Chapter 195: Nine Keys

The blood-colored long sword, Yuanmie, had been transformed into a monstrous spirit by some unknown force. A virtual divine artifact turned into a monstrous spirit—something never seen or heard of in history. Yet precisely because of this, it gained its own intelligence. Though not very powerful, it could independently wield its own power: the laws of the virtual divine realm. Even without anyone controlling it, it could unleash the terrifying power of the ninth level of the domain realm.

Chen Xiao pointed with one hand, and Yuanmie immediately turned into a blood-colored shadow, carrying with it the immense forces of the virtual divine realm, which pierced through the body of the Dark Blood Clan youth in an instant. The terrifying forces of the virtual divine realm, equivalent to the power of the ninth level of the domain realm, destroyed all the laws, energies, and vitality within his body. In just one encounter, that Dark Blood Clan member, who was at least at the sixth level of the domain realm, died instantly.

Then, Yuanmie spun back and flew back into Chen Xiao’s hands.

“Elders of the Vampire Clan, I’ve said it before—if I ally with you to fight against the Dark Blood Clan and seize their sacred relics, I won’t break my promise,” Chen Xiao said with a smile on his face.

Now, Chen Xiao had an even more brilliant plan in mind. If he helped the Vampire Clan defeat the Dark Blood Clan, dealing them a severe blow, the Vampire Clan’s reputation would soar, and they would seize the opportunity to completely eliminate the Dark Blood Clan.

What would happen next? Likely, the entire Western supernatural world would fall into chaos. If the Vampire Clan managed to eliminate the Dark Blood Clan, with their hidden forces at their disposal, would they stay idle? The Vampire Clan, claimed to control half of Europe, only did so because their main forces were occupied by the Dark Blood Clan in the supernatural world. Once the Dark Blood Clan was destroyed, the Vampire Clan would surely take advantage of the situation to spark a great war in the Western supernatural world. Even if no war broke out, the Western supernatural world wouldn’t enjoy peace. At that time, Chen Xiao’s Glorious Temple could take the opportunity to expand into the Western world.

In the Eastern world, there was the Soul of China, whose true nature Chen Xiao couldn’t fathom, guarding it. Chen Xiao didn’t dare act rashly. Moreover, that extremely mysterious figure, the Great Immortal, had also given him similar instructions.

So Chen Xiao hesitated none. He acted immediately, eliminating this powerful member of the Dark Blood Clan to win over the Vampire Clan. The Vampire Clan still had value in terms of alliance.

The thirteen ancestors of the Vampire Clan pondered for a moment after seeing Chen Xiao’s actions. They were all ancient beings who had lived for countless years, so their thoughts were naturally complex. They understood that their actions just now had gone too far. Chen Xiao had made it clear that he would only keep his promise to help the Vampire Clan seize the so-called Cain’s sacred relics. As for anything else, Chen Xiao wouldn’t interfere—indeed, he might even take action if there were conflicts of interest.

The thirteen of them nodded slightly, then vanished in a flash, too embarrassed to stay.

Seeing Chen Xiao’s blood-colored long sword, capable of unleashing the power of the ninth level of the domain realm, the Hidden Dark Blood Clan members also disappeared, retreating into secrecy.

The blond young man, Liu Yu, took a deep breath. If Chen Xiao had attacked him with that Abyssal Annihilation Sword just now, even if he could somehow defend himself, he would still suffer severe damage. Here, even the slightest injury was extremely dangerous.
“Lord Chen Xiao, since we have formed an alliance…” Liu Yu began, but was interrupted by Chen Xiao: “Heh, we don’t need allies here, do we?”
“You’re right,” Liu Yu nodded and then left with his remaining two subordinates.
“Younger master, what exactly do you mean? What right does that mere eighth-tier insect have to form an alliance with us? And why don’t we need allies?” asked one of Liu Yu’s subordinates, not Olrich as before, but a true subordinate of Liu Yu’s.
“That Chen Xiao doesn’t even consider this Heavenly Dragon Secret Treasury to be anything special. He came here, just like me, to gain experience. He doesn’t even care about the treasures here,” Liu Yu shook his head slightly. “Our alliance was formed on the Source Continent, and Chen Xiao’s strength isn’t as simple as it seems.”
“This…”
Liu Yu’s remaining two guards exchanged glances, confused.
“You don’t need to understand that. Our current goal is to obtain a divine essence, so that Father’s subordinates can gain another true god. This will also stabilize our position on the Source Continent and allow us to expand into the worlds beyond it. However, I have a vague feeling that there are even more powerful beings deep within this Heavenly Dragon Secret Treasury—things are far from simple. We just need to be careful.”
…
The thirteen ancient ancestors of the vampires, along with Liu Yu and the others, left, and all the powerful figures observing secretly in the surroundings also dispersed.
Seeing Chen Xiao’s blood-red sword eliminate a powerful warrior at the sixth level of the Domain Realm with just one strike, they all realized that the key in Chen Xiao’s hands was unattainable.
“The third key…” Chen Xiao shook his head. He had already obtained information about this key from Olrich’s memories through the shadows.
To leave this labyrinth and open the exit, nine keys must be found. Only by gathering all nine keys scattered throughout the labyrinth can one leave.
Once a faction obtains one of these keys and has the ability to protect it, they gain the right to speak here.
“This is the third key in my hands. So, were there only two keys before?”
Chen Xiao thought for a moment before stepping forward toward the depths of the labyrinth.
“If the third key has been obtained, then the fourth key must also have appeared. We must search thoroughly!”
The moment Chen Xiao left, the powerful warriors of other realms also began to make plans.
In this labyrinth, only those who are powerful in the Domain Realm have the right to speak. Everyone else, whether at the ninth level or in the Source Realm, is nothing but fodder, meant to clear the way for them.
Through Olrich’s memories, Chen Xiao also gained some understanding of the situation in this labyrinth. Moreover, even through that virtual divine artifact, the Fiendly Spirit, which possessed the power of a ninth-level Domain Realm, he could see it.

Under the protection of the Power of the Supreme God, Chen Xiao’s mental energy spread rapidly as he began to explore the environment around him. The labyrinth was vast beyond Chen Xiao’s imagination; even when he expanded the range of his mental energy to the fullest, he couldn’t determine its boundaries. “There’s not even an exit door—what’s the use of a key?” Chen Xiao smiled helplessly as his body instantly started moving swiftly. Yuan Mie descended above him, casting a blood-red glow to protect him. …