Chapter 175: Tattered Map [2]

The tattered paper or rather a metal piece like paper floated to the center of his vision, and a detailed system description unfurled before him.

The metallic, paper-like artifact floated silently to the center of his vision as the detailed system description unfurled before him, glowing with a sharp crimson light.

[ITEM UNLOCKED: MAP OF THE DESOLATE ASURA POCKET REALM]

[Description: A rare, dual-layered map revealing the precise coordinates of a hidden, blood-refined inheritance sanctuary. The outer entrance is anchored within the treacherous depths of the Mist Cloud Forest, concealing a secondary independent dimension nested entirely within the normal realm.

Restriction: Due to the unstable, crushing spatial pressures of the inner dimension, entry is strictly forbidden to the weak.

Minimum Requirement: Golden Core Realm. Anyone attempting to cross the dimensional threshold below this cultivation stage will be instantly crushed by the worldly laws.]

[Notice: From the exact moment this map was claimed, the ancient spatial seals binding the Desolate Asura Pocket Realm have begun to unravel. The global countdown has officially commenced. The entrance within the Mist Cloud Forest will violently tear open to the public in exactly three months.]

[Host, you currently stand at the Peak of Qi Condensation Realm. The opening of this realm will inevitably attract the most ruthless sects and elite factions across the empire and the surrounding empire.]

[The System strongly advises the host to immediately break through into the Foundation Establishment Realm and aggressively advance your cultivation to the absolute pinnacle of that stage before the countdown concludes.]

[You must reach the highest level possible just below the Early Golden Core Stage because of the restriction and also to maximize your survivability and dominate the competition the moment the realm opens.]

Shen Yu’s eyes narrowed into slits as he absorbed the glowing text. The lottery hadn’t just given him a map; it had set a ticking time bomb for the entire region. A dark, predatory thrill raced through his veins. Three months to completely conquer Foundation Establishment.

Leaning back into his mahogany seat, Shen Yu let out a low, echoing chuckle, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the armrest while Li Qiu quietly poured him another cup of spiritual tea.

Though his smile carried a dark, predatory confidence, his mind was practical.

In his previous life, after his potential had been completely exhausted, he had spent decades exploring countless dangerous zones and forgotten ruins just to find a way forward.

When it came to the hidden layout, and traps of the Asura lineage, he didn’t just possess confidence, he possessed an absolute monopoly on knowledge.

Compared to the elite geniuses who would blindly rush into the Mist Cloud Forest in three months, he was easily the most knowledgeable person on the continent.

A blood-refined inheritance sanctuary nested in a secondary dimension, Shen Yu mused, his golden eyes flashing with calculation. Let’s see what kind of fortune this realm will yield to accelerate my ascent.

-x-

Thousands of miles away from Thousand Waves City, deep within the heart of the continent, lay the capital of the Crimson Lotus Empire, the Golden Lotus City.

A grand castle of pristine white stone and gold trim stretched for tens of miles across the center of the majestic metropolis, which bustled with millions of powerful cultivators and ordinary mortals alike.

Within the empire’s grand throne room, an oppressive, majestic aura filled the air. Seated upon the golden throne was a man of immense stature, wearing flowing imperial robes.

He possessed a long, manicured black beard, matching dark hair, and piercing grey eyes that carried the weight of absolute rule.

Standing respectfully before him on the polished marble floor was a handsome, blue-eyed cultivator with slicked-back black hair.

Bowing low, the man spoke in a clear, resonant voice.

"Your Highness, our observers have detected localized spatial turbulence beginning to manifest within the depths of the Mist Cloud Forest."

The Emperor let out a heavy, world-weary sigh, his grey eyes narrowing.

"So... the Asura Realm is destined to tear open once more. Centuries ago, I stood on the very precipice of claiming its core inheritance, yet I failed to grasp it. I can only hope my bloodline proves more capable this time."

Leaning forward, his voice boomed through the vacant hall with absolute authority.

"Issue a decree to all the princes and princesses of the imperial court. The one who successfully inherits the core of the Asura Realm... will be the one who inherits my crown and the throne of the Burning Lotus Empire."

"By your command, Your Highness," the handsome cultivator replied, bowing one final time before his body dissolved into a blur of spiritual light, exiting the hall.

Once the messenger was gone, the Emperor’s majestic posture relaxed slightly. A shadow of a smile played on his lips as a figure stepped out from the heavy tapestries behind the throne.

It was a woman of striking, mature beauty. She possessed captivating violet eyes, long, flowing light-violet hair, and a highly voluptuous, regal body that filled her silk gowns to their absolute limits.

The Emperor turned back toward her, his gaze softening with a rare hint of nostalgia. "That hidden realm... that was exactly where we first crossed paths all those centuries ago, wasn’t it, my love?"

The purple-eyed woman didn’t return his smile. Her gaze remained icy, completely detached from his attempts at sentimentality.

"Reminisce all you like," she replied coldly, her voice sharp enough to cut through the heavy silence of the hall.

"But make no mistake, my daughter will be the one inheriting your throne."

Without sparing him another glance, she turned on her heel, her long robes sweeping behind her as she walked out of the private chambers.

The heavy oak doors closed behind her with a resounding thud.

The moment she was out of sight, the Emperor’s nostalgic expression shattered, replaced by a sudden, ugly surge of fury.

His iron grip tightened against the carved golden armrest of his throne, the pure force of his spiritual energy causing the solid metal to groan and crack beneath his fingers.

"Fucking hell..." he gritted his teeth, his breathing turning ragged as he snarled into the empty room.

"Why the fuck do you still have an issue with me having other women? I am the Emperor of a vast cultivation empire! I am legally and divinely entitled to an imperial harem!"

"Fuck this shit... if she wants to play the cold goddess, let her. I’m going straight to the eastern palace to break in that new bitch I just married."