"Those without proof will all be killed by Horror Saint and the Giant.

"A dragon without proof isn't considered a dragon. This idea is already deeply ingrained, so when they devour their kind, they feel no remorse. Those who did have remorse were eaten by other dragons long ago.

"Meanwhile, before the end of an era, hunting outside the 'city' is permissible and aligns with the daily protocol.

"However, once inside the 'city' limits, all conflicts must cease. This, too, aligns with daily protocol."

"After several cycles of three thousand years, these twisted rules have now become part of their culture.

"To ensure overall survival, the original classics were rewritten, merging etiquette with barbarism, where killing became a means of survival."

Lin Feng shook his head, "This... this is unreasonable, I don't understand."

Zhang Ze replied, "I don't understand either, but since it has persisted until now, it is reasonable."

Seeing Lin Feng still confused, Zhang Ze gave an example, "Can you understand Fuji? Do you think she's reasonable?"

Lin Feng, "..."

Zhang Ze's words were like enlightenment, akin to pressing the flush button on a toilet, washing away all doubts with Fuji's laughter echoing.

Brother Feng found Zhang Ze's words to make a lot of damn sense.

So Brother Feng gave up thinking.

Seeing Brother Feng no longer bothered, Zhang Ze continued. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"And this cleansing during era transitions affects both the lower and upper levels.

"The strong from each tribe are also killed, and their deaths are even the most crucial part of the era transition.

"According to the original pact, the number and cultivation of strong individuals in each tribe must not exceed a certain limit, and those who exceed it will be killed.

"Therefore, as each era nears its end, dragons with nearing lifespans voluntarily accept slaughter or decide winners through combat techniques to survive.

"Strong individuals who die are refined by secret techniques, turning into the most primordial spiritual qi, nurturing the land; their flesh is also divided, everything will serve as the nutrition for the next era."

"We saw that Lord Shang at the city gate die this way."

"Did their tribe's numbers exceed the limit?" Lin Feng asked.

Zhang Ze shook his head, "No, it was Lord Shang who broke through.

"He violated the pact, so Horror Saint borrowed the transforming giant axe from the Giant, then stormed into the Legalist School's city, slaughtered and dismembered Lord Shang.

"Every Horror Saint of each era has the ability to kill beyond their rank; in a previous era, a Horror Saint even killed a barbarian dragon that secretly broke through to half-step Refining Void and wiped out its entire tribe."

Perhaps infected by Zhang Ze, Lin Feng's thoughts wandered, unexpectedly discovering a blind spot.

"Wait a minute, if Lord Shang was killed by Horror Saint, why was the Giant making such a big show at the city gate, as if it took action instead."

"Hmm..." Zhang Ze, pondering while stroking his chin, said after a moment, "Perhaps it was just showing off."

Lin Feng, "..."

Zhang Ze coughed lightly, bringing the topic back on track, "The end-of-era ceremony this time is at Mo Pass, tomorrow. The most important ritual of the ceremony is the leaders paying homage to the remains of the Saints, praying for a smooth transition into the next era."

"At that time, the evil entity that followed you into the Secret Realm may also appear, then we'll improvise."

With that, Zhang Ze tossed a few new cultivation techniques to Lin Feng, urging him to improve his skills for greater impact when fighting the next day.

Once Lin Feng began his meditation cultivation, Zhang Ze prepared himself to contact Junior Sister.

Regarding the box, there's one thing he hasn't mentioned to Lin Feng, nor did Lin Feng ask.

That's if this Mountain and Sea Secret Realm is a box, what about the Four Continents?

Except that the Four Continents are vast enough that they haven't been exhausted yet.

Zhang Ze closed his eyes and began to communicate with the bouncy ball he placed with Junior Sister.

...

In Fucheng, beneath the flashy-pink Holy Tree, inside a flashy-pink tree house.

Laying in a rocking chair, watching "The Temptation of Returning to the Sect" in a small walnut for entertainment with her right eye, while keeping watch with her left eye on the little ball, Junior Sister suddenly jumped up.

The little ball moved.

Seeing it moving again, she took out a large hammer without a second thought and attacked it with a 'Fishing Under the Moon' move.

Hammering away and shouting, "Quick, quick, come help, Senior Brother has more news!"