CHAPTER 460: ORIGIN SPIRITS

There was a reason why the Realm Lord couldn’t directly interfere in the internal affairs of the beings inside the realm... at least not after becoming a true Realm Lord.

It was not a restriction, but a fundamental law of existence.

A Realm was not just a place, but it was a self-contained world with its own order, balance, and flow of fate.

The moment the Realm Lord started meddling directly, that balance would collapse, causing instability in the natural order of life, death, karma, and providence.

More importantly, the realm’s beings would never truly grow if their destinies were constantly altered by the will of a higher existence.

That was why, after becoming the true Realm Lord, Ethan would only be allowed to shape the world, create the conditions, and influence the environment... but never interfere directly in personal battles, grudges, or the rise and fall of individuals.

Of course, if the realm faced destruction from an outside force, or its core order was being broken, that’s when the Realm Lord could step in... not as a ruler, but as the will of the realm itself.

Until then, he could only watch.

’I am not the King of the Realm but the Lord of the Realm.’

Ethan muttered as he flew with a calm expression, already making plans before his one hour ran out.

The difference was subtle... yet everything.

A King rules over his subjects.

A Lord, on the other hand, ruled over the realm itself—the laws, the balance, the environment, the very foundation of the world.

’I thought I would get at least a couple of days to do that. But, one hour is very short to do anything.’

Even before he became the Realm Lord, Ethan had already received all this information; however, he was expecting to have enough time to settle all the things in the realm before entering the Lord’s Space.

’Let’s go and check the Ancient Corpseheart Tree.’

In no time, Ethan appeared in front of the tree that gave an eerie feeling and checked its information.

[Origin Being: Ancient Corpseheart Tree]

[Grade: Special Rank 7]

[Lifespan: 5000 years]

[Abilities:]

[1) Sanctuary of Death: 50 percent of the Realm of Life and Death will be a sanctuary for Undead Beings]

[2) Life and Death Balance]

[3) Abyssal Tree Heart]

[4) Ancient Abyssal Protection: It can summon a barrier that was fueled by its lifespan. The smaller the protected area, the greater the protection and the lesser the lifespan consumed]

[Special Abilities:]

[1) Ancient Guardian Genesis: Similar to the Ancient Heartwood Tree’s Ability that creates Ancient Treant Warriors; however, instead of Life Essence, they are made up of Death Essence]

[2) Spirit Stone Genesis: Spirit Stones naturally form within the Ancient Corpseheart Tree’s domain over time. The longer they remain unmined, the higher their grade becomes, evolving from Low to High Grade.]

[Note: The Ancient Heartwood Tree produces Life Element Spirit Stones, whereas the Ancient Corpseheart Tree will create Death Element.]

[3) Mother of Deathfolk: Using this ability, the tree can give birth to one of the humanoid races called Deathfolk, and they will be known as the first generation. After that, the tree can give various blessings like a high reproduction rate, a high cultivation speed, and the appearance of special talents using their lifespan]

[Note: Later on, the races they created will increase the lifespan of the tree, and when the tree’s lifespan reaches certain levels, it will give additional benefits]

’It is an absolute copy of the Ancient Heartwood Tree.’

Looking at the abilities and the special abilities of the Ancient Corpseheart Tree, Ethan was a bit surprised.

He already knew it was a reflection created by the Orb of World Reflection, but still, looking at all the information with his eyes, made him surprised.

"Looks like I don’t have to worry about anything about the internal affairs of the Realm."

Ethan felt that he had to do many things; however, he realised that it was the duty of the two Origin Beings, like the Ancient Heartwood Tree and the Ancient Corpseheart Tree.

"Realm Lord, I am the spirit of the Ancient Corpseheart Tree."

Just as Ethan was checking out the information about the Ancient Corpseheart Tree, a small skeletal serpent-like wraith appeared in front of him, greeting him respectfully.

It had glowing black vines for wings and a skull-like head adorned with a single cracked horn, and its entire body was made up of pure Death Essence.

"Oh. Has the tree developed the Origin Spirit already? Great."

Ethan’s eyes lit up seeing the spirit.

Since the Ancient Corpseheart Tree is one of the Origin Beings of the Realm of Life and Death, the spirit it formed is called the Origin Spirit.

It was also the knowledge that Ethan received after becoming the Realm Lord, as he directly gave the orders.

"Realm Lord, I was born just now. So, can you please bestow me a name?"

The serpent wraith flew around Ethan, asking him to bestow a name.

"Hm....Deathshade. How is it?"

Ethan thought about it for a moment and gave that name because it sounds like the protector of the Death Region.

"Deathshade....I like it, Realm Lord."

The serpent wraith liked its name; however, it said in a monotonous tone as though it was not interested.

’I wonder if it is because it was made up of Death Essence ... its tone is very cold.’

Ethan shrugged his hands and didn’t bother to think much as he focused on the real goal.

"Deathshade, create the First Gen of the Deathfolk People?"

The reason Ethan was in a hurry to settle things was that he wanted to personally meet them because once he returned to the Lord’s Space, there was no way he could meet them...at least directly.

"Yes, Realm Lord."

Deathshade didn’t waste any time as it flew into the Ancient Corpseheart Tree, and in the next second, the entire tree shone brightly.

’Swiish’

Following that, 1,000 black-coloured fruits that were filled with Death Essence formed on the branches of the Ancient Corpseheart Tree.

’Swiish—Thump—Thump—Thump.’

In no time, the sound of ripe, heavy fruit dropping in succession echoed like ritual drums as the thousand black fruits detached themselves from the Ancient Corpseheart Tree’s twisted branches.

Each fruit pulsed with thick Death Essence and glowed momentarily before splitting open with a soft, wet crack.

From within each fruit, a figure emerged—one after another.

And in the span of a few moments, the land before Ethan was filled with the presence of the First Generation of Deathfolk.

They stood tall, humanoid in shape and posture, but their features told a different story.

Their skin, while mostly human in tone, carried an ashen undertone, as if kissed by eternal dusk.

Their hair varied from smoky silver to deep onyx, and unlike the Greenfolk, the Deathfolk didn’t have any hair as their bald heads shone under the brilliance of the Ancient Corpseheart Tree.

’So, this is what the Deathfolk look like.’

Looking at the appearance of the Deathfolk, Ethan nodded his head as he muttered, ’Their aura is powerful.’

Most striking was their aura, which was serene, cold, and unnervingly still. As if each one had emerged not from a tree, but from a slumber in the womb of death itself.

Without instruction, confusion, or hesitation, they stepped forward.

Then, as if drawn by the invisible pull of reverence, they dropped to one knee. A soft thud rippled through the air like a bowing wind.

"Greetings, Origin Spirit, Deathshade."

Their voices echoed as one, calm and solemn as they did the same to Ethan, "Greetings, Realm Lord."

And then, silence once more.

Ethan stood, his chest rising slowly as he muttered, ’My people’.

"It’s nice to meet you all. I hope you live happily in the realm."

After saying a simple line, Ethan turned to Deathshade and said, "Let’s meet again in the Lord’s Space."

The moment he finished those words, Ethan flew into the sky and rushed towards the Life Region.

"Yes, Realm Lord."

Looking at the disappearing silhouette, Deathshade nodded its snake head and then looked at the Deathfolk before issuing them their first task:

"First Gen of Deathfolk, your first task will be to increase your numbers to 10,000 within ten years."

"Yes, Origin Spirit."

....

In the center of the Life Region,

There was a small mossy, deer-like creature with bark-textured antlers, lying in a tree hole of the Ancient Heartwood Tree.

Its eyes were emerald green in colour, and its fur was covered with small buds, ivy, and glowing life essence particles.

It was none other than the Origin Spirit born from the Ancient Heartwood Tree, and it was currently waiting for Ethan, the Realm Lord of the Realm of Life and Death.

"Realm Lord."

Sensing Ethan’s presence, the tiny deer’s eyes lit up as it excitedly jumped into Ethan’s embrace like a pet.

"You must be the Origin Spirit of the Ancient Heartwood Tree."

There was no explanation needed for Ethan, as he knew the identity of the tiny deer.

’It’s a huge difference between their personalities.’

The skeletal-serpent wraith, Deathshade, gave off gloomy vibes, whereas this tiny green deer brightened his mood.

"I will call you Lifeshade. What do you say?"

Along the way, Ethan had already thought of a simple but suitable name for the Origin Spirit of the Ancient Heartwood Tree and directly bestowed it.

"It perfectly suits me, Realm Lord. I like it."

The tiny deer excitedly jumped, celebrating its naming ceremony with flowers blooming on its wooden antlers.

Soon after, he had a talk with the Greenfolk and gave them the motivation that he would always look over them.

"Grey... especially you, you have the highest chances of becoming a Golden Core Realm Cultivator. Once you do, I will give you a big gift."

The slowest Greenfolk Member was a surprising breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm without any external support.

Thus, Ethan encouraged him a little more.

"I will definitely not disappoint, Master....Realm Lord."

The young Greenfolk member swore with a face full of determination.

[The one-hour time has finished]

[The host will be teleported to the Lord’s Space.]

Time passed by, and in a flash, it was already time for Ethan to enter the Ruler’s Space.

’Swiish’

Soon, Ethan disappeared in front of everyone’s eyes and appeared in the Lord’s Space.

The Lord’s Space looked exactly the same as the Realm of Life and Death, but it was as big as the realm.

However, it was around the size of a huge city that was composed of both Life and Death Essence, which was extremely pure.

’It is time for me to return to the Mystic Soil Domain and check out the changes in it.’

*******

Order of the Realm of Life and Death.

1) Realm Lord (Ethan)

2) Two Origin Beings (Ancient Corpseheart Tree [Deathshade] and Ancient Heartwood Tree [Lifeshade])

3) Two Races (Deathfolk and Greenfolk)

4) Five Guardians Each (Ancient Treant Guardians (Life), Ancient Treant Guardians (Death))