Chereads / SCG / Chapter 98 - Chapter 229: Players and Pawns

Chapter 98 - Chapter 229: Players and Pawns

"When you chose to betray your teammates, the indigenous people here took action again, collectively burning their origin power. Especially the one who comprehended the Dao patterns among the natives burned the most fiercely."

"At the same time, while these indigenous people were burning their origin power, they also used some kind of secret technique to merge their strength, causing the array to unleash a terrifying power."

"Faced with this situation, even Qin Yue's expression changed drastically. She didn't expect these natives to be so ruthless, willing to sacrifice their origin power just to suppress her."

"Just as Qin Yue was hesitating whether to burn her own origin power to resist, she had already lost any hope of escape. Hesitation leads to defeat!"

"As the formation suddenly changed from a killing array to a binding array and an illusion array, Qin Yue was directly captured by these natives."

"Next, these natives burst into laughter. Although they paid a great price, burning more than half of their origin power, as long as they could capture Qin Yue, the big fat lamb, everything would be worth it."

"Following this, these natives bound Qin Yue and quickly brought her to their tribe."

"In response, you remained cold and swiftly followed along with Huang Qing and Huang Yin. Because of your mastery of the laws of time and space to a terrifying degree, no one could detect your presence."

"Soon, you followed this group of people to a certain tribe and witnessed an astonishing scene."

"You found that within this tribe, there were tens of thousands of people. Although not all of them were in the Saint Realm, there were still tens of thousands of Saint Realm experts."

"This was just one tribe, and you couldn't imagine how many Saint Realm experts there would be in all the indigenous tribes in this secret realm. It could be said that the true saints were outnumbered, and the Saint Kings were everywhere."

"Next, you used an advanced array-breaking talisman that could easily break the formation without alerting the person controlling it. This talisman was something you had prepared for this situation long ago, and its quality far exceeded the one you obtained in the ancient Taiyuan Star."

"As a result, you infiltrated the tribe without anyone noticing. You continued to follow the team that had captured Qin Yue and entered the deepest part of the tribe."

"However, when you reached the deepest part, you were discovered."

"A figure shrouded in black mist all over suddenly found you, with a cold gaze, and immediately attacked the point in the timeline where you were."

"This made your face change, and you chose without hesitation to flee with Huang Qing and Huang Yin."

"You weren't afraid of the person behind the scenes, but being in the enemy's stronghold, if you fought, you might die here even if you went all out."

"The terrifying killing formation formed by tens of thousands of Saint Realm experts could easily kill a Supreme. A change in quantity could lead to a change in quality, and this was not a joke."

"Moreover, if you delayed too long, it would attract experts from other tribes, which would be a terrifying situation."

"As you tried to escape, the person shrouded in black mist coldly snorted and pursued you, using a time and space technique that was no less powerful than yours, and in some aspects, even stronger."

"This surprised you, and you couldn't afford to linger, so you fled quickly. The pursuer didn't give up."

"In the end, you were caught by him. He didn't waste any words and unleashed the power of the dual Dao patterns of time and space toward you in a fierce attack."

"You faced this with a serious expression, not underestimating him in the slightest, and chose to engage in a fierce battle."

"However, the entity shrouded in the black mist was incredibly powerful. Even when you used your full strength, you were still suppressed by him. In response, you had no choice but to use your golden talent, 'Multiple Resonance,' in an attempt to trigger four or more attacks and critical hits for a comeback."

"Unfortunately, this time you were unlucky and didn't trigger high multipliers for multiple attacks and critical hits."

"In response, you skillfully utilized the combination of your golden talent, 'Damage Nullification,' and your purple talent, 'Technique Nullification,' to deliver a fatal blow. This tactic had been successful many times before."

"However, this time, because your opponent was more proficient in the laws of time and space than you and was extremely cautious, your tactic didn't work for the first time, which left you quite frustrated."

"What was even more frustrating was the trigger mechanism of your rainbow talent, 'Instant Death Attack.' Even though you had launched high-frequency attacks so many times, it had never triggered once."

"You started to suspect that it wasn't just a matter of launching it; there were certain conditions that needed to be met."

"The condition was that the stronger the opponent's power, the lower the probability of triggering. Additionally, your attack had to hit the opponent and cause damage for there to be a chance of triggering. Otherwise, it was useless even if you hit the opponent or only caused minor injuries."

"In other words, although the 'Instant Death Attack' talent was at the level of rules, there were many prerequisites for it to work. It wasn't as simple as being able to easily kill opponents much stronger than you, as you had initially thought."

"To kill stronger opponents, they had to underestimate you and be hit by you through your 'Technique Nullification' talent with a powerful attack that broke through their defenses. Only then, with a very small chance, could you turn the tide."

"As for using it against opponents of the same realm or slightly stronger than you, it was very effective because you could play games with them through your time and space technique, and breaking through their defenses was easier. As long as you kept attacking, sooner or later, it would trigger."

"Of course, the premise was that the opponent was not a cautious or highly sensitive type. Otherwise, facing an opponent like the one in front of you, shrouded in black mist, it was still troublesome, and you could only pray for luck to trigger it during the rare breakthroughs in his defenses."

"..."

"Darn it, I knew it wouldn't be that simple. This 'Instant Death Attack' rainbow talent isn't as powerful as I imagined. Although it can still be rated as a rainbow talent, compared to 'Apprentice Recruitment,' it falls a bit short."

Wang Ping looked at the simulated text and sighed inwardly.

Then, Wang Ping remembered the figure shrouded in black mist and furrowed his brow.

The fact that this person, the suspected mastermind behind the scenes, had comprehended the Dao patterns of time and space before him and was more proficient in the laws of time and space was something he hadn't expected.

After all, he possessed the Time and Space Dao Body, so why was this person stronger?

This was something he couldn't understand.

Could it be that he was the true Time and Space Dao Body that should have appeared in this world? Was he different from this impostor?

While various thoughts were swirling in Wang Ping's mind, the simulation continued.

"Just when you had many thoughts in your mind, you found an opportunity and endured a powerful blow from the figure shrouded in black mist. Although you responded in time, you still suffered significant injuries."

"This made you angry, and you no longer

 held back. You burned your own origin power, activated the purple talent, 'Substitute Puppet,' and adopted a desperate strategy, completely abandoning defense."

"You suddenly changed your tactics, surprising the figure shrouded in black mist for a moment. Taking advantage of this opportunity, you launched a frenzied attack, breaking through his defenses multiple times."

"While the damage caused by these breakthroughs wasn't significant, the high frequency of attacks increased your chances of triggering the 'Instant Death Attack' rainbow talent."

"Finally, your gamble paid off. You successfully triggered the 'Instant Death Attack' rainbow talent and directly killed the figure shrouded in black mist."

"As the figure shrouded in black mist was killed, the black mist on his body disappeared, revealing his true appearance."

"He wore a black robe and a black mask. You were filled with curiosity and approached to remove his mask and see his true face. However, just as you touched the mask, a terrifying explosion occurred, nearly killing you. If it weren't for your prepared 'Substitute Puppet' absorbing the damage, you would have died and consumed a resurrection token."

"After the explosion, the masked man turned to ashes, leaving no trace behind, and you missed the opportunity to learn his identity."

"This left you quite frustrated, as it was a missed opportunity. However, this person was clearly very cautious, and such calculations were to be expected. You had been a little careless and should have captured one of the indigenous people to uncover the mask."

"Nevertheless, even though you didn't learn the true identity of the figure shrouded in black mist, you still managed to kill him. After his dangerous presence was eliminated, your simulation should proceed more smoothly this time."

"As for learning his true identity, you would have to wait for the next simulation. While you believed that this person's calculations could be a threat next time as well, you could only try slowly."

"However, something unexpected happened. Just as you were about to leave with Huang Yin and Huang Qing, several figures shrouded in black mist appeared again, surrounding you."

"This left you in silence. You didn't expect that there were so many figures shrouded in black mist. It seemed that the one in the black mist mask from before wasn't the mastermind behind the scenes either. They were all just pawns of the mastermind behind the scenes."

"Even one pawn had the Time and Space Dao Body and had comprehended the Dao patterns of time and space. Most likely, this era should have given birth to the genuine Time and Space Dao Body owner, and the origin of the mastermind behind the scenes was truly terrifying."

"At that moment, you felt like you had touched upon a world-shaking secret and had entered a chess game involving a terrifying entity in the upper realm."

"Trouble, it's even more trouble than I imagined."

Chapter 229: Players and Pawns (Continued)

Wang Ping looked at the simulated content, his expression becoming serious.

"If this is really a scheme laid out by some terrifying entity, one that has even subjugated someone of my level, then the calculations and plans behind it are truly terrifying."

"This is undoubtedly a chessboard that will engulf the entire upper realm, with all beings, including the emperors, as pawns in his calculations."

"In other words, even if this layout fails to capture all the geniuses this time, there will be another plan in the future."

"When that time comes, who will escape?"

"No, this doesn't add up."

Suddenly, Wang Ping seemed to have thought of something, and his pupils slightly contracted.

"If the goal of the other party is to capture all the geniuses and set up a scheme in the upper realm, why did he kill me separately and know my whereabouts?"

"This behavior is very different from how he dealt with Qin Yue and the others, and it's quite peculiar."

"Could this mastermind behind the scenes be from the various realms? Only beings from the various realms would know about resurrection and conduct surveillance. In other words, he knows that I come from the various realms, and he might even know that I'm from the chat group. Hence, he targeted me specifically and gave me special treatment, leaving me with no way out."

Various thoughts flashed through Wang Ping's mind.

"This is troublesome. The truth is hard to find. It seems this simulation might not go as smoothly as expected."

Wang Ping sighed and gathered his thoughts, continuing to watch the screen.

[Faced with such a situation, you have no choice but to prepare for a battle against these formidable enemies. However, your trump cards have been depleted, and they most likely know the effects of the Rainbow Talent 'Instant Death Attack.' You have no guarantee of victory.]

[As you anticipated, as soon as you prepared for a battle, they didn't give you a chance. They united to form a great formation and refused to engage in battle with you. These black mist figures, though not as powerful as the black mist figures you faced before, are still extremely formidable. They all seem to possess a certain powerful constitution, developed to a certain degree, and not weaker than Qin Yue by much.]

[Facing such individuals united in a formation, you felt helpless and could only endure. After all, your trump cards are depleted now, and you've consumed too much energy in previous battles. Your current strength is only one-third of your peak.]

[Faced with this situation, Huang Qing and Huang Yin also understood the seriousness of the problem and knew they couldn't leave you to fend for yourself. Therefore, despite feeling a bit shy, they made a firm decision.]

[At that moment, they transmitted their voices to you, asking if you could create a domain that could avoid attacks and sight. As long as it could last for an hour, there would be hope for a turnaround.]

[Hearing this, you were somewhat moved and said that you would do your best.]

[Ultimately, you used your powerful time and space abilities to create an area that could resist and deflect attacks, buying time.]

[Seeing you exert yourself to create such a domain, Huang Qing and Huang Yin's faces turned crimson. Despite feeling a bit embarrassed, they firmly clung to you and began teaching you the top-level Emperor's Art of pure Phoenix lineage.]

[Seeing this scene, you were very surprised and understood what Huang Qing and Huang Yin wanted to do.]

[However, you were not a hesitant person. You began to practice the Emperor's Art they taught you, wasting no time. You practiced dual cultivation with Huang Qing and Huang Yin.]

[In the end, you successfully gained the Phoenix power from Huang Qing and Huang Yin, obtaining a portion of the pure Phoenix origin power.]

[With the partial Phoenix origin power from two pure-blooded Phoenixes, you successfully healed the origin injuries you had suffered, gained even stronger recovery abilities, and obtained a Phoenix body that was comparable to top-tier Saint bodies like the Crimson Flame Saint Body.]

[In addition, if Huang Qing and Huang Yin had higher cultivation levels and weren't still growing, and if your own cultivation level were lower, your cultivation level could have been greatly improved.]

[This is because you lacked the power of the Dragon Clan. If you had the potent Dragon Blood, you would have experienced the phenomenon of Dragon and Phoenix together, reaping even greater benefits.]

[It can only be said that dual cultivation with pure-blooded Phoenixes offers enormous advantages, which is why so many geniuses are so enthusiastic about it. You, on the other hand, obtained two at once, which is enough to make countless geniuses envious and jealous.]

[As for Huang Qing and Huang Yin, during this dual cultivation process, they also gained significant benefits, raising their cultivation levels to the peak of Saint Kings. If not for the restrictions of this realm, they might have reached the level of Semi-Divine Saints, and even the level of Divine Saints would not be an impossible achievement.]

[Their special Fire Law also surged to a new level during this exchange, directly reaching perfection.]

[It can only be said that the first-time dual cultivation of pure-blooded Phoenixes with someone like you, a Semi-Emperor, using the most top-tier dual cultivation Emperor's Art, brings tremendous benefits.]

[With the completion of your dual cultivation, as you mutually benefited from each other, the time and space defenses you set up began to falter and show signs of collapse.]

[In response to this, your eyes turned cold, and you snorted, determined to eliminate them later. In your weakened state, you naturally worried about your impending death. However, you've now fully recovered to your peak state and even gained enhanced endurance and recovery abilities, making it impossible for these people to kill you, even if they set up a great formation.]

[These black mist figures, after all, are not as formidable as the one you encountered before, who may possess a Time and Space Dao Body. Even with their united formation, they cannot reach the level of being able to kill you.]

[At this moment, Huang Qing and Huang Yin's cheeks were flushed, and they gathered their composure, preparing to fight alongside you. Although they still felt that the gap in their strength compared to yours was significant, they were determined to help as much as they could. They didn't want to become burdens to their Dao companion, you.]

[With the complete collapse of your time and space defenses, the three of you took turns to attack, initiating a counterattack.]

[This surprised the black mist figures, as they hadn't expected you to recover to your peak state and even become stronger, increasing the pressure on them.]

[However, these individuals were not to be underestimated. Without a word, they began burning their origin power for combat, further enhancing the power of their formation.]

[In response, you sneered and also started burning your origin power. Unlike other races, who might find it difficult to recover after burning their origin power, and it was a rare occurrence to recover the origin power of a Semi-Emperor, pure-blooded Phoenixes possessed the ability of rebirth. Burning your origin power would indeed cost you time but not your life.]

[The black mist figures, in the end, were not as formidable as the one you encountered earlier, who may possess a Time and Space Dao Body. Even with their united formation, they couldn't

 reach the level of being able to kill you.]

[At this moment, Huang Qing and Huang Yin had flushed cheeks, but they had gathered their composure and were determined to fight alongside you. Although they still felt the vast gap in strength compared to you, they wanted to contribute as much as possible and not become deadweight to their Dao partner.]

[With your time and space defenses completely crumbling, the three of you took turns attacking, launching a counteroffensive.]

[This surprised the black mist figures, as they hadn't expected you to recover to your peak state and even become stronger, increasing the pressure on them.]

[However, these individuals were not to be underestimated. Without a word, they began burning their origin power for combat, further enhancing the power of their formation.]

[In response, you sneered and also started burning your origin power. Unlike other races, who might find it difficult to recover after burning their origin power, and it was a rare occurrence to recover the origin power of a Semi-Emperor, pure-blooded Phoenixes possessed the ability of rebirth. Burning your origin power would indeed cost you time but not your life.]

Chapter 229: Players and Pawns (Continued)

For this reason, the fighting style of pure-blooded Phoenixes had always been reckless, often burning their origin power in battle. Now, after your union with Huang Yin and Huang Qing, you gained a portion of the purest Phoenix blood and the ability of rebirth, allowing you to recover your origin power. As a result, you could burn your origin power recklessly in battle without worrying about the cost. This extravagant fighting style was the envy of many cultivators.

As for Huang Yin and Huang Qing, they also began burning their origin power in battle, and their burning was even more ferocious than yours. Being true pure-blooded Phoenixes, they naturally had stronger recovery abilities and fought in a more extravagant manner.

Seeing the three of you burning your origin power to engage in battle, these black mist figures were surprised at first but soon became anxious. After all, you were their prey, and your origin power was what their master needed. Burning your origin power meant burning their profits.

...

"These guys are after our origin power? Who is their master, and why do they need the essence of prodigies?" Wang Ping looked at the simulated text, his pupils slightly dilating as he contemplated. 

Could it be that both the natives and these black mist figures are here for the essence of prodigies? Is their master the Devouring Immortal Demon?

If their master is indeed the Devouring Immortal Demon, it would explain their unusual behavior. The Devouring Immortal Demon would indeed require the essence of prodigies.

The Devouring Immortal Demon had a unique physique, one that started off weak but had the strongest potential for development. This kind of physique, with enough consumption of powerful essence, could potentially refine an Immortal Body and even the legendary Chaos Body.

However, if their master is truly the Devouring Immortal Demon, it wouldn't make sense for them to plot against prodigies. With such capabilities, they could directly target Supreme Pseudo-Emperors and even Emperors instead of wasting time on prodigies.

Wang Ping's gaze deepened. 

After all, it's more efficient to consume the essence of someone whose cultivation isn't far from your own. Otherwise, it's like a drop of water in the ocean, virtually insignificant.

Moreover, the current era is the Golden Era, and the quality and quantity of prodigies emerging are far superior to the previous generation of elders.

"However, can two Devouring Immortal Demons coexist in the same era?" Wang Ping thought again of Lin Qinghe and furrowed his brows.

Lin Qinghe was a Devouring Immortal Demon, and theoretically, there should only be one of these unique physiques in each era. This kind of unique physique has only appeared once in each era throughout history.

"But Lin Qinghe was born in the Apocalypse Era, and the other might not be from the same era. Perhaps this entity is a self-proclaimed prodigy, hailing from a more distant age, who has knowledge of the peculiarities of the Golden Era and seeks to exploit it."

Wang Ping pondered quietly.

"My speculation is well-founded, but I still need to gather more information to confirm it. Without exposing this guy, the next simulations will likely be filled with all sorts of challenges orchestrated by this mastermind."

Wang Ping sighed, feeling quite troubled.

"However, this time, I unexpectedly engaged in dual cultivation with Huang Qing and Huang Yin and gained such great benefits. I wonder if these benefits can be refreshed in the reward list."

Wang Ping once again thought of Huang Qing and Huang Yin's situation, feeling rather conflicted.

Dual cultivation and the intimacy between partners had been absent from his life for quite some time.

"However, the Law of Dao Companionship is an inevitable law... In the end, death is the only outcome."

Wang Ping shook his head slightly, not holding much hope for the upcoming simulations.

Subsequently, he collected his thoughts and continued to watch the screen.

"At this moment, the three of you launched a more ferocious joint attack, intending to break through the formidable formation. Your attacks were highly effective, and the great formation began to tremble, while the black mist figures burning their origin power couldn't hold on. They were ultimately less enduring than you."

"As you were about to break the formation and escape, something happened that left you in silence. More black mist figures arrived, along with many natives. The situation became hopeless."

"However, you're not one to give up easily. You made up your mind and used a forbidden technique that sacrificed a thousand to kill eight hundred, shattering the great formation. Then, with life-threatening injuries due to the inability to recover your Phoenix power quickly, you used your final method to transfer Huang Qing and Huang Yin, the pure-blooded Phoenix sisters you had an intimate relationship with, to another location within the secret realm using your time and space abilities."

"Although you knew that the chances of them surviving after the transfer were slim, you didn't want to witness the death of your Dao companions."

"As you used your last ounce of strength to transfer Huang Qing and Huang Yin, your body was pierced by the attacks of the black mist figures."

"In response, you laughed heartily and detonated yourself."

"A terrifying explosion occurred, leaving these individuals in a miserable state, and some of them perished. You entered a state of resurrection countdown."

"While you were in the resurrection countdown, this group of people guarded your death point, setting up an even more formidable formation, leaving you no way out."

"When you resurrected, you saw the even more terrifying formation before you and knew that you were doomed."

"Nevertheless, you didn't give up easily and fought to the end."

"In the end, you died within the formation, completely perishing."

"Because of your death, this simulation ends here..."

...

As the text simulation came to an end, various scenes and insights flashed through Wang Ping's mind. Finally, his presence appeared within the secret realm, observing the black mist figures and natives from a god-like perspective.

However, there was nothing interesting to watch. Just as Wang Ping was preparing to exit this state, he suddenly noticed the severely injured black mist figure who had been injured due to his earlier self-detonation.

The black mist had disappeared from her body, and her mask was significantly damaged, revealing her smooth forehead.

On her forehead, there was an extremely mysterious white moon mark, which looked very beautiful. Upon closer inspection, you could even see that this moon mark was composed of smaller diamond-shaped patterns.

As he looked at this mark, Wang Ping's eyes widened slightly.

In the upper realm, when certain techniques were cultivated to a high level, they would leave behind unique marks, which wasn't unusual. However, out of the countless marks that existed, only a few were truly memorable.

One of them was the Moon and Diamond Mark from the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Scripture.

The Moon and Diamond Emperor's Scripture was extremely difficult to cultivate, and when mastered to a profound level, it would manifest as such a mark on the forehead.

As a result, this mark became a distinctive symbol of the disciples of the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Scripture or prominent figures associated with it, and it was almost impossible to replicate.

"Is this woman from the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Palace? Did she also ally herself with the mastermind behind all this?"

Wang Ping's mind was shaken, and he couldn't stay calm.

No, that couldn't be right. In the current generation, the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Palace didn't have any female Emperors. As for the previous generation, although there was a female Emperor, she had disappeared a long time ago, and according to the calculations of prominent figures in the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Palace, she had already died and completely perished...

Regarding the leakage of the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Scripture's inheritance, that was an impossible scenario. Each Emperor's Scripture had special safeguards in place to prevent its inheritance from being leaked.

Unless a member of the same clan deliberately leaked it, or some unforeseen event occurred, it would be very difficult for the inheritance to be leaked. In the case of the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Scripture, it was said to have specific prerequisites that only the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Palace could fulfill.

Therefore, very few people within the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Palace were qualified to cultivate the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Scripture, and it was highly unlikely for its inheritance to be leaked.

"However, who is this woman then? Could it be that the Moon and Diamond Emperor's Palace is also involved, supporting the mastermind behind the scenes? Is she one of their secretly nurtured individuals?"

"If that's the case, are the other black mist prodigies also cultivated by other major powers? Are they also supporters of that individual?"

Wang Ping's expression kept changing, and he felt far from calm.

If that were the case, the complexity of the Upper Realm's situation would far exceed his imagination. The machinations of these old monsters were enough to send shivers down one's spine.

At this moment, Wang Ping was uncertain how many powers and Emperors were involved in this game of chess.

When Wang Ping's mind was in turmoil, his consciousness suddenly flickered, his perspective changed, and he exited the simulation.

Immediately after, the system's voice sounded.

"Ding, reward generation successful. The host can choose two rewards from the following options:

1. Half-Step Supreme-level Mana.

2. Rainbow Talent: Instant Death Attack.

3. Random Supreme-grade Item.

4. Red Talent: Wood Profound Body."

Wang Ping glanced at the reward list and made his choices without hesitation.

"System, I choose 1. Half-Step Supreme-level Mana and 2. Rainbow Talent: Instant Death Attack."

As Wang Ping made his selections, he felt his cultivation skyrocket.

Great Saint Realm Ninth Stage!

Great Saint Realm Perfection!

In terms of mana, he also reached the level of Half-Step Supreme, incredibly powerful!

In addition to this, Wang Ping's mind was flooded with information about how to use the Rainbow Talent: Instant Death Attack. He realized that this talent wasn't as overwhelmingly powerful as he had initially thought. It required dealing damage to have a chance of triggering the instant death effect.

However, this talent was still far from weak and could bring about miraculous results. Without this talent, he might have struggled against the contemporary Temporal Dao Body who had condensed the Time and Space Twin Dao Patterns.

"Phew, all in all, this simulation yielded substantial gains. I just don't know if I should continue down this simulation path."

Wang Ping let out a sigh of relief, quite satisfied with his harvest.

However, he was also torn.

Based on the current information he had obtained, this path was not one he could intervene in. Although most of the information was his own speculation, his speculations had always been accurate.

So, the question of whether it was worth continuing the paid simulations to dig deeper into the information was a matter to consider.

"I can try using free simulations to gather information. However, at present, no matter what method I use, unless I can refresh a talent that greatly aids in combat, everything will be in vain, and entering will mean certain death."

Wang Ping shook his head slightly, murmuring to himself.

Those above the Supreme level couldn't enter, and those below the Supreme level couldn't contend with the black mist and the indigenous powers.

"Although I could try to bring Cai Yonglong and the others over to tackle the instance together, this accursed secret realm has restrictions, not only on cultivation levels but likely also on aura and luck. It's evident that Cai Yonglong and the others won't meet the requirements."

Wang Ping sighed again, realizing that his usual strategy of gathering a group of friends to tackle instances wouldn't work this time, and he had lost a significant trump card.

This secret realm was designed by the mastermind with great care, and that was why Qin Yue's followers and the Qin family's prisoners were able to enter initially. It was clear that the mastermind had made it so.

"However, whether there are requirements in terms of aura and luck, I'll have to find out through trial and error. Although I did sense it when I entered, it could still be an illusion."

Wang Ping was determined to investigate further.

Wang Ping's gaze flickered as he decided to explore the path using a free simulation.

Soon, Wang Ping took action.

And then, nothing happened. He attempted to bring Lin Yuanyuan, Cai Yonglong, and the others over but was immediately blocked from entering.

Simulating Wang Ping faced another calamity without any external help.

"Never mind, I won't keep bashing my head against this wall. It's better to change my simulation path, keep a low profile, and work on becoming stronger."

Wang Ping shook his head, no longer willing to dwell on these matters.

"System, I want to initiate a paid simulation."

Following that, Wang Ping spoke again.

"Ding, the host's cultivation has reached the Great Saint Realm Perfection level. The cost for this paid simulation is 4 million jin of Premium Divine Source or 400,000 jin of Supreme Divine Source. Would you like to proceed with the consumption?"

The system's voice rang out.

This surprised Wang Ping.

"Huh, they're calculating the price as if I'm only at the Great Saint Realm Perfection level? I'm practically halfway to the Half-Step Supreme level now, right?"

After hearing the system's pricing, Wang Ping was quite taken aback.

"If I choose to exploit this 'bug,' I could save some divine source. However, there's no need for that. It's better to become stronger quickly."

Wang Ping's eyes gleamed as he contemplated.

Then, he smiled faintly and said, "System, consume the divine source and start the simulation."

"Ding, consuming 4 million Premium Divine Source. Life Simulator activated. Paid simulation initiated. Talent refresh in progress..."

The system's voice sounded again.

"Ding, talent refresh successful. Congratulations, the host has successfully refreshed the Golden Talent: Life for a Life and the Red Talent: Thunder Profound Body."

Golden Talent: Life for a Life: After using this talent, the host can forcibly exchange lives with an enemy, both perishing together.

P.S.: This talent can only be used below the Supreme Realm, please be aware, host.

"Golden Talent: Life for a Life. Isn't this ability an upgraded version of the Purple Talent: Puppet of Substitution or an optimized version of the Purple Talent: Fate Connection?"

Wang Ping couldn't help but make a sarcastic remark as he looked at the newly refreshed talent.

If this talent had been refreshed earlier, it would undoubtedly have been extremely useful.

However, at his current cultivation level, which was about to enter the Half-Step Supreme level, the number of people who could use this talent was quite limited.

Moreover, once one reached the Supreme Realm, this talent would become almost useless.

It could be said that it was a bit of a waste.

"But, it's not entirely useless. If that Swallowing Immortal Devil Body's cultivation is still below the Supreme Realm, and I encounter him, I should be able to perish together with him."

Wang Ping's eyes flickered as he thought of this.

He still had some apprehensions about that Swallowing Immortal Devil Body, without a doubt. After all, even the contemporary Temporal Dao Body was inferior to him in terms of combat power, and Wang Ping had relied on the Rainbow Talent's instant death effect to defeat him.

And that Temporal Dao Body was just one of the Swallowing Immortal Devil Body's subordinates.

In the Upper Realm, there were very few instances where subordinates were stronger than their masters.

Even if such cases existed, they were exceptions, and this situation was definitely not one of those exceptions.

"Although it sounds good, the premise is that I can find his location and engage him in a direct confrontation. Unfortunately, his black mist underlings and indigenous forces are quite troublesome, and I'm struggling to get past them."

Wang Ping shook his head, not wanting to dwell on it any longer, and said, "System, I choose the Golden Talent: Life for a Life."

"Ding, talent selection successful. Life Simulator initiated..."

The system's voice sounded again, and Wang Ping's consciousness flickered as he entered the immersive simulation state.

Then, the screen appeared, and familiar text floated into view...

"Brothers and sisters, Little Dream has burned out! I really want to go home and write in peace at home!"

"Wu wu wu (*)"

(End of this chapter)

*Note: "Wu wu wu" is an expression of crying or sadness.