Mirror Dream Tree

While comprehending the shark's life structure, Merin suddenly feels a shift—he is inside someone's Rule Domain.

A Rule Domain is one of the highest applications of a rule, where the user suppresses the natural laws of the world within a certain range.

He had done the same during the storm, suppressing the world's rule around the ship to keep the sea calm.

Now, frowning, he rises to his feet and looks out the window.

Morning fog blankets the world, dense and silent, obscuring everything beyond a few meters.

His mental energy, too, is blocked—unable to extend beyond his skin, as if the air itself rejects it.

Then, slowly, the mist begins to part.

A massive mountain emerges from the veil of fog, rising straight into the sky until its peak vanishes into the clouds.

Behind it, the sun crests the horizon, casting golden light across the still ocean.

Merin's breath catches at the sight—only one name fits such a peak: Sky Mountain.

He stares toward the summit, hoping for a glimpse of the Sky Serpent.

According to the records left by the founder of the spiritual path, the Sky Serpent coils around the peak, guarding it like a divine sentinel.

But the clouds are thick, and no shape can be seen.

Even if he wanted to fly and find out, the Rule Domain makes it impossible—flight is forbidden under its influence.

The only path to the summit is on foot, to climb the Sky Mountain.

Merin doesn't doubt his ability to reach the top.

The real question is whether the Sky Serpent is there right now.

Because it is clear that the Rule Domain comes from the mountain, and at its core is the Rule of Gravity.

Even from this distance, Merin can feel its pressure—the invisible weight pressing down on everything.

The ocean lies unnaturally still, the surface smooth as glass, undisturbed even as their ship cuts through it.

Not a single ripple forms, as though the water itself is held in place by an unseen force.

Merin closes his eyes and sinks his senses inward.

He begins to feel the pull—the pure, unfiltered gravity—the very rule that anchors the heavens to the earth.

Merin senses that if he could stay here for a few years, he might grasp the Rule of Gravity itself.

Without hesitation, he pushes his mental energy deeper into its flow, tracing the invisible threads of pressure and weight.

This is a rare opportunity—one he refuses to waste.

As the ship sails steadily toward Sky Mountain, others aboard feel the same crushing force.

Yanli and the others, like Merin, begin meditating, attempting to comprehend the rule now pressing against their bodies and minds.

Yet amid the heavy silence, the little girl leaps cheerfully onto the deck, hopping and skipping as if gravity means nothing to her.

It doesn't seem to affect her at all—she moves like she's in her own world.

Then, without warning, she stops, lifts her head, and points at the peak.

"What a big snake," she says, wide-eyed.

No one else sees anything, but she quickly loses interest and returns to tossing a glowing ball Yanli made for her, catching it with glee each time it falls.

Meanwhile, far behind, Yueling's ship crosses into the Rule Domain and comes to an abrupt stop, halted by the oppressive pressure.

Yang Yu stands on the deck, gazing at Sky Mountain.

"The aura from that mountain—it's like the guardian of the wind layer, the White Divine Tiger."

Yueling narrows her eyes at the distant peak.

"There are three guardians of our world," she says slowly. "The Guardian of the Sky—the Sky Serpent. The Guardian of Wind—the White Divine Tiger. The Guardian of Water—the Abyss Fish."

Yang Yu nods. "Then this mountain must be the home of the Sky Serpent."

A heavy silence falls over the deck as they watch the mountain in reverence.

After a few minutes, Yang Yu glances at Yueling.

"Any word from Kuzan and the others?"

Yueling, still watching the mountain shrouded in cloud, replies, "I've sent a signal—they should be arriving any moment now."

Yang Yu hums in acknowledgement, then falls silent.

Just then, Som's excited voice breaks the tension.

"Wow! What a massive mountain—and the Rule Domain is radiating from it. This place would be sacred ground for training in gravity magic."

Meng steps out of the ship's cabin, nodding.

"It's just like the Yin and Yang Magic Lake the Tao Lord created back home."

One of the team members hesitates, then says, "If this mountain was also created or ruled by someone… then wouldn't attacking the Dragon Master here be a transgression against the Sky Serpent?"

Yueling and Yang Yu both frown at that—why hadn't they considered it?

Sky Mountain isn't just a landmark—it's the domain of someone who may rival the Tao Lord in power.

Back in their world, even the slightest disrespect shown within the Tao Lord's sacred lake would be seen as heresy.

Then wouldn't a battle here, under the eyes of the Sky Serpent, be the same?

Could the Sky Serpent intervene?

Yang Yu's jaw tightens.

"It doesn't matter—we have no choice. We must capture him."

But Yueling shakes her head.

"No—we don't have to."

She turns to him calmly.

"The Tao Lord only said if we capture a Spirit Master, not that we must."

Yang Yu's voice sharpens with anger. "What do you mean? The Tao Lord said If we can. Any command from the Tao Lord is absolute."

Yueling's expression hardens.

Another one worshipping the Tao Lord like a god… From this moment on, he's no longer my opponent, she thinks. Those who kneel in blind devotion can never break through to the Sky Grand Master realm.

She replies coldly, "Did you forget our main mission? To gather intelligence and return alive? If we die here, who delivers the knowledge back?"

Yang Yu dismissively waves his hand. "That's not important. That mission came from the Tao Elders. But capturing the Spirit Master, that came directly from the Tao Lord. It takes precedence."

"We'll decide after Kuzan and the others return," Yueling says firmly.

"There's nothing to decide. We have to capture him." Yang Yu steps forward, defiant.

But Yueling narrows her eyes and releases her aura.

The pressure slams into Yang Yu like a wall, reminding him who truly leads.

He staggers back a step, face pale.

"Don't forget the mission protocol written in the war book," Yueling says coldly. "When multiple teams are assigned to the same task, the team with the highest cultivation leads. That means me."

Yang Yu scowls. "The High Priest will hear of this."

Without another word, he turns and disappears into the ship's cabin.

Yueling watches him retreat into the cabin, expression calm, eyes unreadable.

A few minutes later, just as the Dragon Master's ship slows to a halt near the Sky Mountain, she shifts her gaze.

The ship has stopped several meters from the base of the mountain—there's no flat terrain to dock, only steep cliffs plunging into the sea.

Most of the mountain remains submerged, and what is visible is already far grander than any map suggests.

Suddenly, a splash draws her attention.

She turns and sees Kuzan, Tie, and Silli climbing up the side of their ship, soaked and panting, water pouring off them like rain-drenched dogs.

Without a word, she steps forward and offers a hand to haul them aboard.

Meng tosses them the towels, and Som immediately asks, "What happened to you guys?"

Tie, breathing hard, wipes blood from his arm. "The mountain's crawling with level three beasts—stronger than anything we've seen outside."

Silli adds, "We even sensed the aura of level four beasts deeper in."

At that moment, Yang Yu steps out from the cabin, eyes narrowing.

He overhears their words and demands, "Did you at least manage to set up a formation to ambush the Dragon Master?"

Kuzan glances at him with open disdain. "Why are you here?"

"Answer the damn question," Yang Yu snaps.

Before Kuzan can speak, Yueling turns sharply. "Yang Yu," she says icily, "Did you already forget the lesson I gave you?"

Yang Yu clenches his fists but says nothing, only scowling as he lowers his head.

Kuzan finally answers, turning to Yueling, "We couldn't set anything. The beasts were relentless."

Yang Yu snorts.

Yueling ignores him and addresses everyone—her own team, Yang Yu's, and Yang Yu himself, whether he listens or not.

"They'll go up the mountain. That much is clear. So we set our ambush around the ship, and strike when they return."

Yang Yu mutters a grudging "Hmm," but offers no further resistance.

The plan is made.

--

Merin steps onto Sky Mountain and feels the weight of intensified gravity, but it barely slows him as he moves steadily forward.

Behind him, others in the group strain to walk, their steps heavy, except for the little girl who skips and hops as if gravity does not exist.

Her effortless movement under such pressure draws everyone's attention, confirming her abnormal nature once more.

Merin, unfazed, decides not to involve himself any deeper with her, knowing her existence lies beyond his current realm and meddling may invite unnecessary danger.

At the same time, rejecting her could also bring unknown consequences, so he lets her be, neither encouraging nor forbidding her presence.

He surveys his group, noting that even the ship's crew manages to step onto the mountain, their strength proven by survival from the Shark attack.

Facing them, Merin says, "Let's find a source of fresh water and set up camp there—then we'll decide the next step."

Everyone nods without question and begins climbing the tree-covered slopes of Sky Mountain.