Chapter 249: Structure of Heavens [2]

The Martial Ancestor looked back at Yu Xuan and said, "Child, the Fallen Heavens are indeed a part of the greater Heavens. They follow the same structure, they are the reflection, or rather, the opposite pole of the Heavens we now live in."Yu Xuan frowned, trying to process that.

"If they’re the opposite, doesn’t that make them entirely different realms?"

The Martial Ancestor shook his head slowly.

"Not entirely. Think of existence as a mirror. We reside on one side, while the Fallen Heavens exist on the other."

He paused, letting the idea sink in.

"They are not separate worlds. They are counter-realities, born when balance within the original Heavens fractured. Every Heaven casted a shadow, and that shadow is its Fallen Heaven."

Yu Xuan’s mind whirled at the implications.

"So it’s like we exist in front of the mirror, and they exist behind it?"

A faint smile appeared on the Martial Ancestor’s face.

"Precisely. When you ascend, you will understand it more clearly. The restrictions between the Lower Realms of the Heavens and the Lower Realms of the Fallen Heavens are very strong. For now, it is enough to know they are real."

Yu Xuan nodded slowly.

Then, with a furrowed brow, he asked, "Then... why are the Fallen Heavens important to your legacy?"

The Martial Ancestor grew quiet.

His eyes turned distant, as if seeing far beyond time itself.

"Because," he said finally, his tone almost sorrowful, "the true purpose of my legacy is to strengthen a successor... yet it carries with it a heavy curse. Once you accept it, you will draw the hatred of an entire race, the Heavenly Demons, one of the strongest and most fearsome races of the Fallen Heavens."

Yu Xuan’s eyes widened. "What?"

The words echoed in his mind like thunder.

The Martial Ancestor’s gaze locked onto him, unwavering.

"But why?" Yu Xuan asked, unable to hold back.

The Martial Ancestor sighed deeply.

"I am a Heavenly God," he said slowly.


"And by nature, the Heavenly Demons are my absolute opposite. Where I embody order, they are chaos and destruction incarnate. Yet... that is not the only reason for their hatred."

He paused, his jaw tightening.

"Due to certain choices I made in the past, they will target anything and anyone connected to me."

A flicker of bitterness crossed his face.

"The one disciple I once had... was killed by them. I was unable to save my disciple."

The air around them seemed to thicken, the weight of his words settling heavily upon everyone present.

Then, his gaze returned to Yu Xuan, sharp and resolute.

"So I must ask you again, Yu Xuan, knowing this, knowing that accepting my legacy means walking a path that will invite the wrath of the Heavenly Demons themselves, are you still willing to risk your life and inherit my legacy?"

Yu Xuan’s mind raced. He had a dozen questions.

Why the hatred? What did you do? How strong are they? Will a beautiful Heavenly Demon come to catch me?

But instead, a different question left his lips.

"Then why," he asked quietly, "did the other Heavenly Gods not help you?"

The Martial Ancestor stilled. For a moment, there was only silence.

Then, slowly, a bitter smile spread across his face.

"Because," he said, voice low and edged with melancholy, "I committed a taboo among the Heavenly Gods. For that, I was exiled. When the Heavenly Demons came for me... no one raised a hand in my defense."

His tone was calm, but beneath it, Yu Xuan could sense deep resentment.

The area was silent.

Even the other Elders around them lowered their gazes, unwilling to disturb the heavy atmosphere.

Finally, the Martial Ancestor spoke.

"Now then," he said firmly, "choose. If you accept my legacy, we will form a karmic connection. The Heavenly Demons will be able to sense that connection once you ascend. But in exchange... you will gain my inheritance, and the foundation to stand as one who can shake both Heaven and the Fallen Heavens alike."

Yu Xuan didn’t hesitate. Not for a second.

"I accept."

The words came calm and steady, but the conviction behind them was absolute.

For a moment, everyone froze. Even the Martial Ancestor blinked in mild surprise.

They had expected him to at least ponder the risk.

But Yu Xuan was Yu Xuan.

Once his mind was set, no god or demon could sway him, maybe a Demon Queen would do (???).

Among the spectators, Wuji’s expression dimmed. He had hoped Yu Xuan would refuse, giving another disciple a chance. But as the saying went — true geniuses never walk the ordinary path.

The Martial Ancestor studied Yu Xuan for a moment longer, then nodded slowly.

"I see."

He raised his right hand. Divine energy gathered instantly, golden light blooming between his fingers. A small sphere of radiance appeared in his palm—, pinning slowly, releasing waves of power so pure it made the space distort.

The other Elders instinctively took a step back.

"This," the Martial Ancestor said, his voice echoing across the space, "is the Heart of My Legacy — the condensed essence of my divine inheritance. Absorbing it will not be easy. Prepare yourself... the pain is unimaginable."

"Wait!" Yu Xuan suddenly raised his hand, interrupting.

The Martial Ancestor paused mid-motion, brows lifting slightly.

"What is it?"

"Can’t I... do this in isolation?" Yu Xuan asked, his tone calm but a hint of nervousness in his eyes.

For a brief moment, there was silence.

Then, the Martial Ancestor chuckled lightly, misunderstanding the intent behind the request.

"So, you’re embarrassed. I see... even geniuses have their pride."

He waved his hand, and the golden sphere floated toward Yu Xuan, stopping before his chest.

With another gesture, a shimmering barrier of divine energy enveloped Yu Xuan completely, forming an isolated space that separated him from everyone else.

The Martial Ancestor’s voice resonated gently within the barrier.

"Once you are ready, begin absorbing the sphere. The flow of time here in this space is a lot faster, so take as long as you need. There is no rush, child."