“It’s incredibly difficult to advance to the Immortal Realm within the Ethereal Realm,” Octavion explained. “The cultivation resources here are limited, primarily centered around spiritual energy. Once a cultivator reaches the Immortal Realm, they require celestial energy to progress further. That’s why the Tenth Hall demands large quantities of celestial crystals.”
He continued, “Many Immortal Realm cultivators choose to isolate themselves, dedicating their lives to cultivation. A significant number of them reside within the Celestial Stairway. As I mentioned before, each level of the stairway is its own unique world. Many cultivators enter and choose to remain in one of these worlds to train. Unlike the Celestial Realm, these worlds are filled with diverse cultivation resources. However, they are also unimaginably dangerous-far more brutal than the Ethereal Realm, a hundred, even a thousand times over.
Even upon reaching the fourth level, a cultivator’s strength is suppressed, making survival extraordinarily difficult. Every time the stairway vanishes, countless cultivators decide to stay behind, hoping to refine their skills within its perilous domain. Of course, many of them end up trapped, unable to ever leave.” Octavion spoke with intensity, ensuring Jared grasped the true nature of the Celestial Stairway.
“Each level within the Celestial Stairway is a world of its own. Does that mean each level is populated with many people?” Jared asked, his curiosity piqued.
After all, once a world was established, it was inevitable that life would emerge.
“Of course,” Octavion replied. “It’s a real world, so naturally, there are humans. Apart from the abundance of cultivation resources, it’s not much different from the Ethereal Realm. But remember this-every living creature you encounter within the stairway will be your enemy. In those worlds, you won’t have friends or family. The level of brutality there is beyond imagination, and only those with unwavering mental fortitude can survive.”
As he spoke, a subtle shift crossed Octavion’s expression, as if he were recalling something unsettling.
Jared frowned. “Are you saying that all humans within the stairway are nothing more than emotionless killing machines?” he asked, surprised.
Cultivators in the Ethereal Realm were constantly battling for resources, a struggle far more brutal than anything seen in the mundane world. Yet, despite the harshness, Jared had managed to form friendships and even find trusted allies.
“Of course not,” Octavion replied. “The people in those worlds have emotions and desires just like us-they are not mindless killing machines. However, once we step into their world, we become outsiders, intruders. To them, we are a threat, and the only outcome is a fight for survival. This is why many celestial cultivators who remain in those worlds to cultivate are constantly in danger.”
Jared fell into deep thought. He was beginning to grasp the reality of the Celestial Stairway.
“Enough thinking. Once the stairway appears, I’ll take you there, and you’ll see for yourself,” Octavion said, watching Jared’s contemplative expression. Then, after a brief pause, he added, “But there’s something else I need to ask of you…”
Jared frowned. “What now? Just because you’ve shared all this with me doesn’t mean I’ll agree to everything you ask.”
“Relax, I wouldn’t ask for anything unreasonable,” Octavion assured him. To Jared’s surprise, Octavion suddenly pulled out a dagger. It was completely jet black, its surface etched with intricate, cryptic symbols that seemed to pulse with an eerie energy. Then, without hesitation, he extended it toward Jared and said, “Use this dagger… to kill me.”
“What?” Jared almost shot up from his seat.
“Are you out of your mind?”
Has he lost his senses? Why on earth would he ask me to kill him?
Octavion offered a reassuring smile. “Relax. I’m not asking you to actually kill me. I sought you out, but not to fight. It’s because I want to live. What I need you to do is use this dagger to sever a strand of my soul. That will extinguish my bodily spirit lamp in the Tenth Hall. Once the lamp goes out, it will be assumed that I’m dead, and I won’t have to return there anymore. If my bodily spirit lamp remains lit in the Tenth Hall, but I fail to return, it will be seen as an act of betrayal. When the Celestial Palace’s enforcers come to investigate, not even my father will be able to protect me.”
