Chapter 42 opens by revealing the reason why no one is attacking anyone.
Without any warning, an energy-formed notification suddenly appears in midair before every cultivator present. Written upon it is a single rule: Within this area, no one is allowed to harm or attack another cultivator. Everyone is free to form groups according to their own wishes, but until the restriction is lifted, no one is permitted to kill anyone. At the same time, it is announced that two hours remain before this rule expires. Immediately afterward, a countdown timer materializes in the sky, displaying 1 Hour 59 Minutes 59 Seconds. The timer then begins counting down second by second—59... 58... 57...—continuing its relentless countdown without pause. If anyone dares to attack another cultivator during this period, they will instantly be transformed into dust-like energy and erased from existence, as though they had become a part of the Secret Realm itself.
However, instead of taking the energy-formed notification seriously, the cultivators present initially mock it. None of them believe that such an unbelievable rule could actually be real. But suddenly, a certain region of the Secret Realm begins trembling with an incomparably powerful surge of energy, causing the surrounding space itself to shake violently. The terrifying aura released by that mysterious force is so overwhelming that no disciple dares to ignore the notification any longer.
At that very moment, the protagonist, Kim, arrives in the area. As soon as he witnesses the behavior of the cultivators around him, he is slightly taken aback. He quickly realizes that not a single disciple is fighting another. Instead, all of the cultivators have divided themselves into separate groups, calmly gathering Spirit Herbs while waiting for the restriction to be lifted.
As the countdown on the enormous timer gradually approached zero, more and more disciples continued arriving at the area. One after another, they gathered beneath the massive energy-formed notification until, before long, nearly every disciple had assembled in the same place. The moment the countdown finally reached zero, another warning suddenly appeared before everyone present. It read, "Attention, all disciples. From this moment onward, you must survive according to your own abilities. Within this place, only one law exists... the Law of Survival."
Immediately after the warning appeared, an astonishing scene unfolded. A magnificent Temple slowly emerged from within the enormous notification itself, as though it were descending from a virtual world into reality. Once the Temple had fully manifested, the notification began instructing every disciple to enter it. It explained that countless valuable resources awaited them inside the Temple. Furthermore, if they managed to survive and successfully leave the Temple alive, then every resource they had obtained so far—including Cultivation Herbs, Spirit Herbs, Spirit Stones, Spiritual Demonic Stones, and every other treasure—would be doubled. Not only that, but they would also receive a special and extraordinary reward. However, anyone who refused to enter the Temple would immediately be reduced to dust-like energy and erased from existence.
The next moment, the enormous notification transformed into a small, adorable little girl. Looking at everyone with a gentle smile, she introduced herself, "My name is Yasha, and I am the Temple Spirit." She then continued, "If all of you successfully survive the trials inside this Temple, your cultivation will be increased as part of your reward." At that time, however, none of the cultivators knew that Temple Spirit Yasha would also be entering the Temple alongside them. She would remain inside only as an observer, ensuring that no disciple could cheat during the trial.
Finally, Yasha revealed the most important objective of the Temple. "Inside the Temple, your only mission is to complete the tasks that are assigned to you." She paused for a brief moment before adding one final sentence that caused everyone's expressions to change. "And one more thing... inside the Temple... there are no rules."
The scene then shifts back to one and a half hours earlier. At that time, the outstanding geniuses of the Great Families paid no attention whatsoever to the ordinary disciples gathered around them. None of them cared about the fate of the weaker cultivators. Surprisingly, among all of those great geniuses, the protagonist, Kim, was thinking in exactly the same way. However, before revealing Kim's thoughts, the story first explains what the disciples of the Great Families were thinking. A single question occupied all of their minds. "What kind of power is this? Anyone who refuses to obey its commands is instantly reduced to dust-like energy, and after being destroyed, they become a part of the Secret Realm's own energy. But if it possesses such terrifying power... why did it give us two entire hours instead of enforcing the rule immediately?" Every one of the powerful disciples silently pondered this mystery, unable to understand the true purpose behind the countdown.
At that moment, the Ice Family's supreme genius, Xue Bingyue (雪冰月), did not say a single word. Instead, she quietly sat down, closed her eyes, and began calmly restoring her depleted energy. Watching her actions, Huo Tianyang, Huo Yan'er, and the other talented disciples gradually did the same. One after another, they began recovering their strength in complete silence. They had already realized that something significant was about to happen, and that was precisely why restoring their energy had become their highest priority.
He fell into deep thought. Although the outstanding disciples of all the Great Families had made an excellent decision, the remaining disciples had split into different groups and were busy collecting Spirit Herbs, rare medicinal herbs, and Beast Cores by hunting small beasts. In Kim's opinion, all of their efforts would ultimately be meaningless. "The fact that this notification has given us two hours cannot be without reason. There must be a purpose behind it." That was what Kim believed. Afterward, with the help of his System, Kim spent Affinity Points to restore his energy at an astonishing speed. At the same time, all of his injuries were completely healed, allowing him to prepare himself for the danger that was about to come.
The scene then returns to the present, two hours later. By this time, all of the disciples had entered the Temple in order to complete the task assigned by Temple Spirit Yasha. However, a few disciples attempted to escape instead of entering the Temple. The moment they tried to flee, Temple Spirit Yasha instantly transformed them into pure energy and absorbed them, making them a part of the Temple's own energy. But why did this happen? What was the reason behind it? You'll find out in the upcoming chapters.
Chapter 42 end.
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Chapter 42 - End
Chapter 43 - Coming Soon...
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