Chapter 407: Chapter 275: Source of the Xian Fire Lamp, You and I Are Also on Different Paths to the Same Destination

Fu Ming’s explanation was clear, but the concepts were entirely foreign to Yang An. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

He had never once paid the price demanded by the Mystic Path Decoded Cultivation Technique, so he had never seen what these places Fu Ming spoke of were truly like.

If the Joyful Shrine Association weren’t currently being held in the outside world, Yang An would have undoubtedly chosen to descend to the next level to see for himself.

His Cultivation Level had already reached the Zombie God realm, so in theory, he should be able to reach Lower Hu.

But with the Joyful Shrine Association still underway, he could only shelve this idea for later.

He then turned to another question that had long puzzled him.

"I once entered the Immortal Origin Land in the outside world... the one referring to actual Immortals,"

Yang An specified, to avoid confusion.

"The Immortal Origin Land and the Xian Origin Land... their names are so similar. Senior Brother, do you know the difference between them?"

"Junior Brother, do you know of Spiritual Turbidity?"

Yang An nodded. Elder Monk Hai Shu had already told him about Spiritual Turbidity.

"The truth is, our world is called the Origin Realm. After Spiritual Turbidity came into being, the world split into two sides: yin and yang.

Spirit is the Yang Side, and Turbidity is the Yin Side."

"Since you know about Spiritual Turbidity, Junior Brother, you must also know about its imbalance. In our current world, turbidity is ascendant while spirit is in decline. In other words, yin flourishes as yang wanes.

The Yang Side was forced out and separated from the Yin Side. It broke away from the Origin Realm, becoming the Xian Origin Land.

With that, only the Yin Side remained in the Origin Realm, plunging the entire world into chaos and uncertainty. This remaining Yin Side within the Origin Realm came to be known as the Immortal Origin Land, a name nearly identical to the Yang Side’s Xian Origin Land."

Yang An fell into deep thought. He was stunned; this was the first time he had ever heard such a thing. But at the same time, another question came to mind.

Forbidden Artifacts and Forbidden Artifact Fragments—the Power of Rules—exist within the Immortal Origin Land.

The same is true for the similarly named Xian Origin Land; the Power of Rules exists there as well.

’Based on what Fu Ming said, doesn’t that mean...’

Fu Ming seemed to guess what he was thinking.

"Everything that has a yin has a yang, and the Power of Rules is no different. Due to the influence of the Spiritual Turbidity’s imbalance, whatever Power of Rules the Immortal Origin Land possesses, the Xian Origin Land possesses as well.

But!

The Yang Side’s Xian Origin has already detached from the Origin Realm. Fusing with the Power of Rules from within the Xian Origin has no negative consequences.

But if you fuse with the Power of Rules from the Yin Side’s Immortal Origin Land, you will never be able to leave the Origin Realm. You will sink as the Origin Realm sinks, trapped in the abyss for eternity."

It was just as Yang An had suspected. He just hadn’t realized that fusing with Forbidden Artifact Fragments from his own world would have such dire consequences. His breathing quickened.

’He thought about his own special ability. To fuse with a Forbidden Artifact Fragment without paying any price, he had to consume a Forbidden Artifact Fragment with an opposing Rule. Did that mean he was exempt from this restriction? Could he fuse with a Forbidden Artifact from the Immortal Origin Land without any repercussions?’

Yang An didn’t want to gamble on it, nor did he dare. Ever since arriving in this world and experiencing its wickedness, he had rejected it with every fiber of his being.

’If I don’t fuse with any Forbidden Artifact Fragments from the Immortal Origin Land, will I be able to leave the Origin Realm in the future?’

He seemed to grasp the true meaning behind Fu Ming’s words and gave him a profound look.

"Take our Master, for example. He has always disdained the Forbidden Artifact Fragments of the Immortal Origin Land, refusing to touch any of them. He does this precisely so he can one day escape this world."

Fu Ming slowly extended a hand toward the bonfire, as if feeling a chill, and turned it over in the heat.

"I remember that when the Life Crane Sect was destroyed, you also fused with a Forbidden Artifact Fragment..." Yang An said, confused.

The great battle between Fu Ming and Life Crane that day was still fresh in his memory.

’But by that logic, if he had fused with a Forbidden Artifact Fragment from the Yin Side’s Immortal Origin Land, how could he have come to the Yang Side’s Xian Origin Land?’

Fu Ming simply gave a knowing smile.

"When I used the Forbidden Artifact Fragment back then, I had not yet reached the Zombie God realm. So it wasn’t a true fusion. I merely made some sacrifices to forcibly use its power."

Understanding dawned on Yang An, and his admiration for Fu Ming’s meticulous planning grew.

’It seemed Fu Ming had known all of this long ago. He must have already had a plan in place back when he was at the Corpse Transformation Cultivation level, before he forcibly used the Forbidden Artifact Fragment.’

’His battle with Life Crane had seemed like a dead end at the time. But in truth, even if he had died then, as long as Life Crane eventually perished, he would have ended up here regardless.’

’That was Fu Ming for you.’

’A man like that would be a terrifyingly difficult opponent to have as an enemy.’

’Thankfully, he wasn’t my enemy.’

With that, Fu Ming slowly rose from his spot by the bonfire, offering one last piece of advice.

"Junior Brother, there are only two ways to leave the Origin Realm without fusing with the Yin Side’s Power of Rules: death, or becoming the absolute strongest!

The Xian Origin Land is our only potential path to a new world. But for those of us who chose the first path, we are left as nothing but souls, and our hope is slim.

You’re different. You will undoubtedly choose the second path.

Those at the Zombie God realm can go to Lower Hu. Those on the Insect Dao can reach even deeper worlds. Perhaps an even higher Cultivation Realm will allow you to leave the Xian Origin entirely and be reborn."

"The Origin Realm has been decaying for far too long. There is no hope there, no sunlight. No one knows what things breed in that darkness, but they are devouring the entire Origin Realm step by step. That is an indisputable fact.

So, do not entertain any thoughts of saving that world. Your ultimate goal should be to leave it as soon as you can. In this, you and I are taking different paths to the same destination."

Yang An recalled the information he’d gotten from the Workshop Master: the State Territories beyond their own had been devoured by unknown entities and were exceedingly dangerous. This perfectly corroborated what Fu Ming had just told him.