"Young man, are you interested in joining the First Universe Bank?"
"Senior, I apologize." Han Jue shook his head politely. "I intend to participate in the Genius Battle in a few years."
"Virtual Universe Company? Yes, you should absolutely give it a try."
Seated across from Han Jue was none other than the bald Domain Master who had been one step away from receiving recognition from the Origin of Metal.
His name was Adra, considered a core genius within the First Universe Bank's hierarchy. His status roughly matched that of members from the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm or Absolute Beginning Secret Realm at the Virtual Universe Company, though because the First Universe Bank cultivated fewer geniuses overall, his position commanded even greater prestige.
"I've reviewed your combat recordings," Adra said with a hearty laugh. "You possess deep comprehension of the Origin Law of Space. You have an excellent chance of securing a position within the top ten of the Genius Battle."
"Senior Adra, you're too kind," Han Jue replied with appropriate modesty.
"By the way, senior, do you know what actually happened in the secret realm?"
Adra waved his hand dismissively. "I took a look at your records. You purchased your entry ticket using a four-star customer account. You're qualified to know what occurred in the secret realm, so I'll explain directly."
"The Dry Sea Secret Realm didn't originally belong to the human race."
"This secret realm was discovered approximately 1.1 million epochs ago. At that time, it was occupied by an alien Immortal who named himself the Lord of the Dry Sea."
"We attempted to recruit him initially, but he refused to join humanity. So, our First Universe Bank dispatched an Immortal who killed him and claimed this territory for the human race."
"In the beginning, the materials produced here were valuable even for some World Masters. However, as time passed, perhaps due to the Lord of the Dry Sea's death, the energy concentration gradually decreased. The realm evolved into what it is today: a Stellar-level trial ground."
"Until four months ago, when the secret realm exhibited unusual changes and some trial participants vanished without trace. Lord Hafa investigated personally but couldn't identify the problem initially, so he asked me to monitor the situation." Adra sighed with evident concern.
"Thanks to your discovery, we've finally identified the truth. Lord Hafa is currently en route and should arrive soon."
Adra fell silent after that revelation, clearly unwilling to elaborate further on what they'd discovered.
Though deeply curious, Han Jue hesitated to press for details and could only speculate internally.
Was this a contingency plan left behind by the Lord of the Dry Sea?
The Lord of the Dry Sea couldn't have been exceptionally powerful, probably only at Immortal Marquis level, possibly even inferior to Hu Yanbo. What kind of backup plan could he have established that, after lying dormant for over a million epochs, suddenly activated to attack trial participants?
Just as his thoughts wandered, Adra suddenly stood up.
"Lord Hafa!"
Adra's voice carried unmistakable respect.
Han Jue turned to look and saw an unremarkable figure, a middle-aged man with a beer belly reminiscent of those from Earth, standing there with a cheerful smile.
World Master Hafa!
Han Jue's sharp eyes immediately spotted a large tree-shaped mark between Lord Hafa's eyebrows.
That was the sign of recognition from the Origin Law of Wood.
It makes sense, Han Jue thought. Although this secret realm has gradually degraded into a Stellar-level trial ground, it was once the domain of an Immortal being. Naturally, they'd station such a powerful World Master here to oversee operations.
"Who is this?" Hafa asked Adra with mild curiosity, his smile widening.
Adra quickly stepped forward and whispered to Hafa about Han Jue's background.
A four-star customer account?
Hafa felt genuine surprise.
The four-star standard required deposits of at least 10,000 Hunyuan Units, practically guaranteeing that Han Jue had backing from an Immortal!
No wonder Adra treated this young man with such consideration.
Hafa nodded in sudden understanding, his smile broadening further.
"Han Jue, correct? The problems within this secret realm arose from negligence on the First Universe Bank's part," Hafa said magnanimously. "As compensation, I'll provide you with a Dry Sea Crystal Marrow and waive your entrance fee for this visit. Does that sound acceptable?"
"Thank you very much, Lord Hafa!" Han Jue expressed his gratitude promptly.
"Though I must admit, I've never heard of this Dry Sea Crystal Marrow before. What exactly is it?" Han Jue had never encountered any mention that the Dry Sea Secret Realm produced such a substance.
Adra stepped forward to explain. "That material is even more precious than Dry Sea Crystal Essence. It can only be found deep beneath the seabed, once every hundred years, when the Dry Sea Secret Realm's 'tide recedes', that is, when the seawater completely dries up."
"This substance virtually guarantees mastery of the Water Domain, immensely aiding users in comprehending the threshold of the Origin Law of Water."
Such a thing exists?
Han Jue exclaimed inwardly with surprise.
No wonder the Dry Sea Secret Realm closed to the public when the sea dried up!
Treasures of this caliber were estimated to be worth hundreds of times more than ordinary Dry Sea Crystal Essence.
Controlling this secret realm must generate enormous wealth, Han Jue realized. For Hafa to guard such a lucrative location, he must have powerful backing, probably support from Immortal beings.
What a shame!
Han Jue sighed internally.
This Dry Sea Crystal Marrow was completely useless to him personally.
"Lord Hafa..." Adra leaned over and whispered something quietly.
Hafa's expression shifted to one of even greater surprise, tinged with unmistakable admiration as he regarded Han Jue.
"It seems I've been stingy," Hafa said with genuine respect. "I didn't realize you'd already crossed the threshold of the Origin Law of Water. In that case, let me offer you more meaningful compensation."
"I've developed a thorough understanding of what's causing the changes in the Dry Sea Secret Realm. After the Lord of the Dry Sea's death, his Divine Kingdom didn't completely collapse. It seems to have been anchored to the Dry Sea Secret Realm itself, perhaps by some treasure supporting its continued existence. As time passed, it finally broke through into our dimension."
Hafa revealed the truth behind the secret realm's transformation, shocking both listeners.
"Can you tell us this?" Han Jue couldn't help asking.
He noticed that even Adra appeared stunned by the revelation, clearly, this information represented an internal secret of the First Universe Bank!
"No problem," Hafa waved his hand dismissively.
"My teacher will be arriving this time. He'll open the entrance to the Lord of the Dry Sea's Divine Kingdom and allow the bank's personnel to explore inside."
"Your teacher?" Adra, obviously aware of certain details, breathed a sigh of relief.
Hafa's teacher was a titled Immortal stationed at the First Universe Bank's Qianwu Universe Nation branch!
This represented a genuine Immortal King title, not some self-proclaimed designation awarded by the Qianwu Universe Nation itself!
With such a being intervening, even if the Lord of the Dry Sea somehow resurrected, it wouldn't cause significant trouble.
"From my understanding, even after an Immortal's death, their Divine Kingdom still harbors countless dangers, but naturally, opportunities as well."
"After the Lord of the Dry Sea fell, we never recovered his inheritance!"
Hafa gave Han Jue a meaningful look.
"I estimate that only a limited number of people can enter the Lord of the Dry Sea's Divine Kingdom, and they can't be too powerful. Perhaps even Domain Masters cannot enter. The weaker the entrant, the better, preferably someone with a lower cultivation level but exceptional combat strength."
"That way, if anything goes wrong, my teacher, Lord Cangyuan, can rescue them in time."
"Well, are you satisfied with this compensation?" Hafa smiled warmly.
"Thank you, Lord Hafa!" Han Jue expressed his gratitude sincerely.
"But..." Han Jue hesitated, caution building within him. "I wonder why you're allowing me entry, my lord?"
"Ha ha, just consider it an investment," Hafa laughed. "You'll definitely enter the core ranks of the Virtual Universe Company through the Genius Battle. As long as you don't perish prematurely, you'll at least achieve the strength I possess now. Letting you enter the Divine Kingdom of the Dry Sea Lord costs me nothing, so why wouldn't I want to?"
"Don't worry, my teacher will be present. A fallen Immortal cannot overturn the situation. If you're concerned, you can choose not to enter. I can still provide you with a Dry Sea Crystal Marrow. The auction price outside for such an item exceeds 100 billion Universe Coins."
"I am willing to enter the Divine Kingdom!" Han Jue said without hesitation.
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