After a moment's thought, Oakes suppressed the anxious thoughts in his heart and turned to Kailin beside him, asking sincerely.
"Kailin, my young friend, you once ventured deep into the Life Secret Realm, so you should know its routes well. Do you happen to have a complete map of its terrain?"
"I'll go alone to rescue my clansmen and family!"
As that question left his lips, the atmosphere in the void, which had only just eased, quietly grew heavy again.
The mere mention of the Life Secret Realm stripped all the relief of survival and joy of reunion from Kailin's face.
Her delicate brows drew tightly together, and genuine dread born of her Divine Soul's instincts showed deep in her clear eyes. It was an utmost reverence branded into the soul only after truly entering a forbidden land of certain death and brushing against unknown horrors.
"Lord Oakes, Lord Shiheng... unimaginable dangers lurk within that Life Secret Realm. It is nothing like an ordinary haven for cultivation."
Before she finished, Shiheng raised his hand slightly and gently interrupted her.
"There's no need to call me lord. Just call me Shiheng."
His tone was calm, carrying the warmth of their old friendship.
"In terms of years spent cultivating, you're my senior. Back on the Yulan Plane, I grew up hearing your legendary name. Later, when I reached the Saint level and sparred with you, you deliberately held back and secretly went easy on me. Not only did you avoid humiliating me, you allowed me my dignity. Then you guided me in the Life Law. I've always remembered that kindness."
Shiheng understood it clearly.
During his battle to the death with Emperor Star back then, he had already realized that if Kailin had used her full strength in those days, he could