Chapter 134: Two Worlds Palace

Chu Capital, the night shrouded in haze.

Inside a modest villa, Marquis Chu Chang drank alone when suddenly an invisible ripple enveloped him.

"Hm?" Marquis Chu Chang felt heaven and earth shift—he had been pulled into a phantom realm.

"Marquis Chu Chang." A figure coalesced from mist and clouds, smiling at him.

"I've been waiting alone in this villa for you a long time," Marquis Chu Chang glanced around. "I never expected you'd drag me into a hallucination. The Two Worlds Palace, famed across the Origin Continent, dares only meet me in a phantom realm?"

The misty figure said: "This is Chu Capital—the very Chu Capital forged by the Flame Wind Ancestor himself! Our Two Worlds Palace must act with caution. We ask your understanding, Marquis Chu Chang."

Marquis Chu Chang stared at the figure.

The Two Worlds Palace was a vast, hidden force lurking in the shadows of the Origin Continent. Its members' identities were mysteries; rumors claimed even its weakest were at the Second Layer of Divine King, and some even whispered that disciples of Yuan dwelled within.

Compared to the Flame Wind Ancestor and Lei Ting Ancestor, Yuan was more revered on the Origin Continent.

Yuan was too transcendent—he casually left behind powerful legacies and precious resources, but had no interest in taking disciples. Still, some ancient beings who had received his teachings or guidance called themselves "disciples of Yuan."

"I am merely an ordinary member of the Two Worlds Palace," the misty figure smiled at Marquis Chu Chang. "Yet helping you secure one of the top rankings in this Heaven-Level mission is an easy matter."

"You'll help me?" Marquis Chu Chang stared at the figure.

As a formal member, this misty figure was at least a Second Layer Divine King—a being who could crush him with a flick of the finger.

Yet as a First-Rank Marquis of the imperial clan, Marquis Chu Chang had his pride.

"Marquis Chu Chang," the misty figure said, "you must know: among the seven First-Rank Marquises of the Imperial Chu line, Marquis Chu Ying has the highest talent and potential, and Marquis Chu Feng and Marquis Chu Ji are likely superior to you."

Marquis Chu Chang listened.

After centuries of rivalry, all six veteran First-Rank Marquises knew each other well—save the newly elevated Marquis Chu Yu.

"Without sufficient power to aid you, you won't make the top three," the misty figure said.

"I can help you reach the top three—but you must give me half of the resources you obtain." The misty figure stared at Marquis Chu Chang.

Marquis Chu Chang looked at him and sneered: "Half? These are resources of the Flame Wind Imperial Clan. Your Two Worlds Palace is bold indeed."

"All is voluntary. I won't force you," the misty figure said. "If you refuse, I'll leave at once and trouble you no further."

Marquis Chu Chang stared at the figure.

Among the seven First-Rank Marquises of the Imperial Chu line, he was the least outstanding. Even the newly elevated Marquis Chu Yu had the backing of the Transcendent Luohe Great Sage.

"If you help me, I'll take first place. Then I'll give you half!" Marquis Chu Chang said. "If I take second, you get two-tenths. If third, one-tenth. If I don't make the top three, you're useless—no right to any share."

The misty figure shook his head: "Even with my full effort, aiding you will demand considerable effort."

"If you take first, I take half."

"If second, I take three-tenths."

"If third, I take two-tenths. Lower ranking? I'll take nothing." The misty figure stared at Marquis Chu Chang. "This is my final offer. You may refuse."

Marquis Chu Chang looked at him, then suddenly smiled: "Very well. It's settled."

The misty figure nodded: "Since it's settled, the karmic bond is formed! Marquis Chu Chang, don't even think of reneging—the karmic backlash will be more than you can bear." With that, the misty figure vanished.

Marquis Chu Chang felt the phantom realm dissolve—he still sat beside the table in the villa.

"Karmic backlash?" Marquis Chu Chang frowned slightly. He was merely a Peak Chaos Realm cultivator and had never considered betraying a pact with a Two Worlds Palace member.

"If I secure the most resources in this Heaven-Level mission, I might yet transcend." Marquis Chu Chang had his own ambitions.

He was merely slightly less gifted among the seven First-Rank Marquises—but reaching Peak Chaos Realm proved he had potential. With enough resources, he could still strive for Divine King.

The treatment of a First-Rank Marquis of the imperial clan was vastly different from that of an imperial clan Divine King.

…

The most renowned of the seven First-Rank Marquises of the Imperial Chu line was Marquis Chu Ying.

Marquis Chu Ying gazed out at the night sky.

"Hum." He activated his communication token and contacted a powerful ally.

"Younger Brother Chu Ying." A cold voice echoed.

"Elder Sister Biyun," Marquis Chu Ying replied humbly.

Elder Sister Biyun was the direct disciple of Emperor Qing!

Emperor Qing was the strongest of the thirteen Emperors of the Flame Wind Ancient State and a masterful teacher. Elder Sister Biyun was among the elite of Transcendent Chaos Realm cultivators, her methods unfathomable, and she wielded treasures bestowed by Emperor Qing—immensely powerful.

"The seven First-Rank Marquises of our Imperial Chu line must compete," Marquis Chu Ying explained. "I need your help with the Blood Spirit Gold Pearl collection mission."

"When many imperial elites visited Master, he said… among your Imperial Chu line, Younger Brother Chu Ying, you have the highest talent—you will become a Divine King," the cold voice said. "The best resources of the Imperial Chu line should go to you."

Marquis Chu Ying was deeply grateful to Emperor Qing.

One word from Emperor Qing had elevated Marquis Chu Ying's status and drawn resource favoritism.

"The competition among First-Rank Marquises is a rule set by the Ancestor—it must be upheld," Marquis Chu Ying said. "Do you have time for the Blood Spirit Gold Pearl mission?"

"Leave it to me," Elder Sister Biyun replied. "I can't guarantee first place, but I won't hold you back."

"Thank you, Elder Sister."

Marquis Chu Ying exhaled in relief.

Emperor Qing's word had drawn even Divine Kings and Transcendent Chaos Realm cultivators to befriend Marquis Chu Ying.

But Blood Spirit Gold Pearls originated from the borderlands of two ancient states, where conflicts were normally limited to the Chaos Realm tier. If Divine Kings intervened, the border conflict would escalate massively. To spark a full-scale war between two nations over a subtask of a Heaven-Level mission? No one could bear the consequences.

Restricted to Chaos Realm, Marquis Chu Ying had concluded that Elder Sister Biyun was the ideal ally.

Across the entire Origin Continent, among the two ancient states and all overt and covert factions, there were only seventy-one Transcendent Chaos Realm cultivators—and their strengths varied greatly.

"Among Transcendent Chaos Realm cultivators, Elder Sister Biyun ranks among the top," Marquis Chu Ying thought.

On the day the Heaven-Level mission was announced, all seven First-Rank Marquises of the Imperial Chu line were making plans.

Luo Feng had been strolling in his cave dwelling.

Suddenly—

An invisible ripple enveloped Luo Feng, attempting to drag his consciousness into a phantom world. "Hum." Luo Feng's soul was anchored by the Lie Yuan Technique's unwavering mental will, and shielded by the Star Tower.

The invisible force could not budge his consciousness.

"Hm? Resisting the Two Worlds Palace's summons?" The hidden presence was startled.

"Who?" Luo Feng sensed the powerful pull—but with the Lie Yuan Technique and Star Tower guarding him, he felt no fear.

Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh~~~

Wind stirred, coalescing into a blurred figure before Luo Feng, its invisible waves spreading to block all surveillance.

"Luohe Great Sage, have you heard of the Two Worlds Palace?" The wind-formed figure smiled at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng was secretly startled.

Whether through his Master Zuo Shan Ke's lineage, the Duan Donghe lineage, or his own rising status, Luo Feng understood the major forces of the Origin Continent.

The Origin Continent's factions were divided into overt and covert. Overt factions held territory, with the two ancient states reigning supreme! Tianmu State, Wanjie State, and Dongji Region were top-tier overt powers. Yu State, Shi State, and many others were second-tier; numerous third-tier states existed below.

Covert factions were shrouded in mystery.

!.

Who were their members? How strong were they? Many remained unknown.

Possibly even Divine Kings of the two ancient states were involved—or even aliens beyond the Cage.

The Two Worlds Palace was one of the top two covert powers.

"The Two Worlds Palace seeks me?" Luo Feng stared at the figure.

"Luohe, you're merely a Transcendent Chaos Realm cultivator—you don't yet grasp the difficulty of the cultivation path," the wind-formed figure said. "Only when you become a Divine King will you realize how each step upward becomes a celestial chasm."

Luo Feng listened.

He understood perfectly—the gap between a First Layer Divine King and a Ultimate Realm cultivator was like the difference between mastering one of the Ten Fundamental Laws and mastering Chaos Law. The difficulty multiplied countless times over—of course, the higher one climbed, the harder it became.

"As for resources, the two ancient states only cultivate their imperial clans," the wind-formed figure said. "Even as a direct disciple of Emperor Chu, you still need Emperor Chu to allocate you part of his own resources."

"Now that you're weak, he's willing to give you resources he no longer needs."

"But when you become a Divine King and grow stronger, the resources you require will be precious even to him—will he still give them to you?" the wind-formed figure asked.

"As for cultivation guidance… you should cultivate the three primordial Dao paths: Life, Destruction, and Matter," the wind-formed figure said. "Emperor Chu can only teach you Destruction. How will you learn the other two?"

Luo Feng listened.

Cultivate three Dao paths? When did I ever cultivate the Matter Primordial Dao?

"The two ancient states won't release their most precious resources—you must seize them by strength," the wind-formed figure said, staring at Luo Feng. "As for guidance? The Life and Matter Primordial Dao paths—I, as a member of the Two Worlds Palace, can guide you. Better than Emperor Chu ever could."

Luo Feng stared at the figure: "What are you getting at?"

"I can make you an outer member of the Two Worlds Palace," the wind-formed figure said. "The guidance you receive here will surpass Emperor Chu's. He doesn't even teach disciples."

"Why are you here?" Luo Feng stared at him.

"Join us."

The wind-formed figure looked at Luo Feng. "I admire you."

Originally, this was meant to be a transaction—but upon discovering he couldn't drag Luo Feng's consciousness into the phantom realm, he changed his mind.

Resisting the Two Worlds Palace's summons? That was exceedingly rare.

"This Heaven-Level mission can serve as a small test," the wind-formed figure said. "Continue helping Marquis Chu Yu secure Blood Spirit Gold Pearls—give him one or two. Give me all the rest."

"A small test—to see if you're willing to join the Two Worlds Palace," the wind-formed figure said. "You know well: our members' identities are all secret. Joining brings only benefits, no drawbacks."

Luo Feng looked at him and sneered: "Marquis Chu Yu is my closest friend. You want me to betray him?"

Boom!

Luo Feng waved his hand—a wave of energy swept directly over the wind-formed figure.

The wind-formed figure shattered in shock.

"You dare…" The figure reformed, startled and furious.

How dare he show him such disrespect?

"This is Chu Capital! My master's Chu Capital! How dare the Two Realms Palace come here to strike?" Luo Feng regarded the opponent. "If you have the nerve to act, I truly admire the Two Realms Palace."

The wind-shaped figure was furious and frantic.

Emperor Chu was ultimately one of the peak existences of the Origin Continent. Outside, he was not invincible, but within Chu Capital, unless Yan Feng's Ancestor or Lei Ting's Ancestor intervened, Emperor Chu was unmatched on the Origin Continent.

"Still not leaving?" Luo Feng clearly had no patience for further words.

"You have no idea what the Two Realms Palace means!" the wind-shaped figure said coldly. "You don't understand what you've rejected today. When you become a Divine King, you'll regret this."

The wind-shaped figure vanished without a trace.

Luo Feng watched this, and smiled coldly.

A bunch of self-important fools!

Even my own Jie Beast, Mo Luo Sa, when reaching his peak—would anyone in the Two Realms Palace dare challenge a peak Jie Beast? A bunch of cowards who only hide in the shadows!

"Mo Luo Sa." Luo Feng sent a mental message.

"Master." Mo Luo Sa arrived immediately.

One of the chambers within the Star Tower.

"What is this?" Mo Luo Sa stared at the massive golden-scaled beetle corpse before him; his internal Jie Beast energy surged with intense longing, a powerful call. "Master, is this for me? I feel its aid will far surpass the Chaos Realm corpses I've consumed before."

Luo Feng smiled at him. "This is material I use for my own cultivation."

"For your cultivation?" Mo Luo Sa felt a pang of disappointment—he couldn't dare take anything from his master, no matter how much he desired it.

"I've taken one percent of every component from this golden-scaled beetle corpse. It's more than enough for my needs," Luo Feng said. "The rest of the corpse is yours."

Mo Luo Sa was filled with excitement and delight.

"This isn't an ordinary corpse—it's likely stronger than a typical Divine King's body. Don't disappoint me," Luo Feng said, watching him.

The golden-scaled beetle could fight on equal footing with Divine Kings through sheer physical might—proof of its extraordinary nature.

"Thank you, Master." Mo Luo Sa was overwhelmed with emotion; he could sense that this golden-scaled beetle corpse would bring him a complete transformation.

(End of Chapter)