After the notification, Ace's mind buzzed with this newfound perception and a new kind of feeling. He could now vaguely but surely feel the world around him like never before the air, the Qi, even the very Laws that governed existence itself.
It was like an invisible veil had been lifted, revealing the intricate web of Laws that wove reality together. He could sense them-different forces, different rules-some stronger, some weaker. And most importantly, he could feel a faint comprehension of how to manipulate them.
The Thief Sense had become more than a tool; it was now a direct connection to the very essence of the atmosphere. Primordial Law Thief Sense's potential was overwhelming, and the possibilities were endless.
Ace clenched his fists, feeling the surge of newfound power coursing through him. The World Seed thrummed in perfect harmony with his cultivation heart, and the Law Thief Sense heightened his awareness to a level he had never imagined possible.
He had ascended further in his path of ascension. This was the realm of Ascension Warrior, and he could feel that he might even be able to fight against Ascension 1-Star Ascension Grand General now!
At this moment, Ace looked around and smiled wryly because he was in the middle of a massive charred crater spread over miles. It was caused by the destructive might of the Heavenly Law Punishment!
"The commotion of this Heavenly Law Punishment was probably hundreds of times more than my last heavenly punishment, and if there was someone in the forbidden region's vicinity, I'm sure they might've noticed it, especially if they had a high cultivation base.
"That Inner Court Flame Elder Emil might also be here searching for clues from the Crimson Platinum since only a month had passed outside. So, I should leave this place first before I count my gains.'
Ace gave up on learning the Prime Law Phantom Forbidden Spell that he got from the system for now because he didn't want to take any chances of being discovered by anyone.
So, without hesitation, Ace started heading towards the exit of the forbidden region since he didn't want to explore this barren place further, at least not without any potential gains.
Furthermore, he hadn't forgotten about his deal with Freya and his own need for resources. After this first heavenly punishment, Ace knew how terrifying it would be in the future, so he wanted to cultivate the Universal Black Ascension Physique at all costs.
Ace didn't know how correct his decision had been because, just as he suspected, his Heavenly Punishment was simply too overbearing and grand. Despite the secluded environment of the forbidden region of the Spirit Inferno Domain, some very powerful people sense the chance, primarily because of the forbidden region's importance!
Not even an hour had passed since Ace left. Elder Emil appeared floating above the gigantic charred crater, somewhat exhausted yet disbelieving as he looked at the sheer destruction. "Someone had undergone Law Tribulation? But the destruction caused is far more than an Early Law Tribulation... could it be someone had triggered an intermediate stage law tribulation?!" Elder Emil was shocked by his own words, as he knew it was impossible because an Intermediate Law Tribulation means someone has tried to reach 'that' realm!
However, he knew that in the entire Spirit Inferno Region, only the Grand Elders of the AIG Sect were at the peak of the Ascension Guardian Realm. Those old men wouldn't dare to undergo heavenly tribulation unless they were at the end of their lifespan since he knew each Grand Elder level figure was an indispensable asset for a Second Grade Sect!
So, even if a Grand Elder wanted to cross to the next realm, the sect wouldn't allow it, especially if there were less than 50% chances of survival because the intermediate law tribulations were hundreds of times deadlier than the early stage.
Another reason was that the inheritance of a second-grade sect was thoroughly lacking to create that level of cultivators, and only the King Sects had methods to raise the chances of success. This was also the reason the King Sects were feared by many and how they hoarded talents.
"You are right, whoever tried it was a reckless fellow and now probably turn into ashes... what a pity we won't be able to know who this hermit cultivator was!" An old voice lamented as it was filled with pity.
Elder Emil was instantly startled as his eyes widened. He was horrified because he didn't sense any presence around him at all despite being an Ascension Master, and if this voice hadn't revealed itself, he probably wouldn't be able to tell either.
Sweating profusely, Elder Emil looked up, and his eyes contracted because, at this moment, floating above Elder Emil were five figures with regal bearing. Four of them were extremely old, wearing crimson robes with purple marks, but the law around them was extremely submissive. In the center of these four old figures was a handsome man wearing white scholarly robes.
Elder Emil might be an inner elder, but he instantly recognized those crimson robes with purple markings, especially the six stars embedded on the three figures' collars. He knew what that meant and instantly guessed their identities.
However, this made Elder Emil even more terrifying, as he never expected these enigmatic figures to appear all at once.
He stuttered, still in disbelief, "G-Gr-Grand Elders?!"
The white-robed scholar, who was precisely the Sect Master of the AIG Sect, Vincent, smiled ambiguously at Emil as he spoke first, "You must be Inner Sect Flame Elder Emil, right? Can you tell us what you were doing this deep in the Forbidden Region, and do you have any idea who this senior was?"
Elder Emil paled. This was the exact question he didn't want to hear, but he knew that in front of these five, he was an ant no matter what kind of status he had. If he dared to lie, they would instantly know because their cultivation base and law comprehension were far higher than his.
Furthermore, now that he looked at this place, he instantly thought that this person had also taken the Crimson Platinum, and he finally understood why the Mountain Tyrant wasn't able to detect it at all.
Emil couldn't help but curse whoever it was. Now that this person was dead, his crimson platinum should be destroyed since the Heavenly Tribulation would permanently destroy everything of a cultivator who failed to cross it, even the storage treasures!
But the thing was, if he confessed, these guys would instantly know about his selfish plan and how he had been hiding the existence of Crimson Platinum all this time!
Now, Elder Emil's situation was like avoiding the storm only to be caught in a hurricane!