“Shaking Light Sword Technique!” Lin Xiao’s heart jolted. Only now did he realise that his mind indeed held a new sword technique, imprinted by that mountain peak.
“It’s that technique!” Lin Xiao’s heart raced, his entire being trembling with excitement.
That sword strike was utterly terrifying—like a radiant war god, capable of shaking and annihilating myriad domains of the void with a single blow.
“I’m asking you—did you see it clearly?” The white-robed youth’s words pulled Lin Xiao from his excitement, his tone devoid of joy or sorrow.
“I… I didn’t see the final strike clearly,” Lin Xiao admitted truthfully. Indeed, he hadn’t seen that last blow distinctly.
“It’s normal not to see it clearly…” The white-robed man sighed. “Since my fall, how many years have passed with no one able to reawaken Shaking Light?”
“Senior…” Lin Xiao, brimming with questions, was about to speak when the white-robed man interrupted, “I know what you want to ask.”
“No need to call me ‘senior.’ I’m only twenty years old, at the peak of the Martial Monarch realm. The ‘Monarch’s Cache’ here refers to my tomb.”
“What!” Lin Xiao’s heart surged with shock. This so-called Monarch’s Cache belonged to this man, and at just twenty years old, he had reached the peak of the Martial Monarch realm?
What kind of heaven-defying talent was this?
Throughout history, there might not be a single person who could rival him.
“A true world-defying genius needs little time to change the heavens and earth,” the white-robed youth said calmly, reading Lin Xiao’s astonishment. He continued, “The man you just saw was my master, known in the mortal world as the Shaking Light Emperor.”
Lin Xiao’s heart jolted again. Shaking Light Emperor—could he be a Martial Emperor from ancient times? Why hadn’t he heard of him?
But he knew that those titled “Emperor” were the pinnacle figures of their era, standing at the apex of martial prowess, revered by all.
No wonder this Monarch’s Cache was linked to such a powerhouse—they shared the same lineage. Only a world-defying genius who reached the peak of Martial Monarch at twenty could catch the eye of such a supreme figure.
“From now on, you are my junior brother in the Shaking Light lineage!” the white-robed youth declared evenly.
His tone grew heavier. “In this era, a great terror will emerge—greater than ever before. Shaking Light and Imperishable are peerless techniques forged by our predecessors. I hope that when the great terror arrives, you can carry them forward and take them a step further.”
“Senior… Brother, what exactly is this great terror? What’s the connection between the Shaking Light Emperor and the Imperishable Skeleton? Are they both dead?” Lin Xiao asked.
“Knowing that now won’t do you any good. When you reach that realm, you’ll understand naturally.”
“As for that man…” The white-robed youth took a deep breath at the memory, replying, “His name was Imperishable, likely a friend of my master. Known as the Imperishable Emperor, he’s dead—though he himself believed he wasn’t. As for my master, he entered the Silver Mirror Spirit Gate, and no word has come from him in countless ages.”
Lin Xiao’s mind reeled. What kind of logic was this? Dead, yet believing he wasn’t—it sounded nonsensical, yet carried an eerie chill.
As for the Shaking Light Emperor—now forcibly declared his master by this white-robed youth—he had entered that terrifying gate and never reappeared. Given its fearsome nature, the odds didn’t look good.
If even a figure like the Shaking Light Emperor, unrivalled through the ages, had fallen, just how horrifying was the inside of the Silver Mirror Spirit Gate?
“I’ve long since fallen. This is merely an imprint of myself, hidden here to leave a spark. Now, it’s time for me to fade. Seek the answers to your questions yourself.”
The white-robed youth, devoid of emotion, extended his hand. A key and a talisman appeared in his palm. “This key still has its use—if you encounter the broken Shaking Light sword, it will glow again. This Light Seal Talisman is a small protective inheritance. It can seal the power of any martial artist below Martial Monarch to your level once.”
“That’s all I can help you with. Take care. If I don’t truly die, we’ll meet again!” The white-robed youth tossed the key and talisman to Lin Xiao, then transformed into a wisp of energy, shooting skyward and dissipating into the heavens.
Holding the key, Lin Xiao sighed inwardly. This was the very key that had unlocked the Monarch’s Cache, now back in his hands.
If he encountered the broken sword, the key would glow again—a lingering opportunity. That sword was surely a weapon of unparalleled might.
Lin Xiao’s thoughts were a jumble. The white-robed youth’s words hadn’t clarified much.
Perhaps the great terror would emerge in this era, though when was uncertain. Given enough time, Lin Xiao believed he could cultivate into a supreme powerhouse. But if it came too soon—capable of felling even Martial Emperors—he might not reach that level.
Still, the white-robed youth’s words left a deep imprint on him: a true world-defying genius needs little time to change the heavens and earth.
Such bold ambition!
At twenty, the white-robed youth had reached the peak of Martial Monarch, proving that point—little time was needed to alter the world.
Or perhaps the “changing the heavens and earth” he spoke of referred to something even he hadn’t achieved.
Regardless, that audacity to defy time was unmatched.
Rising to high-tier Heavenly Martial in a year or two—perhaps he, too, could be such a person.
His senior brother’s final words puzzled him: “If I don’t truly die, we’ll meet again.”
Dead yet not dead—could he still live? Like the Imperishable Emperor, leaving some final means?
Or not entirely dead?
Lin Xiao couldn’t wrap his head around it.
Was this Monarch’s Cache his senior brother’s chosen tomb, burying himself here?
And it wasn’t just Shaking Light—Imperishable was here too. How had they been buried together? What about those corpses and skeletons? And the Tomb of Gods and Demons where the Devouring Spirit Emperor fell—what was there, and how were they all connected?
Lin Xiao had too many unanswered questions.
“The secrets of this world—I’ll explore them slowly!” Lin Xiao sighed helplessly. The white-robed youth had left him with too little information.
To uncover those secrets, he’d need to grow stronger.
Looking at the Light Seal Talisman in his hand, Lin Xiao felt a surge of confidence. His immediate concern was that, upon leaving, he’d face pursuit and robbery from Martial Venerables. With this talisman, he had no need to fear—any foe below Martial Monarch could have their power sealed to his level, potentially allowing him to turn the tables.
“Swish!” The next moment, Lin Xiao’s vision blurred. When it cleared, the scene had changed—he was back on the Talent Platform in the chaotic burial ground.
Now, he saw pairs of eyes staring at him as if he were a spectacle.
“Why are you all looking at me like that?” Lin Xiao’s gaze settled on Hu Yue.
“An entire mountain peak went into your head—how could they not stare?” Hu Yue replied, her eyes gleaming with astonishment. She’d been probing her inheritance with closed eyes and hadn’t witnessed it herself.
“…” Lin Xiao was speechless.
“They’re still watching because we don’t know how to leave this place. Though many gained inheritances, no one knows the way out, so they’re all looking to you!” The young commander of the Tiger Guard spoke up, a rare occurrence. This place had clearly benefited him greatly, yet even he was clueless about exiting.
“Can I say I don’t know either?” Lin Xiao shrugged.
