Still-Spirit Pearl (静灵珠): its surface effect is to soothe the soul, putting it into a peculiar calm where hatred fades and everything seen or heard feels "beautiful." But that's only the superficial effect. Its true power is to shape others through that calm. Given enough exposure, beings sink into this manufactured "beauty," and the pearl's wielder can then steer that feeling at will—making others act according to his intent.
For example, he can impress upon them that cultivation is beautiful; those affected will cultivate single-mindedly, with no stray thoughts, like still water—twice the result for half the effort. He can likewise impress upon them to unite, help one another, and love one another; the "companions" in question might be same-race, other races, even former enemies.
The Still-Spirit Pearl also has a downside: if its effect suddenly vanishes, the parts of the mind that were bent and suppressed will rebound all the more violently. If the Spacetime Soul Python's control is a forcible domination, the Still-Spirit Pearl's is a subtle, gradual shaping of mind and soul. Used well, it's a divine tool that accelerates cultivation; used ill, it's a terrifying demon-artifact for manipulating hearts and will.
By itself, one Still-Spirit Pearl's range isn't vast. But paired with the Illusion-Spirit Pearl (幻灵珠), things get big. The Illusion-Spirit Pearl creates phantasms—not mere hallucinations, but phantoms of actual things. So long as they aren't destroyed, these phantoms can exist indefinitely, and they can possess roughly 30–40% of the original's power. Most importantly, if the user's cultivation is sufficient, he can produce a limitless number of phantoms. They can take on myriad forms, yet their effect remains the same.
Either pearl alone is already top-tier. Together, they're heaven-defying.
Both pearls are now in the hands of the North Supreme. At his realm, he can use the Illusion-Spirit Pearl to make countless Still-Spirit Pearls, then wield them to influence the beings of the North—making them united and obedient.
"So that's why the Northern races are so unusually united." It runs against the grain of heaven and earth; anything so abnormal must have a cause—and this is it. The North Supreme has used the two pearls to control nearly all beings in the North. But to what end?
Lin is sure there's a deeper reason, though with what he currently knows he can't yet guess the goal. Note, too: besides the North Supreme there are two quasi-Supremes in the North. However marvelous the Still-Spirit Pearl is, it cannot sway those with adamant Dao-hearts and powerful souls; such people would notice something amiss. Yet no news has leaked from the North. Does this mean the two quasi-Supremes—and perhaps some top peak-Perfection experts—are involved?
The North Supreme is exalted and singular in status—he holds power—but that doesn't mean no one else has a say. Even if they can't oppose him, they could have leaked the matter. If Supremes from the other Extremes learned of it, the North Supreme would have a headache. Since this is kept so secret, it must be crucial.
Chaoszi spoke softly: "I think I remember something. Maybe what the North Supreme wants to do is that."
"Don't be cryptic," Lin said. "Out with it."
"I once heard a rumor," Chaoszi said. "There's another way to reach that place the Hangu Behemoth always wanted to enter—besides the Ice-Crystal Key. You use the blood and souls of living beings."
Little Tree added, "I've heard the same: offer up fresh blood and souls as sacrifice, and perhaps the place can be opened."
Lin frowned. "You mean the North Supreme intends to sacrifice the blood and souls of the North's countless beings? The entire North?"
Little Tree shook his head. "They say the required flesh and soul are enormous in quantity—likely the entire North."
Chaoszi supplemented, "Not just a lot—high quality, too. Back then, even with so many top beings dying in battle, their flesh and souls weren't enough. How could a single North suffice? In my view, you'd need at least double."
Those who died in the ancient wars were unfathomably strong; a single one could equal the strength of a whole race, if not more. Trillions of low-realm beings—ordinary folk within domains—no matter their number, can't match a single true powerhouse. If this method really works, the required amount would be staggering. As Chaoszi said: even sacrificing the entire North might still fall short.
"If what you two say is true," Lin said, "the North Supreme's undertaking is truly colossal. And this war that's breaking out is the perfect time to harvest blood and souls. The North may well strike at the Central Domain—to manufacture casualties and collect flesh and souls."
"I really wonder what's there that could exert such a pull."
Lin knew the place must be extraordinary—the Hangu Behemoth yearned for it; powerhouses from all sides sought it; even the Dao may have wanted to go. Yet no one has succeeded.
"I've heard," Chaoszi said, "that anyone who's been to its entrance will stop at nothing to get inside. I never went, but I'm sure it's not false—people were crazed back then."
Little Tree said, "There's a legend in the chaos: that place holds the secret of the origin of the Primal Chaos Wasteland."
Chaoszi snorted, half-teasing: "There are a thousand wild legends. Take that flower everyone fought to the death over—if someone told you it just comes up out of the ground, would you buy it?"
That "flower" is the one countless beings of the Chaos Wasteland butchered one another for. Some say it came from the deepest depths of the Ancient Wilds; others say it came from that place in the North. Most believe it comes from the deepest reaches. Some also say the place is actually the sole path into those deepest reaches—any other route means death.
Rumors abound. In the end, that place in the North and the deepest depths of the Ancient Wilds are called the two most mysterious locations in the Chaos Wasteland. Whoever could unravel their secrets might truly unify the Wasteland—not merely stand above it as the Dao does. In fact, even the Dao is still some distance from a true unification.
Sadly, after that ancient war, the great powers all perished, and no one pursued the two secrets. All these years, who knows what the Dao has been doing; he doesn't seem to have figured out those two places, or he wouldn't have remained hidden.
Lin thought it over. "Hunting down the grand array now won't be easy. Looks like I should go there first and take a look. Little Tree, let's search together."
Little Tree and Chaoszi raised both hands (and feet) in agreement—they, too, were burning with curiosity about that place.