His theory was confirmed over the next hour as more strangers either fell through reality fractures or stumbled toward their group from greater distances. Early on, a pile of rocks tumbled from the sky, soon rising and revealing itself as one of the inhabitants of the Stone Giant Realm. Though the Yan clan might appear fearsome, it soon settled peacefully to wait.
Deciding that fleeing would only attract attention, Chen Tian remained at the group's edges, helping new arrivals stay calm. Some knew they were in the Peaceful Earth Realm, while others stumbled in confusion, uncertain about the very concept of other realms. None had been doing anything unusual that might have opened a door, or at least that was what they claimed.
"Everyone! Please remain..." The loud voice trailed off, but drew everyone's attention. Chen Tian turned to see a Peaceful Earth cultivator in brown robes standing atop a nearby hill. Like all natives of this realm, he had golden-brown skin and light hair. He carried a gnarled staff of living wood, marking him as one of their Earth Guards, as well as a cultivator.
Fortunately, there were few selfish or violent cultivators in the Peaceful Earth Realm. The man stood blinking at the assembled group, seemingly dismayed to find them so calm. Eventually he smiled broadly and raised his voice again, the sound carrying without shouting as he infused it with spiritual qi.
"It is wonderful to see all of you at peace. Please do not be afraid. An accident has disrupted the rivers flowing between realms, casting many people into our Peaceful Earth Realm. You are not the first, and we can only hope you will be the last. We have prepared food and shelter for you, and in time we will find some way for you to return home."
Immediately some expressed gratitude while others grumbled. The Silver Moon refugees were particularly skeptical, searching for schemes to exploit them, not understanding that this realm possessed more than a differently colored sun. In all Chen Tian's travels, he had found the Peaceful Earth Realm to be surprisingly gentle and naive. When he was younger, he had considered it bland but pleasant, whereas now it seemed merely cloying.
But useful, since the locals' first impulse was to help refugees without cost. Chen Tian could take advantage of their kindness both to conceal himself and to gain an early advantage in his plans. He needed to remain alert for Immortal Wei, but otherwise this might be an excellent beginning.
As the group of foreign realm visitors began conversing amongst themselves, Chen Tian closed his eyes and tried to comprehend all the languages. Most spoke in the gentle tones of the Peaceful Earth Realm, their passage between realms having fundamentally altered their souls' relationship to language. But several others, either multilingual or familiar with such travel, spoke in their native tongues.
And Chen Tian understood them all. As he had comprehended during his past life, a person's linguistic understanding was transformed between realms, so their original state was relevant. When he first visited the Nine Sacred Realms, he had known only his mortal tongue, which allowed him to speak and understand the most common language wherever he traveled. Since most realms contained many dialects, it had been a frequent annoyance, particularly when venturing far from entrance gates.
Such annoyances would not plague him now. In his years away, Chen Tian had mastered three languages completely and five more adequately for conversation. He had even learned the ancient scholarly tongue in hopes it would translate into archaic cultivation texts. That theory remained untested, but for now, he could understand every word spoken around him.
Not that they were saying anything important. Some wondered if a great battle could have torn open passages between realms, while others simply expressed confusion or uncertainty. A few merely complained about their schedules being disrupted, which he could appreciate for its pettiness if nothing else.
The local Earth Guard returned with several more Peaceful Earth villagers carrying food. It was simple but nourishing, first the purple spiritual fruits that grew on every tree, then freshly baked spheres of grain bread. Chen Tian devoured both, surprisingly hungry, but found himself growing impatient.
Though the wonder of returning to the Nine Sacred Realms had sustained him briefly, it was rapidly fading. The people around him might hail from many realms, but they remained basically trivial and boring like villagers anywhere. Once he had journeyed with master cultivators and consumed the finest heavenly treasures. Sitting in this miserable little camp wasn't advancing him toward revenge or understanding, so if he no longer needed to hide...
Just as Chen Tian was about to leave the group, he heard whimpering from between the stalks of a nearby grain field. When he turned to look, he saw a young woman on her knees, clutching her eyes.
Instantly, he identified her dark hair and robes. Somehow she had been transported all the way from the Moonless Dark Realm, a cold and lightless world. The presence of such a large sun must be blinding to her, and the cacophony of colors and sounds would be terrifying. If she wasn't a realm traveler, she would never have experienced anything like it, and this pleasant realm must seem like chaotic hell.
Leaping to help her might be logical, but interacting with everyone else had worn through his patience, and he had to consider if it was worthwhile. Before he could decide, one of the Peaceful Earth villagers stepped closer. He greeted the Moonless Dark woman cheerfully and touched her shoulder, which was the worst possible action.
She flinched backward, cried out, and threw up a hand. A burst of light briefly blinded the villager and he staggered away.
"Calm yourself, miss!" The Peaceful Earth man rubbed his eyes but continued smiling. "We are here to help, there is no need for fear..."
"You fool, don't!" Chen Tian's warning came too late, because the idiot immediately reached toward the woman again. Warm touching was common in the Peaceful Earth Realm, even among strangers, but in the Moonless Dark Realm it was a shocking violation.
This time the light from her hand was no warning, but violent qi flowing from her spirit. A torrential rain of light bolts tore through the crops and descended upon the villager and Chen Tian.