Zhuang Hao’s Private Residence
“Cultivating both Light and Darkness… you really are lucky,” Sesia crossed her arms and looked at Qi Shaorong.
Qi Shaorong looked puzzled. “Is it really that good? If the balance between those two elements is lost, I’d be in worse-than-death pain. I don’t see what’s good about this physique.”
Sesia narrowed her eyes. “From a certain perspective, cultivating both Light and Darkness isn’t actually a good thing.”
“There are other perspectives?” Qi Shaorong asked, confused.
“Your lover has already advanced to the Saint level. I’m guessing you’ve come to understand the concept of domains?” Sesia glanced at Zhuang Hao nearby.
Qi Shaorong nodded. “Yes.”
“Neither Light nor Darkness is absolute. At the end of Light lies Darkness, and at the end of Darkness lies Light. To cultivate the Light Domain to its highest level, one must understand dark magic as well,” Sesia explained.
Qi Shaorong froze for a moment and thought to himself: No wonder Hei Jia seemed so interested in his physique. So that’s why. It seemed Sesia was also intrigued—but maybe even more interested in taking down Hei Jia.
Zhuang Hao, who had remained silent, finally spoke up. “So if Shaorong enters the Saint level, his domain cultivation would be smoother than others’?”
After entering the Saint level, Zhuang Hao had gained a deeper understanding: strength at that level largely depended on domain cultivation.
“In theory, yes,” Sesia said.
Zhuang Hao frowned. “In theory?”
Sesia looked at Qi Shaorong and smiled faintly. “Yes. In theory. In reality, many ancient powerhouses cultivated conflicting magic attributes. But most of them didn’t survive long enough to reach the Saint level—they exploded and died.”
“You’re smart. You’ve used an unusual method to keep the two opposing elements in balance. But this balance is temporary. Once you step into the Saint level, the only path forward may be self-destruction.”
“Most people won’t reach even Level 8 in their lifetime, let alone Saint level, so this isn’t a concern. But you… you’re very likely to get there. If you want to survive, stop cultivating.”
Zhuang Hao was visibly agitated. “Isn’t there any solution?”
Sesia smiled. “There is—supposedly. A long time ago, there was a poison dragon who cultivated both Light and Darkness. He found a herb called Yin-Yang Grass in the Godforsaken Land. After consuming it, the elemental conflict within him was resolved.”
Zhuang Hao froze. He remembered encountering a poison dragon in the Sea Tribe’s territory. Could it be that same dragon?
“Where is the Godforsaken Land?” Zhuang Hao asked.
Sesia shook her head. “I don’t know. But it’s said that in that place, people can’t use magic or combat energy. That’s why it’s called the Godforsaken Land—abandoned by the gods.”
Zhuang Hao’s eyes lit up.
“Interested?” Sesia asked.
Zhuang Hao nodded. “Of course.”
Sesia shook her head. “You shouldn’t be. It’s dangerous. Many who enter never return.”
Zhuang Hao: “…”
Later…
“Senior, here are the spirit herbs you needed,” Zhuang Hao said, handing a bundle of herbs to Hei Jia.
Hei Jia smiled. “Young Master Zhuang, your efficiency is impressive.”
“Senior, do you know about the Godforsaken Land?” Zhuang Hao asked.
Hei Jia squinted and looked at him. “Did Sesia tell you about it?”
“She mentioned it briefly,” Zhuang Hao replied.
Hei Jia gave Zhuang Hao a look full of jealousy. “What a lucky man!”
Zhuang Hao was puzzled. “Lucky?”
Hei Jia said coldly, “Of course. He won’t even talk to me, but he talks to you—despite not even being close with you!”
Zhuang Hao: “…”
Zhuang Hao asked cautiously, “Senior, what exactly happened between you and Senior Sesia?”
“He thinks I killed his entire family!” Hei Jia replied.
Zhuang Hao was stunned. “Why would he think that?”
Hei Jia shrugged, disgruntled. “Because I used to joke all the time that I’d kill his whole family. Then one day, his family really was killed, and he thought it was me.”
Zhuang Hao: “…” You brought that upon yourself! Who jokes about that? Are you asking to be hated?
Hei Jia scowled. “I was joking! How was I supposed to know he’d take it seriously?”
Zhuang Hao sighed. “Senior, do you know where the Godforsaken Land is?”
Hei Jia looked at him. “You’re already at the Saint level. Why would you want to go to that place?”
“I’m still young—I want to explore the world a bit,” Zhuang Hao replied.
Hei Jia shook his head. “I don’t know where it is.”
“You don’t?” Zhuang Hao was surprised.
“Of course. Legend has it that the entrance to the Forsaken Land constantly shifts. Before magic and battle qi became dominant, people could only become stronger through body cultivation. Among the body cultivators, the most outstanding were the Divine Blood Clan. They were born with immense strength, and at their peak, could move mountains and seas.
However, strangely enough, despite their formidable physical talents, the Divine Blood Clan showed little talent for magic or battle qi. As those disciplines became dominant, the Divine Blood Clan gradually fell into decline.
Due to their special bloodline, they became a target for other clans. Eventually, they faced extinction. In order to preserve their lineage, they sought out a special territory — the Forsaken Land. This place is extremely peculiar, as magic and battle qi cannot be used within it.
The entrance to the Forsaken Land was sealed by the few dozen remaining powerful warriors of the Divine Blood Clan. Given their history, they view all outsiders as deadly threats. Without magic or battle qi, you are no match for them.
You are a young Saint-level expert — if you disappear silently within that place, it would be a tragic waste.”
Even after learning of the dangers from Heijia, Zhuang Hao still launched a large-scale effort to locate the Forsaken Land.
Because of the passage of time, most people had only vaguely heard of it and knew very little. Progress on Zhuang Hao’s end was extremely slow.
“Did you know Zhuang Hao is looking for the Forsaken Land?” Tang Tianfeng asked Shen Manwu.
Shen Manwu nodded, “He asked so many people to help him search — of course I know.”
“I heard that magic and battle qi can’t be used there. Even if he’s Saint-level, once inside, he’s no more than an ordinary man. Many who have stumbled into the Forsaken Land were never seen again,” Tang Tianfeng said.
Shen Manwu nodded again, “Supposedly, he’s doing it for Qi Shaorong.”
“If he can find it, that’d be for the best,” Tang Tianfeng replied. “Zhuang Hao and Qi Shaorong’s existence has already severely disrupted the power balance. If Zhuang Hao disappears in the Forsaken Land, that’d solve everything.”
“Zhuang Hao really is willing to give up everything for Qi Shaorong,” Shen Manwu said.
“Yeah! Everyone knows the young master of the Zhuang family is a romantic,” Tang Tianfeng chuckled.
“Young Master Zhuang.”
Zhuang Hao looked up and was surprised to see Lai Tingxuan. “Tingxuan, you’re looking for me?”
Mu Tingxuan nodded. “Young Master Zhuang, I heard you’re looking for the Forsaken Land?”
“Yes,” Zhuang Hao nodded. “Senior Cecia said only the Yin-Yang Grass can help Shaorong safely ascend to Saint-level. And the Yin-Yang Grass grows only in the Forsaken Land.”
Mu Tingxuan took a deep breath. “I think I might be able to help.”
Zhuang Hao looked at him in surprise. “You know where the Forsaken Land is?”
Mu Tingxuan nodded. “While searching for spirit herbs, I once stumbled upon a ruin. Inside, there were murals — I believe they might point to the Forsaken Land.”
Zhuang Hao’s eyes lit up. Despite all his efforts, he had found no clues. He hadn’t expected Mu Tingxuan to offer one.
“Is that true?” Zhuang Hao asked.
“I’m not entirely sure if the murals point to the Forsaken Land, but it’s highly likely,” Mu Tingxuan answered.
“That’s enough,” Zhuang Hao said, nodding.
Mu Tingxuan hesitated. “I want to go with you.”
Zhuang Hao looked at him. “Why?”
“The map is fine. But are you sure you want to go?”
Zhuang Hao took a deep breath. “Now that we have a lead, I have to check it out no matter what.”
“Young people never fear death. Once you’ve died once, you’ll realize how precious life really is,” Heijia said.
Zhuang Hao: “……”
Heijia smiled, “Well then, I wish you the best. Hopefully, you live a couple more years.”
Zhuang Hao busied himself preparing the necessary supplies and researching the Forsaken Land, running around constantly.
During this time, Cecia temporarily released Heijia’s seal and left Zhuang Hao’s residence. Heijia immediately chased after him.
Yi Fan entered Zhuang Hao’s estate and asked, “Almost ready?”
Zhuang Hao shook his head. “Not yet. Since we can’t use magic or battle qi there, magic staffs are useless. I’ve ordered a few elven bows and arrows from the elves — they won’t arrive for a few days. When it comes to making bows, no other race compares to the elves.”
Yi Fan nodded. “Elven bows are indeed useful. By the way, both Senior Heijia and Cecia left?”
Zhuang Hao nodded. “Yes. Good thing too — I honestly didn’t know what I’d do after I leave if they were still around.”
“With them gone, His Majesty can finally breathe a little easier,” Yi Fan said with a smile.
Zhuang Hao hesitated before saying, “Young Master Yi, you really don’t need to come with us. If I find the Yin-Yang Grass, I’ll bring an extra one back for you.”
Yi Fan smiled. “No need. I can’t rely on you for everything, Young Master.”
Zhuang Hao nodded. “Fair enough. We don’t know anything about the Forsaken Land. One more person means one more ally.”
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