I am submissive in Journey to the West, I strike hard at the gods

Chapter 724 Quick Revenge!

Jiang Wang frowned even more deeply, took another step forward, his gaze fixed on the tower guardian, and asked with a hint of urgency and doubt in his voice, "Not the Primordial Human Race? What do you mean by that? Our human race was created by the Goddess Nuwa from clay and was born in the Primordial World. Are there any other human races besides us?"

The tower keeper gently shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. His tone remained calm, yet carried a subtle hint of vicissitude. He slowly said, "Nuwa creating humans is indeed the origin of the primordial human race. But the world is vast and full of wonders. Did no human race exist outside the primordial world? You have been in the Auspicious Realm for over ten years, and what you have seen is but a small part. How dare you assert that all human races in the world originated from the primordial world?"

Jiang Wang's eyes narrowed, his tone becoming more serious, yet tinged with a hint of confusion, as he continued, "Outside the Primordial World? But after the Great God Pangu created the world, he isolated the Primordial World from the outside world, sealing all the interdimensional passages. Not to mention the human race, even a Great Luo Golden Immortal would find it difficult to cross the seal. If you are not a member of the Primordial Human Race, how could you have come to this Auspicious Realm? Moreover, you are able to be the guardian of the first level of this Secret Realm Tower. Judging from your aura, you have clearly already attained sainthood. If you are not a member of the Primordial Human Race, how could you have such an opportunity?"

The tower keeper raised his eyelids and looked at Jiang Wang carefully. After a long while, he slowly spoke, his tone full of praise: "You are indeed meticulous, and every question you ask is reasonable."

However, what Pangu sealed was the passage between the primordial world and other great realms, not all the smaller realms, and certainly not within this secret realm.

My human race was born in a small realm called the 'Mortal Realm,' a place devoid of the boundless spiritual energy of the primordial wilderness and ancient gods, yet where humans still thrive and multiply, generation after generation.

"The mortal realm?"

Jiang Wang repeated the two words in a low voice, his eyes full of doubt. He then asked, "Mortal Realm? What kind of place is that? I've never heard of it. Since it's a minor realm with scarce spiritual energy, how could you have attained sainthood? And how could you have come to the secret tower of this auspicious realm? Also, what is the origin of this secret tower, and why would someone who is not a primordial human be allowed to guard it?"

The tower keeper smiled, his tone softening slightly, and said to Jiang Wang, "You're quite impatient, asking one by one. I will naturally tell you everything."

This mortal realm is indeed an insignificant little realm with scarce spiritual energy. Let alone becoming a saint, even becoming an immortal is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

"My attainment of sainthood was not due to the spiritual energy of the mortal realm, but rather to the inheritance I received from an ancient powerful being—the very being who created this secret realm tower."

Jiang Wang's heart skipped a beat. He leaned forward again, his tone tinged with surprise: "An ancient powerhouse who created the Secret Realm Tower? I wonder who that powerhouse was? Why did he create this Secret Realm Tower, and why did he pass on his legacy to a mortal like you? Also, what exactly is the purpose of this Secret Realm Tower?"

The tower guardian slowly stood up, his figure upright. Although he appeared ordinary, he faintly exuded the aura of a saint. However, this aura was very faint and not directed at Jiang Wang. He gazed towards the depths of the secret realm tower, his tone filled with reverence, and slowly said, "That great being was an ancient primordial deity from the Journey to the West world, named 'Xuanzhenzi.' In the early days of the primordial world, when the gods were in conflict, the great being Xuanzhenzi did not wish to participate in the conflict. Therefore, he created this secret realm tower of the auspicious world as a trial ground to select those with destiny to inherit his lineage."

"The Journey to the West world? Xuanzhenzi?"

Jiang Wang's eyes were full of surprise. He had heard of the names of ancient innate gods in the prehistoric era, but he had never heard of Xuanzhenzi. He then asked, "In the prehistoric era, I also came into contact with many ancient gods, but I have never heard of the name of the great Xuanzhenzi. I wonder what kind of strength this great being has? Why did he choose to open the secret realm tower in the Auspicious Realm?"

The tower keeper turned around and looked at Jiang Wang again, his tone still filled with awe: "The great Xuanzhenzi is a primordial deity from the same era as the great god Pangu. His strength is unfathomable. When Pangu created the world, the great Xuanzhenzi helped him. However, he later grew tired of the conflicts in the prehistoric world and went into seclusion. He accidentally discovered this auspicious realm. Seeing that this realm was full of spiritual energy and had not much conflict, he opened the Secret Realm Tower here."

As for why you haven't heard of him, it's because he has lived in seclusion for many years, not associating with the gods, and therefore his name is not widely known.

Jiang Wang was increasingly shocked. The innate deities of the same era as Pangu were probably even stronger than the Three Pure Ones. He composed himself and asked, "Since Xuanzhenzi is an ancient great power, why would he pass on his legacy to you, a mortal human? The spiritual energy in the mortal realm is thin. Even if you receive the legacy, it will not be easy for you to achieve success in cultivation, right?"

Upon hearing this, the tower keeper's face showed a hint of reminiscence, and his tone softened considerably: "Back in the mortal realm, I was just an ordinary mortal. My family was poor, and both my parents had passed away. I could only make a living by begging. By chance, I found a jade pendant left behind by the great Xuanzhenzi. Within that jade pendant was a part of his legacy."

"With the inheritance within the jade pendant, I cultivated diligently in the mortal realm, enduring countless hardships, finally breaking through the shackles and embarking on the path of immortality. Later, guided by the jade pendant, I crossed the barrier of the minor realm and arrived in this auspicious realm, where I encountered the remnant soul of the great Xuanzhenzi."

"A remnant soul?"

Jiang Wang's heart skipped a beat, and he pressed on, "You mean, the powerful Xuanzhenzi has already perished? Only his remnant soul remains? Then who controls this secret realm tower now? And why are you guarding this place?"

The tower guardian nodded slightly, a hint of regret on his face: "That's right, the great Xuanzhenzi has long since perished. After he opened the Secret Realm Tower, he exhausted his own cultivation, leaving only a wisp of his soul, which resides in the core of the Secret Realm Tower and controls its operation."

I stand guard here on the orders of the remnant soul of the powerful Xuanzhenzi, to protect the Secret Realm Tower and test every trial participant who enters. If a destined person is found, I will pass on their complete legacy.”

Jiang Wang seemed to be deep in thought, then asked, "What trials do those who enter the Secret Realm Tower need to undergo? Are the guardians of each level like you, entrusted with the mission by the powerful Xuanzhenzi? Also, when I came in just now, there was a group of Qilin Clan cultivators outside. They also wanted to come to the Secret Realm Tower for trials, so why couldn't they get in?"

The tower guardian smiled and said, "The Secret Realm Tower has nine levels, and each level has a guardian. Each guardian was chosen by the great Xuanzhenzi back then, either because they received part of his inheritance or because they have excellent character and can stick to their original intentions."

As for the trials, each level is different. Some are tests of strength, some of character, and some of wisdom. Only by passing the test of the current level can one proceed to the next.

After a pause, the tower guardian continued, "As for those Qilin Clan cultivators outside, they cannot enter not because the Secret Realm Tower rejects them, but because their character is not good enough and they harbor malice. The Secret Realm Tower is sentient and can sense the mind of the trial participants. If they harbor malice and covet the treasures within the Secret Realm Tower, they will be blocked by the tower's barrier and unable to enter."

"The reason you were able to enter is because, despite your formidable strength, you possess a calm and composed nature, harbor little ill will, and exude a unique aura that led the Secret Realm Tower to believe you have potential."

Jiang Wang raised an eyebrow, his tone tinged with curiosity: "A special aura? What special aura do I possess? How come I don't know it myself? Also, what exactly are the treasures in this secret realm tower? Could they be the inheritance of the great Xuanzhenzi?"

The tower guardian's gaze fell upon Jiang Wang, scrutinizing him carefully before slowly saying, "The aura emanating from you possesses the purity of the primordial human race, a faint trace of primordial chaos energy, and a hint of the scale aura of the Qilin race. The fusion of these three auras is extremely unique, even the remnant soul of the powerful Xuanzhenzi is quite curious about it. As for the treasures within the Secret Realm Tower, besides the legacy of the powerful Xuanzhenzi, there are also various rare and precious materials and cultivation manuals he collected back then. Each level has corresponding treasures, and as long as you pass the test, you can obtain them."

"Primordial Chaos Qi?"

Jiang Wang was taken aback. He had indeed obtained a trace of Primordial Qi in the Primordial Secret Realm, but he had never refined it. He hadn't expected that the tower guardian would sense it. He then asked, "So now, do I have to pass your first level's test before I can enter the second level? What is your test?"

The tower keeper nodded, his tone becoming more serious: "That's right, if you want to enter the second level, you must pass my test on the first level."

My test at this level is very simple; it's a test of your character. I will ask you a few questions, and you only need to answer truthfully. As long as your true nature remains unchanged and you are not swayed by desires, you will have passed the test.

Jiang Wang felt relieved. He considered himself to be a calm and composed person who had never been swayed by desires. He nodded and said, "Alright, ask away. I will answer truthfully and will not hide anything."

The tower guardian looked at Jiang Wang, his eyes sharpening, and slowly asked, "My first question is, what do you seek when you enter this Secret Realm Tower? Is it for the inheritance of the great Xuanzhenzi, for the rare treasures within the tower, or to improve your own strength and avenge your grievances?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wang did not hesitate at all. He looked directly into the eyes of the tower guardian and said firmly, "My primary purpose in entering the Secret Realm Tower is to improve my strength."

I have been in the Auspicious Realm for over ten years, cultivating in seclusion, all for the day when I can return to the Primordial World, uncover the truth behind the massacre of my human race, and avenge my fallen kin.

As for the legacy of the powerful Xuanzhenzi and the treasures within the Secret Realm Tower, if I am fortunate enough to obtain them, that would be wonderful. If not, I will not force it, much less betray my conscience for these things.”

The tower keeper nodded, a hint of approval in his eyes. His tone softened, and he continued, "Second question: If one day you obtain the complete inheritance of the great Xuanzhenzi, and your strength increases greatly, even surpassing the Three Pure Ones and becoming a top expert in the Journey to the West world, would you choose to dominate the world and enslave other races, or would you choose to protect one side, shelter the weak, and uphold the true nature of humanity?"

Jiang Wang's eyes were firm, and he said solemnly, "I am a human. No matter how powerful I become, I will never forget my origins, nor will I forget the suffering of the human race when it was slaughtered."

I will never seek to dominate the world or enslave other races. What difference would that make from the actions of those who slaughtered my human race? I will protect humanity and shelter the weak, whether they are the ancient humans or the mortal humans you speak of. As long as they are human, I will do everything in my power to protect them. At the same time, I will respect the right of other races to survive. As long as they do not provoke me or harm humanity, I will not be their enemy.

The tower guard's expression of approval deepened. He nodded slightly and continued, "The third question: If you encounter a powerful opponent during the trial who can grant you great strength to quickly avenge your grievances, but on the condition that you betray humanity and submit to him, would you agree?"

Without a second thought, Jiang shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of disdain and determination: "I will never agree."

Humanity is my root, the existence I will protect with my whole life. To betray humanity is to betray my own heart, and to betray my fallen kin.

Even if I can never avenge myself, even if I can never improve my strength, I will never betray humanity. This is my bottom line, and no one can shake it.

The tower keeper looked at Jiang Wang with admiration in his eyes. He slowly lowered his sharp gaze and said in a gentle tone, "Good, good for upholding one's principles, good for protecting the human race."

You answered all three questions very well, without the slightest hesitation or concealment. Your character has completely passed my test.

Jiang Wang felt a sense of relief and a smile appeared on his face as he asked, "So, I can enter the second level now?"

"Good, you can proceed to the second level now."

The tower guardian nodded, pointed to the teleportation array next to him, and said, "This teleportation array is the passage to the second floor. You only need to step into the teleportation array to reach the second floor."

However, I must remind you that the guardian of the second level is stronger than me, and the test is much more difficult than on the first level. You must be careful, stay true to yourself, and not be misled by the test.

Jiang Wang nodded, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to the tower guard, and said, "Thank you for the reminder. I will be careful."

"Oh, and there's one more question I'd like to ask you. Since you're a mortal human and have received the inheritance of the powerful Xuanzhenzi, have you ever seen any other humans? Whether they're from the primordial era or the mortal realm, I've been in the Auspicious Realm for over ten years, and apart from you, I've never seen any other humans."

Upon hearing this, the tower guardian shook his head slightly, his tone tinged with regret: "After I came to the Auspicious Realm, I have been guarding this secret tower and have never left, so I have never seen any other humans."

However, the remnant soul of the great Xuanzhenzi once told me that although the human race had suffered many hardships in the primordial world, it had not been wiped out. There were still many human survivors, but they had all hidden themselves to avoid being hunted down by the gods.

For humans in the mortal realm, crossing the barrier between smaller realms to reach the Auspicious Realm is as difficult as ascending to heaven. Therefore, it's normal that you won't see other humans in the Auspicious Realm. (End of Chapter)