Chapter Fifty-Eight: The Gate of Dimension

“So you know now, don’t you?” Ziling said with a mischievous smile, teasing Bingyan was one of her favorite amusements, a delight so refined and subtle it could scarcely be described to outsiders.

Leng Bingyan nodded, “Then how do we find the remaining cauldrons? Earth is vast, and searching for a few small cauldrons within it is hardly a simple task.”

“Of course, ordinary searching is like finding a needle in a haystack—or rather, it’s even more difficult than that,” Ziling agreed. “But from the three thousand rivers, we only need to drink one ladle. The Nine Provinces Divine Dragon Cauldrons were forged by the Three Sovereigns and endowed with immense divine power by the ancient gods. They are hardly ordinary objects.”

Bingyan listened quietly, not interrupting as Ziling continued, “The Nine Provinces Divine Dragon Cauldrons are interconnected, each linked by a slender thread—one cauldron connects to the second, the second to the third, and so forth, with the ninth looping back to the first. Thus, they form an endless cycle. So, once we possess one cauldron, provided we have enough power to sustain it, we can track down all the Divine Dragon Cauldrons in succession.”

“We already have one cauldron; doesn’t that mean we can follow an invisible thread and find them all?” Leng Bingyan exclaimed, realization dawning and excitement lighting his face.

“Precisely. But only while the Divine Dragon Cauldrons’ aura remains uninterrupted. If the aura is blocked by something or a formation, then we cannot find them—the thread breaks at that point.”

“Then let’s not waste time. The sooner we find them, the sooner our task is done. Once the Nine Provinces Barrier is set, I’ll finally be a free soul. I’ll travel the world, exploring every mysterious place I can,” Bingyan said with vigor, his impatience showing.

Ziling smiled, realizing that Bingyan was, after all, just a fourteen or fifteen-year-old child. Though she possessed powers far beyond ordinary people, the innocent heart within him was not so easily erased.

“I see you’ve kept your Feathered Form for quite some time now. How is it—are you used to it?”

At Ziling’s words, Leng Bingyan fell silent, raising his small hand and examining it closely. He glanced at his exquisite white silk robes. If Ziling hadn’t brought it up, he might have forgotten the state his body was in.

With a light laugh, “Had you not mentioned it, I really would have forgotten.” Light shimmered around him, and in an instant, the charming and adorable boyish form of Bingyan returned.

“Let’s go!” With that, Bingyan transformed into a streak of lightning, soaring skyward.

He expanded his spiritual sense, flying along the aura emanating from the Divine Dragon Cauldron in his hand. In the distance, he began to sense a presence similar to that of his cauldron, growing stronger as he flew, until the miniature cauldron trembled in his grasp, resonating in answer.

Delighted by this development, Bingyan was at least certain that the second cauldron lay ahead.

“Faster!” Ziling’s voice rang out within his sea of consciousness. Bingyan drew a deep breath and increased his speed, streaking through the sky like a meteor.

At the foot of a towering mountain, Bingyan descended from the heavens, his powerful momentum exploding upon impact. “Boom!” The sound echoed across the land, as if countless missiles had struck their mark, the force indescribably immense. Sand and stones erupted, dust obscuring vision for a time. When the dust finally settled, Bingyan stood at the center of a pit more than a meter deep and several meters wide.

“I told you to land carefully—why make such a racket?” Ziling scolded, her words hardly ladylike.

Bingyan laughed sheepishly. He really had tried to slow down, but hadn’t expected such a commotion.

“All right, Ziling, it’s my fault. But I distinctly sensed the aura coming from here—why is there no reaction now?”

“It is your fault!” Ziling pressed her advantage, eager to keep scolding him, but soon she nodded thoughtfully, “Indeed, there’s no sign of the second Divine Dragon Cauldron now. Wait—”

“What is it?” Ziling’s sudden alarm startled Bingyan, who hurried to ask.

“Summon my true form and strike with all your might over there,” she said, pointing solemnly at the towering mountain ahead.

It was rare to see her so cautious, so Bingyan complied. He extended his right hand, firmly grasped the manifested Purple Sword, steadied himself, then stepped forward and unleashed a full-strength blow as an early-stage Immortal Emperor toward the mountain. Though his current form couldn’t match the power he’d wielded in his Feathered Form, his aura was still formidable. Amid the crackling and shattering of massive stones, a barely visible door appeared before them.

The door shone with faint starlight, appearing almost unreal, like something out of a dream.

“A Door of Space!” Ziling declared.

“What? What’s that?” Bingyan asked reflexively, unfamiliar with the term.

“A Door of Space connects two worlds. You know Earth is not lacking in cultivators, but aside from the few who live among mortals, have you ever seen many masters swaggering down the street?” Bingyan shook his head.

“No, because most cultivators train within their own dimension—a space commonly called the ‘Realm of Cultivation’!”

“Many major sects are settled in that realm, leaving only a few Doors of Space to maintain contact with the outside.”

“Does this Door of Space lead to the Realm of Cultivation?” Bingyan couldn’t hide his curiosity, asking in a low voice.

“It shouldn’t. I sense a desolate aura from within, not the serene energy of the Realm of Cultivation. So, the other end of this Door of Space is probably not the cultivation realm.”

“Oh…” Bingyan felt a tinge of disappointment. He had long yearned to glimpse the true Realm of Cultivation. As a practitioner himself, how could he not have seen it? Wouldn’t people laugh at him?

Perhaps sensing his thoughts, Ziling comforted him, “Why rush? With your current strength, you can tour the Realm of Cultivation someday—there’s no need to be impatient.”

Bingyan laughed, realizing Ziling was right. “Yes, no need to hurry.” Calming himself, he felt his earlier mood had been rather unreasonable.

“Let’s go in and take a look. The second Divine Dragon Cauldron should be inside.” With that, Bingyan gripped the Purple Sword and strode toward the Door of Space.

Within the mountain’s depths, towering trees rose above, more lush than any primeval forest. Bingyan couldn’t help but marvel. As he entered the jungle, the Door of Space behind him vanished at some point, leaving only the cries of monkeys echoing in the shadows, sending a shiver through him.

Bingyan wandered for a long time—this place was vast, and everything looked alike, as if he were forever circling at a distance. He conjured blades of light to clear the path ahead, grumbling to Ziling as he went, “This place is enormous, and everything looks the same. It feels like I’m lost—a bit uncanny, really.”

“It is uncanny,” Ziling agreed. “It’s so desolate and oppressive. Be careful—don’t get distracted.”

Before Bingyan could reply, a powerful aura descended: “Boy, since you’ve come, let us meet face to face.” The voice came from all directions. Bingyan spun around, trying to locate the speaker, but found nothing. The owner’s voice startled him deeply.

“Very well, let me guide you.” The voice sounded again, and Bingyan felt his whole body freeze. The surroundings began to shift, and moments later, he was in an unfamiliar place.

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From the next chapter onward, the word count of each chapter will increase...