"The second layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra can only be imparted within a dream," they explained. "Moreover, one must complete certain tasks of the Great Dream Sect and earn contribution points. These points can then be exchanged for the Great Dream Heart Sutra."

"The Great Dream Heart Sutra is critical at every layer. Although it doesn't directly enhance combat power, its indirect amplification of strength is terrifying. It's considered one of the top auxiliary martial arts."

Lin Fei nodded in understanding. 'Auxiliary' was the precise definition of the Great Dream Heart Sutra. Above the Martial Gods level, there weren't specific martial arts techniques per se. Essentially, all techniques were auxiliary. The primary techniques one practiced were all 'self-created,' tailored to the individual's own understanding of the laws. But to be 'auxiliary' was in itself a mark of excellence.

"Junior Brother Lin, let's go. Let me show you the Great Dream Sect and take you into the real Great Dream Sect!"

"Here?"

"No, of course, in the dream."

The two Martial Gods smiled faintly. Lin Fei understood immediately and began to operate the first layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra.

"Buzz." Lin Fei felt as if he was in a dream-like state. He was still in the hall, with the two Martial Gods in front of him. Everything around him appeared vivid and lifelike, seemingly no different from reality.

However, this time Lin Fei was prepared and knew in his heart that this was a world of dreams. Whether it was his own dream world or one constructed collectively by the Great Dream Heart Sutra, Lin Fei was unsure.

"Alright, Junior Brother Lin, follow me," one of the Martial Gods beckoned.

Thus, Lin Fei followed the two Martial Gods out of the hall and stepped through a gateway of light.

"Whoosh."

The next moment, Lin Fei felt as if he had entered a small world. His vision suddenly cleared, revealing a vast city bustling with activity. Many people were walking about, including Martial Kings, though they were rare. Martial Gods, on the other hand, were more common. Those who could enter here were all core members of the Great Dream Sect.

"Junior Brother Lin, now that you have cultivated the Great Dream Heart Sutra, everyone in this Great Dream City addresses each other as fellow disciples," explained one of the Martial Gods. "I understand you have many questions."

"This Great Dream City is actually the dream world of our ancestor. We all have our own dreamscapes, but by cultivating the Great Dream Heart Sutra, our dreams connect with the ancestor's. No matter how far apart, we can connect through dreams, unless separated by a different world or obstructed by the 'Tao,' in which case the dreams cannot connect."

Lin Fei understood. The Great Dream City was founded by the Great Dream Ancestor, and those who practiced the Great Dream Heart Sutra could enter and interact.

"What if the Great Dream City collapses, or if we die?" Lin Fei asked.

"Collapse? Unless the ancestor falls, the Great Dream City will always exist. As for dying in the dream... What happens when you die in a dream?"

"I would... wake up?"

"Exactly. Death in the dream results in immediate awakening. So, you needn't worry about being killed in the dream affecting your physical self. It's not that sinister. Otherwise, who would dare to cultivate the Great Dream Heart Sutra?"

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"The true purpose of the ancestor's Great Dream Heart Sutra is to assist us in comprehending the laws. In the dream world, we can interpret, comprehend, and even experiment with the laws. Some even use the dream to attempt high-failure-rate tasks from reality. This is the fundamental function of the Great Dream Heart Sutra!"

Lin Fei's eyes lit up with understanding. The Great Dream Heart Sutra allowed for the simulation of laws within a dream, a tremendous boon for many Martial Gods. It was a highly coveted benefit. Just this advantage alone would attract countless Martial Gods to practice the Great Dream Heart Sutra. Unfortunately, not everyone could successfully cultivate it.

Lin Fei and the two Martial Gods arrived at the Ancestral Hall. Inside, there was only a statue.

"Everyone who joins the Great Dream Sect is a disciple of the ancestor. Even a True Monarch is the disciple of the ancestor. We all address each other as fellow disciples," they explained. "The ancestor occasionally lectures within the Great Dream City. You will know when it happens. Besides, to meet the ancestor, one must report to the True Monarchs in the Ancestral Hall. There are always True Monarchs present there."

Lin Fei now understood the structure of the Great Dream Sect. In the Ancestral Hall, there was a True Monarch present, eyes closed and silent, seemingly indifferent to the presence of Lin Fei and others. Nonetheless, Lin Fei and his companions respectfully bowed before leaving the hall.

"Now that you've paid respects to the ancestor, you're officially a member of the Great Dream Sect, Junior Brother Lin," one of the Martial Gods said. "The essence of the Great Dream Sect lies in Great Dream City. Explore it for a while, and you'll understand everything."

"Thank you for your guidance, senior brother. May I know your names?"

"Ha, I'm Tong Shan, and he's Zhao Lin! We'll meet again if fate allows." With that, the two left. Their task of guiding Lin Fei into the Great Dream Sect was completed.

"Great Dream City..." Lin Fei gazed at the city in the dream, marveling at its wonder. He began to stroll around, acquainting himself with the city and learning how to obtain the second layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra.

After a few days, Lin Fei had a clear understanding. The second layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra was expensive, requiring ten thousand contribution points. Though the Great Ancestor had passed down the Great Dream Heart Sutra, hoping it would spread widely, and sometimes even left the first layer in the human world to see if any "fated" individual could cultivate it, the path to the second layer wasn't as straightforward.

Indeed, some lucky individuals, through chance encounters, had cultivated the first layer and made their way to Great Dream City, a place that seemed like paradise. Their rise often began from this point. The Great Ancestor occasionally ventured among mortals, but the teachings of the Dao were not to be imparted lightly. To access the second layer, one must use contribution points.

Of course, one could choose not to cultivate beyond the first layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra. But after understanding the benefits of the second layer and beyond, Lin Fei knew that almost no one would give up on the Great Dream Heart Sutra.

The first layer granted access to the Great Dream City, which was just the basic prerequisite. The depth of one's cultivation in the Great Dream Heart Sutra could influence the flow of time within the dream.

The Great Dream Heart Sutra divides the dream world into five layers. Lin Fei learned that the first layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra only allowed access to the first level of the dream world, where time flows at the same speed as in the outside world. A day in the dream is equivalent to a day outside.

However, the second layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra is different. It grants access to the second layer of the dream world, where time can flow up to ten times faster – ten days in the dream for every day outside.

The third layer of the Great Dream Heart Sutra allows entry into the third layer of the dream, where time flows up to a hundred times faster. The fourth layer can even accelerate time more drastically, and the fifth layer of the dream is said to be able to halt time within the dream entirely.

The Great Dream Ancestor, after a single sleep, became a Martial Ancestor. This feat has become a myth, a legend. But in reality, the Great Dream Ancestor might have entered the deeper levels of the dream world. Even without reaching the fifth layer, just the fourth layer alone would mean a year in the Divine Realm equals ten thousand years in the dream!

Thus, while it is said that the Great Dream Ancestor merely slept, he actually cultivated in the dream world for an unimaginably long time. This difference in the flow of time is why many seek to elevate the Great Dream Heart Sutra to higher realms, gaining deeper access into the dream world and accelerating time within it. After all, in the dream, no matter how fast time flows, it doesn't affect one's physical body or lifespan in the outside world.