218: Two emperors appear and the simulation of the secret realm begins

The golden radiance on the Holy Light Tower remained bright and soft.

However, the sky shrouding Near Holy City darkened.

It was as if the entire city had been put through an underworld filter.

In the sky, clouds gathered, churned, and swirled.

Gradually, they formed a vortex resembling a return-to-ruins sea eye.

“Why is there a death aura in Near Holy City?”

The Professionals on the periphery were astonished.

As a forbidden zone for undead power, Near Holy City was the last place a death aura should appear.

Yet, at this moment, everyone truly felt the cold touch of death.

Their Souls trembled under the warm Holy Light.

“Look, what’s going on!?”

A young Professional cried out in fear.

They saw a massive magic array appear on the plaza in front of the Holy Light Tower, enveloping over a thousand contestants.

The dark purple glow made the array look like a gate to the Netherworld.

Even ordinary people could sense that standing within it would lead to nothing good.

However, the thousand contestants within the array seemed completely oblivious.

They stared blankly at the Holy Light Tower’s cloud platform, silent and like Puppets.

Even the Holy Knights around the plaza were the same.

They all stood frozen in place, completely unresponsive to the strong death aura.

It seemed… they had been hypnotized by some power!

The Professionals grew vigilant.

The simultaneous presence of undead aura and Holy Light already gave them a bizarre and sinister feeling, and seeing the expressions of the contestants, anyone with eyes could tell—something was wrong.

Just then, two voices rang out, one after another.

“Everyone, there’s no need to worry. The Secret Realm simulation we’re opening is modeled after an undead Secret Realm.”

“Choosing Near Holy City to open the Secret Realm is also to use the power of Holy Light to suppress the death aura within it.”

The first voice was sharp and cutting.

The second voice was calm and indifferent.

Both voices were not loud, but they carried a profound Mental Energy.

It was as if they resonated in their minds, rather than being heard through their ears.

Everyone looked up and saw two figures floating in the air beneath the swirling clouds.

One of them wore a loose, intricately patterned robe, with golden ornaments adorning his chest.

His silver mask was further decorated with colorful feathers.

Such flamboyant attire made him look less like a Professional and more like a performer in an opera house.

However, Professionals active in Near Holy City knew that this person was no opera performer.

He was one of only two Emperor-Ranked Professionals in Near Holy City.

Karl Child.

His profession was very mysterious; no one knew his abilities.

Based only on his past achievements, he was a Professional who could manipulate Puppets, and his strength should be at the Legendary Tier.

The other person floating in the air wore a Gothic-style suit, with handsome features and an elegant, noble demeanor, like a royal noble stepping out of a painting.

This person was also one of the Emperors guarding Near Holy City.

Cain Howard.

His profession was Grand Duke of Blood, and his strength was at the Epic Tier.

Seeing the two Emperor-Ranked Professionals appear, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

“So the simulated Secret Realm is based on an undead-type Secret Realm.”

“With such a strong death aura, it’s no wonder they have to open it in Near Holy City; in other places, it might not be controllable.”

“With Emperor Tier present, I feel relieved.”

The Professionals discussed amongst themselves.

Even the most unreasonable things became reasonable with the endorsement of Emperor-Ranked Professionals.

After all, if the sky falls, there’s someone tall to hold it up.

In today’s world, Emperor-Ranked Professionals were the top fighting force.

If two big shots said it was fine, what else was there to worry about?

“Tsk, these ants are really easy to fool.”

Karl Child floated in the air, looking down at the crowd below, the disdain beneath his mask unconcealed.

According to the original plan, the Child Family Professionals would only deploy the Throne of Bones after everyone in Near Holy City had been hypnotized.

But for some reason, the Pope wanted to activate it early.

Deploying the Throne of Bones in Near Holy City.

Even a child would know it wasn't normal.

To ensure the plan proceeded, Karl, as an Emperor, had to personally appear with his “new toy” to stabilize the public’s emotions.

“It’s the first time I’ve used it, and the effect is quite good.”

“I just don’t know how easy it will be to control in battle.”

Karl looked at Cain Howard opposite him, a sinister smile on his face.

“The Howard Family probably won’t realize that their Old Ancestor has long been turned into a Puppet.”

“It doesn’t matter. After today’s performance, the Howard Family will cease to exist.”

Karl’s lips curved into a cruel smile… “When did Old Ancestor Cain wake up???”

On the Howard Family platform, Ike was utterly shocked.

Cain Howard was the strongest member of the Howard Family.

For the past three years, he had been sleeping in a stone coffin, but today he suddenly appeared!

Ike didn’t understand.

He didn’t understand why the Old Ancestor hadn’t greeted his family members upon waking.

Appearing directly before everyone like this was quite sudden.

Even stranger… why was he with the Child Family’s Emperor?

And why was he explaining the simulated Secret Realm with him?

The Howard Family had not participated in any aspects of this tournament.

“Is he really the Old Ancestor?”

Ike stared intently at the noble gentleman in the sky.

He could feel a familiar aura from him.

Ike was certain that it was his own Old Ancestor, Cain Howard.

But… Ike still felt something was wrong.

“Someone!”

“Sir, I’m here.”

“Follow me to the underground castle. I want to see if he’s still in the stone coffin.”

…Shortly after the two Emperors appeared,

the simulated Secret Realm was fully activated.

In the plaza, a faint wisp of Qi floated out from the bodies of the thousand Professionals, as if their Souls were emerging.

No, not as if.

Their Souls were truly emerging!

Everyone’s Souls were drawn by an invisible force, floating out of their bodies.

Following the airflow created by the vortex in the sky, they spiraled towards the center of the vortex.

The Physical Bodies that had lost their Souls remained standing in place, as if nothing had happened.

Seeing this, Qin Yang in the Holy Light Tower was suddenly startled.

He looked at Tina beside him and asked, “What’s going on?”

At this moment, Tina seemed like a completely different person.

Her eyes were filled with a sacred and noble Divine Power.

“Their Souls have been drawn into the Throne of Bones.”

Tina’s voice was like celestial music, imbued with pure Holy Light power.

At this moment, she had been possessed by Holy Light Goddess Ailebeila.

“Souls drawn into the Secret Realm.”

Qin Yang frowned, looking at three familiar figures in the crowd.

Chu Mengxuan, He Zhiyi, Ye Qiuning.

The color rapidly drained from their faces.

At the same time, their pupils dilated.

This was clearly the sign of losing life!