Two days later, in another part of the realm of Ruin…
A loud cheer erupted within one of the camps.
"Leader Qin HaoLang! You… you've managed to comprehend and attain the foundational stage of the Duality Realm?!" one of his subordinates exclaimed in astonishment, unable to hide the disbelief in his voice.
"This… this is truly extraordinary! Who would've thought that someone like you, who doesn't rely on intellect but brute strength, could grasp such profound principles?"
The crowd around Qin HaoLang stood in stunned silence, their awe palpable. To most of them, Qin was nothing more than a powerhouse—a man of overwhelming physical might but little finesse. Yet now, he had proven them wrong, achieving enlightenment in the elusive Duality Realm before anyone else in the Realm of Ruin.
Some among the nineteen other leaders gathered in the same territory felt a surge of envy at Qin HaoLang's success. Others, more focused on their own pursuits, remained indifferent and continued their meditative efforts to comprehend the mysteries of duality.
Not long after, a second figure emerged from his meditative trance—Liu Changzi. His eyes fluttered open, and he released a slow, measured sigh, as though shedding the burdens of the world. Rising to his feet with an air of nonchalance, he stretched his arms behind his back, his posture as casual as if he had just woken from a pleasant nap.
Liu Changzi's gaze drifted toward Qin HaoLang, a flicker of surprise crossing his usually composed features. "To think that Qin HaoLang managed to achieve the foundational stage before me… It seems his talents run deeper than mere physical strength," Liu murmured to himself. Without saying another word, he turned and strode back to his camp to rest, his calm demeanor masking the competitive fire burning within.
Meanwhile, the remaining eighteen leaders each focused on their own breakthroughs. Some were on the verge of understanding, their auras fluctuating with energy as they teetered on the brink of enlightenment. Others struggled, their frustration evident as they poured their efforts into comprehending the essence of duality.
Among them, one leader growled under his breath, his aura crackling with impatience.
"If I can't grasp this soon, I'll be left behind. That damn Qin HaoLang is already leagues ahead!"
As the hours passed, more leaders began to achieve the foundational stage of the Duality Realm, their progress marking a slow but steady shift in the power dynamics of the Realm of Ruin.
For each leader who succeeded, their subordinates watched with bated breath, knowing that the stakes were impossibly high.
"If you fail to grasp the basics of the Duality Realm," one leader declared coldly to his followers, "you'll be left behind. And in this place, being left behind is the same as death."
His chilling words echoed the sentiment shared by all the leaders present. This was not a place for the weak or unworthy.
In the Realm of Ruin, only those who could transcend their limits would survive, while the rest would fade into obscurity—or worse, perish in the unforgiving wilderness.
As the tension within the camp simmered, Qin HaoLang sat cross-legged atop a rocky outcrop, his aura calm yet unyielding. He paid no mind to the envious glances or whispered discussions surrounding him, his focus entirely on stabilizing his newfound comprehension.
"Duality," he mused softly to himself, his deep voice barely audible over the wind. "A balance of opposites. Strength and wisdom. Chaos and order. It's not just about understanding—it's about embodying the very nature of existence itself. The path forward is clearer now, but this is only the beginning."
Unbeknownst to Qin, his quiet resolve was inspiring those around him, even the most skeptical among the other leaders. While competition raged in their hearts, there was also an unspoken acknowledgment of Qin HaoLang's achievements.
The Realm of Ruin was a place of trials and tribulations, and for the nineteen leaders and their followers, the journey was far from over. The race to ascend the Duality Realm had only just begun, and with every passing moment, the stakes grew higher.
In another part of the Kingdom of Ruin, at a desolate location...
"We're here. Prepare yourselves," Xiao Tian announced, his voice steady but laced with tension. "This is the entrance to the Abyss of the Wastelands. You two claimed that the ancient inheritance of the Primordial Demon Ancestor lies within, did you not?"
The two young women nodded silently in response, their faces unreadable.
The group of seven steeled themselves, their hands gripping their weapons—swords, bows, shields, spears, and sabers—all of them Spiritual-grade artifacts, their surfaces gleaming with a faint, otherworldly aura. As they approached the massive, towering gates, they began to push them open, the heavy stone groaning in protest as the entrance revealed itself.
What lay beyond, however, was not the grand inheritance chamber they had expected.
Instead, they were greeted by a barren expanse, utterly devoid of life or grandeur. The once-sacred hall was nothing more than a wasteland of broken stones, with only faint traces of bloodstains and scattered remnants of offerings left on a ruined altar.
The group exchanged uneasy glances as they fanned out to search the area.
"Strange," one of them muttered. "There's… nothing here."
They scoured every corner, their expressions growing darker as their search yielded no results. Eventually, Xiao Tian broke the silence.
"My guess is that the Fourth Holy Son, Zi Rong, has already claimed the inheritance of the Primordial Demon Ancestor," Xiao Tian said with a frown.
"He must have passed the trials left behind. What you see here now is nothing but the remnants of what once was. The so-called statue you mentioned… I suspect it was nothing more than a fragment of the Primordial Demon Ancestor's soul."
The Ninth and Tenth Sacred Daughters, Lan Xin and Yue Qing, exchanged worried looks. Lan Xin spoke up, her tone laced with dread.
"If Zi Rong has truly inherited the legacy of the Primordial Demon Ancestor… this is disastrous. If he manages to restore the Demon Ancestor's physical body, it could spell the end for all living things. This will bring about untold catastrophe."
The others murmured uneasily, their thoughts spiraling into worst-case scenarios. Before the rising panic could take hold, Xiao Tian's firm voice interrupted them.
"Enough."
His gaze swept over the group, silencing their whispers.
"Even if Zi Rong has obtained the inheritance and passed the trials, it doesn't guarantee his survival. This place is rife with danger. Even beings at the mid-stage Wuji Divine Realm—entities who hold the power of life and death over all in the Kingdom of Ruin—struggle to make it out alive. Don't overestimate his chances."
The group fell silent, absorbing his words.
"Besides," Xiao Tian continued, "even if he possesses the Demon Ancestor's guidance, he is still far from invincible. Without the strength to match his ambitions, he'll need allies to survive this place. He might even seek out the First Holy Son, Long Tian, to form an alliance."
The mention of Long Tian drew puzzled expressions from the group.
"An alliance? With the First Holy Son?" Lan Xin scoffed. "That's impossible. Long Tian is a man of honor. He would never align himself with a demon, let alone someone as dangerous as Zi Rong. He's known for his righteousness and respect for others, regardless of their status. It's unthinkable."
But Xiao Tian merely laughed coldly.
"You fools. Do you truly believe the First Holy Son is as noble as he appears?"
Lan Xin and Yue Qing bristled at his words, their loyalty to Long Tian evident in their fiery gazes. Before they could retort, Xiao Tian shrugged off his upper robes, revealing a body riddled with scars—deep, jagged wounds that carved into his flesh, some cutting so deeply they exposed the bone beneath.
The group gasped, their eyes wide with shock.
"Do you sense it?" Xiao Tian asked quietly, his voice heavy with bitterness. "The lingering aura of the blade that left these marks… it belongs to none other than the First Holy Son."
As they focused on the faint energy emanating from the scars, recognition dawned on their faces. The aura was unmistakable—pure, sharp, and suffused with the indomitable will of Long Tian.
"These wounds," Xiao Tian continued, "were inflicted during my first entry into the Kingdom of Ruin. I encountered Long Tian by chance, and he accused me of manipulating the Elder Council to gain their favor. He ranted that he should have been chosen as their disciple and that I had stolen his rightful place. When his tantrum reached its peak, he attacked me without warning."
Xiao Tian's voice trembled with suppressed rage. "I had no choice but to defend myself and flee. His sacred aura was so powerful it obliterated three-tenths of my soul fragments. Had it not been for my secret escape technique, I wouldn't have survived."
He cast a hard look at the group. "Now, tell me—do you still think of him as a paragon of virtue?"
The group fell into an uneasy silence, their faith shaken. Lan Xin and Yue Qing, however, still clung to their belief in Long Tian, their eyes filled with silent defiance.
Seeing their expressions, Xiao Tian sneered and donned his robes once more. Yet, his sister, Xiao Hanyan, watched quietly from the sidelines, her gaze softening as she took in the scars on his body. Though she said nothing, her clenched fists betrayed the deep well of anger and pain that now simmered within her heart.
As time passed, one month slipped by like sand through an hourglass. The once-solid alliances and convictions of the group began to waver, the truths revealed during their journey sowing seeds of doubt and mistrust that would soon bear bitter fruit.
The group continued their journey toward a place known as the "Dead End," the boundary marking the edge of the Realm of Ruin.
As they traveled, uncertainty plagued them; without a clear destination, they walked in a straight line with no direction in sight. Among the group, the Ninth and Tenth Divine Sons harbored silent doubts. Their disbelief in the First Divine Son's ruthlessness lingered, though they dared not voice it aloud.
Along the way, the two murmured in hushed tones, speculating that perhaps Xiao Tian had done something to offend the First Divine Son, prompting his wrath. Though their whispers were barely audible, they could not escape Xiao Tian's keen ears. He heard every word yet paid no heed, maintaining a cold, chilling smile that seemed to penetrate bone and soul alike.
At dusk, Xiao Tian halted the group, his icy demeanor giving way to a commanding voice:
"Let's camp here tonight. This spot is ideal, with a stream and abundant natural resources. We can gather food and rest before continuing our journey tomorrow."
Relieved, the group sighed, exhaustion evident on their faces. Xiao Tian began delegating tasks:
"Brother Zhang Dalei, could you hunt a beast for us? It need not be a high-grade one—anything edible will suffice." Zhang Dalei nodded and swiftly disappeared into the woods.
"Xiao Shan, Zhang Bai, gather dry firewood from the surroundings. I'll set up the fire. As for the rest of you, search for any nearby food sources or fish by the riverbank."
While the others busied themselves with their tasks, the Ninth and Tenth Divine Sons, who had clung to the group for protection, did nothing but partake in the meals prepared for them.
However, they would lend their aid during encounters with high-level beasts, showcasing their combat prowess when the need arose.
Suddenly, Zhang Dalei returned to the camp in a frantic rush, drenched in sweat and bearing injuries. Alarmed, the Ninth and Tenth Divine Sons prepared for the arrival of a high-grade beast, only to find their expectations shattered. Emerging from the forest were none other than Bai Yao, the Fourth Divine Son, and Yu Han, the Fifth Divine Son.
The Ninth and Tenth Divine Sons called out, their voices sharp with surprise,
"What brings you here?"
The two Divine Sons seemed equally startled to see them, as well as the rest of the group.
"We could ask you the same," Yu Han replied, raising a brow.
But before further words could be exchanged, a sharp blade appeared mere inches from Yu Han's throat. Its wielder was none other than Xiao Hanyan, her eyes cold and unyielding.
Yu Han, however, remained unfazed. His gaze shifted to Xiao Hanyan, but recognition eluded him, as she had altered her appearance using a technique provided by Xiao Tian to avoid detection by the Divine Sons.
"Calm yourself, lady. We mean no harm," Bai Yao interjected with a placating tone.
Xiao Hanyan's murderous gaze remained fixed on Yu Han until a hand gently pressed her blade downward. It was Xiao Tian, his presence commanding yet serene.
"My apologies for my companion's improper conduct," Xiao Tian said, his voice smooth as silk. "We were unaware we had crossed paths with fellow Divine Sons. It would seem an offense has been committed. I humbly ask that you forgive my companion and allow us to make amends."
The two Divine Sons were momentarily stunned by his words. To demand an apology from individuals of their status was unheard of. Yet, Bai Yao broke the silence, bowing slightly as he spoke:
"The fault is mine. I attacked your companion under the impression he was a threat. I deeply regret my rash actions and ask for forgiveness."
Xiao Tian smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and mockery. "Your humility is truly commendable, unlike certain individuals who may appear mighty on the surface but are nothing more than rabid dogs in disguise."
Though the remark was laced with subtle venom, the Divine Sons chose not to dwell on its implications. Xiao Tian then introduced himself and his group, using false names to obscure their identities.
"I am Xie Tian, and this is my elder sister, Xie Moqiong. These are my companions, Zhang XuanChen, Shan Zi, and Li Bei."
The Divine Sons, recognizing the aliases, refrained from pressing further, knowing they could uncover the truth later. Bai Yao and Yu Han decided to accompany the group, citing their shared destination.
As the evening progressed, the group shared a meal by the campfire. Amidst the flickering flames, Yu Han turned to Xiao Tian with a curious smile.
"So, are you the leader of this group, Master Xie Tian?"
Xiao Tian returned the smile with one of his own, his tone modest yet firm.
"Yes, I lead this group. However, I respect my companions' independence. I do not command them; they follow me of their own accord. If they wish to leave or act on their own, I grant them that freedom."
Yu Han chuckled, his admiration evident. "A leader who values freedom and individuality—how rare and admirable."
Xiao Tian shrugged lightly, his eyes glimmering with amusement.
"We are all unique. Even twins who share the same face differ in personality and spirit. Why should I attempt to mold others into my image?"
The Fifth Divine Son found himself intrigued by Xiao Tian's words and demeanor. There was an air of mystery about this man—a depth he had never encountered before. Their conversation stretched late into the night, filled with laughter and camaraderie.
Yet, beneath Xiao Tian's genial facade, his thoughts whispered a different tune:
"So, you're trying to pry into my secrets, aren't you? Foolish. No matter how much you attempt to get close to me, it will all be in vain."
As dawn broke, the camp stirred to life. While the others busied themselves, Xiao Tian and Yu Han sat cross-legged, meditating and absorbing the world's natural energies, their spirits untouched by the weariness of the mortal realm.
After completing their morning routines, the group continued their journey, following a straight path through the wilderness.
Along the way, they encountered several high-level beasts, some of which were too formidable to face directly.
Notably, the Fifth Sacred Son refrained from helping in certain battles, choosing instead to observe Xie Tian's capabilities. However, unbeknownst to him, Xie Tian had already anticipated this and meticulously planned for such scenarios. Maintaining his guise as a weak and unassuming individual, he avoided raising any suspicions while concealing his true strength.
The journey stretched on for over two weeks.
At times, they would run to cover more distance quickly, and at other times, they walked to conserve energy.
After another week of grueling travel, they arrived at a peculiar location—one that baffled most of the group, including Xie Tian, the Ninth, and Tenth Sacred Daughters. However, the Second and Fifth Sacred Sons immediately recognized it.
"This is the barrier separating the outer regions of the Realm of Ruin from the higher dimensional planes," the Fifth Sacred Son finally explained.
He went on to clarify that crossing this barrier required an intrinsic understanding of the Duality of Existence—a harmonious balance between opposing forces. Without this foundational insight, no one could pass through the veil of energy that loomed before them.
With a confident stride, the Fifth Sacred Son approached the shimmering barrier, extending his hand toward it. As soon as his fingers touched the surface, he closed his eyes and sat down cross-legged, entering a meditative state. Seeing this, the rest of the group followed his example, one by one sitting down to meditate.
Within moments, they were all immersed in the chaotic intertwining concepts of duality. The realization of opposites—light and dark, life and death, stillness and motion—began to surface in their minds.
For most, it was an arduous and perplexing task to comprehend and untangle these ideas. However, the Second and Fifth Sacred Sons demonstrated remarkable ease in grasping and harmonizing the dual concepts, gradually arranging them into a coherent order.
Meanwhile, Xie Tian, still under the guise of mediocrity, silently observed. In truth, duality was not a foreign concept to him.
Drawing upon the philosophical knowledge from his past life, including musings on imbalance, complementary opposites, and interconnected forces, he navigated the concepts with unparalleled clarity.
For Xie Tian, this was less an exercise in learning and more an opportunity to reaffirm what he already understood.
As the others struggled with their meditations, Xie Tian unraveled the intricacies of duality at an astonishing pace, as if the answers had long been etched into his very being.
On the Other Side of the Realm of Ruin
Qin HaoLang's group eventually achieved minor success in comprehending the duality encapsulated within the barrier. This allowed only 47 individuals to cross to the other side of the Realm of Ruin, leaving over a hundred behind.
Those who failed remained, desperately attempting to grasp the intricacies of duality. However, their efforts were in vain. Before long, a pack of advanced Stage 7 beasts descended upon them, ruthlessly slaughtering and devouring every last one, leaving no trace of their existence.
The Other Side of the Realm of Ruin
As Qin HaoLang and his group set foot on the other side, they were immediately struck by its ominous and treacherous nature. The sky itself reflected the essence of duality, split between two moons—one red and the other blue.
The red side emanated the aura of bloodshed and death, while the blue exuded calm and tranquility.
Faced with the decision of which direction to take, the group chose to follow the path of the blue moon, believing it to be safer.
After all, no one would willingly venture into a place that symbolized inevitable death without a compelling reason. Their choice was driven by the instinct to survive rather than to court danger.
As they explored the blue side, they found nothing but abandoned villages and derelict structures, devoid of life.
Their leader raised a concern, questioning the logic of staying in a desolate place with no opportunities for cultivation or survival. His words sparked internal conflict within the group, as some feared that returning to the red side would be tantamount to inviting their doom.
Yet, the leader's reasoning was sound—without resources, they would starve or turn on each other.
Reluctantly, they decided to venture into the red side. Despite initial apprehension, they found no immediate threats. Instead, they encountered an eerie silence, which only deepened their unease.
Liu Changzi, a sharp-minded member of the group, proposed that they split into two groups to investigate both sides simultaneously, as the vast emptiness suggested they might be missing critical elements.
Following this plan, the two groups ventured deeper into the realm. After two or three hours, they stumbled upon ancient ruins.
However, their search was abruptly interrupted by the emergence of grotesque and horrifying beasts. These creatures seemed to manifest as a direct response to their division, which Liu Changzi speculated was tied to the realm's duality.
The realization dawned too late—although their decision aligned with the realm's rules, they now faced mortal peril. The creatures, identified as mid-Stage 7 monsters, attacked relentlessly, forcing the groups to reunite in a desperate bid for survival.
The battle was grueling, and their numbers dwindled as they struggled to hide and suppress their auras to evade further danger.
...
Meanwhile, on Xie Tian's Side
Xie Tian and his companions continued their comprehension of duality. Within a single day, Xie Tian reached Minor Success of the Mid-Level Realm in understanding duality—a feat that sent shockwaves through the group.
An intense aura erupted from him, drawing the attention of both heaven and earth. Streams of celestial energy and natural essence flowed into his body, refining his spirit and will.
Witnessing this phenomenon, the surrounding individuals were astounded. Even the Second and Fifth Sacred Sons, regarded as prodigies, had yet to achieve such comprehension.
Their astonishment soon gave way to suspicion. How could someone like Xie Tian, who had always presented himself as weak and unremarkable, attain such profound insight in such a short time?
The question lingered in their minds—what secrets was Xie Tian hiding?
The crowd was utterly stunned by the divine transformation of Xiao Tian. Their eyes were filled with disbelief as they witnessed the miraculous display. The Fifth and Second Divine Sons, both paragons among their peers, gazed at Xiao Tian with astonishment and doubt, unable to fathom how he could achieve such a feat.
Xiao Tian's elder sister, watching the scene unfold, grew concerned that they might seize this opportunity to harm him.
However, the Second Divine Son glanced subtly at the Fifth Divine Son, who broke the silence with a calm smile and declared, "Let us join forces to set up a formation and shield him.
Ensuring his enlightenment benefits us all, not just him alone." His words, spoken with a hint of assurance, carried weight, and as his gaze met the Second Divine Son's, the latter nodded in agreement and immediately began deploying the protective array.
As the formation began to take shape, the spectators were left bewildered, questioning the motives behind the Divine Sons' actions. The array was unlike any they had seen before—a sacred-level defensive domain crafted from the divine energy and profound knowledge of a true Divine Son.
Boom!
The formation solidified, spreading over an area of a hundred square meters, forming an unbreakable barrier that enveloped the location.
Those present watched with bated breath, marveling at the divine work, unsure whether to expect a disaster or a blessing from the heavens. Never before had they witnessed such a grand miracle, as though the heavens and earth had conspired to aid this young man in achieving enlightenment and uncovering the truths of creation itself.
Even the surrounding mountains seemed to tremble with awe. The Fifth Divine Son regarded Xiao Tian with a newfound respect. For the first time, he felt admiration for someone whose understanding and abilities far exceeded the norm. A deep sense of reverence took root within him.
Suddenly, a deafening thunderclap shattered the serenity, and the sky above darkened ominously. Black lightning coiled and flickered menacingly amidst the turbulent clouds, an awe-inspiring yet terrifying sight.
"What calamity is this?" someone exclaimed, their voice trembling. None present had ever witnessed such a fearsome phenomenon.
"Even I, a Divine Son, have never seen a tribulation of this magnitude. This is no ordinary heavenly punishment—it must be a high-level Heavenly Tribulation," the Second Divine Son muttered, his expression grim.
The black lightning began to unravel, revealing streaks of crimson intertwined within its dark core. The dual-colored bolts crackled with overwhelming power, obliterating everything they touched. The protective formation, though meticulously crafted, struggled against the unrelenting force.
Fear and awe gripped the crowd as they realized the immensity of what they faced. Even the Divine Sons were shaken. The Fifth Divine Son, upon seeing the destructive might of the tribulation, exclaimed, "This is no ordinary tribulation—it embodies the very laws of reality itself! Such power is beyond mortal comprehension."
Realizing the stakes, he quickly commanded others to reinforce the formation using sacred spirit stones. "Bring the ancient spirit stones! We must strengthen the barrier, or we shall all perish here!" he shouted.
Boom!
Layer upon layer of formations began to emerge, each infused with the sacred laws of the spirit stones. These were treasures of immeasurable value, yet the Fifth Divine Son spared no hesitation in using them to shield the group.
As the formation held firm, Xiao Tian's body began to emanate a divine aura that grew ever more potent. Sacred energies from the heavens and earth poured into him, flowing endlessly from Infinite dimensions beyond comprehension. This power was invisible to those present, for it originated from realms far beyond their reach.
Unbeknownst to the spectators, Xiao Tian's Will began to evolve, creating entire worlds within his spiritual domain. From hundreds to thousands, from thousands to tens of thousands—his inner worlds multiplied exponentially, forming a grand cosmos of intent. The heavens and earth seemed to conspire to aid his growth, reinforcing his enlightenment and nurturing his boundless potential.
Even though Xiao Tian was no Heaven's Chosen Son, his deeds far surpassed those of any divine prodigy. The gathered onlookers could only marvel at how a mere mortal could withstand such a terrifying tribulation and manifest such miraculous phenomena.
The Fifth and Second Divine Sons exchanged glances, their expressions conflicted.
Finally, they reached a silent agreement—this was no ordinary man. They resolved to forge an alliance with him, for Xiao Tian's future potential could be their salvation or their doom.
Meanwhile, the Fifth Divine Son looked skyward, a rare smile of satisfaction gracing his face. Despite the cost of his sacred treasures, he felt it worthwhile to shield Xiao Tian and perhaps earn his favor.
The tension within the protective array remained palpable. Some trembled with fear, while others gazed at the ever-intensifying storm. The black lightning surged relentlessly, its power multiplying with no end in sight, as though heaven itself sought to annihilate Xiao Tian without mercy.
But deep within the chaos, Xiao Tian remained steadfast, his resolve unshaken. A new chapter was being written—a tale of defiance against the heavens, where even the divine laws would bow to the will of a single mortal.