"Yeah, all the city gates are sealed, and flying is strictly forbidden."

Qing Yimei complained, "It’s all Fourth Brother’s fault. He was dragging his feet before, and now look, we’re trapped in the city."

"Hey, it’s just a safety precaution." Qing Yixiao raised a hand, steering the conversation away from himself. Looking at Gu Zheng, he spoke quickly, "Gu, my second sister is looking for you. She says she has something important to tell you."

"Your second sister is looking for me?" Gu Zheng raised a brow. "Did she say what it was about?"

"Nope. Hmph, she wouldn’t even tell me," Qing Yimei cut in. "She said that ’ordinary people don’t need to know.’ Am I an ordinary person? Hmph!"

"...Which is why you should just keep your mouth shut," Qing Yixiao retorted before continuing, "Gu, my second sister never makes a fuss over nothing. If she says something is important, it must be a big deal!"

"...Alright."

Gu Zheng thought for a moment before nodding. "Just let me get these people settled."

"We’ll help," Qing Yixiao said, quickly lending a hand.

Qing Yimei stepped forward to help as well.

「A moment later.」

Amidst the grateful cries of a crowd of townspeople, the three of them sped away.

Qing Yixiao led the way, making a beeline for a riverbank.

After a short wait, Qing Yichan and Qing Yiran arrived, one after the other.

"Gu!"

"Thank you, Gu, for saving my fourth brother and seventh sister."

Qing Yichan cupped her fist, her expression solemn. Then, without preamble, she got straight to the point. "I asked you here, Gu, because I wish to repay you for saving my siblings. Have you heard of the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm?"

’The Nine Heavens Shadow Realm? A Shadow Realm?’

Gu Zheng raised a brow. "A special type of Domain?"

"It seems the Demon Slayer Bureau hasn’t informed you about such things, Gu," Qing Yichan said, her expression knowing. "A Shadow Realm is not a Domain. A Domain is a temporary overlapping zone created when the Demon Realm invades our world and the two collide. If not eliminated, it will eventually become a Tunnel Between Two Realms."

"A Shadow Realm, however, is a reflection of the two worlds!"

"Not a complete reflection, but a strange space where partial regions of both have fused and completely overlapped."

"Most of the time, this strange space lies hidden in the void, suspended above both worlds. It only reveals itself at certain times."

"The Nine Heavens Shadow Realm is one such place. It opens once every three thousand years!"

"Inside the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm, there are all kinds of treasures, but the most outstanding is the Treasure Medicine known as the Celestial Gate Snow Lotus. Its seeds not only contain immense energy but also aid in one’s comprehension of heaven and earth."

"Simply put, a single Celestial Lotus Seed is worth five to ten third-rank Demon Pills!"

"That much?" Gu Zheng blurted out.

’He’d just experienced the effects of a third-rank Demon Pill and was already craving more.’

’To think there was a lotus seed with five to ten times the effect.’

"Celestial Gate Snow Lotus?"

As the name left his lips, it dawned on him. He asked, "This Nine Heavens Shadow Realm... is it in the Celestial Gate Mountain Range?"

"Yes, it is."

Qing Yichan smiled. "The Nine Heavens Shadow Realm is located within the Celestial Gate Mountain Range. It’s named as such because the Shadow Realm is divided into nine regions, each larger and more dangerous than the one before it."

"Anyone below the King’s Body Realm is able to enter the Shadow Realm."

"However, the entrance to the Shadow Realm is spatially unstable. If too many people enter, it could cause the entire realm to detach and become lost in the void."

"Because of this, the few Noble Families who discovered the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm ten thousand years ago jointly established a rule to limit the number of people who could enter."

"At first, each family was allowed ten entrants."

"But as time passed, more and more Noble Families learned about the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm. The quota for each family was reduced. In the end, our Qing King family was allotted three spots."

"The spots are limited, and the dangers within the Shadow Realm are considerable. As a result, those who enter the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm are almost exclusively at the Heroic Body Realm."

"Oh, oh, I get it," Qing Yimei couldn’t help but exclaim. "Limited spots, and only those at the Heroic Body Realm can enter. So that’s why you don’t even bother telling those of us who aren’t strong enough, is that it? So we don’t get any ideas?"

"Now that you know, just keep quiet," Qing Yiran said irritably.

He wasn’t qualified to enter either.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to go; he just wasn’t strong enough.

The others were all Heroic Body experts; he’d just be throwing his life away if he went.

"Our Qing King family always repays its debts. We despise owing favors to anyone."

Qing Yichan continued, "Gu, you saved my fourth brother and seventh sister, and you happen to be at the Heroic Body Realm. Therefore, we are willing to offer one of our spots to you. Are you interested in going to the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm?"

"Miss Qing, can you speak for your family?" Gu Zheng asked calmly.

He didn’t let the news send him into a state of wild joy.

"Of course."

Qing Yixiao jumped in to answer. "Our second sister is the confirmed next Clan Leader of the Qing King family. She has more than enough authority to offer up a spot."

’The next Clan Leader?’

Gu Zheng was surprised, yet it also made perfect sense.

’Given Qing Yichan’s power, it was only natural for her to be chosen as the next Clan Leader.’

"Will you be entering the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm as well, Miss Qing?" Gu Zheng asked, steadying his thoughts.

"I will," Qing Yichan nodded. "Besides the Celestial Lotus Seeds, the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm also contains ruins and even ancient inheritances."

With everything laid out so clearly, Gu Zheng understood perfectly.

He immediately cupped his fist in thanks. "I am honored by your high regard, Miss Qing. I am willing to go with you. When do we depart?"

"In three months."

Qing Yichan returned the salute with a smile. "Let’s establish a communication link. When the Nine Heavens Shadow Realm is about to open, I’ll notify you so we can head out together, Gu."

"Alright."

Gu Zheng took out his Demon-Slaying Seal and established a link with Qing Yichan.

’Celestial Lotus Seeds and ancient inheritances.’

’Gu Zheng would have to be out of his mind to refuse such a great opportunity.’

’Although he had saved Qing Yixiao and Qing Yimei as a convenient way to repay an unspoken favor from the Qing King family...’

’Now that the Qing King family wanted to repay him in turn, Gu Zheng saw no reason to refuse.’

’The Nine Heavens Shadow Realm... a reflective region of the world.’

’The Demon Slayer Bureau had no information whatsoever about such a secret place.’

’Clearly, the Zhong Family had deliberately concealed it.’

’The number of spots was limited, after all.’

’Even someone like him, one of the Seven Demon Slayers, would never get a turn. It didn’t matter how much of a genius he was.’

’The only ones allowed to go would be the scions of the Zhong Family’s own bloodline!’

...

...

After finalizing the agreement, he bid farewell to the four members of the Qing family.

Gu Zheng patrolled the streets for a few more rounds.

He continued until the Celestial Secret returned to normal and the night that had enveloped the Royal Capital finally gave way to day.

Only then did Gu Zheng stop his search and return to Zhuge Mansion.

Zhuge Tianxing still wasn’t back.

After a word with Steward Liu, Gu Zheng entered the Cultivation Chamber.

First, he would equip the Evil Thunder Essence.

He had met the Tripartite Unity equipment requirement long ago.

The moment he equipped it, he instantly understood its Equipment Effect.

Electric Light Universe: Thunder Dance, omnipresent. Where lightning falls, nothing is beyond reach.

The meaning of this Equipment Effect was simple.

As long as he could channel the power of lightning and maintain a point of contact with the physical world, Gu Zheng could escape into the void without fear of getting lost.

This Void Escape wasn’t just spatial travel; it was a complete entry into the void itself!

The endless void!

An endless void that encompassed the Demon Realm, the mortal realm, and entire great worlds like them.

The void was dangerous. Extremely dangerous.

The most common storms of black void-wind could claim the life of a King’s Body Realm expert.

And yet, Electric Light Universe allowed Gu Zheng to escape into the void.

After performing a Void Escape, even a King’s Body expert wouldn’t be able to find or harm him.

And as long as the power of lightning suffused the physical world, Gu Zheng could return safely, without having to worry about getting lost in the void.

If he truly did get lost, he could still follow the power of any lightning strike in the physical world to return.

However, the chances of that happening were too slim, and the risk was too great.

For a safer bet, Gu Zheng could simply carry a few Thunder Stones with him.

Even though Thunder Stones were rare and expensive.

But compared to the ability to escape into the void, any price was worth it!

Because with the Equipment Effect of Electric Light Universe, he could escape even if he ran into the True Form of an Evil God.

He took a deep breath, steadying his mind.

After a long moment, Gu Zheng composed himself and began allocating his points.

He consumed one Demon Point to break through to Heroic Body: Melting Furnace!

RUMBLE—!

His entire body felt as if it had detonated. A searing heat wave erupted from within, sweeping through the entire Cultivation Chamber.

His physique, Divine Wondrous aspects, and Spirit were forged together in sequence.

An unknown amount of time passed.

When the aura within his body slowly returned to a state of calm, Gu Zheng opened his eyes.

[Gu Zheng]

[Realm: Heroic Body: Melting Furnace]

[Demon Points: 2028 (Breakthrough requires 100,000)]

[Demon Techniques: Super-speed Self-healing, Spirit Capturing, ..., Fire Manipulation, Steel Claw, Water Manipulation, Earth Manipulation, Spear of the Soul, Underwater Walking, Wind Manipulation]

[True Skills: All Heaven Jade Void Skill Heroic Body Chapter (Entry-level), ..., White Crane Soaring Technique (Perfection), Golden Thousand Blades (Great Success), ..., Thunderous Waves Skill (Perfection)]

[Equipment Effects: Bronze Elephant Body (Deactivated), Nether Heart Slave Seal, Deceptive Appearance, Lord of Hundred Insects, Eyes of Golden Flame, Fearless Hero, Electric Light Universe]

...

Heroic Body: Melting Furnace!

The second stage of the Heroic Body Realm!

"Uh..."

’The Demon Points required for the next breakthrough... they doubled again?’