As he moved, starlike light spots scattered from Lin Guang's fingertips.

Ethereum Charging activated.

Colorful vortex-like light spots swirled in Lin Guang's hand, flowing through the contract towards the other end.

At this moment, in the Sea of Spirit, Lisa, who was somewhat exhausted, suddenly felt a surge of energy.

[Huh?]

After the first trial ended, the Spirit Masters' status was almost fully restored by some mysterious means, but the Spirit Beasts were different, with almost no recovery from their ether and energy consumption.

However, it seemed that at this moment, the acquired permissions took effect, slightly breaking the prohibition on the Spirit Beast's recovery status.

Though very slow, Lisa's status, both in spirit and Spiritual Power, was slowly recovering.

If it continued at this pace, using all of Lin Guang's current Spiritual Power could allow Lisa to recover around twenty-five percent ether.

It seemed to hold little significance at the moment, but it might prove surprisingly effective in future challenges.

But... what exactly is the content of the second trial?

Immediately, that invisible wave arrived once more.

[Will transmission is about to begin]

[All trial takers prepare]

In an instant, everyone felt a surge of energy.

— Will transmission?!

Is it the will transmission they were thinking of?

Simultaneously for over thirty people?

And in the next moment.

Everyone's compass suddenly began to shine.

......

At the foot of Celestial Ladder Mountain, beside the entrance of the Inheritance Secret Realm.

In terms of external time, the trial had only just begun about eight minutes ago.

Although initial investigations and experiences suggested that the Inheritance Secret Realm often had special settings, with time flow in the trials possibly several times or even over ten times faster than in reality, it couldn't be quickly concluded.

The True Men naturally wouldn't wait idly by; they had already formed small circles, gathering in groups of three or two.

Most of them weren't loners, but were part of various forces; thus, for these significant figures holding critical roles hence rarely moving casually, such gatherings were relatively rare opportunities.

At this moment, Kong Guofeng stood with some acquaintances, conversing with a True Man.

He appeared to be an elderly man in his sixties or seventies, with gray hair, a long beard, and a full forehead.

Interestingly, his eyes weren't the usual black and white of ordinary people but perpetually maintained a dim, mysterious shade, like a blind man, yet he exuded an indescribable aura of worldly insight.

He spoke: "The young man you brought is Lin Guang, right?"

"Indeed, what do you perceive of his fate?"

"Ha, I wouldn't dare make a rash conclusion."

The elder also chuckled: "Geniuses from the Golden Era, each holding secrets and shrouded in thick fate, aren't so easy to see through."

"Earlier, those few, behind them, how many True Men pulled the strings, how much karma invoked, without calling out my old partner but simply opening my eyes to look, I fear I couldn't discern anything clearly."

"However…"

The True Man gently stroked his beard, "It is indeed as rumored, extraordinary."

"Compared to the others, he doesn't seem the least bit inferior."

"What's more precious is this young man has some sort of ambiguous aura, seemingly somewhat similar to parts concerning fortune in our Celestial Secret Bureau's inheritance. Is it his talent, or True Intent Implantation?"

"Whichever it is, it piques my interest greatly."

—Is this old friend optimistic about him, thinking he might join the Celestial Secret Bureau in the future?

Kong Guofeng was a bit surprised but quickly laughed it off, "That, I couldn't say."

"He indeed carries many inheritances, and it's unclear where they come from."

"By the way, let's introduce each other formally."

Kong Guofeng glanced at Bai Wu, who was quietly listening not far away: "This is Deputy Chief Zhang Tingqiu of the Celestial Secret Bureau, Nanhai City."

"And this is Bai Wu, the master of the Ice Sword Daoist School, who recently attained the rank of Six-Star."

Bai Wu cupped his hands: "Greetings, Chief Zhang."

"Now you're a True Man, we're peers, no need for formalities."

Zhang Tingqiu nodded slightly, smiling:

"I've heard of you, a genius from the common folk, back then in the national competition, the 'Qingming True Man' of the Myriad Sword Sect saw potential in you, imparting you some techniques and True Intent. You seem to be only in your early sixties this year, vigorous in strength, reaching the Six-Star Peak within a century shouldn't be an issue."

"Should you encounter an opportunity, breaking through the Seven-Star shackle in this lifetime isn't beyond hope."

Hearing this, even Bai Wu's typically icy face broke into a rare smile: "Then I'll take those auspicious words."

Ordinary people's blessings and pleasantries don't really concern him.

But... the auspicious words spoken by the True Man of the Celestial Secret Bureau are different.

The Celestial Secret Bureau, and above it the Great Xia Celestial Secret Department, was anciently known as the Celestial Secret Division.

Although it has very few members—such as Zhen Sheng City having no Celestial Secret Bureau at all—it is a highly important department within Great Xia. It maintains no stance, does not participate in any real decision-making, and serves purely functional roles, thus highlighting its uniqueness.

Many True Men and Beast Kings may have similar abilities and sometimes gain an unexplainable sense of prophecy due to causal entanglement.

But no one dares to claim their future perception is more authoritative than that of the Celestial Secret Department, which hosts a living [Celestial King], whose inheritance and secret techniques are profoundly advanced.

Unless the matter gets known by the authorities and someone tries to prevent it, even sect families, unless extremely secretive or cannot be exposed, will pay for the Celestial Secret Department to calculate for safety's sake.

Though they might not always be correct... that's a rare occurrence.

Or perhaps they simply did not value it enough, and the invited True Man wasn't strong enough.

For these reasons, the Celestial Secret Bureau never proactively engages in conflict with anyone, and no one wants to antagonize the Celestial Secret Bureau—except for the true conspirators, of course.

The True Men within it are the same.

Although Zhang Tingqiu hails from a sect, choosing to join the Celestial Secret Bureau essentially means abandoning the distinctions between civilians and sect families, observing the fate of various matters from a higher neutral perspective.

To him, as long as Great Xia produces new True Men, regardless of origin, it's beneficial.

The atmosphere among the three is quite pleasant.

After chatting for a while, Kong Guofeng suddenly asked, "True Man Bai, what are your plans for the future?"

Though not explicitly stated, Bai Wu understood his meaning.

After ascending to True Man status, residing permanently at the Ice Sword Daoist School itself holds little significance.

Either continue cultivation on Blue Star or go to the Outer Battlefield to kill enemies and earn achievements—of course, even choosing the former requires periodic trips to the Outer Realm to meet some enemy-killing metrics.

With deeper accumulation, one might consider establishing a sect, transforming the Ice Sword Daoist School into the Ice Sword Sect or Ice Sword Sect.

Bai Wu nodded slightly, "Once I completely stabilize my realm, I will go to the Outer Battlefield to hone my Sword Dao, but I shouldn't reside there permanently, as there are juniors at home who need supervision."

Zhang Tingqiu nodded, "That's good."

Kong Guofeng also smiled slightly.

"Does True Man Bai have any thoughts on joining the government and assuming an important position?"

"No need to venture far, right in Zhen Sheng City."

"..."

Bai Wu contemplated, seemingly lost in thought.

Suddenly, everyone turned their heads.

In the next moment, a figure appeared beside them.

It was a young man dressed in a blue long robe.

His waist-length hair flowed, forehead decorated with swirling patterns that shimmer slightly, both hands clasped in a respectful gesture: "I am Jiang Wencha, congratulations to Master Bai Wu on achieving True Man status."

Having spoken, he glanced meaningfully at Kong Guofeng: "If True Man Bai intends to join a faction, why not join the Jiang Family, also of Zhen Sheng City?"

Bai Wu looked at him unexpectedly.

Kong Guofeng frowned slightly.

Zhang Tingqiu's expression remained unchanged, only the chaotic color in his eyes deepened, with hands behind his back, looking toward Jiang Wencha, he calmly said: "Why struggle over this?"

Indeed, the Celestial Secret Bureau is relatively neutral.

But...

Kong Guofeng is an old friend of his after all.

Poaching right under his nose and causing him embarrassment—isn't that somewhat inappropriate?

Feeling the inexplicable aura and pressure in Zhang Tingqiu's eyes, a trace of seriousness flashed in Jiang Wencha's eyes.

Those who join the Celestial Secret Bureau are definitely not ordinary people.

Rumors say, if not for the risk of dying and disappearing while breaking through barriers, and with the crucial role he plays in Nanhai City's Celestial Secret Bureau, Zhang Tingqiu could have attempted breaking through the Seven-Star barriers much earlier.

But...

Even if he did break through, then what?

Zhen Sheng City is the territory of the three major families; it's not for Nanhai City's rulers to dictate.

In recent years, Zhen Sheng City's government and the three major families have been constantly at odds. If now the government gains an additional True Man combat power, even someone like Bai Wu, who just broke through with not particularly strong talent, the delicate balance might be disrupted, leading to significant changes in many interest distributions.

That naturally means not taking even half a step back in principle.

"Struggle? Such words are misguided."

Thinking this, Jiang Wencha smiled slightly: "The three major families have no intentions of opposing the Celestial Secret Division or even the Great Xia government, I'm just conveying the Patriarch's goodwill to True Man Bai."

"For a talent like True Man Bai, the Jiang family would absolutely welcome him."

He spoke boldly: "Moreover, good birds choose the right tree; as long as we jointly resist the Demon Race, no one has the qualification to forcibly bind True Man Bai."

"You wouldn't be deciding for True Man Bai, would you?"

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