Chapter 654: Chapter 402 End_2

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In addition, Aurelius Azure proposed that since at least a few thousand people had perished in the battle, and even tens of thousands of ordinary people in the Central Region were affected, all five Great Sects decided to take out a large number of Spirit Stones as compensation for the families of the deceased and affected.

Logan saw all these developments and nodded in approval. These Five Great Sects had done well. The help he had previously provided by dealing with Elliott Reynolds was not in vain.

The Central Region was back on track, and after spending a few more days in the Saint Sky Sect, Logan was ready to depart. On the side, Bart Cloud inquired about where to go for further training.

“Having been to the Central Region already, and now that my strength is comparable to an average Quasi-Saint, naturally, my goal is to step towards the Saint Seat. Didn’t those Sanctuary Powerhouses from the Central Region go to the Ancient Secret Realm? I too wish to see what it’s all about.”

After long contemplation, Logan made a decision, “Let’s go meet with Aurelius Azure to learn about the Ancient Secret Realm. We’ll set off early tomorrow morning!”

Bart Cloud had no objections; his own strength had reached the Dominator Realm, and half a step into the Saint Seat was merely at the level of a Dominator. Naturally, his next step was to follow Logan, but he was also self-aware that in order to break through to the Saint Seat, he would have a long journey ahead.

Upon hearing of Logan’s pending departure, Aurelius Azure couldn’t help but feel nostalgic, “I had hoped you would stay at the Saint Sky Sect for a few more days. These past days have been so busy dealing with matters of the Central Region, I’ve neglected you. At the very least, I should have shared a drink and discussed the Dao with you, as behooves a host.”

“Don’t be too polite, after coming to the Saint Sky Sect, we never considered ourselves as guests,” Logan laughed heartily. Aurelius Azure had to agree on this point; the accommodation he arranged for Logan was a courtyard in the back mountain of the Saint Sky Sect, which now seemed to be Logan’s own.

“Although the Saint Sky Sect is the foremost Sect in the Central Region, I understand that we cannot keep you here. Your realm is on par with the Saint Seat; I hope that you will come back to the Saint Sky Sect as a guest one day!”

Aurelius Azure did not insist on keeping him any longer, understanding very well that Logan sought a broader world. His stay at the Saint Sky Sect for so many days had already formed a bond.

“The reason I wanted to see you before I left was not only to bid farewell but also to inquire about the Ancient Secret Realm. I heard that the powerhouses of the Central Region have all gone there?”

On reaching the main topic, Aurelius Azure paused for a moment before responding with understanding, “You want to go to the Ancient Secret Realm? I sincerely advise you not to go—it’s too dangerous!”

“Let’s hear it,” said Logan, even more curious. He had heard from the Demonic Sky Gate in the Western Wasteland that the Sanctuary Powerhouses from the Central Region were trapped in the Ancient Secret Realm. At that time, Logan was puzzled; after all, the Saint Seat represented the pinnacle of combat power in the world. Could they really be trapped by a mere Secret Land?

Moreover, many Sanctuary Powerhouses went to the Secret Land in search of opportunities. What realm lies beyond the Saint Seat? What vague hope were they chasing? Did the Ancient Secret Realm truly hold something of worth?

“It’s a long story. The matter of the Ancient Secret Realm has been talked about in the Central Region for a thousand years, and it’s all hearsay. Whether it’s true or not has never been confirmed. There are quite a few who came out of the Ancient Secret Realm alive, but whether they actually went or were lying can’t be verified,” said Aurelius Azure, spreading his hands.

“Anyway, many powerhouses believe that no one has ever walked out of the Ancient Secret Realm. Those who boast of having been there are likely making it up. But one thing is certain—the Ancient Secret Realm does indeed contain great opportunities.”

“The Ancient Secret Realm is rumored to be the burial ground of powers beyond the Saint Seat, where an Inheritance was left behind. Whoever claims it can step into that realm. This possibility has drawn countless Sanctuary Powerhouses, for even at the Saint Seat, one’s lifespan is not endless. When their time approaches, they head to the Ancient Secret Realm, preferring to face a ninety percent risk of death over simply waiting for their end.”

“Generally it opens every ten years, but for hundreds of years, only one or two from the Central Region have entered at a time. Ten years ago, the Ancient Secret Realm radiated a brilliant Golden Light. No one knows what caused it, but nearly all of the Sanctuary Powerhouses, including our Saint Sky Sect’s Supreme Elder, went. With the Central Region’s foundation thus embarked, the Demon Sects took the chance to cause mischief.”

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“Indeed, lifespan is a major predicament for those at the Holy See,” Logan reflected with countless emotions, having encountered several Sanctuary Powerhouses who contended over life expectancy. This conflict began at the Demon Beast Mountain Range where the Beast King and Heavenly Saint Daoist met, both ultimately perishing in pursuit of longevity, as well as the Mountain Saint Taoist who borrowed his Qian Kun Bead.

“Once you reach the Holy See, can you not continue to cultivate and increase your lifespan? Or perhaps create some artifacts? Must one go to the Ancient Secret Realm to gamble on their chances? The Holy See already possesses a certain mastery over the Great Law Principles, even cultivating small worlds against the flow of time, as the Monster Beast Clan’s Beast King did,” Logan asked.

Facing Logan’s curiosity, Aurelius Azure explained, “It is possible, but it is very difficult for a single Sanctuary Powerhouse, unless several Holy Sees join forces. However, it’s clearly impossible for them to work harmoniously, as each has their own ambitions. Besides, relying on artifacts is ultimately not the righteous path.”

“Where exactly is the Ancient Secret Realm?” Having learned enough, Logan was ready to leave and decided to take Bart Cloud with him to explore it.

“Do you really intend to go?” Aurelius Azure asked with a wry smile, trying to dissuade him, “Even the Holy Sees face a life-or-death situation there. You’d be safer to reach the Holy See level first. With your talent, it won’t be difficult to cultivate to the Holy See. Although you have terrifying arrays, they’re almost useless in the Ancient Secret Land.”

“I know what I’m doing.” Logan reassured Aurelius Azure not to worry too much. Since he had decided to go, he was mentally prepared. Logan knew that to increase his realm, he could only continuously gain experience through practice; mere cultivation was too slow to reach the Holy See—it would take at least a few hundred years.

“The Ancient Secret Realm opens every ten years, and by my calculations, it will be next month. It’s located in the Northern Cold Land, about ten thousand miles from the Central Region. If you take the Teleportation Array, you can go directly to the Northern Wasteland, and from there, it’s another thousand miles. Ten days should be enough.”

Aurelius Azure calculated for Logan and then sighed, “I really hope that when the gate to the Ancient Secret Realm opens next month, the Supreme Elder of the Saint Sky Sect will return. The Central Region truly needs a Holy See.”

Although many Sanctuary Powerhouses had gone to the Ancient Secret Realm, there were others hidden among the populace who did not, and if one day they decided to scheme for the Central Region, who could stop them? It was impossible for another Heavenly Pride like Logan to emerge; someone like him comes once in ten thousand years.

“Perhaps in the near future, you’ll break through to the Holy See,” Logan half-joked and half sincerely said. He truly believed that Aurelius Azure had hope. Whether judging by talent or character, Aurelius Azure was among the top in the Central Region, and the Saint Sky Sect itself was rather fortunate.

Moreover, in the battle with Elliott Reynolds, Aurelius Azure had fought to the death, even using a Divine Weapon. The combat experience from that battle was deeply beneficial to him. Among the many Quasi-Saint Powerhouses in the Central Region, none was like Aurelius Azure, which gave the Protagonist the confidence to say these words.

“Hopefully so, thank you!” Aurelius Azure responded earnestly. Then he asked, “When do you plan to leave? I’d like to join the other Sect Leaders to see you off. After all, you’ve resolved the conflicts in the Central Region. It’s proper for us to make an appearance, or it would be impolite.”

“I’ll leave early tomorrow morning. Let’s skip the farewell banquet,” Logan said, waving his hand. He wasn’t fond of such formalities; he and Bart Cloud had always been straightforward. They planned to leave directly after sunrise tomorrow. If people insisted on seeing them off, it would be quite uncomfortable.

Shaking his head, Aurelius Azure spoke righteously, “That means you don’t consider me a friend. I’m not calling strangers, just a dozen or so people having a drink, one hour is enough. I’ll have someone prepare it now. You have to give me this courtesy, as a favor to me.”

“Alright then.” Since the matter had come to this, Logan agreed. Aurelius Azure went to make arrangements, and Logan returned to the courtyard.

“The Saint Sky Sect is brimming with spiritual energy, practicing here is many times more effective. I almost don’t want to leave,” Bart Cloud said with a faint smile as he woke from his cultivation.

“Then don’t leave. Given my relationship, if you stay at the Saint Sky Sect, you’ll definitely be treated as an honored guest. Maybe you can even secure an Elder’s position,” Logan suggested with a laugh, as Bart Cloud responded seriously, “Of course not, I’m your guard. I must follow and keep you safe.”