Chapter 267

Eden's climate was mild, springlike all year round, but as sunlight fell upon him, Qu Yanping felt no warmth—only a chill spreading from his spine through his entire body.

He had considered many possibilities, but never once imagined this strange place was the earthly kingdom of that god of the Yuzhe Sect.

"But isn't this Eden?" Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang seriously doubted whether he had entered the wrong dungeon.

"How long have you been here?" 【Miss Kelaien】 asked in return instead of answering.

"Five years." Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang, seeing a chance to escape this damned dungeon, answered honestly.

That concert didn't just trap the Immortal Court's NPCs—it also ensnared disciples from the Battle Buddha Sect and other sects, even a young couple with golden eyes who pulled out the Spear of Fate to hunt him down.

With no other options, he sought out Bai Qian, hoping to travel together to the film set, so that if any danger arose, he could drag his pursuers into mutual annihilation.

He wasn't afraid of being killed—he feared these bastards would seal him inside the Ten Absolute Array and imprison him until the simulation universe shut down.

But escaping to this special dungeon wasn't much better—he'd lived as a savage for five years, and the only thing that gave his life meaning was dying foolishly every December 24th, Christmas Day, when the entire Mystical Realm became his enemy.

"It seems you've already figured it out," 【Miss Kelaien】 smiled faintly: "the truth of the divine realm."

The man smiled warmly, but to Qu Yanping, that smile was a prelude to pronouncing their fates.

"In the distant past, Adam and Eve were cast out of Eden by God, and the land was cursed."

"This is the abandoned birthplace of life, and the place where Mr. Yuzhe bestowed his grace."

"The land of redemption."

Qu Yanping froze—he had never expected such an answer.

He exchanged a glance with Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang; both saw confusion in each other's eyes.

"What do you mean by that surprised expression?" 【Miss Kelaien】 removed his hat and pointed to the church atop the eastern hill: "Isn't the inscription on the stone slab beneath the cross in the church recorded there?"

"I can't read that script," Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang suddenly understood: "Is that just background lore?"

Qu Yanping's eyes widened slightly—he and Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang had indeed seen some writing beneath the cross, but he couldn't read it either.

After an explanation, Qu Yanping learned that Eden had once been a land abandoned by the gods, where creatures were cursed and transformed into monsters, yet even so, they still chose to worship that God.

Moved by their devotion, Mr. Yuzhe bestowed his blessing, allowing them to return to their original forms.

Simultaneously, this place was designated as Mr. Yuzhe's earthly divine realm, where the great Yuzhe slumbers deep within the earth, slowly healing his ancient wounds over the passage of time.

During periods when Mr. Yuzhe's power leaked out, an island would appear in the outside world; many outsiders initially wandered here by accident, then chose to stay and live in Eden, so the Yuzhe Sect never interfered.

"But," Qu Yanping felt something off about the explanation—many parts didn't add up—but then he realized: whether true or false, as long as he could leave this place, it didn't matter.

The rest was none of his concern.

"The headquarters knew about your entry, Mr. Kuangdao Sanlang, since you broke in directly using a Heaven's Way artifact. When I submitted my paper to headquarters, Mr. Gehrman entrusted me to come here and investigate." 【Miss Kelaien】 adjusted his monocle, speaking with interest:

"Incidentally, my paper owes much to Mr. Qu's assistance—I should rise at least one rating level this year."

"But, Mr. Qu, how did you enter my Lord's divine realm? If I recall correctly, just three days ago in the outside world, we met—you asked me about the Penglai Ruins."

"You said you were heading into the depths of the Penglai Ruins, didn't you?"

When asked this, Qu Yanping tried to dodge with an excuse—but the man pulled out a bronze book.

"This Heaven's Way artifact's effect is that any rule you set becomes reality—for example, here, the use of spiritual power is forbidden."

Qu Yanping was stunned—he now understood why he couldn't use any spiritual power at all; another terrifying Heaven's Way artifact.

Compared to these Heaven's Way artifacts, was his own Big Lottery ticket becoming useless? In the long run, if he kept drawing, the returns should be substantial—just one draw of a Heaven's Way artifact would make it all worthwhile.

The problem was himself—he lacked resources, and he lacked time.

Under Qu Yanping's gaze, 【Miss Kelaien】 pulled out a pen and began scribbling on the book; just as Qu Yanping wondered what he was writing—

"Mr. Qu, why are you here?"

"I fell here while traveling into the depths of the Penglai Ruins."

No sooner had Qu Yanping spoken than he clapped his hand over his mouth, staring in horror at the man.

【Miss Kelaien】 grinned, revealing what he had just written—【Lying is Forbidden Here】.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" 【Miss Kelaien】 tucked the bronze book into his coat, then placed his hat back on his head, and with polite calmness, despite Qu Yanping's furious yet suppressed gaze, said:

"Could you please tell me the full story? We're old friends, aren't we?"

"Cut out all of Kuangdao Sanlang's scenes."

"What if he doesn't even realize he's already filming?"

"Who cares! Why is this giant monkey hanging out with the protagonist!?"

"The disciples in the Penglai Ruins have already heard the news—they'll kill Kuangdao Sanlang the moment he shows up!"

"Will this movie be too long? Six hours might not be enough."

"Just split it into three parts."

The cultivators from the Jiuzhou No. 1 Group's technical team, who had experienced the Penglai Ruins' internal test and returned to the film crew, were working overtime to edit the footage, eager to get back to the Penglai Ruins and slaughter everything in sight.

"With the commoners included, Miss Kelaien's ascension ritual is nearly complete," Su Lin remarked, watching the steady stream of newcomers arriving on the island, their numbers growing daily: "No wonder foreigners are so few—it's not without reason."

Even national organizations were one thing—but knowing full well something was wrong, so many ordinary people still rushed in to join the spectacle. In barely half a month, the numbers had surged, and the corresponding Spirit Realm had already been opened.

Of course, none of this would have been possible without the kind assistance of Mr. Anduin—he had extensive experience playing multiple roles, from postpartum pig care to airship construction, mastering them all.

Another half-year passed in Eden. During this time, ancient scholars of the Yuzhe Sect arrived one after another; it seemed that, in the outside world's timeline, the Yuzhe Sect had decided to "invite" them out—to send these ordinary outsiders away.

Qu Yanping still dared not lower his guard against the Yuzhe Sect—in fact, his suspicion of them had never been deeper, yet he dared not show it.

It wasn't because Mr. 【Miss Kelaien】 had exposed his secret journey into the depths of the Penglai Ruins—but because of other things.

"They claim to cleanse the curse, yet when those ordinary people leave, they still retain mutations—even each one wears a monocle."

"Those ordinary people who entered years ago likely couldn't leave—not because they loved this place."

"If you could examine the inscription's meaning in a place where spiritual powers work in the outside world, you'd see it clearly reads—"

"The fallen land of the Blind Foolish God—here, the Fool was born."

In the instant he understood the meaning of those words, Qu Yanping's mind filled with a dense mass of wormlike, fleshy tendrils, which twisted together into a semi-transparent, dark cloak.

He saw it—the faint, indistinct mask within the cloak, infinite gray mist clustering around It, just as it clustered around a sovereign.

Then

Qu Yanping did not remember what happened after that; he only recalled splitting into countless fragments, then forgetting everything, and when he came to his senses, one more resurrection item had vanished from his person.

'That was a test, to see if we knew what was written above.'

'The prohibition against lying may have been written from the start; the subsequent actions were deceptive distractions. If we had spoken the content above at that time…'

'Likely, no amount of resurrection methods could let anyone walk out from there.'

If these people of the Yuzhe Sect knew his ability could deduce the meaning of even unknown script…

No, after this incident, I must not return to the Yuzhe Sect; the more I interact with them, the higher the chance my ability will be deciphered by them.

'That must be some secret of the Yuzhe Sect. I must stop thinking about it.'

Qu Yanping looked toward a nearby figure: the gentlemanly 【Miss Kelaien】 and the man dressed as a priest, 【Amon】, stood ahead; according to his description, they had actually found that bronze door in reality.

【Amon】 the priest said to the surrounding high-ranking personnel of varied styles in an approving tone:

'It's impressive you found this bronze door. Well done.'

'Mr. Gehrman, Mr. Sharron, Mr. Dawn, Mr. Merlin, you've worked hard these past six months. Fortunately, effort never goes unrewarded—we've finally found this bronze door, and never imagined it was hidden deep within the ocean of the subconscious.'

The stern Ge Erman said: 'Once the coordinates within the ocean of the subconscious are located, finding its physical form in reality becomes no great challenge.'

The bronze door stood like a wall of heaven, connecting sky and earth amid endless gray mist; it was carved with flames, rivers, Dashan, and all things, and countless races bowed before it in different postures, worshipping the celestial palaces above.

Exactly the same as the bronze door Qu Yanping had seen in the dream world.

'Now I understand why you appeared in Eden.'

'Mr. Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang, was your method of escaping previously to shatter the moon above Eden?'

【Miss Kelaien】 picked up a fragment of bronze and traced its patterns with his fingers, moving as carefully as if touching a priceless treasure, yet his expression remained unchanged.

'That was the only celestial body untouched by corruption; I believe that's where the exit lies.' Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang nodded: 'I never expected my junior disciple had also entered. At first, I thought he'd gotten lost in your Eden.'

'So why is the Yuzhe Sect's Eden connected to the ruins of Penglai's depths?' Qu Yanping frowned and asked.

'That's a question for the ancient God and the Eastern Immortal Emperor who erased his own history.' 【Amon】 the priest rubbed his right eye socket and adjusted his glasses, saying:

'I have a feeling the Penglai ruins within the bronze door hold the answers we seek. By the way, why don't I take on the role of the ancient scholar? I feel I'm far more dedicated to pursuing history than you, Mr. Miss Kelaien.'

'After all, lately you've done nothing but collect single-lens glasses made of different materials.'

【Miss Kelaien】, hearing this, did not grow angry; he merely said calmly:

'You should always remember you're merely playing a role, not living it as your life. This basic knowledge shouldn't require me to teach you, Mr. Amon.'

'I suggest you purchase some spirit stones, divine sources, magic crystals, even single-lens glasses engraved with Daoist talismans—perhaps one day you'll truly need them, and then He won't have to prepare extras.'

Qu Yanping understood none of what these two high-ranking members of the Yuzhe Sect were saying; he only wanted to know how these two would handle the bronze door, and had no interest in their banter.

Fortunately, these two had no intention of continuing their exchange.

【Amon】 the priest thought for a moment, then smiled and said:

'Mr. Qu, the information you provided was highly useful and helped many explorers find the path to the Penglai ruins. Unfortunately, many things you signed contracts for cannot be spoken of.'

'But that's fine—we won't let you go unrewarded.'

'Mr. Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang, could your Heavenly Dao artifact be used once in Eden on December 24th this year? We fear ordinary methods won't produce the same effect as yours, and minimizing variables is the best choice.'

After negotiation, the Yuzhe Sect obtained the right to use Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang's sealed artifact in exchange for the talisman: 'Yesterday Repeated.'

'You're going to explore the Penglai ruins, correct?' Qu Yanping asked.

【Amon】 the priest turned and led the group toward a closer position, looking up and saying:

'That's correct, but we don't intend to enter through this door. Judging from the traces, someone deliberately damaged this door, which should have been indestructible.'

'Entering through this main gate might expose us to unnecessary risks.'

'It's better to take the path discovered by Mr. Kuang Dao Kuangdao Sanlang.'

'Then, I have a humble request: please take me along in the exploration.' Qu Yanping bowed with clasped hands, his eyes slightly red, his voice trembling uncontrollably:

'Brother Gao saved my life; now that his fate is unknown, how could I stand idly by?'

'When I first emerged from obscurity, Brother Li and Brother Guyue treated me with sincerity; now that they're in peril, how could I leave with my reward?'

'I am unworthy, but my ability has certain unique qualities—it won't be a burden to any of you.'

Those present seemed moved by his heartfelt words and turned to look at him.

After a long silence, Qu Yanping, still bowed, heard the reply.

'Alright.'

Water Mirror Peak behind-the-scenes crew

'Damn, this kid's sneaky—he sent a message to Dragon Elder.' The Purple Gold Divine Dragon stroked his dragon whiskers with a claw, standing on two claws while the other tapped on his phone screen.

'Trying to use Dragon Elder to spread the news, heh heh heh—you think you can outwit me?'

'I really don't get why you're so bored—why not go tomb raiding instead?' Duan De slumped in his chair, his eyes occasionally glancing at the little girl playing with Hei Huang: 'This demonic cultivator's bad luck running into you lot is truly eighth-generation misfortune.'

'Chen Nan.' Su Lin walked over, holding the dragon pup; the pup's eyes looked utterly lifeless: 'Have you thought about what I told you?'

'You revealed a great secret to me and have done me great kindness; these past days, Chen Nan has gained much benefit. But this matter involves too many…' Chen Nan gritted his teeth and said: 'I trust your power, but you must promise me you can restore everything afterward.'

'Of course, of course.' Su Lin rubbed the little creature in his arms and smiled: 'Then let's begin—relax your spirit.'

The hybrid and cultivator extras weren't enough? Even after enhancement, they're still just that?

Laughed.

There's a living divine tomb here!

Let me take a look—there are quite a few people inside.

Everyone, get up and have fun!

(End of Chapter)