C19 Seer's Stone

A fleeting chill flashed in the eyes of the white-haired elder. With a swift wave of his hand, a myriad of golden beams pierced the heavens, transforming into innumerable whispering charms that dispersed throughout the Myriad Realms. In an instant, every race – the Evilkind, Wildlings, Divine Clan, Nightbreed, and Immortals – received the elder's dire warning.

Soon after, the mightiest among these races, including the Divine Clan, Nightbreed, and Immortals, were dispatched. The air was thick with the anticipation of an imminent great battle.

In the Vrabouton Empire's Imperial Palace, Soong Wang stared at the Whispering Charm with a grimace, remaining silent. Beside him, even the typically composed State Preceptor was heaving sighs of concern.

"The emergence of the Exquisite Pagoda will sequentially open the Spatial Passages to various worlds. Then, the alien races will surely invade our Vrabouton Empire," he lamented.

"We will face more than just the neighboring attacks from the Evilkind and Wildlings. Your Majesty, I urge you to make early preparations," the State Preceptor advised earnestly.

Soong Wang met his gaze with a wry smile. "State Preceptor, our Vrabouton Empire has long been in decline. We are far weaker than the Evilkind and Wildlings. Should the Exquisite Pagoda be opened, we will become the bullseye for all. What good is sharpening our swords at the eleventh hour?"

Despair weighed heavily on Soong Wang's heart, the invisible pressure nearly suffocating him. He yearned to see the Vrabouton Empire stand tall among the Myriad Realms, but with the advent of the Exquisite Pagoda, the empire's struggles would only intensify. Lacking adequate resources for cultivation, the empire's downfall seemed inevitable.

"Your Majesty, the Deceased Emperor's unfinished endeavors have left the Vrabouton Empire on the brink. This is a pivotal moment, a matter of life and death for our empire... Now, the empire is trifurcated among the Evilkind, Wildlings, and ourselves. Although the Vrabouton Empire may seem the weakest, there might still be a glimmer of hope for survival..."

The State Preceptor's voice rang out with authority, his words imbued with a fierce determination that swiftly swept away the clouds of concern from Soong Wang's heart.

"You speak the truth. The Vrabouton Empire's might has waned. If we don't muster our strength now, we may never regain our standing."

Soong Wang rose abruptly, his resolve reaching for the heavens.

"Now, we have King the Benevolent, a Nascent Infant cultivator, among us. He is capable of contending with the Wildlings and the Evilkind. With a concerted effort, we could very well break free from our current plight."

With this thought, Soong Wang turned his gaze to the State Preceptor.

"State Preceptor, has there been any indication that King the Benevolent is ending his seclusion?"

"Your Majesty, I have dispatched sentinels to watch over the sacred grounds where King the Benevolent is in retreat. Should he emerge, we will be notified without delay."

"Mm. King the Benevolent has only recently achieved the Nascent Infant Stage, and in doing so, severed an arm of the Demon Emperor with a single sword strike. No doubt, he has sustained serious injuries. It's only natural that his recovery might take longer... However, the moment he exits seclusion, I must be informed immediately!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" the State Preceptor responded.

His thoughts then turned to the imminent emergence of the Exquisite Pagoda, an event that would herald a calamity for the Myriad Realms. The Vrabouton Empire was in dire need of talent, especially now.

The Vrabouton Empire's Crown Prince, Soong Lin, possessed exceptional intellect and martial prowess, surpassing his royal siblings. The State Preceptor, seizing the moment, urged, "Your Majesty, the deposed crown prince, Soong Lin, has shown a marked change in demeanor recently. It seems he has come to terms with his past misdeeds. At a time when the Empire desperately needs capable individuals, perhaps it's worth reconsidering his position."

Soong Wang's brow furrowed, a wave of displeasure washing over his features.

"The Crown Prince has been stripped of his title and reduced to a commoner. His assignment to the imperial mausoleum was meant to be a corrective measure, not a life of comfort. His complacency there is a grave disappointment. Let him remain in the mausoleum of Vrabouton!"

The State Preceptor offered a wry smile, nodded, and promptly took his leave.

Meanwhile, Soong Lin was still engrossed in his study of the Exquisite Pagoda beneath the Vrabouton imperial mausoleum. He recalled the odd occurrence when he had last dropped his life blood into the pagoda's blood reservoir, yet it remained inert, like an inanimate object. Despite his efforts, no new secrets had been revealed.

"Could I have overlooked something?" Soong Lin mused, his brow furrowed in concentration.

As he prepared to delve deeper into his research, a clear, bell-like notification chimed in his mind. "Ding dong! Congratulations to the host for checking in at the imperial mausoleum's basement. You have been awarded a supreme grade Seer's Stone."

"Seer's Stone? And it's supreme grade?" Soong Lin's spirits lifted instantly.

The Seer's Stone was a remarkable item, capable of piercing through any illusion or concealment. No trickery or powerful magic could remain hidden from its gaze. And the supreme grade Seer's Stone's potency far exceeded that of its ordinary counterparts. Though Soong Lin possessed an abundance of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures, a supreme grade Seer's Stone was still a precious find.

"Let's test the power of the Seer's Stone!" Soong Lin exclaimed, thrilled by the prospect.

With a mere thought, he activated the Seer's Stone, a reward from the system. A hum vibrated through the air as spiritual force flowed into the stone, and a fleeting red light flashed from it. Suddenly, all that was concealed on the Exquisite Pagoda was laid bare before Soong Lin.

In that instant, he discovered not one, but nine blood reservoirs on the Exquisite Pagoda, all located on its first layer.

"Nine blood reservoirs? In that case, I'll start by adding nine drops of my life blood!" Soong Lin declared, his joy unabated.

He spoke, and in the blink of an eye, nine drops of life blood fell into the pagoda's reservoirs. A blinding light burst forth from the Exquisite Pagoda, accompanied by the crisp sound of something cracking. The ghostly fog that shrouded the pagoda swiftly dissipated, and a vast bronze door projection materialized before Soong Lin.

At the center of the scene stood a massive bronze door, its surface etched with the image of a sinister ghost wielding a colossal axe, its expression twisted and malevolent. Flanking the door were lines of a chilling couplet:

The first line read, "If you don't enter hell, who will?"

The second line countered, "Lay down the butcher's knife, and instantly become a ghost."

And the horizontal inscription declared ominously, "No return for those who enter!"

"This couplet exudes a violent aura. What could possibly lie beyond this bronze door?" Soong Lin pondered, his unease growing with each passing moment.

As he observed, a startling realization dawned on him: the Golden Dragon of Fortune of the Vrabouton Empire, which he had previously held in contempt, now lay shivering on the ground like terrified pups.

"Even the Golden Dragon of Fortune cowers before the bronze door. Whatever lies beyond must be extraordinary. With that in mind, I'd best not tamper with it," Soong Lin thought, alarmed.

His intention had been to bide his time in the imperial mausoleum of Vrabouton, focusing on advancing his realm and strength. The thought of meeting his demise due to a moment of carelessness and greed was unacceptable.

With a firm resolve to quell the rising tide of shock and impulse within, Soong Lin was about to make a hasty retreat when a formidable force burst forth from the bronze door, ensnaring him in its grip.

Simultaneously, the menacing voice of a middle-aged man echoed through the air, "Since you've disturbed the bronze door, forget about leaving. The seeds you've sown today will bring forth bitter fruit in the future. Flee now, and once this bronze door swings open, your fate is sealed!"