Chapter 839: Ghost Secret Realm

"Oh, you fat idiot, you dare glare at me?" He Li felt Zhao Ruizhi's gaze and was instantly annoyed. He was usually suppressed by Lu Xiao and Wei Pingyang, and now he couldn't even handle a junior. His heart was already simmering with rage. "I can't deal with them, but I can certainly deal with you, you fat fool!"

Zhao Ruizhi said coldly, "It's a miracle you've lived this long."

He was in no hurry to pursue Zuan and his companion; within the vast range of his divine sense, there was no way they could escape.

"How dare you speak to me like that? Do you think you're the Emperor?" He Li felt an inexplicable unease under the other's disdainful gaze, yet this very feeling made him furious. How could he be intimidated by a fat idiot?

If Lu Xiao and the others found out, how could I ever hold my head up in Prince Qi's Manor again? They'd mock me incessantly!

The thought fueled his anger, and he strode over, slapping the other man squarely on his chubby face. "I gave you respect, didn't I, huh?"

He was stunned to find his neck firmly gripped by the other's hand. He was lifted directly off the ground, his legs kicking wildly, but even with his toes pointed, he couldn't touch the floor.

He attempted to activate his cultivation to break free, but as soon as his power surged, it was instantly dispelled by an inexplicable aura. He felt weaker and more enervated than after three days and nights spent at a brothel.

At that moment, the surrounding experts from Prince Qi's Manor also sensed something was wrong. They drew their blades and charged forward.

However, Zhao Ruizhi merely swept a cold gaze over them, and an overwhelming, unparalleled aura emanated outwards. The assassins felt their spirits shatter. With a series of thuds, they all collapsed to their knees, trembling uncontrollably.

"This aura... you're the Emperor!" He Li, a peak ninth-rank master with extraordinary insight, instantly recognized it. Then, terrified, he burst into tears and snot. "Your Majesty, this humble one deserves to die! I inadvertently offended you. I pledge my loyalty to Your Majesty, to go through fire and water from this day forward, to face death ten thousand times without regret... Your Majesty, please give me a chance, Your Majesty..."

By the end of his plea, all traces of his previous arrogance had vanished, replaced by a voice filled with desperation.

He usually dared to defy the Emperor because Prince Qi stood as their shield. They only had to contend with the Emperor's subordinates, not the Emperor himself, so there was nothing to fear. But now, confronting the Emperor directly, he finally understood the true depth of despair.

"You certainly deserve death!" Zhao Ruizhi's voice turned chilling. Just as he was about to exert his power to kill the man, the ground suddenly rippled and rolled like a disturbed carpet, causing everyone to lose their footing.

A tremendous roar rumbled from deep underground, while from the distant mountains, a series of mysterious, profound sounds echoed, as if some monstrous beast was growling softly.

"Hmm?" Zhao Ruizhi floated in the air, having already ascended while others stumbled and fell. His gaze fixed on the distance, he murmured, "Space is becoming chaotic. Something is wrong with this secret realm."

He withdrew his gaze and saw that He Li's face was already pale with fright, his body as limp as cooked noodles. Suddenly, Zhao Ruizhi frowned, detecting the distinct smell of urine in the air.

He glanced at the man's soaked crotch, a hint of revulsion flashing in his eyes. "Disgusting!"

He casually tossed He Li to the ground. Far from being shocked, He Li was relieved, prostrating himself and frantically kowtowing. "Thank Your Majesty for sparing my life! Thank Your Majesty for sparing my life!"

The other assassins from Prince Qi's Manor also scrambled to beg for mercy. Despite their rigorous training, the terrifying pressure from the Emperor at such close proximity had utterly shattered their will; not a single one retained any thought of resistance.

Zhao Ruizhi stated indifferently, "The very fabric of this secret realm is about to undergo a transformation. Perhaps you still have some use. Now, prove your worth."

"Yes, yes, yes!" He Li trembled like a sieve, but a wave of relief washed over him inwardly.

"Where is Wei Pingyang?" Zhao Ruizhi asked.

"This humble subordinate parted ways with him earlier, each pursuing our own targets. He should now be pursuing others from the Eastern Palace." He Li had initially intended to say he didn't know, but fearing he would appear useless, he quickly changed his answer. He also subtly implicated Wei Pingyang, ensuring that fellow would find it difficult to seek refuge with the Emperor later.

Zhao Ruizhi closed his eyes, directly unleashing his divine sense. He Li felt as if something was sweeping through his very soul. Despite his tension, he secretly admired the Emperor's power. Prince Qi had always claimed that the entire imperial palace was under the Emperor's divine perception, and that nothing could escape his notice if anything transpired. At the time, everyone had been somewhat dismissive, but now He Li finally understood the true meaning of those words.

Alas, while Prince Qi was indeed formidable, he still paled in comparison to the Emperor.

He dared not inquire why the Crown Prince, who had been perfectly fine, had suddenly become the Emperor. He knew well that the less he knew, the better his chances of survival.

Yet he understood that all of Prince Qi's meticulous schemes had ultimately been within the Emperor's control. Defeat was inevitable, and it was truly wise for him to switch his allegiance sooner rather than later.

A moment later, Zhao Ruizhi opened his eyes. "I don't detect the aura of any other Grandmasters. It seems Wei Pingyang is already dead."

"Dead?" He Li was momentarily stunned. Who in this secret realm could possibly kill Wei Pingyang, a Grandmaster? "Could it be Zuan? That brat truly is quite formidable."

Zhao Ruizhi shot him a chilling glance. All the hairs on He Li's body stood on end. *My mouth really is my downfall,* he thought. Zuan had just abducted the Crown Princess, and he was still praising him; he must truly be tired of living. He quickly corrected himself: "That scoundrel is full of dirty tricks. Wei Pingyang must have fallen victim to his ambush."

He Li inwardly mused, *Is the Crown Princess the Emperor's daughter-in-law or his woman? Good grief, the imperial family is truly chaotic.*

Zhao Ruizhi then hummed dismissively, pointing westward. "All of you, proceed in that direction and apprehend Zuan. Inform me immediately if there's any development."

"Yes!" He Li rejoiced inwardly. The Emperor assigning him a task meant his life was spared for the time being.

He hurriedly led his subordinates into the mountains in pursuit.

After only a few steps, a question suddenly struck him: why had the Emperor only inquired about Wei Pingyang and not Lu Xiao?

Could it be that...

The thought of that possibility made him cast an involuntary glance back.

He saw Zhao Ruizhi standing there with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing blankly at the distant mountains. He dared not look any longer and quickly departed.

Zhao Ruizhi stood there, his thoughts in turmoil. He had held a position of power for too long; personally engaging in a pursuit like this was beneath him. Furthermore, he now had more pressing matters. The secret realm had experienced several anomalies recently, and considering that the fierce beasts within seemed to have significantly increased in strength compared to previous intelligence, he immediately realized that profound changes were taking place.

"A Phantom Realm?"

His eyes gleamed as he gazed at the distant sky, where vital energy surged. Distinct images of architecture and terrain flickered faintly, like a mirage.

A so-called Phantom Realm is, in fact, two secret realms whose spaces overlap due to various coincidences. Normally, only one appears, but under specific times and conditions, the hidden realm will manifest, replacing the primary one. However, its duration is brief, and missing this opportunity could mean waiting hundreds or even thousands of years for its next appearance.

Even with the Emperor's vast knowledge, he had only encountered similar accounts in ancient texts. Such a secret realm often signified an extraordinary opportunity.

It's also easy to understand: most secret realms nowadays have been frequently explored, and any rare treasures or inheritances would have long been taken. A realm that appears only once every few millennia, however, implies that everything within it is pristine—mysterious, dangerous, but also brimming with unparalleled opportunities.

Given the Emperor's cultivation level, he no longer truly needed any inheritances or grand opportunities. However, he harbored one deep-seated desire: immortality.

Possessing the Crown Prince's body for his own use was a last resort. If it were possible, who wouldn't prefer to live eternally in their original form?

This type of Phantom Realm, known only in legends, might truly contain the secret to eternal life.

Did heaven know my deepest desire and specially grant me this opportunity?

Hahahaha, indeed, fortune favors the powerful!

As he considered this, Zhao Ruizhi's eyes suddenly glowed with a long-unseen fervor.