The atmosphere around the Forest Immortal Sect was one of cautious optimism. The recent victories and the proactive measures implemented had strengthened the sect and its allies. Yet, Celestial Boundless Dream knew that understanding the true nature of the Abyss was crucial to their long-term survival. One night, as she meditated under the Great Way Tree, the heavens themselves reached out to her, their presence filling the air with a divine, weighty aura.
“Celestial Boundless Dream,” the heavenly voice began, resonating through the sect and beyond, “we come with knowledge that you must understand to prepare for the trials ahead. The Abyssal invasion you face is indeed connected to the Room of Fortunes and Misfortunes, yet it is a threat that would have emerged regardless. Your unlocking of the room has merely hastened their arrival.”
Boundless Dream listened intently, her heart heavy with the gravity of the heavenly words.
“The Abyss is a realm of darkness and despair, divided into 9,999 levels. Each level is ruled by a Floor Master at the stage of Heavenly Being, some slightly weaker but still formidable. Beneath these masters are countless generals, as innumerable as the stars in the sky, each one a deadly threat.”
The heavenly voice continued, painting a grim picture of the Abyss. “The Abyss is a place where no light survives for long. It is a realm where creatures devour each other for survival, a place devoid of hope or cities. It is a world where only the strong endure, and the only law is consumption. The Floor Masters are exceptions; they are the pinnacle of strength, not just in body but in mind and will. They will not cease their assault until they have either drained enough blood from our cosmos to satiate their hunger or we give them a lesson harsh enough to deter them.”
Boundless Dream felt the weight of these revelations. The magnitude of the threat was far greater than she had imagined. “What must we do to prepare?” she asked, her voice steady but filled with determination.
The heavens responded, “You must elevate as many cultivators as possible, unite the powers of your world, and fortify your defenses. Teach your people the Dao and cultivate their strength. The Abyssal invasion is relentless, but with unity and power, you can withstand their onslaught.”
With these words, Boundless Dream felt a surge of purpose. She knew what needed to be done. Rising from her meditation, she summoned her closest allies and the sect’s leaders, sharing with them the dire warnings and the strategies imparted by the heavens.
Eldrathorn, Li Mei, Mei Bao, and the masters of the Hidden Temple listened with solemn expressions. The scope of the Abyssal threat was daunting, but they were resolute.
“We must redouble our efforts in teaching the Dao and elevating our cultivators,” Eldrathorn stated, his dragon eyes reflecting a fierce determination. “Every warrior we can prepare will be a vital asset.”
Li Mei nodded. “We also need to continue our diplomatic efforts, ensuring that every city and realm understands the gravity of the situation and contributes to the defense.”
Mei Bao added, “The network of formations we’ve established is strong, but we must enhance them further. We should explore new defensive strategies and technologies to bolster our chances.”
Boundless Dream agreed, her mind already racing with plans. “We will also focus on training elite squads capable of countering the Floor Masters. Their strength and strategy will be crucial in turning the tide of battle.”
The council dispersed, each member determined to implement the heavenly directives. Boundless Dream, however, remained, contemplating the path ahead. She knew that the coming battles would test them all to their limits, but with the guidance of the heavens and the strength of their unity, they stood a chance.
As the first light of dawn broke, casting a golden hue over the Forest Immortal Sect, Boundless Dream felt a renewed sense of purpose. She reached out with her celestial presence, communicating with leaders across the cosmos, preaching the Dao, and urging them to prepare for the impending conflict.
“To fight the Abyss, we must be stronger, more united than ever before,” she declared. “Release all those in bondage, for freedom and unity are our greatest weapons. Empower them with knowledge and strength, and together, we will stand against the darkness.”
Cities and realms responded to her call, releasing slaves and elevating them with the knowledge and power imparted by Boundless Dream. The world began to change, with cultivators rising to new heights, ready to defend their cosmos from the abyssal threat.
As the world braced for the looming abyssal threat and cities mobilized to strengthen their defenses, Celestial Boundless Dream, formerly known as Hanna, took a moment to reflect on her journey through the Mortal Coil. Under the protective canopy of the Great Way Tree, she found a serene spot to meditate and reconnect with the foundational stages of her cultivation.
The Mortal Coil, a path that every cultivator must traverse, held significant lessons and challenges. For Boundless Dream, these stages were not just stepping stones but profound experiences that shaped her understanding of the Dao and her place within the cosmos.
First Step: Heart of Dao
“Why do you seek power, and what do you seek to protect?” Boundless Dream remembered her initial introspection, the moments of doubt and determination that led her to define her purpose. She sought power not for dominion but to protect those who could not protect themselves, to create a sanctuary where hope and strength could flourish.
Second Step: Body Refining
“Only a strong body can hold limitless power.” The grueling training and physical trials she endured came to mind. Every muscle ache, every drop of sweat was a testament to her commitment to becoming a vessel capable of withstanding the immense energies of the cosmos.
Third Step: Qi Refinement
“Accepting the energy of heaven into the body.” This stage was about learning to draw and refine the Qi from the world around her. She recalled the serene moments spent under the stars, feeling the flow of celestial energy and integrating it into her being, strengthening her spirit and resolve.
Fourth Step: Foundation
“Any building must have a strong foundation to withstand the earthquakes and tremors of time.” Establishing a solid foundation was crucial, and Boundless Dream spent countless hours meditating, ensuring that her core energies were stable and robust. This stability became the bedrock of her later advancements.
Fifth Step: Core Formation
“The Golden Core condenses the foundation into raw power.” Forming her Golden Core was a moment of profound transformation. The raw power she felt coursing through her was both exhilarating and humbling, a reminder of the journey ahead and the potential within.
Sixth Step: Nascent Soul
“The soul becomes the vessel of power, and the being is reborn.” The transition to the Nascent Soul stage was like being reborn. Her soul, now a vessel of immense power, opened her senses to the deeper truths of the universe, allowing her to connect with the celestial realms in ways she had never imagined.
Seventh Step: Severing
“The Nascent soul is severed into three parts: Evil, Centric, and Good; each separates the emotions, leaving a clear heart and essence in the Centric Soul.” This stage was perhaps the most challenging, as it required her to confront and purify her emotions, severing them into distinct parts and achieving a clarity of heart and essence that was essential for further growth.
Eighth Step: Integration
“Evil and Good return to the Centric and infuse into the body.” The reintegration of these purified aspects into her being brought harmony and balance, infusing her physical form with the essence of her clarified soul, enhancing her strength and wisdom.
Ninth Step: Void
“The soul becomes boundless.” Embracing the Void was an experience of limitless expansion. Her consciousness reached beyond the physical realm, connecting with the boundless nature of the cosmos. This stage taught her the true meaning of boundlessness and the interconnectedness of all things.
Tenth Step: Nirvana
“The soul and body are reborn in the nirvanic flames of ten tribulations.” The tribulations of Nirvana were trials of fire and spirit, each one testing her resolve and purity. Emerging from these flames, her soul and body were reborn, stronger and more resilient than ever before.
Eleventh Step: Mahayana
“The Body, Mind, and Soul become one and tranquil and seek power of laws above.” Achieving Mahayana was a state of tranquil unity, where her body, mind, and soul harmonized perfectly, seeking the higher laws of existence and embracing the cosmic truths that guided her path.
As Boundless Dream reflected on each stage, she felt a deep gratitude for the journey and the lessons learned. The Mortal Coil had shaped her into the cultivator she was today, prepared her for the responsibilities she now bore, and provided the foundation for her ascension to Celestial Integration.
Her thoughts drifted to the countless cultivators who would walk this path, each step a transformative experience in their quest for power and enlightenment. She felt a renewed sense of purpose in guiding them, ensuring they understood the profound significance of each stage and the wisdom it imparted.
Rising from her meditation, Boundless Dream looked up at the Great Way Tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze. She knew that the challenges ahead would be formidable, but with the strength of her foundation and the unity of her allies, they would face whatever came their way.