253: Controlled

Star Glass bit her lip and silently walked to the cushion in the corner and sat down.

The continuous fright left her physically and mentally exhausted, and her mind was in chaos.

She didn't know what this man ultimately wanted to do.

But at least for now, she was still alive.

After sitting quietly in the Cultivation Room to regulate his breathing for a moment, Chen Yuan got up, ready to head to the Secret Treasure Pavilion to collect his mission reward.

The Secret Treasure Pavilion.

The one who received him was still the Deacon Elder wearing a Bronze Mask from last time.

When Chen Yuan presented his token, the eyes of the Deacon Elder, hidden behind the mask, lit up.

He placed the token on the nearby dao court mirror.

Instantly, the dao court mirror flashed with light.

The words “Mission Complete” immediately appeared.

He let out a soft chuckle:

“Not bad, truly not bad. Of ten people who take this mission, it's lucky if one returns alive, let alone completes the mission.

In the past hundred years, you are the first newcomer to complete this Introductory Mission.”

His tone carried emotion, but that was all.

In the Doomsday Dao Court, talent and the ability to complete missions are the true currency; sympathy or regret are the most useless emotions.

“Follow me.”

The Deacon Elder turned and motioned for Chen Yuan to follow.

He did not walk toward the Exchange Counter but instead led Chen Yuan through a secret passage inside the Secret Treasure Pavilion, arriving at a Secret Chamber.

In the center of the Secret Chamber stood a bizarrely shaped Pitch-Black Altar.

Above the altar floated a dark red crystal. Inside the crystal, blood seemed to flow, emitting a heart-palpitating aura.

“No need to be nervous.” The Deacon Elder's voice was calm.

“Only by completing your first Official Mission have you truly stepped across the threshold of the Dao Court.

This Blood Contract Altar is the Initiation Ceremony prepared for all newcomers. Drip a drop of your Essence Blood onto the altar, and from then on, you will be connected to the Dao Court's Luck, sharing both glory and disgrace.”

After speaking, an Eternal Realm pressure erupted from the Deacon, causing Chen Yuan's breath to catch. The Qi inside his body became chaotic, and an invisible pressure surrounded him.

Chen Yuan's heart sank, and his expression subtly changed.

What “connected to Luck, sharing glory and disgrace”? This was clearly meant to control him.

Once this drop of Essence Blood fell, it definitely wouldn't be as simple as mere identity verification!

“Elder, what is the meaning of this action?” Chen Yuan asked, forcing himself to remain calm.

The Deacon Elder glanced at him:

“Don't worry. The Dao Court absorbs the world's talents to jointly create the Great Doomsday Enterprise, so naturally, it requires certain guarantees.

This Blood Contract allows you to receive the protection of the Dao Court's Luck at critical moments, and more importantly, prevents anyone from harboring dissenting ambitions, betraying the Dao Court, or leaking secrets.

After all, the path toward the end tolerates no hesitation or disloyalty.”

He paused, his tone turning cold, and the Eternal Realm pressure intensified slightly:

“Of course, you can choose not to drip it. But you know too much! Hehehe.”

Naked threat! Either accept control, or die!

Chen Yuan's expression shifted as he felt the Eternal Realm pressure locking onto him, his mind racing.

Resist? Forget about him only being in the Third Revolution Tribulation Crossing Stage now, even a Ninth Revolution Tribulation Transcendence Stage Cultivator would be instantly killed by a single thought in front of the Eternal Realm.

After a moment of silence, Chen Yuan gritted his teeth, knowing he had no choice at this moment.

He extended his right index finger, forced out a drop of Essence Blood, and let it fall onto the altar.

The moment the Essence Blood touched the altar, the entire altar suddenly lit up with a dark red, sinister light!

Chen Yuan only felt his Qi Sea shake, as if something invisible had been branded onto his Primordial Spirit Origin!

It was indeed a Slavery Restriction! What “connected to Luck”? It was clearly Control over Life and Death!

Seeing that the Restriction was complete, the Deacon Elder nodded in satisfaction, and the terrifying pressure subsequently receded:

“Very good. From now on, you are truly one of the Dao Court's own people. Don't worry, as long as you wholeheartedly serve the Dao Court, this Restriction will only bring you benefits, not harm. Now, you may go exchange your reward.”

Chen Yuan's heart was cold, but he dared not show it, stating solemnly, “Yes.”

Returning to the front hall of the Secret Treasure Pavilion, Chen Yuan spent most of his Contribution Points to exchange for a full two hundred tribulation passing pillss.

This quantity was just enough for an ordinary Second-Turn Undergoing Tribulation Cultivator to Breakthrough to the Third Revolution.

On the way back to Courtyard Seven, Ding District, Chen Yuan urgently called out to the System in his mind:

“Little Cherry! A Slavery Restriction from the Doomsday Dao Court has been planted in my Sea of Consciousness. Is there any way to remove it?”

[Ding! Yes, Host, there is!

It requires the Host to end himself? The Restriction will automatically dissipate.]

“What? End myself? Little Cherry, are you kidding me?” Chen Yuan looked utterly confused.

[Host, I know you're anxious, but don't panic yet. It's not actual suicide, but feigning death to enter Reincarnation.

There is a Secret Technique that allows the Host's Main Consciousness Soul to temporarily leave the Physical Body and enter Reincarnation. This way, the Host appears genuinely dead, which can deceive the Laws of Heaven and Earth and the Restriction.

Once the Restriction dissipates, the Host can have someone bring the Physical Body back and then use the Secret Technique to return to the main body.]

[Note: The Rebirth process involves risks. The newly awakened consciousness will be in a state of ignorance in the Early Stage, with memories completely Sealed. Memories can only be gradually unsealed after Cultivating to the Golden Core Stage.

Furthermore, the Rebirth location is random. If you fall into a Mortal World without Spiritual Qi, the recovery time will be greatly extended, possibly preventing memory recovery permanently.]

[Secret Technique exchange price: 100 million Emotion Points.]

Currently, Chen Yuan has slightly over 200 million Emotion Points in his account.

Due to a series of major events, such as Star Glass being abducted, the Black Rock Prefecture being shaken, and the Demon Emperor's fury, he continued to gain a considerable amount.

Chen Yuan's mouth twitched as he looked at the Secret Technique that required 100 million to exchange.

100 million! And the risk is huge!

Rebirth resulting in amnesia and a random location—this is practically a huge gamble!

“Is there no safer method?” Chen Yuan asked unwillingly.

[Currently, there is no better solution. This Restriction involves the Power of Rules above the Eternal Realm and is connected to the Origin of the Doomsday Dao Court.]

Chen Yuan took a deep breath, temporarily suppressing the urge to exchange immediately.

This matter required careful planning; he needed to prepare comprehensive backup measures at the very least.

Chen Yuan returned to the Cultivation Room with a heavy heart. Star Glass was still sitting in the corner. Seeing him return, she lifted her eyelids to glance at him, then quickly lowered them again.

Chen Yuan looked at her, and a thought suddenly sparked in his mind.

He walked up to Star Glass and tossed the two hundred newly exchanged tribulation passing pillss, along with the Storage Pouch containing them, directly into her lap.

Star Glass was stunned. She instinctively caught them, and after sweeping them with her Divine Sense, a look of surprise immediately appeared:

“tribulation passing pillss? Two hundred of them? Why are you giving these to me?”

“For you to Cultivate with.” Chen Yuan's tone was casual.

[Ding! Detected Host gifting Star Glass 200 tribulation passing pillss, triggering the Ten Thousand Times Return condition! Please select return type: Ten Thousand Times Quantity / Ten Thousand Times Quality?]

“Ten Thousand Times Quantity!” Chen Yuan said without hesitation.

[Selection confirmed! Ten Thousand Times Quantity Return takes effect! Congratulations to Host on receiving: 2 million tribulation passing pillss!]

Two million tribulation passing pillss! Chen Yuan felt slightly better.

He needed 1.4 million to Breakthrough to the Fourth Revolution Tribulation Transcension, which was more than enough, with some remaining.