Kalen sat deep within the archives of the Crimson Conclave, his eyes locked onto a tattered scroll that pulsed faintly with an otherworldly glow. The markings on its surface were different from anything he had encountered before—etched with symbols that seemed to move of their own accord, swirling in patterns that drew his attention deeper into the text.

**"The Higher Realms…"** Kalen murmured, the words barely audible as he traced the lines of the ancient script. These were not the teachings of the Crimson Conclave alone, but records of a world far beyond his own. It spoke of a place where immortality was not a distant dream, but the very foundation of existence.

As he read, the reality of the mortal world began to feel small—insignificant even—compared to the vastness that lay beyond.

The scroll detailed realms that existed on higher planes, where immortal cultivation was the norm, and entire civilizations thrived in pursuit of eternal life. These realms were said to be filled with beings of unimaginable power, where the laws of nature and time themselves were bent by the will of those who had ascended.

Kalen’s heart raced as he absorbed the information. His hands trembled slightly, though not from fear—rather, it was from the sheer awe of what he was discovering. The Higher Realms were not just a myth. They were real, and the Crimson Conclave had known of their existence for centuries.

The scroll spoke of five primary realms beyond the mortal plane:

1. **The Ethereal Skies** – A realm of boundless energy, where the very air was infused with spiritual essence. Here, cultivators flew through the skies, harnessing the energy of the stars and constellations to fuel their ascension.

2. **The Celestial Seas** – A vast oceanic realm, where the waters were imbued with divine power. Cultivators here manipulated the tides and currents of immortal energy, creating techniques as fluid and unyielding as the sea itself.

3. **The Eternal Forest** – A realm of nature, where the ancient trees reached beyond the clouds, and the spirits of the earth guided the cultivators along the path of harmony. In this place, immortals merged their life essence with the world around them, achieving immortality through symbiosis.

4. **The Abyssal Void** – A dark, twisted realm that reflected the very essence of the Abyss. Here, only the most ruthless survived, wielding power drawn from the deepest, darkest corners of existence. It was a place of eternal struggle, where even immortality came at a steep cost.

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5. **The Astral Halls** – A realm that stood above all others, where the most powerful beings resided. Legends spoke of the Astral Halls as the final destination for all those who sought true immortality. It was said that those who reached the Astral Halls became gods in their own right, wielding power over the fates of entire worlds.

Kalen felt a surge of excitement. These realms were the key to understanding the pinnacle of cultivation—the path he had been searching for all along. His Frozen Flame, his mastery over the Void, all of it was just a fraction of what was possible in these higher realms.

**"Sorin needs to see this,"** Kalen thought, rising to his feet.

But before he could move, the air around him shifted. The shadows in the corner of the room deepened, and a cold presence filled the space. From the darkness, a figure emerged—its form cloaked in an ethereal mist.

Kalen instinctively summoned his Frozen Flame, the ice and fire swirling around him as he prepared to face whatever this presence was. But the figure made no move to attack. Instead, it spoke in a voice that was ancient, yet familiar.

**"You seek the Higher Realms, do you?"** The voice was deep, resonating with power. **"Be warned, mortal. The path to ascension is fraught with peril. You may have the knowledge of the Conclave, but knowledge alone will not carry you beyond this plane."**

Kalen narrowed his eyes, the flames at his fingertips flaring brighter. **"Who are you?"**

The figure chuckled softly, the sound echoing through the chamber. **"I am but a shadow of what I once was. A remnant of a time when the Conclave stood at the gates of the Higher Realms themselves. We sought immortality, just as you do now. But the price… it is far greater than you can imagine."**

Kalen’s grip on his power tightened. **"What are you saying? That I shouldn’t try?"**

The figure moved closer, its form rippling like smoke. **"I am saying that the Higher Realms are not a place for the unprepared. The forces at play there are beyond anything you’ve faced in the mortal world. Even the Abyss is but a reflection of the true darkness that lies beyond. If you ascend, you will face trials that will break your spirit, your body, your very soul."**

For a moment, Kalen hesitated. The weight of the figure’s words pressed down on him, but then the fire within him blazed brighter. **"I’ve faced death before. I’ve lost everything and clawed my way back from the abyss. If the Higher Realms hold the answers I need, then I’ll find a way to survive."**

The figure’s eyes gleamed with an ancient wisdom, and for a moment, Kalen thought he saw approval in its gaze.

**"Then you are truly the successor of the Conclave,"** the figure said. **"But remember this—once you set foot in the Higher Realms, there is no turning back. You will be hunted, challenged, and tested in ways you cannot yet comprehend. But if you survive… you may just become more than you ever imagined."**

With that, the figure dissolved into the mist, leaving Kalen alone once more.

He stood in silence for a long moment, the weight of the encounter settling over him. The Higher Realms were within his reach, but the figure’s warning echoed in his mind. The path ahead would be perilous, more dangerous than anything he had faced before.

But Kalen’s resolve only hardened. He had come too far, sacrificed too much to stop now. If the Higher Realms held the key to mastering his Frozen Flame, to defeating his enemies and protecting those he cared about, then he would find a way to ascend.

As he left the archive, the scroll safely tucked under his arm, Kalen’s mind was already racing with plans. He needed to prepare—not just himself, but Sorin as well. Together, they would face the challenges of the Higher Realms, and together, they would rise to immortality.

The journey was far from over. In fact, it was only just beginning.