Chapter 235: Outsider from Beyond the Realm

"There is no fluctuation in Australia."

"There is no fluctuation in Rongcheng."

"No fluctuation detected in the depths of the Atlantic."

Reports came in one after another.

In a cold-toned observation room, spanning over a thousand square meters.

On flat electronic screens, data from across the globe was projected: weather, population counts, sudden disappearances, and obscure terms.

This was the "Supernatural Emergency Management Bureau," an official organization established long before the "War of Immortal Deities' Descent."

Roughly from this time last year, supernormal events began appearing across cities and towns nationwide.

Experts and professors originally assigned to criminal investigation and information intelligence were urgently reassigned here, including him—Li Ye, former professor at East China Police Academy.

Li Ye pushed up his glasses, which had slid down his nose, and scrolled through the projected data on his hand using his thoughts and gestures.

If this technology had been unveiled before the "War of Immortal Deities' Descent," he would have believed the internet rumors about lunar probes finding something on the far side of the Moon.

"First supernormal event: A man in Shanghai underwent tribulation near the Oriental Pearl Tower."

"Second supernormal event: At a construction site in Xi'an built atop an ancient tomb, a bronze sword flew out; a man in black robes stepped onto it and flew away."

"Third supernormal event: A suspected Daoist Priest chased a man along an old street in Rongcheng, both moving faster than a 100-km/h car."

"Fourth supernormal event: A man in a crowded market was struck by lightning over ten times, then walked away unharmed."

"Fifth supernormal event: God of War battled Emperor Armor at a cosplay convention."

"Sixth supernormal event: Sun Wukong defeated the White Gold Han and exposed over a dozen criminal gangs."

"Seventh: The director of the Lottery Center was hung on a streetlamp outside a police station, with a note attached ('I predicted the future—I still won't win DND beep—beep—'). Lottery insider information leaked via flyers dropped from the sky; national lottery sales plummeted that month."

"Eighth."

Li Ye felt a headache coming on—he'd seen countless scenes in his decades of service, but this one?

At first, the tone was normal: hidden secrets emerging into the world. But the later events grew increasingly abstract.

The initial theory was spiritual energy revival: some hidden forces had awakened, and those who gained power began acting without restraint.

Now?

The unanimous conclusion was that these cultivators, upon entering the mortal world for the first time, were overly excited and causing chaos due to modern cultural influence.

In fact, data from the past few months confirmed this.

These cultivators, besides eliminating sudden monster outbreaks, also caused minor disturbances in daily life—as if playing in the mortal realm.

"The Bureau is now under the control of cultivators; all this technology was brought by them. In both power and science, they hold an overwhelming advantage."

"Cultivator civilization's technology is clearly far superior to ours. Their request for us to manually monitor these areas 24/7 is meaningless."

"Rumors say other enemies are watching this world—but is there a possibility they too are invaders, just the first to arrive?"

"Set aside this thought for now. We have nothing worth their ambition, and they've proven they serve the Immortal Emperor. But if they serve the Immortal Emperor, then who exactly are these enemies?"

"Enemies so troubling even the Eastern and Western Lords find them difficult? Or are those two unwilling to act personally? Is this a trial?"

Li Ye had buried these questions deep for a long time. Data from home and abroad was precisely delivered here daily; they worked every day and also practiced cultivation together.

Superiors had ordered them to maintain respect toward cultivators while gathering information.

But now, there was no information to gather—all judgments were based on subjective speculation.

"Sigh." Li Ye sighed, deciding to stop thinking about it. It was time to clock out.

"Be a god~ Ride the crane to fly~"

The relief crew arrived. Li Ye hummed a tune, ready to swipe his card and leave.

Hum!

Hum!

Hum!

Sudden blaring alarms erupted; red lights flashed throughout the base.

Not the blue glow of cultivator disturbances—this was red?!

Li Ye rushed back to his station; every member of the Supernatural Emergency Management Bureau was instantly mobilized.

"Where is it?!"

"Shanghai!"

"Contact Mr. Fu Lou! Contact Daoist Yun Hua!"

Su Tuoni set down a device resembling a communicator, his expression solemn. "Hello, this is Yun Hua. Yes, I understand."

Soon after, his communicator rang again.

"Hello, this is Fu Lou. I understand." His voice now carried a deep, resonant tone. "We're all together. No need to notify each individually."

Su Tuoni glanced at the strange looks from those beside him, smiled apologetically, and said, "Sorry, I wore too many masks."

"Oh." Su Lin nodded, continuing to bite into his pineapple bun, then turned to Kleine and asked, "What's for dinner?"

Kleine thought for a moment. "Something sweet. What about Zhong Li?"

Zhong Li paused, then said, "I heard Huainan cuisine is excellent. Still, Shandong cuisine—it's the oldest, most technically rich, and most demanding culinary tradition."

"Let's go. I'm treating today." Su Lin handed Emperor Yufeng to Zhong Li to hold, then led the group toward the exit.

"Hey!" Su Tuoni reached out, trying to stop them. "Aren't you curious at all?"

Su Lin merely waved at him. "Keep going, future big brother!"

Kleine's calm voice drifted in the evening wind: "First rule of alien survival: suppress your curiosity."

"Everyone has their privacy. Appropriate distance is also a form of respect," Zhong Li instructed Emperor Yufeng in his hands.

"Wait for me!!!"

No respect? They really aren't curious at all?!

Su Tuoni was deeply puzzled, but seeing the other group continuing forward, he sighed helplessly and led Luo Shengying in another direction.

"I said I'd show you something interesting, maybe even make a little extra cash," Su Tuoni muttered bitterly.

Whoosh!

With a rush of air and a swirl of countless falling leaves, Su Lin appeared instantly before Su Tuoni.

"Bro, tell me everything," Su Lin rubbed Su Tuoni's shoulder, "what's this interesting thing?"

"What exactly have you been through in other worlds?" Su Tuoni's lip twitched—he didn't remember ever being this kind of person: "Where are the other two? Don't worry, no danger."

Here, Su Tuoni paused, pointing at Su Lin: "Probably not, as long as this thing is here."

"Itchiness?" Su Lin smiled, suddenly squeezing harder with the force to crush diamond—"I wouldn't mind staging a scene of shattering the future right here."

Zhongli and Miss Kelaien exchanged a glance.

"What's going on?" Miss Kelaien asked.

"Welcoming guests from another world," Su Tuoni said, then suddenly turned toward a direction and smiled: "Already arrived early, Shi Huanyu Realm."

That was the world "closest" to This World—the first world to shatter his former ordinary life, the one he once believed was his savior.

Shi Huanyu Realm. Immortal Realm.

Vast azure heavens, boundless divine light illuminating rolling clouds and seas, outside the immortal dwellings, forests painted in every hue, layered emerald flowing with gold.

Twin moons hung high, their cold, pure lunar radiance flowing slowly as Emperor's Nectar, rippling in tranquil sapphire.

Bright clouds shimmered, emerald mists veiled; at the heart of the Immortal Realm, in a region where Dao principles were clearly visible, stood a palace containing the universe's truths and all laws of existence.

Three thousand immortals stood upon the nine hundred and ninety-nine-step jade staircase, five hundred divine generals holding halberds and banners, each stationed beneath towering pillars of chaos.

Ten Saint Kings stepped from the mortal realm, one stride crossing the barrier between mortal world and Immortal Realm, holding imperial edicts as they stood upon their respective stars.

These were beings qualified to enter this heavenly palace—the Immortal Realm was nearly infinite, expanding ceaselessly.

Since the Great Pure Immortal Emperor ascended to the pinnacle countless years ago, the number of ascended immortals had grown so vast they no longer needed to be registered; the Immortal Realm and mortal world were no longer as utterly severed as in ancient times.

To prevent immortals from causing excessive destruction in the mortal world, those wishing to descend must first report to the Immortal Affairs General Office.

Immortals caught sneaking down would be sentenced to celestial punishment based on the damage caused.

The least severe: imprisoned in the Purgatory for one or two years—slowing their cultivation but otherwise harmless; the worst: soul extraction, bone shattering, execution upon the Immortal Execution Platform.

Celestial laws were fully established; wherever the Immortal Emperor's gaze fell, it was paradise. Mortal commoners, even those who never cultivated, could live full, peaceful lives—let alone cultivators.

Aside from those who turned to dark paths for power or were corrupted by extraterrestrial temptations, most cultivators could obtain cultivation resources and techniques through proper channels if their talent and realm were sufficient.

Since the Great Pure Immortal Emperor ascended, all beings in this realm have benefited from his grace. Though competition in the mortal world still exists, it is far better than the ancient records of "one angry cultivator, corpses strewn across lands, mountains and rivers shattered, sun and moon fallen."

Within the Tiangong

Above: endless void. Below: the star-river of this realm.

A palace-dressed woman in deep purple robes, barefoot, stood upon a star map, her face veiled in chaotic mist, holding a mirror that contained the shifting heavens.

"Immortal Emperor, the formation to that world is established. Shall we dispatch immortals to inspect the situation?" Her voice, soft as a trickling spring, bowed slightly.

Moments later, a golden-armored divine general stepped in, treading upon Lei Ting, carrying a twisted, grotesque head composed entirely of tentacles and flesh.

The head dripped black "blood"—each drop sufficient to corrupt a planet into a living entity; it was distortion, and also assimilation and consumption.

"Report, Immortal Emperor: the extraterrestrial demons invading this realm have been eradicated. Shall we mobilize heavenly troops to assault their nest?"

Soon after, the divine general bowed and said: "Shen Xiao accepts the order."

As the golden-armored general exited the heavenly palace, the palace-dressed woman lifted her head—beneath the chaotic mist, her eyes filled with shock.

One after another, immortals and divine generals stepped forward: some reported diplomatic relations with other worlds, others reported invasions by chaotic creatures or demons.

Finally came the ten Saint Kings, each recounting recent events within their star domains: the emergence of prodigies, the discovery of ancient cultivation caves.

They were on good terms with the Immortal Emperor, exchanging words and jests until seven days later they finally departed the heavenly palace.

During this time, the palace-dressed woman remained silent, leaning against a Shi Zhu. As the immortals began to disperse, she casually called out to a passing immortal.

An immortal with white hair and a youthful face, holding a gourd, stopped upon her call and bowed respectfully:

"Disciple Mi Yilong of the Great Pure Sect, bows before the Great Pure Empress."

The Great Pure Sect was formerly called the Bright Moon Sect; it was the most powerful faction in the mortal realm of Shi Huanyu Realm—only the combined strength of the other two could barely match it, and the reason was the very words "Great Pure."

Before the Great Pure Immortal Emperor attained Dao, he once served as the seventy-seventh abbot of the Bright Moon Sect. Later, due to certain secrets, he left the Bright Moon Sect and severed ties—until after his ascension, the entire sect changed its name to "Great Pure."

The Great Pure Empress before him was not the Immortal Emperor's biological daughter, but his most outstanding disciple. Before his Dao attainment, the Immortal Emperor endured great hardship—and it was this Empress and her family who saved him.

"What did the Immortal Emperor say during this court session?" The Great Pure Empress asked calmly, yet her question left Mi Yilong bewildered.

Mi Yilong frowned: "Aren't you also there?"

"It was sudden—I wandered my soul beyond the cosmos and have only just returned," the Great Pure Empress explained.

"My apologies for speaking out of turn," Mi Yilong bowed deeply: "After you reported the realm formation to the Immortal Emperor, he instructed you to first handle diplomatic affairs with the Dong Huang Realm."

"And then—"

The immortals departed. Within the heavenly palace, only the Empress and the Immortal Emperor remained. The strongest beings in this realm required no divine generals or heavenly troops for protection.

"Master," the Great Pure Empress softly called to the majestic figure within the aurora. The figure smiled at her—his lips moved, yet she heard not a sound.

"Have you already perished?"

The Immortal Emperor held a Bai Yu brush, drawing a miniature world upon a blank sheet. He marked it with a seal, then placed it into the Empress's hands.

The chaotic mist lifted from her face, revealing a peerless immortal beauty—like a spirit of the empty valley, untainted, pure.

Yet now, her violet-tinged eyes brimmed with tears; an immeasurable chasm had opened between her and the Immortal Emperor—as if they no longer shared the same world.

He continued busying himself with his own affairs, offering no response to anything she said.

'You merely lack a bit of opportunity. Don't worry—I will find it for you.'

That was the scene when her master comforted her, after tens of thousands of years of cultivation had brought her no further advancement.

'Li'er, take this. I fought hard to pry it off another old bastard.'

'Don't worry about me—give me one more cut. The Flame of Burning Heaven is killing me…'

In her memory, the Supreme Taiqing Immortal Emperor had stood before her, holding a divine herb, dragging his Dao wound as he perished—then returned again; at that time, she believed her master was an eternal, indestructible being.

"There is no true eternity, foolish child."

"If one day you no longer hear my voice, it means I have perished. Of course, if you still see me then, it means your strength is far too weak—don't think of avenging me; pursue higher realms."

"See for me what landscapes still lie upon our path."

"Don't understand? Haha, not understanding is best—I, your master, have no wish to perish."

"But if that day truly comes…" The Supreme Taiqing Immortal Emperor's eyes shone like stars; he suddenly stopped smiling, his tone grave: "Then it proves I shall inevitably perish at some point in the future. Everything you see is merely a residual imprint carved by the world. I grant you a thread of spiritual resonance—it will let you distinguish truth from illusion."

The Taiqing Empress rolled up the scroll, choosing not to peer into the River of Time, for the future it revealed was surely beyond her capacity to bear or capture.

She had dwelled in this realm for so long that she came to understand the divine marvels of those recognized across countless worlds as "Cosmic Emperors."

It began the moment she proposed the Realm Array.

"Did you perish in that world?"

Tears fell upon the immortal palace's star map below, transforming into a bright star; the Taiqing Empress turned away resolutely, refusing to look again at that familiar figure.

She stepped out of the immortal palace and summoned all the immortals of the Qing Sect—only this lineage would obey her without condition, for her seniority was the highest.

"Advance the plan to explore other realms. That world may hold grave danger. Organize mortals in the mortal realm, engineer coincidences…"

(End of Chapter)