The majority of those present had never heard of the Tunnel before, but the unusual expressions on the faces of those in the know made it clear that something extraordinary was afoot. Everyone held their breath and looked at the monkey, sensing that this was something highly unusual.

The monkey spoke in a deep voice: "The mysteries of the cosmos cannot truly be explained by anyone—it is too vast, infinite, without beginning or end. The Buddha once spoke of Mount Sumeru in a mustard seed, and a mustard seed containing Mount Sumeru. Everyone understands the meaning of this phrase, so I won't elaborate further. The Supreme also uttered similar words in the past. Today, the cultivation methods practiced by each school mostly originate from the Supreme's teachings. So, what kind of world do we live in? Where did we come from, and where are we ultimately headed? These questions are pondered not only by mortals but by us as well."

Everyone present could be considered top-tier cultivators of this era. In this grand hall, the one with the lowest cultivation level was still an expert at the Supreme Realm. Upon reaching the Holy Realm, one could easily influence an entire domain, and those in the Great Saint Realm could topple a domain with ease. Yet, even beings of this magnitude held varied and individual understandings of these profound questions.

"The world we currently know is the vast Luotian Cosmos, centered on the Immortal Domain of Luotian and surrounded by the eight great domains as its orbit." The monkey's fiery, golden eyes shone brightly as it said, "The world we do not know is the other side of the Luotian Cosmos. It is said that another version of ourselves exists in that universe. Perhaps our growth trajectory differs, perhaps our personalities and temperaments also vary, but just as when we look into a mirror, the person in the reflection is… ourselves! Because through different experiences in growth, different stories emerge. That world, some among us call it the mirror universe."

Most of the cultivators present displayed expressions of shock and deep contemplation. The truths revealed by the monkey were indeed too bizarre. The more one pondered them, the more they evoked a sense of eerie dread.

Those who could remain intrigued and curious about such matters were either utterly ignorant or… truly indifferent to everything.

The monkey continued: "Whether the mirror universe truly exists has always been a topic of heated debate among the knowledgeable. It's like how we can perceive the existence of essence energy but cannot see it. It's like how the essence energy we absorb can only manifest materially within the body for those who've reached a certain level of cultivation, whereas lower-level cultivators cannot perceive it at all. The mirror universe is similar—there's almost no one who has seen it. Yet, there is one place that has been confirmed as real and does indeed exist."

The monkey looked at the group: "That place is the Tunnel."

Everyone present displayed expressions of realization and deep thought. Some scrutinized the supposed insiders and saw that their faces truly did not reveal any surprise, leaving them all profoundly shaken. After all, even at the level of Saints, many had not heard of the Tunnel's existence.

"What kind of world is the Tunnel? I have never been there, but I have heard about it. That world is vast and elongated. It is said that it connects the mirror universe to our own. Additionally, based on certain theories, the Tunnel may also link other dual worlds. Yes, much like the relationship between the Luotian Cosmos and the mirror cosmos. The Tunnel might simultaneously connect many such worlds. Of course, this is merely conjecture."

The monkey spoke very slowly, allowing time for contemplation, as most of the listeners had never heard of these matters before.

After a while, the monkey said: "Many, many years ago, I was born from a stone. The Supreme and Buddha both approached me almost simultaneously. They told me that I was an anomaly."

Upon hearing this, Chu Mo's heart subtly stirred, as the God of Divination had once told him that he too was an anomaly. To his surprise, this monkey turned out to be one as well.

"An anomaly is said to exist only in this cosmos and not in the mirror cosmos. But regarding this matter, I can't say for sure. Who knows if those two old men were just lying to me?"

The monkey's words left everyone speechless. In their minds, they thought, who else in this world would dare to talk about the Buddha and the Supreme in such a way, except this monkey? This creature, truly, had no filter!

The monkey said: "My teachings come from Buddha and the Supreme…"

At these words, everyone present finally understood the source of the monkey's immense power—it was nurtured by the two strongest beings of the era!

"Later, I committed some wrongdoings and faced some punishment. But there were other reasons as well." Reflecting in its gaze, the monkey softly said, "If they hadn't suppressed me at the time, I absolutely would have followed them."

Everyone's spirits instantly heightened. They were hearing something significant!

The old emperor and the current emperor both fixed their fiery gazes on the monkey. Though they weren't lacking secrets themselves, some knowledge could still complement and affirm another.

The monkey said: "Many years ago, the Supreme told me that the Tunnel… was going to collapse, that it was on the verge of destruction. Thus, the most powerful beings from all the cosmos would have to journey to the Tunnel to fight and hold it up. Because not all creatures wish for the Tunnel to continue existing, they had to go."

Everyone present was utterly stunned. The thought that the Tunnel, connecting various worlds, might be at risk of collapse? This was monumental news!

Even mortals, upon hearing such a thing, would not view it positively—let alone these top-tier cultivators. They immediately thought of a question: if the Tunnel collapsed, would their cosmos still exist?

"It seems all of you have already considered some possibilities, haven't you? If the Tunnel truly collapses, there's a good chance our world will collapse with it. Without the foundation, how could the fur still attach to the skin…" The monkey sighed and then said, "And then there's the matter of the Investiture of the Gods."

This time, the spirits of most people present soared in attention—they had finally reached a topic they were familiar with!

This monkey was unquestionably the most enigmatic divine being across the entire Luotian Cosmos. Before today, no one knew of the monkey's origins or lineage.

Capable of crushing giants with power from the Great Saint Realm, this level of combat prowess inspired admiration from countless others. Only now did people begin to understand that the monkey's origins were profoundly powerful—almost terrifying!

After all, across the vast Luotian Cosmos, there had never been rumors of Buddha or the Supreme leaving behind direct disciples. Now they realized that the monkey had inherited both Buddhist and Daoist legacies and possessed such deep knowledge of secrets as well.

"The Investiture of the Gods originates from the Tunnel. How should I put this…? Countless individuals likely dream of having their names listed on the Investiture of the Gods. By doing so, they could transcend the Three Realms, escape the Five Elements, become immortal and indestructible, never to fall into reincarnation. And indeed, this legend is true!"

The monkey gazed at the brightening eyes of the audience and continued: "Thus, the matter of the far ancient battlefield is no fabrication—it is genuine!"

A low buzz suddenly echoed through the previously silent hall. With so many people present, in an instant, the space seemed to come alive with murmuring voices like a swarm of bees.

At this moment, someone raised their voice and asked: "Great Saint, is what that headless envoy said about the fifty slots true?"

"Yes, Great Saint, is that true?"

"Do you know who the headless envoy is, Great Saint?"

A string of questions was fired by several cultivators of the Great Saint Realm.

The monkey waved its hand, and the hall gradually quieted down.

The monkey said: "First, regarding the matter of slots, I must clarify one thing: it is not fifty slots. It is fifty individuals who survive after entering the far ancient battlefield. Do you understand the difference?"

These words plunged everyone into silence. It was as if a chill surged directly from their hearts.

Indeed, fifty slots and fifty survivors… the difference was as vast as Heaven and Earth!

So, for a moment, everyone fell silent.

The monkey said: "You've figured it out, haven't you? The far ancient battlefield will open in approximately one year, and its opening duration will be around three months. Once three months are up, the entire battlefield will transform into an independent space, unreachable even to giants!"

The crowd's faces became grave, and their hearts hung in suspense.

The monkey's words were clear: the far ancient battlefield was not a place one could enter or leave at will!

"This is the first point—whether or not you wish to enter, think it through yourselves." The monkey spoke seriously. "The second point—regarding the headless envoy, I do not know him, but I believe he was a mighty figure from the last time the far ancient battlefield opened. If I'm correct, he should have been a giant."

*Hiss!*

Everyone, including Chu Mo, couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.

That was simply too chilling!

An ancestral realm giant, a supreme existence… had been decapitated in the far ancient battlefield?

How could it be so terrifying!

The monkey continued: "Third, concerning the far ancient battlefield: those inside are not solely from our cosmos. There should also be cultivators from the mirror universe, other cosmoses, and their respective mirror universes. So these fifty survivors will not all be from our Luotian Cosmos."

This revelation silenced even more individuals, and the passionate enthusiasm for the far ancient battlefield diminished considerably. In fact, most people had already decided to withdraw and not participate!

The monkey said: "Fourth…"

Everyone was startled, internally wondering, there's still a fourth?

The monkey smiled: "The fifty individuals who eventually ascend to the Investiture of the Gods will appear in the Tunnel world. There, the primary task of these formidable beings will be to guard the Tunnel! To prevent its collapse, resist those within seeking to betray, and… fend off enemies from another great dimension who are constantly scheming to destroy the Tunnel."

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