Mu Chen listened intently to every word the Profound Old Ghost spoke, even the detailed explanations for every important mark on the map. Possessing a photographic memory, he could also recall anything he heard with perfect clarity. After the Profound Old Ghost finished his clear analysis of all the pros and cons, Mu Chen finally understood just how terrifying this unknown region truly was.

It could be said that aside from him, any Martial Artist below the Martial Emperor Realm who stepped inside would face certain death. This was because the unknown region was filled with natural traps every three steps and natural barriers every five. Its danger level was in no way inferior to the so-called Deceitful Forbidden Land.

"Xiao Chenzi, this is the last message Master is leaving for you before my slumber. It is also the last time I will be able to help you—during this period of slumber, of course. I really hope I can awaken soon. Slumbering is truly a boring affair. Compared to this, I would much rather witness you, Xiao Chenzi, climb to the peak of the continent step by step and become a true powerhouse." The Profound Old Ghost’s phantom gazed softly at Mu Chen, the corners of his mouth lifting into a slight smile. "Lastly, Master wants to tell you something. No matter how much heartache and disappointment you encounter on your path, never forget your true self. And remember this: as long as you live, there is hope. If you die, hope dies with you. If you fall into depravity, hope falls with you."

As his final words faded, the white Scroll dimmed. With a SWISH, the Profound Old Ghost’s figure vanished, leaving only an empty scroll floating quietly inside the Extreme Spirit Pearl.

A hint of loss flickered in Mu Chen’s eyes. In his loneliest times, it had always been his Master who accompanied him. But now, he had to face the reality of his Master’s slumber. ’This is all because I’m too useless. If Master hadn’t acted to help me obtain the Extreme Ice Attribute Spirit, then the one standing here and telling me all this wouldn’t be an illusion, but my real Master.’

Gently taking the Scroll that was floating in the air, Mu Chen swore to himself, ’I will definitely find a way for Master to awaken quickly.’

After putting away the Scroll, Mu Chen turned to carefully examine his surroundings within the Extreme Spirit Pearl. To be honest, ever since obtaining the Extreme Spirit Pearl, he could count on one hand the number of times he had entered its inner space. Each time, he had left in a hurry, never having the chance to properly observe the pearl’s internal world.

Therefore, of all the ultimate treasures he possessed, his understanding of the Extreme Spirit Pearl was the most superficial. One could even say that besides its name, he knew nothing else about it. The inner space of the Extreme Spirit Pearl was now completely different from the first time he had entered. Mu Chen vaguely remembered that the first time he came in, the space was filled with rainbow-colored clouds, like a paradise on earth. How was it that when he entered today, it was completely empty, with nothing in sight?

’Strange.’ In an instant, Mu Chen seemed to think of something. He reached out, plucked the Snow Qilin from his chest, and said fiercely, "Xiaobai! Speak! Did you eat all the rainbow-colored clouds in here?"

The Snow Qilin blinked its big, watery eyes at Mu Chen and said with an air of innocence, "No, I didn’t eat those things. Those colorful things don’t taste good at all. I didn’t eat them."

Mu Chen’s mouth twitched. He glared fiercely at the Snow Qilin and said, "If you didn’t eat them, how would you know they taste bad? Next time, you’re not allowed to enter the Extreme Spirit Pearl without my permission! Otherwise, I’ll throw you out!"

When the Snow Qilin heard that Mu Chen was going to kick it out, it immediately wilted and said hurriedly, "I won’t come in without permission anymore, okay? There’s something really scary in here, I don’t want to come in anyway. And those colorful things really do taste awful. It’s a pity I absorbed them after eating them, otherwise I’d definitely spit them out for you. Daddy, don’t kick me out..."

Looking at the Snow Qilin’s adorable appearance, Mu Chen fiercely rubbed its small face and continued walking through the Extreme Spirit Pearl. It had to be said, while the Extreme Spirit Pearl looked to be only the size of a fist in the Outer Realm, from the inside, it was like a world unto itself, seemingly without borders.

In truth, Mu Chen didn’t know that it wasn’t an exaggeration to say the Extreme Spirit Pearl had no boundaries, because the pearl itself was like a small world. Since it was a world, where would its ends be? The Profound Old Ghost had once said that when Mu Chen’s cultivation reached the Martial Spirit Realm, he would be able to manipulate the various elements within the Extreme Spirit Pearl to create a small world. Mu Chen’s cultivation had now reached the Martial Spirit Realm, yet he had forgotten about this ability to create a small world.

After walking for about half an hour, the rainbow-colored clouds that had been floating around finally reappeared in Mu Chen’s sight. His expression darkening, he looked at the Snow Qilin in his arms, which was looking all around, and said irritably, "You ate so much of this awful-tasting stuff. You really are a pig."

The Snow Qilin was still mired in its fear that Mu Chen would kick it out, so it simply listened to whatever he said without talking back, putting on the air of a well-behaved baby. This amused Mu Chen, and he couldn’t help but smile.

After walking for another half an hour, Mu Chen finally felt that something was wrong. No matter how he moved within this space, the scenery he saw was completely identical. Other than the rainbow-colored clouds constantly receding behind him, which confirmed he was moving forward, there were no other reference points.

’Isn’t this place a little too empty? I remember Master saying that the Extreme Spirit Pearl can form a small world of its own. Could this be that so-called small world?’

Stopping in his tracks, Mu Chen frowned at the empty space before him and thought, ’If only there were a patch of grassland here...’

The moment this thought formed, all the surrounding rainbow-colored clouds seemed to receive a command. All except the yellow and blue clouds floated off to other places, leaving a huge open area in front of Mu Chen. Seeing this, Mu Chen was slightly stunned. He immediately recalled that yellow clouds represented the Earth Attribute and blue clouds represented the Water Attribute. ’What’s the meaning of leaving only these two types of clouds?’

Mu Chen tried to circulate his Spiritual Power to control the two types of clouds and found that they instantly changed their position and form according to his will. This made him ecstatic. ’Could it be... if I imagine a patch of grass... then I must first have soil.’

Sure enough, after Mu Chen finished this thought, the yellow clouds suddenly contracted violently. Under the control of his will, the empty plane was instantly covered by the yellow clouds. In a flash, an incongruous but real patch of land took shape. The land seemed to have appeared out of thin air, a truly shocking sight!

Mu Chen stared in astonishment at the strange phenomenon before him and continued to think, ’Now that there’s soil, it needs rain. Only rain can bring life to grass and trees.’

The moment Mu Chen’s thought formed, the green clouds instantly gathered. The next moment, countless raindrops fell from the sky, landing on the yellow soil. As if time was fast-forwarding, countless blades of green grass immediately sprouted from the ground where the rain had passed. In just a few breaths, a real patch of grass had formed.

Yes, it wasn’t a vast grassland, just a patch of grass. Next, Mu Chen used his thoughts to control the various nearby Attributes, creating all sorts of transformations. However, without exception, he could only build and make changes on this one small patch of land. The other areas remained a void.

Mu Chen couldn’t help but sigh with emotion. ’It seems my ability is still insufficient. If my Spiritual Power were stronger, I could instantly create a much larger scene. This feeling of creation is truly bizarre. Next, I’ll try creating some flowers or trees...’

With that, Mu Chen’s Spiritual Power once again spread out like a giant net, controlling the multicolored clouds and continuing his journey of creation...

But what Mu Chen didn’t know was that while he was having the time of his life playing inside the Extreme Spirit Pearl, a dark figure quietly appeared near his dormitory.

’I’ve been searching for four hours and still don’t have a single clue. The Crown Prince said that kid named Mu Chen is a student in the outer ring, but the ones living in those normal dorms are all pitifully weak trash. Don’t tell me that guy lives underground?’ Third Son Zhou’s brow was tightly furrowed as he looked at the high-level dormitory in front of him. ’This is the last dorm in the outer ring. I hope I can find his exact location.’

Just as Third Son Zhou was about to cross the courtyard of the high-level dormitory, a dignified voice rang out, "Honored guest, I have seen you wandering around my Imperial Academy for several hours. Might you be looking for something? Why not tell this old man, and perhaps I can accompany you in your search?"

Hearing the voice, Third Son Zhou shuddered. ’Crap!’ he thought, and was about to flee. But just as he moved, a black-robed elder appeared directly in front of him, blocking his path. Although he had only caught a fleeting glimpse of this elder when he’d caught the Crown Prince on the challenge stage, he still remembered his face. This was the very dean of the outer ring the Crown Prince had mentioned—Di Cang, a man of unfathomable strength!

’Judging from his movements just now, this elder is at least a Martial Venerable Level powerhouse. Furthermore, he had spoken without moving his lips at all, likely using a technique similar to Spiritual Power voice transmission. With such immense Spiritual Power, this person is definitely no ordinary figure!’

Seeing that the man in black remained silent, Di Cang’s expression remained placid as he said, "Judging by your attire, it seems you’re not looking for something, but rather stealing something. Speak! What exactly are you here for?"

Following Di Cang’s sharp command, a powerful surge of Primordial Power erupted from his body. The pressure of a Venerable instantly made Third Son Zhou’s brows furrow. But he couldn’t speak. If he spoke, it would give them something to use against him later. ’Looks like I’ll have to use the Shadow Concealing Dust. What a waste.’

Di Cang snorted coldly. "Not talking? Then I’ll just have to capture you. Don’t blame this old man for bullying the weak without asking about your situation first."

With that, Di Cang raised his arm, instantly gathering Primordial Power in his palm and viciously swatting it toward Third Son Zhou. Third Son Zhou’s expression tightened. Feeling that terrifying Primordial Power, he unhesitatingly threw out the Shadow Concealing Dust he had prepared in his hand. Colorful specks of light scattered through the air, instantly obscuring Di Cang’s vision. Unsurprisingly, Di Cang’s palm strike hit nothing but empty air. As the colorful dust dissipated, Di Cang stared at the empty space before him and frowned. ’Shadow Concealing Dust? So they really are after Mu Chen?’

...