Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying waited outside, while deep within the Secret Realm…
As the Xuanwu Turtle shells of Graphite and Grinding Stone fused with the descending starlight, the world before Golden Crocodile and Tang Zhen underwent a dramatic transformation.
In their eyes, the vast lake above was no longer a lake at all—it was merely accumulated water contained within a colossal turtle shell. Even the island where they had stood earlier was nothing more than a massive, hollow piece of ancient wood that had pierced through the carapace.
Even someone as powerful as Golden Crocodile felt cold sweat bead on his back at the sight.
"So this place was formed by the fall of a Deity…" Golden Crocodile muttered. "And judging by this presence, it must be the Divine Beast Xuanwu of the Four Ancient Divine Beasts. No wonder the patterns on the backs of Graphite and Grinding Stone's Xuanwu Turtle Spirits resonated with this place!"
Tang Zhen was equally shaken.
He could hardly imagine what kind of war could cause an immortal, eternal Deity to fall. In his understanding, Deities were supreme existences beyond Limit Douluo, residing high above in the God Realm. Yet here lay the remnants of a fallen Deity—and not just any Deity, but a Beast God, a god of the Spirit Beast lineage.
A fallen Beast God… such a thing was almost unheard of.
As they watched, Graphite and Grinding Stone—completely enveloped in starlight—grew increasingly radiant.
Golden Crocodile and Tang Zhen were both stunned. They had initially thought the two brothers were merely the "keys" to opening the Secret Realm. Never had they imagined that this place would instead become a colossal opportunity for them.
Even Golden Crocodile felt a trace of envy.
With his cultivation already at level ninety-nine, Limit Douluo, the next step for him was a God Position. Yet it was clear he had no connection whatsoever to the Divine Beast Xuanwu, and thus no chance of inheriting the Black Tortoise God Position.
In comparison, Tang Zhen's Dragon-Pattern Armored Turtle Martial Soul was actually more compatible. If one had to be chosen between the two of them, it certainly wouldn't be Golden Crocodile.
Golden Crocodile even began to suspect that when he and Qiangu Yuan had first entered this Secret Realm, it was because their Martial Souls possessed a faint connection to Xuanwu. Otherwise, the realm might have remained dormant forever.
At the very least, they were still turtle-type Spirit Masters.
If such a Secret Realm had truly been open and obvious, the two Tiger Emperors of the past would never have ignored it. They had gone as far as invading the Star Dou Great Forest in search of methods to resist the two-hundred-thousand-year Heavenly Tribulation, yet they never discovered this place. That alone said enough.
Tang Zhen shifted his gaze to the brothers.
Graphite and Grinding Stone were now completely shrouded in intertwining light and shadow. Their Martial Souls underwent violent transformations before being swallowed by the radiance, forming two cocoon-like spheres, like silkworm chrysalises at dawn.
Tang Zhen sighed and turned to Golden Crocodile.
"Second Consecrator, I truly didn't expect this to become the greatest opportunity of my disciples' lives. It seems this Xuanwu Secret Realm truly lives up to its name—it exists for those connected to Xuanwu."
Golden Crocodile nodded.
"Indeed. Still, you may yet have your own chance. That water-attribute stone tablet you absorbed before was already one such opportunity. I suspect more changes will come as we go deeper."
Aboveground, Yin Zhang and Qiangu Yunying waited for a long time before Golden Crocodile and Tang Zhen finally emerged.
But Graphite and Grinding Stone were nowhere to be seen.
Qiangu Yunying asked in confusion,
"Grandpa Golden Crocodile, Uncle Tang, why haven't Graphite and Grinding Stone come up yet? Is there still something happening down there?"
Golden Crocodile smiled and nodded.
"They're still unconscious. After opening the Secret Realm, they received rewards. Their Martial Souls have undergone a tremendous transformation—most likely a Spirit evolution. Whether it's Xuanwu or even the Divine Beast Xuanwu, I can't say for certain."
He paused briefly before adding,
"But one thing is clear: they've gained an extraordinary opportunity. When they wake up, their spirit power may very well have risen directly to level forty."
Tang Zhen sighed emotionally.
"They've truly struck upon great fortune. I'm curious to see what they ultimately become."
Meanwhile, Yin Zhang quietly felt the ten-centimeter-wide bead hidden within his sleeve.
The bead resembled a turtle shell. Inside it was a vivid Xuanwu—turtle and snake intertwined, the serpent coiled atop the shell, head raised toward the heavens, hissing silently.
Yin Zhang couldn't help but feel a trace of regret.
From the looks of it, the two brothers would not be able to evolve directly into the Divine Beast Xuanwu on their own. And without such an evolution, inheriting the Xuanwu God Position would be impossible.
That was where the Black Tortoise Bead in his hand came in.
Still, Yin Zhang had no intention of handing it over immediately.
Giving such a divine item too easily would only invite trouble. He needed time—to observe, to build trust, to see who was truly worthy.
When the time came, he would allow one of them to use the Black Tortoise Bead, complete the evolution into the Divine Beast Xuanwu, and step onto the path of inheriting the Xuanwu God Position—becoming his pillar and right-hand man.
But that time was still far off.
When Graphite and Grinding Stone finally emerged…
All four present were stunned.
The two muscular, rugged brothers of the past were gone.
Standing before them were two tall, slender, handsome young men.
Despite the drastic change in appearance, it was still easy to tell them apart—the difference in temperament between the elder and younger brother was unmistakable.
Grinding Stone grinned proudly and said,
"Everyone, my brother and I received the blessing of the Black Tortoise God. Our Martial Souls have evolved into Xuanwu, our spirit power has risen to level forty—and even our appearances have changed!"