"How could the twentieth floor of the Tongtian Bridge be cleared so easily?"
The Star Illusion King shook her head, speaking with practiced calm. "Even after mastering the three mysteries of the Space Law, most kings still need decades—sometimes hundreds of years—to stabilize before they can pass."
Mid-sentence, she paused.
Then she sighed.
"…Of course, that logic doesn't really apply to you."
She glanced at Jiang Yan, her expression complicated.
With Jiang Yan's guidance, she had mastered Space Strangulation in just over ten years—a feat that would normally take thousands. And even then, that speed was only possible because she had already accumulated millennia of failed attempts.
Without him?
She would still be stuck at the threshold.
"People like Red Kite needed centuries after mastering the three space mysteries before breaking the twentieth floor," she continued. "You can't use yourself as the benchmark. You're… not normal."
Jiang Yan smiled faintly and stepped into the three-story manor.
His fingers brushed along the smooth jade railing as his gaze swept across the interior—identical to the virtual universe, down to every detail.
Familiar. Almost unsettlingly so.
The Star Illusion King followed, watching him move with ease.
"You don't look like a newcomer at all," she remarked. "It's like you've lived here before."
"I've spent thirty years in the virtual version," Jiang Yan replied casually, pushing open the study door. "I could find this room blindfolded."
The study was lined with towering shelves of ancient tomes, their pages faintly glowing with residual law auras. Jiang Yan pulled out a yellowed volume—Analysis of the Mysteries of the Laws of Space—flipped a page, then set it back.
"There are more originals here than in the virtual universe."
The Star Illusion King's gaze lingered on the shelves, unmistakable envy flickering across her face.
"These are exclusive to the Primordial Secret Realm. Even the Virtual Universe Company's core library doesn't have copies. Only residents here are allowed access."
Jiang Yan gave the book one last glance.
"They're foundational insights," he said calmly. "Useful—but not for me."
She rolled her eyes.
"You demon. Even kings would kill for this kind of foundation. Your standards are simply unreasonable."
Jiang Yan laughed softly. Between his golden finger, the Chaos City Lord, and the Star Prison Demon Lord, ordinary law comprehension simply couldn't keep up.
The Star Illusion King's expression turned serious.
"You understand the rules of the Primordial Secret Realm, right?"
"Don't provoke trouble," Jiang Yan replied. "But don't fear it either. Prioritize points. Tasks are optional."
"That's the gist," she said. "There are internal cultivation tasks—safe, stable, low reward. And external missions—leaving the secret realm, entering dangerous cosmic zones, hunting aliens, or exploring ruins."
She paused, studying him.
"For you, internal tasks are a waste of time. External missions, though dangerous… are practically tailor-made."
Jiang Yan remained noncommittal. What he lacked now wasn't points—but time.
Suddenly, Qiang Wei's voice came from outside.
"Your Highness, news from the Qianwu Universe Kingdom. Your family has boarded the Virtual Universe Company's ship. Estimated arrival: three months."
Warmth briefly softened Jiang Yan's eyes.
"Understood."
With Janet and the others on the way, the last of his concerns vanished.
Qiang Wei entered, followed by the silver-haired, silver-eyed woman, who respectfully presented a cyan token.
"This is your Primordial Secret Realm Identity Token. With it, you may freely enter all authorized zones—including the Origin Lands and the Treasure Pavilion."
Jiang Yan accepted it. The token was warm, inscribed with intricate patterns and containing a powerful protective imprint.
"What's inside the Treasure Pavilion?" he asked casually.
"Collected treasures from across countless eras," she replied. "Heavy treasures, supreme treasures, law jade slips, cosmic crystals. Everything can be redeemed with points."
Jiang Yan's interest stirred.
"Take me there."
Half an hour later, a sleek silver ship carried Jiang Yan, Star Illusion King, and Qiang Wei toward the core of the secret realm.
The Treasure Pavilion hovered in midair—a vast obsidian palace guarded by two Immortal-level sentinels whose presence felt like immovable mountains.
They bowed instantly.
Inside, the air itself felt heavy with treasure aura. Endless zones unfolded before them, each filled with brilliance.
Jiang Yan passed most areas without pause—ordinary heavy treasures meant nothing to him now.
He stopped before a purple-glowing jade slip.
"Secrets of Time-Space Law Fusion," the silver-haired woman explained. "Life's work of a Universe Master-level expert. Price: one hundred billion points."
"Redeem."
Moments later, the jade slip entered Jiang Yan's hand.
As the knowledge poured in, clarity blossomed.
Not mastery—but direction.
Then—
"Introduction to Chaos Law," she added softly. "Early insights of the Chaos City Lord himself. Five hundred billion points."
Jiang Yan didn't hesitate.
"Redeem."
This time, the information was deeper—vast, obscure, terrifyingly profound.
The Star Illusion King and Qiang Wei stood silently as Jiang Yan's aura subtly surged.
When he finally opened his eyes, he exhaled slowly.
"I gained a lot."
That was all he said.
As they turned to leave, an old man in golden robes entered.
"Haha! Jiang Yan, truly a peerless talent!"
The pressure alone revealed his identity—an invincible king.
"I am Golden Wheel King, elder of the Primordial Secret Realm."
"I assume you didn't come just to flatter me," Jiang Yan replied evenly.
Golden Wheel King smiled wryly.
"There is a place—the Chaos Abyss. Dangerous, even for me. At its depths grows a Chaos Green Lotus. I need its seeds."
He produced a jade slip.
"In return—Advanced Chaos Law."
Jiang Yan's eyes sharpened.
"Deal."
A month later, they gathered at the pavilion entrance.
Ahead lay twisted space, fractured laws, and a yawning black rift.
Golden Wheel King's voice turned solemn.
"Beyond this… is the Chaos Abyss."