Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

The Asura Phantom Palace during the Chaos Era wasn't an impressive force. The highest cultivation base within could only rival a second-level Heavenly Genesis cultivator, and this, in comparison to all, was an insignificant cultivation which could only control a sub-realm - a realm within a realm. Despite this, they were considered exceptional enough to keep vivid records of within the Anima Syndicate.

This was because of one reason: The Soul!

The Heavenly Law of Soul rivaled life, death, yin, yang, space, and time. For a force, any force, to be known for their comprehension into a heavenly law at the world-tier makes them anything but ordinary. An example would be the Solitary Sword Sect's comprehension into a Mortal Law of the Sword. With just this, they were considered a top-tier force within the Fallen Stars Continent.

Yan Zaizen was currently outfitted in a tight-fitted, silver-blue martial attire that accentuated his muscular physique. Above it was a thin black robe that gave him a phenomenal appearance. This attire and robe weren't normal clothes, but low-grade sky-rank armaments that he directly received from the Anima Syndicate.

As an Anima Lieutenant, his status within the Anima Syndicate was remarkable. Not only did he receive a monthly stipend, he received sky-rank attire befitting of his soul cultivation, access to key records within the syndicate, special resources and arts.

"So, this could be considered my first mission, huh." Standing atop a miniature spatial platform, Yan Zaizen said casually. After hearing the news of the Asura Phantom Palace, how could he not be moved enough to take a venture? Not to mention, his mission wasn't to actively take the lead. His mission was essentially being hired as a radar for the various dangers that may occur within the Asura Phantom Palace with his exceptional spiritual sense.

The Asura Phantom Palace may have been eradicated during the Chaos Era, but that didn't mean its sub-realm wasn't filled with dangers and treasures. Because its palace was discovered to be intact, it could hold heaven-defying pills, elixirs, cultivation arts, armaments, methods, heavenly materials to build one's Heavenly Shrine, and more! This was enticing to many cultivators, and a variety of forces were going to be venturing inside in hopes to obtain even a fraction of the Asura Phantom Palace's remnant wealth.

However, how could people willingly search a second-level heavenly-tier force without a guarantee? The Xiantu Emperor himself informed all that the palace held countless unclaimed treasures! However, whether they'll be able to obtain it, that'll be solely based on their own capabilities.

It seemed the Asura Phantom Palace was abandoned, but many of its formations, gardens, halls, and more was left completely untouched. With formations still likely to be active, it made the location quite dangerous. This was a great opportunity for others, but if you looked at sub-realms as a whole, this wasn't uncommon.

During the Chaos Era, many powers locked their sub-realms before departing in all-out war. If they were eradicated, it's unlikely their enemies could discover it by any means. However, on the battlefield, they would be eradicated to every last man, woman, and child.

"You must be cautious." Old Tai warned, his eyes filled with traces of worry and excitement. The things possibly held in the Asura Phantom Palace may be able to help him progress to the True Essence Realm! This meant twenty thousand years of additional life! Yan Zaizen chuckled softly.

"Don't worry, I'm just there to act as a radar." Despite saying that, his eyes flickered with an imperceptible greed. He was essentially being hired as a guide via the Anima Syndicate to discover threats with his spiritual sense by an imperial-tier force. Not only did this come with an immediate payment of fifteen billion drops of essence, but he'll receive a percentage of all things obtained. From an observing point of view, this was an exceptionally easy job. Especially since your job is to locate and avoid danger.

However, the things he wants for himself, how could he allow others to simply take it?

A flash of resplendent silver light exploded from beneath him, his body was shrouded in a small silver-formation like a protective egg. Instantly, he vanished into the spatial void.

SHISH!

Old Tai's eyes couldn't help but be filled with hope. Yan Zaizen may look youthful, but he had a Perfect Aurora Soul Cultivation base. Even at the most weakest, this could be considered a mid-True Essence Realm equivalent! In the Xiantu Continent, this may be far more common than in other continents, but that didn't mean it was irrelevant. He believed, with Yan Zaizen's cultivation base, he'll be able to gain much from this exploration of the Asura Phantom Palace.

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Standing outside of the Asura Phantom Palace's spatial entrance, several thousand individuals were spread out amongst various groups. Each and every character here had a cultivation base at least within the late-Origin Core Realm! In the Xiantu Realm, there were many grand-tier and imperial-tier forces. After hearing the public news that the Xiantu Emperor will be opening the Asura Phantom Palace for all to explore, for all to gain their own opportunities, how could they not rush here?

It was not only them, but even those outside of the Xiantu Realm decided to try their chances at claiming from treasure.

Some were here for hopes of breaking through into the True Essence Realm. Some were here to even prepare in formulating their Heavenly Shrine! It wasn't just humanoid races but divine beasts as well were among the people here.

Yan Zaizen, in a flash of silver light, appeared several hundred li away from this gathered ground. His eyes scanned his surroundings, and he was immediately shocked by what he saw. He could see giants! Not just humanoid ones, but divine beasts that were the size of several hundred meters in height or length. A gigantic bird with four wings sat peacefully among a group of other beasts, it would move its wings sometimes as if motioning in conversation. It was very human-like.

He could see many differently dressed cultivators, some in unified outfits or armors, others dressed in their unique garments. There was even a group of twelve cultivators, all of which had an aura that could casually rival half-step True Essence experts in intensity. Each of them donned heavy, black armor that released wisps of a deathly aura. It came off the armor like smoke from a fire. Many experts stayed a certain distance away from them but didn't seem too concerned.

What shocked him greater than before were the humanoid-figures that looked like a mixture of beast and man. There was a man covered in gray-hair, had long, sharp canine teeth, and a splendid physique that could rival his own. It looked like he was a mixture of a wolf and man. His expression, however, was filled with a soft gaze as he chuckled in his group in merry conversation.

It truly was a sharp contrast to what he believed a wolf-man would look like.

"So many experts…" He remarked, noticing hundreds of auras with deep true-essence or vital energy that seemed to produce faint reverberations in the surrounding space with every breath. He couldn't tell their exact cultivation base, but he could be sure that some rivaled mid, late, and even peak-True Essence experts.

Recalling his hired assignment, he scanned the surroundings. Apparently, he was hired by an imperial-tier Xiantu Continent's force named White Crane Sect. From Old Tai's description, it was fairly similar to the Water Veiled Sect in terms of its members. It primarily accepted females as its primary cultivators. He was surprised at being requested by such a sect, but it seems a Perfect Aurora Soul Realm cultivation base was too rare to put an emphasis on gender, or perhaps they didn't consider him a threat.

"Oh?" It seemed he wasn't the only one who was apart of the Anima Syndicate here; the Xiāo City Lord was also within the crowd of experts. He stood there without the normal pride in his eyes, but instead, his gaze contained heightened vigilance. As a grand-tier alchemist, it made sense that he would be brought along by a force. They could bring one incredible insight into specific materials, possesses an array of pills or elixirs that may help at a critical moment, and could conjure pills at a moment's notice if required.

He didn't only just recognize the Xiāo City Lord, but within what seemed to be a gathering of elite experts of Presba, Yao Wuhen stood beautifully to the side. She usually carried herself with profound elegance and pride, but she was rather cautious and humble at the moment.

"Seems like this exploration attempt has garnered the attention of all within the Fallen Stars Continent, Mystic Wave Continent, and even the Xiantu Continent. Perhaps...even those outside of it." He softly muttered to himself, realizing for the very first time the gravity of the situation. These people were gathered by the thousands, and each held a profound cultivation base which would allow them to rule countless people! Yet, here they were, willing to venture into the unknown for benefits.

This was the first time he'd ever experienced such a thing. For some odd reason, he felt that he should've started with smaller explorations. Unfortunately, with his rapid cultivation enhancement, he couldn't receive experience from such things when he could casually decimate all things with a swipe of his finger. Now, however, his first time venturing into a sub-realm had a high chance of being dangerous and lethal. A competition filled with peak experts with a myriad of methods at their disposal.

He felt somewhat relieved that his primary job was to act as a guide. At least, he wouldn't overestimate himself.

Eyes flickering, he found the elegantly dressed group of White Crane Sect members. With a step, he slowly approached.