Swallowed Star 2: Origin Continent

Chapter 134: The Two Realms Palace

The Chu Capital, under the dim night sky.

In an ordinary courtyard, Marquis Chu Chang was drinking alone when suddenly, an invisible ripple enveloped him.

“Hmm?” Marquis Chu Chang felt the world shift, and he found himself in a dreamlike realm.

“Marquis Chu Chang,” a figure formed from mist smiled as it looked at him.

“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time, sitting alone in this courtyard,” Marquis Chu Chang glanced around. “I didn’t expect you to pull me into an illusion. For the Two Realms Palace, famous throughout the Origin Continent, you only dare meet me in a dream world?”

The misty figure responded, “This is the Chu Capital, personally refined by Flamewind Ancestor! Even we from the Two Realms Palace must act cautiously here. Please understand, Marquis Chu Chang.”

Marquis Chu Chang scrutinized the figure.

The Two Realms Palace was a vast, secretive force in the dark underbelly of the Origin Continent. The identities of its members were a mystery, but it was rumored that even their weakest member had to be a Second Stage Divine King, and some said that even Yuan’s disciples were involved.

Compared to Flamewind Ancestor and Thunder Ancestor, Yuan was held in higher regard on the Origin Continent.

Yuan was transcendent, casually leaving behind powerful legacies and rare resources, and was known for being too detached to accept disciples. However, some ancient figures who received Yuan’s guidance identified themselves as Yuan’s disciples.

“I’m just an ordinary member of the Two Realms Palace,” the misty figure smiled at Marquis Chu Chang. “But helping you secure one of the top rankings in this heaven-level mission is an easy task.”

“You want to help me?” Marquis Chu Chang studied the figure.

As an official member of the Two Realms Palace, this misty figure was at least a Second Stage Divine King! Such a figure could easily crush him with a mere finger.

Yet, as a first-class marquis of the royal family, Marquis Chu Chang had his own pride.

“Marquis Chu Chang,” the misty figure said, “you should know, among the seven first-class marquises in Emperor Chu’s lineage… in terms of talent and potential, Marquis Chu Ying ranks first. Even Marquis Chu Feng and Marquis Chu Ji are above you.”

Marquis Chu Chang listened.

After fighting for countless epochs, the six first-class marquises, aside from the newly-promoted Marquis Chu Yu, knew each other well.

“Without enough powerful support, you won’t make it into the top three this time,” the misty figure said.

“I can help you get into the top three, but you must give me half of the resources you win,” the misty figure looked at Marquis Chu Chang.

Marquis Chu Chang smirked, “Half? This is the royal family’s resource from Flamewind Ancient Kingdom. You in the Two Realms Palace are quite bold.”

“Everything is voluntary. I won’t force you,” the misty figure said calmly. “If you refuse, I’ll leave and won’t bother you again.”

Marquis Chu Chang pondered.

Among the seven first-class marquises of Emperor Chu’s lineage, he was the least prominent! Even the newly-promoted Marquis Chu Yu had the support of ‘Saint Luo He,’ a Chaos Realm Transcendent.

“If you help me, I’ll take first place this time. Then, I’ll give you half! If I place second, you’ll get twenty percent. If I place third, you’ll only get ten percent. If I don’t make the top three, you’ll get nothing,” Marquis Chu Chang said.

The misty figure shook its head, “Helping you will require considerable effort.”

“If you take first place, I want half.”

“For second place, I want thirty percent.”

“For third place, I want twenty percent. Lower than third? I won’t take anything,” the misty figure looked at Marquis Chu Chang. “This is my final offer. You can choose to refuse.”

Marquis Chu Chang smiled, “Very well, it’s a deal.”

The misty figure nodded, “Since we’ve agreed, the deal is sealed by karma! Don’t even think about backing out, Marquis Chu Chang… the consequences of karmic backlash are something you cannot afford.” After speaking, the misty figure disappeared.

Marquis Chu Chang felt the illusion dissipate, and he was once again seated at the table in his courtyard.

“The price of karmic backlash?” Marquis Chu Chang frowned slightly. As someone who had only reached the peak of the Chaos Realm, he never intended to go back on his word with a member of the Two Realms Palace.

“If I secure the most resources in this heaven-level mission, I might have a chance at transformation,” Marquis Chu Chang also harbored ambition.

Although he was less talented among the seven first-class marquises, reaching the peak of the Chaos Realm showed that he had considerable potential. With enough resources, he too could aspire to reach the Divine King level.

The difference in treatment between a first-class marquis and a Divine King in the royal family was worlds apart.

…

Among the seven first-class marquises of Emperor Chu’s lineage, the most renowned was Marquis Chu Ying.

Marquis Chu Ying gazed out of his window into the night sky.

“Humm.” He held a communication token and began contacting a powerful friend.

“Junior Brother Chu Ying,” a cold voice responded.

“Sister Bi Yun,” Marquis Chu Ying spoke respectfully.

Great Saint Bi Yun was a direct disciple of Emperor Qing!

Emperor Qing was the strongest among the thirteen Emperors of the Flamewind Ancient Kingdom, known for his exceptional ability to teach disciples. Great Saint Bi Yun was one of the top Chaos Realm Transcendents, with unmatched mystical abilities and powerful treasures bestowed upon her by Emperor Qing.

“This time, the seven first-class marquises of Emperor Chu’s lineage must compete,” Marquis Chu Ying explained. “For the Blood Spirit Gold Pearl task, I’ll need your help, Senior Sister.”

“When many of the royal family elites visited our master, he always said… within Emperor Chu’s lineage, Junior Brother Chu Ying, your talent is the highest. You are certain to become a Divine King,” the cold voice said. “Emperor Chu’s lineage should give its best resources to you.”

Marquis Chu Ying was very grateful to Emperor Qing.

With one word from Emperor Qing, Marquis Chu Ying’s status had skyrocketed, and he received a greater share of resources.

“The competition among the first-class marquises is a rule set by the Ancestor. We still have to compete,” Marquis Chu Ying said. “For the task of collecting the Blood Spirit Gold Pearls, Senior Sister, will you have time?”

“Leave it to me,” Senior Sister Bi Yun replied. “I can’t guarantee first place, but I definitely won’t hold you back.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister.”

Marquis Chu Ying breathed a sigh of relief.

Emperor Qing’s endorsement made many Divine Kings and Chaos Realm Transcendents eager to befriend Marquis Chu Ying.

However, the Blood Spirit Gold Pearls were located at the border between the two great kingdoms, and conflicts at the border were typically limited to Chaos Realm beings. If a Divine King intervened, the border conflict would escalate into a large-scale war between the two kingdoms. For a sub-task in a heaven-level mission to trigger such a war? No one could bear the consequences.

Since the competition was limited to Chaos Realm beings, Marquis Chu Ying had carefully considered and concluded that Great Saint Bi Yun was the most suitable ally.

Across the entire Origin Continent, the two great kingdoms and various factions, both open and hidden, boasted only seventy-one Chaos Realm Transcendents. Among these, there were varying degrees of strength.

“Among Chaos Realm Transcendents, Senior Sister Bi Yun ranks near the top,” Marquis Chu Ying thought.

******

On the day the heaven-level mission was announced, all seven first-class marquises of Emperor Chu’s lineage were making their plans.

Luo Feng was strolling in his residence when suddenly—

An invisible force attempted to pull his consciousness into a dream world.

“Humm.” Luo Feng’s soul was anchored by the *Lieu Yuan Technique*, making his mind exceptionally stable, while the Star Tower also shielded him.

The invisible force couldn’t pull Luo Feng’s consciousness.

“Hmm? Able to resist the Two Realms Palace’s summons?” The hidden entity was surprised.

“Who’s there?” Luo Feng immediately sensed the strong pulling force. However, with the *Lieu Yuan Technique* and Star Tower protecting him, he remained unafraid.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~~~

A breeze stirred, gathering into a vague figure of wind that appeared before Luo Feng. Invisible ripples spread out, isolating the area from prying eyes.

“Saint Luo He, have you heard of the Two Realms Palace?” the wind figure smiled at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng was inwardly startled.

Whether it was from his Master Sitting Mountain Guest’s lineage, the Undying River lineage, or his current elevated status, Luo Feng had come to learn much about the powerful factions of the Origin Continent.

The powers on the Origin Continent were divided into two types: those in the open and those in the shadows. The most powerful visible forces had clear territories, with the two great kingdoms reigning supreme! Other first-class powers included the Tianmu Kingdom, the Myriad Realms Kingdom, and the Eastern Extremity Domain. Yuguo, Shiguo, and many others were second-class powers, with a myriad of third-class nations below them.

The secretive powers, on the other hand, were shrouded in mystery.

Who their members were and how strong they might be remained largely unknown.

It was rumored that even Divine Kings from the two great kingdoms might be involved, or perhaps even otherworldly beings from beyond

the cage of the Origin Continent.

The Two Realms Palace was one of the top secretive forces.

“The Two Realms Palace? What do you want from me?” Luo Feng asked, staring at the figure.

“Luo He, you’re merely a Chaos Realm Transcendent. You don’t yet understand the difficulties of the path ahead,” the wind figure said. “Once you become a Divine King, you’ll realize that every step forward becomes like a great chasm.”

Luo Feng listened.

He understood well. The gap between a First Stage Divine King and an Ultimate Realm Divine King was like the difference between mastering one of the Ten Fundamental Laws and mastering the Law of Chaos. The difficulty increased by orders of magnitude as one advanced, making the path ever harder.

“In terms of resources, the two great kingdoms will only nurture their royal families,” the wind figure continued. “Even as a personal disciple of Emperor Chu, your resources will only come from what he’s willing to give.”

“Now, when you’re weak, he might give you resources he doesn’t need.”

“But when you become a Divine King and grow stronger, you’ll require rarer and more precious resources, which will also be important to him. Will he still give them to you then?” the wind figure asked.

“As for guidance… you must be training in the paths of Life, Destruction, and Matter simultaneously,” the wind figure said. “Emperor Chu can only teach you the path of Destruction. What will you do about the other two?”

Luo Feng listened quietly.

Training in three paths? When did I start training in the path of Matter?

“The most precious resources in the two great kingdoms won’t be handed out easily. You’ll have to fight for them with your own strength,” the wind figure said. “As for guidance? My fellow members of the Two Realms Palace can teach you the paths of Life and Matter far better than Emperor Chu can.”

Luo Feng looked at him, “What’s your point in saying all this?”

“I can make you an outer member of the Two Realms Palace,” the wind figure said. “The guidance you’ll receive there will far surpass anything Emperor Chu could offer. He doesn’t even know how to teach his disciples.”

“What do you want from me?” Luo Feng asked.

“Join us.”

The wind figure stared at Luo Feng. “I admire you.”

He had initially approached Luo Feng for a transaction, but upon realizing that he couldn’t pull Luo Feng’s consciousness into a dream world, his plans changed.

Resisting the Two Realms Palace’s summons? That was rare.

“This heaven-level mission can serve as a small test,” the wind figure said. “Continue helping Marquis Chu Yu secure the Blood Spirit Gold Pearls, but in the end, give him one or two. The rest of the Blood Spirit Gold Pearls will be mine!”

“This will be a small test to see if you’re willing to join the Two Realms Palace,” the wind figure said. “Surely you know that all members of the Two Realms Palace have their identities kept secret. Joining will bring you only benefits, not harm.”

Luo Feng scoffed, “Marquis Chu Yu is my close friend, and you want me to betray him?”

Boom!

Luo Feng waved his hand, sending out a pulse that swept through the wind figure.

Caught off guard, the wind figure scattered.

“You dare…!” The wind figure reformed, furious.

Luo Feng had shown no respect.

“This is the Chu Capital! My master’s domain! You in the Two Realms Palace dare make a move here?” Luo Feng stared coldly. “If you have the guts to attack, I’ll be impressed.”

The wind figure fumed.

Emperor Chu was one of the top figures on the Origin Continent. While he wasn’t invincible elsewhere, within the Chu Capital, only Flamewind Ancestor or Thunder Ancestor could challenge him.

“Still here?” Luo Feng was done talking.

“You have no idea what the Two Realms Palace really is!” the wind figure said icily. “You don’t understand what you’re rejecting today! When you become a Divine King, you’ll regret this.”

The wind figure vanished.

Luo Feng snorted.

A bunch of arrogant fools!

Even his Boundary Beast Morosa, once it reached its peak, would be beyond the reach of anyone in the Two Realms Palace. They were just cowards hiding in the shadows.

“Morosa,” Luo Feng called through their mental connection.

“Master,” Morosa hurried over.

Inside one of the Star Tower’s many chambers.

“What’s this?” Morosa gazed at the massive golden-scaled insect corpse before him, his inner realm resonating with intense desire. “Master, is this for me? I sense it will help me far more than any Chaos Realm corpse before.”

Luo Feng smiled, “It’s a material for my cultivation.”

“It’s for your cultivation?” Morosa felt disappointed. No matter how much he coveted it, he couldn’t take it from his master.

“I’ve already taken one percent of this Golden-Scaled Insect corpse for my training. It’s enough for me,” Luo Feng said. “The rest is yours.”

Morosa was ecstatic.

“This is no ordinary corpse. It’s likely stronger than most Divine King corpses. Don’t disappoint me,” Luo Feng said.

The Golden-Scaled Insect, with its powerful body, had been capable of fighting Divine Kings, a testament to the uniqueness of its form.

“Thank you, Master,” Morosa was overwhelmed with gratitude. He could feel it—this Golden-Scaled Insect corpse would trigger a profound transformation in him.