These words were deeply thought-provoking.
The conversation continued.
Ashina Isshin took a sip of cloudy sake.
"You want to know how to sever immortality?"
Bihua nodded. "Exactly."
"The answer is the Undying Severance."
Bihua asked in confusion, "What is the Undying Severance?"
"It's a sword forged through a special method," Ashina Isshin explained. "It can kill beings that cannot be slain by ordinary means."
"Have you heard of parasitic worms? Even if their hearts are pierced or their heads cut off, they won't die. But with the Undying Severance, even such creatures can be easily killed. That is its power."
The Adventurers immediately thought of Undying Henry, who lived in seclusion at the dilapidated temple.
If this was true…
Then the Undying Severance could finally grant him release.
Bihua asked at once, "May I ask where I can find it?"
"It once appeared at Senpou Temple. You can try your luck there."
"However…" Isshin added, "it's said to be a sword that cannot be drawn. Everyone who has tried has either been cursed or died on the spot."
Why would Adventurers fear something like that?
Bihua continued, "How do I get to Senpou Temple?"
"Senpou Temple lies on Diamond Mountain, south of Ashina Castle. The gates have been sealed for many years. I don't know what shady business those monks are conducting in there."
That was enough.
The Adventurers finally had a clear objective.
Their motivation surged instantly.
Isshin smiled. "Anything else you want to ask? I'm in a good mood today, so I'll answer a few more questions."
Although they had already obtained critical information, they naturally wouldn't refuse this opportunity.
After a brief hesitation, Bihua chose a topic related to Isshin himself.
"Genichiro's Tomoe Lightning doesn't look like Ashina-style swordsmanship. Can you tell me where it came from?"
Isshin laughed. "So you're curious about that strange technique too? His master taught it to him."
Bihua hesitated. "Could it be the Oni Sect?"
"No. Genichiro had a kind teacher when he was young."
A nostalgic expression appeared in Isshin's eyes.
"Her name was Tomoe. A truly powerful swordswoman."
He continued, "She made killing look like a dance. Her eyes were terrifying — just meeting her gaze felt like being dragged underwater, unable to breathe."
Then he burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Back then, I was so mesmerized by her swordplay and lightning techniques that I nearly got cut down myself. In my entire life, that only happened once!"
The Adventurers were stunned.
This was major information.
Nancilia said excitedly, "Tomoe has never appeared directly in the plot, but she sounds like a crucial figure!"
"Interesting!"
"We should follow this lead."
"There might be hidden storylines connected to her."
However, Isshin's condition soon worsened.
He needed to rest and could no longer continue the conversation.
Although Bihua felt regretful, she had already gained more than enough and prepared to leave.
Before they parted, Ashina Isshin spoke solemnly:
"Wolf, severing immortality will be a difficult battle…"
"And every battle will pull you into a vortex woven by countless people…"
"If you lose yourself, you will be defeated."
"If you sink too deeply, you will fall into evil paths."
"Once consumed by obsession, hatred, and killing, you will become a Shura."
"No matter what…"
"Do not become Shura."
"I hope you can do better than those before you."
"Finally… one more request. If you obtain the Undying Severance, then for my sake, please give Genichiro a dignified end."
The Adventurers sensed deep meaning behind his words.
Wind in Sleep muttered, "Isshin said 'do better than our predecessors'… Does that mean someone in Ashina's history already tried to sever immortality?"
"Very possible," White Crane Hermit said. "Otherwise, how would ancient records exist?"
Three Bamboo added, "But clearly, the ancients didn't fully succeed."
"Doesn't matter!"
"We're the protagonists this time!"
"So of course we'll succeed!"
Moonlight on Snow said thoughtfully, "Isshin emphasized that obsession with hatred and killing leads to becoming Shura. That feels like foreshadowing."
"Hmph!"
"Is this old man trying to lecture me?"
"If becoming Shura didn't lower my sync rate, I'd already be one!"
"Hey, don't joke like that…"
"…."
Pig King muttered, "This old man is ruthless. He actually wants us to kill his grandson."
Black Stone Hammer King shook his head. "It makes sense. Isshin knows Genichiro can't turn back. With the Young Water Sediment in his body, he'll soon become a mindless monster."
Lonely Swordsman nodded. "Neither alive nor dead — worse than a parasitic worm. Wanting a dignified end is understandable."
"…."
"Genichiro really was a tragic hero. Everything he did was for Ashina."
"Isshin is weak! He doesn't deserve the title Sword Saint!"
"I disagree!"
"Isshin is the truly wise and compassionate one!"
"If saving the nation means destroying the land itself and cursing future generations, then that so-called righteousness is just another form of selfishness."
"A dying man rejecting immortality and refusing the Dragon Heritage…"
"That takes true courage!"
"Knowing when to take and when to let go…"
"That's a real man!"
"…."
The Adventurers began debating passionately.
Some believed Isshin was cowardly, holding powerful cards but refusing to gamble.
Others believed Genichiro was too extreme, prioritizing ideals while disregarding ordinary people.
Listening to the arguments, Nancilia felt both sides had merit.
The Miracle City Secret Realm was provoking genuine debate and reflection — proof of its success in character writing.
She believed Isshin wasn't cold-hearted at all. Though he disapproved of Genichiro's path, he must have cared deeply for him, which was why he entrusted the Adventurers with this task.
Before leaving, the old Sword Saint handed Bihua a secret manual.
It contained the deepest mysteries of Ashina-style swordsmanship.
Bihua hadn't expected Isshin to help her to this extent. From Lightning Reversal to the Ashina Style core techniques, although no formal ceremony had taken place, they were already master and disciple in spirit.
The Sword Saint only had days left to live.
And Ashina itself might soon fall.
Perhaps, at the end of his life, he simply wanted to leave his legacy to someone who shared his will.
No matter what others thought…
Bihua truly respected this old man.
In his prime, he had unified Ashina through sheer strength and charisma, gathering powerful figures like Owl, Butterfly, and Oni Sect warriors to wage the legendary War of Usurpation.
Now, aged and nearing death, watching the nation he built decline, he accepted fate calmly and without resentment.
Throughout history, how many could face glory and ruin with such composure?
Ashina Isshin was truly a hero.
Bihua sighed. "What a pity. I really wish I could have witnessed the Sword Saint at his peak. If only I'd arrived twenty or thirty years earlier…"
---
Today's Achievements
They had accomplished a great deal.
They stormed the Great Hand Gate, defeated powerful foes like the Ashina Fire Bull, one of the Seven Spears, the Shadow Vanguard Greatsword, and Jinseki Sase, and finally overcame their nemesis, Genichiro.
They also gained massive insight from Emma, Kuro, and Ashina Isshin.
Their curiosity burned brighter than ever.
Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to reach Senpou Temple.
In the rebuilt Ashina of Miracle City, even with Wolf's speed, traveling from Ashina Castle to Senpou Temple took at least an hour.
Too much time had been spent at Tianshou Pavilion.
Miracle City was about to close again.
Instantly, the Adventurers wailed.
"Oh my god!"
"Why?!"
"The time system in Miracle City must be fake!"
"Ten hours in the real world equals ten minutes here!"
"I just got into the zone and it's closing again!"
"…."
"Let me tell you, competitive mode is insanely fun. I spent all ten energy points today in Raging Tide matches."
"This Secret Realm alone could entertain me for a lifetime!"
"But the store characters and firearms are way too expensive."
"At this rate, I'll need five to eight years to unlock everything!"
"Guess I need to grind contribution points harder!"
"…."
---
Inside the Lord's Mansion
As usual, Qi Ji inventoried his gains.
Today was another massive harvest.
The recovery rate of soul crystals remained high — Adventurers desperately needed contribution points, and to get them, they had to turn in resources.
Especially the Tidal Secret Realm.
Though competitive mode had just launched, it recovered nearly three thousand contribution points on its first day alone.
This service-style gameplay would become a nuclear-powered profit engine in the future.
If he wanted to build an even stronger competitive system, he could open more similar Secret Realms.
For example, with the Inspiration Crystal from Underground City and Fighter, it didn't even need to be a massive MMORPG. It could become something like Diablo.
What was the difference?
Massive online games supported tens of thousands or millions of players simultaneously.
Online games like early Diablo or CS could be single-player, LAN-based, or matched online — allowing dungeon runs, gear trading, and PvP arenas.
This way, players enjoyed both immersive solo experiences and cooperative gameplay.
Underground City and Fighter was perfect for that.
Qi Ji could even implement online monetization systems and value-added services — the classic "harvest the leeks" model — while significantly reducing development difficulty.
He decided to study it for now and act once conditions matured.
Qi Ji had also been watching the progress of story-based Secret Realms.
The Ten Kingdoms Chronicle: Ashina Arc had reached its mid-stage.
Adventurers were approaching the most exciting sections.
Soon, they would uncover the ultimate secret behind Ashina, and Qi Ji had prepared even more surprises.
The first chapter of Ten Kingdoms Chronicle was clearly a success.
He needed to start gathering materials for Chapter Two soon.
As for the Raging Tide storyline, seventy to eighty Adventurers had already cleared the first chapter, and the fastest ones were close to finishing the second.
Story-based Secret Realms were exploding in popularity.
They generated massive mental power income.
So despite heavy recent expenditures, Qi Ji wasn't short on resources at all.
He took most of the recovered low-level soul crystals to the market, exchanging them for soul crystals and materials, effectively replenishing the core upgrade costs.
Current reserves:
Mental Power: 18,648
Soul Crystals: 15,120
Materials: 7,544
Although he'd spent many low-tier soul crystals, it was worth it — crystal shortages were becoming the biggest bottleneck in territorial development.
The second-tier Secret Realm Lobby only had 500 crystal slots.
Today, over 1,700 Adventurers entered the city. Including native residents, the total population reached nearly 1,800.
Qi Ji decided to make a major investment.
[You are upgrading the "Secret Realm Lobby."
This upgrade requires 15,000 Soul Crystals, 5,000 Materials, and 5,000 Mental Power.
Do you want to continue? Yes/No]
It was expensive.
But necessary.
---
Miracle City — Night
Miracle City had two inns, both upgraded to Tier Two.
Each could house up to 400 Adventurers overnight.
Combined with the city's native population of two to three thousand, the place remained lively even during closures.
Inside one inn:
"What? Thunder City is acting that arrogantly?"
"They bullied you like this? That's outrageous!"
"Don't worry!"
"You've joined Miracle City!"
"That means we're on the same side!"
"From now on, your problems are our problems!"
"With Miracle City backing you, no one will dare bully you again!"
"…."
The Adventurers were filled with righteous fury.
They were speaking with tribal leaders Iris, Kimba, and Rook.
From them, they learned not only about the power structure near Gloomy Valley, but also about the major threat of the next stage — the Dark Underground City.
Why were the Adventurers actively investigating this?
They felt their wings growing stronger.
Although the territory hadn't issued large-scale missions recently, it had released exploratory quests encouraging independent action.
Adventurers could now earn contribution points through personal initiatives.
So…
They wanted to stir things up.
According to the three tribal leaders:
The Lord of Thunder City was a powerful Thunder Lizardman — a rare variant capable of wielding innate lightning power.
Thunder City lay in the Thunder Marsh, controlling territory over a hundred miles wide.
It ruled two first-tier regions, one of which was Gloomy Valley.
As the Adventurers learned more, they realized the Eternal Night Great Forest had an extremely complex power structure.
Thunder City wasn't a top-tier power, but it wasn't something they could casually provoke either.
Black Stone Hammer King asked, "Young Master Feng, what do you think?"
Wind in Sleep grinned. "Interesting. The difficulty's high, but Miracle City must expand sooner or later. Only then can the Lord create more Secret Realms."
"We should take the initiative."
"Miracle City's forces are growing daily. Why should the Lord fight personally? We'll conquer territory for him!"
"Not so fast," White Crane Hermit said. "Our current strength isn't enough."
Three Bamboo nodded. "Exactly. Don't aim too high. Without the Lord's support, fighting the Dark Underground City is almost impossible."
"But not now doesn't mean never!"
"Let's set a long-term goal and work toward it."
"When the time is right, we'll make a big move and give Old Thief Qi a huge surprise!"
"I'm in!"
"…."
Some Adventurers were plotting grand schemes.
Others had already begun exploring outward from Gloomy Valley.
Although Adventurers were still limited in strength — only a few were Tier Two — their influence would undoubtedly expand over time.
As Miracle City grew…
As contracted Adventurers increased…
This force would become terrifying.
---
The Next Morning
Miracle City opened as scheduled.
When Adventurers saw the newly upgraded Secret Realm Lobby, their eyes widened in disbelief — followed by ecstatic cheers.
"This is… a Tier Three hall?!"
"Miracle City's development speed is insane!"
"Hahaha! With a Tier Three hall, Mom never has to worry about me waiting in line for crystals again!"
"Today I'm clearing Chapter Two of Raging Tide!"
"Today I'm challenging the Red Oni — hopefully I get a Red Oni soul crystal!"
"You trash, you haven't even beaten a general yet. Bihua and Three Bamboo are already heading to Senpou Temple for the Undying Severance!"
"Damn it, you haven't beaten one either, and you dare mock me!"
"Anyone want to team up for Raging Tide's Biochemical Mode?"
"Me! Me! Me!"
"…."
Laughing and chatting, the Adventurers poured into the brand-new Secret Realm Lobbe.
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