Chapter 86: Jaw Dropping Secrets
"Young Master, do you know how I can become a Master?" the President asked in a solemn voice.
Jun Wu was momentarily stunned when he heard the question. For a moment, he almost doubted his ears.
How could the president of such a powerful Association not know how to break through into the Master Realm?
The shock in his heart was genuine.
He had always believed that the president, as the head of a massive Array Formation Association, with their wide network and countless connections across the region, would surely know such a fundamental truth.
Yet reality slapped him otherwise—he was wrong.
Watching the disbelief on Jun Wu’s youthful face, the President could only sigh, his aged shoulders sinking slightly as though burdened with invisible weights.
Beside him, Elder Shen was equally astonished. She never imagined that their dignified association, which stood tall in the Soaring Cloud Region, lacked such a crucial piece of knowledge.
For her, this moment was an eye-opener.
Previously, she had believed their association to be one of the leading powers of the region, capable of matching the influence of powerful forces.
But now she realized how naïve her thoughts had been. The truth was far harsher than the polished reputation they flaunted.
The Soaring Cloud Region was far more complicated, its hidden depths more unfathomable than she had ever conceived.
The President cleared his throat, his expression turning grave. "You must understand, Young Master. Before the entrance to ancient ruins became common, access to them was tightly controlled by the aristocratic clans."
His tone dropped lower, almost like a history lesson etched into his memory.
"They were the first to discover secrets about martial arts, monopolizing every shred of information. Only decades later, when ruins began appearing more frequently and could no longer be hidden, did ordinary people finally gain the privilege to embark on the path of cultivation."
He let out a faint breath and continued.
"As for supporting professions like array formations, alchemy, and blacksmithing—it was even worse. For many years after the ruins appeared, these professions struggled without a complete inheritance. People were groping in the dark, piecing fragments together. Progress was painfully slow, stagnant even."
"You can imagine," he said with bitterness in his eyes, "that after so many years passed, we were still crawling forward. That was the reason all the supporting profession masters decided to create associations—unions where knowledge could be preserved, shared, and protected."
Jun Wu and Elder Shen listened attentively. Neither of them dared interrupt. This was the kind of information that one could not find in history books nor hear in tavern rumors.
The President paused, lifted the porcelain teacup before him, and took a slow sip, as if moistening his throat before unveiling heavier truths.
"Although the Association has influence," he went on, "that influence is limited. We can sway weaker clans, and perhaps some intermediate ones, but as for the truly hidden clans? Many of them only tolerate us because they owe us favors."
His eyes darkened. "And for those who owe us nothing—we are insignificant. To your Jun clan, or to the Gong clan, we are nothing but a gathering of loose warriors. Our titles mean nothing in their eyes."
He let the weight of his words settle before asking softly, "For something as vital as the secret of the Master Realm... do you truly think they would share it with us?"
Jun Wu’s lips pressed into a thin line, but before he could answer, the President continued.
"Do you know how many Masters exist in the Soaring Cloud Region?" he asked.
He did not wait for a reply.
"Less than fifty," he said with a bitter chuckle. "Do you know the population of our region? Over one billion souls. Yet less than fifty Masters. As for realms beyond the Master Realm, I cannot give you an exact figure, but I assure you, it would not exceed twenty."
The words crashed down like a mountain, and then the conclusion came, heavy and irrefutable.
"All this only means one thing. The higher path is extraordinarily difficult, and it is strictly controlled by the great powers."
Silence.
The air within the hall grew heavy. Jun Wu and Elder Shen sat frozen, digesting every word. This was the kind of knowledge they could never have imagined, the kind that tore apart preconceived illusions.
Jun Wu finally exhaled softly. Now he understood the importance of the strange mural he had obtained from the Tier-2 ruins.
After a few moments, he cleared his throat and spoke slowly, "President, thank you for this enlightenment. I never considered the situation in such a broad manner. Now I understand what you mean about those foxes guarding the higher path."
The President merely smiled faintly, choosing not to answer.
"Still," Jun Wu continued, narrowing his eyes, "why do you think I know how one can become a Master?"
The President shook his head, his face sincere. "I don’t know. I only asked because you are from the Jun clan. If you had not corrected our misconception about cultivation earlier, I would never have dared ask such a question."
Jun Wu nodded thoughtfully. "I don’t know the entire secret either, but this much I do know..."
Both the President and Elder Shen straightened their backs instantly, their hearts thumping. This was not just knowledge—it could be one of the deepest secrets in the region.
"From Third-Rated Martial Warrior up to First-Rated Martial Warrior, all we are doing is cultivating the body. We are still mortals."
His voice was calm, but every word struck like thunder.
"To step forward, one must break free from the shackles of the mortal body."
Gasps echoed in the chamber. Both the President and Elder Shen widened their eyes in disbelief.
Jun Wu’s tone did not waver. He had expected this reaction.
"To become a Master means to shatter the mortal shackles. Masters can live close to two hundred years, as long as they are not killed. Their lifespan alone is proof they are no longer ordinary. Furthermore, they are attuned to the very secrets of heaven and earth."
"A single Master," he said with conviction, "can slaughter one hundred Peak Stage First-Rated Martial Artists without breaking a sweat. They are simply not comparable. And as for supporting profession Masters..."
"They go even further. Their minds are sharper, their spirits tempered by the energy of heaven and earth itself. This is why Spirit Stones are rare, why they are so tightly controlled. Those above the mortal realm cultivate spiritual energy into their bodies, and Spirit Stones are the purest source of that energy."
His words ended like a soft breeze, but their weight was immense. "That is all I know. I hope it helps, even if just a little."
The President and Elder Shen sat in stunned silence, their thoughts racing. What they had just learned overturned their entire worldview.
After several heartbeats, the President finally stood up. He bowed deeply, his aged back bending with reverence.
"Young Master, I do not know how to thank you. Please, if you need anything in the future, do not hesitate to seek me."
Jun Wu only smiled faintly. "President, you don’t have to be so serious. This is common knowledge in my clan."
Of course, that was a lie. Everything he knew about the Master Realm and beyond came from the ancient soul whose memories now resided within him. But he could not tell them that.
"Young Master, even if it is common in your clan, for us ordinary folk, this is a treasure beyond price," Elder Shen said sincerely from the side.
Jun Wu’s expression grew serious. "I understand. But you must also know this secret cannot be spread recklessly."
The President placed his hand on his chest and spoke firmly. "You don’t have to worry. No third person will ever hear of this from us."
He hesitated for a moment before adding slowly, "Young Master, I know your situation within your clan is... less than favorable. But perhaps—I have a solution."