System: Replicating The Heavens

Chapter 396: Ch 396: Astral Sea & The Universe

"The Four Direction Purgatory Dungeon is actually a trial ground built by the Astral Sovereign Clan that controls an entire Astral Sea."

Astral Sea?

When Alex heard these two words, his mind flashed with a thought, but it soon disappeared. He doesn't know what an Astral Sea is, but it was as if he had heard of these two words before but couldn't remember.

"Oh, speaking of the Astral Sea, it seems we've all had a major misunderstanding. Even I'm not entirely clear on this matter. All I know is that the 'universe' we refer to is actually just a small Astral Sea, which is like a mere speck in the vast cosmos. There are countless Astral Seas out there in the starry expanse.

Several Astral Seas together form a Galaxy, and countless Galaxies together create an Empire."

"The Astral Sovereign Clan is one of many powerful clans in the Galaxy, and it controls an entire Astral Sea. They built the Sanctuary, though I don't fully understand its purpose. What I did learn is that the Four Direction Purgatory Dungeon is one of the trial grounds set up within the Sanctuary to select geniuses. Because I passed the trial, I was chosen to enter the Sanctuary."

"Currently, because I've only passed the trials set in the Four Direction Purgatory Dungeon, I don't know many things. I'll learn about them after entering the Sanctuary. I don't know how something that should have been a part of Sanctuary ended up in our Essence Sky World.

I don't know how a person can go to the Astral Sovereign Clan, or what is the name of the galaxy where the Astral Sovereign Clan is located. So, I can't give you a name or a hint."

"When you will see this Memory Crystal, I should have already arrived at the Sanctuary. I'll do my best to cultivate and become stronger, try to return to the Essence Sky World as soon as possible, and bring you all with me to see a wider starry sky."

After looking at the projection left behind by Asna, Alex was stunned. He did not expect that Asna would not be in trouble. Instead, she obtained a huge opportunity.

Alex stood frozen, absorbing every word Asna had left behind. The revelation about the Astral Sea, the galaxies, and the Empire, everything she revealed shook him to his core. It was as if everything he knew about the world, universe, and its limits had been shattered, replaced by an understanding of how small their world truly was in the grand scheme of the cosmos.

He replayed Asna's words in his mind, trying to grasp the scale of it all. An entire Astral Sea that houses countless worlds is governed by powerful clans like the Astral Sovereign Clan, each of which was but a part of an even larger galaxy. And beyond the galaxies lay empires that spanned unimaginable distances.

What is a Galaxy?

Alex has no idea, nor can he imagine, let alone about an Empire.

In his mind, an Empire is a vast land ruled by a single authority, usually an Emperor, with multiple kingdoms and countries under its control.

But the Empire that controls several Galaxies, Alex could not imagine them at all.

In fact, he doesn't even know much about the Astral Sea where the Essence Sky World was located. Although he had a bizarre feeling that he knew about the Astral Sea, in truth, this was the first time he was learning about an Astral Sea. This was the first time when he heard these two words.

As for his feelings, Alex could only attribute them to his past life and his sealed memories.

The revelation that appeared in front of him was too shocking.

After all, if the "Universe" he knows is nothing more than an Astral Sea, which is like a speck of dust in the vast ocean called a Universe, then the so-called "Universe Treasures" are also not the true Universe Treasures.

He suddenly thought about the Tower of Wrath. The system could not recognize its grade, and it is likely due to his own lack of understanding of the vast universe.

Maybe, because he used to think that the Astral Sea is the Universe, so the grade of treasures that appeared in the system's interface was also marked with the "Universe" word.

Alex felt a headache and stopped thinking for a moment.

After a while, he looked at his information panel but didn't see any change in the grade of the treasures in his possession.

Inhaling deeply, he no longer thought about this matter and focused on Asna's matter.

The fact that Asna had passed the Four Direction Purgatory Dungeon's trials and was now on her way to something so grand and mysterious filled Alex with a mixture of pride and determination. The Sanctuary sounded like a place where only the best of the best could go.

"She is not in danger after all," Alex murmured to himself, his voice a mix of relief. Yet, even with this reassurance, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was much more at play, much more that he didn't know.

He clenched his fists. "The Sanctuary... the Astral Sea... One day, I'll definitely find it. And when I do, I'll find you, Asna."

Clenching his fist, Alex kept the crystal. He decided to give it to his mother-in-law so that she wouldn't worry.

After that, he found Aurelius and left the Four Direction Purgatory Dungeon. And then, he left this forbidden land as well. There was no benefit in staying here after all. The Four Direction Purgatory Dungeon had already crumbled, and he could not replicate or enter the Tower of Wrath.

In the end, there was no choice but to return back to the White Family.

Of course, he had already resolved to return to the Essence Sky World one day and replicate the Tower of Wrath. But before that, he would first explore the tower thoroughly and see what this tower has to offer him.

Returning to the White Family, Alex handed the Crystal left behind by Asna to her mother.

After looking at the projection of her daughter and listening to her explanation, Lucia was stunned at first. Then she got both excited and worried.

She was excited because Asna had obtained a heaven-defying opportunity. What she was worried about was whether Asna would encounter any danger after going to the Sanctuary. She also did not know if Asna could return to Essence Sky World in the future.

"This is indeed a good thing for Asna! Such an opportunity is something countless powerhouses yearn for!" Alex tried to calm his mother-in-law's heart. "Don't worry, I'll definitely find Asna when I roam the Astral Seas and Galaxies in the future."

"Then I'll leave it to you," Lucia looked at Alex deeply and patted his shoulder.

.....

Alex wanted to leave the Essence Sky World, but before leaving, there was one last thing he wanted to do.

Inside his room in the White Family, he took out a damaged spear.

[Name: Freezing Sky Spear (Damaged)!

Grade: Emperor Rank.

Details: Freezing Sky Spear was once the guardian weapon of Tribe Of Tomorrow. However, it was destroyed in the last battle fought by the Leader of the Tribe Of Tomorrow. There is a legend about the Freezing Sky Spear. It is said that this spear is closely related to the Stone Of Tomorrow. It is also said that as long as Freezing Sky Spear is not destroyed, the Tribe Of Tomorrow will not be destroyed.

Note: If you could repair the Freezing Sky Spear, the Tribe of Tomorrow will revive once again, but this time, they'll be free of the eternal curse!]

This was the Freezing Sky Spear that Alex obtained back in his quest when he was looking for the Stone of Tomorrow. [Ref. Ch: 189.]

Back then, Alex obtained a letter that was left behind by the leader of Tribe of Tomorrow. In that letter, the leader told Alex that he used the Stone of Tomorrow to travel in the future to meet the person who can revive the Tribe of Tomorrow.

After all, the fate of the Tribe of Tomorrow is directly tied to the Freezing Sky Spear. As long as the spear isn't completely destroyed, the Tribe of Tomorrow will not perish. Even if they have vanished from the surface of the world, once Alex repairs the Freezing Sky Spear, the Tribe of Tomorrow can be revived.

When that time comes, they will be freed from the Eternal Curse.

However, Alex still doesn't know what this Eternal Curse entails.

The Leader of the Tribe of Tomorrow also revealed an important fact: while the tribe will be liberated from the curse, Alex will become cursed in their place. However, that curse will benefit Alex instead of harming him.

To be honest, Alex never forgot about the Freezing Sky Spear and the Tribe of Tomorrow. It is just that he didn't have time to look into their matter.

Now that he was planning to leave the Essence Sky World, he decided to first repair the Freezing Sky Spear.