension itself, slaughtering countless Scarlet Ghosts.
Beyond the Scarlet Rule, other subordinate races possessed similar Life Seeds, which Han Yi had long coveted.
But fate had its own timing. By the time his cultivation realm and strength were sufficient, such opportunities had become exceedingly rare.
He reined in his wandering thoughts and focused on his journey.
An hour later, he abruptly stopped. His speed had inexplicably doubled in an instant, more than doubling his previous pace.
"It's not that my strength has increased," he murmured.
"It's..."
"Space."
"The space of the Immortal Realm has changed."
"More precisely, it has reverted to its original state."
"Centuries ago, when the Inverter of the Dao descended upon the Great Luo Immortal Court, the space of the Immortal Realm began to distort. Now, after all this time, it has finally returned to normal."
"The Sacrificial Daoists were expelled, then infiltrated again to establish the Blazing Flame Dao Court."
"Now that space has stabilized, does this mean the Sacrificial Daoists have left the Great Luo Immortal Realm?"
"If so, the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel I saw earlier was likely their ultimate objective. Was it completed, or did they abandon it because the Great One ascended?"
Han Yi suppressed his doubts and quickened his pace.
Instead of immediately entering the nearby Immortal City, he chose to travel independently, relying on his escape technique. He knew that even with space returning to normal, reactivating the Transmission Formations would be a slow process. The formations at Nine Rivers Plaza would undoubtedly require verification before they could be reactivated.
It was better to press onward.
Moreover, the spatial changes had dramatically increased his speed. Traveling at full speed, he traversed more than half of the Immortal Court's territory in just three days, returning from the Jade Lake Immortal Domain to the Sui Zhu Immortal Court.
Twenty years prior, the journey from Sui Zhu to the Jade Lake Immortal Domain had taken him seven days.
During those two decades, his cultivation had advanced significantly, reaching the Supreme Truth Realm. Yet his base speed had remained roughly the same. This meant that after space stabilized, Han Yi's velocity had more than doubled, precisely as he had calculated.
A sudden thought flashed through his mind: at his current speed, crossing the entire Immortal Realm from west to east would take no more than ten days. In other words, no matter how distant the destination, he could reach any corner of the Great Luo Immortal Realm within ten days.
The speed was terrifying, something Han Yi couldn't have imagined before his Immortal Ascension. Back then, crossing the Immortal Realm without relying on Transmission Formations would have taken him centuries, perhaps even millennia.
Upon arriving at the Sui Zhu Immortal Court, Han Yi quickly gathered information without needing to ask around. The reports were numerous and varied, but two key points stood out.
First, space had indeed recovered to its state before the fragmentation of the Great Luo Immortal Court. A portion of the Transmission Formations were already operational, while the rest were undergoing repairs and testing. In due time, the entire Immortal Realm would once again be connected by the vast teleportation network.
The second piece of news, however, was far more significant than the spatial recovery.
The Blazing Flame Dao Court had departed the Great Luo Immortal Realm aboard the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel, setting course for the boundless Void.
Hearing this, Han Yi recalled the origins of the Sacrificial Daoists, who hailed from Chaos. This meant that the colossal Dao Vessel wasn't merely venturing into the Void; it was leaving the Primordial Great World entirely and entering the primordial Chaos itself.
Enfolded within this report were other startling revelations that sent shivers down his spine.
For instance, the entire Blazing Flame Dao Court, including known Sacrificial Daoists like Boundary Lotus Immortal Sovereign and Immortal Venerable Qinghua, departed Great Luo aboard the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel.
What truly startled Han Yi, however, was the disappearance of Qingxuan Immortal Venerable and a portion of the Azure Profound Dao Field's Immortals along with the vessel. Their destination was self-evident: they had boarded the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel to accompany the Sacrificial Daoists on their journey.
After his initial shock, Han Yi found this development strangely logical. After all, Boundary Lotus Immortal Sovereign had ventured south long ago and forged an agreement with Qingxuan Immortal Venerable, who subsequently led his entire Dao Field to join the Blazing Flame Dao Court.
However...
One aspect puzzled Han Yi deeply: the fate of the Chaotic Demon Zone.
Previously, the Sacrificial Daoists had relocated all the small worlds within the Chaotic Demon Zone to the Southern Immortal Realm, adjacent to the Azure Profound Dao Field's territory.
While the Chaotic Demon Zone encompassed numerous small worlds and Fragmented Immortal Realms, its total area still fell short of half the Azure Profound Immortal Domain's expanse.
Now, with the Sacrificial Daoists' departure aboard the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel, no further action had been taken regarding the Chaotic Demon Zone. Why had they gone to such lengths to relocate it in the first place?
There must be a deeper meaning here, one that Han Yi had yet to uncover.
Naturally, the Immortal Court's intelligence indicated no anomalies in the hastily constructed patchwork region of the Chaotic Demon Zone. However, the true situation remained unknown.
Apart from the Chaotic Demon Zone, all territories previously controlled by the Blazing Flame Dao Court had become vacant, unclaimed lands.
But with the Luo Tian Immortal Court standing between them, even if the Immortal Court wished to intervene, it would be difficult to bypass the Luo Tian Court and directly reach the Blazing Flame Territory. Thus, they took no action.
Meanwhile, Immortals within the Immortal Court, from Immortal Monarchs down to ordinary low-ranking cultivators, began to stir with eagerness. They all coveted the territories left behind by the Blazing Flame Dao Court, whether to uncover hidden secrets or seize Immortal Treasures. With the Sacrificial Daoists having recently departed and no major power yet claiming the land, this was the perfect opportunity.
Furthermore, space had stabilized, and a small number of Transmission Formations were operational, while the rest were under repair.
This ease of access further fueled the exploration and treasure-hunting desires of countless cultivators and Immortals.
Han Yi shared this enthusiasm.
First, he returned to the Primordial Arts Immortal Domain and then visited the Profound Pill Sect. After confirming the sect's safety, he returned to the Primal Art Dao Field, boarded a repaired Transmission Formation, and paid a substantial sum in Immortal Marks. Once again, the familiar sensation of spatial distortion enveloped his senses as teleportation began.
Once the space stabilized, Han Yi found himself in Profound Spirit Immortal City.
He could have torn through space himself, navigating the turbulent currents, but without precise coordinates, he risked losing his way in the chaotic depths of the spatial realm. It was far simpler to spend some Immortal Marks and let the Transmission Formation plot his course, saving him considerable trouble.
Profound Spirit Immortal City was the central hub of the Profound Spirit Immortal Domain, an Immortal Domain under the jurisdiction of the Luo Tian Immortal Court. Geographically, it bordered the Brilliant Flame Territory. When the Profound Pill Sect first arrived in the Immortal Realm, they settled in Sui Gu Immortal City, located within the Profound Spirit Immortal Domain. Han Yi departed Profound Spirit Immortal City and raced straight to the Jade Kirin Immortal Domain, arriving in just two days. Another half-day saw him traverse more than half of the Jade Kirin Immortal Domain.
Suddenly, he stopped abruptly at the edge of an impossibly vast abyss, his face frozen in shock, his heart pounding.
If he continued forward, he would enter the Dragonleap Immortal Domain.
This meant he was standing at the border between the Dragonleap and Jade Kirin Immortal Domains.
It was also the original location of the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel.
No.
Calling it a "pit" was no longer adequate. Even Han Yi's Immortal Sense couldn't reach the bottom of this chasm.
The terrain before him was a stark contrast in elevation. The lower area was eerily flat, as if crushed by some immense weight, devoid of all life, let alone immortal cities or forests.
Looking north, Han Yi seemed to see the vast Jade Lake. It was from that very spot that he had once observed this location. Back then, the colossal object rising into the sky had been none other than the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel.
Gathering his thoughts, Han Yi transformed his entire being into the form of Li Zhengyang, his cultivation realm shifting from Peak Profound Immortal to the initial stage of Profound Immortal.
He had used the Fetal Transformation Disguise to alter his appearance and aura primarily out of concern that Donghuang might send a Demon Monarch to investigate. After all, even the Age Candle Immortal Court had attracted countless Immortals seeking treasure and exploration—how much more likely that the ever-inquisitive Donghuang Demon Immortals would be drawn to such a spectacle?
Han Yi had no desire to be constantly monitored. If any Immortal were to reveal his whereabouts, attracting the attention of a Demon Monarch of the Demon Race, he wouldn't stand a chance of escaping.
Until his strength grew sufficiently, he would conceal his movements meticulously, leaving no openings for the Demon Race to exploit.
Han Yi fled westward, following the horizontal axis of the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel. After four hours of continuous flight, he finally reached the edge of the abnormal terrain. Beyond lay normal landscapes, complete with forests and vibrant life.
Han Yi turned and successfully surveyed the vast, sunken region, taking a deep breath.
"Roughly a third of the Immortal Domain," he murmured.
"Such a monumental undertaking. What exactly is the purpose of this Dao Boat?"
"Crossing the Grave... Crossing the Grave... It must be about crossing the 'Grave.' But what is the 'Grave'? Is it a specific place, or some kind of looming crisis?"
This Dao Boat concealed profound secrets, secrets that even the Dao Ancestor himself couldn't fully unravel before his disappearance. How could Han Yi hope to fathom them now?
He shifted his gaze from the massive crater left by the Dao Boat and used an Escape Technique to vanish into the Blazing Flame Dao Court.
Moments later, he arrived at an Immortal City. As he approached, he realized it was a dead city.
The Immortal City was eerily silent, its streets deserted. There were no Immortal Formations, no Immortals, not even low-ranking cultivators guarding the gates.
Han Yi cautiously descended into the city, only to find that his caution was entirely unnecessary. Every cultivator, Immortal, and even mortal within the city had been evacuated.
This situation aligned with the intelligence he had gathered from the Immortal Court.
Not only this Immortal City, but all inhabitants within the Blazing Flame Dao Court's territory had vanished without a trace.
The sole exception was the Azure Profound Dao Field in the Azure Profound Immortal Domain. There, only Qingxuan Immortal Venerable and a small number of Immortals had joined the Dao Boat, leaving the majority behind.
Among the Immortals who remained behind, some were Immortal Monarchs, having preserved roughly half their original strength, save for the Immortal Sovereigns.
Perhaps this was part of Qingxuan Immortal Venerable's plan, a contingency to avoid putting all their eggs in one basket and suffering total annihilation.
Han Yi searched every corner of the Immortal City but found nothing.
Reluctantly, he left the city and ventured deeper into the territory. This time, he didn't stop along the way, crossing several Immortal Domains until he reached the heart of the Blazing Flame Dao Court: Brilliant Flame Immortal City.
Brilliant Flame Immortal City was colossal, far surpassing the scale of the Primal Art Dao Field, though it couldn't compare to the deeply rooted Sui Zhu Immortal Court.
Upon arriving, Han Yi discovered numerous Immortals already present in the city. Occasionally, Immortals would slip in from the outside, their figures flickering as they concealed their presence and vanished into the shadows.
Many of these Immortals were Demon Immortals.
Regardless of their origin, all who spotted Han Yi regarded him with wary eyes, deliberately maintaining a distance to avoid any misunderstanding.
Suddenly, Han Yi looked up and saw a massive Demon Immortal soaring overhead, diving straight into the city's heart.
"A Demon Monarch from the Eastern Sovereign Demon Court," he murmured.
"Judging by its size, it must be the Crimson Fox Demon Monarch."
Although the Crimson Fox Demon Monarch ranked low among the Demon Monarchs of the Eastern Sovereign Demon Court, he was still far beyond the reach of Han Yi, who had only recently reached the Peak Profound Immortal realm and had yet to ascend to the Golden Immortal stage.
Han Yi swiftly averted his gaze, knowing that his Fetal Transformation Disguise would likely be seen through by an Immortal Monarch. He naturally avoided any encounter with such powerful figures.
However, Han Yi didn't immediately turn and flee. He had anticipated such a situation.
Pushing his Fetal Transformation Disguise to its limits, he discreetly slipped into Brilliant Flame Immortal City.
While treasure hunting was secondary, his primary goal was to find records of Sacrificial Daoists and the Grave-Crossing Dao Vessel.
Although the chances of success were slim, he still wanted to try.
The Immortal City was vast, and Han Yi only occasionally crossed paths with Immortals or Cultivators. When no treasures were found, both parties tacitly parted ways, avoiding any unprovoked killings.
Ten days later...
Han Yi finally struck gold. In an Immortal Tower, he discovered a book made of ordinary paper, the kind used by mortals, rather than an artifact of the Immortal Path.
In the Immortal Realm, Immortals typically used jade stones, jade discs, jade slips, or other specialized artifacts to preserve information. Alternatively, they might record information on the hides of special beasts or on soft, refined materials suitable for artifact refinement.
But within this Immortal Tower—clearly a place of cultivation for an Immortal of considerable status—the sudden appearance of an ancient text made of mortal paper was utterly anomalous. Moreover, the book was hidden beneath a gray meditation cushion in the center of the tower, a cushion designed to block Immortal Sense. Han Yi had only stumbled upon it by chance when he lifted the cushion. Relying solely on Immortal Sense, such a discovery would have been virtually impossible.
The combination of these peculiarities greatly piqued Han Yi's curiosity about the book.
Opening it, Han Yi was slightly taken aback. Despite its considerable thickness, only a single line of hasty, illegible script marred the second page.