Chapter 490: Chapter 490, Secret Sins
The two flew all the way, and in the blink of an eye, they had arrived in front of the Celestial Hall.
"The Sect Leader only allows Senior Brother Chu to enter!"
Just as the two were about to enter the Celestial Hall, the Palace Guard Disciple stopped the guiding Steward. The Steward left silently, and Chu Ming entered the Celestial Hall alone.
Entering the grand hall, dark gold shimmered. A figure in a green robe sat alone at the head of the hall, its aura seemingly turned into void. If not seen with one’s own eyes, it would be impossible to notice that a person was seated there.
Chu Ming was secretly astonished in his heart. Yan Nanxing was indeed a Great Power of Transcendence. Although there was only one major realm between the Guiyuan Realm and the Realm of Transcendence, the gap between them was immeasurable. Guiyuan was the rapid compression of spiritual power within the body, forming a Sea of Spiritual Power. In contrast, the Realm of Transcendence transcended the mortal body, entering a new level of life.
"Greetings, Sect Leader!"
Chu Ming stood to the side, clasped his fists, and said respectfully.
"Rise!"
Yan Nanxing’s expression was indifferent as he spoke slowly, but then his expression changed to surprise: "Chu Ming, you have already reached the Guiyuan Realm Third Layer?"
"Correct."
Chu Ming nodded and responded.
Yan Nanxing was shocked in his heart. Originally, he was not very confident about informing Chu Ming about the Life and Death Tower, but seeing Chu Ming now, he saw hope.
"The reason I called you here today is to tell you some secrets and opportunities regarding the Life and Death Tower."
Yan Nanxing collected his emotions and spoke slowly. Chu Ming did not speak, just standing quietly and listening.
"The Life and Death Tower is the strategic treasure of the Human Race. It holds significant meaning in the battle against Demons. It can be said that it is because of the existence of the Life and Death Tower that the Human Race has been able to persist in the war with Demons until now."
"The Life and Death Tower is controlled by the top force, the Life and Death Palace. Whenever the Human Race is on the brink of life and death, the tower is opened. The last time it was opened was long ago. The Life and Death Tower stores vast amounts of spiritual power. Each time it’s opened, the spiritual power overflows and spreads to every corner of the continent. Besides that, the tower is a place of competition, where the concentration of Realm Laws is ten times that of the outside world."
"Ten times?"
Upon hearing this, Chu Ming was utterly shocked. He did not know the exact degree of the Realm Laws being ten times that of the outside world, but he understood in his heart that it equated to reducing cultivation time by ten times. A strong individual who was eternally stuck at the Realm of Transcendence might be able to advance to the Life and Death Realm King.
"Exactly, and within it exists the energies of life and death. Martial Artists entering there to cultivate have a twenty to thirty times higher chance of becoming a Life and Death Realm King than outside."
Yan Nanxing did not pause, continuing to explain.
At this moment, Chu Ming was internally stirred by waves of surprises. The reason Life and Death Realm Kings were so rare on the continent was, first, the thin spiritual power and limited talent. The shackles placed upon them were too heavy. Second, attaining the Life and Death Realm required comprehending the life and death realm, also known as cultivating the Life and Death Dharma Aspect. During this process, the energies of life and death were extremely crucial treasures. Without these energies, it was practically impossible for a Martial Artist to advance to the Life and Death Realm.
"What are the conditions for entering the Life and Death Tower?"
Chu Ming licked his cracked lips, a trace of zeal flashing in his eyes. Now he finally understood what the opportunity mentioned by the Ancient Sword Emperor’s remaining soul was. Martial Arts in itself were a path against the heavens, seizing opportunities and entering the Life and Death Tower was imperative.
"The purpose of the Life and Death Palace in opening the tower is to fully nurture the younger generation’s prodigies. Therefore, they have issued a regulation across the continent. In two years, they will hold the Battle for the Throne in the Celestial Extreme Illusion Realm. Only the prodigies who obtain a five-star evaluation in that battle are eligible to enter the Life and Death Tower to cultivate."
Seeing the zeal in Chu Ming’s eyes, Yan Nanxing slowly explained. To be honest, he admired Chu Ming’s generation a little. Each time the Life and Death Tower opened, it was a tremendous opportunity for the younger prodigies of that era, ushering in a golden age on the entire continent.
"Five-star evaluation?"
Confusion filled Chu Ming’s eyes.
"Yes, the Celestial Extreme Illusion Realm is an ancient Illusion Array. Martial Artists entering it have only one objective, which is mutual slaughter. However, the Illusion Array naturally has its benefits. Martial Artists who die within it only suffer a loss of vitality. Depending on their different performances in the Illusion Realm, the Illusion Array spirit assigns different evaluations. The lowest is one star, rising incrementally, with five stars being the highest."
Yan Nanxing’s words resonated, and Chu Ming listened quietly. It was easy to imagine in his mind how strong the allure of the Life and Death Tower was for the younger generation. Whether they were true disciples of Life and Death Realm Kings or their descendants, none could resist the allure of advancing to the Life and Death Realm King.
"Is there something beyond the five-star evaluation?"
Chu Ming continued to ask, not arrogantly assuming he could be evaluated as a five-star prodigy by the Celestial Extreme Illusion Realm. His inquiry was purely out of curiosity.
"Beyond five stars, the Celestial Extreme Illusion Realm will form an exclusive title for the prodigy based on their performance."
Fiery brilliance erupted in Yan Nanxing’s eyes. Throughout the history of the Human Race, very few prodigies had received exclusive titles from the Celestial Extreme Illusion Realm. Unexceptionally, those who received the titles were extraordinary figures, such as the Emperor of Creation and the Emperor of Destruction. The reason some didn’t receive an exclusive title was not due to insufficient talent; it was because the Life and Death Tower hadn’t opened in their era. Thus, obtaining an exclusive title not only required unparalleled talent but also heaven-defying luck.
Chu Ming didn’t speak, but his heart surged. He had to seize this opportunity with the Life and Death Tower.
"The Battle for the Throne is a grand event for the entire continent. At that time, the Great Powers of Transcendence from across the continent will attend. My suggestion is that if you want to achieve a good ranking in the Battle for the Throne, you must go to the Central Divine Domain as soon as possible. Only there can you receive the growth you need."
Yan Nanxing spoke indifferently, his aura of void growing denser.
"I understand, Master!"
Chu Ming clasped his fists and answered respectfully.
Upon leaving the Celestial Hall, Chu Ming did not choose to return to his small courtyard to close up for cultivation. Instead, he flew towards the Qianyang Mountain Range. Hearing Yan Nanxing’s words, he understood that the day he would leave the Celestial Travel Sect for the Central Divine Domain was near. Thus, he cherished the time spent with his parents especially.
Currently, on the open land at the front of the Qianyang Mountain Range, dense rows of houses had been built where the Chu Family and the people of the Celestial Travel Sect lived. During his half-day stay at the Celestial Travel Sect, due to the sudden changes in spiritual power, many clan members and disciples of the Cyan Yang Sect had broken through their current realms.