Chapter 222 – The Mysterious Figure Reappears, the Advent Cult’s Secrets About to Be Revealed!

In the Real World, Su Xing gazed at the simulation text before him and murmured with anticipation:

“All the positions are filled. As long as you eliminate the person occupying the spot, a vacancy will naturally open up…”

“Kill the current Transhuman Faction leader, and the position won’t stay empty — it’ll be passed down to the next in line.”

“Of course, when carrying it out, the execution needs to be clean. Absolutely no loose ends!”

With that thought, Su Xing turned his gaze to the simulation panel.

【You got your wish and met the Transhuman Faction leader. Thanks to your performance over the years, the Advent Cult leader placed great trust in you.】

【You learned the detailed plan for this mission.】

【The mission target was a Legendary-stage human powerhouse stationed at Demon-Sealing Pass — a Legendary-stage expert who was also a master artifact refiner, capable of crafting equipment of legendary grade.】

【The Advent Cult therefore intended to eliminate him. The mission team consisted of five people, including you.】

【Under the Transhuman Faction leader’s guidance, you infiltrated Demon-Sealing Pass. Through the Advent Cult’s internal channels, the process was even simpler than you had imagined.】

【Afterward, you all lay hidden within the City of the Last Days, waiting for an opportunity to assassinate the Legendary-stage powerhouse.】

【Naturally, you had no intention of letting them succeed. So one day, you slipped out undetected and leaked your group’s whereabouts to Demon-Sealing Pass’s sole Emperor-level powerhouse.】

【Once your location was exposed, you were predictably surrounded and besieged.】

【With your deliberate cooperation, the Transhuman Faction leader ultimately clashed with the human Emperor in a great battle and successfully met his death.】

【Dying alongside him was another Legendary-stage Protector.】

【In the end, you put on a display of noble self-sacrifice, truly fighting the human Emperor in front of the remaining mission members and getting gravely wounded, successfully rescuing Luo Shuying and another Protector.】

【Afterward, under your full cover, the three of you escaped from Demon-Sealing Pass.】

【The mission failed, as expected, and you fled back to the Advent Cult’s headquarters.】

【To earn sufficient trust, you had genuinely taken some risks in this battle, truly suffering grave injuries at the hands of the human Emperor.】

【But thanks to your naturally powerful constitution and the medicinal pills you consumed, under Luo Shuying’s protection, you safely returned to headquarters.】

【Soon, news of the mission’s failure spread. Tens of thousands throughout the Advent Cult mourned the death of a Legendary-stage leader.】

【At the same time, they were moved by your courageous fighting during the mission, where you had disregarded your own safety.】

【For the next year, you recuperated from your injuries within the Advent Cult.】

【Your wounds gradually healed, but on the surface you continued feigning the appearance of someone still gravely injured.】

【Year sixteen. The Transhuman Faction, having lost its leader, was left without a head. As expected, the faction fractured from within.】

【Every cult member now understood — it was time to choose a new faction leader.】

【And you, who had already earned the trust of the Advent Cult’s followers and had displayed heroic self-sacrifice in the last mission, were undoubtedly the frontrunner for the Transhuman Faction leadership.】

【Unfortunately, the faction leader was not chosen by election.】

【In the end, the Zealot Faction leader and Protector Dragon jointly deliberated and decided to appoint Luo Shuying as the new Transhuman Faction leader!】

【The moment this decision was announced, it immediately drew the displeasure of many followers, who privately believed the other two faction leaders were wary of you.】

【But you showed no concern whatsoever, even stepping forward to speak on Luo Shuying’s behalf, stating that your qualifications were still shallow and your injuries unhealed, making you unfit for the position of faction leader.】

【Protector Dragon was quite pleased upon hearing this and made an exception to promote you to vice-leader of the Transhuman Faction. You had successfully entered the true upper echelons of the Transhuman Faction!】

In the Real World, Su Xing couldn’t help but shake his head at this.

Whether he or Luo Shuying served as the Transhuman Faction leader made no difference.

After all, Luo Shuying was already his person.

“But it seems Protector Dragon is still suspicious by nature! Even after all this, he’s still unwilling to fully trust me?”

Su Xing shook his head slightly. But no plan was perfect — Protector Dragon would never have imagined that Luo Shuying had long since been turned to his side.

“Having successfully entered the Transhuman Faction’s highest level of leadership, I should be able to learn the identity of this so-called mysterious figure, right?”

Su Xing’s heart burned with irrepressible curiosity.

His gaze turned to the simulation panel.

【Year seventeen. This was your second year as the Transhuman Faction’s vice-leader, yet you still had not uncovered any deeper secrets. Perhaps it was because you had only just entered the upper ranks and had not yet earned their complete trust.】

【So you decided to play it safe and continue biding your time within the Advent Cult.】

【Over these years, you had never neglected your cultivation of the micro spirit-gathering formation. You could now successfully inscribe an excellent Second Rank micro spirit-gathering formation, meaning your passive daily cultivation speed bonus had reached the equivalent of a four-element mixed spiritual root.】

【But you were still unsatisfied, and prepared to attempt inscribing a Third Rank micro spirit-gathering formation. You had a premonition that compared to the Second Rank, the Third Rank’s effect would be significantly more powerful!】

【And so, another two years passed…】

【Year nineteen. Over the course of this year, after more than a thousand failures and several thousand spirit carp dead at your hands, you finally succeeded in inscribing a Third Rank micro spirit-gathering formation.】

【The effect of the Third Rank micro spirit-gathering formation was a full tier above the previous rank.】

【If inscribed on a living being to passively absorb spiritual energy and advance cultivation, it was equivalent to the round-the-clock, non-stop cultivation speed of a three-element mixed spiritual root cultivator!】

【Based on your measurements, the Third Rank micro spirit-gathering formation increased cultivation speed by 10 to 15 levels.】

【After years of research, you could finally roughly deduce the effects of each tier of micro spirit-gathering formation.】

【A First Rank micro spirit-gathering formation in operation was equivalent to a Five-element mixed spiritual root cultivator cultivating day and night without rest.】

【A Second Rank was equivalent to a four-element mixed spiritual root cultivating day and night without rest…】

【Third Rank was equivalent to a three-element mixed spiritual root… Fourth Rank was equivalent to a dual spiritual root cultivator… Fifth Rank was equivalent to a True Spirit Root cultivator!】

【This meant that if an ordinary True Spirit Root cultivator had a Fifth Rank micro spirit-gathering formation inscribed on their skin, their cultivation speed could even surpass that of a Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator!】

【Because a Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator wouldn’t cultivate 24 hours without rest, while the micro spirit-gathering formation, as long as spiritual energy was present, would continuously operate, converting spiritual energy into cultivation progress!】

【And if you could successfully inscribe a Sixth Rank micro spirit-gathering formation and etch it onto your skin, you could even push your own cultivation speed to 2.5 times that of an ordinary Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator.】

【This kind of enhancement was nothing short of astonishing!】

In the Real World, Su Xing stared at the simulation text before him, unable to contain the excitement surging in his heart.

“And… the Sixth Rank micro spirit-gathering formation wouldn’t even be the limit!”

“If my attainments in Formation Dao and the Dao of Talismans are high enough, it would essentially let me elevate my aptitude by several tiers!”

At this thought, Su Xing immediately felt that all the effort he had poured into researching the micro spirit-gathering formation had been absolutely worth it!

“Not bad. This simulation has basically given me preliminary mastery over both the Dao of Puppetry and the inscription of micro spirit-gathering formations…”

“Next, if I can figure out the mysterious figure’s identity, that would be even better!”

But at present, the mysterious figure showed absolutely no signs of appearing… Was there any way to draw them out?

Su Xing took a deep breath. In his mind, the faint outline of another plan was forming.

His gaze turned to the simulation panel.

【Year twenty. On the day of the Awakening of Insects, after years of studying the Dao of Thunder, you had gained a preliminary comprehension of the Essence of Strength.】

【Though you had not yet reached the Beginner-level of mastery, the gap was no longer far.】

【One day, you decided to set in motion the plan you had been contemplating for a long time.】

【You secretly spread word that your injuries had fully healed and that you intended to lead the Advent Cult toward an even more glorious future.】

【Sure enough, the moment this news spread, many followers, Elders, and even Protector-level officers expressed their desire for you to become the Transhuman Faction leader.】

【Under your signal, Luo Shuying gracefully abdicated, and though you made a show of declining on the surface, you still went through the ritual of being “draped in the yellow robe”!】

【By this point you had been a member of the Advent Cult for over twenty years, and your seniority was well-established — you naturally had the qualifications to become the Transhuman Faction leader!】

【This year, you completed the first step of your plan — becoming the Transhuman Faction leader!】

【After becoming the Transhuman Faction leader, your status within the cult rose even higher!】

【Many followers naturally flocked to join the Transhuman Faction. The Transhuman Faction surpassed the Zealot Faction in a single leap, becoming the most powerful force within the Advent Cult!】

【This was the first step of your plan — expanding your status and influence within the cult!】

【Year twenty-one: You concealed your heavenly secrets, disguised your appearance, and suppressed your aura before heading to the Age of Immortals and Martial Arts dungeon, where you awakened the slumbering Perfected One Myriad Wood!】

【You did not kill Perfected One Myriad Wood. After rousing him from his slumber, you returned to the Advent Cult.】

【Three months later, just as expected, news of the spirit vein dragon and the awakened slumbering True Master spread throughout the entire Age of Immortals and Martial Arts dungeon!】

【And Protector Dragon, in a rare appearance, arrived at the Advent Cult headquarters.】

【Protector Dragon personally made a trip to the Age of Immortals and Martial Arts dungeon. After returning, his expression appeared somewhat grave.】

【A few more days passed before Protector Dragon summoned you, Luo Shuying, and the Zealot Faction leader together for a meeting of the Advent Cult’s upper echelon.】

【Protector Dragon told you all that a truly important figure would be descending upon Earth before long, and he hoped you would receive this person with the utmost hospitality.】

【Upon hearing this, your heart immediately clenched tight—you knew the mysterious person might be coming!】

【But at the same time, a thread of worry gnawed at you: would the mysterious person see through the spirit field blessed land you carried on your person, and thus harbor thoughts of killing you to seize your treasure…】

【You had no certainty about this. All you could do was use the Heavenly Secrets Concealment Art to the best of your ability, masking any traces of the spirit field you carried with you.】

In the Real World, Su Xing felt a wave of tension upon reading this.

“As expected, the plan to use the spirit vein dragon to lure out that mysterious person succeeded!”

“This time, will I finally learn the mysterious person’s identity?”

“Why… doesn’t Protector Dragon covet the spirit vein dragon for himself, instead reporting the news upward? Is it that he doesn’t dare… or doesn’t want to?”

At this moment, Su Xing felt both astonished and worried.

“Well, it’s just one simulation run… it’s meant for exploration anyway. Even if I die, it doesn’t matter!”

Su Xing relaxed his mind and turned his gaze to the simulation panel.

【Year twenty-two: One day, you were at the Advent Cult headquarters as usual, looking after your subordinates.】

【Suddenly, out of the corner of your eye, you caught a figure appearing beside you. Your heart lurched with shock.】

【You hadn’t sensed anyone approaching at all. This person was clearly standing right there, yet your spiritual sense hadn’t detected the slightest trace.】

【The mysterious person studied you with an intrigued glance, then asked you where that little dragon was.】

【You were momentarily puzzled by the phrase “that little dragon,” but then it clicked—this person was most likely the important figure Protector Dragon had mentioned!】

【Sure enough, it wasn’t long before Protector Dragon came personally. His attitude toward the mysterious person was one of extreme deference, bordering on groveling.】

【Soon, the mysterious person obtained the coordinates of the Age of Immortals and Martial Arts dungeon and the Spirit Vein Dragon’s location.】

【Right before your eyes, he tore open a rift in the air with his bare hands, then slipped through it and vanished in the blink of an eye.】

【Half a shichen later, the mysterious person reappeared in the great hall.】

【A hint of delight graced the mysterious person’s face, as though he was in quite a good mood.】

【He praised Protector Dragon with a few words, then fixed his gaze on you for several moments.】

【Then he extended his hand toward you and made a grasping motion. A void rift appeared before everyone present.】

【And within that void rift lay the very small grotto-heaven blessed land you had painstakingly cultivated.】

【Your heart seized with panic. Your entire body was frozen in place, unable to move, as though you already foresaw what was about to happen.】

【But the mysterious person merely reached in and grabbed—all the spirit liquid, spirit stones, and other resources you had accumulated flew into his hands.】

【After a brief inspection, the mysterious person tossed everything back into the spirit field grotto-heaven’s space with an air of disinterest.】

【In an instant, the spirit field grotto-heaven, which had been wrenched apart, restored itself to its original state, as if nothing had ever happened.】

【Yet this scene—including your hidden trump card, the spirit field grotto-heaven—had been laid completely bare before Protector Dragon and the other senior cadres.】

【Just as you were certain you were about to die, the mysterious person suddenly asked you a question.】

【He asked whether you were the one who killed Grand Protector Zong.】

【Your heart jolted upon hearing this. Knowing there was no hiding it any longer, you gritted your teeth and said: The path of cultivation is one of struggle against others. Grand Protector Zong’s strength was lacking—his death is no great loss!】

【Upon hearing your words, Protector Dragon was stunned. Never in his wildest imagination had he expected that the true culprit behind Grand Protector Zong’s death was you.】

【But the mysterious person, upon hearing your words, merely smiled and nodded, seemingly unbothered by the matter.】

【Perhaps, whether it was you or Grand Protector Zong, both were nothing more than ants in his eyes. One ant killing another—humans wouldn’t spare it a second thought.】

【Moreover, the mysterious person had only discovered that you possessed the fortune of a spirit field grotto-heaven. He remained unaware that you were a traitor embedded within the Advent Cult.】

【And so, the mysterious person simply gave a slight nod and said something cryptic: A lucky kid. Pity you descended into this world.】

【You didn’t understand what the mysterious person meant by those words, so you steeled yourself and asked.】

【But the mysterious person merely chuckled and said that if you ever broke through to the Body Integration stage, you might gain the opportunity to escape this world.】

【With that, the mysterious person casually tossed a storage ring into Protector Dragon’s hands, then tore open space and vanished completely.】

【After the mysterious person departed, that overwhelming pressure finally dissipated. You secretly rejoiced at having escaped disaster.】

【At the same time, you became even more certain that Protector Dragon absolutely knew the mysterious person’s identity.】

【So you pressed Protector Dragon for answers.】

【Protector Dragon still bore a grudge over your killing of Old Dog Zong, but you had been part of the Advent Cult for so many years that he clearly believed you to be a person of unwavering loyalty.】

【And so, he revealed to you and Luo Shuying the truth about the mysterious person—and the Advent Cult’s greatest secret!】

In the Real World, Su Xing’s heart clenched upon reading this. He hurriedly said:

“Activate immersive simulation mode, duration twenty-four hours!”

【Ding. You have successfully activated immersive… remaining energy: 3,014,230,000 points.】

As the simulator’s notification faded, Su Xing’s vision shifted and warped. The next second, he found himself in an unfamiliar environment.

The secret of the Advent Cult and the mysterious person’s identity were at stake. Su Xing worried that the simulation text alone wouldn’t convey enough information, so he decided to experience it firsthand.

Protector Dragon’s voice reached Su Xing’s ears.

“Heh, so Zong Bi died at your hands after all—can’t say he didn’t have it coming… I never expected you to possess such fortune. In an age of depleted spiritual energy, you actually have a three-inch portable blessed land on your person…”

Su Xing slowly raised his head upon hearing this, taking in Protector Dragon’s appearance.

Tall and imposing, with dark skin, standing close to two meters—yet paradoxically bearing the visage of an old man.

Protector Dragon spoke:

“Do you know what we in the Advent Cult are truly working toward?”

Su Xing furrowed his brow slightly and offered a tentative answer:

“To welcome the great Master Race…”

Before he could finish, Protector Dragon cut him off:

“Heh, that’s the sect’s doctrine… naturally, that’s the official line!”

“You and I are now the highest-ranking members of the Advent Cult on Earth. There’s no reason for me to keep things from you… What we’re really after is a better chance at survival!”

“Being on Earth, being in the most chaotic killing grounds of the Three Thousand Worlds… this is simply our misfortune!”

“If we want to survive, we must leave this world and enter the nearest peaceful world—the lesser Azure Cloud Realm!”

“But on our own, there’s no way we could escape… The only way is through the Advent Cult’s channels!”

After a pause, Protector Dragon continued:

“Of the Three Thousand Worlds, a full third have been completely conquered by the alien races. Those worlds are chaotic, lawless, and utterly inhospitable to humans… or indeed any intelligent life beyond the alien races themselves!”

“Another third of the worlds are like Earth—trapped in endless, unceasing warfare… Every minute, every second, countless people and worlds across the cosmos are perishing…”

“At present, across all the Three Thousand Worlds, the number of relatively intact worlds that still survive is merely around a thousand.”

“And where I want to go is the Azure Cloud Realm, the nearest one to us! It is also one of the true greater worlds among the Three Thousand Worlds! The very world where immortal cultivation thrives!”

“But the Azure Cloud Realm doesn’t accept outsiders casually… If we want to escape this world, we must first make our way to the lesser Azure Cloud Realm!”

“That place… should hold out longer than Earth…”

After hearing Protector Dragon’s words, Su Xing was inwardly shaken beyond words, though he maintained a calm exterior.

The Azure Cloud Realm… wasn’t that the world of Qingyunzi and the Azure Cloud Sect that Su Xing had encountered before!?