MTLNOVEL Chapter 202: The Secret Realm Closes
Chapter 202: The Secret Realm Closes
The thick fog that was so dense that nothing could be seen began to thin.
Xu Lian saw the altar.
He saw the River of the Netherworld.
“Are we out?”
Xu Lian’s body tensed as he silently counted in his heart.
“One.”
“Two.”
“Three.”
When he reached five, no divine punishment had struck him. Only then did he let out a sigh of relief.
But then his body tensed again, as he remembered that this place was still technically within the bounds of the Hundred Boats Secret Realm. They were outside, but not completely… Could it be that the divine punishment would strike only after they had left this area?
“We’re out.”
“Here, we’re no longer oppressed by the laws of the divine realm. Our bodies are no longer weak, and our strength has returned.”
Each of the geniuses had brought out several glowing treasures, and some of them had more than ten. Their harvest was immense, and they all wore smiles of satisfaction and joy.
But when they saw Xu Lian glowing from head to toe, and the huge pile of glowing treasures beside him, their joy quickly evaporated…
That’s human nature-people don’t fear scarcity, but they do fear inequality.
People are most afraid of comparison. Comparison leads to envy, and envy leads to resentment…
Although Xu Lian had no intention of flaunting his gains, his radiant glow made him impossible to ignore. He was like the brightest star in the sky, drawing everyone’s attention.
The geniuses exchanged glances, their eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts. Clearly, some of them were entertaining ideas they shouldn’t be entertaining.
However, no one dared to act rashly. Xu Lian, blessed by the laws of the divine realm, was far too intimidating. Anyone who tried to move against him risked being killed, or even wiped out altogether.
Of course, Xu Lian sensed the faint undercurrent of murderous intent. He shivered. Indeed, being too conspicuous wasn’t always a good thing. It invited jealousy.
“Everyone, it’s time to fulfill the blood soul oath. One billion spirit stones each, please.”
Xu Lian cupped his hands and addressed the group. He wasn’t about to let go of the benefits he was owed.
The faces of the geniuses twisted as if they were constipated. Not only had Xu Lian received the blessings of the divine realm and over a hundred glowing treasures, but now they each had to give him a billion Spirit Stones… Why hadn’t the divine punishment killed him?
Although the geniuses were deeply unhappy, none of them dared to renege on the Blood Soul Oath. It wasn’t something to be taken lightly. No one would risk their future cultivation for a mere billion Spirit Stones.
“What’s the rush? It’s not like we won’t pay. We can’t open our storage bags right now. How can we give you the stones?”
“Wait until the River of the Netherworld disappears and the Divine Realm recedes. Then we can open our storage bags.”…
Xu Lian could tell that they weren’t happy, but he didn’t care. “Then I’ll ask everyone to wait a little longer.”
The geniuses didn’t want to talk to him anymore. They gathered in small groups, waiting for the River of the Netherworld to disappear. No one dared to leave without paying the Spirit Stones.
“Swoosh!”…
The River of the Netherworld, which had stretched across the sky, began to recede.
The water grew less and less, shrinking until it disappeared entirely, like a scar healing over.
Xu Lian tested it and found that he could open his storage bag now. He immediately stored away the hundred or so glowing treasures, not wanting the geniuses to keep glancing at them.
“The storage bags can be opened now.”
Xu Lian “kindly” reminded everyone. Then, with bright eyes, he looked at the geniuses expectantly. After all, he was extremely poor at the moment – he didn’t even have enough money to get home. He was counting on these “big spenders” to bail him out.
The geniuses had no choice but to grit their teeth and take out a billion Spirit Stones each, placing them on the ground.
“Thank you. You’re all very generous.”
Xu Lian’s words were polite, but his actions were anything but. He quickly gathered up the piles of Spirit Stones.
Aside from Shui Yingyue, Ye Beining, and Xiang Chengxing, the other three hundred or so geniuses gave him one billion spirit stones each. In total, he received over three hundred billion spirit stones. He was now truly wealthy.
When they first entered the Hundred Boats Secret Realm, there had been nearly four hundred geniuses. Now, there were only about three hundred and thirty left. Obviously, some of them had unexpectedly “died” in the secret realm before they could “borrow” troops from Xu Lian to rise to power. They hadn’t made it to the end.
The three hundred and thirty surviving geniuses had each brought out several treasures. This was probably the most bountiful harvest in the history of the Hundred Boat Secret Realm. They had practically cleansed the realm of all glowing items.
A thousand years from now, when the next generation of geniuses came to the Hundred Boat Secret Realm, they might not find anything… All the good things had been taken. How would future geniuses even be able to compete?
Of course, it was possible that new glowing items might appear in the Secret Realm.
No one knew for sure. The Hundred Boat Secret Realm was too mysterious.
Besides, there was an even bigger mystery: Why were there no cultivators in the divine realm? Where had the powerful figures who originally founded the divine realm gone? Could they all have perished?
One by one, the geniuses used the altar. With flashes of bright light, their numbers dwindled.
Since the geniuses came from different places and had different destinations, they couldn’t all teleport together… They had to go in waves.
Xu Lian, Ye Beining, Shui Yingyue, and Xiang Chengxing weren’t in a hurry. They waited until the end to use the altar.
When the four of them stepped onto the altar, Xu Lian stood behind the other three as usual… waiting for the wealthy Ye Beining to pay the teleportation fee.
Ye Beining waved his hand, and a large pile of Spirit Stones appeared. The altar began to glow.
In the bright light, the four of them entered the spatial tunnel and soon appeared on the altar in Yunzhou City.
Yunzhou City was just as they had left it-shrouded in misty rain, with endless rows of houses, each roof adorned with a funnel of varying sizes, creating a rather spectacular sight.
Shui Yingyue rented a beast drawn carriage and took the three of them straight back to the Shui family estate. The three knew that this was her way of reminding them to settle their debts…
Back when the Shui family had taught them the Four Symbols Battle Tactics, they had made an agreement.
Ye Beining had directly purchased the Four Symbols Battle Tactics and owed twenty billion Spirit Stones to the Shui Family.
Xiang Chengxing had agreed to form a marriage alliance with the Shui family, taking one of their direct descendants as his principal wife.
Xu Lian, on the other hand, had promised to share half of his treasures with the Shui Family.
“Hum…”
The rain trembled slightly as a Shui Family elder materialized. Clad in a robe formed from condensed rainwater, it was clear that she was one of the elders stationed in Yunzhou City, which was why she had arrived so quickly.
Her eyes immediately fell on the glowing Xu Lian, and she couldn’t help but exclaim, “What is this?”
Shui Yingyue briefly explained what had happened in the Hundred Boats Secret Realm.
After listening, the Shui family elder’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Xu Lian. “This is the first time I’ve heard about someone becoming an emperor in the Hundred Boat Secret Realm. I never imagined that there would be such benefits!”
Xu Lian humbly replied, “I was just lucky.”
The Shui Family elder’s tone changed. “According to our agreement, you are supposed to share half of your treasures with the Shui Family. Since we cannot take the laws of the divine realm that are now a part of you, the Shui Family will reluctantly settle for the hundred or so treasures you have received.”
“?” Xu Lian, of course, disagreed, “The divine kingdom law that I have is only counted as one opportunity, and the 100 or so treasures count as 100 or so opportunities. They should be divided equally according to the quantity!”
The Shui family elder’s gaze sharpened. “Are you going back on your word?”
Xu Lian’s expression darkened. “I agreed to share half of my treasures with the Shui Family, and I will honor that. But your attitude is too greedy. Do you want all hundred treasures?”
The Shui Family elder replied, “The laws of the Divine Kingdom are priceless. No amount of glowing treasures can compare to that. You keep the divine laws, and the Shui Family takes the hundred treasures. This division still favors you. What’s wrong with that?”
Ye Beining and Xiang Chengxing secretly felt relieved. They were glad that they hadn’t chosen to share half of their opportunities with the Shui family when they learned the Four Symbols Battle Tactics… Otherwise, they would have suffered a huge loss.
Originally, Xu Lian had a good impression of the Shui Family elder. When she taught him the Four Symbols Battle Tactics, she had been kind and gentle. He never expected her to turn hostile so quickly over the treasures.
In truth, it wasn’t just the Shui Family Elder who acted this way. Most people in this world were like that.
People like the White Fox Town Guard Commander who didn’t make a fuss over trivial matters were extremely rare. Of course, it was also possible that the White Fox Town Guard Commander operated on a higher level where ordinary things didn’t interest her. If it were something priceless, perhaps even she would act similarly.
Xu Lian waved his hand and took out fifty-six glowing items, coldly saying, “In total, I have obtained one hundred and eleven glowing items. Shui Yingyue, Ye Beining, and Xiang Chengxing can all attest to this.
Now I will give fifty-six items to the Shui family and keep fifty-five for myself. Combined with the divine laws I now possess, this is an even split.
Take it or leave it. Farewell!”
With that, Xu Lian turned to leave.
As a guest, there was no need for him to stay where he was clearly unwelcome.
The Shui Family elder sighed and waved her hand, collecting the fifty-six treasures. “Do you think the Shui Family has no one capable of enforcing our agreement? Do you think you can just walk away without fulfilling your promise?”
Xu Lian felt an overwhelming pressure, making it difficult for him to move even a single step. He slowly turned around and sneered, “I am only seventeen or eighteen years old, yet I have reached the sixth stage of the Great Grandmaster realm. Do you think I have no one to back me up?”
Internally, however, he was panicking. He wasn’t sure if the powerful protector of the Huo Clan or the old clan leader of the Thirteen Clans had come to get him… He was in desperate need of rescue!
After all, he had been in the Hundred Boats Secret Realm for a year. His protectors couldn’t enter the realm, so they weren’t by his side at the moment. He could only hope that the Huo Clan’s protector and the old clan leader of the Thirteen Clans had received the news of the Secret Realm’s closure and would come to get him in time.
This world was too ruthless. The strong bullying the weak was commonplace, and young geniuses without protectors were far too vulnerable.
The Shui family elder said indifferently, “The Shui family has been entrenched in Yunzhou for countless years, with deep roots. Do you really think we would fear the forces behind you here in Yunzhou City?”
Xu Lian knew that distant water couldn’t extinguish a nearby fire. Without his protectors here, he had to find a way to save himself. He turned to Shui Yingyue for help.
However, Shui Yingyue averted her gaze, ignoring his plea for assistance… Clearly, when it came to choosing between his interests and the Shui family’s, Shui Yingyue had no hesitation in siding with her family.
Damn, how heartless… Xu Lian felt a little defeated.
During the year in the Hundred Boats Secret Realm, he and Shui Yingyue had grown close, but her favorability toward him had always stalled at 80/100, never increasing. Shui Yingyue was a woman ruled by logic rather than emotion, cold and calculating…
“Elder, do you have to be so ruthless?”
Xu Lian knew that the Shui Family elder wouldn’t dare kill him outright, but she might forcibly search his storage bag and take the remaining fifty-five treasures.
The Shui Family elder replied, “I don’t want to do that, but if you insist on breaking our agreement, I have no choice. The Shui family won’t be cheated!”
Who was the one who wanted to break the agreement?
Who was the one who cheated?
And yet, she spoke as if she were the victim?
Xu Lian didn’t know what to say.
It was like the dilemma Confucius faced with the two children arguing about the sun.
One child said the sun was closer in the morning because it looked bigger, and something that looks bigger must be closer – simple logic.
The other child said that the sun was closer at noon because it was hotter, like standing near a fire. Something closer would naturally feel hotter – another simple logic.
Now, Xu Lian and the Shui Family elder were like those two children, arguing about the treasures.
One said the division should be based on the value of the treasure.
The other one said it should be based on the number of treasure.
Each had their own reasons. It was all because the agreement wasn’t clear from the beginning, which led to this mess.
“Since you insist on reneging and won’t fulfill the agreement, I’ll have to take it myself.”
The Shui Family elder reached out with her hand, and Xu Lian’s body was instantly pulled toward her against his will.
“…” Xu Lian had no way to resist a powerhouse of her level.
Would it be better to just hand over the fifty-five treasures with dignity?
Just as Xu Lian was about to give in, he had a thought. He was now blessed by the divine laws of the divine realm. Could they protect him? He decided not to hand over the treasures yet and see how things turned out…
The Shui Family elder pulled Xu Lian to her and reached for his wrist, having noticed that his storage bag was on that hand.
However, something miraculous happened. As soon as her hand shrouded in mist touched the light emanating from Xu Lian’s body, it melted like snow under the sun!
The Shui Family elder was shocked and quickly withdrew her hand.
Looking at her severed fingertips, she shook her hand and they instantly regenerated.
Xu Lian was both surprised and pleased. He was happy that the divine laws could indeed protect him from harm, but he was also shocked that a powerhouse could regenerate lost limbs. Truly impressive.
Regaining his composure, Xu Lian felt more confident and calmly said, “It seems Heaven’s will is clear. The division should be based on the number of treasure.”
Now it was the Shui Family Elder’s turn to be speechless. With the divine laws protecting him, ordinary powerhouses couldn’t do much to him.
Unless someone could break the divine laws or possessed power surpassing them, they wouldn’t be able to touch him.
But the divine realm was a legendary, supreme power. How many people in this world could break its laws? And how many could surpass them?
The Shui Family Elder sighed helplessly, “You really have given me a difficult problem.”
Xu Lian, who was now practically unkillable, wasn’t afraid. “Humans should follow the natural order. Don’t force what doesn’t belong to you.”
This was the first time the Shui Family elder had been lectured by a junior. After a moment of silence, she said, “How about we each take a step back? Out of your fifty-five treasures, give twenty-five to the Shui Family. How does that sound?”
“No.”
“The Shui family will buy them from you. Name your price.”
“No.”
Xu Lian remained firm, but he was also curious. “What exactly are these glowing items? Why do the Shui Family and other geniuses value them so much?”
The Shui Family elder replied, “They are treasures that can increase one’s strength.”
You cunning old woman… Xu Lian didn’t believe her. “If you tell me their true value, I might consider selling you some. If you don’t, I definitely won’t sell them to you.”
The Shui Family Elder had no choice. “Fine. These items were originally quite ordinary, but they have been imbued with a trace of the divine realm’s laws, making them immensely powerful and valuable.
Most importantly, the major factions are extremely interested in the laws of the Divine Realm. They want to study these glowing items to decipher and master the divine laws.”
Xu Lian nodded. “Then I definitely can’t sell them. If you crack the divine laws, the ones I possess would become useless, wouldn’t they?”
The Shui Family Elder’s eyes gleamed. “If we were to capture you and study the divine laws on your body, the profit would be even greater.”
Xu Lian’s expression froze. “I wouldn’t recommend that… If the Shui Family were to capture me, the forces behind me would stop at nothing to wage war against you.
The Shui Family must know something about the powers behind me, right?
The Sword Pavilion, the Yin Dynasty Royal Family, and two other mysterious powers that even I don’t fully understand.”
This was no secret. It had been revealed during the selection process for the royal consort.
The Shui family elder sighed. “That’s why I didn’t capture you. The divine laws on you are enough to drive your backers crazy. If they were to go to war with the Shui Family, it would be a disaster with no end in sight.”