Perhaps it was because Lin You asked this profound question.

The pace of several people’s steps gradually slowed down.

Even Wang Chende and Mo Wei wore expressions of curiosity.

It seemed like they, like Lin You, also did not understand the reason behind it.

Only Zong Lei, the most experienced among them, showed no change in expression, as if he had long anticipated that Lin You would ask such a question.

Or rather, this should be a secret that many Lords want to know.

"Before answering your question, let me ask you one first, do you know the origin of the world we originally lived in?"

"Are you saying... the Big Bang?"

Lin You said somewhat uncertainly.

After researching over this period, he already knew that Lords from different Realms actually come from different universes.

A universe is equivalent to one Realm.

And the emergence of everything in the universe stems from the Big Bang.

"That’s right, exactly this."

Zong Lei was not surprised by Lin You’s answer.

Nor did he keep them in suspense any longer, as he began to slowly recount the information he knew.

"As far as I know, the universe we originally lived in, called the Foundation Plane, is the lowest tier plane."

"Every universe has its lifespan, from its inception to complete stabilization, then slowly contracting, finally returning to one point and exploding again, forming a new universe."

"Of course, some of them are prematurely destroyed due to unexpected events."

"Every cycle represents the emergence of a new batch of Lords. Do you understand what I’m saying here?"

Zong Lei looked at Lin You.

"You mean, people transported to this continent at different times were actually brought here during each destruction?"

Lin You quickly grasped the concept and asked with a look of amazement.

But immediately, he discovered a problem.

"But wait, wouldn’t the times not match up in this case?"

"Of course, they wouldn’t." Zong Lei smiled slightly.

"Didn’t I just say? It’s the lowest Foundation Plane, not even on the same spacetime dimension."

"In one cycle of the Foundation Plane, only a few years pass here. In simple terms, it means the Time Flow Speed is different."

"I see..."

Lin You and Wang Chende both immediately understood upon hearing this.

Deeply attracted by this novel worldview, they also increasingly felt the depth of this world.

"However."

Unexpectedly, at this time, Zong Lei spoke again.

"Even though the principle is like this, I still don’t understand exactly what kind of entity specifically gathered us from the destroyed Ten Thousand Realms."

"And judging by the Rules, that entity clearly wants the Ten Thousand Realms to slaughter each other, as you all should have sensed."

"Indeed." Lin You and the other two nodded silently.

They had already sensed it when descending to the Lower Realm Area.

It seemed as if there was an invisible hand behind this world, manipulating everything, making them slaughter each other.

In plain words, it’s like breeding Gu.

The Lord system is the best proof, obviously not rules generated by nature automatically.

But the problem is that they want to become stronger and survive.

They have to rely on this Rule.

Otherwise, just the Low-tier Demons from the beginning would be able to swallow them whole; it could only be said there are pros and cons.

The real question is, what kind of entity is manipulating all of this, and what is its purpose?

After thinking for a while, Lin You sighed with a bitter smile: "Forget it, I’m only at Tier Eight now; it’s too early to think about these things."

"Indeed."

"Let’s not talk about this; let’s discuss something else."

The stronger one is, the more they realize their own insignificance and ignorance.

If one were to delve into everything, life would be too exhausting.

And so, very soon,

they did not discuss this topic any further but instead talked about past dealings between two cities.

Until noon.

Zong Lei, accompanied by Lin You for farewell, boarded the airship and left.

Before leaving, they also left a batch of basic supplies like food as a congratulation for his successful advancement to Tier Eight.

However, what delighted Lin You the most was the large power core Wang Chende gifted him.

It seemed Wang Chende knew he planned to expand flight routes significantly.

As a Mechanical Lord, Wang Chende directly gifted him 10 large and 20 medium-sized power cores.

Finally allowing him to build more Magic Energy Airships.

Meanwhile, he also agreed to Wang Chende and Mo Wei’s request to open flight routes between their territories.

Anyway, both were very close to Zong Lei, which wasn’t really troublesome at all.

"Well, it’s time to visit the Elf Empire once."

After sending off the others and explaining a few things to Xue Changgui,

Lin You returned to his territory and directly teleported with all the Royal Family except Cyan Rattan to the Holy Sanctuary.

Though the Elf Empire was beside the Holy Sanctuary, not far in distance, it couldn’t contact the statues on the archipelago and couldn’t summon Species.

So they could only place the Species into the Origin Space first, just in case they were needed later.

And since he didn’t know how long this journey to the Elf Empire would take, he decided it was better to go sooner, at least to return before recruiting new Lords.

Fortunately, the speed of the Tier Eight Demon Emperor Dragon was not slow.

With the support of Moss, its speed was more than double what it was before.

In just an hour and a half, Lin You had already arrived at the Holy Sanctuary border, at the Imperial Teleportation Array, and began lining up for the teleportation.

The surrounding hustle and bustle of crowds included many Lords and Cultivators passing by.

Even more lively than when he was last here.

"Have you heard? The destruction of the Eternal Realm seems to be the work of the Eternal Realm and the Demon Origin Realm."

At this moment, a low whisper came from the side.

Lin You’s eyes gleamed as he listened carefully.

"Eternal Realm and Demon Origin Realm? It’s actually the work of these two Great Realms?"

"Aren’t they afraid of the other realms uniting against them?"

"It’s said that several realms are already putting pressure on the Eternal Realm, but it seems unlikely that a real fight will break out."

"Indeed, after destroying the Eternal Realm, the Eternal Realm and Demon Origin Realm are likely to gain several Emperor Levels; those realms certainly wouldn’t dare to act rashly."

"Alas, it’s truly a tumultuous time. I hope it doesn’t affect us here."

The discussions from the side reached Lin You’s ears word for word, leaving him astonished inside.

So the destruction of the Eternal Realm was the work of the Eternal Realm and the Demon Origin Realm?

Though both realms are among the Ten Great Realms.

But according to the information he had previously gathered, the combined strength of the two realms shouldn’t have been enough to destroy the Eternal Realm in such a short time.

After all, given enough time, the nearby Great Emperors would surely intervene to curb their ambitions.

But now, however...

The Eternal Realm was wiped out, and the other realms didn’t have time to intervene, obviously done in an extremely short period.

It couldn’t be that within those two realms, there’s a multitude of hidden Emperor Levels that no one else knows about, who swept through the Eternal Realm in one fell swoop, right?

Lin You couldn’t help but speculate wildly.

Yet unbeknownst to him.

The fact was exactly as he had guessed, almost entirely accurate.

...

Eternal Realm.

Inside a certain palace floating in the sky.

The Great Emperors of the Eternal Realm and Demon Origin Realm gathered together, each with a stern expression.

"Those guys have indeed discovered our plan."

The Qianji Emperor whispered from the side.

"So what if they know? We anticipated this outcome even before we acted," said the Mo Luo Emperor dismissively.

"That might be for the best," another Great Emperor clad in golden armor interjected, "Their attention is now entirely on us, vigilant against us, yet little do they know, we’ve already sent people out to secretly woo other realms."

"Is the progression smooth?" Qianji Emperor asked.

"It should be fine. With the Divine Formats obtained from the Eternal Realm as a bargaining chip, those few realms have already agreed to join us. We just need to develop in the shadows like this."

"When we’ve amassed sufficient power, that’s when we’ll annex the Ten Thousand Realms!"

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of the Golden Armor Emperor.

"Haha, those guys would never expect that the destruction of the Eternal Realm was merely a smokescreen for us. Let them keep their guard up out there," Mo Luo laughed with satisfaction.

"Annexing the Ten Thousand Realms..."

Qianji Emperor’s gaze was deep, glowing with an unusual brilliance.

If he could annex the Ten Thousand Realms, he might have a chance to reach that legendary level!

...

On the other hand.

At the Imperial Teleportation Array.

After half an hour of queuing, it was finally Lin You’s turn to step into the teleportation array.

Whoosh!

A dazzling light flashed by.

When he steadied himself again, he had arrived in that familiar forest.

Also known as the Elf Forest, the capital of the Elf Empire.

"Wow! So this is the Elf Forest?"

"It’s magnificent!"

At the side.

The Lords who teleported with Lin You exclaimed in amazement, all deeply awestruck by the surrounding scenery.

Lin You paid no attention to them and walked straight down from the giant tree platform, making his way into the forest city below.

He planned to reach the depths before nightfall.

However, to his surprise.

He hadn’t gone far when a well-equipped group of Elf Guards suddenly appeared, blocking his way.

"Excuse me, are you Lord Lin You?"

A leading Elf Captain respectfully inquired of Lin You.

This scene immediately drew the attention of everyone on the street, all casting surprised looks at Lin You.

"Do you know me?" Lin You asked, puzzled.

"Yes." The Elf Captain nodded, "Her Majesty the Empress has already ordered that if you appear in the Elf Forest, you should be taken directly to meet her. May I trouble you to come with us?"

The Elf Empress ordered?

Lin You was secretly shocked.

It was just as he thought, the Elf Empress had anticipated his return here and had sent people to wait early on.

Is this the power of an Emperor Level?

Or does the Elf Race possess some mysterious predictive ability he wasn’t aware of?

Thinking this, he nodded silently, "Alright, lead the way."

"This way, please."

The Elf Captain gestured politely.

Then, under the amazed gazes of the people on the street, he led Lin You out of the forest outskirts and headed deeper.

It wasn’t long before they vanished amongst the lush trees.

Just like last time.

The Elf Forest hadn’t changed much.

Lin You looked around as he walked and soon reached the innermost part of the Elf Forest.

In the distance, he could already see the Ancient Elf Tree towering at the peak of the forest.

A rich Life Aura followed closely behind.

"Guest, Her Majesty the Empress and the High Priest are waiting for you under the Ancient Elf Tree; please proceed on your own," the Elf Captain said, stopping.

"Alright, thank you for leading the way."

Lin You nodded to him, then proceeded past the squad.

Before long.

The towering Ancient Elf Tree and an elegant, beautiful figure beneath it gradually came into view.