Chapter 489 – Apocalypse Secret Realm

Outside Black Mountain, in a certain location.

Ripples shimmered across space as the Death Knight emerged like a specter astride his warhorse.

He paused here, gently pulling the reins to turn his steed.

The figure on horseback gazed intently at a distant point for a long while before slowly shifting his focus to the obsidian greatsword of death in his hand.

“What is death?”

“In the confrontation of death concepts, I actually didn’t hold the advantage?”

The Death Knight recalled the recent encounter.

The death concept wielded by the Young King was vast and profound, nearly matching his own.

This made him truly understand what it meant to be a young True King.

And why his master, the Silent Overlord, held such deep obsession toward True Kings, always saying that only with the return of the Undead King could the Undead Clan possibly reclaim their position at the world’s peak.

He had arrogantly attempted to measure and define a future king with his limited perspective.

“What truly terrifying natural talent.”

…

“What a truly terrifying powerhouse.”

In Tianyuan City, Mu Yuan jolted upright in alarm.

The mysterious undead powerhouse had appeared suddenly, without any prior warning, and the knight’s immense strength had brought an overwhelming sense of pressure.

When Uta sparred with the Arrow Sword Master, it was ultimately just practice.

But in the recent battle, Deadbone had unleashed nearly his full power, short of going all-out with his life on the line.

“I am not his equal.”

Deadbone’s expression was grave.

“That Death Knight from earlier didn’t reveal his full strength, and moreover…”

What struck him most deeply from this battle was the gap in foundation between himself and established powerhouses.

Veteran experts used compatible Epic Treasures to bear their conceptual powers, enabling them to maintain two, three, or even more conceptual forces simultaneously.

This prevented different concepts from interfering with or repelling each other.

If he attempted to use two skills simultaneously – one containing the ‘severance’ concept and the other the ‘decay’ concept – the threads of these conceptual powers would intertwine around him and disrupt each other.

The ‘severance’ concept would cause decay power to fracture.

The ‘decay’ concept would make severance grow feeble.

By using treasures as vessels to manifest conceptual power, the concepts could revolve around something other than oneself, thus avoiding interference between different concepts.

Deadbone had grasped the essence of this technique during the recent battle.

Brilliant!

Achieving this was both simple and difficult.

Simple, because he believed he could accomplish it.

Difficult, because…

Only Epic Treasures, and ones with compatible attributes at that, could properly bear certain conceptual powers and deploy them perfectly in combat.

Deadbone possessed one Epic Treasure, the ‘Banner of Lost Souls,’ which could likely bear concepts related to death, fear, or revival.

But this was far from sufficient.

“That Death Knight from earlier must have possessed more than two Epic Treasures.”

This was why he considered this a gap in foundational accumulation.

A disparity built over vast stretches of time that he couldn’t easily bridge.

Yet Deadbone felt no discouragement.

The reasoning was simple when viewed from another angle.

How could concepts be so limited?

The notion that only Epic Treasures could bear them simply reflected the vast qualitative difference between such artifacts and ordinary items, which were utterly unsuitable for the task.

However,

Deadbone began contemplating what resources he currently possessed that could serve as vessels for conceptual power.

…”For Deadbone and Dolai to further enhance their combat power, the first method relies on their Realm, which can be achieved through steady cultivation.”

“Improving their Domain and expanding its range, while not directly aiding conceptual power, still relates to fundamental aspects like speed, strength, perception, and energy—even for those in the Law Realm.”

A larger Domain strengthens one’s connection to the world, naturally sharpening perception.

Conceptual powers such as Severing or Sharpness are useless if the wielder is a sluggish, cumbersome fighter whose Sword can’t even strike the target.

Mu Yuan pondered, jotting down his thoughts in a notebook.

“The second method involves conceptual power.”

“Refining and creating new combat techniques that align with these concepts.”

“Enhancing the primary conceptual power while cultivating several auxiliary ones, and unleashing them through ‘special carriers.'”

A single concept has its flaws.

When both sides possess conceptual power, the Severing concept is less effective against soft-bodied or elemental lifeforms, and nearly useless against mist-like entities.

Water-element concepts often counter Fire.

Where there is light, there is Shadow.

This is the natural order of the world.

Until one’s power is strong enough to ignore or reverse the world’s fundamental rules, the correct path is to follow and utilize them.

His Tianyuan Territory’s understanding and knowledge of the Law Realm were still far too limited.

Techniques like ‘Epic Treasure carriers’ might not even be secrets among Law Realm experts.

Within the Taixuan Alliance, books related to the Law Realm were scarce.

A few volumes lay on Mu Yuan’s desk.

From the Small Wilderness to the Land of Red Mist — by Cold Moon City Lord.

Travels Across Nations (Also Known As: The Untold Stories of Me and the Elf Young Miss) — by Microstar.

A Brief Discussion on the Comprehension and Application of Multiple Concepts — by Mount Luofu Master.

The books contained little that truly delved into concepts.

Perhaps it was because experts at this Realm were rare, and they preferred discussing the Dao in gatherings.

Or perhaps, understanding and comprehending concepts relied heavily on personal insight.

Relying too much on references could easily lead one astray.

Even pioneers on the path wouldn’t dare claim their understanding of a certain concept was absolute.

Just like Mu Yuan himself.

Last month, he had summarized his understanding of certain concepts and powers, firmly believing them to be correct.

But now, as his Realm advanced and his grasp of conceptual power deepened, he realized last month’s conclusions were no longer entirely accurate.

“Therefore, the most suitable way to enhance conceptual power is still through self-comprehension in Treasure Lands.”

Mu Yuan opened the Taixuan Covenant’s exchange platform.

He began filtering.

「Sunset Blessed Land: At dusk, the moment of profundity, cultivators can glimpse extraordinary sights and gain insights.」

「Stairs to Heaven: Ascending the steps tests the mind, effectively enhancing Mind Power here.」

「Dragonfall Waterfall:…」

「Gate of Destiny:…」

「Sun Profound Platform:…」

Although these cultivation Treasure Lands weren’t his primary focus, some were suitable for the Tianyuan Generals to hone their skills.

For instance, the Stairs to Heaven was ideal for Seventeen’s mental cultivation.

Others could also temper their will there.

Of course, there were many places suitable for will training; it didn’t have to be here.Like Dragonfall Waterfall, which can refine bloodline and temper the physical body, it is quite suitable for Uta.

Mu Yuan pondered.

Soon, his gaze settled on a particular training program.

「Apocalypse Secret Realm」

「Description ①: A large-scale natural Secret Realm born from the heavens and earth, governed and guarded by spirits of nature. Possesses the mysterious ability to bestow revelations.」

「Description ②: The Apocalypse Secret Realm is divided into ordinary areas and core areas.」

「The ordinary area contains 1,008 Revelation Pillars. Observers have a chance to achieve Epiphany here, awaken or advance skills, elevate their Concept Realm, and create Domains.」

「The core area contains thirty-six Apocalypse Pillars, each with different functions, profound and unfathomable.」

「Description ③: The Taixuan Alliance territory has two entrances to the Apocalypse Secret Realm, located at…」

——

「Apocalypse Secret Realm · Ordinary」

「Eligibility Requirements: Two-Star Pioneer or specially recommended personnel (Four-Star Pioneers and above may purchase limited special recommendation slots)」

「Exchange Price: …」

——

「Apocalypse Secret Realm · Core」

「Eligibility Requirements: Five-Star Pioneer」

「Exchange Price: …」

The core area of the Apocalypse Secret Realm also grants revelations to cultivators, immersing them in a state of comprehension and enabling them to awaken Advanced Skills or even Epic Skills based on their own Bloodline.

But Mu Yuan understood clearly that these revelations themselves were the ultimate truths of heaven and earth.

This Secret Realm would undoubtedly help everyone enhance their Concept power, and it might even assist Deadbone and Dolai in rapidly constructing their new combat techniques while in a state of Epiphany.

This is the one.

Mu Yuan decided to first take Deadbone, Dolai, and Isloria to test the waters.

After all, the Shattered Isle Warzone still needed powerful beings to guard it.

Everyone could take turns later.

He also needed to see for himself whether this Apocalypse Secret Realm was worth the price.

Mu Yuan shared his thoughts with everyone.

Dolai always had 200% interest in going out.

Isloria instantly understood his arrangement: “Got it, you want me to open the Star Gate again, right? Fine, fine. But I need to think about which star I should retrieve.”

Deadbone wasn’t originally interested in traveling far for training.

It preferred secluding itself in its Undead Holy Mountain for rigorous cultivation.

However, the appearance of the Death Knight made it realize it still had many shortcomings.

It wasn’t afraid of having shortcomings.

As long as it could identify the problems, it was confident in solving them.

But sometimes, it simply didn’t realize where the issues lay.

It had to step out and gather more information.

“But…” Deadbone said, “That Death Knight is probably still watching me. I can’t leave directly—I’m not confident I can evade such a powerful being.”

But this wasn’t an insurmountable problem.

…

A few days later.

Shattered Isle Region, Black Mountain.

Under the cover provided by the undead and Sophia, a cloaked figure arrived deep within Black Mountain.

Here, shrouded in black mist and protected by the projection of the Undead Holy Mountain, even Law Realm experts couldn’t peer inside.

“I’ll just open the Star Gate directly,”

Isloria said.

The Star Gate unfolded effortlessly within Black Mountain.

Deadbone left an Incarnation outside while it crossed through the Star Gate, vanishing from Black Mountain in the blink of an eye.

A thousand miles beyond Black Mountain.

The Death Knight distantly sensed the fluctuations in the threads of death.

“The Young King remains on that unremarkable little mountain.”

“What exactly is he planning?””A young form of the Undead King staying in such a remote place is a waste of his own talent.”

He didn’t understand, so he could only wait.

Waiting for an opportunity that could change the Young King’s mind.

…

Step, step, step.

The passage was long, like a divine dragon lying here. People stepped on this divine body, ascending to the Nine Heavens.

Before them were swirling clouds and mist, and the scenery within the mist gradually revealed itself.

Dozens, even hundreds, of majestic and peculiar mountains stood here, piercing straight into the clouds. These mountains were incredibly steep, like somewhat irregular and uneven pillars. The Pillars of Heaven that supported the sky.

“Magnificent, isn’t it? I was stunned too when I first came here. These fantastically divine mountains, like the Pillars of Heaven, are the Revelation Pillars of the Apocalypse Secret Realm. There are one thousand and eight in total.”

The speaker was a burly man with a full beard.

Mu Yuan didn’t know this person, and the other probably didn’t know him either. However, in this place, the fact that they were both from the Taixuan Realm was enough to make them feel somewhat closer.

After all…

Mu Yuan had entered from the passage within the Taixuan Territory.

But there were far more than just this one passage entrance around.

From what he could see, there were at least several dozen.

Some passages had figures faintly visible moving through the mist, while others were completely deserted.

Further ahead, a barrier woven from countless light patterns stretched upward and to both sides, blocking the path.

In front of the barrier stood guards clad in white armor and wielding white swords, with pure white halos above their heads.

They stood there, silent as statues.

In front of the passage guarded by the rows of white-armored soldiers, cultivators holding Tokens passed through, officially stepping into the Secret Realm.

The bearded man walked forward.

Suddenly,

a gray shadow flashed past him, rushing toward the only gap in the barrier at a speed like lightning.

“Bang—”

The gray shadow collided with an invisible barrier.

A soldier nearby raised his sword and pointed from a distance, and the gray-clad expert’s body froze on the spot.

The next moment, he disappeared.

“He’s been teleported out of the Secret Realm.”

The bearded man shook his head, “Probably a young man from some small place, trying to find a loophole. Little does he know that this is a heaven and earth Secret Realm—there are no loopholes to exploit. Such incidents are quite rare; it’s somewhat amusing to witness.”

Mu Yuan was also enlightened by the sight.

The bearded man took out his Token and was about to pass through the barrier gate.

Suddenly, another gray shadow shot forward from behind.

It was another expert.

A black thread suddenly shot out from his hand, streaking across the sky and snatching the Token the bearded man had just taken out with a swoosh.

The gray-robed expert, holding the Token, was about to step through the barrier gate.

‘He’s a Legend!’

Mu Yuan thought to himself.

He had naturally noticed the gray shadow but hadn’t taken action.

Because he realized that the bearded man had also detected it long ago but had allowed the other to snatch the Token from his hand without interference.

Sure enough,

the gray-robed man who had just seized the Token also froze in place the next moment.

“Second violation of the rules. Punishment: Level One penalty, and prohibited from entering this Secret Realm and other associated heaven and earth Secret Realms for one year.”

A beam of white light descended.

This light, however, was no longer sacred and warm but filled with the oppressive aura of Judgment.

The gray-robed Legend’s body, frozen in mid-air, convulsed continuously.

The next moment, he was teleported out of the Secret Realm.

At the same time,

behind them, beams of light descended one after another upon three figures.A man who appeared to be a Lord shouted, and before his voice faded, all three had vanished inside the Secret Realm.

The Token, enveloped in white light, returned to the bearded man’s hand.

“All conflict is forbidden inside the Apocalypse Secret Realm.”

Mu Yuan pondered, “But the rules don’t seem comprehensive enough, relying solely on the spirits of heaven and earth for enforcement?”

The bearded man said, “Conflict is indeed forbidden here, but if it doesn’t escalate to the level of actual combat—merely simple annoyance or interference—one can indeed circumvent the rules to some extent.”

(End of Chapter)