When the surroundings brightened once more, an Emerald Mountain Range stretched to the horizon, with lush green meadows meeting winding streams that curled like ribbons.
The clear stream flowed endlessly, its rippling surface reflecting the graceful silhouettes of the trees. From afar, it looked like a pure blue sky, lending the scenery a dreamlike, fantastical quality.
Lanchi stood on a stretch of high ground. Irregular white stone walls surrounded it layer by layer, connecting into a single line and ultimately forming a solemn temple. Lush vines wound around the towering stone pillars, covered in flowers that trembled gently in the breeze.
Rows of towering, flawless stone pillars firmly supported the exquisitely carved pure-white ceiling. The reliefs engraved upon it all radiated an unusual air of holiness and solemnity.
The smooth, mirrorlike floor reflected the sunlight streaming through the high-hanging chandelier. From the center of the temple, one could look out over the entire refreshing expanse of green wilderness beyond.
"I never expected there to be such a beautiful, otherworldly place."
Lanchi gazed at this primitive yet mysterious realm and murmured.
"..."
Karen glanced at him, somewhat speechless.
As expected of an outsider. He could only see the surface.
This realm appeared to be an extraordinarily vast space, but in reality, it was a projection created by the Supreme Barrier Art. Its principles were somewhat similar to those of an Artificial Shadow World.
But this space was also different from a true Shadow World. Compared to the real thing, it fell far short.
It could be said to be some sort of existence between an Artificial Shadow World and a true Shadow World.
And because it was defective, one could not travel too far. Once one moved a certain distance away from the temple, it became impossible to take another step.