Previously, Xu Lingjun’s estimation was still conservative.

In just over half a month.

More than two hundred Martial Artists had broken through to the Profound Realm with ease.

Even several Profound Realm Martial Artists advanced to the Grandmaster Realm...

Ever since cultivating Xu Lingjun’s Cultivation Technique, the once insurmountable barrier between Grandmaster and Profound Realm, though still not effortlessly overcome, has now been reduced in difficulty by several times.

Thus, breaking through has become much simpler.

And at this moment.

Uther, after several days of arduous escape... even barely wading through mud to flee from the Secret Realm, returned to the human world.

He suffered quite serious injuries from the battle with the Ancient Tree.

But Uther couldn’t afford to nurse his wounds.

He was already the sole survivor, the only one to return. If he didn’t report the truth, no one might know that this supposed sure-victory had already been lost beyond salvage.

He rushed to Baofeng City, to meet Anduin.

"What? The... the entire army was wiped out?!"

Hearing this shocking news.

Anduin’s face turned deathly pale, almost falling from the throne.

He cried out, "How is this possible? How could we lose? Four Creation Grandmasters, plus the Holy Cross Army... Lord Caesar’s power was exceptional, how could they possibly lose..."

"But the fact is, we did lose."

Uther laughed bitterly, "Not only was the Holy Cross Army annihilated, Caludia, Aemon, and Renault all died. If I hadn’t been their last target, if I hadn’t reacted quickly and escaped in time, I probably wouldn’t have survived either."

"All... all dead?"

Anduin collapsed onto the throne.

His breathing became uncontrollably rapid, exclaiming, "What are we to do now... I was only borrowing the Holy Cross Army temporarily, and now that they’ve been completely wiped out, how are we going to fill the gap at the Desperate Great Wall?"

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to worry about that."

Uther’s eyes flashed with resentment. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

During this time, his days were filled with distress and disarray.

The more disarray, the more resentment he felt in his heart.

The more he wanted revenge... when has Uther ever suffered such a setback?

This cannot end here!

He said, "Your Majesty, though we’ve lost this battle, we didn’t return empty-handed. It’s mainly because we didn’t expect the King of the Secret Realm to be so cunning, giving him the chance to defeat us one by one. Initially, I had thoughts of taking it all for myself..."

"Lord Uther, let this matter rest for now."

Anduin shook his head bitterly, "With the Holy Cross Army gone and the Desperate Great Wall vulnerable... we must find a way to fill this void. I plan to have the Holy Light Army, the Holy Hall Army, and the remaining Saint List experts step in for the time being. It’s a bit forced, but we have no other choice right now."

"What about the Secret Realm?"

Uther exclaimed, "Your Majesty, didn’t you say the treasures of the Secret Realm were critical to the Baoxue Empire, that if we obtained the treasures inside, it would be crucial for the Baoxue Empire to dominate Blue Star?"

Anduin replied, "Dominance is indeed important, but if the mysterious races of the heavens invade, and we can’t safeguard the Baoxue Empire’s legacy, what good is domination..."

"But we can make some compromises with the mysterious races of the heavens for now to gain some degree of freedom."

Uther’s breathing became quick and heavy, "Your Majesty, on this expedition, I personally witnessed that the King of the Secret Realm’s Cultivation Technique can indeed be passed on and made widespread, meaning if we obtain their Cultivation Technique, the entire Baoxue Empire will undergo a monumental transformation..."

"Lord Uther, three Creation Realm experts died."

Anduin said wearily, "Where else can we find allies?"

"The Great Xia Empire, and the Land of Light... they still have Creation Realm experts, Your Majesty. Remember what I said before? No Creation Realm expert can resist the allure of new Cultivation Techniques; no one can resist."

Uther breathed deeply, "We still have a chance to acquire this Cultivation Technique!"

"Lord Uther, do you expect me to compromise further with the mysterious races and share the treasures of the Secret Realm with the other two Empires? You said no Creation Realm expert could resist the temptation of the Cultivation Techniques; well, I believe that—you’re clearly so obsessed with the Cultivation Techniques it’s driven you mad!"

Anduin snapped, "Remember, the Cultivation Technique is secondary; the inheritance of the Baoxue Empire is what’s most important. Compromising for both sides, just for the Cultivation Techniques... Uther, you’ve gone mad!"

"Your Majesty, it’s also for the sake of our Baoxue Empire’s thousand-year legacy and dominance over Blue Star!"

"This cannot be allowed!"

Anduin said coldly, "My decision is firm, for now, cease military actions against the Secret Realm, and block the mysterious races first. As for the Secret Realm, postpone it for a few years. When the Great Xia Empire and the Land of Light are less sensitive to the matter, we’ll use star weapons to flatten it directly, the Cultivation Technique isn’t important, secrecy is more important."

He glanced at Uther, "Lord Uther, it’s not that I’m not helping you. I’ve already given you a chance, but now the Holy Cross Army is annihilated, and three Creation Realm experts are dead, causing our Baoxue Empire’s power to plummet... strictly speaking, it is your fault. Out of consideration for your past contributions and old age, I won’t hold it against you, but you must not push your luck!"

Uther was stunned.

Using star weapons to flatten them directly...

By then, no King of the Secret Realm, nor any Secret Realm People, would escape death.

And by then, the Cultivation Technique?

He wouldn’t get a shred of it.

Uther smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty, are there truly no grounds for negotiation on this matter?"

"The legacy of the Baoxue Empire is the correct course of action, the weight of things, I have very clearly understood!"

"Your Majesty, then I can only apologize to you..."

"Wha..."

Before Anduin could finish his words, a sudden, intense pain struck his chest.

Looking at the huge gaping hole in his chest, he spit a mouthful of fresh blood.

Uther smiled bitterly, "Your Majesty, as you’ve said, I’m old, this is my last hope, this is also our Baoxue Empire’s last hope. A temporary submission is only for long-term dominance. If you don’t understand, then I’m afraid I must take charge for you..."

Anduin pointed at Uther with resolve.

His eyes filled with shock...

He seemed to want to say something, but the overwhelming pain engulfed him.

Finally... the hand he raised fell powerlessly onto the throne.