With hesitant steps, Liang Yifei cautiously approached the ethereal figure amidst the vast expanse of stars. The silence in the air was palpable, its weight felt as his own breath echoed through the emptiness. Drawing nearer, his gaze fixated on the old man’s eyes, which were deep pools of wisdom and knowledge, seemingly lost in contemplation of the infinite depths of space.
Liang Yifei spoke, his voice barely audible, its timbre swallowed by the immensity surrounding them. "Excuse me, senior, I was under the impression that I was heading towards the record hall—a library filled with books—not this boundless expanse."
The old man’s gaze remained unwavering, lingering among the constellations, as his voice, gentle yet resonant with an otherworldly quality, cut through the silence. "The record hall is more than just a mundane library; it exists as a universe unto itself, transcending the boundaries of physical limitations," he explained.
Liang Yifei couldn’t help but inwardly scoff at the grandiosity of the statement but managed to maintain a semblance of attentiveness. "I regret my inadequate understanding, senior. Could you simplify your words for me, a humble junior seeking guidance?"
The old man turned his gaze upon Liang Yifei, locking eyes with him in a silent exchange of understanding that spanned mere moments. His weathered face revealed the faintest trace of a wistful smile, and then, with utmost calmness, he sighed softly. "Alas, intelligence seems to dwindle with each successive generation."
Silently cursing his luck, Liang Yifei forced a genuine smile to grace his face and spoke earnestly. "May I inquire about your identity?"
The old man laughed, the galaxies reflected in his eyes. "I am Astraeus, known as the guardian and keeper of cosmic wisdom. In this place, seekers of knowledge transcend the limitations of physical existence to delve into the vast realms of understanding."
Liang Yifei found his ears ringing at the weight of the declaration. Clearing his throat, he mustered his composure and continued, "Senior Astraeus, I have ventured here in search of knowledge and records. Yet, thus far, I have been met with emptiness. I implore you to shed light upon my quest."
The old man’s voice carried a soothing lilt as he explained, "Each glimmering star before us represents a world—a realm overflowing with unique wonders and knowledge. When you touch a specific star, the Legion’s recorded informations about that world shall become accessible to you."
Bitterness crept upon Liang Yifei’s face, his smile tinged with a hint of embarrassment. "Regrettably, my understanding of this current realm is limited, let alone the countless worlds that lie within the lower domains."
Amused, the old man chuckled, his laughter resonating through the expansive astral plane. With a swift motion of his fingers, a gargantuan star materialized above Liang Yifei, its radiance casting an ethereal glow upon the cosmic backdrop. It was a sight to behold, simultaneously enchanting and enigmatic in its brilliance.
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Raising his hand, Astraeus pointed towards the imposing star. "Have no fear," he reassured Liang Yifei. "This star shall serve as your guiding light on your quest for understanding. Touch it, and let the knowledge you seek reveal itself."
Liang Yifei lifted his hand and gently pressed his fingertips against the shimmering surface of the star. As his touch made contact, a surge of energy coursed through his fingertips, enveloping him in a cascade of vivid images and information.
As Liang Yifei closed his eyes, his mind sank into a deep state of meditation. The darkness behind his eyelids seemed to dissolve, giving way to a breathtaking sight. Vivid colors and shining stars appeared, forming an expansive cosmic map that spread out before him. It was as if he could feel the vastness and interconnectedness of the universe itself.
Intriguingly, this extraordinary map seemed to depict the entire lower domain, every planet and celestial body meticulously represented. The level of detail was astounding, leaving Liang in awe of the immense knowledge contained within his consciousness. It was as if he had gained access to a celestial library, overflowing with cosmological wisdom.
As Liang Yifei delved deeper into his meditative state, the visions that flowed through his mind were a symphony of color, light, and information. The intricate details of the cosmic map became intertwined with his consciousness, blurring the boundaries between reality and illusion. It was as if the knowledge of the entire lower domain was being imparted to him in a single transcendent moment.
Finally, the intense visions subsided, and Liang Yifei slowly withdrew his hand from its position of concentration. He couldn’t help but notice a slight paleness on his face, a physical manifestation of the energy drain that accompanied such a profound connection to the cosmic map. In reality, only seconds had passed, but the weight of the experience made it feel like an eternity.
The old man Astraeus, who had been observing Liang Yifei, couldn’t help but nod approvingly. "Not bad," he murmured with a hint of admiration. "You have taken your first step, young one. Now, it is up to you to explore and discover the rest on your own." Content with his words of guidance, the old man closed his eyes once again, settling back into his serene meditative state.
As Liang Yifei laid eyes on the old man’s nod of approval, a wave of irritation surged through his body. The creases on the old man’s face deepened, highlighting years of wisdom and experience. His withered hair was delicately tousled by the gentle breeze, making him appear even more venerable. But despite the old man’s seemingly harmless gesture, Liang Yifei couldn’t help but mutter a curse under his breath.
It wasn’t just a casual curse, but a genuine outpouring of frustration. If it weren’t for his incredibly powerful consciousness and his unique void sense, he would have undoubtedly suffered a grave injury from the sheer intensity of the cosmic map alone. The weight of that realization hung heavily in the air, accentuated by the gravity of the situation.
His mind raced, replaying the sharp images of pain and distress that would have plagued any other Dao integrations realm cultivator who was unfortunate enough to experience what he had. It sent shivers down his spine just contemplating the consequences. The mere sight of the cosmic map alone was enough to send lesser cultivators into a state of complete disarray. But the danger went beyond that, for hidden within its depths was an unimaginable wealth of information, tantalizing and treacherous in equal measure.
Liang Yifei was certain that any lesser cultivator would have succumbed to the onslaught of mental anguish, their frail consciousness fracturing and shattering like fragile glass. The wounds inflicted would have been so severe that recovery would not be guaranteed.
It was only because of Liang Yifei’s astoundingly powerful consciousness and his connection and comprehension over the void that he hadn’t fallen victim to any catastrophic injury. Nevertheless, knowing all too well the potential repercussions, he would definitely choose to traverse the same path once more. As the knowledge he acquired was precisely what he sought the most.