The term “world” might not fully capture the concept here.
A more fitting description would be a “micro-world” or “cave heaven,” a lower-tier existence.
Undoubtedly, a newly formed Five Elements Great Cave Heaven was taking shape here.
“The Gate of the Mysterious Origin is the root of heaven and earth,” Li Fan murmured to himself.
In the ancient texts of the Xuanhuang Realm, there were similar expressions.
Heaven and earth nurture all things.
But where do heaven and earth themselves originate?
Among cultivators, there is no shortage of those with a spirit of exploration.
Aside from the cultivators striving to reconnect with other cultivation realms outside the Xuanhuang Realm, some specifically study the birth of heaven and earth and the origins of living beings.
These cultivators believed that heaven and earth are like humans—they grow and evolve over time.
The Xuanhuang Realm, in its infancy, might have been akin to a micro-cave heaven.
After countless epochs, it eventually developed into its current form.
Such micro-cave heavens could either have been created by powerful cultivators and ancient Immortals, or spontaneously emerged from the void.
As for the true vastness of the “space-time” they inhabited, cultivators remained largely unaware.
Yet, there was no doubt that the Xuanhuang Realm was but an insignificant speck within the infinite expanse of space-time.
Even if few cultivators cared about this reality, it did not change its essence.
In this boundless space-time, the embryonic origins of worlds are referred to by cultivators as the [Root of Heaven and Earth].
It is the source of worlds, the convergence of laws, and the primordial essence of creation.
Though theorized, no one had ever truly witnessed it.
Unexpectedly, through the accumulation of knowledge from multiple reincarnations and his own indomitable will, Li Fan had managed to arrive here.
Even if the primordial laws here were still too profound for his current comprehension, Li Fan could not suppress the awe that stirred his heart—a moment that evoked the sentiment: “To hear the Dao in the morning, one could die content by evening.” Ṟ
The space was filled with colorful particles colliding, forming mesmerizing sights.
Crisscrossing threads permeated the space like a massive weaving machine, crafting the birth of a “world.”
Li Fan remained enthralled by this magnificent sight for a long time before reluctantly pulling himself away.
While he gained no clear insights, his soul felt as though it had been bathed in warm water—profoundly refreshed and inexplicably elevated.
Amid his joy, Li Fan did not forget his purpose.
“Seize the essence of heaven and earth to form a Nascent Soul.”
His eyes gleamed with determination.
For a brief moment, he considered taking the Root of Heaven and Earth and transforming it into his own Nascent Soul’s Cave heaven.
Such an achievement, combined with his half-formed [Truth] Dao Foundation, would allow him to freely shape his personal domain of laws as he advanced.
He envisioned conjuring mythical constructs such as latent dragons, volcanoes, and divine eyes—all upon gathering the necessary information.
But alas…
“My foundation is too shallow. This isn’t just a snake trying to swallow an elephant; it’s an ant attempting to devour one,” Li Fan muttered with self-mockery.
After observing a little longer, he dismissed his reckless notion.
An ant swallowing an elephant would only lead to its demise.
Perhaps, after reaching the Dao Integration Realm and gaining a deeper understanding of the principles of heaven and earth, he could return to attempt this feat.
For now…
It was more prudent to focus on the “Five Elements Great Cave Heaven” forming nearby.
Having spent some time here, Li Fan began noticing peculiarities.
The forced relocation of the original Five Elements Cave Heaven seemed to have triggered a reaction.
The Root of Heaven and Earth was weaving a new cave heaven in its place.
“In that case, all I need is patience.”
“A newborn cave heaven is weak and easier to subdue.”
“Moreover, I don’t need to worry about its strength impacting my combat power after ascension. The Five Elements Cave Heaven, being unified and self-sustaining, will endlessly evolve.”
Having formulated a plan, Li Fan exhaled in relief.
Ignoring the outside world, he immersed himself in observing the birth of the cave heaven.
Initially, he believed that the process would be as arduous as childbirth—a lengthy and challenging undertaking.
But clearly, applying human logic to the ways of heaven and earth would only lead to errors.
The Five Elements Great Cave Heaven was forming far faster than he anticipated.
The collisions of particles became increasingly frequent, akin to fireworks exploding before his eyes.
Gold, wood, water, fire, and earth…
Li Fan sensed the emergence of these five elemental energies within the space.
Yet, they remained contained, not dispersing chaotically.
Although his eyes could not perceive the cave heaven’s actual formation, Li Fan could sense it indirectly through the energy shifts in the Root of Heaven and Earth.
As the cave heaven’s embryonic form drew closer to completion, Li Fan grew increasingly excited.
But at this moment, he noticed his body’s lines starting to unravel into the surroundings.
Li Fan speculated that the energy consumption from weaving the Five Elements Cave Heaven had caused the “Root of Heaven and Earth” to attempt replenishment by absorbing whatever it could.
As an intruder, he became the first target.
Should he seize the Five Elements Cave Heaven now and advance to the Nascent Soul Realm, or retreat and wait for it to fully form in the void of Tianling Prefecture before taking action?
Hesitation filled his mind.
But soon, Li Fan made his decision.
While there was a risk of disintegration here, at least there was no external interference.
In the void of Tianling Prefecture, patrolled by cultivators of the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance, the energy fluctuations of advancing from Golden Core to Nascent Soul would certainly not go unnoticed.
No matter how eloquent his explanations, it was unlikely he could deceive them.
“I’ll give it a try.”
“If I fail, I’ll simply come back another time.”
With that resolve, Li Fan stopped resisting, allowing the space to absorb his essence.
Like threads being pulled from a spool, his form visibly shrank.
Yet, without fear, he used this force to propel himself toward the location of the newborn cave heaven.
Above the Root of Heaven and Earth, five distinct orbs of light began to coalesce.
Energy nodes within the crisscrossing threads exploded one by one, stabilizing the five orbs further.
As Li Fan approached, with only half his body remaining, he arrived before the orbs of light.