On the way to the Jade Pool Mountain, Lu Changsheng reflected on the geographical division of the Ancient Region. He was rather bewildered by it.

The Ancient Region was shaped roughly like a circle, divided into many zones. The outermost zone, also known as the first layer, was where Divine Fortification martial artists operated. Then there was the second layer, where Divine Treasury martial artists and Immortal Masters were commonly found. The third layer, the innermost zone, belonged to Dao Lords and figures of similar standing, making it an exceptionally dangerous area.

Jade Pool Mountain sat within the first layer but pressed close to the boundary of the second layer, which meant a certain level of risk. Encounters with Immortal Masters or Divine Treasury Realm experts were not unlikely.

Lu Changsheng asked Liu Yuan, "If the Ancient Region is divided into all these zones, where exactly does the danger come from? Can Divine Fortification martial artists enter the second or third layer? And if you wander deeper in, do Divine Treasury martial artists and Immortal Masters just kill you on sight?"

Liu Yuan came to a stop. He turned to face Lu Changsheng with a grave expression and chose his words with deliberate care. "This division isn't man-made. It's a natural pattern. The second and third layers are home to many powerful demons."

He then chuckled. "You didn't think the Ancient Region, a land rich in spirit energy, was home to humans alone, did you?"

Lu Changsheng paused as the realization settled in. Of course! Demons!

A land rich in spirit energy, capable of producing Immortal Masters, Dao Lords, and powerful martial artists would naturally give rise to demons as well.

In fact, long before humans arrived, the Ancient Region had belonged to the demons. Only after spiritual energy declined in other regions did human cultivators move in, establish their presence, and gradually force the demons back.

Of course, the demons did not disappear completely. They had their own powerful figures, and they were humanity's mortal enemies.

Lu Changsheng thought back to his previous encounter with demonic martial artists. "When I was at the Northern Region Heavenly Sect, I came across a demonic martial artist. I was told they needed demon essence blood to become what they are. Does that mean the origin of demonic martial artists traces back to the Ancient Region?"

Liu Yuan shook his head slightly. "Not entirely. Demons once existed in the five regions as well. But as spirit energy declined there, they gradually vanished. Demons rely on spirit energy even more than humans. Without it, they can't be born. That's why they've all but disappeared outside the Ancient Region. As for demonic martial artists, they're usually people who stumbled across demon essence blood by chance."

"So once you step into the second layer, you're very likely to encounter demons?"

"Exactly. And if a Divine Fortification Realm martial artist encounters one, death is certain. No matter how weak the demon, as long as it's not a cub, it can crush a Divine Fortification martial artist without effort. We'd have no way to fight it. Only Divine Treasury martial artists and Qi Refinement Immortal Masters stand a chance against them."

Liu Yuan's explanation cleared away the last of Lu Changsheng's confusion. The division of the Ancient Region had nothing to do with human rules. It was simply shaped by the presence of demons.

By their nature, powerful demons did not share territory with weak beings. As such, humans below the Divine Treasury Realm, being far weaker by comparison, could only occupy the outermost regions. This imbalance of strength naturally shaped the Ancient Region into layers.

Not long later, the roar of water filled Lu Changsheng's ears.

"We're here. The Jade Pool Waterfall." Liu Yuan slowed his steps, then frowned slightly. "But it looks like we’re not the only ones."

Lu Changsheng looked toward the waterfall. Beneath the cascading water, a group of six people had already gathered—clearly a squad. One of them sat cross-legged directly under the torrent, motionless as the water crashed down over him. The other five stood watch.

Lu Changsheng narrowed his eyes. Sitting like that beneath a waterfall, that individual was likely trying to comprehend the Waterfall Intent or Domain. Compared to his own approach of using the Sense Domain to contemplate, Lu Changsheng found that person's method archaic and slow.

Suddenly, one of the squad members spotted them. "Hey! Who goes there?"

Liu Yuan glanced at the group ahead, then turned to Lu Changsheng. "The Jade Pool Waterfall rarely sees visitors. There are no natural treasures here, so I didn’t expect to run into another squad."

Lu Changsheng nodded. Truth to be told, he was not bothered by the presence of those people. With his Sense Domain, he could detect any disturbance immediately and would awaken even in the midst of an epiphany. However, other cultivators were not so fortunate. If they attempted to contemplate an Intent or Domain without someone standing guard, they would be extremely vulnerable.

As Lu Changsheng and Liu Yuan kept approaching, the squad beneath the waterfall grew nervous.

"Stop right there! Who are you?" 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Our captain is contemplating the Waterfall Domain. If you come any closer, don't blame us for what follows!"

Lu Changsheng smiled. "So they really are contemplating a Domain. But it's okay, I can contemplate the Waterfall Domain from here."

His Sense Domain allowed his senses to cover a wide range, and a bit of distance made no difference so long as he could sense the waterfall.

He sat down where he stood, showing no intention of advancing further. However, that did little to ease the tension. The squad only grew more hostile. "Didn't you hear us? Our captain is contemplating a Domain. Leave, now!"

Standing with his hands behind his back, Liu Yuan scoffed. "You think you can chase us off just because you outnumber us? Which squad are you from? I know most of the powerful Divine Fortification squads in the first layer of the Ancient Region."

Liu Yuan was no pushover. He was the captain of the Heavenly Lin Squad, and he would not allow them to treat him this way.

Sure enough, his words managed to throw off the squad members. They exchanged uncertain glances before one of them finally said, "We are the Azure Squad, disciples of the Ancient Region Water Heavenly Sect."

"Azure Squad of the Water Heavenly Sect?" Liu Yuan shook his head. "Never heard of you."

Naturally, the Azure Squad was offended by that remark. "And who are you, to speak with such arrogance?"

"I am Liu Yuan."

That was all he said, but his name alone turned the faces of the squad members pale.

"The Heavenly Lin Squad of the Ancient Region Heavenly Sect?"

"It has to be. Their captain is named Liu Yuan."

"Could the Heavenly Lin Squad be nearby?"

"The Heavenly Lin Squad wiped out the Yellow Heavenly Sect's Five Peaks Squad. They even killed Xu Haoran."

"We can't afford to provoke them. Wake the captain up. Forget contemplation; if we stay any longer, we might not make it out."

They scrambled into the waterfall and shook their captain awake. He had taken a Dao Comprehension Pill and was contemplating beneath the waterfall.

"Captain! Wake up! We have to go!"

Their captain stirred, irritation flashing across his face as he opened his eyes. "What are you doing? I took a Dao Comprehension Pill. You know you can’t interrupt—"

"The Heavenly Lin Squad is here, Captain!" His squad members pointed toward Liu Yuan. "We have to leave now! Breaking contemplation is most regrettable, but there will be other chances. If we pick a fight with the Heavenly Lin Squad, you might not make it out alive to contemplate anymore."

The captain's expression stiffened. He followed their gaze and saw Liu Yuan standing calmly in the distance. Yeah, that's actually Liu Yuan from the Heavenly Lin Squad!

The Heavenly Lin Squad had certainly made a name for themselves. The annihilation of the Five Peaks Squad and Xu Haoran had shaken the entire region. With that kind of reputation, there was no way the Azure Squad would dare to fight them.

"Let's go. Now!" The captain leaped out of the waterfall and led his squad away immediately, afraid that any delay would give Liu Yuan a reason to stop them.

Liu Yuan watched them go, a trace of surprise in his eyes. He was aware that the Heavenly Lin Squad had gained some notoriety, but he had not expected it to reach this extent. "It seems we have gained quite a fearsome reputation. I never imagined that one day, I'd become a man that others would be afraid of."

That kind of reputation certainly had its advantages. Without it, a fight might have been unavoidable here. Of course, it was not that Liu Yuan feared a fight, but there was nothing here worth fighting over. Letting the Azure Squad leave was the better choice.

"Them leaving is for the best," Lu Changsheng said. "Now it's quiet, and I can focus on contemplating the Waterfall Domain. I'll leave the guarding to you, Captain."

He had come prepared with thirteen Dao Comprehension Pills, intending to contemplate the Waterfall Domain all the way to Perfection.

Liu Yuan smiled. "Go ahead. Not many people come here. You won't be disturbed."

Lu Changsheng nodded, and closed his eyes. He took a pill, and his mind cleared instantly, becoming sharp and focused.