A massive, multicolored bead shone dazzlingly, evoking a dreamlike illusion of a divine secret realm. Ming Qi rapidly attached his spiritual consciousness to the bead, and suddenly, a new dimension appeared within his ocean of consciousness. The next moment, his perception of the Divine Map's spatial dimension became instantly clearer.
Although he could only currently master the most basic aspects—the ability to summon the Divine Map's spatial dimension and utilize a small portion of it—even this presented Ming Qi with an immense opportunity.
The more he understood, the more his mysteries became apparent. Yue felt the depths and profundity, and Ming Qi now fully acknowledged it.
Before mastering the Divine Map's spatial dimension, he had never imagined that this small scroll could contain such a vast space and such boundless mysteries. Now, having grasped the method for mastering the Divine Map, he immediately realized that his understanding of its secrets was less than one-tenth of its entirety!
Once Ming Qi had control of the Divine Map, he could clearly see what was happening in the Magic Forest without even needing to disperse his consciousness outside of it.
After confirming that the colorful bead was the origin of the Divine Map's control, Ming Qi stopped exploring and instead returned his consciousness to his body.
"Is everything going well?"
Seeing Ming Qi return to normal, several people inquired.
"Fortunately, I'm lucky. Now let's see what the situation is like outside."
As he spoke, Ming Qi casually drew a line in front of him. A huge image suddenly appeared in the seemingly empty and chaotic space, reflecting everything happening in the Magic Forest outside the Divine Map.
The ghost creature's all-consuming attack had reached its peak, and a large number of monks and mercenaries were quickly slain in the burst of light. Although Yu Quanzhen still activated his two great magical weapons, the Time Hourglass and the Rhythm Staff, his actions and the expressions of those around him clearly showed that he had no other options.
Mercenaries fell one after another, their bodies exploding into smithereens. The number of cultivators surrounding Yu Quanzhen dwindled, leaving only those with profound cultivation.
"It seems even Yu Quanzhen can't protect them now."
Seeing this scene, Ming Qi couldn't help but sigh. In a dense magic forest, a single wave of attacks from ghostly creatures could overwhelm a large group of cultivators, including powerful Martial Kings. Imagine how difficult it must be to traverse this dense magic forest.
Ming Qi manipulated the Divine Diagram, intending to ascend to high altitudes, but for some reason, ascending in this dense magic forest proved exceedingly difficult. Even a divine artifact as powerful as the Divine Diagram couldn't escape the restrictions within, preventing it from reaching high altitudes.
However, with the Divine Diagram's protection, Ming Qi and his companions were safe from any danger.
Unable to escape, Ming Qi simply manipulated the divine diagram to freeze within the dense forest, quietly watching the spectral creatures' self-destructive attacks.
In the Magic Forest.
"Tell me, have you really been there? Tell me your method, and I'll let you pass."
Seemingly still determined, the mastermind commanded the spectral creatures to attack while repeatedly asking Yu Quanzhen the same question.
And the stakes for an answer were steadily rising. From initially only allowing Yu Quanzhen to escape, now, as long as Yu Quanzhen spoke, everyone could pass.
It was clear that the mastermind had made a huge concession.
These conditions seemed like a lifeline to all the monks and mercenaries struggling between life and death. They shouted at Yu Quanzhen, imploring him to reveal what they wanted to know, thus giving them a chance to survive.
However, they also knew that despite their cries, they could do nothing more than shout. After all, Yu Quanzhen was a Martial King-level expert. For a Martial King to instantly kill a Xiantian cultivator was a simple matter. While Yu Quanzhen's words could bring them hope, angering him would mean imminent death, even if they weren't immediately facing imminent doom.
However, despite the people around him shouting their throats out, Yu Quanzhen remained silent.
The ghostly creatures' attacks continued, and the death toll mounted. The screams completely filled the lifeless forest. Even Ming Qi sighed deeply at the sight. Although he had seen countless cold-blooded killers on large scales, this was the first time he had witnessed so many people facing death at the same time, with no sign of life at all.
"This guy must be lying. The demonic bloodline here hasn't appeared yet. The crisis is ever-present."
Looking at the image emerging on the divine map, the Wuxiang boy scoffed.
"Does that mean all these people are really going to die here?"
Girls are often very compassionate. After hearing Wuxiang Tongzi's words, they knew that none of the cultivators and mercenaries trapped in the Magic Forest would escape alive.
Even Yu Quanzhen, a powerful Martial King, had a high chance of falling here.
"Not necessarily. If they had entered a small Qiankun world like us, they should have been able to escape."
Wuxiang Tongzi had considered everything, but the possibility was almost zero, or even zero. The most powerful of these cultivators was Yu Quanzhen, a powerful Martial King. If Yu Quanzhen had a magical tool like the Supreme Diagram that opened up a small Qiankun world, he would have used it long ago. But after so many people died, he remained indifferent. It seemed unlikely that he had one.
"I'm afraid that's the case."
Ming Qi also had a clear understanding. The ghost creatures' attacks seemed endless. If they continued, everyone here would be wiped out sooner or later. Even Yu Quanzhen would probably run out of steam in the end.
And just then, the previously silent Yu Quanzhen suddenly spoke.
"Do you really want to know that place so badly?"
His voice remained as still as water, without a ripple, as if the purgatory-like sea of blood surrounding them were all a dreamlike illusion.
"Haha, you've finally spoken. Yes, I really need it. I need something there. If you tell me, I'll fulfill my promise immediately."
The man behind the scenes was clearly delighted at Yu Quanzhen's words, his voice brimming with excitement.
"Well, I'll tell you. I hope you keep your promise. I might as well tell you this: even in this situation, I can still pull you out of the shadows and utterly kill you!"
The previously silent Yu Quanzhen seemed to transform completely as he spoke these words. His tone shone with boundless murderous intent, which instantly spread.
"Good! Very good!"
The man behind the scenes exclaimed twice, then seemed to be waiting for Yu Quanzhen to speak.
"I've been to that place before, but I tell you, it's transformed into a realm. To enter, one must master the power of space or time; otherwise, it's impossible to reach."
Yu Quanzhen said.
"Don't worry about that. I just want to know where it is and where the entrance is."
The man behind the scenes was clearly focused on the location, not the method of entry.
"That place is called the Realm of Gods and Demons. The entrance is at the top of the greatsword of the King of the Gods in the Divine Realm."
"Good, hahaha, very good!"
Finally getting what he wanted, the man behind the scenes laughed excitedly.
"I've been to the Divine Realm before, but I never imagined the secret would be in that sword!"
"Wow, how did this guy know about the Realm of Gods and Demons? It's over, it's over. It seems that damn prophecy is true."
Just as Yu Quanzhen said these words, the formless boy in the divine space of the Supreme Diagram suddenly cried out.
"Hmm?"
Ming Qi was surprised, puzzled by this guy's outburst.
"You don't know the significance of the Realm of Gods and Demons. While I don't know exactly what's involved, I do know this: if it appears, it will inevitably cause chaos in the heavens!"
"Chaos in the heavens? What kind of place is this Realm of Gods and Demons that could possibly possess such power?"
Ming Qi was immediately incredulous. Even if it were a realm, it probably wasn't powerful enough to cause chaos in the heavens.
"The Realm of Gods and Demons has been the site of great wars between gods and demons since time immemorial. Each such war leaves behind a vast, almost boundless battlefield. This battlefield, imbued with the aura and divine power of the gods and demons, is capable of self-sustaining growth. Once the Realm of Gods and Demons develops into a realm, the divine and magical powers previously lost within, as well as countless other things connected to the gods and demons, may break free and scatter across the heavens. Even gods and demons that have fallen within the Realm of Gods and Demons may break free and be reborn."
…
The Faceless Child, knowing a great deal, recounted the key points of the Realm of Gods and Demons in one breath.
His words shocked the audience. If Yu Quanzhen now possessed two magical artifacts left behind by the gods, this was sufficient proof that the Realm of Gods and Demons was no longer just a legend. It had taken shape, and the next stage of transformation would begin.
"Look, the ghost creatures' attack is truly over."
As Wuxiang Tongzi explained, the attack outside had quietly ceased. Through the video, Ming Qi could no longer see any ghost creatures. Aside from the corpses scattered across the ground and the dazed survivors, the Magic Forest seemed no different from any other tranquil and welcoming mountain forest.
"Let's get out and see what they do next."
Ming Qi moved his mind, manipulating the divine map to open the entrance. Several people filed out and returned to the surface.