Chapter 25: Following the Master

Ji Ning and the other three were all stirred. In fact, they had already guessed that the reason the Great Dominator had selected four from the twelve palaces this time was mainly to help 'Skyfire Mangya'. However, the twelve palaces had coexisted peacefully with the royal clan for so long precisely because they treated each other as equals. Ji Ning and the others were also extraordinary individuals; they would not blindly risk their lives to protect the royal clan for no reason.

"When you return from the other universe, I will naturally ask my clan's 'Skyfire Mangya'. The more you help him, the more gratitude you will receive from the royal clan," said the towering beast.

"Rest assured, Dominator, we will do our utmost."

"Since we set out together, we should naturally assist each other."

Each of them responded in turn.

They all understood that since the Dominator had mentioned 'generous rewards', it would certainly not be ordinary. After all, this was an existence that stood at the very pinnacle of the endless territories, invincible, having lived longer than the entire Mangya Kingdom.

For the sake of generous rewards, Ji Ning and the others would all do their best to protect and help Skyfire Mangya once they arrived in the other universe.

"Mm." The towering beast nodded slightly.

Hum~~~

Spatial fluctuations appeared beside Ji Ning and the others, followed by a beast bathed in flames.

"Skyfire," the towering beast spoke.

"Dominator." The flame beast immediately transformed, taking the form of a youth with fiery red hair clad in blue armor.

"This time, the five of you will go together to the ancient domain of the other universe," the towering beast said.

The fiery-haired youth swept his gaze, carefully examined Ji Ning and the other three, grinned, and said, "My name is Skyfire Mangya. You can call me Skyfire. I heard from the Dominator that none of you four are weaker than me. When we go to the other universe, I hope you will help me out."

Skyfire Mangya, though also a highly talented member of the royal clan, had only recently joined. Ji Ning and the others, however, had each comprehended at least one supreme path, making them comparable to two-step Dao Lords. Indeed, each of them was slightly stronger than Skyfire Mangya. Of course, this was only based on normal strength; trump cards and life-saving measures were not accounted for.

"Dominator, where is the ancient domain of the other universe? What is an 'other universe'?" asked Prince Qinghuan. He was merely a nominal disciple of the Great Dominator and not qualified to call him master. The Great Dominator's rule was that only personal disciples could address him as master.

"Other universe?" The towering beast looked at Ji Ning and the others, seeing their eager expressions, and said, "You should be able to sense the origins of the endless territories: the Fire Origin, Water Origin, Sword Origin, Time Origin, Space Origin..."

Ji Ning and the others all nodded.

They could all sense the origins, but only those who had cultivated to the World-level perfection could sense them in detail. As for deeper mysteries, the origins revealed nothing; it was said that even Eternal Emperors could not cultivate them. Thus, Dao Lords had to take it step by step, creating their own path.

"The region that these origins can cover is called a universe," said the Great Dominator. "An other universe naturally refers to a place with different origins."

"What!"

Ji Ning and the others were all shocked.

Different origins?

Whether in the Three Realms, the Damo Territory, or here in the Mangya Kingdom, Ji Ning had always sensed the Sword Origin. These origins were the same; the entire endless territories were merely a part of this vast universe! And now he was going to an other universe?

"Don't worry. The outermost layers of the origins in the other universe—like the Water Origin, Time Origin, Sword Origin—are all the same. Only the inner aspects differ," said the Great Dominator. "This will have no effect on your strength."

"Has anyone ever been to the ancient domain of the other universe?" asked Firejin Waterlord.

"No," the Great Dominator shook his head.

Ji Ning and the others fell silent.

"When I was comprehending time and space, I faintly detected traces of another universe approaching ours, so I opened a cosmic passage," said the towering beast. "However, this passage is relatively weak and is affected by the rules of both universes. At most, beings below the Dao Lord level can pass through."

"Therefore, when you go to the other universe, you must not break through to the Dao Lord realm. If you do, you won't be able to return and will have to stay there forever," the towering beast instructed.

Ji Ning and the others nodded.

Under the influence of the rules of both universes, Dao Lords simply could not pass through that cosmic passage.

"For World-level cultivators, passing through the passage is safe," said the towering beast. "Just a few days ago, I sent a World-level servant through the passage to the other side, and he returned safely. Over the long years, I have also captured many World-level cultivators from the other universe and brought them here."

"Captured?" Ji Ning and the others muttered inwardly.

The Dominator couldn't even go there himself, yet he could capture them?

"So passing through is absolutely safe," said the towering beast. "I trust your strength to roam the territories of the other universe without danger. But the truly dangerous and troublesome place is the ancient domain!"

Ji Ning and the other five listened attentively, even Skyfire Mangya, who had little knowledge of the ancient domain before.

"The ancient domain is the most mysterious region of the other universe. Its scope is extremely vast; probably no cultivator knows exactly how vast. It is said that many Dao Lords, and even Eternal Emperors, dwell in seclusion somewhere within the ancient domain," the towering beast laughed. "The ancient domain is likely comparable in size to our endless territories."

"What!" Ji Ning and the others were astonished.

They had thought the ancient domain of the other universe was some secret place, but now it seemed it could rival the endless territories in scope and was home to many powerful beings.

"It is the core of the entire other universe."

"It is the place of origin of that other universe."

"Countless cultivators in the other universe yearn to enter it, because anyone who enters and comes out alive will undergo a great enhancement," said the towering beast. "However, if one rashly intrudes into the ancient domain, upon first contact, they will be destroyed by the power of the entire ancient domain, instantly annihilated, true spirit and all."

Ji Ning and the others were stunned. How terrifying would the attack of the entire ancient domain's power be, given that it was comparable in size to the endless territories?

"After all, it is the core of the entire other universe," said the towering beast. "To enter, one must refine an Ancient Domain Token. Once refined, one can enter safely without being repelled by the ancient domain's power."

"Ancient Domain Tokens are extremely rare."

"I extended my will through the cosmic passage, covering a vast area, and captured World-level cultivators who passed through the region my will covered. Over endless years, I have only managed to gather a few Ancient Domain Tokens," said the towering beast. "Now, I give these tokens to the five of you. Refine them."

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

Five streaks of light appeared out of nowhere and flew to Ji Ning and the other four.

The Ancient Domain Token was a dark red circular token with ancient, complex divine patterns. Ji Ning and the others could not understand them, only sensing their vast and profound aura. Then each of them refined the token.

"Dominator," Ji Ning spoke up, "Can we bring our followers and servants into the other universe? And into the ancient domain?"

The others also looked at the Dominator.

Each of them had followers and servants.

"As long as they are below the Dao Lord level, they can be brought into the other universe," said the Great Dominator. "As for the ancient domain, they must remain hidden inside a cave-treasure artifact and not let a single wisp of aura leak out. If any aura leaks out in the ancient domain, they will be attacked by its power. If they stay hidden forever and never come out, they will be safe."

Ji Ning and the others understood. If they could never come out, and could not even extend their divine sense or aura, then entering would be meaningless.

"Of course, if you can obtain more Ancient Domain Tokens, you can give them to your followers and servants, allowing them to move freely in the ancient domain," the Great Dominator suddenly said. "But when you first enter the ancient domain, it's best to keep a low profile. After all, the truly powerful beings there are the numerous Dao Lords."

"This is a star map of the other universe, marking the route from the cosmic passage straight to the ancient domain. It also contains some information about the other universe. Remember, do not leak it."

The Great Dominator then bestowed five star maps.

"Yes." Ji Ning and the others all accepted them.

"Prepare yourselves. Gather again at the palace gate in three days," the Great Dominator instructed.

...

Ji Ning returned to the Sword Palace and met with Danbao World God and Su Youji.

"I have obtained a great opportunity, heading to a dangerous place. If you come with me, there is a slight chance you might gain some opportunities as well. Of course, if I die, you will die too," Ji Ning said. "Will you follow me, or stay here in the Sword Palace?"

"I will follow the master," Su Youji said without hesitation.

"I can't learn any of the techniques or secret arts of the twelve palaces, so of course I'll follow the master," Danbao World God also said.

Ji Ning nodded lightly.

He could not guarantee anything, having never been to the other universe.

...

Three days later.

In front of the main palace gate, Ji Ning, Feng Yi, Huo Jin, Qinghuan, and Skyfire Mangya gathered together.

"Everyone." The humanoid gray sculpture suddenly moved, walking toward Ji Ning and the other four. "I will escort you five to the cosmic passage."

...