Beyond the Ninth Chaos, violent chaotic currents rolled without end.
Zhou Ming looked at Houtu before him.
"Houtu, matters here are settled."
"Leave a Dao Body here to guard the Ninth Chaos, then come back to the Eternal Dao Realm with me."
Houtu did not hesitate.
Her hands swiftly formed seals before her, and dark yellow Laws flowed around her.
A figure identical to her separated from her body.
The Dao Body nodded slightly to Zhou Ming and Houtu, then sat cross-legged outside the barrier of the Ninth Chaos.
"Let's go," Zhou Ming said.
They moved together, plunging straight into the vast Chaos Sea.
As Houtu followed Zhou Ming, she studied their surroundings.
"Fellow Daoist Zhou Ming, just how large is this space we're in?" Houtu asked curiously.
"Boundless," Zhou Ming replied.
"We call this vast expanse the Chaos Sea."
"It's also where all Great Dao Realm cultivators travel."
Houtu nodded thoughtfully, then asked another question.
"Then what is the Eternal Dao Realm you mentioned?"
"It's where Great Dao Realm cultivators native to our side gather," Zhou Ming explained patiently.
"You can think of it as a place to settle down within the Chaos Sea."
"More than a hundred Great Dao Realm cultivators are there, including Fellow Daoist Pangu."
"Most spend their days there in seclusion, seeking insight."
At Pangu's name, Houtu's eyes lit up.
"Fa—Fellow Daoist Pangu is there too."
She corrected herself in time, quickly adjusting to her new status.
Zhou Ming smiled and continued.
"While we travel, I'll tell you about the situation in the Chaos Sea and the path of cultivation beyond the Great Dao Realm."
"That way, you won't arrive at the Eternal Dao Realm completely in the dark."
"Thank you, Fellow Daoist." Houtu clasped her fists earnestly.
Over the journey, Zhou Ming explained the