Chapter 696: Chapter 10: Rules of the World

"Oh, by the way, this method isn’t actually difficult. According to my previous speculation, someone in the real world should be able to learn it, but it’s unclear why no Death God has chosen to study it all these years."

"Let me show you."

Saying this, Zhu Xing closed the book in his hand and casually tossed it to Chen Zaikun.

"..."

Chen Zaikun was momentarily stunned, instinctively opening the book. At first, he intended to just glance at it and put it down, but this glance left him completely speechless.

"This... There’s actually such a wondrous technique in the world?!!"

The method in the book is remarkably exquisite, and reading it presents no difficulty—it’s the type one can understand at first sight.

He even feels that he could try practicing it right now.

So, without any hesitation, Chen Zaikun even forgot Zhu Xing’s threat and instinctively followed the book’s method to perceive the Power of the Death Realm existing in the surrounding space.

And upon sensing, he suddenly discovered that the previously invisible and intangible Soul Energy was now clearly visible.

With a casual grasp, the vast energy flowed into his hand, transforming into his own power.

His physical constitution, soul strength, and the Sequence itself, all received nourishment.

"Indeed..."

"Such a good method isn’t even that difficult! Why has no Death God ever studied it before?"

A doubt appeared in Chen Zaikun’s mind.

No matter how he thinks, he cannot understand this point.

The birth of Death Gods can nearly be traced back to before human history began; in that ancient wilderness, Death Gods and True Gods already existed.

Through millions of years, Death Gods have developed to this extent, with the number of Death Gods throughout human civilization’s history surpassing a hundred million, among which there were exceptional talents.

Those Body Refining Secret Techniques are the best proof.

Yet why... is there not a single person who could research this technique capable of utilizing even the Power of the Death Realm?

It’s known that the Death Realm is absolutely an enemy of the human race; if it could be completely eradicated, it would be extremely beneficial for both Death Gods and mortals alike.

Chen Zaikun does not believe that similar technology has not been researched before. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

But the facts prove that they all failed.

Why is this?

No matter how hard Chen Zaikun tries, he can’t comprehend it.

And just as he was about to ask...

An inexplicable sense of trepidation suddenly appeared at his chest, accompanied by a tsunami-like pressure and suffocation.

In a daze, Chen Zaikun felt as though he had entered another world—a vast pale sky—and in the distant skyline stood a towering giant in a black robe. He faced away from all beings, including Zaikun, and calmly spoke...

"This is—Forbidden."

"Death Gods are not permitted to approach."

The tone was perfectly ordinary, without deliberately exerting any pressure.

But when these words reached Chen Zaikun’s ears, they were like a thunderclap, carrying unparalleled power that shattered the thought of "practicing this method" in his mind.

"Pfft...!"

He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and his consciousness returned from that world to reality, gasping for legend.

This force did not harm his foundation but shattered the power he had gained through practicing the Secret Technique entirely.

Along with the shattered power, so too was his lust for power shattered.

He blankly lowered his head, gazing at the blood-stained book in his hand. The words were still the same, the techniques were still effective—he could feel them—but now, in his heart, there was no desire to study.

This change originated from the Death God Sequence and the soul’s core, which an Apprentice Death God could not resist in the slightest.

"Oh... Sorry."

Seeing this, Zhu Xing suddenly understood, scratching his head apologetically.

"Sorry, I forgot about this."

"Although we’re currently in your Cyberspace, which somewhat isolates external information, and I can tell you some inside information, the rule ’Death Gods are forbidden to obtain Death Realm Power’ has become a deeply rooted rule in your Death God souls and the world’s underlying logic."

"No matter where you go or where you are, this rule will be in effect, even in the Cosmic Library..."

"Really sorry!"

He sincerely apologized.

But Chen Zaikun obviously didn’t care about the apology or his injury.

His mind was now full of questions, and the biggest one was about what he just saw and heard.

"That man in the black robe..."

Chen Zaikun held his head and muttered, "That towering man with a great figure... Who exactly... is he...?"

"Honestly, you aren’t qualified to know his name yet."

Zhu Xing casually grabbed and held the book in his hand again, saying, "I can’t say his true name either; that name is truly forbidden. Once spoken, it brings about great terror."

"But code names shouldn’t be affected..."

As he spoke, he took a deep breath, and the playful expression on his face slowly vanished, replaced by unprecedented solemnity.

"You probably have some guesses about that person’s identity."

"He is one of the sources of the term ’Apprentice Death God,’ a truly great existence capable of disrupting the heavens and earth, also the most revered among the three sages by Death Gods."

"The Eternal Sky, Master of All Sights."

"Lord Tian Kui."

With these words, Chen Zaikun felt his breath pause for that moment.

Tian Kui... Tian Kui...

Of course, he knows what this name signifies.

Among the society of Apprentice Death Gods, there are countless geniuses, some capable of sweeping through an era or potentially unifying an entire planet as super-powerful beings.

But regardless of the genius, upon hearing Tian Kui’s name, they all innately revered him.

The reason is simple—Tian Kui is the sage of all Apprentice Death Gods, and among the three sages, he is the strongest—the greatest.

The Celestial Ku Blessing he left behind enables countless Death Gods to attain True God status, and the Death God awakening system he created is still in use today.

No exaggeration to say, without Tian Kui, Apprentice Death Gods wouldn’t have developed to this extent nor held such a high position above the mundane.

And so, in the Death God’s three emblematic symbols, the sign representing Tian Kui is the one that fits the scythe symbol of Death Gods the best.

Throughout the long history, Tian Kui’s deeds have become legends and myths. People worship various gods, but no god can be compared to this sage.

In other words, his position in the world is akin to the Supreme God in polytheistic mythology.

Moreover, it’s important to note...

Among the three sages of the Death God, the Saint representing ’Rose’ is confirmed dead, and the corpse is split, coveted by many as treasure; while the sage representing ’Books’ has completely vanished, losing not only their name but also followers and faith.

Only faith in Tian Kui remains, still prevalent and widespread within the Death God Organization.

Even Tian Kui himself has not been rumored to be ’dead’; whether he is alive, merely missing, or unwilling to pay attention to the world, no one knows the answer.

But it is certain that Tian Kui, even now, can still impact the world.

The ’Order of Non-Belligerence’ in Nest City is one of the ’rules’ established by Tian Kui. Forget High Tier Death Gods—even True Gods cannot act in densely populated areas. If violated, they face Tian Kui’s punishment, which can separate them from their cultivation, erase the Death God Sequence, or even annihilate them completely, leaving not even a soul.

This is Tian Kui’s influence.