The Reason Behind the Black Mist in the Foreign Lands-The Human Race Isn't the Only One Bearing Lofty Ideals

Upon entering the Secret Realm, the scenery before one's eyes suddenly changed.

Above them was not the sky, but a chaotic dome flowing with endless starlight. Countless tiny stardust drifted down like dust, dispersing upon touching the ground and transforming into pure stellar energy that permeated the air.

The ground was dark, obsidian-like rock, yet it shimmered with silver light, as if one were standing on a galaxy.

In the distance, enormous fragments of Star Remnants can be seen floating in mid-air, some resembling mountain peaks, others like broken Giant Sword, their surfaces adorned with ancient patterns, radiating either gentle or violent stellar energy fluctuations.

The air was filled with pure yet slightly chaotic stellar energy, and inhaling it brought a slight coolness and a stinging sensation to the lungs.

"The stellar energy here is indeed abundant... though it's useless to me." Qin Wangchuan thought to himself as he sensed his surroundings.

"The three of us will go this way, don't go with him."

Chu Wujiu's loud voice approached from behind, then brushed past Qin Wangchuan, muttering something under his breath:

"Last time I was with him, he got all the benefits, and I only got a sip of soup."

"This time, we absolutely must find a great fortuitous opportunity!"

Seeing this, Zhao Lingyun thought that Chu Wujiu finally realized he shouldn't be the eyesore of the lantern.

However, upon closer inspection, something seemed amiss.

Chu Wujiu really wanted to compete with Qin Wangchuan for this fortuitous opportunity and see who was better.

"Serves you right for getting stronger, Young Master Chu."

Ye Lingchuan didn't seem to care, and simply nodded.

After bidding farewell to the spirited trio, Qin Wangchuan and Li Qingluan chose a direction to head in.

After walking some distance, Qin Wangchuan transmitted his voice to Li Qingluan, saying, "The fortuitous opportunity in this Secret Realm lie to the east of the central area, slightly to the north."

Li Qingluan paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her cool eyes. "How did you know?"

When the Secret Realm first opened, even the records of the Academy were vague.

Qin Wangchuan looked at her, a mysterious smile playing on his lips, "You forgot, I can foresee the future."

Although it relies on the system.

Li Qingluan nodded thoughtfully.

Then, he posed a question that he had never expected:

"So what will our future be like?"

She asked calmly, but her gaze remained fixed on his face, her focused expression even more earnest than when she was exploring the Secret Realm fortuitous opportunity.

Qin Wangchuan's smile deepened, and he answered without hesitation, "Of course it's wonderful, very blissful."

Upon hearing this, a faint but genuine joy appeared on Li Qingluan's face, and her eyes brightened slightly.

"Real?"

"Really." Qin Wangchuan's tone was firm, his gaze gentle.

But hidden deep within that gentleness lay a darkness known only to himself.

'Just know that it's good.'

'All the causes and effects, all the blood and tears, everything that has happened and will happen... I will bear it all.'

This unwavering certainty and gentleness prevented Li Qingluan from noticing the fleeting darkness deep within his eyes.

She gently pursed her lips.

His clear, cool eyes shimmered with light, reflecting starlight and his gentle, smiling face.

However, the two had only taken a few steps away.

Amidst the swirling starlight and mist ahead, a figure suddenly appeared, blocking their path.

The newcomer was tall and thin, dressed in robes indistinguishable from those of Human Race cultivators, and his skin and appearance were also identical to those of Human Race.

Only above those eyes, near the brow bone, were two distinct grooves resembling closed slits, suggesting the possible concealment of another pair of pupils within them.

Four eyes, they're from Alien Race!

Li Qingluan's eyes suddenly turned cold, and she took half a step forward.

She had naturally heard about the recent activity of the Alien Race at the Dojo, and her hostility was now completely undisguised.

But Qin Wangchuan raised his hand and stopped her.

He could clearly sense that the other party had no hostility, but rather a strange curiosity and eagerness.

The Alien Race youth's gaze was intense, passing over the cold-faced Li Qingluan and landing directly on Qin Wangchuan's face. He grinned and pointed at him:

"Qin Wangchuan!"

"I finally found you in the Secret Realm! I tried to see you several times before, but I was stopped by various excuses. It was really difficult."

After a brief exchange, Qin Wangchuan learned that the young man from Alien Race was named Shatong, and was a direct descendant of a King Sovereign from Foreign Lands.

To his surprise...

This person's words lacked the usual eccentricity or scheming of Alien Race; instead, they carried an almost honest and straightforward sincerity.

Only when the topic turns to something deeper will the casualness in the other person's eyes quickly fade, and they become unusually serious and determined.

After exchanging a few more words, Shatong's expression turned serious as he looked at Qin Wangchuan and solemnly spoke:

"I've secretly investigated the attack on your Dojo."

"All indications suggest that this Non-Self usual method from Foreign Lands, but rather... that someone among your Human Race wants to use us as a scapegoat to commit murder."

He paused, then added:

"Of course, I am not excusing the entire Foreign Lands."

"There are indeed scoundrels in Foreign Lands, but your Human Race is not necessarily all good people. I just want to tell you what I have seen."

Qin Wangchuan remained calm and nodded. "I already have a plan in mind."

Seeing his reaction, Shatong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

He looked around at the flowing starlight and the strange, Secret Realm scenery, his eyes revealing an almost childlike curiosity and pure appreciation, and suddenly said:

"To be honest, Qin Wangchuan, I really love your Human Race world."

"This land is full of life, with the sun and moon revolving, the four seasons distinct, mountains and rivers, and... so many interesting people! They live for their own principles and dreams, and even their struggles are full of vitality."

"That's precisely why I don't want to see the two races fall into an endless war of attrition due to misunderstandings and the pressure of survival."

Having said that, Shatong withdrew his gaze and looked at Qin Wangchuan again, his expression becoming even more solemn:

"I have heard many things about you and know roughly what kind of person you are."

"So--"

He took a deep breath, his eyes burning. "Let's join forces!"

"Join forces?" Before Qin Wangchuan could respond, Li Qingluan raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing the explanation.

"Right."

Shatong nodded emphatically, ignoring the questioning, and continued speaking.

His tone carried a heavy urgency:

"You may know that some Alien Race do indeed have cannibalistic tendencies, but the reason why many more tribes have relentlessly tried to invade the Three Thousand Provinces is actually... because they have no other choice."

He pointed to the ground beneath his feet, or perhaps to a distant direction:

"Deep within our Foreign Lands, an endless expanse of Black Mist shrouds us."

"That Black Mist spreads constantly, devouring all life and land, forcing us to migrate and shrink continuously."

"An ancient prophecy states that only by uniting the power of Myriad Races and gathering the will of all people can there be a possibility of dispelling the Black Mist and seeing the light of day again."

"Once the threat of the Black Mist is eliminated, we will have vast lands to rely on for survival, and naturally no one will want to invade your Three Thousand Provinces."

Shatong's eyes shone with an astonishing brightness; it was an ideal light that had discarded all impurities and was so pure that it was almost dazzling.

"With conflict resolved and time passing... perhaps one day in the future, we from Foreign Lands and your Three Thousand Provinces will be able to coexist under the same sky."

"There is no blood relation, no mutual distrust, only... an equal and peaceful life."

"That's my idea."

"According to your Human Race's terminology, this is also the 'Tao' I am practicing."

As he spoke, the light in his eyes dimmed slightly, revealing a heavy sense of reality. "But this path is too difficult."

"In Foreign Lands, kings reign supreme, and each region possesses its own power, independent of one another."

"To unify Myriad Races and dispel the Black Mist means..." Shatong Tong paused, a sharp glint in his eyes, "... that one must become the sole king, surpassing all King Sovereign."

"So I need companions."

"Truly like-minded companions who are capable, have ideas, and can face all of this together."

"Qin Wangchuan, I think... you might be able to understand."

Shatong looked at Qin Wangchuan with an open and expectant gaze, awaiting a reply.