Mystic Eyes: My Eyes Steal the Laws of Cultivation

Chapter 299: Pocket Realm

”The Gathering of Domains is not a mere spectacle to entertain. It is a test of survival. It is the filter that separates the talented from the mediocre, and the strong from the weak. And the first phase will begin now.”

A murmur spread through the crowd. Disciples from all domains straightened up, hearts racing.

Suddenly, the great central tree trembled. Its leaves, thousands, tens of thousands, detached from the branches at the same time. They did not fall like ordinary leaves. They flew. Like a living army of shining emeralds, the leaves spun through the air at astonishing speed, cutting through space like green blades.

Kyrian felt the movement. His eyes narrowed slightly. A leaf flew directly toward him, fast as an arrow shot from a spiritual bow. He raised his hand with precision and caught it midair. The leaf was fresh, vibrant, pulsing with an ancient vital energy. At its center, a small golden rune glowed softly, as if it were alive.

Around him, the same thing happened to all participants.

Mo Tianhai caught his leaf with a fierce smile, spinning it between his fingers. Mo Xia analyzed hers with cold, calculating eyes. Long Xue held the leaf with both hands, almost reverently, her fingers trembling slightly. Shen Yu took it in silence, examining the rune. Wu Jian grabbed the leaf with his large hand, as if testing its resistance.

Even the disciples of the most powerful domains, from the Ancient Forest, the Blazing Sword, and the Golden Mountain, received their leaves. The air was filled with the soft sound of leaves cutting through the wind.

The Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect continued, his voice echoing.

”This leaf is your key to the first phase. It will serve as your point of connection to the Ancestral Tree, the core of the Pocket Realm that we have prepared especially for this Gathering. All of you will be transported into it shortly.”

He paused, allowing the information to be absorbed. The entire plateau seemed to hold its breath.

”You will have exactly three weeks inside the Pocket Realm. The objective is simple, survive and accumulate points.”

A gigantic illusory projection appeared in the sky above the plateau, showing a vast primordial forest, ancient mountains covered in mist, rushing rivers, and deep caves that seemed to swallow light.

”Within the Pocket Realm there are countless wood beasts, creatures born from the essence of the Ancestral Forest itself. They range from the Qi Liberation Realm to the peak of Core Formation. By hunting them, you will obtain points proportional to the strength of the slain beast. The more powerful the prey, the greater the reward.”

A cold smile appeared on the leader’s lips.

”But it is not only about hunting beasts. Points can, and will, be stolen. If you destroy another participant’s leaf, all the points accumulated by them will be transferred to you. In addition, the owner of the destroyed leaf will be immediately expelled from the Pocket Realm and eliminated from the Gathering.”

A heavy, tense silence fell over the plateau.

Mo Tianhai let out a low laugh, almost savage, his eyes shining with pure excitement.

”So it’s hunting... and hunters at the same time.”

Kyrian tightened his grip on the leaf. The golden rune pulsed against his skin like a living heart. He understood the rules perfectly. Survival. Hunting. Stealing. Everything would be allowed.

The Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect raised both arms, and his aura exploded like a green storm.

”There will be no rules against fights between participants. There will be no prohibitions against alliances. The Pocket Realm is vast, but not infinite. Resources are limited. Powerful beasts are rare. You will have to choose, hunt alone, form groups, or hunt each other.”

He smiled once more.

”The only absolute rule is this, the leaf cannot be stored in a spatial ring. It must remain in direct contact with your body at all times. If it is destroyed... you already know the result.”

Thousands of disciples gripped their leaves tightly. Some glanced around, already evaluating possible threats or allies. The rivalry that had once been veiled was now completely exposed.

Feng Yuan, beside Kyrian, spoke in a low voice, only for the group.

”Stay together in the first days. The chaos will be greatest at the beginning. After that... each will follow their own path. Survive.”

Mo Tianhai nodded, still smiling. Long Xue breathed deeply, trying to control her nerves. Mo Xia observed the disciples of rival domains with coldness. Shen Yu and Wu Jian maintained serious and focused expressions.

The Leader of the Ancient Forest Sect raised his arms to the maximum.

”Let the first phase... begin!”

An intense green light burst from the great central tree, rising to the sky like a column of pure life. All the participants’ leaves glowed at the same time, releasing an overwhelming Qi that enveloped each selected disciple.

Kyrian felt his body being violently pulled. The world around him distorted into a vortex of green light and living wood. The Central Plateau, the crowded stands, the floating city, everything disappeared.

When his vision cleared, he was somewhere else.

An ancient and primordial forest stretched infinitely around him. Colossal trees with trunks thicker than palaces, and foliage so dense that it blocked almost all sunlight, creating an eternal twilight. The air was heavy, humid, and filled with wild Qi. In the distance, deep and powerful roars echoed, wood beasts awakening for the hunt.

Kyrian looked at the leaf in his hand. The golden rune now clearly showed the number ”0”.

He carefully stored the leaf inside his robe, pressing it against his chest. Around him, the other disciples of the Verdant Sword Sect began to appear one by one, Mo Tianhai, Mo Xia, Long Xue, Shen Yu, and Wu Jian.

Mo Tianhai rolled his shoulders, excitement visible on his face.

”Three weeks... Let’s hunt.”

Kyrian looked toward the dense horizon of the forest. His green eyes with sword-shaped pupils shone with a cold and determined light.

The true Gathering of Domains had begun.