[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-secret-buyer":3,"chapter-secret-buyer-secret-buyer-chapter-288":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Secret Buyer",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1759187,2324,"Chapter 288 - 222: My Present Is Owed to Many Backers—Nine Netherworld Emperor’s Shadow!","secret-buyer-chapter-288",288,"\u003Cp>The middle-aged man’s features were gentle, with no imposing air. He wore a plain robe, blending in perfectly with the bamboo forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only incongruity was the small hole in his palm, still oozing blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Governor noticed Zhang Fusheng’s gaze and raised his hand nonchalantly, speaking calmly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That day, I overestimated myself, attempting to intercept the Merciful Arrow of the World Venerate, which was already an act of disrespect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So, I deliberately left the wound unhealed, as a self-reminder and as a mark of respect to the World Venerate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng sat down heavily on the wooden chair, and the young messenger took his leave with courtesy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Zhang Fusheng, at your service, Governor.\" He cupped his hands with composure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My surname is Su, and I am called Su Qiansuan.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Governor’s smile was like the breeze of spring, as he gently waved his hand, revealing a chessboard on the stone table, along with two cups of warm tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please enjoy the tea.\" Su Qiansuan gestured with a light hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng picked up the jade cup, sipped the tea silently; it was calming tea, yet not the usual kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tea went down, turning into a clear stream, immediately reaching all parts of his body, clearing his mind and easing his entire being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng set down the tea cup and observed the bubble-like worlds, stacked and squeezed together in a peculiar sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He soon found the waiting area, right at the center of dozens of bubble worlds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and looking around, outside the dozens of bubble worlds was an indescribable abyss, uncrossable and untouchable,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>except to the west, where there was a special bubble world with the only path leading further outside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Roughly speaking, it’s the gateway of the Golden Province—Hangu City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Leaving Hangu City, you can reach the World Plateau.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan spoke with a smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can think of it as another waiting area, a higher-level one. From the World Plateau, you can go to any province or the capital.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The World Plateau is also the only transfer hub of the home star, you must pass through it no matter where you go.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng retracted his gaze. Since the Governor was not in a hurry, neither was he. So he asked curiously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What kind of mighty force twisted a planet into such a state, divided into these independent bubble worlds?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Governor placed a white stone on the chessboard, casually saying:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It was the work of a very powerful divine spirit. Besides, the home star was not initially a planet, but a massive piece of land floating in space.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng was stunned and placed a black stone in the corner of the chessboard:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do it? Why divide the home star?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan slightly raised his eyebrow, wondering why this guy played black so far away?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The official claim is to prevent cultists from running amok, causing too much harm. But in truth, it’s to delay the early descent of different dimensions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng placed another black stone beside the previous one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes shining, eager to learn:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What does this mean? I hope you can enlighten me, Governor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan slightly frowned, not understanding Zhang Fusheng’s play, this guy... doesn’t know how to play chess?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He continued to explain patiently:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Divine Realm is not entirely our spiritual world. More importantly, it serves as special soil bearing different dimensions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Every cultivator who forms a Divine Realm must anchor at least one scene of different dimensions within it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Over time, these scenes will eventually be fully anchored.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng was startled; he had long suspected there was something off about the Divine Realm, considering its might seemed overly extravagant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>including the matter of Refining Illusion into Reality, which should not belong to the Six Realms of the Human Path,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and even ordinary immortals and buddhas should not manage it—yet with the Divine Realm, even a Grandmaster could refine illusion into truth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan placed the third white stone:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After the home star was divided, everyone effectively remained in different small worlds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With forty-nine provinces on the home star, each province having eighty-one cities, plus the capital and some scattered cities, that’s four thousand small worlds.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed peacefully at the young man before him and said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thus, people’s Divine Realms would not resonate simultaneously. Originally, once three-tenths of the scenes were anchored, the different dimensions would fully descend. Now it requires nearly seven-tenths.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng placed the third black stone in realization.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Divine Realm acts as fertile ground for different dimensions, but when people reside in unconnected small worlds,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the difficulty for different dimensions to descend greatly increases.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much has been anchored now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"About forty percent, roughly forty percent of the scenes from different dimensions have been anchored.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Su Qiansuan placed the fourth stone, dominating the star position, while Zhang Fusheng placed his fourth stone as well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, his stones were lined up together in a row.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan increasingly could not understand his method of play.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With chess observing one’s conduct, this person’s actions are truly unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan placed the fifth stone, now controlling all four star positions, with his fifth piece aggressively occupying the center of the board.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He believed he had already secured victory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the opponent was replaced by Old Master, he would still win this match.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I won.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng placed his fifth stone, aligning five pieces in a row, and he beamed with a radiant smile:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since I’ve won the game, Governor, why not just get to the main point?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan’s eyelids twitched. After a long silence, he asked:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You were playing five-in-a-row chess?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng nodded matter-of-factly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What else?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He regretfully said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I initially wanted to show the Governor my three-three kill chess formation that I had practiced for years...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan ground his teeth, sinking back into a deathly silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For quite some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took another deep breath, waved his hand, and the chessboard suddenly vanished,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan laughed lightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhang sure plays a good game of chess...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He emphasized the words ’good game’ heavily, then abruptly changed the subject:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is the World Venerate doing well?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Here it comes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng’s heart skipped a beat; it turned out the purpose of this Golden Governor, this Su Qiansuan, in seeking him, was indeed related to the World Venerate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pondered for a moment and nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Still well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan narrowed his eyes slightly, speaking as if casually:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ever since the Plague God descended, I’ve been here, witnessing many things.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For example... you once escaped from here, using the name of the Ancestor of Land Immortals to thoroughly intimidate that Plague God.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng’s expression did not change at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan continued:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"For instance, once there was a peculiar set of ancient bones that smuggled itself into Jiangzhou, conversed with the God of Plague, and eventually received divine favor, gaining authority over pestilence, becoming the Plague Ghost leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Interestingly, those bones also seem to be you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng took a sip of high-grade Calming Tea, letting its refreshing essence flow through his body, and asked,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What exactly does Lord Su wish to say?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan acted as if he hadn’t heard the question, smiled, and said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the Ten Thousand Feet Bull Demon, that’s also you, right? With the blessing of the World Venerate, a single arrow caused thirty-three cities to pale in comparison, a show of immense power.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng put down the teacup,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of them are me.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was very calm, as if there was some kind of confidence within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan gazed at the young man for a long time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Nowadays, in the Golden Province, all the religious sects, except the Celestial Principle Sect, more or less erect some statues of the World Venerate, ordering some Cultists to offer worship.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Eastern and Western Sects call it Celestial World Venerate, the Mandala Sect calls it Merciful World Venerate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And as for the Ancient Saint Sect and the Pantheon?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"They respectively call the World Venerate Holy World Venerate and High World Venerate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng laughed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"These titles are rather confusing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Indeed they are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan nodded affirmatively,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"After all, a true god that doesn’t belong to any sect. Most crucially, this god’s true body has already descended somewhere; everyone wants to draw it into their own sect...But I’m very curious, what is the true divine name of the World Venerate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared intently at Zhang Fusheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng replied calmly, almost nonchalantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It’s the World Venerate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan pressed on,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"May I visit the World Venerate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The World Venerate does not wish to see you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then where is the World Venerate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Everywhere.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two continued their exchange, and Zhang Fusheng’s responses were very carefree, almost nonsensical, which Su Qiansuan naturally noticed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not get angry, but sighed lightly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Director Zhang, do you not trust me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng looked up at the Golden Governor, then extended his hand, pointing to the Jiangzhou Heaven and Earth below.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Millions of wronged souls.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan was silent for a moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In front of the common people, some small sacrifices are necessary and worthwhile.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng chuckled softly, not answering directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The laughter was particularly piercing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan lowered his eyelids and said calmly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Golden Province must secede, the Federation must fall; to overthrow the Federation, even if it means millions of lives.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Even hundreds of billions, trillions.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It would still be worth it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No expression could be seen on Zhang Fusheng’s face at all,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I witnessed, with my own eyes, one person after another curling up and collapsing, their bodies exploding, growing tumors of flesh and blood; even the Evil Cult did not intend to go this far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan leaned back, closed his eyes, and repeated,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Some sacrifices are worth it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Fusheng fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He asked lightly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Governor, you are saying in front of me that you want the Golden Province to secede, to rebel, to overthrow the Federation...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Aren’t you afraid I’ll report this to the Federation?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan kept his eyes closed,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Precisely because of this, I wish to meet the World Venerate. I have reviewed Director Zhang’s record; the first eighteen years were quite unremarkable, then suddenly, there was a meteoric rise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it because of...the High Heaven Association?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or is it due to the favor of the World Venerate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Or perhaps both?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He interrogated, almost aggressively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Golden Governor’s aura was indeed restrained, clearly having no oppressive presence,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zhang Fusheng felt immense pressure, heavily weighing on his heart, his entire body’s skin tingling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t that Su Qiansuan was deliberately trying to suppress him,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s purely that their life levels were vastly different...Innate Limit, theoretically able to destroy hundreds of miles with a single strike,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While a Celestial Human Limit could shatter planets with a punch, a single thought tearing thousands of miles of land apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Divine Spirit?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their power is unfathomable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan saw this young man, favored by the World Venerate and shrouded in mysteries, suddenly lift his head and meet his gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young man said calmly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since I became a Martial Artist, it’s only been three months, three months ago I was an ordinary person, now I am Innate.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Open, a Grotto Heaven.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Grotto Heaven emerged behind him, emitting a thunderous sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Accumulate, four thousand three hundred years of spiritual accumulation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A vast sea-like Spiritual Power surged forth, swirling behind him, the space subtly twisting, forming a vortex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan squinted, yet was not surprised, knowing that if a Divine Spirit fully extended its care, alongside the mysterious High Heaven Association,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>reaching this stage wouldn’t be strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It is said that in the High Heaven Association, you can trade not just for lifespan and items but also for cultivation time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But who are all present in the High Heaven Association?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t sure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As thoughts turned, Su Qiansuan noticed the youth sigh one last time,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course, everything about me is due to the High Heaven Association, due to the favor from the World Venerate, and also the pity of the Central Pole Sect Leader.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Central Pole Sect Leader?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Su Qiansuan was startled, puzzled, as he saw Zhang Fusheng stretch out his hand, the fingers striking a mysterious rhythm against the air, communicating with some unknown existence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The void was knocked open a crack, seemingly leading to immeasurable depths, pure Death Qi gushing downward, extremely eerie Qi quietly flowing out, cascading down in a waterfall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the crevice,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glimpsed the Imperial Palace and the Emperor’s Shadow seated within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s Shadow opened its eyes, gazing distantly at them.\u003C\u002Fp>",2124,"2026-06-08T09:33:25.352Z",1,"novelbin.me","ac6dfc7bd6eca2566d0261aefbb67424cf6167010ef4076ae36749b032cdfa6e","secret-buyer-chapter-289","secret-buyer-chapter-287",547,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fsecret-buyer-cover.jpg"]