The bonfire crackled.
Shadow-boar ribs sizzled on spits.
Kai and Riven were passed out inside the carriage, still hilariously connected to their succubi like someone hit pause mid-scene.
I stepped out barefoot, shirt half-open, and strolled toward the fire.
While walking, I flicked my wrist. A black jade coin spun into the air and vanished.
Instant secure line.
A silky female voice answered on the first ring.
"Void Whisper Pavilion, how may we serve the First Holder tonight?"
"I'm cashing in one of my five confirmed intel credits.
Send me an accurate, real-time map to any currently active Golden-Core secret realm within a month's travel radius. No trash tier. I want the good stuff."
"Understood, sir. Transmitting now."
Call ended before the second syllable left her mouth.
I pocketed the jade, plopped down beside Azrath, grabbed a jug of infernal whiskey, and tore into a boar leg like nothing happened.
Azrath stared at me like I'd grown a second head.
"…Was that the Void Whisper Pavilion?"
I nodded, mouth full.
"The same Void Whisper Pavilion that even Father can't get on the line?
The one that charges a literal kingdom for a single sentence?"
Another nod.
Azrath's voice actually cracked. "How?!"
I shrugged. "Details are boring. Your volcano brain would melt."
Then I flicked my wrist again. A holographic map bloomed above the fire, ancient golden runes rotating around a floating island hidden in a spatial storm.
Title in demonic script:
[Nine Tribulations Asura Realm – Golden Core Tier – 27 days remaining until next opening]
Estimated treasures:
- One complete Asura Emperor inheritance
- Nine drops of Immortal Demon blood
- One hundred Golden-Core breakthrough pills
- Random divine weapons
The entire camp went dead silent.
Lian Wuxin's flask slipped from his fingers.
One of his gang members straight-up fainted into the dirt.
Thorne Varg, the thousand-year-old incubus driver who once watched galaxies burn, had actual tears streaming down his face.
"My boy… my little young master… grew up so fast…"
Azrath just stared at the map like it was a naked goddess.
I took another lazy bite of meat, totally chill.
"Road trip in four days.
Whoever wants to break through to late Golden Core or fish an inheritance, pack light.
We leave at dawn after Tamamo-nee finishes her shopping spree."
I raised my jug.
"Cheers to dying rich or living richer."
Twenty-one ex-enemies, one emotional incubus butler, and one very stunned First Prince all raised their drinks with shaky hands.
Azrath finally found his voice.
"…Remind me never to play poker with you."
I grinned.
"Too late, big bro.
I already own your volcano."
The bonfire roared higher, as if the realm itself was laughing with us.
Scene 1 – Human Neutral Territory, Four-Star Hotel, Room 2708
The headboard was slamming against the wall had probably filed three noise complaints already.
Valeria Voss, 30-year-old golden-core human sword saint (and self-proclaimed "neutral path's sexiest widow"), was riding 20-year-old angel prodigy Raphael Lightwing cowgirl style like the bed owed her money.
Her massive breasts bounced hypnotically, sweat dripping down her toned stomach, pink folds gripping his shaft with every rise and fall.
Raphael, foundation-realm but with wings of pure holy light, had his hands full (literally) and was moaning loud enough to wake the dead.
Door suddenly opens.
In walks Serika Lightwing, Raphael's older sister, silver hair in a perfect bun, glasses glinting, holding a sealed intelligence scroll like it's a bomb.
Serika adjusts her glasses.
"Urgent report from Veil Network: Crimson Asura Secret Realm confirmed opening in 27 days. Ace of House Lust already possesses accurate coordinates."
Neither Valeria nor Raphael stop.
Wet slaps continue.
Moans continue.
Valeria just tilts her head back, still grinding.
"Got it. Pack the expedition team. We leave in three days."
Serika stands there, face red but professional.
Raphael finally gasps between thrusts, "Sis, "If you've got something else to say, spit it out."
Serika inhales.
"Ace has the map too. Confirmed."
Movement stops.
Pop. Valeria rises off him with an obscene sound. Raphael's proud angel rod softens like it heard its own death sentence.
Valeria walks naked to the balcony, lights a cigarette with a tiny spark of sword qi, and exhales smoke into the night.
One word, low and tired:
"This is going to be hard."
Scene 2 – Demonic Territory, Black Iron Tavern private room
Five figures around a war table covered in Crimson Asura Realm projections.
- Two human golden-core mercenaries (neutral path)
- Three demon foundation-realm prodigies (abyss path)
The mood is grim.
One demon slams the table. "Ace already has the exact entrance vector. We're walking into his playground."
A scarred human mercenary sighs. "Kid's got Void Whisper Pavilion on speed-dial. We're bringing knives to a nuclear war."
The only woman in the group, a demoness with blood-red horns, rubs her temples.
"We still go. Inheritance is worth dying for… but if Ace claims the Asura Emperor core, the entire younger generation is finished for the next thousand years."
Silence.
Then all five say in unison:
"We need a plan to deal with that monster."
Scene 3 – Montage across nine realms
- Heaven Path monastery: elders hurriedly packing holy relics
- Dragon Clan floating islands: princes sharpening claws
- Elf Empress's palace: archers blessing arrows with curse seals
- Beast Kingdom coliseum: lion-kin warriors roaring Ace's name like a curse
- Even a pirate fleet in the void sea raising black flags that read "KILL ACE FIRST, LOOT LATER"
Every major faction, every genius, every hidden old monster, all asking the same question in different languages:
"How the hell do we beat Ace when he already knows everything?"
Back at the bonfire
I yawn, stretch, and toss another boar leg into the flames.
My phone buzzes, 47 new encrypted messages from various factions politely (or not so politely) asking if I'd consider "not attending" the secret realm.
I mute them all, lean back against Azrath's shoulder, and grin at the stars.
"Looks like we're popular, big bro."
Azrath laughs so hard he almost drops his drink.
"Let them come.
More loot for us when they die screaming."
Lian, now officially part of the circle, raises his flask with a hiccup.
"To making Ace's life difficult!"
Everyone cheers.
I just smile, already counting the inheritance in my head.
House of Lust – Medical Wing
Lilith Velloria de Ravenholt lay in a regeneration pod, new limbs slowly growing back in shimmering crimson light.
Valthorne Greysoul, ancient steward, stood respectfully beside her.
"Everything stable, my lady? The Young Miss will be informed if you need anything."
Lilith stared at her half-grown arm stumps, voice tragically small.
"It'll take three days to fully regenerate…"
"Yes, my lady."
A single tear rolled down her perfect cheek.
"…How am I supposed to masturbate for three whole days?"
Valthorne blinked.
"…What."
Lilith turned to him with the expression of a widow at a funeral.
"WHAT."
The ancient steward now had a visible floating question mark above his head the size of a carriage.
Meanwhile – Luxurious pink sky-carriage en route to the Abyss Auction House
Tamamo and Seraphine were back at it, carriage rocking so hard the nightmare pegasi were getting motion sick.
Wet slaps, tongues battling, tails wrapped around thighs, frost and foxfire mixing in the air like a snowstorm in a volcano.
Somewhere in the main Lusteria palace – the Emperor's bedroom
Asmodeus Kain Veyl (grandfather) was balls-deep in his own mother, bed literally on fire from demonic passion.
The door clicked shut behind Aurora Luminous, the smart angel strategist from earlier.
She walked down the corridor, heels clicking, glasses flashing.
Muffled moans and wet sounds still leaked through the walls.
Aurora opened her own room, locked it, and immediately began pacing like a general about to declare war.
Muttering to herself:
"Confirmed attendees from House Lust side:
- Ace (hypnosis + Void Whisper Pavilion backing)
- Kai (disguise/stealth god)
- Riven Frostborn (water laws + ice princess backup)
- Azrath Kain Veyl (Nascent-Soul monster coming to babysit his little brothers' breakthrough)
If Ace reaches late Golden Core inside the Asura Realm, the younger generation is finished for a thousand years.
Countermeasures:
1. Never split the party (Kai will assassinate anyone alone).
2. Need someone who can stall Azrath (Cassandra Yue, the Sword Saint, will do).
3. Seraphiel (me) will personally pin Riven.
4. Ace… is the problem.
Options:
- Borrow sect elders → have to share inheritance → no.
- Buy the new anti-hypnosis/anti-illusion artifact from the neutral auction → costs an arm, a leg, and my dignity.
Aurora sighed, rubbing her temples.
"Which absolute bastard tried to assassinate Ace and made him go full try-hard mode…?"
Cut to – bonfire camp, 3000 miles away
Lian Wuxin sneezed so hard he fell off his log.
"Someone's talking shit about me…"
He scratched his head innocently while everyone laughed.
Back in her room, Aurora opened a secret communication mirror.
"Prepare the budget. We're buying the Null Star Veil artifact.
Tell Cassandra and the others: full war footing.
This isn't a secret realm expedition anymore.
It's a survival horror with Ace as the final boss."
She closed the mirror, pushed up her glasses, and exhaled.
"May the heavens have mercy on us…
because Ace definitely won't."