The star chart deduction result pointing to the Shadow Plane's depths was both within expectations and unexpected. Within expectations because the Shadow Plane indeed was the demon head remnant soul's optimal hiding and nourishing place; unexpected because that "core" specially indicated by the chart was clearly not ordinary shadow space, its concealment and special nature far exceeding the norm.
Tang Xiaoqi deeply knew that rashly rushing into an unknown, dangerous different-dimensional space was extremely foolish, especially the enemy's lair possibly managed for a long time. He needed more detailed intelligence about the Shadow Plane and that "core." After properly arranging Purification Institute affairs again, Xiaoqi began a new round of visits to ancient existences surviving long years, perhaps knowing some secrets buried by time.
He first traveled to the East Sea depths, visiting the Dragon Clan Elder who had existed as long as the Sea Eye. In the Crystal Palace, the Elder spoke of the Shadow Plane: "That is a 'dark side' attached to our main world, like a shadow beneath light, truly existing yet difficult to touch. According to Dragon Clan oldest inherited memory, it was not naturally born but, during some ancient great catastrophe, a 'precipitation layer of negative emotions and laws' peeled from the main world.
"There are no familiar sun, moon, or stars there, no vibrant spiritual energy, only eternal gray darkness, twisted scenes, and endless 'grief tides' from living beings' negative emotions. Ordinary cultivators dare not enter; even sensing its existence might erode their hearts, falling into demonic obstacles."
The Elder continued: "If truly as you say, hidden in its depths''core,' that is even more perilous. That 'core,' in Dragon Clan legend called 'Heart of Silence,' is said to be the core origin point when the Shadow Plane initially formed,,. There,, rejecting all intruders. Forcefully entering would be making enemies with the entire plane's dark side."
Bidding farewell to the Elder, Xiaoqi traveled to the Northern Plains, finding on an ice peak the Snow Wolf Clan's oldest shaman. The old shaman explained: "Shadow is the world's other face. Our Snow Wolf clan, generations companioning with ice and polar night, has deeper understanding of 'shadow.' That 'core,' called 'Core of Eternal Darkness,' legend says it is the embodiment of all 'termination' and 'perishment' concepts stripped and sealed at the world's beginning. Living beings entering will be rapidly assimilated by its 'termination' laws,."
The old shaman handed Xiaoqi a pinch of faintly glowing ice crystals called "Aurora Dust," which could guide direction in absolute darkness, but warned not to depend on it against the "Eternal Darkness" itself.
Subsequently, Xiaoqi visited a witch priest in Southern Domain's deep forest and a in Western Desert. From them, he obtained more fragmentary information about the Shadow Plane and its "core," with varied names—"Eye of Void,""Sin Precipitation Pool,""World's Backside Scar"—but all pointing to the same fact: an extremely dangerous, law-distorted, life-rejecting, forbidden land gathering the world's deepest dark side.
Synthesizing all ancient existences' descriptions, a clear outline formed in Xiaoqi's mind:
The Shadow Plane was the main world's inseparable yet opposing "dark mirror image." It was not a physical space but more like a law-level negative aggregation. That "core" was the Shadow Plane's heart and source, containing the most primal "silence" and "termination" laws, the ideal parasitic and recovery place for Realm-External Heavenly Demons. The demon head remnant soul hiding there could not only avoid detection but accelerate recovery, even possibly attempt to refine that "core," thereby indirectly controlling the entire Shadow Plane, obtaining an almost indestructible stronghold and powerful energy source.
"No wonder the chart indicated there... for it, that place truly is paradise." Xiaoqi stood on the cliff at Qingxu Temple's back mountain, gazing at the churning sea of clouds, his heart already clear.
The enemy's cunning and the danger of its chosen hiding place exceeded initial estimates. But this didn't make him retreat; instead it sparked stronger determination. The demon head must be eliminated, Shadow Plane hidden dangers must be cleared, otherwise the main world would forever have a Damocles sword suspended over it.
He returned to his cave dwelling, organizing all obtained information, combining his understanding of spatial laws, starting to deduce methods for safely entering the Shadow Plane and precisely locating that "core." He began screening what helpers were needed and what complete preparations were required. This would be an ultimate adventure deep into the tiger's den, striking at the heart, allowing no mistakes. The legend of the Shadow Plane would be personally verified by them, and ended.