"We call it the [Surface World], and the world we live in is the [Inner World]."
"Have you pinpointed the coordinates?" Qian Xunji's heart stirred.
"Indeed!" The God King laughed, his tone brimming with undisguised ambition.
"Since the two worlds share the same origin, the Five Great God Kings have reached a consensus."
The God King looked at Qian Xunji and laid out the plan without preamble. "The Divine Realm will forcibly tear open a hidden spatial passage for you. I want you to infiltrate the [Surface World]—the world from your memories. Your primary task is to verify whether it's real and investigate their Divine Realm as thoroughly as possible. As for what you find on Douluo Planet, use your own judgment. It's of no use to the Divine Realm, but you must ensure your own safety."
The world from the original story? Qian Xunji blurted out, "As you command! This junior will do everything in his power."
"Don't get too excited." The God King cut him off. "The Surface World and the Inner World are roughly equal in strength, and the laws of the Universe exert tremendous repulsive force. Even with the God Realm Committee's full efforts, for now we can barely maintain a stable passage that can accommodate two people."
"Two people?" Qian Xunji frowned.
"That's right. Apart from yourself, you may choose one other companion from the continent. Don't pick someone too weak. You have three days to prepare."
[Second Angel Trial, released]
[Trial Objective: Investigate whether the [Surface World] is real and learn as much as possible about its Divine Realm]
[Trial Reward: Angel Affinity and rewards will be granted according to your final performance]
"This is no small matter," the God King warned. "It will determine the Divine Realm's future direction, and it will also become part of your record. Do the job well, and once you become a god, your standing in the Divine Realm will naturally rise."
"I will obey the God King's decree." Qian Xunji could barely contain his excitement. He was already at the peak of the Lower Realm. Once he got over there, wouldn't he be free as a bird in the vast sky?
"There's one more thing." The God King's voice sank, tinged with a rare hint of pain.
"Listen carefully, boy. Infiltrating the [Surface World] to gather intelligence is a task from the God Realm Committee. But... helping Qian Renxue change her predetermined fate is my personal request, and the only absolute order I'm giving you. You don't need to do much this time. Use your own judgment, but make sure you do it!"
Qian Xunji drew a deep breath. He could feel how fiercely the God King wanted to protect his descendants. In the original story, Qian Renxue's ending had indeed been too tragic. Her mother despised her, she wasted her youth undercover, and during the God Trial, she overcame her inner demons in such a degrading way, only to end up with nothing. As a fellow member of the Angel bloodline, he naturally wouldn't stand by and do nothing.
Qian Xunji dropped to one knee and solemnly pledged, "Rest assured, God King! I'll investigate the Surface World and save Xue'er. This junior will see both tasks through."
"Good." The God King nodded.
"I'll be waiting in the Divine Realm to see what you make of this. Go!"
Whoosh—
Qian Xunji's eyes flew open. The undershirt beneath his clothes was already soaked with sweat. The shock of facing a god's overwhelming pressure and hearing about the cross-world plan had left him unable to calm down for a long time.
But he had no time to settle his nerves. He had only three days, so he needed to arrange everything immediately!
With a flicker, Qian Xunji appeared beside the spring at the Light and Dark Yin-Yang Eye.
Dugu Bo, who had been meditating, sensed his presence and immediately opened his eyes and stood up. "My lord, you've finished your seclusion!"
"Old Poison,"
"I'll be leaving for a while—months at the shortest, years at the longest. While I'm gone, I need you to do something for me."
"Please give your orders, my lord! Dugu Bo will do everything in his power!"
"It's nothing so serious. Tang San plans to apply to Kelaishi Academy outside Suotuo City in a few days, and Xiao Qing will go with him." Qian Xunji fixed Dugu Bo with a piercing gaze.
"While I'm away, I want you to watch over them in secret. Don't interfere with their growth or trials, but if some old bastard dares to bully them because they're young, or some piece of trash dares to lay a hand on them..."
"I'll show no mercy!" A vicious glint flashed in Dugu Bo's eyes as he picked up where Qian Xunji left off. "Rest assured, senior. As long as I, Dugu Bo, am here, anyone who dares touch those two will have their entire family wiped out! I'll melt every last one of them into a pool of pus!"
"Good." Qian Xunji nodded, satisfied. He trusted Old Poison's viciousness and fierce protectiveness. Besides, at this point in the original story, Qian San shouldn't be in any danger—except from Dugu Bo himself...
"When I return, I'll give you a Spirit Bone that's at least fifty thousand years old, to help you reach even greater heights!"
Dugu Bo's breath caught. A fifty-thousand-year Spirit Bone! Senior really knew how to make a grand gesture!
With his remaining worries taken care of, Qian Xunji shot skyward in a streak of light and left Falling Moon Forest.
As he flew high above the ground, Qian Xunji's mind raced. He had only two spots. Who should he take to the Surface World?
"Tang San is out of the question. His strength has improved, but he's still too weak, and he needs to stay here and reap the benefits at Kelaishi Academy."
"Qian Daoliu? No, he won't do either." Qian Xunji shook his head.
"The old man spent so many years as a puppet in Healing City, and his origin has been damaged. Besides, he's on Asura Island right now, having a twilight romance with Bo Saixi. It wouldn't be right to drag him away to fight for his life."
He needed to find an old monster who was powerful, knew Douluo Planet's geography and resources inside out, and could serve as a guide. After all, he already knew everything there was to know about that so-called Divine Realm. There was no need to investigate it. The real prize on this trip to the Surface World was its resources. With a living map to lead the way, he could get twice the results with half the effort!
And most importantly, the guide couldn't steal his credit!
"Nearly invincible... an ancient relic... knows the resources... a hired hand..."
Qian Xunji mentally sifted through the continent's powerful figures. Suddenly, inspiration struck, and a strange name sprang to mind."
"If I'm going to plunder the Surface World, I might as well go big."
Qian Xunji didn't hesitate any longer. He abruptly changed course in midair.
His destination was no human city. He was heading straight for the continent's largest gathering place of Soul Beasts—the Star Dou Forest!
"Di Tian, Di Tian, I hope you're interested in the Star Dou Forest in another world. Heh heh heh..."
Of course, most importantly, Di Tian was a Soul Beast. The Divine Realm wouldn't devote itself to raising a Soul Beast, so all the credit would belong to him, wouldn't it?
Heh heh heh...
In less than half an hour, Qian Xunji was hovering above a vast, emerald-green lake.
This was the human-inaccessible heart of the Star Dou Forest—the Lake of Life!
The lake radiated a rich aura of life. The moment Qian Xunji arrived at its shore without bothering to conceal himself, two Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast auras erupted.
Roar—
With a thunderous bellow, a Titan Giant Ape as huge as a mountain came plunging down like a black meteor, crashing into the open ground in front of Qian Xunji. The entire lakeshore shook violently from the impact.
Another enormous figure leapt out beside the Titan Giant Ape.
Qian Xunji had been watching carelessly, but the moment his eyes landed on this second figure, the corner of his eye began to twitch uncontrollably.
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