Under One Person, your rebellious life has reached the heavens?

Initially, this group of cultivators of unknown origin attempted to conquer other secret realms and plunder resources, but one after another, they found tough opponents and chose the most powerful sects: the Myriad Laws Sect, the Flying Immortal Sect, and the Samsara Palace.

After several major battles, the Divine Descent Sect was severely weakened and went into hiding.

Centuries later, they gradually began to show their faces and quietly enter the world. The major sects realized that they could not eradicate them and were too lazy to continue causing trouble, so they turned a blind eye and allowed them to coexist on this vast land.

However, objectively speaking, the strength and foundation of the Divine Descent Sect should not be underestimated.

The founders and successive leaders and supreme beings of the Trinity Sect all held the same view: they believed that this was a sect from another world that had forcibly migrated there using forbidden techniques. Otherwise, the entire world should have been able to find no trace of their existence.

Of course, this view is not unique to the San Yi Sect; other secret realms share the same opinion.

Even though it has the worst reputation and is almost the weakest among the top sects, the Divine Descent Sect is still much stronger than the San Yi Sect, the Void-Stepping Hall, the Taiqing Palace, Penglai Island, and the Soul Refining Sect, which are all mid-tier forces.

"Xuan Zun, you know about them too?" Yue Min asked, slightly surprised.

"I've heard that this sect has a deep foundation and is not easy to deal with. It is no weaker than the Void Stepping Hall. Seniors, you should be more cautious in your actions and make careful considerations."

Jiang Mo patiently advised that while he supported Yue Min and Yue Li in reclaiming their race's ancestral land, any impulsive action before sufficient strength would only lead to certain death. If they couldn't control themselves, all their efforts would be in vain.

"Yes! My brother and I know what we're doing and will not act rashly," Yue Li assured him in a deep voice.

"It's getting late, and things might change if we delay. I'll go with you."

Jiang Mo carefully put away the Boundless Armor and the Crimson Blood Demon Armor, slowly stood up, and said:

"Once the boundary-fixing nail is removed, the secret realm will be sealed again and return to its chaotic, wandering state. Under the cover of Heaven's will, cultivators from the outside world, even those at the level of a realm master, will have no way to search for it."

"They can only sense the fixed locations of the secret realms. Just focus on refining them then. We will wait for your news in the mortal realm and will also come to meet you after you have succeeded."

"Alright, then I'll have to trouble you, Venerable Master!" Yue Li clasped his hands in thanks.

"Walk--"

Jiang Mo chuckled, waved his hand, and the wondrous technique descended, as if his words had been spoken and the magic had come to pass.

Deep purple Qi patterns suddenly appeared inside the pavilion, resembling a dragon coiling around, gradually forming a lifelike void portal leading to the distant heavens and earth. On the other side of the portal, the location of the Creation Secret Realm was clearly visible, with a crimson barrier that blotted out the sky and moon.

"This...this...this!!!"

The three kings were so excited that they choked up and could hardly speak; they were utterly shocked.

"I was fortunate enough to learn some of the unique skills of the Void Stepping Hall."

Jiang Mo spoke casually, stepping across the gate. In just one step, he traversed thousands of miles, demonstrating his extraordinary abilities and unrestrained nature.

"Buzz!"

"Buzz!"

Several figures crossed the portal one after another and arrived near the Creation Secret Realm.

Jiang Mo examined the barrier he had set up but found no signs of tampering. He then led the three kings into the secret realm.

The process of removing the boundary nails did not take much effort, less than a quarter of an hour. The entire world trembled violently, completely detached from the real world, and was sealed off again.

After Jiang Mo finished inspecting the secret realm and ensured that everything was safe, he bid farewell to Yue Li, imparted some insights into refining the secret realm, and shared some things to pay attention to. Then he activated the Boundary-Breaking Shuttle and returned to the mortal world with Yao Wang and Yue Min.

"Wow!"

The void portal on the fourth floor of the Sutra Repository opened again, and figures emerged one after another; it was Jiang Mo and his two companions who had returned.

It was at this time that several disciples came to deliver a message.

"Uncle-Master, several leaders from the Nine Departments would like to see you. They say they have important matters to discuss and are waiting outside. Do you think we should let them in?"

"Bring it here."

"Okay, please wait a moment." Having received permission, Yu Huai got up and left to greet him.

A moment later, footsteps sounded downstairs, and three simply dressed but neatly made elderly men, escorted by their sword-wielding companions, arrived on the fourth floor.

When the two sides met, the atmosphere froze for a moment.

The five sword-wielders were on high alert. When they saw the two transformed demon kings sitting next to the white-robed man, they were immediately terrified. Their heart rates were soaring uncontrollably at such close range.

"Junior Xu Qiuyu, along with two colleagues, Ning He and Yuan Xiao, have come to pay their respects to Venerable Xuanzun!"

The elderly man at the head of the group, with gray hair and a weathered face, showed respect upon meeting, bowing first to greet them.

"Greetings, Senior Xuanzun!"

Ning He and Yuan Xiao spoke in unison. While bowing, they had already guessed the identities of the other two elders and couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. The Demon King was also here. Was the conversation really appropriate?

"sit."

"Yu Huai, serve tea."

"I have some impression of you all, I've met you once or twice. What's the matter?"

Jiang Mo smiled slightly, looked at the cushions in front of the coffee table, and gestured for them to sit down.

"Since you've asked, then I won't stand on ceremony. The main reason I've come here is to inquire about your injuries. If you have the capacity, I sincerely request your help in eliminating some of the threats posed by the giant beasts."

"In return, we are willing to offer you the coordinates of a secret realm."

Xu Qiuyu got straight to the point. He originally had other ideas, but with the two demon kings present, it was inconvenient for him to mention them.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mo knew why he had come.

"That's not all, is it? You must also be worried about whether my conflict with other sects might affect you."

"Yes, we do have such concerns. After all, the Wushan Demon King, who is allied with you, poses a fundamental threat to the security of the major sects, as far as we know. We cannot rule out the possibility that they will band together to suppress you."

Yuan Xiao said cautiously. Compared to being turned away last time, he was lucky this time and managed to sneak in with Ning He and Xu Qiuyu. However, he was still careful to keep his words in check, afraid of saying anything offensive that might affect the relationship between the two sides.

"I understand the principle that 'a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime.' It's just a matter of who will be the first to stick their neck out. My injury isn't too bad, so I'm willing to fight to the end."

Jiang Mo's words were loaded with meaning, implying that he would not hand over Yue Min and Yue Li due to pressure from the major sects, and that he was prepared for a sect war at any time.

"I can understand why you did this. You must have your reasons. I am not very knowledgeable and have a narrow perspective, so I will not comment further. But I hope that when you fight with them, you will try not to involve the cities in your respective jurisdictions. This is my greatest wish."

Ninghe expressed his demands in a tactful manner.

I'll keep an eye on it.

Jiang Mo neither confirmed nor denied it. He could not predict what would happen in the future. The only thing he could do was to set up the battlefield in a deserted area or in various secret realms.

"So, what do you think of our proposal? We'll exchange a secret realm for one chance for you to make a move. How many giant beasts you slay depends entirely on your condition and is up to you. Or, we can exchange it for someone who will guide us in refining the secret realm and becoming a master of the realm. Is that acceptable?"

"The coordinates of the secret realm are right here."

As they were talking, Xu Qiuyu placed an encrypted USB drive on Jiang Mo's desk.

"The secret realm you are willing to give me is not the same as the secret realm I need."

Jiang Mo didn't even glance at the USB drive, and explained to everyone: "There are two types of secret realms. One type is rich in spiritual energy and has a ruler who controls it. The other type is depleted of resources and abandoned on the earth."

"If I'm not mistaken, your mechs and ancient weapons were obtained from a certain type of abandoned secret realm. The prehistoric civilization in that realm has perished; otherwise, you wouldn't have been able to obtain their legacy."

"Most of these kinds of secret realms are abandoned and of no use to me."

Xu Qiuyu's heart sank, realizing something was amiss, and then she asked:

"Then... what do you think of the second option?"

"It's not good at all. I advise you to give up that idea."

Jiang Mo bluntly stated: "Perhaps you have your own information channels and have asked some elders or sect leaders of secluded sects, but I can tell you clearly that the Lord of the Realm is not someone you can covet."

"In the past, many sect leaders and demon kings have tried to refine the secret realm, but all of them ended up with a near-death experience."

"Even the powerful Flying Immortal Sect Master hasn't succeeded yet. He's lucky; he has his teachers watching over him, so nothing bad will happen to him. But your people are no good; they're far from it. They should at least reach the level of a Demon King to be qualified to challenge him."

The truth was harsh, but Jiang Mo wasn't good at telling white lies, nor did he want to make empty promises, so he laid it all out on the table:

"Moreover, all of the above is based on the premise that the secret realm is intact."

"If it were a dilapidated secret realm, there would be no chance of survival. The Lord of the Realm would not be a defective product, nor would he refine an abandoned secret realm as you think. He would at least possess some of the combat power of the Lord of the Realm."

"That's not the case. The path you've chosen is a complete dead end."

“Refining an abandoned secret realm is tantamount to tying your life to it. It already has nothing left. As the one who refines it, you will not only gain no benefit from it, but it will also forcibly drain your life force.”

"If the vitality and true qi are sufficient, it is theoretically possible to activate it and complete the refining process. However, such people are usually the founders of major sects. For you people, reaching their level is a long way off."

The cold and indifferent voice was like an invisible dagger, instantly piercing the hearts of several elderly people and cruelly shattering their cherished hopes.

The atmosphere was somewhat heavy. Xu Qiuyu's right hand, gripping the teacup, trembled slightly. Thinking of the truth he was seeking, he said somberly:

"The two secret realms we unearthed both followed a technological civilization path, and in the end, they were destroyed by some ancient behemoths. Our plan to repair their weapons and refine their secret realms to fight against the threat of behemoths ravaging various regions was wrong from the very beginning..."

"..."

Jiang Mo made no comment, simply drinking his tea silently, his eyes showing no emotion.

"Senior, the demon kings in various places are growing stronger day by day, and sects and factions are also encroaching on cultivation resources. If this continues, we won't be able to hold out for long. I humbly request your help to solve this urgent problem."

Even though Ning He knew the chances were slim and the secret realm held no allure for Jiang Mo, he couldn't help but plead.

"I am not a savior, and I cannot help you every time."

Jiang Mo met the old man's gaze, his eyes deep and unfathomable, and told him clearly: "If you seek my protection in every dangerous situation, you are undoubtedly binding the fate of all living beings to me."

"I have no interest in becoming a savior."

"If I were traveling and happened to encounter a demon king wreaking havoc in a region, I might kill him without hesitation. But I cannot kill the demon king simply because I accepted your pleas for help or your benefits."

"People should strive to be strong. People can become their own saviors. You should have the highest expectations for this."

"But can you really bear to see city after city fall and people displaced?"

Yuan Xiao tried to reason with him and appeal to his emotions, but failed completely.

“That’s your job. I’m not in that position, so I won’t interfere,” Jiang Mo said, remaining unmoved.

"But, senior..."

Ninghe wanted to say something more, his lips moved, but in the end he didn't know where to begin.

The common people now regard the Sanyi Sect as a demonic sect, with the name of the Demon Lord being very powerful. Yet they want the Xuanzun to help them kill the Demon King and save those who are prejudiced against them. Thinking of this, the words that were lingering on his lips disappeared.

"No buts, let me tell you why."

Jiang Mo, having thoroughly understood Ning He's thoughts, spoke fluently and without hesitation:

“I have no personal grudges against you, nor against the masses. How they see us is none of our business, and I have never needed any faith in this world.”

“In my most difficult years, when I was still young, I never dared to hope for the arrival of a savior.”

"I have walked this path with difficulty, and I know that one's destiny can only be controlled by oneself, not by relying on others to pave the way or forcibly help others to grow. That would ultimately result in something that is all show and no substance."

"The spiritual energy is reviving, and all spirits are vying for it. This is the general trend and the will of Heaven, which I cannot change."

"Humans eating beasts, beasts eating humans, are all perfectly normal phenomena. Whoever pays more, whoever is more fearless, will become the darling of the times. Even if I protect you this time, what about next time? And the time after that?"

"Does this mean I must live forever, protecting the common people, becoming a false god worshipped by them for all eternity?"

"Jade must be carved to become a useful object. I firmly believe that after undergoing certain trials and tribulations, and with a behemoth like the Flying Immortal Sect providing shelter and protection, this land of mountains and rivers will give birth to powerful figures who are on par with reclusive sect leaders and demon kings."

"Finally, I have never met any of these beings before. What I have said is the greatest kindness I can show them. I do not manipulate their fate, nor do I depend on their offerings, nor have I ever asked them for anything."

"Everything is arranged by fate, and neither you nor I can arbitrarily modify it. Whether it prospers or declines, whether it is born or dies, it all depends on ourselves. We can only know by taking one step at a time. The world is in balance. If I were to directly quell this crisis, it would only encourage the birth of an even more terrifying crisis. Everything has its own objective laws of development. If I make changes, you will have to bear the price and the consequences will be more serious. It is meaningless."

Jiang Mo spoke calmly and clearly, explaining in detail the reasons why he could not take action.

Upon hearing this, Xu Qiuyu, Ning He, and Yuan Xiao all turned pale, feeling defeated and as if they had lost all their spirits, unable to utter a complete rebuttal.

They couldn't persuade Xuanzun, and they knew that this elder had no reason to deceive them.

The three were completely speechless, remaining silent for a long time, their minds in complete chaos as if struck by lightning.

Chapter 446 The Real Culprit? The Truth Comes Out, and the Crackdown Continues Overnight

Five or six minutes passed before Xu Qiuyu and the others came to their senses and fully understood the true meaning of Jiang Mo's words. They stopped pressuring him, adjusted their unbalanced expectations, suppressed their disappointment and confusion, and returned to the center of the conversation.

"Senior, if I may ask a question, if it comes to the point where even the Flying Immortal Sect falls, would your thoughts change, and would you be willing to save the collapsing edifice?"

Ning He lowered his head, asked in a trembling voice, his brows furrowed in despair.

Even when he asked the question himself, he was filled with trepidation, unable to predict what the elder was thinking. It seemed that from the elder's perspective, there was no difference between saving him or not saving him.

"I had my own considerations back then, so there's no need for you to worry about it."

"Keep moving forward boldly. Many times, even when you're in a difficult situation, there's still a glimmer of hope. It's not as bad as you think."

The group gained something from Jiang Mo's teachings and roughly understood his meaning. They nodded slightly, feeling relieved and at peace, as if they had found a sense of clarity.