"There are many Small Worlds, so many that it's nearly uncountable," said East Sea Skydragon. "Over time, Small Worlds see their Heaven and Earth spiritual energies thin. In the earliest days of these Small Worlds forming, there can be Connate Godfiends. Some Small Worlds develop like our Great Chang world, with existences like Skygods, Skyimmortals, and Skygods! And in other Small Worlds, the Heaven and Earth spiritual energies are so thin that cultivating to the Connate Golden Core is the limit. There's no way for them to condense an Essence Soul."
Qin Yun nodded slightly.
He knew it well, for Connate Golden Core was the limit in the second world of his hundred years dream.
"There are also Small Worlds that can at best cultivate to the Postnatal realm. They aren't even able to reach the Connate realm," said East Sea Skydragon. "Some unfortunate Small Worlds are even completely devoid of Heaven and Earth spiritual energies. The path of cultivation is completely severed."
"Completely devoid of Heaven and Earth spiritual energies? Unable to cultivate?" Qin Yun was shocked. "There are such Small Worlds?"
"Yes." Ancestral Master Zhang nodded. "I have seen such a world before. There is no way to absorb Heaven and Earth spiritual energies and one can only tap into the Dharmic powers in their bodies. Once they exhaust the Dharmic powers in their bodies, that would be the end. Even a Skyimmortal like me would not dare remain in such a world for long."
East Sea Skydragon smiled and continued, "The Three Realms are boundless and contain numerous cosmic spaces. There might be innumerable Small Worlds but the number of Great Worlds is extremely few.
"Every Great World rules over a massive number of Small Worlds," explained East Sea Skydragon. "For instance, if the Skygods and Skyimmortals of our Great Chang world choose to ascend, they would head to the Effulgent Great World."
"Effulgent Great World?" Qin Yun nodded slightly.
Ancestral Master Zhang added, "If one survives the tribulations, one can ascend. However, our Great Chang world is rich in Heaven and Earth spiritual energies so there is no need to head to the Effulgent Great World."
"Existences like Skyimmortals and Skydragons can head to any Small World they choose," said East Sea Skydragon. "But if it's an ascension, one will ultimately reach the Effulgent Great World. You can imagine how few in number Great Worlds are."
Qin Yun was secretly alarmed.
Existences at the Skyimmortal realm could go to many places.
But no matter how they attempted to travel, they would still be within the Effulgent Great World's area of influence.
"To go from one Great World to another Great World through one's own powers, that is only something mighty figures like Golden Immortals or Buddhas are capable of." Ancestral Master Zhang sighed wistfully.
Qin Yun could not help but feel stirred. "When I had my hundred years dream, I was sent by Amita to two Small Worlds. He transferred my soul across endless space. Back then, I was just too weak so it seemed to me that the transference was very far. But now, from the looks of it, I could not have covered a very great distance… It's very likely I was still within the Effulgent Great World's area of influence."
If he was Amita, he would also have chosen somewhere closer.
That would make the transference easier, after all.
"Therefore, the people from the two worlds in my dream of a hundred years would ascend to the Effulgent Great World as well?" thought Qin Yun. "The space-time passage in those two worlds goes by very quickly. A day in the Great Chang world is a year over there. If my theory is right, Huan'er will also ascend to the Effulgent Great World if he manages to shatter the void."
Qin Yun also deeply missed his son, Meng Huan.
After all, he had brought him up since he was a garbling baby.
East Sea Skydragon said, "The Ancient Augury World I recommended is inside the Effulgent Great World."
"Inside the Effulgent Great World?" Qin Yun was puzzled. "The Ancient Augury World sounds like another world but it's inside the Effulgent Great World?"
"Yes." East Sea Skydragon nodded. "The Effulgent Great World is just too huge. It gravitational pull causes more than a hundred Small Worlds to revolve around it. One of those Small Worlds is named the Ancient Augury World. It had once prospered but, due to the numerous massive battles that raged across it, it has been reduced to ruins. From then on… the Ancient Augury World has been used to train the disciples of top sects in the Effulgent Great World."
"A whole world is used as a training ground?" Qin Yun was shocked.
"Naturally, it has many treasures left in it, making it the perfect place for a perennial training ground," explained East Sea Skydragon. "Of course, the treasures aren't easily obtained."
Ancestral Master Zhang added, "We have also been searching for information and we believe the Ancient Augury World is most suitable for you. Qin Yun, it is up to you if you wish to go or not."
"I'm going." Qin Yun did not hesitate at all.
This was much better than his original plan.
Ancestral Master Zhang and East Sea Skydragon exchanged looks. It had gone as they had expected.
If they had not provided him with a location, Qin Yun would visit one Small World after another on whim.
"The Ancient Augury World is where disciples of top sects in the Effulgent Great World train. Therefore, not just anyone can enter," explained East Sea Skydragon. "Typical itinerant cultivators or disciples of ordinary sects are barred from entry. If you wish to enter… I will need to seek the help of a dragon."
"Sorry for troubling you, Senior Skydragon," said Qin Yun immediately.
The Ancient Augury World was not something disciples of ordinary sects could enter. Clearly, it had been monopolized by the top sects.
"It's because you are sufficiently strong that I'm able to put in the request," said East Sea Skydragon as he took out a dragon-shaped token.
Following that, he triggered it.
Hum—
The space ahead of him gradually distorted as a ripple tore in the air, revealing a spot across endless space. The scene was that of an underwater palace and a purple-robed expert with dragon horns looking back at them.
"Junior Brother," said the purple-robed expert with a smile. "Is there a reason why you are suddenly contacting me?"
"Senior Brother," said East Sea Skydragon immediately. "I need you to help me send a human friend into the Ancient Augury World."
The purple-robed dragon expert frowned slightly. "The Ancient Augury World is an elite training ground that is controlled by many top sects. Giving a random external party entry isn't easy."
Qin Yun and Ancestral Master Zhang were watching from the side.
"Senior Brother, hear me out. This human friend is only a mortal sword immortal but his strength matches that of a peaked third Firmament Essence Soul," said East Sea Skydragon with a smile. "I know you have always been in search of Purple Wood Beads and they are abundant in the Ancient Augury World. Since this friend of mine is a mortal, powerful experts won't usually attack him. Furthermore, his true strength is formidable. There is a high chance of him obtaining the Purple Wood Beads for you."
"There is no lack of reincarnated immortals that enter the Ancient Augury World. Purple Wood Beads aren't that easily found," said the purple-robed expert. However, his tone clearly sounded more amiable. "However, how does a mortal have strength at the peak third Firmament Essence Soul?"
East Sea Skydragon beckoned as Qin Yun immediately walked to his side.
Only then did the purple-robed dragon see Qin Yun.
"Greetings, Senior." Qin Yun bowed.
"He is a sword immortal and had condensed a purplish-gold Golden Core," explained East Sea Skydragon. "In terms of Dharmic powers, he is slightly weaker than third Firmament Essence Soul immortals but his Intrinsic Flying Sword's strength is extremely formidable… It makes up for his lack of Dharmic powers. Therefore, he is able to match a peaked third Firmament Essence Soul. Senior Brother, typically reincarnated immortals are only able to barely produce strength at the third Firmament Essence Soul while maintaining a mortal body. The chances this friend of mine has when it comes to snatching treasures will be much higher that of than reincarnated immortals."
"Alright then. I will think of a way to send him in on your account." The purple-robed expert nodded. "The Scenic Jade Palace will be sending disciples in a month. I will seek the help of a fellow Daoist from there to reserve a spot for him."
"Thank you, Senior Brother." East Sea Skydragon was delighted.
"The Scenic Jade Palace disciples will be entering in a month. That sword immortal kid should come to me as soon as possible. I have to send him there ahead of time," said the purple-robed expert.
East Sea Skydragon looked over at Qin Yun and Ancestral Master Zhang as they had a quick discussion over voice transmissions.
"He can head there today," said East Sea Skydragon.
"Alright. Send him over." The purple-robed expert nodded.
Following that, the void rift closed.
"Thank you, Senior Skydragon." Qin Yun was very touched. If not for their help, it would not be possible for him to enter a top training ground like the Ancient Augury World even if he had gone to the Effulgent Great World.
"You are only a mortal, and it's not that difficult for mortal Connate Golden Cores to obtain a spot. If an Essence Soul wanted to enter… I doubt my senior brother would be that obliging," said East Sea Skydragon.
Qin Yun sighed inwardly. This was the heritage that formed the backbone of the Dragon race. After all, dragons were all over the Three Realms.
"Are you going immediately?" Ancestral Master Zhang looked at Qin Yun.
"There's nothing else for me to do now. I might as well set off as soon as possible," said Qin Yun. He had already handed over the Cosmic Bag with numerous Numinous treasures to Ancestral Master Zhang for safekeeping. He could leave at any moment.
East Sea Skydragon nodded. He threw a scroll to Qin Yun. "This is some general information regarding the Effulgent Great World. Although I have never been there myself, I have heard some things about it. Take a look at it before you leave."
Qin Yun read through it. At his realm, he could scan it quickly so he memorized everything in seconds. He rolled up the scroll and handed it back to East Sea Skydragon. "I'm done reading."
East Sea Skydragon took it back and with a flip of his hand, produced a spear.
"Chi!"
He stabbed into the void, tearing open a void passageway.
"Boom!" East Sea Skydragon moved the spear down, causing the void passageway to warp and deepen. He then shouted, "Brother Zhang, aid me."
"Alright."
Ancestral Master Zhang reached out his hand as a gigantic talisman amulet phantom appeared. Terrifying lightning bolts gathered in midair.
"Boom!" The massive purple lightning charged straight into the void passageway.
Their joining of forces reduced the time to open the void into several seconds.
"Qin Yun, go in quickly," urged Ancestral Master Zhang.
"Thank you, Seniors." Qin Yun did not speak further. With Sword Qi enveloping his body, he whizzed into the spatial passageway as a stream of light.
The void passageway had two forces—lightning and water—maintaining it. Qin Yun rapidly tore through the passageway.
This time, he truly realized what it meant to be distant!
He shot through the void passageway for ten minutes until the passageway gradually narrowed. Thankfully, Qin Yun was only a mortal. He could barely continue to tunnel through it. Furthermore, by that point, he was also maintaining the passageway with his own strength.
"Sou!"
Finally, Qin Yun emerged out of the void passageway and arrived in the hall of an opulent underwater palace.
"I've arrived in the Effulgent Great World?" The moment Qin Yun stepped into the hall, he could sense the extremely rich Heaven and Earth spiritual energies. Furthermore, it felt bountiful and majestic.
The purple-robed dragon expert was sitting on his throne. He put down the book in his hand as the newcomer arrived.
"Greetings, Dragon King Lianyang, I'm Qin Yun." Qin Yun immediately bowed.
"Yes, that junior brother of mine praised you, saying that you would be able to obtain Purple Wood Beads for me," said the purple-robed dragon nonchalantly. "I am willing to exchange one Purple Wood Bead for one transcendent-grade Dharma treasure. If you get six, I'll exchanged them for one inferior-grade Numinous treasure! As long as you bring them, I will buy as many Purple Wood Beads as you can find. In order to send you in, I had thickened my skin to seek the help of an old friend from Scenic Jade Palace. I also paid quite a price. I hope you do not disappoint me!"
"I will definitely do my best in seeking Purple Wood Beads," said Qin Yun.
"Hmph, it would be a joke if you can't even find one." Dragon King Lianyang scoffed before he picked up a scroll and token that were lying in front of him. He threw them over and said, "The scroll is a map of the Effulgent Great World. As for the token, bring it to the Scenic Jade Palace and someone will receive you at their entrance."
Qin Yun extended his hand to grab the scroll and token. He bowed and said, "Thank you, Senior. I bid you farewell."
"If you want to thank me, find lots of Purple Wood Beads. If you can't even find one, don't bother coming back. Just return to your Great Chang world directly," said Dragon King Lianyang.
"I will do my best." Qin Yun bowed and left.
The dragon palace had many Water race soldiers as well as crustacean generals.
After Qin Yun left Lianyang Dragon Palace, he quickly flew high into the clouds.
As he rode a cloud, he looked down.
There was a huge lake directly below that he could not see an end to. The lake's name was Lianyang Lake. It extended out fifteen hundred kilometers and it was ruled by Dragon King Lianyang.
"I wonder if Huan'er is here in the Effulgent Great World. And if he is here, where is he?" thought Qin Yun. "If I have an opportunity, I should seek out news of Huan'er. As for now, I should focus on the important matters! I will first head towards Scenic Jade Palace."
He looked at the map of the Effulgent Great World.
"I'm here and the Scenic Jade Palace is there." With that, Qin Yun put away the scroll and flew to the south as a stream of light.
(End of Volume)