After passing through the underwater vortex, the scenery around Han Jue transformed completely.
The crushing water pressure that had threatened to collapse even his Star-Eating Grass's divine body vanished entirely. He quickly retracted the plant-life creature back into his inner world and surveyed his new surroundings with cautious interest.
An underwater continent stretched before him, impossibly so, given the crushing depths of the Star Flow Sea above.
Mountains rose in the distance, their peaks wreathed in strange vegetation. Trees swayed in nonexistent currents. Expanses of fertile land supported fields of crops that shouldn't exist beneath millions of kilometers of stellar water. Flowers bloomed in impossible colors, their petals drifting on phantom winds.
Everything appeared identical to a normal continental surface, as if someone had simply transplanted a slice of habitable land to the ocean floor and wrapped it in a protective bubble.
A small village occupied the plains perhaps ten kilometers distant.
The existence of such a settlement in this location defied all logic and reason. Yet Han Jue's instincts told him this was precisely what he'd been searching for, the mysterious opportunity hidden within the Star Flow Sea that had granted those three World Masters their extraordinary clones.
He flew toward the village without hesitation.
The settlement consisted of only a few dozen structures arranged in a haphazard pattern across the landscape. Simple dwellings constructed from an unfamiliar metallic alloy dotted the area, their surfaces gleaming with a faint iridescence that Rimuru's extensive database couldn't identify.
Fields stretched behind the buildings, tended by figures that appeared entirely human at first glance.
A translucent membrane enclosed the entire village, similar to the bubble film created by those mysterious Bubble Fruits he'd heard about. Han Jue extended a cautious finger toward the barrier and found it passed through without resistance. Within the membrane, an actual atmosphere existed, breathable air suspended impossibly beneath the crushing ocean.
Several humans worked in the distant fields, their movements unhurried and methodical.
Han Jue expanded his consciousness, sweeping the power of his internal world across the settlement in a comprehensive scan. The results were... peculiar. Every resident possessed cultivation between Stellar and Universe Level, respectable for normal circumstances, but nowhere near the strength required to survive in the Star Flow Sea's depths. Not a single Domain Lord existed among them, let alone anyone of World Master or Immortal rank.
This only intensified his suspicions, though he couldn't quite identify the source of his unease.
"Sir!" One of the workers glanced up from his labors, spotting Han Jue floating in the air above. The man's face broke into an enthusiastic smile as he waved vigorously. Concerned that Han Jue might not understand the local dialect, he quickly switched to the universal language used throughout human civilization. "Welcome to Jing'an Village, sir!"
Han Jue descended immediately, landing beside the farmer-dressed individual. His wariness remained, but outward aggression served no purpose until he understood the situation better.
"Who are you people?" Han Jue asked directly, his tone neutral but commanding.
"Sir, we are residents of Jing'an Village. Are you perhaps lost? If you continue in that direction", the man gestured toward the distant horizon, "you'll reach Twilight Island. That's the largest settlement in this region."
"What are you cultivating?" Han Jue's gaze swept across the strange plants growing in neat rows throughout the fields.
"Bubble Fruit, sir. It's the only way we can leave these protective membranes." The farmer's expression grew earnest. "A powerful being like yourself doesn't require such aids to move through the water, naturally. But for those of us with limited cultivation, without Bubble Fruit, we'd be trapped within these villages forever."
Han Jue proceeded to ask a series of pointed questions, gradually piecing together a clearer picture of the situation.
This underwater continent apparently hosted numerous settlements similar to Jing'an Village, each one enclosed in its own protective bubble membrane. The residents lived peaceful but isolated lives, sustained by the mysterious properties of this strange realm.
The circumstances were undeniably peculiar. This was a secret realm of immense danger, even Universe Venerables struggled to survive in the Star Flow Sea's crushing depths. Yet somehow, ordinary cultivators of Stellar and Universe Level thrived here, protected by simple bubble membranes and sustained by exotic fruits.
What struck Han Jue as most suspicious was their apparent inability to leave. Despite being in a cosmic secret realm where even achieving Stellar Level upon reaching adulthood wasn't uncommon among talented cultivators, these people remained confined to small villages, unable to explore the greater realm.
The farmer had mentioned that the master of Twilight Island, the ruler of the region's largest city, was merely an ordinary Immortal. Just an Immortal! Such a being would be crushed to paste instantly if they attempted to navigate the Star Flow Sea's actual depths.
Could an ordinary Immortal even survive outside these protective bubbles?
The answer was obviously no.
It seemed far more likely that someone had deliberately placed these people here, establishing this entire underwater civilization through some extraordinary method, then cultivating them like crops in carefully tended fields.
But for what purpose?
Departing from Jing'an Village, Han Jue flew toward the location the farmer had indicated, Twilight Island, the largest city in this submerged realm.
Twilight Island truly deserved its reputation as a major population center. Hundreds of thousands of residents filled its bustling streets and towering structures. The architectural quality here far surpassed the simple village he'd visited first, with sophisticated buildings constructed from that same unknown metallic alloy rising in elegant spires toward the bubble membrane's ceiling.
The average cultivation level had risen dramatically as well. Universe Level practitioners filled the thoroughfares, with numerous Domain Lords and World Masters visible among the crowds. Even a handful of Immortals walked the streets, though their presence generated respectful distance from ordinary cultivators.
Han Jue quickly located the residence of the city's master, the sole Immortal ruler the farmer had mentioned, and approached without hesitation.
"Master." The Lord of Twilight Island knelt before Han Jue, his consciousness completely enslaved.
Han Jue nodded with satisfaction. The soul enslavement secret technique from the Piaomiao Soul Canon had succeeded on his first attempt, which spoke well of his natural talent for soul-based methods. The technique was nominally classified as suitable for peak Immortal Kings or Universe Venerables, but with Han Jue's exceptional consciousness strength, far surpassing his actual World Master cultivation, he'd managed to execute it flawlessly against this weaker Immortal.
"How long have you been here?" Han Jue asked, settling into a comfortable position as he prepared to extract information.
"I don't know, Master." The Twilight Island Lord answered with complete honesty, his will now bound entirely to Han Jue's commands.
"What is your purpose in this place?"
"I am responsible for collecting Bubble Fruit on behalf of another master, one far more powerful than myself," the enslaved Immortal replied.
"Bubble Fruit?" Han Jue's interest sharpened. According to both the farmer's explanation and his own observations, Bubble Fruit was simply a peculiar plant that temporarily generated protective membranes around those who consumed it. The fruits came in various colors and sizes, but their function remained consistent, creating thin films of energy that shielded the user from the Star Flow Sea's crushing pressure.
Why would anyone need to systematically collect such fruits?
The static waters of this underwater continent didn't disperse the bubble membranes, making them theoretically permanent as long as the consumer could withstand the ambient pressure. For the weaker residents, the fruits provided essential protection. For someone of Han Jue's strength, they were entirely unnecessary, he could survive the ocean's depths through raw power alone.
"The Bubble Fruit is specifically requested by that greater master," the Twilight Island Lord continued. "I am merely responsible for ensuring proper cultivation and collection."
"Where is this master of yours?" Han Jue leaned forward, his pale blue Six Eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"In the central basin of this continent. That master possesses power far beyond mine, enough to crush all of us island lords with casual ease, Master. Please be careful." Genuine concern flickered in the enslaved Immortal's voice, the soul binding compelling him to worry for Han Jue's safety.
Han Jue ignored the warning and departed immediately, flying at maximum speed toward the continent's center.
The sense of wrongness that had nagged at him since entering this place intensified with every passing moment. This entire underwater realm felt artificial, too perfect, too carefully maintained, too deliberately constructed. Every element seemed designed with specific purpose, from the protective membranes to the systematic cultivation of Bubble Fruit to the hierarchy of settlements.
He needed to discover the truth behind this mysterious trial.
The continent wasn't particularly massive by cosmic standards, and Han Jue reached its center within minutes of flight.
A vast basin dominated the landscape, its depths shrouded in strange mists that obscured normal vision. Even his Six Eyes struggled to penetrate the dense fog completely.
At the basin's lowest point, an enormous toad-like beast slumbered peacefully, its grotesque body surrounded by mountains of harvested Bubble Fruit piled in colorful heaps. The creature's strength registered clearly to Han Jue's senses, somewhere between peak Immortal King and ultimate Immortal King level. Certainly powerful enough to dominate ordinary Immortals effortlessly.
"Ice Crystal Sword Intent!"
Han Jue seized the advantage of the beast's slumber and unleashed a full-power strike without warning. His comprehension of the fusion law between Water and Sky had reached extraordinary heights, amplified further by his hundredfold genetic level and the forty-three-fold physical amplitude from his Ice Peak Nine Hells Body cultivation. The sword energy that manifested carried power equivalent to 1.1 million times a World Master's baseline strength, a level approaching Invincible Immortal King!
The devastating attack split the toad-beast cleanly in two before it could even register danger!
The creature's eyes snapped open as its divine body suffered catastrophic damage. That single strike of sword intent had obliterated over half its divine power essence in one blow!
The toad-beast attempted to flee, its survival instincts overriding all other concerns as it desperately tried to escape this terrifying ambush.
"Trying to run?"
Han Jue pursued relentlessly and delivered the finishing blow before the creature could regenerate or activate any defensive treasures.
Boom!
The toad-beast collapsed, its massive corpse beginning to fade away as whatever force sustained it in this place finally released its hold.
But the pervasive sense of wrongness that had plagued Han Jue since arriving at this underwater continent didn't diminish with the beast's death. If anything, it intensified, as though killing this guardian had triggered something deeper.
"No..." Han Jue's eyes narrowed as realization struck. "This feeling... it's familiar somehow."
Like a dream.
Like an illusion.
Was this entire underwater realm, the villages, the cities, the mysterious Bubble Fruit, even the toad-beast guardian, nothing but an elaborate fabrication?
"Congratulations. You have passed the second test."
A massive beast materialized before Han Jue without warning, its presence so overwhelming that space itself seemed to warp around its form. The creature's hideous face pressed close to Han Jue's own, its features twisted into a grotesque mockery of natural proportions. Razor-sharp barbs covered every surface of its body, and three pointed horns jutted from its skull at irregular angles. Three slender tails whipped behind it in agitated patterns, each movement radiating barely contained violence. Saliva dripped from its fanged maw, hissing as it struck the ground.
Han Jue retreated several steps immediately, establishing a safer distance while maintaining his composure. His expression remained neutral despite the shock of this sudden appearance, but internally his mind raced.
He could sense this ferocious beast's cultivation level clearly now that it stood before him.
Universe Venerable!
Not just any Universe Venerable either, this was a powerful one, probably at least at the level of an advanced Venerable or perhaps even an Overlord. The kind of existence that could effortlessly destroy someone of Han Jue's current World Master cultivation if it chose to attack.
"The second test?" Han Jue asked carefully, keeping his tone measured and respectful while not showing excessive weakness.
"Yes. You have passed the first test within the illusion realm." The ferocious beast nodded, its hideous features twisting into something that might have been approval. "Discovering the truth of the illusion and successfully awakening from it constitutes the second test. Congratulations on your success."
So it had been an illusion! Han Jue's suspicions confirmed, though the revelation brought little comfort. If this entire underwater continent had been nothing but an elaborate mental construct, then what exactly had he been killing? And more importantly, what was the true nature of this trial hidden within the Star Flow Sea?
"Follow me," the Universe Venerable beast commanded, its voice rumbling like distant thunder. "My master wishes to meet you."
Master?
Han Jue's wariness intensified sharply. This ferocious beast was already a Universe Venerable, not weak even among that exalted rank. Yet it spoke of serving a master?
That meant its superior was either a Universe Master...
Or possibly even a Universe Overlord or Top Overlord!
The hierarchy of power in this secret realm suddenly seemed far more dangerous than Han Jue had initially anticipated. He'd come seeking an opportunity to acquire a powerful clone, the same chance those three World Masters had apparently received. But what if the price of that opportunity was far steeper than he'd imagined?
Still, he'd come too far to turn back now. Whatever awaited him at the end of this trial, Han Jue would face it head-on with the same determination that had carried him through every challenge since awakening his Six Eyes bloodline.
"Lead the way," Han Jue said quietly, his pale blue eyes gleaming with resolve.
The ferocious beast turned and began moving deeper into the basin, toward whatever master controlled this mysterious realm hidden in the Star Flow Sea's crushing depths.