[History of the Realms]
At the beginning of time, the mind was absent. Creatures always had a [Soul], but no mind.
It was only after the [Human Race], acting on instinct, managed to reach the -/-/-/-/- that they understood what was missing, or more accurately, what could be.
So, during the Year 4880 of the [Imperial Sage Calendar], the leaders of the [Human Race], all three of them at the -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-, sacrificed five million Humans at the -/-/-/-/- to create two minds called [True Souls], using a gigantic [Seven Astral Planes Existential Soul Array].
Those [True Souls] could replicate themselves after they used the [Harmonious Yin-Yang Existential Soul Art] combined with the [True Mind Creation Array]. From there, an enormous amount of resources was used to forcefully birth [True Souls] as the array necessary was very cost heavy, being an -/-/-/-/- array. It was only after this practice was done constantly enough that the [Human Race] managed to finally alter the [Laws] already present.
It was during the Year 270 of the [Heavenly Immortal Dynasty Calendar] that it was first witnessed.
It was during this year that a gigantic change was seen, the creation of a [True Soul] without the use of the [True Mind Creation Array].
It was only discovered when a mistake during the arrangements of the array made itself known. After tests were completed, it was then concluded that the [Human Race] finally managed to evolve and birth [True Souls] without the use of anything external or internal classified as unnatural, be it the [Harmonious Yin-Yang Existential Soul Art] or [True Mind Creation Array].
Unfortunately, this advancement came too late. The resources were exhausted and the [Human Race] was on the verge of an all out war for these remaining resources.
Year 1577 of the [Fiery Crown Imperial Calendar], the Realms were chaotic, the change in ruling destroyed all hopes of peace, war broke out. And as the actors of this war, be it lone cultivators or soldiers, Kings or even the Emperor, all were above the -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/- and as high as the -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-. The Realms could not withstand the power of these beings. The Realms crumbled and became chaotic, millions upon millions of -/-/-/-/-/-/- Cultivators died tragically during the war, their corpses drifting for eternity across the cosmic void...
It resulted in the creation of [The Million Crowns Battlefield]. As for the chaotic energies, they ended up forming the [Sacrificial Martial Prison]. Fortunately, the energies were locked out of the lower Realms. It was also fortunate that the [Law] responsible for the creation of [True Souls] was still active, as the remnant of the [Human Race] ended up forced to retreat to the lower Realms, which was extremely taxing without preparations, soon becoming the reason why the records of the [Human Race] in the lower Realms never indicated anyone stronger than the -/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-.
-A diary from one foolish descendant of the Heavenly Immortal Emperor.
Not only curious about these words, but more so wondering why some parts were clearly sabotaged, Alexander heard the distant voice of an old being.
"You, who are reading this stele... do not mind the words, ignore others' history. Focus on your own."
Turning around, Alexander watched an old man of translucent yellow light talk to the air.
'A recording?'
"You, who might be interested in this stele and its content... Do not remember what is not yours. I am the one who erased information, and also the one who first discovered it. I was a strong old man. Very strong. And as a true legend of Limbo, I could and still certify this stele to be nothing but useless blabbering. The information recorded is not meant for Limbo. Nor is it even meant for our Realms."
'What is he saying?' Raising a brow, Alexander was at a loss.
"Remember my words. Whoever you are, do not attempt to learn more. I will leave this stele for anyone curious, but other than captivating our minds and confusing our paths, it is nothing special. Take these sincere warnings from this old man, who you may one day recall as Ysh Zul."
The fluffy beard of the old man wavering, his projection faded away along his remaining words.
"All to ever arrive in this place, please learn as much as my belongings can ever teach you, but to not take anything. As my leftovers shall always feed the malnourished lost."
'...'
'Why is it not about our Realms? Is it the past, future? Maybe a different world of cultivation? It's fishy, and I don't like it.'
'But he said something about belongings? Did he leave stuff for people to learn from? Did I finally obtain what I was looking for after so long? Is there a way to free myself from the Inner Territory... from the Ninth Martial Dynasty?'
Glancing around, Alexander located a few stone tables next to the cave's wall.
Walking to it, a crystal rectangular pillar of beautiful amber presented itself. It was only half of his height.
Next to it, Alexander read some words.
Place your hands onto the crystal and wait.
'...'
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'I don't feel danger... should I use a clone?' Making another clone, Alexander let it place its hand on the amber crystal.
A small glow appearing, a set of mechanical words resounded.
"Third stage Earth Transcending Realm. You can now access all knowledge about the Earth Transcending Realm and Nihility Realm. If you do not have a cultivation technique or any guidance, both can be granted to you when placing your hand on the white crystal."
Raising a brow, Alexander noticed another pillar on the next table. Letting the clone touch it, he waited.
Assimilating his clone, he placed his hand on the amber crystal.
'Apparently it really works, does it also have stuff for my level?'
"First stage Nihility Realm. You can now access all knowledge about the Nihility Realm and Chaos Archetype Realm. If you do not have a cultivation technique or any guidance, both can be granted to you when placing your hand on the white crystal."
'So much?!' Hurriedly placing his hand on the white crystal, a surge of information flooded his mind.
'I see... It's actually not that hard... especially the Chaos Archetype Realm- Oh... wait...' Sweating, Alexander immediately obtained as much as he could, requesting even things he did not need.
"Access authorized. You will now receive the complete version of the Half-Chaos Manuscript, the incomplete version of the World Arts, the complete version of the Void Land Technique, the complete version of the False Space Arts, the complete version of the True Space Art, the..."
"...complete..."
"..."
Sighing heavily, Alexander opened his previously closed eyes. It had been a few minutes, and since then, he received dozens of techniques of all kinds. Though, most of them ended up either useless or too weak for him.
But some managed to appease his thirst for power.
'While the cultivation techniques are perfect for knowledge and avoiding mistake, it cannot be compared to the loose information given...'
Alexander was now aware of the next steps.
His next step was the Nihility Realm's second stage, Void Calamity. Then, he would be ready to from his Void Core for the third and last stage.
These two steps were only a matter of time. The first one was just about waiting, and the third, Alexander already knew how to proceed. In fact, the third stage was only a bettered version of the Infinite Chasing Boundary's concept. Instead of just teleporting things around, he would actually make his Dantian's capacity grow in a different space.
Then came the Chaos Archetype Realm. Surprisingly, Alexander could already exercise its prowess, and could do so since his Grand Macrocosm Trial of Ascendency.
The first two stages of the Chaos Archetype Realm, and the ones he could already accomplish, were the Meridians Liquifying Stage and Chaos Meridians Stage.
The feat one could accomplish while at the second stage... this exact feat gave Alexander both pride and despair.
'It's... about cancelling martial arts' backlashes...'
Biting his lip, Alexander could not hinder his curse from being heard aloud.
"Fuck!"
.
.
.
Still within the amber cave, Alexander reviewed the information he previously obtained from Ysh Zul's leftovers.
'The Nihility Realm won't be an issue, but the Chaos Archetype Realm might be problematic... if only there weren't these stupid requirements... Ahh!!' Clutching his head, Alexander was in denial.
The Nihility Realm's peak would be swift to attain, but stepping into the Chaos Archetype Realm apparently required much more.
Chaos Archetype Realm, first stage : Meridians Liquifying.
To accomplish this stage, one must use external and/or internal pressure to turn one's meridians into a liquid state. Heat is not necessary.
*The pressure necessary can be found within the Core Territory, but can be replicated with difficulty.
These words were easily remembered by Alexander, still complaining deep inside.
'Can't say I didn't expect such a shitty requirement. The Inner Territory's peak is the Nihility Realm after all... No wonder I can't really find anything beyond... Though... this Ysh Zul... who is he?'
'To leave something like this so casually... is this even the only place? I might need to ask the Ninth Martial Dynasty or Frozen Dream Sect.'
Somehow clear of worries, with the elusive law of time left to wash over his being, Alexander sat cross-legged. With his eyes tightly shut, he awaited.
This place was a treasure trove and quite frankly of good quality. Even if someone entered, it would not matter.
And so years elapsed. Space the world's shell, time its treasures.
A decade. A century. A millennium.
Closing in on the third millennia, Alexander opened his eyes. Sighing, he awaited.
Said patience was swiftly rewarded, as a group of one hundred Ethereal Spirit Realm cultivators made their way within the sealed world.
After being lost for a few months, they arrived inside the amber cave.
"Miss! There's someone here already!!" Shouting for all to hear was a middle aged man covered from head to toe in red robes, a dark red hood shielding him.
"Oh~? Sir over there... you don't seem from around here?" Making her way in was a young woman of wild, burning red hair
Not bothering to turn his head around, Alexander spoke to the empty air with a lack of nervousness.
"And how would you know that? You guys have been lost in a little maze for so long... I guess even Limbo restricts anything below the Celestial Sense. Well, it would never work on mine though."
"Sir, your words are missing some empathy, don't you think? Care to turn around and show your hands? You're making my little puppies feel nervous."
A sigh escaping his mouth, Alexander raised his right hand.
A faint star of silver shining atop his index finger, its ever growing majesty gave goosebumps to all hundred cultivators.
"Careful!"
"Might be some trick!"
"Madam! Stay behind!"
"Who's your madam? It's miss! And why are you all scared of a little light. I-"
The light flashing, it sped up to the side, aiming at the group's right.
Droplets of blood gushing everywhere, the light was noticed passing through skulls like they were paper. And in a single moment, the casual light of silver pierced the last, one hundredth skull, escaping the group from their left.
"I know this isn't over."
If it was not for his senses, Alexander would have simply decimated these weaklings much earlier. What caught his attention on the other hand, had yet to show itself.
"Here we go." A faint smile showing, Alexander slowly rose to his feet.
"I thought you would never show yourselves at this rate." Turning around, he happily watched as the hundred strong group of corpses suddenly jolted awake, onto their soles.
Their eyes suddenly turned fully black, tendrils of a faint, glowing blue mist hugging their skin.
"Void Returning, Void Calamity. Maybe... it's because..." Glancing at the formerly alive miss, the group's leader, he heard her speak with a clarity a corpse should most definitely lack.
"To become one with the void, one must stay in the void! You cannot escape! We will bring you back where you belong!!"
"And what if you can't?"
"Then... we will acknowledge your will and power, not bothering you again. But to roam free, you must first defeat us!"
"Easy and simple enough. This Alexander is pleased." His figure an after image, Alexander reappeared behind the fiery young woman, a palm strike ready to obliterate her skull one more time.