36 Cave Heavens and 72 Paradises

The 36 Cave Heavens and 72 Paradises are the top 108 influences of the Outer Universe (3,000 Worlds). As massive and ancient organizations, they consists of numerous High Rank Open Heaven Realm masters (7th-9th Rank), and are extremely powerful. The organizations prefer not to conflict with each other in general, and instead opt to dominate all the best benefits the Outer Universe has to offer.

No influence dares to challenge the 108 major influences, and they only have fear of Divine Beings like Giant Spirit Gods, Sun's Burning Light, Moon's Serene Glimmer, or Ink. In addition, the Cave Heavens and Paradises are known to suppress outsiders from directly promoting to 7th Rank Open Heaven Realm. Later, it is revealed that they have been secretly protecting the 3,000 Worlds from the Ink Clan in another world, called Ink Battlefield, since ancient times.

The 9th Rank Open Heaven Realm Supreme leaders of Cave Heavens and Paradises are known as Old Ancestors, and they have historically resided exclusively on Ink Battlefield along with most of the top level powerhouses of these influences.

## Cave Heavens/Paradises

Historically, the 36 Cave Heavens and 72 Paradises are never fixed. Likewise, many have risen, fallen, and even been replaced over the countless years. This can be seen in the fall of the former Great Evolution Paradise to the level of a 2nd Class Influence. Out of them all, the most stable and long-lived of the Cave Heavens and Paradises include the revered Dragon and Phoenix Clans.

### Known Cave Heavens/Paradises:

* High Heaven Cave Heaven
* Dragon Clan (Dragon Altar)
* Phoenix Clan (Phoenix Nest)
* Yin-Yang Heaven
* Langya Paradise
* Myriad Demons Heaven
* Gold Antelope Paradise
* Great Battle Heaven
* Divine Medicine Heaven
* Xuan Yuan Cave Heaven
* Asura Heaven
* Divine Cauldron Heaven
* Free and Unfettered Paradise
* Thousand Crane Paradise
* Azure Nether Paradise
* Crape-Myrtle Cave Heaven
* Azure Void Cave Heaven
* Blue Sky Paradise
* Bright King Cave Heaven
* Divine Feather Paradise
* Exquisite Paradise
* Great Change Paradise
* Profound Sword Paradise
* Red Clouds Cave Heaven
* True Martial Cave Heaven
* Clear Mind Heaven
* Wind and Cloud Paradise
* Nine Stars Paradise
* Primordial Cave Heaven
* Purple Jade Paradise
* Pure Yang Cave Heaven
* Mo Sha Heaven
* Luo Sheng Cave Heaven
* Danyang Paradise
* Returning Yuan Paradise
* Xihe Paradise
* Profound Sword Paradise

## Structure

Cave Heavens and Paradises are virtually uniform in regards to the titles they bestow upon their members. The common title system of Cave Heavens and Paradises is listed below:

* **Old Ancestor** - 9th Rank Open Heaven Realm. Averaging about one per influence, they have historically resided exclusively on Ink Battlefield, where they lead the Human Race war effort against Ink.
* **Ancestor** - 8th Rank Open Heaven Realm. As the **Supreme Elders** of their respective influences and essentially the top powerhouses of the 3,000 Worlds, Ancestors are rarely ever seen unless something major and/or catastrophic occurs that requires their attention. They are commonly referred to with a unique Divine Monarch title.
* **Headmaster** - 7th or 8th Rank Open Heaven Realm. These are the Sect Masters of Cave Heavens and Paradises. Entrusted with the integrity and maintenance of their respective influence, they have significant influence and oversight on the overall function of their Cave Heaven or Paradise within the 3,000 Worlds.
* **Vice Headmaster** - 7th Rank Open Heaven Realm. Vice Headmasters support the Headmaster in overseeing the overall function of their respective Cave Heaven or Paradise within the 3,000 Worlds.
* **Elder** - 6th or 7th Rank Open Heaven Realm. These powerhouses are the most numerous top representatives of Cave Heavens and Paradises within the 3,000 Worlds. They handle most of the bureaucratic and extraneous matters regarding their organizations. Likewise, they are highly respected and feared. A 6th Rank Open Heaven Realm Elder represents an Outer Sect Elder, whereas a 7th Rank Open Heaven Realm Elder is an Inner Sect Elder.
* **Core Disciple** - the elite disciples of Cave Heavens and Paradises, one must be able to at least reach the 6th Rank Open Heaven Realm directly to be considered a Core Disciple. Historically, these kind of disciples are at least once in a millennium talents. As the future 8th or, historically rare, 9th Rank leaders of Cave Heavens and Paradises, they are the future hopes of their respective Sects, and enjoy a very high status.
* **Inner Sect Disciple** - Inner Sect Disciples are typically capable of promoting to the 5th Rank Open Heaven Realm. This gives them the potential to maybe one day hold an Elder position in the Sect.
* **Outer Sect Disciple** - The lowest position among Cave Heavens and Paradises, Outer Sect Disciples must at least be able to promote to the 3rd Rank Open Heaven Realm. If one is unable to reach the 3rd Rank, they will be dismissed from their Cave Heaven or Paradise.

## Legacy

### Unparalleled Treasure Lands

The key to the massive strength of the Cave Heavens/Paradises is not only their large number of High Rank Open Heaven Realm cultivators, but also their accumulated legacies of countless tens of thousands of years. When an Open Heaven Realm below High Rank dies, their Small Universe releases its **World Force** and greatly improves the background of the location in which they died. Cave Heaven/Paradise environments have accumulated their background since ancient times, making their training grounds almost unparalleled.

### Universe Paradises/Cave Heavens

When a High Rank Open Heaven Realm cultivator dies, their Small Universe, as a real Universe World, stays behind as either a **Universe Paradise** (7th Rank) or **Universe Cave Heaven** (8th Rank or above). They carry their legacy and training environments on for younger generations to grow, as well as provide the entire populations of these worlds to select from for disciples.

### Small Source Worlds

Some Cave Heaven/Paradise Elders sacrifice their lifespans by speeding up the flow of time of their Small Universes so that they have a 10% chance of forming **Small Source Worlds** upon their death. Small Source Worlds allow Cave Heavens/Paradises to raise their disciples far more rapidly than the average influence, giving them a massive advantage. If one is especially skilled in **Time Principles**, i.e. Yang Kai, then they can increase the flow of time in their Small Universe without affecting their lifespan at all. Small Source Worlds are formed through the practice of the Great Desolate Scriptures, a shared and ancient Secret Art among the Cave Heavens and Paradises.

Most Small Source Worlds are Universe Paradises due to the fact that 8th Rank Open Heaven Realm cultivators are generally seen as far too rare and valuable to sacrifice their lives in forming one. This, likewise, makes Universe Cave Heaven Small Source Worlds extremely rare and valuable as well, with only about 10 existing among all the Cave Heavens and Paradises combined. This gives these particular influences an even greater advantage than others in quickly raising powerful and elite disciples.

If those select few that are given the extraordinary opportunity of entering a Small Source World can refine its source, they can benefit greatly through the strengthening of their Small Universe's background. However, the amount of benefit they receive, if any, depends almost entirely on their skill. Due to their rarity and the fact that they can only be used a limited number of times, Small Source Worlds are highly precious. Likewise, they are usually placed in a highly restricted area of their respective influence, where they require the permission of an Ancestor to enter. Small Source Worlds can be divided into Low, Middle, and High Rank.

### Far Reaching Influence

Unlike 2nd Class and below influences, Cave Heavens and Paradises lord over many Great Territories at once. For instance, Thousand Birds Territory and its Star City, though named after the 2nd Class Thousand Birds Sect, actually fall under the control of Great Battle Heaven. In addition to this, the main Great Territories of Cave Heavens and Paradises are practically unmatched by any other, with countless and bountiful Universe Worlds and Spirit Provinces to occupy them.

### Universe Temples

Constructed in the Antiquity by Great Experts, Universe Temples are special constructs that allow anyone who leaves their mark within them to teleport to them from anywhere within the respective Great Territory in which they lie. Because of their extraordinary and extremely valuable capability, Universe Temples are heavily guarded by the Cave Heavens and Paradises, whom allow absolutely no fighting within them. Due to this, Universe Temples are used as a life-saving escape route by many cultivators, and are usually occupied with various Shops for the use of visiting travelers.

Due to the lack of Space Force Experts within the 3,000 Worlds, many Universe Temples have fallen into disrepair over the countless millennia, leaving even Cave Heavens and Paradises unable to fix them. This would change when Yang Kai came to the Outer Universe, and used his expertise to both build and fix many Universe Temples. In recognition of his contributions, Yang Kai is awarded a Universe Token, which gives him the status of a Cave Heaven or Paradise Headmaster upon entering a Universe Temple.

## Notable Specialties/Qualities

Extremely famous and well known organizations, each of the Cave Heavens and Paradises have their own specialized forms of cultivation, special skills, or functions. The most notable/known examples of these are listed below:

### Yin-Yang Heaven:

Yin-Yang Heaven are known for their exquisite practice of true Dual Cultivation, which is the mutually beneficial exchange of Yin and Yang between a female and male partner respectively. Though they are respected as one of the strongest 36 Cave Heavens, other Cave Heavens and Paradises are often weary of their members' seductive ways.

### Myriad Demons Heaven:

As their name suggests, Myriad Demons Heaven are the most powerful known collection of Demonic cultivators in the 3,000 Worlds. Each member exudes a thick Demon Qi, and they collectively are known to have an inborn cruel, merciless, and aggressive nature. The most elite and talented of Myriad Demons Heaven cultivators are known for their practice of two extremely profound and powerful Eye Techniques in the Demon Eye of Annihilation and the Black Purgatory Eye.

### Bright King Cave Heaven:

Bright King Heaven cultivators are known for their extremely powerful physiques. Neglecting the use of Secret Techniques and Divine Soul Attacks, the Bright King Motionless Body is one of the biggest weapons of Bright King Heaven.

### Great Battle Heaven:

Great Battle Heaven are known for their militarized organization. They are rarely(if ever) seen outside of their distinctive and glorious full suits of Battle Armor. This is so much so that it can be difficult to distinguish whether they are male or female within these suits.

### Asura Heaven:

Asura Heaven are known for their battle-hungry and bloodthirsty nature, as well as their famous, immensely popular, and profitable **Asura Arena**. Populating virtually ever major Star City within the 3,000 Worlds, Asura Arena is a gladiator colosseum where Asura Heaven sends its disciples to fight, even to the death, with anyone daring enough to enter for fame, money, and/or glory. Asura Arena's combat pools are divided into 3 Levels, with each having their own rankings: The **Human List** (under Half-Step Open Heaven), **Earth List** (Half-Step Open Heaven), and **Heaven List** (Open Heaven Realm).

### Divine Cauldron Heaven:

This Cave Heaven is known for their exquisite ability in Artifact(Item) Refining.

### Red Clouds Cave Heaven:

Red Clouds Paradise are known for holding exceptionally well stocked and prestigious Auctions throughout the 3,000 Worlds.

### Gold Antelope Paradise:

Gold Antelope Paradise is known for being a potential source of High Rank Gold Element resources for Open Heaven Realm promotion.

### Divine Medicine Heaven:

As its name suggests, Divine Medicine Heaven specializes in the art of Pill Refining.

## Suppression

Due to an incident involving Ink about 70,000 years before Yang Kai arrived in the 3,000 Worlds, no person outside of the 36 Cave Heavens and 72 Paradises has been allowed to directly achieve 7th Rank Open Heaven Realm. In this incident, it is said that a traitorous 9th Rank Open Heaven Realm cultivator, having non-Cave Heaven or Paradise origins, destroyed one of the major influences, wiped out numerous families/clans, and took down over 100 High Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters before finally falling.

If someone does come close to straight promoting to High Rank Open Heaven Realm, the major influences move to suppress them. Elsewise, outsiders who have successfully promoted to High Rank have either been taken in by the 108 influences and sent to Ink Battlefield, kept in the Inner Sect of a Cave Heaven/Paradise, or they flee to Shattered Heaven, a Secret Boundary, where they are often allowed to hide from the major influences.

## Star Boundary

### New Center of the 3,000 Worlds

With the benefits of the World Tree Subtree, Star Boundary has become an Open Heaven Realm cradle capable of producing many elite straight promote 6th Rank and even 7th Rank Open Heaven Realm talents. Due to this, the 108 major influences made a bid to each set up altars and earn benefits from Star Boundary. To do so, they reached a deal with its leader, the Void Great Emperor, and his Sect of High Heaven Palace. In this deal, all the Cave Heavens/Paradises could set up an altar on Star Boundary and receive 5 disciples every 100 years. Yin-Yang Heaven, who had special relations to Yang Kai through Qu Hua Chang and Xu Ling Gong, made a deal to receive 10 disciples every 100 years. As a result, Star Boundary has become the focus of the 3,000 Worlds.

However, the influence that benefits the most is High Heaven Palace, as it is absolutely idolized in Star Boundary, and has no limit besides what it can handle. Yang Kai also managed to gain control of the new Great Territory discovered in the war against Zuo Quan Hui by setting up a Territory Gate that lets only those he allows to get through. High Heaven Palace/Void Land subsequently started rapidly growing into the first influence under the Cave Heavens and Paradises while Yang Kai was on Ink Battlefield. Normally, the Cave Heavens/Paradises would suppress or destroy such a rising influence, but Yang Kai’s contribution to the Ink War, as well as his marriage alliances with Yin-Yang Heaven, Myriad Demons Heaven, Gold Antelope Paradise, Divine Medicine Heaven, and Great Battle Heaven prevented them from making any moves against it.

### Final Blessed Land

After most of the Old Ancestors perish, and Ink's armies break into the 3,000 Worlds, the Cave Heavens and Paradises begin to evacuate all the surviving influences of the 3,000 Worlds toward Star Boundary and its surrounding Great Territories, which now represent both the Human Race's last footholds and their sources of hope for future recovery.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Chapter 3831
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Chapter 4155
3. ↑ Chapter 4330
4. ↑ Chapter 6003
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Chapter 3902
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Chapter 4060
7. ↑ Chapter 3940
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Chapter 3983
9. ↑ Chapter 3949
10. ↑ Chapter 4028
11. ↑ Chapter 4545
12. ↑ Chapter 4027
13. ↑ Chapter 4962
14. ↑ Chapter 5183
15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Chapter 4938
16. ↑ Chapter 4641
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Chapter 4940
18. ↑ Chapter 4216
19. ↑ Chapter 4612
20. ↑ Chapter 3974
21. ↑ Chapter 3955
22. ↑ Chapter 3943
23. ↑ Chapter 4082
24. ↑ Chapter 4471
25. ↑ Chapter 5489
26. ↑ Chapter 4619
27. ↑ Chapter 5754
28. ↑ Chapter 5831
29. ↑ Chapter 4440
30. ↑ Chapter 4532
31. ↑ Chapter 4276
32. ↑ Chapter 4144
33. ↑ Chapter 4787
34. ↑ Chapter 4788
35. ↑ Chapter 4477
36. ↑ Chapter 4542
37. ↑ Chapter 4208
38. ↑ Chapter 4441
39. ↑ Chapter 4632
40. ↑ Chapter 4633
41. ↑ Chapter 4747
42. ↑ Chapter 4267
43. ↑ Chapter 5481