Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

Chapter 268 Nothing

"An inter-heavenly spatial formation..." Yan Zaizen slowly muttered. A spatial formation was essentially the door to an entry into a tunnel. This tunnel typically traveled through the spatial void, a layer of space in a similar way to chaotic space.

However, if chaotic space and the spatial void were to be compared, it wouldn’t be close.

Chaotic space was the glue to all forms and layers of space and different flows of time. A background layer behind all other layers. Regardless if its self-created or natural, all spatial layers connect to chaotic space. The only exception was distorted space.

The spatial void didn’t have a different flow of time, but the distance traveled in the spatial void is magnified considerably. A single step through the void can be as long as a mile.

When heavenly cultivators rip open the spatial void, they use their heavenly true-essence to create a makeshift tunnel. This makeshift tunnel isn’t stable, but it can allow for ease of travel. However, as one’s cultivation rises and their true-essence evolves further, the tunnel becomes smoother, which results in a further magnification of distance within the tunnel.

This mode of travel was remarkably fast, and distance is shortened considerably as a result.

However, spatial formations were but a door into an entryway into a tunnel. This tunnel can exist in chaotic space, spatial void, or other layers of space - including newly constructed layers that exist independently, like sub-realms. This was how others could travel to sub-realms hidden in another fold of space.

The Xiantu Emperor had ripped open space to the Asura Phantom Realm, temporarily connecting two points of space. When Yan Zaizen first saw this, he felt fascinated by the level of raw power, but due to his comprehension into space at the time, it wasn’t much.

When a cultivator, especially those in the Heavenly Path, cultivate spatial laws, their ability to manipulate space becomes exceptional. To Yan Zaizen who mastered the Realm of Chaotic Space, this was even further pronounced.

"When I traveled through the inter-heavenly spatial formation, I assumed I went through the spatial void. However...what if I was wrong?" Yan Zaizen furrowed his brows, pondering the implications of this. The inter-heavenly spatial formation’s entry was closed, unable to be opened.

"I went through it too, It didn’t feel any different from the spatial void," Pinaka offered her comment. She had traveled through the formation using her full strength, drawing everything she had from Yan Zaizen’s False Grand Dao link.

"..." Yan Zaizen didn’t respond; his silence caused Pinaka to grow silent. Currently, he had a sixth-floor Heavenly Shrine with a major-Domain level of comprehension into the Imperial Law of Spacetime - Realm of Chaotic Space.

This law governed all things stable in regards to space. Besides teleportation, which derives from distorting space, Yan Zaizen could essentially do most things. This spatial formation was solidly within his domain.

Raising his right hand, he pressed it to the void. The void rippled oddly, and its cadence was inconsistent with typical space ripples. Unlike before, Yan Zaizen didn’t use force.

Shuu!

His heavenly shrine’s first five floors transformed. A powerful aura containing space and time erupted, creating a space within each floor that resembled chaotic space. It was black and endless, suffused with dark-grey winds. These winds seemed to be ever-present yet ever-changing.

As his heavenly shrine changed, his heavenly might experienced a qualitative transformation. This heavenly might seemed to embody the qualities of chaotic space at its essence.

From his palm, strands of heavenly might emerged. They tunneled into the void that Yan Zaizen pressed firmly against within the void. As it did, Yan Zaizen felt no resistance. Even though this formation enabled transportation between heavens, it was governed by the Spatial Form of Infinite Stability.

A spiral vortex formulated slowly. Initially, it was a small blip, but it quickly expanded to the size capable of fitting Yan Zaizen’s body. A flicker of light passed Yan Zaizen’s pupils.

"This isn’t connected to the spatial void...what is this?"

"What?!" Pinaka’s exclaimed in shock. "What do you mean?"

With further calculation, Yan Zaizen came to a conclusion. "...the formation creates a spatial void, but besides that...its connected to another layer of space. This space feels similar to the Border Expanse." He felt his senses grow cold as he continued to perceive through the vortex. This coldness was the first for him, but it aroused his curiosity.

"Let’s see what’s on the other side."

He stepped into the vortex.

-----

In the Milky Way Realm, several hours after Yan Zaizen’s departure.

A spatial slit emerged. From this spatial slit, a grey-robed, masked figure appeared. His silver irises gazed around, the light within containing incredible intelligence and sharpness. After a short while, he locked onto a location and stepped forward. Like a shadow exposed to the sun, he vanished. When he reappeared, he stood before the inter-heavenly spatial formation’s location.

"What? He entered the Vast Expanse?!" The masked man exclaimed, his tone obviously suffused with disbelief and shock. His fists clenched to the point crunching sounds emitted. From his reaction, one could tell he lacked the ability to follow.

"You’ve returned." A soft light sparkled near the masked man. From this soft light, a man garbed in white and seemed to be the picture of purity itself appeared. This was Eloah. As he arrived, his eyes trained on the masked man’s figure, his eyes flickering with a profound light.

The masked man wasn’t startled by this sudden arrival. Instead, he turned towards Eloah. From beneath the mask, a voice suffused with elation sounded, "It’s been a while, Eloah."

Eloah only acknowledged with a slight nod, his gaze turned towards the spatial formation. "You’ve been given a second chance. Don’t make the same mistake." Eloah’s words may sound cryptic to outsiders, but the masked figure understood.

"It’s my father’s," was all he said in response.

"Haaa..." With a sigh that seemed to contain untold worries, he pointed his finger towards the spatial formation. As if the formation understood his desires, a hole of pure blackness appeared in the void. This hole was about the size of the masked figure.

Witnessing this, the masked man gazed deeply at Eloah, his emotions complex. However, he didn’t linger for long. With a step, he entered the hole.

"Sometimes...words are better than a sword," these words traveled through the hole and into the masked man’s ears. However, he didn’t stop. Instead, he sped up and exploded with a mind-blowing swiftness.

Eloah didn’t say another word, only sighing before vanishing.

-----

Exiting the spatial vortex, Yan Zaizen’s eyes widened in shock. His mouth was an ’O’ and his scale felt numb. It was as if his soul had been shaken at its core. The spatial vortex behind him collapsed, his control over it slipped as it could no longer be supported without his active assistance.

In his vision was nothing.

There was truly nothing.

No air, no essence, no moisture, no sound waves, no heat, no light, no heavenly laws, nor a single speck of life aura. For as far as his senses could go, there was utterly and terrifyingly nothing.

"What is this place?!?!" Pinaka’s voice was many decibels higher as she felt horror in the depths of her soul. For someone who had Yan Zaizen’s False Grand Dao, this was the first time she had ever reacted so shocked. This sensation into the depths of his mind, his soul, and every cell of his body.

He looked all around, unable to find up, down, left or right. If it wasn’t for his pulse, he couldn’t accept his status of being alive. This place seemed to be stifling all things in existence, allowing nothing to exist within its confines.

Losing track of time, his mind stilled.

Only a feeling of hopelessly drifting remained.