Chapter 1123: The Void Frontline World of the Main World
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 1123: The Void Frontline World of the Main World
"Scenery I’ve never seen before?"
As I voiced my confusion, Teacher Ji Niang gave a casual swipe of her hand, leading me into a spatial tunnel.
The moment I stepped through the portal, a crushing sense of suffocation washed over me.
There was no atmosphere here, much like the Life Forbidden Zones of the Main World!
"You should be able to adapt, right, Xiao Han? I heard you caused quite a stir when you visited the Life Forbidden Zone in the Core World."
Soon, a ripple of mana-infused information, simulating sound, echoed in my ears through the vacuum.
It was Teacher Ji Niang’s voice. She watched from the side, her tone teasing, yet she remained vigilant, ready to intervene the moment she sensed something was wrong.
"I'm fine..." I tried to speak out of habit, but sound couldn't travel. I quickly conveyed my refusal through gestures and facial expressions.
After the initial discomfort, the formidable physical constitution granted by my Body Cultivation began to kick in, allowing me to adapt to the lack of pressure, the freezing temperature, and the absence of oxygen.
In truth, even those who weren't Body Cultivation experts could survive in the vacuum of space as long as they possessed a degree of Immortality. It would just be incredibly uncomfortable to sustain for long periods.
After all, the threats posed by these environmental factors were far less damaging than the power of a single spell.
With the strength of my Body Cultivation, this environment was a trivial matter. For a practitioner of "Perfect Human Body Cultivation," who understood the intrinsic link between the essence of life and the physical shell, maintaining the body's vitality was as easy as breathing.
When I opened my eyes again, I had fully adapted to the Life Forbidden Zone.
I simply stopped the near-instinctive urge to breathe—it felt a bit strange, but otherwise, I was fine.
"I thought you’d use some spells to help yourself survive out here. It seems you’re not just toughing it out with your Immortality?"
Teacher Ji Niang studied me with intense curiosity before quickly deducing the truth. "If I remember correctly, you’re a self-awakened Body Cultivator. Have you already developed your Body Cultivation power to this extent? It feels like you could survive in the Void indefinitely now."
"...Zzt... Uh, this... is certainly a unique view."
I attempted to mimic Ji Niang’s method of vacuum communication, using mana as a medium for sound. This meant the technique would also work within the Void itself.
"You’re a quick study. I thought I’d have to spend quite a while teaching you how to adapt. As your former teacher, I wanted to show you some knowledge you can't find in the Academy, but it seems my help wasn't needed."
"Where are we?"
Having adapted, I looked around. This place was unlike anywhere I knew. It wasn't the Core World—I couldn't see its vast landmass, nor could I feel the suppression of the Great Weakening Spell. It was also unlikely to be the Expansion Realm.
I looked down at the barren earth beneath my feet. Gravity was almost non-existent. The sky was a deep, profound darkness, devoid of an atmosphere or any sign of life.
Looking up, I couldn't see any stars, but through my Spirit Vision, I could see dense, jagged fissures in the fabric of material space!
"I can only tell you that this is still the Main World. Remember its three layers? This isn't the Core World or the Expansion Realm, so..."
"So this is the Void Frontline World?" I interjected. "Are we close to the Void?"
I tilted my head back, staring at the grisly spatial cracks in the sky. One could only imagine how catastrophic the events were that left such scars behind.
"Exactly. This is the Void Frontline, the layer of material space in the Main World closest to the Void. Doesn't it look even more desolate than the early Expansion Realm? At least back then, the Expansion Realm had a Ley Line breach, Ninglan New City, and Variant Beasts exposed to the violent energies of the Void."
"Desolate doesn't even begin to describe it, does it?" I kicked at the fine, desert-like sand beneath my feet. This was a realm of death.
An absolute Life Forbidden Zone!
Only specific lifeforms that didn't require a natural ecosystem to gestate could survive here. And even then, it was mere survival, not living.
"Quite right. The Void Frontline World has been completely transformed into a Life Forbidden Zone. Even the World Ley Lines have been excavated until nothing remains."
"Was this... done by the transcendent races represented by the three top academies?" I asked tentatively.
"More or less. Actually, the Witch Academy dug up quite a bit too," Teacher Ji Niang admitted with brutal honesty.
"Oh."
"Such a flat reaction?"
"Aren't you also a Transcendent Witch who came out of the Main World, Teacher Ji Niang?"
"True... I almost forgot myself," Ji Niang replied with a smile.
By unspoken agreement, neither of us pursued the topic further. It was no longer a question of who the bandits were; the Main World was already in this state. Rather than dwelling on the past, it was better to look toward the future.
I looked toward a distant structure that had caught my eye.
Several massive boulders hovered around a construction that was clearly not natural. More importantly, I saw several busy figures of Witches there. From this distance, the Witches and the massive structure looked like mere specks of dust.
Yet, the power wielded by each Transcendent Witch allowed them to manipulate and assemble those structures as easily as if they were toys.
"Noticed it? That is the Void Portal we are currently constructing." Ji Niang stepped up beside me, pointing at the gargantuan creation. "This is still just the experimental phase for testing."
"According to the rumors I've heard, this thing can supposedly exceed the maximum distance of mainstream Void teleportation technology? It would eliminate the need for frequent short-range jumps between worlds to reach a destination."
"Correct! Though... that’s only in theory."
"Actually, I don't quite understand why long-distance teleportation is impossible in the Void. And Teacher, how does your Void teleportation overcome those factors?"
"Oh? Eager to dive into professional-level questions already?"
"Just curious~ After all, the Reverse Summoning Spell I mastered is a derivative spell of your transcendent project, isn't it?" I said with a grin.
"Fair point. But you’ve asked two questions. Let’s start with the first." Seeing my thirst for knowledge, Ji Niang didn't refuse and began her explanation.
"First, as for why long-distance teleportation is impossible in the Void, the most direct issue is the difficulty of positioning. Xiao Han, do you know about spatial turbulence?"
"I haven't seen it personally, but I simulated it while researching spatial spells. If a spatial teleportation spell encounters it, the result is catastrophic," I answered.
"Since you know about spatial turbulence, it’s easy to understand. Spatial turbulence is merely a disaster on the material space level. But in the Void, there isn't even material space. To teleport, one must leverage the spatial attributes of the Void itself."
"Don't ask me if the Void actually is space; I can't give you a definitive answer. But one thing is certain: the Void possesses spatial characteristics."
"I understand," I nodded. Having studied Void rifts, I had experienced those spatial characteristics firsthand. It wasn't just spatial; it also possessed the traits of infinity and self-circulation.
It seemed the Void held many more concepts worth digging into.
"Really? Well... I'll take your word for it." Seeing my straightforward response, Ji Niang reflexively thought of the hardships she had endured while researching [Transcendent Knowledge].
Sometimes, even understanding a surface-level concept required a staggering price. Being told a concept is entirely different from discovering it from scratch.
"Back to the Void. It is also called the Endless Void. It is infinitely vast, so it possesses characteristics similar to material space—namely, spatial turbulence, or more professionally, Void Turbulence."
"That is far more lethal than spatial turbulence."
"Add to that the extremely high threshold for techniques that leverage Void space and the immense cost of researching them. Long-distance teleportation in the Void is incredibly difficult. Once the distance increases, the danger grows exponentially. Even teleporting between adjacent worlds carries significant risk."
"So, in summary, the reason long-distance teleportation is impossible is due to the high research threshold, which leads to slow technological development, combined with the objective dangers of the environment. That’s why it hasn't been popularized, right?" I summarized.
"That is indeed the logic," Teacher Ji Niang nodded in agreement.
"Then, Teacher, the [Transcendent Knowledge] you possess must have an extremely high Rank, and its characteristics must align perfectly with the concept of Void teleportation, providing the foundation for this technology, right?" Having understood the previous points, I could guess the rest.
"When you put it that way... I can't really argue. The foundation determines the direction; that is an inevitability."
"So... is this Void teleportation technology essentially a massive, optimized, and expanded version of the Reverse Summoning Spell?" I continued.
"Describing our Void teleportation technology as just a Reverse Summoning Spell is a bit narrow-minded." Ji Niang reached out as if to rap me on the head. This was their life's work, after all; an inadequate comparison felt like it belittled the effort they had poured into it.
"The birth of the Reverse Summoning Spell merely provided inspiration for our research direction through a specific magical effect. Don't forget, the Reverse Summoning Spell is essentially just a combination of specific runes and power born from the manifestation of a single node's characteristics within [Transcendent Knowledge] through transcendent power and rituals."
"Whoa, I get it." I quickly dodged the head-flick. "In other words, inspired by the Reverse Summoning Spell and combined with [Transcendent Knowledge], you developed this great technology, right? And... uh, I mean, Teacher, didn't you want to develop it into a Great Spellbook?"
"And? That doesn't stop us from doing this."
"So... you have a plan?" I asked excitedly.
"Yes. Even this Void teleportation experiment is a vital step in our development of the Great Spellbook."
"Then, Teacher, have you thought of a name for this Great Spellbook?"
"A name..." My question gave Ji Niang pause. Names weren't things to be given lightly; in the Void, a name carried inherent meaning.
"If all goes well... perhaps it will be called the Great Void Teleportation Art." As she spoke the name, her eyes filled with longing and excitement!
A Great Spellbook!
And a functional one at that.
Once completed, the practical value of such a Great Spell effect would far outweigh any technique or technology. Techniques and technologies required maintenance, specialized personnel for repairs, and the physical constructs carrying the technology would suffer wear and tear.
But the effect of a Great Spellbook is eternal and indestructible!
While a Great Spell effect can be maliciously eroded or countered, casting a spell is infinitely simpler than building a machine or a structure.
"The Great Void Teleportation Art?" Hearing the name, I was equally awestruck.
"It’s a beautiful hope and the goal we are striving for." Ji Niang echoed my sentiment with a trace of yearning, but then her tone shifted:
"But at this stage, we can only continue experimenting through these techniques, gathering data and information. A 'Great Void Teleportation Art' has never existed in the Void, nor has any similar ability. We have nothing to use as a reference."
"It's okay~ Now that you've found the direction, I believe you'll succeed, Teacher!"
"Alright, I haven't sunk so low that I need comfort from you." Ji Niang shook her head with a smile and pointed at the massive structure in the distance. "Want to experience this Void teleportation technique for yourself? We’ve tested it no less than ten times since the beginning. Its stability is beyond question. I can go with you."
"Eh? I can try it personally? Where will it teleport me to?"
"Where..." Hearing my question, Ji Niang seemed to think of something and gave me a 'guess' look. "It is indeed a very wonderful place. As for where... I won't tell you just yet. Xiao Han, do you want to see the scenery outside the Main World?"
"Of course I do."
I looked at Teacher Ji Niang with some surprise. I hadn't expected her to also want me to see the world beyond the Main World.
So, I agreed immediately.
My current strength gave me the courage to face the unknown. Moreover, if Ji Niang was suggesting it, the danger likely wasn't too great; otherwise, she wouldn't be keeping me in suspense.
"That was quick. I thought you’d hesitate."
"There’s nothing to hesitate about. My strength isn't what it used to be."
And of course, the most important reason: I was only a Life Clone.