Otherworldly Desert Dust

...

Following the instructions from above, Wu Hen transformed into the most unadorned star among the myriad gods and embarked on the journey to meet the Human Clan.

At the center of the Cang Chu Divine Realm stood a particularly unique city.

"This is Infinite City. It's said to be constructed by the Immortal Lineage, yet many of its internal structures remain inexplicable even to the Immortals themselves… Hence, we speculate that, much like the Day Divine City of the Da Xuan Dynasty, it might also be a phenomenon created by Immortals utilizing some rare material from Outer Heaven, crafting it by understanding the properties of this material," Sister Zi Shu perched on Wu Hen's shoulder, pointing a tiny finger forward.

In front of them, amidst the morning mist, an ancient city akin to a Mirage emerged from the earth. When your gaze fixates on it, it appears vividly three-dimensional, every brick's intricate carvings seemingly harboring intriguing stories—even when observed meticulously using Spiritual Vision.

Yet, when your eyes shift elsewhere, its entire form blurs, like an illusory image over a sea of mist—ephemeral and mysterious but fraught with inconsistencies upon scrutiny.

"Remember, Red Port is also referred to as Infinite City," Wu Hen remarked.

"That's why Infinite City surely originates from higher dimensions—perhaps it's just a higher-dimensional city's shadow cast into the Cang Chu Divine Realm. But this shadow appears tangible and interactive to us lower-dimensional beings," Zi Shu explained.

It's akin to how a three-dimensional object casts a silhouette onto a two-dimensional plane, allowing the 'people' on the two-dimensional surface to clearly observe the object.

Similarly, Infinite City originates from a higher dimension. This notion has gained widespread consensus among the Human Clan inhabiting the Cang Chu Divine Realm. With their current realm, they cannot comprehend the city's origins or construction—indeed, even those so-called Immortals merely grasp fragments of Infinite City's laws.

"So you're saying that higher-dimensional insects have seen the real Infinite City, which inspired them to construct a sandbox version in Red Port to observe and confine us humans, whose understanding of the world is still rudimentary. Meanwhile, the current Infinite City is just the shadow of the real one projected into the Cang Chu Divine Realm?" Wu Hen asked.

"Exactly. The Cang Chu Divine Realm actually contains numerous traces from higher dimensions, yet for those Human Clan members who've long settled on this land, they've chosen adaptation and acceptance over seeking answers. After all, to them, stepping beyond the Cang Chu Divine Realm to understand otherworldly forces seems beyond their eternal abilities and hence purposeless," Zi Shu replied.

"By the way, this reminds me of the Yinji Sect," Wu Hen said.

"You mean Yinzhou in the Locust Desert?" Zi Shu quickly understood Wu Hen's reference.

"Yes, there's a temple on Cloud Peak with a mural. When moonlight filters through this mural onto the sand dunes of the Locust Desert, a Yinzhou City emerges. The entire Yinzhou City is composed not of bricks but Yin Ants, resembling the rendering mechanism of many AAA games—where surroundings materialize only when a character moves nearby. Thinking about it this way, isn't that person from the Yinji Sect also imitating Infinite City, trying to glean its laws?" Wu Hen hypothesized.

Wu Hen had noticed that for all gods who achieve a certain realm, they inevitably confront the "laws of creation."

Creating objects, spirits, laws, and an entire universe that is both profoundly mysterious and adheres to nature's overarching principles.

In a genuine and expansive universe, most living beings immerse themselves, no longer playing a role but genuinely living out their lives.

In a subpar universe riddled with flawed laws, living beings feel as though they're trapped in a cheap game. They begin to question, strive to break free, and even attempt to overturn it—rebelling against fate and seizing control.

During his years of wandering in Otherworldly Dust, Wu Hen had come to realize that no matter how bizarre the vast worlds were, they could never escape this theory.

This was why, in his initial encounters with the otherworldly realms, the dire environments resembled terrifying survival games where one had to conform to the "Main God's" game rules.

Even when he managed to escape the flawed laws set by lesser gods, it didn't mean the current world wasn't created by a higher-dimensional God. The absence of obvious flaws and the immersive experience were signs that those higher-dimensional gods had mastered the laws to perfection, employing even more advanced techniques to render the forces and environment incomprehensible and unbreakable for the beings within.

At this moment, the Infinite City Wu Hen now stepped into was precisely such a place. Too many elements defied explanation by current understanding—even those Immortal custodians of Infinite City had merely earlier access to it, allowing them to decipher certain hidden laws others hadn't yet discovered.

"Infinite City opens every ten years, providing refuge to all Human Clan members within the Cang Chu Divine Realm. It may also include some Sub-human Clan members. However, there's no identifiable pattern regarding how many are admitted or the criteria for admission—it seems entirely random," Zi Shu explained.

"If it exists for such a long time, wouldn't it eventually become overcrowded?" Wu Hen asked.

"No, it's called Infinite City because its ancient space is limitless," Zi Shu replied.

"Ah, so the hard drive is big enough," Wu Hen quipped.

...

Wu Hen didn't step directly into Infinite City but waited at the entrance.

The mist swirled around the gate, the ground shimmered like ocean waves, truly reminiscent of standing on Penglai Island to visit a transcendent Immortal City.

Not long after, a woman emerged from the gate. She was dressed in plain garments, a silver belt cinching her waist, her hair stylishly tied up. Her figure was elegant yet bore an air of confident heroism.

The crowd around her glanced sideways, drawn by her striking appearance and aura. However, she seemed aloof, like sculpted jade unbothered by the bustling mortal world, until she spotted Wu Hen, with his exquisite mouse companion perched on his shoulder. Only then did a smile gradually bloom on her face.

"Wu Hen." Her voice was soft, her gaze shimmering with joy.

"Han Han." Wu Hen strode forward and enveloped her in a grand hug.

Though innocent embraces were commonplace for Ruan Muhuan, as they'd huddled together through countless stormy nights in dilapidated temples, when she felt his hands pressing her waist, even sliding downward, her cheeks flushed faintly. She swiftly grabbed his fingers, applying slight force.

"A momentary lapse, a momentary lapse," Wu Hen hastily withdrew his roving hands, internally chastising himself for letting fleeting impulses sully his pure relationship with Han Han.

"I noticed the Human Clan of the Nuwa God End Lineage is also on the invitation list. You must be attending as their representative," Ruan Muhuan said.

"I'm just here to explore. The representative isn't me—how could I represent the prodigious Nuwa God End?" Wu Hen replied, hinting at sarcasm as his tone turned oddly mocking.

Ruan Muhuan merely took it as modesty on Wu Hen's part and greeted Zi Shu.

"By the way, the Universal Friend Project has launched. We've refined soul flower particles from the Soul Nesting Wood and developed soul flower seeds. Friends like Ruan Wushen, who've received blessings from Nuwa Yan, can plant these seeds to achieve spiritual presence within the God End realm," Zi Shu said.

This was something Wu Hen had been pushing for, and Li Feng had finally implemented it.

Completely sealing off external access wasn't feasible, especially as outsiders were already present within the God End. Instead of maintaining tight restrictions, the chosen confirmed friends from Outer Heaven could join and become allies to help safeguard their homeland.

"Thank you." Ruan Muhuan's smile deepened upon hearing the news. She still missed the streets there, where phoenix trees swayed in the wind and light, the taste of its tea, and its desserts.

"But these also require Yuan You to bloom and are consumable. Here's a small pouch of seeds we painstakingly cultivated," Zi Shu said, delivering the tiny pouch of soul flower seeds to Ruan Muhuan.

Ruan Muhuan carefully received the seeds, treating them like treasured tokens of hope.

"Since you arrived ahead of me, why don't you lead me around this Immortal Infinite City?" Wu Hen suggested.

"Didn't your Lu Yun Commerce send me a message saying you wanted to meet Chang Chou from the Martial God Institute?" Ruan Muhuan asked.

"Who starts working right after coming off a flight? Show me a place to relax—maybe a foot massage or a back rub first. Traveling is tiring. Besides, if Chang Chou turns out to be a hothead, and we fight, how can I perform well when I'm exhausted? Hey, Sister Zi Shu, what was that for?!" Wu Hen yelped.

Zi Shu's tiny paw landed a firm slap on Wu Hen's cheek, surprisingly painful for such a small creature.

"Focus. We are two dignified and graceful ladies here, not to be sullied by your sleazy, greasy antics!" Zi Shu reprimanded.

Seeing Wu Hen getting scolded, Ruan Muhuan couldn't help but smile.

He deserved it.

After all, she wasn't one of his mischievous drinking buddies. What next, a brothel outing? Such impudence toward her gender!

"I was just joking around; no need to be so serious!" Wu Hen protested.

"But it's unacceptable. A boy who talks flippantly isn't charming!" Zi Shu lectured in her big-sister tone.

Wu Hen couldn't believe it—a grown man being chastised by a mouse.

"Ugh, I spent some time with Wang Rui recently; I must've picked up his sleazy tendencies. I swear I'll improve," Wu Hen vowed earnestly, perfectly redirecting blame onto Wang Rui.

"There are hidden gods among the native population in Infinite City. That requires caution. Additionally, while there's danger here, there's also opportunity," Ruan Muhuan said.

"Have you interacted with any Immortals here?" Wu Hen asked.

"Yes, two of them. They… are rather arrogant," Ruan Muhuan replied with a nod.