In the depths of the dark universe, the dark-blue fish-shaped spaceship cut silently through the void, its speed stabilizing after a long burst of acceleration.
Inside the ship's rest hall, Jiang Yan, Ai Chen, Hong, and Bolan sat together in a quiet corner. The previously omnipresent pressure of the Nine Swords Venerable had faded—he was no longer present.
Ai Chen leaned slightly toward Jiang Yan, her eyes bright with anticipation.
"His Holiness mentioned earlier that among the four great secret realms of the Virtual Universe Company, only the Primordial Secret Realm shares the same universe as headquarters," she said. "He also said it only takes about half a day to reach it."
She paused, smiling.
"It's been almost half a day already."
"It should be about time," Jiang Yan replied calmly.
Although they had all lived in the Primordial Area of Yuxiang Mountain within the virtual universe for thirty years, they knew very well that reality was different. What awaited them was no simulated environment—but a genuine cosmic stronghold.
Before the conversation could continue—
Boom.
A low vibration spread through the hull. The spaceship's speed dropped sharply.
Hong straightened slightly.
"Looks like we've arrived."
Jiang Yan nodded, a faint smile crossing his face.
The ship exited the dark universe and re-entered the Primordial Universe.
At that moment, a figure in a blue battle robe appeared in the hall.
"Activate real-time location simulation."
The Nine Swords Venerable's voice was calm.
The scene before them shifted instantly.
Ahead in the void, one hundred and thirty-six planets rotated in impossibly complex trajectories, weaving through one another without collision. Their movement subtly distorted spacetime itself, directly influencing the flow of the two upper origin laws.
Ai Chen drew in a quiet breath.
"These planets…"
"They form an independent spacetime structure," the Nine Swords Venerable said. "This is the Primordial Secret Realm."
He continued evenly, "If you cultivate here and do not deliberately undertake dangerous missions, no one can harm you."
Then, after a brief pause:
"Without authorization, even a Universe Venerable like myself cannot forcibly enter."
That single sentence caused Hong, Ai Chen, and Bolan to stiffen.
Even a Universe Venerable… unable to break in?
The Nine Swords Venerable smiled faintly.
"Do not be fooled by how close it looks. If we continued flying at sub-light speed, it would still take more than half a day to reach the true boundary."
In the dark universe, ships traveled at fifty times the speed of light.
In the primordial universe, they were bound by natural limits.
The realization made Ai Chen blink in disbelief.
"So close… yet still that far?"
"Disembark," the Nine Swords Venerable said, waving his hand.
Space rippled.
In the next instant, Jiang Yan and the four found themselves outside the ship, suspended in the void. Behind them, the dark-blue spaceship vanished, stored away.
The Nine Swords Venerable raised his hand once more.
The world blurred.
When clarity returned, they were already inside the Primordial Secret Realm.
"Cultivate well," the Nine Swords Venerable said with a rare smile. "I hope the next time we meet, all of you will truly stand on your own—and become real pillars of the Virtual Universe Company."
With that, he disappeared.
Silence followed.
"…That was fast," Bolan muttered.
Jiang Yan glanced into the distance.
"Four ships. They're here to receive us."
Thousands of miles away, four vessels hovered quietly.
As they drew closer, familiar figures became visible.
In front of one ship stood a woman with short, shoulder-length hair, posture straight and presence sharp.
Qiang Rose.
Beside her stood a silver-haired, silver-eyed woman, serene and composed.
"We'll be separated from here on," Jiang Yan said calmly. "We'll see each other again in the virtual universe."
Ai Chen, Hong, and Bolan nodded.
Moments later, the four flew toward their respective ships.
"Your Highness," Qiang Rose said warmly as Jiang Yan approached, "I finally get to see you in reality."
"Rose," Jiang Yan replied with a smile.
Qiang Rose was a disciple of Venerable Demon Prison, making her Jiang Yan's junior.
Nearby, Ai Chen, Hong, and Bolan also met their respective escort leaders.
The silver-haired woman stepped forward.
"Welcome, Your Highness Jiang Yan, to the Ninth Spacetime of the Primordial Secret Realm."
Jiang Yan nodded.
Qiang Rose gestured toward the now-looming planetary system.
"This spacetime is also known as Wuchen Spacetime. It houses the residences of all Primordial Secret Realm members across generations. Please board—we'll escort you to your manor."
Jiang Yan glanced once more toward Ai Chen and Hong. They exchanged a brief nod.
Then he entered the ship.
The vessel accelerated smoothly.
With real-time simulation active, Jiang Yan observed the view from the lounge.
Ahead lay a brilliant continent, radiant and majestic. Surrounding it, the 136 planets revolved like sentinels, their orbits flawless.
Even from a distance, palace complexes were visible—grand yet restrained.
The silver-haired woman spoke softly.
"Before entering this spacetime, the core continent cannot be seen at all. Only after authorization does it reveal itself."
Jiang Yan nodded. He had noticed.
"This is intentional," she continued. "The outer planets are the true defensive core. Each one was artificially constructed by the Virtual Universe Company at immense cost."
She smiled faintly.
"This is where the company's most valued geniuses live. Safety comes first."
Manor No. 111 soon came into view.
Just like in the virtual universe.
At present, the Primordial Area contained 115 manors—
100 Realm Masters,
10 Domain Masters,
and five Universe-level members.
As Jiang Yan stepped onto the grounds—
A figure emerged from retreat.
The Star Illusion King.
Her towering form shrank as she approached, stabilizing at Jiang Yan's height. Her eyes shone brightly.
She had arrived a year earlier.
"When do you think you'll challenge the twentieth floor of the Tongtian Bridge again?" Jiang Yan asked with a smile as they walked toward the three-story residence.