In the folds of space, within a domain hidden from the eyes of mortals, a room reminiscent of a planetary observatory exists. This place is nestled deep within the Immortal Realm, in a place where the boundaries of time and space warp and fold in ways incomprehensible to even most immortals.

Here, a man stands alone, his gaze piercing through the veils that separate realms, looking down upon the Mortal Realm.

The Mortal Realm, viewed from this lofty vantage, appears as an ever-expanding O-ring, at least to someone from so far away. This realm is divided into three distinct sections. Although a near-infinite amount of different sections make up the entire Mortal Realm, these three encapsulate all of them.

The Outer Section, colloquially known as the Void Zone, is a vast expanse filled with small planets, suns, and the empty space of the known Universe. It is here that most of Mira's previous reincarnations have taken place, and where Earth belongs.

Beyond the Void Zone lies the Inner Ring—a term that hardly does justice to the complexity and wonder of this part of the Mortal Realm.

Here, a special energy similar to Qi, yet many times worse, exists. It's a power that's not quite potent enough for beings to cultivate and significantly extend their lifespans, but it can allow the beings within to harness it and strengthen themselves.

The differing humanoid races master martial arts to elevate their strength and surpass their natural limits. The flora and fauna of this realm can also grow larger and stronger, making it a section that's known for its difficulty in surviving.

The higher-ups in the Immortal Realm often call it the Dead Zone, War Zone, or, more commonly, the Broken Veil. Life is a struggle for the creatures in the Broken Veil, and death is always around the corner, making the technological advancements there significantly less than those in the Void Zone.

Yet, both the Void Zone and the Broken Veil exist only as precursors to the true heart of the Mortal Realm, a place that's known as the Mortal Realm. Although the other two sections are within the entire Mortal Realm, most don't see the Broken Veil and Void Zone as part of it.

It is within this "Core Domain" that the true cultivation worlds reside—worlds where Maria, Mira, Celaine, and countless others exist, hoping for a chance at ascending to the Immortal Realm.

However, most Mortal Realm inhabitants don't fully realize that their Realm is just one massive O-ring with countless smaller worlds linked together. World Barriers separated them, and the other two Zones existed between the worlds.

The incomparably handsome man in the observatory watched life in the various worlds play out. His vision narrowed in on the world that Mira was currently in. However, for some reason, a veil blanketed that entire world and even the surrounding ones.

Even someone as strong as him couldn't break through it, at least not from where he stood. To break it, he understood that he'd have to use at least half his power, which would definitely earn the ire of the Heavens.

"Not that I'm scared, but… it's annoying." He muttered. Damaging or destroying the Heavens was equivalent to mutual destruction. There existed a balance to everything. If he were to mess that up, nothing good would come for both sides.His brows furrowed in frustration as, for the millionth time, he thought about who might be the cause behind that barrier. However, he couldn't come up with an answer. He grumbled, "I know every entity that had reached the peak. None of them felt like that."

Creating a barrier around a world in the Mortal Realm was easy for many Immortals. However, doing so without alerting anyone was a different story.magic

Without the Heavens knowing was a feat that even he'd find trouble with. Yet, for it to happen right under his nose as he was staring at the world…

"FUCK!" He roared out in anger, just thinking about it. "Who is it?! Who's that bastard that's protecting her?! How dare they! How dare they! How dare they! How dare they!"

The folds of space cracked and broke as his aura flared. He calmed down soon after, but his emotions were still raging.

The man paced back and forth in his celestial observatory, his mind racing with plans and contingencies. The barrier concealing Mira and her world was an affront to his authority and knowledge, a puzzle that he could not leave unsolved.

"Direct confrontation is out of the question," he muttered to himself, his voice laced with irritation. "Facing an unknown entity capable of such feats... it's akin to challenging the unknown, perhaps even challenging a reflection of myself."

He frowned at the thought. If he had to fight against someone of his caliber, there was no telling what the outcome might be.

'Looks like I'll have to test the waters.' He concluded.

With a flick of his wrist, a ripple in space signified the summoning of one of his most trusted concubines, a woman of remarkable power who had reached the Ascension Realm. She appeared before him accompanied by a cadre of her own subordinates, each a formidable cultivator in their own right.

" Serein," He addressed her, his voice now steady, the earlier storm of emotions momentarily calmed. "I have a task for you, one of utmost importance. You are to descend to the Mortal Realm, to the world shielded from my gaze. You will sow chaos, unleash beasts, and stir the pot until the veil is lifted or until Mira begs for mercy."lights

Lady Serein bowed deeply and said in a voice full of reverence. "My lord, consider it done. We shall be the harbingers of your will, and the world under the veil shall know turmoil until your demands are met."

He nodded, satisfied with her response but not yet content. "However, direct assault is not our only path. We will also manipulate the very fabric of their world. Earthquakes, storms, floods... everything. Anything and everything that can cause despair, use it. No need to care about the consequences."

"I understand, My Lord!" She bowed once again before darting out of the room.

As Serein and her team prepared to depart, Lord Zephyr turned his attention back to the veiled world, his mind working through the implications of his orders. Unleashing such forces upon a world was not a decision made lightly, but the barrier and the entity behind it had left him with no choice.

His need to see Mira, to understand the shield that protected her, consumed him.

The thought that something or someone existed beyond his vast knowledge was like a thorn in his side. For someone as ancient and wise as him, ignorance was an unacceptable state. The unknown entity presented not just a challenge but a direct threat to his understanding of the cosmos.

In fact, part of him was more interested in this unknown being than he was in Mira.

A few days later, Serein and her forces made their descent, and he couldn't help but wonder about the consequences of his actions. Would this force the hand of the mysterious protector?

Was he just after him? Or was he defending Mira from everyone?

What happened to Sue Ming? Why wasn't she doing anything?!

His thoughts were interrupted by a subtle shift in the energies of the Immortal Realm. The Heavens remained silent, but the disturbance did not go unnoticed. He was aware that his actions of sending down experts at the peak of the Mortal Realm might draw attention, but the risk was necessary.

For him, the veil was not merely an obstacle but a declaration of war, a challenge to his dominion and understanding.

In his heart, though he would never admit it aloud, he harbored a grudging respect for the power and audacity of the one who had dared to conceal an entire world from him. It was a formidable foe, perhaps the most formidable he had ever faced.

***

In Frostshore Haven, a few days later, Maria and Celaine walked along the harbor, looking for boats that'll take them to the Northern Continent.

"Tell me again, why I have to come along?" Celaine groaned as the urge to fly back to the Sect hit her.

"It was your idea, so you have to take responsibility!" Maria joked, elbowing Celaine's stomach. The green-haired girl could only roll her eyes. "Don't tell me you're not curious about what another Continent might look like?"

"..."

Seeing that Celaine was still on the verge of leaving, she couldn't help but tease, "I understand. You'd rather spend time with Asami than me and Mira, your best friends."

A faint blush spread across Celaine's cheeks, but she kept a poker face, making it seem like she was just cold. Maria chuckled at her reaction but didn't comment further. They had already talked to Asami, who told Celaine that she should go without her… this time. Saying something like they should meet with Mira without her intervention.

It wasn't that she was scared of Mira. Not at all.

Suddenly, while they were walking, Maria's ears twitched as she heard an old sailor captain grumble further down the harbor, "Tsk! That damn fox! Making me repair my ship like this!"

"This way!" Maria shouted and grabbed Celaine's hand, dashing toward the voice.