The limbo realm was ultimately just a resting spot. For those who could only open the Hu apertures, they could immediately ascend into the first realm of their path.
The same was true for those who opened the nei apertures as well. Except Yantian was a little more special than that.
Not only was he blessed with a star physique, his bloodline too was the purest of the Heavenly Reverse lineage.
It was so pure, it had reached a ninety-eight percent purity rating, making it a divine grade bloodline.
In the Heavenly Node Continent, bloodlines play ten to thirty percent of a difference.
Depending on the type of bloodline, tier, and rank or grade, one can get an advantage against a stronger opponent through the various effects.
To better categorize the different types, the ancients began collecting and analyzing them. Over time, they created the four tiers of bloodlines.
Mortal, Spirit, Royal, and Divine. With each tier given seven grades, with grade seven being the lowest, while grade one became the peak.
At first, countless beings contested the bloodline tiers, claiming it served no purpose other than to divide the people.
"This tier system will only bring about discrimination and division," most shouted.
Though many spoke against it, in the end the emperor stood before them and gave his answer.
"Heaven and earth have always had their own order. Just as the sun rises and sets, just as the seasons follow each other, strength must have its measure. We are not here to defy the will of the world, but to uphold it. This system isn't meant to separate us—it's meant to help every martial artist understand their own limits and potential. If you know where you stand, you can train without false hope or confusion. Our duty is to safeguard Terra. The stronger guide the weaker, and each generation learns from the last. This is how we protect what matters."
With his words, the crowd grew silent. The emperor was right.
Without a clear and organized system, countless "geniuses" and "prodigies" had fallen—not because of lacking talent, but because they had no proper masters, techniques, or knowledge to make the best of their abilities.
Eventually, people slowly became used to the tiers and their grades.
To ensure the problems mentioned did not come to pass, the emperor secretly recorded a clause in the record.
"Should martial lords, supreme Martial ancestors and high martial masters attempt to use bloodlines against their own, the will of the world itself should erase their entire existence."
Pleased, the emperor bonded it with blood and star scripts, ensuring no being could remove it.
As he heard those words, Yantian began feeling a sense of pride. A true sense of unity.
Hearing how even during times of despair, darkness and death, humanity bravely struggled in hopes of a brighter future for their children. It resonated with him profoundly.
It took him back to memories of being at the highest levels. First as the son of the city lord, then a mighty upcoming genius.
To a broken toy left on the side of the wet and muddy road.
Vowing to never be at the mercy of another, martial arts became his only shining light. Determined to kill Bai Yan Yan and reclaim his history.
But to do that, he had to dedicate time and effort. And as impatient as he was, he immediately began moving the barrier to the limbo realm.
Within the records, it states—
{The limbo realm belongs to all paths. As each system ultimately relies on "existence" to function.}
So for all beings attempting to ascend from their mortal shells, they must undergo a process of shedding.
The limbo realm existed solely for that purpose.
Shedding to ascend required a being to stimulate their source core, mana core, qi center, or primal bead.
Once the core is fully inflamed in the path's qi, they must follow the next process recorded in their technique scroll.
As each system is unique, the core refining process varies, as well as the outlook of the core after refining.
For the inner qi path, an unawakened core is referred to as the qi center. Once awakened, it becomes a qi nucleus.
The kind of core one obtains is based solely on luck and talent.
For the primal path, it is more unique than all the paths.
Created by the ancient Chachapoya Kingdom and Mauretania during the PMR, sixty million years ago in the Primal Dawn era, they were known as the "Children of the clouds," those who traverse the wind.
Their ruler, Yupan, along with his sworn brother—ancient Kings of two vanished kingdoms—discovered how to use any object, beast bone, or artifact as a core.
It could be a stone, a piece of ancient metal, or even a fragment of a fallen star.
As long as it wasn't alive, it could serve as a foundation.
Those who chose powerful treasures gained abilities linked to their core, but risked being overtaken if the will inside was not fully erased.
Over the years, legends of those who lost control, their bodies consumed by the will of their own core, spread fear and awe through the martial world.
But for Yantian, the path ahead was clear. He was determined to seize his chance.
He gathered his will, focusing on the barrier before him. Inside the limbo realm, the next step would shape create the first ring on his "?????"