Chapter 188: The Lord

A dim space that cannot be measured by ordinary logic.

There are no walls, no dome, only endless void and solidified darkness.

In the center of the space, a black silhouette kneels on one knee; its aura is powerful yet restrained, enough to make any Golden Core cultivator tremble, yet here it crouches like an ant beneath a dragon's foot, not daring to lift its head.

"Lord," the black silhouette's voice is hoarse but carries absolute reverence.

The darkness before it slowly ripples, coalescing into an indescribable shape, like a shapeless Abyss, yet also like a closed single eye.

"Speak."

A single word, devoid of emotion, yet seeming to contain the ancient cold of the universe's birth, causing the temperature of the entire space to drop sharply.

"Target Wang Shan has successfully entered the Core region of the Ten Thousand Beasts Origin. According to peripheral energy wave feedback, he… appears to have activated some dormant power," the black silhouette reports in detail. "Wan Tianxiong of the Wan Family Sect has also been lured inside, currently trapped in the peripheral 'Lost Soul Mist Forest', being consumed by mutated beasts, but it is not a concern."

He had expected to receive a command of "Kill" or "Continue."

However, that Abyss-like darkness remained silent for a long time.

Such silence is more terrifying than any thunderous rage. The black silhouette can feel an invisible will sweep over his soul, as if scrutinizing every word and thought of his report.

"Activate…" the ancient voice sounds again, this time with a hint… of interest? "It is not a simple opening. It is activation. He carries the 'living seed' of that thing on his body."

The black silhouette is stunned—what living seed? He only knows that Wang Shan possesses the Beast Taming Sect's heirloom jade tablet, which is already the fundamental reason for their pursuit.

"Lord, you mean…"

"That jade tablet is not a key, but more like a matching lock core. And Wang Shan is the flesh-and-blood key that can turn it," the voice from the Abyss becomes elongated. "Interesting, very interesting. I thought he was merely a rule‑following heir, but unexpectedly he is a variable capable of stirring the mud at the bottom of the pool."

The black silhouette's heart jumps sharply; he detects the unusual implication in the Lord's words.

"Transmit my command."

"At your service!"

"Regarding Wang Shan, abort the kill order."

What? The black silhouette jerks his head up, his face full of disbelief. The organization has paid a heavy price for this Wang Shan, even risking indirect conflict with the Wan Family Sect, and now… just abandon it?

"Change to… capture alive."

"Capture alive?"

"Yes. A completely intact, living Wang Shan," the Abyss's will ripples. "He is no longer a target, but… a precious 'offering', a key that can unlock deeper secrets. I will use him to pry open the door of the Whirlwind Trap Zone. There, a more interesting old friend than the Ten Thousand Beasts Origin's ancestor may be sleeping."

Whirlwind Trap Zone!

The black silhouette's body trembles uncontrollably. That area is taboo even within the organization; legend says the true horror of the Ten Thousand Beasts Origin is not the superficial "Ancestor of Ten Thousand Beasts", but something sealed deep within the trap zone…

The Lord actually intends to exploit that place? And Wang Shan is the key to opening that hell?

At this moment, the black silhouette's perception of Wang Shan is completely overturned. The one he regarded merely as a lucky offshoot remnant is now elevated to an inconceivably significant level.

"At your command…!" He suppresses the raging turmoil within and replies in a deep voice.

"Go. Deploy the Shadow Guard. Let that stupid dog Wan Tianxiong keep barking outside; it will attract the attention of those brainless beasts. Create for us… a quiet entrance."

"Yes!"

The Abyss-like darkness slowly dissipates, and the cold, deadly pressure vanishes with it.

Only then does the black silhouette realize his back is already soaked with cold sweat. He slowly rises, exhales a long puff of foul breath, and his spirit finally breaks free from the suffocating domination.

He steps out of the dim space into a spacious stone chamber.

"Relay the order!"

In the shadows of the stone chamber, several vague figures appear silently, as if they were always part of the shadows.

"Leader."

"Lord's new command," the black silhouette's voice regains its former coldness and authority. "The 'death order' on Wang Shan is revoked; the target level is raised to 'Divine Rank', mission objective: capture alive."

Several Shadow Guard's auras visibly fluctuate.

"Capture alive?" one of them cannot help but speak.

"Do you need me to repeat the Lord's will a second time?" the black silhouette coldly glances at him.

That Shadow Guard immediately falls silent, bowing his head deeply.

"As for Wan Tianxiong, ignore him. Let him continue as bait in the Lost Soul Mist Forest, muddying the waters for us," the black silhouette continues. "The 'Soul Binding Unit' prepare the 'Ethereal Net', activate Plan B, infiltrate from the direction of 'Weeping Blood Valley'. Remember, this mission is not slaughter but true capture. I want a complete Wang Shan, not a single hair missing."

"Understood!"

"For the Ethereal Net's materials, go to the storage and requisition them, claim it was my approval."

"Leader, those materials…" a Shadow Guard shows difficulty, "using them once consumes a huge amount…"

"If I tell you to go, go! This cost is nothing compared to the Lord's plan!" the black silhouette waves impatiently, "Scram and prepare!"

"Yes!"

Several figures merge back into the shadows, disappearing.

The spacious stone chamber now holds only the black silhouette. He walks to a stone table, looks at the spread map of the Ten Thousand Beasts Origin. His finger traces the "Lost Soul Mist Forest" where Wan Tianxiong is trapped, then circles a large area and marks another perilous location named "Weeping Blood Valley."

His gaze flickers unpredictably.

The Lord's regard for Wang Shan far exceeds his expectations.

This is no longer merely a sect inheritance issue.

"Living key…" he mutters, "Whirlwind Trap Zone…"

He suddenly finds it somewhat laughable. The Wan Family Sect has exhausted schemes to reclaim the so‑called inheritance and eradicate rebellion, while their organization initially only sought to extinguish this variable and seize the jade tablet.

In the end, everyone misjudged.

That old fellow named Wang Shan himself is the greatest treasure.

Or rather, he is a source of calamity that could upheave the entire cultivation world's structure…

"The prey becomes a treasure, the hunt turns into protection… it's getting more and more interesting."

A grim smile curls at the black silhouette's mouth; he picks up a black transmission talisman and infuses it with Spiritual Power.

"All peripheral units, contract your defenses, avoid conflict with the Wan Family. Our game has new rules now."