The word 'Void' made many perk up, including Han Yu.

His expression sharpened, and he leaned slightly closer, focusing on every explanation.

"The void is vast, far beyond what we mortals or even cultivators can easily comprehend," the older disciple said. "It exists parallel to our universe, layered upon itself like endless veils. The portal you see is not simply a door to another space but a bridge into that greater structure."

Han Yu's brow furrowed slightly. 'The void, hmm...'

He had heard fragments of knowledge about the void, whispers here and there in the sect libraries, but never a proper lecture. To hear it explained in this way made him realize how shallow his understanding had been.

Another disciple raised his hand timidly. "What… what is the lesser void, exactly?"

The older cultivator smiled faintly, though his tone remained serious. "The void has layers. The one we touch most often is the minor void. It is what our spatial treasures use. When you place items into a storage ring or bag, you are not putting them in some random pocket of air and neither do the items shrink to somehow fit into the treasure.

Instead they are sent into a bubble of space within the minor void. Each treasure holds its own section. That is why the storage is limited."

A wave of realization rippled through the gathered disciples. Many of them nodded, murmuring as they made the connection.

"The lesser void, however," the disciple continued, "is far greater. It stretches vast enough to encompass not just our world but the heavens themselves and perhaps even more. It is a plane that can house realms such as the one you are about to enter. From what I've learned, it is not limitless, but to us, it may as well be."

Han Yu's lips pressed together as he digested this. He could almost imagine it—worlds hidden like pearls in the ocean, floating in a space beyond space. It was staggering to think that they were about to step into one of those pearls.

Curiosity flared among the disciples. Someone else asked, "And what of the other layers Senior Brother? Beyond the lesser void?"

The older cultivator shook his head slowly. "I only know their names. The Great Void, the Greater Void, and the Grand Void. But as for what lies within them, that knowledge is beyond me. Perhaps even the elders themselves only know fragments of the truth."

The discussion ended there as all eyes turned to the swirling dark-blue gate. Its energy pulsed like the heartbeat of some great beast, both inviting and terrifying.

High Elder Qing raised his hand again, signaling for silence. "Enough. Knowledge is important, but you will find the truth with your own eyes. Now… enter."

With that command, the elders moved first, stepping boldly into the portal. Their figures vanished as though swallowed whole by water. One by one, the disciples followed, teams organizing themselves quickly before entering.

Han Yu's group approached in unison. Wu Shuan was tense but determined. Fatty Kui was absent though, as his cultivation was not enough to risk going in. But the other disciples kept their eyes locked on the swirling surface.

As they passed through, Han Yu felt his body grow weightless. The world spun, colors collapsing into darkness before flaring again into light. His breath caught in his chest, and for a moment, he wondered if he had been torn apart and rebuilt.

It was a feeling he found a bit familiar to when he was in his soul form and then reborn.

Then, with a final lurch, his feet touched solid ground once more.

The inner realm had accepted them. But while the group of sects had entered, another party was watching from afar.

Far away from the tomb, where the sects had gathered and marched into the portal with great fanfare, the forest was silent.

High atop the canopy, where sunlight barely filtered through the twisting branches, stood a group of figures clad in robes of dark violet. Their presence was like a wound in the air, the very Qi of the surroundings seeming to bend away from them.

What was most shocking was not merely their appearance, but the fact that none of the Nascent Soul elders, or even the peak masters had detected them. Men and women whose senses could pierce mountains and seas were oblivious to the fact that these strangers had been watching from the very beginning.

The violet robed figures stood calmly, gazes fixed on the distant tomb.

Their postures spoke of indifference, as if what they observed was of no consequence to them. To them, the gathering of orthodox and unorthodox sects, with their banners and formations, was nothing more than the scurrying of ants.

One of the men, broad-shouldered and with sharp eyes that glinted like cold steel, finally broke the silence. "Most of the sects' people have entered," he said, his voice low yet carrying an effortless authority.

A woman beside him, her features half-veiled but her tone laced with disdain, replied smoothly. "The numbers should be enough. The realm will devour the weak on its own. We need not intervene yet."

The broad-shouldered man gave a slow nod. "Our unaware pawns have also finished their work, just as expected."

At that, a laugh came from the back of the group.

A younger man with a mocking expression leaned lazily against the trunk of the tree, his words brimming with scorn. "It only proves how stupid these sects truly are. Predictable to the last. A handful of scraps, a few scattered maps, and they come running like starving dogs, eager to plunge into danger. We never even needed to guide them directly. They did all the work themselves."

Several of the violet robed figures smirked at his words, the derision clear in their expressions. To them, the pride of the these sects, whether orthodox or unorthodox, was hollow.

But then, another voice cut through the smugness making the others glance at him.