497: Chapter 142: The Secret Realm Already Has a Master 497: Chapter 142: The Secret Realm Already Has a Master Owning all the Cultivation Resources of the Evil King’s Secret Realm, Hou Chen had the capability to develop his Emperor Blood to an ultimate state and then achieve a true transformation of his constitution.

Originally, he planned to use the supreme power of the Emperor Blood to slay the Evil King and then seize the Evil King’s Cultivation Resources to recover from his injuries, but he hadn’t expected that a critical step would be missing from the process.

Although the Evil King managed to escape by luck, Hou Chen could also transform in his most complete state, which was actually more perfect for his later growth.

However, in his heart, Hou Chen felt a profound regret.

This time, he couldn’t personally slay the Evil King by unleashing the power of Emperor Blood.

Once he refined and absorbed the Emperor Blood, raising his own realm, he would never have such an opportunity again.

By then, even if he turned into an unparalleled genius in the Sword Void Realm, he would still be an ant in front of the Evil King.

But there was no choice at the moment, as a large part of the Evil King’s resources couldn’t be taken away and had to be consumed here.

It was also because of these reasons that Hou Chen continually refined and wasted these extremely important resources and even documented them, which although didn’t allow him to slay the Evil King, was quite satisfying to spite him.

…

Inside the Yuan Ci Secret Realm.

With a map, Zhou Yan encountered no danger in the Yuan Ci Secret Realm.

He didn’t spend any extra thought on whether others had encountered danger.

The Yuan Ci Secret Realm was very tranquil, the density of the Spiritual Energy of Heaven and Earth was terrifying.

Not only that, but this place was also filled with a dense presence of Origin Energy, which even approached the density of the Origin Energy refined in the Purple Flame Void.

This Origin Energy was concealed within the essence of Heaven and Earth, guarded by ancient Runes, not easily revealed.

It was difficult for ordinary people to perceive this, but Zhou Yan had some studies in Origin Energy and ancient Runes, so he sensed them upon entering.

His heart was filled with shock, and hence his determination to conquer the Yuan Ci Secret Realm intensified.

Zhou Yan knew that once he seized the Yuan Ci Secret Realm, he would be able to control everything fundamental here, and through these fundamentals, he could study the regeneration process of Origin Energy, which would reveal an ancient and vast Tao.

While pondering, Zhou Yan continued forward, his heart filled with vigilance, but as he had the directions from the map, his journey was stable and still no danger appeared.

Before long, Zhou Yan walked into an ancient city.

The structure of the city resembled Sacrificial Heaven Ancient City, but upon closer inspection, there were many differences.

Yet, the aura of both was remarkably similar.

Inside the ancient city was an ancient sacrificial altar, the altar was in the sky.

On the altar, there was a vague shadow, like a king, looking down at Zhou Yan, seemingly having predicted Zhou Yan’s arrival.

It was like a statue, looking like a sculpted human figure, but not clear.

It seemed about to turn away, yet it never did.

All of this felt very familiar.

The moment Zhou Yan saw this scene, he was involuntarily stunned, but he quickly recovered.

Regardless of any situations or doubts, he had to face whatever came.

“Have you come?”

The voice of the shadow seemed a bit hoarse, and the words carried an inexplicable familiarity, as though it knew Zhou Yan very well.

This was an unforeseen event for Zhou Yan, as none of his projections and calculations had predicted this scenario.

Zhou Yan was startled, then nodded and said, “Yes, I have come, but this time, I intend to refine you, making the Yuan Ci Secret Realm my territory.”

Zhou Yan hesitated slightly, then spoke straightforwardly.

“Yes, I know.

I’ve wandered here for many years, and normally, I would hardly refuse anyone with such intentions.

However, I’m not in a normal situation.

I’m just a conscious Ghost of the Secret Realm; once I choose a master, I will lose most of my own will.

If you were me, would you be willing?”

The statue-like shadow asked again.

Zhou Yan was a bit baffled.

He couldn’t understand the shadow’s purpose.

And not knowing the opponent’s purpose, the conversation was slipping into a passive state.

“My life form differs from yours, and in the natural world, it is the natural Law of survival of the fittest.

The strong can change Heaven and Earth, the weak can barely cling to life, but when the weak encounter the strong, they can only be eliminated by the natural Law.

My intention to seize the Yuan Ci Secret Realm is absolute, and if you are the Soul of the Secret Realm, even if not taken by me, eventually, someone else will take you, and the outcome will be the same.

The difference is in whether the treatment under me differs from that under others.”

Zhou Yan pondered aloud, making his intentions clear.

The Soul of the Secret Realm, which he thought was very difficult to find, in fact, had not hidden at all and appeared voluntarily.

And the entire search process faced no difficulty.

In comparison to the horrid dangers of the Netherworld Heavenly Road and the outskirts of the Yuan Ci Secret Realm, this place could indeed be considered Heaven.

However, Zhou Yan knew that the easier he had it, the more likely it was that others faced greater dangers.

The difference was that he had the largest map and knew the most accurate route.

“Now that my ‘self’ is about to be annihilated, what’s the point of discussing conditions?

I’m talking to you, clearly knowing you exist.

Once you satisfy me with an answer to a question, I will offer you help and merge with you voluntarily.”

As Ghost Shadow spoke, a sudden light enveloped Zhou Yan, only then did it prepare to ask the question.

Zhou Yan did not resist.

Knowing that he had no power to resist against the Secret Realm Soul, and that it would not suddenly harm him since it was engaging him in conversation.

“You are being monitored, by more than one, so I temporarily blocked those monitors.

However, they’ve clearly discovered that you’ve encountered the Secret Realm Soul—me.

So they are about to start preparing to seize the final outcome.”

The Secret Realm Soul, which was like a ghostly statue, suddenly said.

“So, under normal circumstances, you would definitely be robbed of the final victory.”

The Secret Realm Soul added another sentence.

Zhou Yan pondered deeply and said, “Since you say so, there must be a way to resolve this?

What do you wish to ask?

If my answer satisfies you, can you help me out of this predicament?”

Zhou Yan did not doubt the words of the Secret Realm Soul, but responded with a question.

He knew that since the Secret Realm Soul mentioned it, there must be some solution.

“All of that, I’ll tell you slowly once I’m satisfied with your answer.

You don’t have to worry about others reaching this place; if I am unwilling, no one can enter the Yuan Ci Secret Realm.”

The Secret Realm Soul explained, then after a moment’s thought, said, “If a person, for his own Perfection, steals his brother’s Innate Potential, resulting in his brother becoming a living dead.

And because of this, his parents exhaust their fortune trying unsuccessfully to save the living dead, only to die in poverty and accidents…

But that person didn’t actually mean it.

If this happened to you, and you were the living dead, could you forgive the person who caused all this?”

The question asked by the Secret Realm Soul sent a shiver through Zhou Yan.

He felt the question was terrifying.

It was a question he could not answer, for whether forgiving or not, both could lead to his complete ruin.

“I don’t know.

But I know that everyone has their own difficulties, and life often forces our hands.

If he had no ill intent and couldn’t control himself, causing harm to his family, I could understand.

If it were me, I think… since the parents are gone, their last wish was probably for the brothers to live in harmony, so yes, I would forgive.”

Zhou Yan reasoned with himself and, after a long contemplation, finally gave his answer.

“Are you sure?”

The Secret Realm Soul asked again.

Its tone had become slightly impolite, seemingly filled with a hint of dissatisfaction and a murderous aura.

“I am sure.”

A deadly pressure surged in Zhou Yan’s heart, but ultimately, he stayed true to himself, not wavering in his resolve, not speaking against his conscience.

“Master, hello.”

The Secret Realm Soul sighed, suddenly transforming into an elf-like orb of light, appearing on Zhou Yan’s shoulder.

The pressure of death and everything else Zhou Yan felt suddenly dissipated, as if the previous scene had been illusory.

“This…?”

Zhou Yan was somewhat puzzled, somewhat surprised.

“Master, you need not be puzzled, for no matter the answer, I, the Secret Realm Soul, would not have chosen anyone else to be the master of the Secret Realm, for the Secret Realm itself always had a master.”

The answer from the Secret Realm Soul seemed to point Zhou Yan towards a direction.

“This, what exactly is going on?

If the Secret Realm already has a master, why does everyone say the Yuan Ci Secret Realm is ownerless and open for competition?”

Zhou Yan harbored even bigger doubts.

“This could be considered a rumor, and the one who spread this rumor is Divine Fist Li, who is now also your master.”

The Secret Realm Soul explained.

Zhou Yan was profoundly shocked.

He looked incredulously at the Secret Realm Soul and asked, “Your master…

is my master, Li Ran?”

The Secret Realm Soul nodded and said, “Yes, but now he has perished.

However, he passed a part of his Soul to you, making you the current master of the Secret Realm, no need for me to accept anyone else.

That’s why you could access the Origin Energy here and encounter no danger on the Light Path.

Even if you were attacked, it would not affect you adversely but likely be beneficial.

In fact, by merely glancing at the map, you were capable of entering here.”

The Secret Realm Soul explained.

Zhou Yan was incredulous.

Despite all calculations, he was still within the grand design of his departed master?

How terrifying was that?