ETR | Chapter 96

The earlier experiences in that water droplet, combined with the current situation, sparked some ideas in Qin Lou's mind.

The most important thing in the Secret Realm is something everyone tacitly understands. In the face of absolute power, all tricks are insignificant and cannot become obstacles. But more importantly, it's about timing.

"Timing" is influenced by many factors. It could be luck, it could be planning and strategy, plus the necessary strength. They have been searching for so long without success, perhaps simply because the timing wasn't right.

The Secret Realm is created by rules, especially since they are in the highest standard Secret Realm of the entire Spirit Realm Continent. Being close to the rules is not without reason. When the Secret Realm closes, in another sense, it is "reclaimed" by the rules.

So, does this mean that the moment the Secret Realm closes is when they are closest to the rules?

That moment might be the most appropriate "timing."

Qin Lou shared his thoughts with Xiao Xueman. On one hand, Xiao Xueman thought it was possible, but on the other hand, he had his concerns.

"This is too risky, Qin Lou," Xiao Xueman said. "Even if it is true, staying at that moment doesn't mean we can exploit the rules. It's more likely we'll be crushed by them."

Even if both of them were at the peak of Spirit God Tier 9, they couldn't withstand such pressure. Not to mention, Xiao Xueman now only has half his strength, and Qin Lou, after all the effort in the center of the Secret Realm, can't replenish his energy quickly. He can't exert his full strength now.

"But we have no choice, so why not give it a try?"

Qin Lou looked at him, eyes firm. "Even if there's a slight chance, I don't want to give up."

He seemed even more serious than Xiao Xueman himself.

"It's me who has no choice, Qin Lou, not you," Xiao Xueman sighed. "I'm... I'm very happy and grateful that you're willing to accompany me this far, but Qin Lou, you shouldn't face such life-threatening danger."

The one truly threatened by the rules was never Qin Lou.

Qin Lou didn't listen. He held Xiao Xueman's hand tighter, even a bit angry, his tone tinged with disbelief. "How can you say such things at a time like this?"

Even though it's not the right time to talk about love, Xiao Xueman shouldn't doubt his feelings, right?

"I'm not doubting you..."

Xiao Xueman gave a bitter smile, but just then, he felt a sudden tremor in the center of the Secret Realm.

It's happening; this place is ending!

The tremor was so strong that Xiao Xueman lost his balance and fell forward. Qin Lou caught him and held his waist tightly.

Because of their earlier conversation, he was a bit angry, and now he refused to let go of Xiao Xueman.

"You can forget about leaving me behind," Qin Lou said through gritted teeth, while also keeping an eye on their surroundings. This was their only remaining hope in the Secret Realm.

After that tremor, the edges of this place began to glow, seemingly shrinking towards the center, and the speed of the shrinkage was fast.

Being in the center of the Secret Realm gave them a slight advantage. If they were outside, the shrinkage speed would be so fast that they wouldn't have time to react, but in the center, it was much slower.

Xiao Xueman saw it too, and the shrinkage wasn't just from the sides; it was also pressing down from above and below, squeezing towards where they stood.

"Do you remember the entrance to the Secret Realm was a tiny point of light?" Qin Lou seemed to see a glimmer of hope. "When it shrinks back to a point of light, it might be an entrance. We..."

But Xiao Xueman interrupted him.

"Qin Lou, listen to me."

Qin Lou, hearing him speak, looked at him, waiting for him to continue, but his hand still gripped his waist, refusing to relax even a bit.

His face showed a hint of grievance, probably feeling that Xiao Xueman's earlier words were still rejecting him, not wanting to face adversity together.

"Prophecies always come true, but just as you don't want me to disappear, I... don't want you to disappear either, especially since this matter has nothing to do with you." Xiao Xueman emphasized the last sentence, looking at the increasingly severe surroundings, he sighed, "There's no time."

Even though the center of the Secret Realm gave them some reaction time, it wasn't long.

Qin Lou wanted to say something more, but the next second, Xiao Xueman's actions left him speechless.

Using the position where Qin Lou held his waist, Xiao Xueman slightly raised his head and kissed his lips.

At that moment, Qin Lou was indeed stunned. His mind stopped working, his eyes didn't close, just staring blankly at Xiao Xueman's face. His lips were soft, as soft as before, and Xiao Xueman's breath was so close, carrying a scent of grass and wood. Every time he smelled it, he felt it was sweet, sweet enough to make his heart tremble.

He probably would be utterly captivated by Xiao Xueman for the rest of his life.

So, at that moment, he didn't notice Xiao Xueman's small action.

Contrasting with the sweetness on his lips, a sharp pain came from his lower back.

Qin Lou's eyes widened.

Xiao Xueman held a knife, a nine-star spirit instrument, which he had conveniently taken when he intercepted the light sphere earlier. He had examined it when he got it, knowing that the knife's damage wasn't high, its main function was to immobilize.

Although it was a nine-star, its functionality was a bit limited. Even as a nine-star, in terms of function and overall quality, it was considered low-grade among nine-stars, something he wouldn't typically use, so Xiao Xueman had casually put it away.

He didn't expect it would come in handy now.

Of course, with Xiao Xueman's current state, he couldn't fully utilize its effect on Qin Lou, but Qin Lou stood there dumbfounded, allowing himself to be stabbed. The effect was somewhat diminished, and Qin Lou's immobilization might not even last two seconds, but that was enough for Xiao Xueman to do something.

At the same time, Xiao Xueman slipped something into Qin Lou's hand. Although Qin Lou quickly shook off the knife's immobilization effect and regained his mobility, it was already too late.

What Xiao Xueman gave him was a Secret Realm ejection spirit instrument, and it had already activated when it was placed in his hand.

"I'm sorry," Qin Lou saw Xiao Xueman's apologetic face before he left, "Take care of Xiao Wan for me."

After Qin Lou disappeared in front of him, Xiao Xueman felt a bit exhausted. The knife in his hand fell to the ground, and he couldn't help but sit down to rest, subconsciously touching the corner of his lips.

This knife was a nine-star spirit instrument. Although he judged it as low-grade among nine-stars, it was already very difficult for Xiao Xueman, with only half his strength left, to use it to immobilize Qin Lou for two seconds.

Not to mention, he had to plan the kiss. Otherwise, given the current strength gap between him and Qin Lou, he wouldn't even be able to draw the knife.

In the past, Xiao Xueman wouldn't have needed to plan so much. He could have forced Qin Lou out of the Secret Realm.

But now, he couldn't let him die in vain.

Qin Lou's idea was possible, and Xiao Xueman had similar thoughts before.

But even so, after approaching the rules, even if they did gain something, would they have a chance to return?

The hope was too slim. Xiao Xueman, with no other options, could try, but why should Qin Lou?

Xiao Xueman learned a lot upon reaching the center of the Secret Realm. No matter how powerful they were, even if they were unique Spirit God Tier 9s on the continent, they could still be trapped by a tiny droplet of dew, requiring all their strength to escape.

Everyone is insignificant in the face of rules.

Qin Lou accompanying him this far was already commendable. Xiao Xueman didn't want him to become insignificant within the rules and then be mercilessly crushed.

He promised Anyu Loulan to take care of him, to help him, and he also thought of the still-growing Xiao Wan, hoping that someone could protect him like himself in the future. Even without considering others, he personally couldn't bear to see Qin Lou die with him. Even if he couldn't save him, he didn't want Qin Lou to lose his life in vain.

In the span of a breath, the center of the Secret Realm had already shrunk to a very narrow point, and Xiao Xueman realized that the entire Secret Realm was round, like a round ball.

He gathered his strength and soon witnessed a very special scene.

Above the now-dry waterfall, a small light sphere appeared, like the core of this round ball, pulling the circumference to continue shrinking inward.

Now's the time!

Xiao Xueman used all his strength to charge into the light sphere, but he didn't feel any resistance and smoothly entered.

He was momentarily stunned by his success, probably not expecting it to be so easy.

He quickly surveyed the surroundings. Underfoot was something soft, like cotton, or perhaps clouds. All around were such clouds, and the place was narrow, like a winding path, with no clear direction ahead or behind.

Moreover, there was no spiritual power here, not a trace, and the surroundings were eerily silent.

Had he truly reached the place of rules?

Xiao Xueman tried walking both forward and backward, but the path seemed endless, and the scene remained unchanged.

Later, he attempted to brush away a few clouds.

Beneath the clouds was something transparent, like a barrier, through which Xiao Xueman could see the outside scene.

He saw many points of light, like a starry sky, but larger than stars, more like light spheres.

What were those?

Xiao Xueman continued to clear the clouds blocking his view, discovering that the light spheres outside weren't scattered but connected by thick branches.

As a tree, he quickly realized where he was.

This was also a tree.

There are many speculations about this world on the Spirit Realm Continent. This continent has existed for over a billion years. Although some records may have been lost over time, certain sayings have always been passed down.

For example, what happens after breaking through Spirit God Tier 9?

Surely, there were other brilliant individuals who, like him and Qin Lou, stood at the Spirit God Tier 9 position, and some must have been fortunate and diligent enough to break through this barrier.

Legend has it that those who break through Spirit God Tier 9 no longer remain on this continent. The Spirit Realm Continent is just one of the many small worlds. In the vast universe, they are no longer bound by a single small world, able to be freer and explore broader horizons.

Xiao Xueman had heard this before. He and Qin Lou were still in their cultivation prime, not breaking through Spirit God Tier 9, not because of insufficient spiritual power or diligence, but because they lacked a certain serendipitous push to break through this obstacle.

Now, it seems this legend is true.

On the Cosmic Tree, countless small worlds lay before Xiao Xueman's eyes.

But unfortunately, he wasn't the one who seized the opportunity to ascend, more like someone stuck in the layer between the Spirit Realm Continent and the outside due to exploiting a loophole in the Secret Realm.

He was still under the control of the rules. During the time he spent clearing the clouds and observing the outside, his talents were still being drained.