Cosmic Ruler - Chapter 221

Chapter 221: Immortals Realm First City

Aiden descended from the sky, landing with ease in front of the city gate. The guards stationed there reacted instantly, rushing over with a mix of surprise and reverence. One of them, bowing respectfully, stepped forward to greet him.

“Welcome, Lord, to Skyfire City,” the guard said, extending an invitation for Aiden to enter.

Acknowledging the greeting with a slight nod, Aiden strode forward, casually tossing a few Immortal Stones to the guards as he passed—a small gesture of thanks for their courtesy.

Once inside the city, Aiden set his sights on the Ascension Tower, an organization dedicated to helping cultivators who had ascended at the same time or separately reconnect with one another. It was here that he hoped to find information about Serina, Shelly and establish any necessary connections in this new world.

Navigating through the bustling streets with purpose, Aiden soon arrived at the northern part of the city, where the Ascension Tower stood. Despite its name, the building wasn’t a towering structure but rather a vast, dome-shaped edifice that radiated authority and significance.

As Aiden approached the entrance, more guards were present to greet him. After verifying his status as a newly ascended cultivator, they welcomed him inside.

Inside, Aiden found himself in a spacious hall lined with various counters, each serving a different purpose. Some counters were for inquiries about new ascenders, others provided information about the Immortal Realm, and a few offered more specialized services.

After taking a moment to survey his surroundings, Aiden approached one of the counters dedicated to new ascender inquiries. This was the first step in learning more about the city, the realm, and potentially locating Shelly and Serina.

At the counter sat a striking receptionist, immediately catching Aiden’s attention. ‘It seems like receptionists are always beautiful, no matter the world,’ he thought with a smirk as he took a seat across from her.

“I need information about the Immortal Realm,” Aiden said directly, his tone serious.

Mia, who had been quietly attending to her work, looked up at him, her eyes assessing him. “Can you clarify how much you already know?” she asked, her voice calm but curious.

Aiden gave a small shrug. “I know nothing.”

Mia nodded, understanding the depth of his request. “Alright,” she said, leaning forward slightly. “So you need to start from scratch?”

“Exactly,” Aiden confirmed with a firm nod.

“Very well,” Mia began, shifting into the role of a knowledgeable guide. “The Immortal Realm isn’t just a single world like the one you ascended from. It’s a vast collection of millions of worlds, each unique in its own way.”

Aiden’s eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent, absorbing the information.

“Each of these worlds is immense,” Mia continued, “Even the smallest continent here would make your previous world seem tiny. The scale of the Immortal Realm is beyond anything you can imagine.”

She paused, allowing the gravity of her words to sink in before adding, “These worlds aren’t just large, but also powerful. Each one is governed by a mighty sect or clan. Some of these sects and clans don’t just control a single world, but many, wielding immense influence and power over countless beings.”

Mia’s words painted a picture of a realm filled with endless possibilities—and dangers.

“How many races were there in your previous world?” she asked, shifting the focus.

Aiden, still processing the enormity of what he’d just heard, responded, “Just humans.”

Mia smiled slightly, as if she expected that answer. “Then you’re in for quite a surprise,” she said, almost playfully. “The Immortal Realm is home to countless races. Some are friendly toward humans, while others are openly hostile. There are races that embody peace and harmony, and others that thrive on chaos and tyranny.”

She reached under the counter and handed Aiden a thick, ornate booklet. “Here,” she said, “This handbook contains detailed information about each race, their traits, and which worlds they dominate. You’ll want to study this carefully. It’s essential to avoid worlds ruled by races hostile to humans.”

Aiden took the booklet, feeling its weight in his hands. It seems to be made of metal rather than wooden pages.

As he flipped through the first few pages, he realized just how unprepared he had been. The Immortal Realm was far more complex than anything he had ever encountered. The scale of power, the diversity of races, and the intricate web of politics and alliances were overwhelming.

Mia watched him quietly before speaking again, her voice softening. “It’s a lot to take in, I know,” she said. “But understanding this realm is the first step to surviving it. You’ve ascended, which means you’ve already accomplished something extraordinary. Now, it’s time to navigate this new world with the same determination that brought you here.”

Aiden nodded, his thoughts already spinning with ideas and strategies for how to navigate this new realm. As he looked back at Mia, she maintained her professional demeanor, patiently waiting for him to focus on her again.

When she saw that she had his full attention, she continued. “Skyfire City got its name from a rare phenomenon called Skyfire, which was discovered in this area a long time ago. When word of the Skyfire spread, cultivators from all corners of the world flocked here, hoping to harness its power. Although the Skyfire was eventually claimed, many of those who came chose to stay, and the city gradually grew into the bustling metropolis it is today.”

She gave Aiden a moment to take in the information before moving on. “Skyfire City is located in the central part of Vast Blue World. The world is called ‘Vast Blue’ because it’s predominantly covered by oceans and seas, with only scattered islands and landmasses. We’re currently on one of those islands, situated right in the heart of this expansive world.”

“Vast Blue World is governed by the Atlantis Sect,” Mia explained. “This sect is known for its mastery of Water-attribute Martial Spirit cultivation. The Atlantis Sect doesn’t just rule over this world; they control a total of 570 worlds, making them a significant power in the Immortal Realm. They’re classified as a mid-level sect, which is a prestigious rank but not the highest.”

She then delved into the structure of power in the Immortal Realm. “Sects in the Immortal Realm are ranked from low to mid, to high, to advanced, and finally to overlord level. The higher the rank, the more influence, resources, and power a sect wields.”

Mia paused, letting this information settle before making a recommendation. “Given that you’re new to the Immortal Realm and were likely a rogue cultivator in your previous world, I suggest you consider joining the Dreamer’s Path Sect. It’s an advanced sect that’s particularly welcoming to rogue cultivators. They’re versatile, accepting a wide range of Martial Spirit cultivators, and are recognized as one of the top five advanced sects.”

“The Dreamer’s Path Sect is known for its less rigid rules compared to other sects like Atlantis, which could be a good fit for someone who’s never been part of a sect before,” she added thoughtfully.

Aiden, still absorbing everything, asked, “But why should I join a sect? I’ve managed just fine as a rogue cultivator up until now.”

Mia’s expression grew more serious as she leaned in slightly. “That’s a common misconception among new arrivals,” she began. “In your previous world, being a rogue cultivator might have worked for you because humans were the dominant race. But here, in the Immortal Realm, humans are just one of many races, and not all of them are friendly.”

She continued, her tone urgent. “If you’re on your own, you’re vulnerable. To other races or even powerful sects, you might be seen as nothing more than a commodity—someone to be enslaved, hunted, or used in any way they see fit.”

Mia’s eyes bore into Aiden’s, emphasizing the gravity of her words. “The Immortal Realm is a place of unimaginable opportunities, but it’s also a place of immense dangers. No one survives here on their own for long. You need allies, resources, and the protection that a sect can provide. Joining a sect isn’t just about following rules; it’s about ensuring your survival in a world where being alone could mean the end.”

Aiden nodded thoughtfully and then asked, “Is there anything else I should know?”

Mia, noticing that Aiden was taking her advice seriously, nodded in response. “Yes, there’s more you need to be aware of. The Dreamer’s Path Sect has a branch located in the Myriad Heaven Coven world, which is five worlds away from here. You can enroll there. However, for any additional information about the Immortal Realm, I’m afraid I can’t provide much unless you join a sect and gain access to their knowledge and resources.”

She leaned forward slightly, emphasizing her next point. “Also, it’s wise to join a reputable group when traveling to Myriad Heaven Coven. Many opportunists target new ascenders during their journey, using it as a chance to hunt or exploit them.”

Aiden nodded in understanding, then added, “I also want to inquire about two new ascenders—one who ascended at the same time as me, and another who ascended seven years ago.”

Mia acknowledged his request and began asking various security questions to confirm Aiden’s relationship with the individuals he was asking about. Aiden answered each question, understanding that this was a necessary step to verify his connection to the ascenders.

After verifying the information, Mia replied, “The individual named Shelly is now part of the Mysterious Moon Sect, which is located in the Divine Moon World—a world thousands of worlds away from here. As for Serina, she has joined the Mystic Flame Sect, an alchemy sect that’s about 5,000 worlds away.”

Aiden nodded, ‘Damm, they are quite far away’.