The Invincible Young Master

The commanders immediately signaled for their fastest scouts, urging them to move ahead. The scouts darted off, their movements swift, their eyes scanning every corner of the land for hidden dangers. Soon, they returned, breathless and wide-eyed with urgency. "Commander," one of the scouts panted. "There's a strange crater ahead. At its center... there's a massive structure, I think." A massive structure? In the middle of this barren wasteland? The commander's mind raced, trying to make sense of it. What could this structure be? A relic from an ancient civilization? "We're moving forward. We need to see this for ourselves," he said firmly. The army moved, their pace quickening as the land beneath them seemed to shift. The closer they got, the more pronounced the cracks became, splitting the ground in jagged patterns, as though the land itself were on the verge of breaking apart. Finally, they reached the edge of the massive crater. As the soldiers gathered at the lip, they stood still, their gazes fixed on the sight before them. What had once seemed like an endless stretch of dry, cracked earth now lay transformed. Before them stretched a vast valley, its lush vegetation and vibrant life starkly contrasting the desolation above. The valley seemed to pulse with otherworldly energy, as if it existed in a world of its own, hidden beneath the surface. The valley was alive with color, verdant trees stretched high, their branches heavy with leaves in varying shades of green. Flowers bloomed in wild abundance, their petals a riot of colors, while delicate streams ran through the valley floor, their waters sparkling as they caught the light. Birds flitted from branch to branch, their calls filling the air in cheerful harmony, and the hum of life seemed to reverberate across the entire expanse. The commanders exchanged glances, a mix of disbelief and awe washing over them. They had stumbled upon something beyond their understanding, a hidden paradise within a desolate wasteland. At the center of this strange valley stood the temple-like structure, with its towering spires rising high into the sky. One of the commanders, his curiosity piqued beyond measure, took a step forward. His feet moved almost of their own accord, drawn by an invisible force emanating from the heart of the valley. His gaze locked onto the massive structure, and with each step, the allure of the place deepened. It felt as though the valley itself was pulling him into its center. But before he could move any further, a voice rang out, stopping him dead in his tracks. "Stop." The commander froze, his foot hovering just above the ground. The elder, who had been silently observing the valley, stepped forward, his ancient eyes filled with wisdom and concern. "This valley is part of this ruin," the elder explained. "It is no ordinary valley. What you see here... is not real." The commander, still shaken by the valley's allure, furrowed his brow in confusion. "Not real?" he asked, his voice filled with disbelief. "Is this another illusion?" The elder, his gaze steady and calm, turned to Lina, who stood nearby. "Explain it to everyone," he instructed. Lina's face flushed with surprise, her voice trembling as she stammered, "M-Me again?" The elder nodded. The soldiers and commanders fell silent, their attention now fully on Lina. As her mind raced, she steadied herself, before speaking in a low, controlled voice through her magic. "T-The valley you see before you is what we call a minor world." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "As most of you know, when an ascendant reaches the Astral Bloom stage, they form a special core inside themselves, known as a world seed." This world seed grows alongside the person. When the person ascends to the Ethereal Manifestation stage, this seed evolves into a minor world. The size and scope of this world depend on the person's talent. Some world seeds can even transform into major worlds, or even stars. "What you're seeing now is t-the minor world of a peak-stage Ethereal Manifestation ascendant. T-this valley is a mirage. Its true size could be as vast as entire continents." A murmur of disbelief rippled through the soldiers as they exchanged glances, unsure of how to absorb this information. The commanders remained silent, their minds racing, processing the enormity of Lina's revelation. "T-this minor world is ancient and unstable. Once you step inside, the valley's magic might separate you from the group. You might find yourselves alone, but don't panic. Just head in the direction of the temple." She added. "o-one more thing, do not listen to any voices you hear inside the valley. Y-you might hear cries for help, or voices that try to lead you astray. They are part of the illusion. Just continue towards the temple." With the instructions given, the soldiers nodded and prepared to move forward. The three armies stepped across the invisible barrier that separated them from the valley. The moment they passed through, the world around them shifted in an instant. The dry, cracked earth and the silence of the wasteland vanished, replaced by vibrant greenery. Towering trees rose high into the sky, their trunks thick with creeping vines. The air was heavy with the scent of damp earth and moss, and a soft hum of nature filled the atmosphere, as though the valley had remained untouched for eons. The white-armored soldiers marched forward into the valley in perfect formation. And they also appeared inside a forest. The contrast was striking, this was a land full of life and growth, a stark departure from the dry land they had just left behind. From the back of the group, a soldier's voice broke the silence. "Commander, some are missing!" "How many?" "Nine, sir," the soldier reported. The commander's brow furrowed. It was exactly as Lina had warned. The valley's magic was unstable, and some soldiers might have been separated. "They'll be fine," the commander said. "As long as they follow the instructions, they'll be alright. This was to be expected." But before the situation could settle, another voice spoke in urgency. "Commander, Lord Reynold is also missing!"