Realms In The Firmament

’The first three layers are arranged for human’s benefits. It is also a trial for human limits. After the three layers, whoever attempts to enter the fourth layer would have to accept a handprint test. If he or she fails to match the handprint, he or she will be sent away immediately. After that, the entire Nine-layer Valley will leave this world until the next time.’

’This is the ninth world.’

’We have been waiting for such a long time to find you, until finally, you came.’

’This is the answer I can give you that may solve the puzzle in your heart.’

The words slowly showed up and disappeared one after another. It gave Ye Xiao a feeling like there was a man sitting in front of him and patiently telling him a story.

It was neither too dilatory or too fast. It just felt so calm and peaceful. There was no impetuousness nor any other emotions.

It did answer the question in his heart. It also explained the story of this Nine-layer Valley.

[It has happened eight times before. That means eight people failed. Why am I the fourth?]

[Who is the creator of all this? Who has such incredible capability?] He was confused again.

’You must be curious about who I am.’ More words were showing up. It was actually responding to Ye Xiao’s question. ’I haven’t mentioned my name for a long time. However, people used to call me Master Tianji. You can call me the same.’

Ye Xiao was frightened! His face looked full of fear!

[This man must have created this platform millions or perhaps even billion years ago. However, it feels like he is talking to me right now. It is answering every question in my heart! It predicted my thoughts!]

[How wise is that?]

Thinking about how wise Master Tianji was, Ye Xiao felt weak and cold, as if he had no secrets in front of that man! And that man wasn’t even around!

If Master Tianji was standing in front of him, how much could he see through Ye Xiao?

How could such a person exist in the world?

He was a man from tens of millions of years earlier.

Ye Xiao was lost. He didn’t dare to imagine more.

’You may guess me wrong. You are making me too powerful. You may think that I can see through your mind even though I have been living a long time earlier. In fact, I am not as powerful as you think.’

The words showed up. ’For us, it is not such a powerful move to just fold a period of time. You may find it difficult to understand. Let me explain in another way. We can easily fold the period between ten thousand years ago and the present time. By doing so, I can fold your world to ten thousand years ago, or bring the world ten thousand years ago to the present.’

Ye Xiao’s mouth twisted. He was speechless.

[Come on, bro. This is worse than no explanation. If you didn’t explain it, I could imagine it myself. I can give it a fair explanation according to what I know. Now that you have explained it with something so beyond my recognition, that made me more scared of you. Are you sure you are not showing off?]

’I can absolutely explain it in a more difficult way and you may probably become more lost. There is a big difference between your view and mine. You can’t understand the time folding theory, because nobody in your universe has such a heaven-breaking powerful cultivator. Once your universe acquire a super cultivator who is as powerful as the first three men who were chosen, it will become solid and stable. Except the super cultivator himself, nobody else can do anything to change the status of your universe.’

’All in all… you are still in a universe which is still too weak. If you want your universe to be stronger, it all depends on you. For now, you are the fourth person. I am hopeful that you can be a powerful figure who dominates.’

’Don’t doubt it. In other worlds, there is a man who is just like you. However, it depends on who among you can make it to the last. I hope you can be faster than the other guy and win the competition!’

…

Ye Xiao felt chilled.

He now roughly understood what was happening.

Even though he didn’t clearly get it, he could make a close guess.

Master Tianji did make this platform a long long time earlier. He also left the words when he made this platform.

It was a surprise that he could leave some words that would show up after such a long time. However, what was more surprising was that the words he left actually answered Ye Xiao’s questions in his mind. In another word, Master Tianji knew what he would ask after a long time.

Master Tianji didn’t miss any detail.

He did even explain something Ye Xiao didn’t think of but should have.

The wisdom of Master Tianji was terrifying Ye Xiao!

No words could describe his wisdom.

Maybe Tianji [1] was the only word that could represent him!

’Let’s not waste time. Let me introduce you the valley.’ The word showed up line after line, like a letter to a close friend. It slowly presented Master Tianji’s words to Ye Xiao.

Ye Xiao felt warm that he could only feel from a close friend. However, when he realized it, he was scared.

[Holy heavens. We haven’t even met each other but you make me feel close? That is insane…]

[This must be some trick!]

[Besides… I feel like I have heard of this name somewhere before… Tianji?]

[Where did I hear of it? I must have heard of it. I just can’t remember…]

He didn’t have time to relive the memory. The words didn’t wait. If he missed a word or two, he might miss a great lot. He decided to be concentrated!

’The appearance of Nine-layer Valley was an unexpected incident. Me and my brother had fought against our chief and rested somewhere together. By accident, we leaked out some primal living spiritual qi… Years later, when I returned to this place, I found it became something we never could imagine. Man can never predict the move of heavens. Things always change. Since this happened, it must have a reason in the world.’

…

[1] Tianji, (天机), god’s will or nature’s mystery.