Nameless Realm Arc Chapter Forty-Two: The Opening of the Small World

Xuan Qizi bowed toward the location of the Supreme Peak and said, “May the Great Yan Immortal open the passage to the Minor World!”

From the Supreme Peak, a stream of spiritual radiance shot forth, coming to hover above the martial platform. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a little figure, only four inches tall, enveloped entirely in light, their features obscured.

The tiny figure held aloft a fist-sized, dazzling pearl. The instant their eyes opened, an oppressive force belonging to a Nascent Soul cultivator surged forth, so powerful that all the disciples present were compelled to their knees.

Wei Cangyuan, the Old Ghoul of the Corpse Mountain, and Daxi each shielded their junior disciples, protecting their spirits from the crushing dominance of the four-inch Nascent Soul.

But the main reason was to prevent their Qi Refining disciples from following the example of Xingyan Sect’s own disciples in bowing. After all, this was not their sect’s patriarch—an obeisance would suffice, but kneeling would be far too humiliating.

“Greetings, Patriarch (Immortal, Senior)!” they chorused.

A Nascent Soul cultivator was a peerless figure in the Nameless Region, far beyond the realm of mortals, having traveled deep along the path of immortality. Their cultivation was unmatched by even Golden Core cultivators and they stood as founders of their own sects.

The outer disciples of Xingyan Sect, upon seeing the Supreme Elder at such a solemn occasion, all knelt in deference, including Wang Li—save for two exceptions: Kong Xiaori and his sister.

Even the likes of Wei Cangyuan, the Old Ghoul of the Corpse Mountain, and Daxi—all Golden Core experts—performed respectful bows. Any Nascent Soul cultivator was to be honored; such was the rule.

“We cultivators have no need for such cumbersome rituals. That’s enough—rise, all of you. I’m just a laborer today, here to open the passage to the Minor World.”

The four-inch Nascent Soul released waves of energy, gently lifting everyone to their feet. The sensation was both vast and overwhelming, yet felt as soft as flowing water upon the body.

The fist-sized, radiant pearl began to float higher, suspending itself in the center of the martial platform and swiftly expanding to many times its original size.

“This is the World Pearl, the condensed essence of a Minor World, refined by the Illusory God True Lord of the Lunar Corpse Sect. Its core has been tempered and transformed—it can be considered a half-magic treasure. Within it, array masters have inscribed a teleportation matrix. I’ll activate the formation now—prepare yourselves, young ones!”

The two hundred Qi Refining cultivators lined up in the center of the martial platform, each holding their breath and focused intently. Some stood alone, others grasped hands to ensure they would be transported together.

Kong Xiaori held his sister Kong Xiaoyue’s hand—they would certainly remain together, of that there was no doubt. As for Xu Biao, Zhou Xuanhong had not arranged for him to accompany the siblings; he had tasks yet to fulfill.

The Great Yan Immortal formed a series of arcane hand seals, opening the passage to the Minor World. From the base of the pearl, nearly a hundred meters across, a dazzling pillar of light burst forth, enveloping the Qi Refining cultivators on the martial platform in a radiant, nearly tangible beam.

This beam exerted a tremendous suction—not the power of the World Pearl itself, but the effect of the teleportation array inscribed within it. The World Pearl was an inert object; only the workings of men imbued it with function.

The array drew the two hundred cultivators upward. Some, impatient, summoned their flying swords and leapt into the heart of the beam, disappearing into the glowing curtain at its source.

“Heh heh heh, opportunity awaits! Here I come!” cackled a disciple of the Corpse Shade Sect as the coffin on his back discharged a bird-shaped corpse puppet to carry him through the portal.

“Hahaha, now the slaughter can begin!” exulted a particularly arrogant sword cultivator, who rode his sword skyward, slicing an obstructing Corpse Shade disciple into several pieces as he passed.

“Hold my hand tightly, sister!” Kong Xiaori called, grasping Kong Xiaoyue’s hand. The two released their spiritual power, and the clash of their opposing energies sent nearby cultivators scrambling back in alarm.

In short order, the group of two hundred—no, one hundred ninety-seven, as three had perished—had all been transported, corpses and all, into the Minor World. The center of the martial platform was now empty.

The pillar of light gradually shrank and faded, leaving the enormous World Pearl quietly suspended in midair. As it floated, it collided with the elemental energies of heaven and earth, releasing pure spiritual essence—slender and faint, yet over time enough to greatly strengthen the entire Xingyan Sect.

The Great Yan Immortal said to Xuan Qizi, “Let the World Pearl remain here. This is the heart of Xingyan Sect; over time, the pearl will enrich our sect’s spiritual energy and intensify the principles of the Dao within our grounds.”

He then instructed an elderly white-haired man among the elders, “Ma Shengbo, the arrays are your responsibility. The World Pearl is the sect’s most precious treasure—there must be no mistake!”

“Yes!” The white-haired elder, deputy head of the Array Hall, had previously given Zhou Xuanhong a copy of ‘Introduction to Arrays’ upon noticing his talent.

With his orders given, the Great Yan Immortal’s four-inch Nascent Soul transformed into a streak of light and returned to Supreme Peak, hidden among the clouds. Given his status, it was already improper to involve himself in the trials of junior cultivators; were it not for the gravity of the World Pearl, he would not have appeared at all.

Xuan Qizi dismissed the gathered disciples: “That’s all; there’s nothing more for you here. The trial will last a month. You are dismissed.”

Suddenly, the Old Ghoul of the Corpse Mountain let out a sly chuckle. “Hold on, Fellow Daoist Xu, no need to be in such a hurry. I have two matters today: first, to send off our juniors for their trial; second—well, I hear your Xingyan Sect recently suffered a nasty loss at the hands of the Black Ghost Priest of the Fierce Ghost Sect. Today, I’ve brought some of those Fierce Ghost disciples, now merged into my Corpse Shade Sect. Why not have a life-and-death match? Surely, for a sect as grand as yours, you wouldn’t pass up a chance for revenge? The opportunity is right before you!”

At his words, the giant corpse beneath him opened its maw, disgorging a procession of figures swathed in chilling, ghostly energy—none of them the sort to be trifled with, and all of them at least Foundation Establishment cultivators.

“So that’s the World Pearl—truly a treasure! There must be countless corpses inside for my cultivation—heh heh!”

“This is the Xingyan Sect? So idyllic and pure. How distasteful—I’d love to turn it into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood!”

“Finally, some fresh air! The stench inside that corpse was unbearable. The Fierce Ghost Sect can never quite tolerate the Corpse Shade’s filth.”

Fifteen figures, all exuding powerful auras, stood out—eight from the Corpse Shade Sect, seven from the Fierce Ghost Sect.

Wei Cangyuan snorted coldly and formed a seal. The lid of a green pill furnace opened, spraying forth a radiance that, once faded, revealed five figures on the martial platform—each equally formidable.

These five were Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Five-Spirit Pill Valley, present as allies to Xingyan Sect. Though few in number, their presence was a token of goodwill. While the Pill Valley specialized in alchemy, there were always some among them devoted to the art of combat—the Law Pill lineage, who forged only battle pills, not healing elixirs. Though few and little known, their fighting power was formidable.

Daxi laughed heartily. “You think a contest like this could leave out the sword cultivators? Reveal yourselves!”

With a sweep of his sleeve, six more figures appeared behind the giant sword, all seated in meditation. Five bore swords on their backs; one did not, but instead bore a sword sigil on his brow, much like Li Li—these were the Inner Sword lineage.

All six opened their eyes in unison, cold gleams flashing like tangible blades. Each summoned their spiritual sword, floating independently in the air, exuding a murderous intent—so still and silent, yet promising blood at the slightest movement.

Those disciples of Xingyan Sect who had been about to leave now paused in anticipation; a fine spectacle was about to unfold!

Xuan Qizi spoke coolly. “You jest, Fellow Daoist—what talk of revenge? If my own carelessness cost my juniors their lives, I do not shirk the blame. Since things have come to this, let us fight. As with the Minor World trial, the Foundation Establishment juniors will fight to the death, without interference. Corpse Mountain, do you dare?”

“Ha ha ha ha! Of course I dare. But if this is to be a death match, there must be prizes for the victors—otherwise, how can the juniors give their all?”

Daxi clapped and laughed. “Naturally, there must be prizes. I’ll start—this is a vial of Golden-Eyed Beast’s blood, a creature exceedingly rare. Its innate power lies in the strength of the soul. Any cultivator who refines its essence stands a chance of opening a spiritual eye at their brow. Even if not, their soul will be greatly strengthened, which will be invaluable for reaching the Golden Core stage.”

Wei Cangyuan produced three bottles of pills, stroking his beard as he introduced them. “As a master alchemist, my prizes are naturally medicinal. This bottle contains three Coagulation Gold Pills, all blue in color; this, a single Barrier-Breaking Pill, green in color, which may directly advance the user by a minor realm; and finally, a Nascent Formation Pill—my very best work, its hue verging on green, created at the peak of my craft.”

Xuan Qizi was astonished. “Old Wei, you’re offering such precious pills?”

Wei Cangyuan smiled. “It’s nothing. As a master alchemist, I must have some spirit.”

Daxi’s eyes gleamed. He addressed the six sword cultivators: “Whichever of you gets me the Nascent Formation Pill, I’ll personally teach you the Art of Sword Flight—guaranteed mastery!”

One of the sword cultivators protested, “But didn’t you say sword cultivators should not rely on external aids?”

Daxi gave him a flick on the back of the head, beard bristling. “What do you know? This isn’t borrowing strength—it’s just an extra layer of insurance!”

The Old Ghoul of the Corpse Mountain gave a lewd chuckle. “So generous—then I can’t be stingy either. I have spent over a thousand years perfecting the art of corpse puppets. These two child-sized puppets are among my proudest creations.”

He withdrew two dolls from his storage ring, lifelike as jade carvings, appearing merely to be sleeping children.

“Both possess green-level spiritual talent. As for my methods, I’ll keep them secret. Once refined, they can change size at will—and I don’t mean just their stature, but their appearance as well!”

He demonstrated, transforming the boy doll first into a youth, then a middle-aged man, and then an old man, before returning to infancy—all before the eyes of the stunned audience.

The Old Ghoul preened. “That’s just a minor trick. The true value lies in their cultivation—they both possess the power of peak Foundation Establishment. Together, they can unleash strength comparable to the Golden Core stage. What’s more, if their master faces mortal danger, the puppets’ internal arrays can instantly take the fatal blow in their stead!”

Finally, with a sly grin, he added, “Of course, for authenticity, their temperature matches that of a real person, and their internal structure is indistinguishable from a living child. They can even speak on their own—heh heh!”