Chapter 674: Chapter 412 Deciphering the Stele – Part 2

Logan stepped into the stele to examine it and found that it was just an ordinary stele; at that moment, he couldn’t see anything peculiar about it. After all, dozens of Sanctuary Powerhouses had been trapped here for so many years—it was unlikely that Logan would be able to detect anything amiss upon arrival.

Logan walked around the area more than a dozen times, wondering to himself if the second challenge was like the first, what would it test? Moreover, the spiritual energy in the patch of forest he had just come from was abundant, but this dilapidated palace had not a trace of it. Could there be a connection between the two?

He was at a loss for an answer—the spiritual energy in the forest couldn’t have come from nothing. Even if this were a mini-world manifested by an array, for it to maintain its operation, there had to be a logical source of spiritual energy. If it were unfounded, not even individuals of a higher Realm could achieve it.

Could he start by investigating this stele? Logan kicked it a few times, and the stele immediately toppled over, causing the dozens of Sanctuary Powerhouses to gasp in shock at his audacity.

Logan too was startled and quickly set the stele back up, but then he sensed something was wrong—why didn’t the stele seem like ordinary stone? There was even a force of Law’s Force within it, a power not belonging to Thunder Tribulation. Could this be the reason for the nearby abundance of spiritual energy?

With this thought in mind, Logan addressed the dozens of Sanctuary Powerhouses present, “Your realms are higher; can you use physical force to shatter this stele?”

“Isn’t that a bit imprudent? After all, this stele is the only clue we have for breaking through the challenge. Wouldn’t we be trapped here for life if it’s destroyed?”

Someone raised doubts, believing that Logan, being young and naive, didn’t understand the gravity of the situation. Others nodded in agreement, also thinking it unwise to take such a risk.

Logan’s brow furrowed as he earnestly responded, “You all say that the clue lies within the stele, but after staring at it for decades, what have you discerned? It can’t be that this opportunity is left for someone to come along and have an epiphany… right? There should at least be some characters engraved on it!”

“If there’s Law’s Force on the stele, it indicates there must be more to it than meets the eye. I wouldn’t put us all in danger. If destroying it truly does make us unable to leave, I’ll be trapped here for life just like you. You are nearing the end of your lifespans, while I still have a bright future ahead.”

At this moment, Wexler Daoist stepped forward to support Logan, “Logan solved the first challenge entirely on his own. I believe he’s not someone who acts recklessly. Perhaps we’re too old to see clearly. Let the young one try; after all, Logan has helped our Sects on the outside.”

“I agree as well. Everyone has been wanting to open up the stele, and now that we’ve hesitated for so long, why not take a risk today?”

Cloud Sky Taoist also nodded, believing that Logan, daring to step into the Ancient Secret Realm at the Dominator Realm level, and with his dear friend Wexler Daoist trusting him, must have some exceptional qualities.

“I disagree. If we study it for another year and a half and indeed have no other means left, then letting Logan have a try might be acceptable.”

More people chose not to trust, causing Logan to grow impatient. Wait another year and a half? He didn’t want to be stuck here that long. He had intended to leave the Ancient Secret Realm within a few months because Bart Cloud was still waiting for him in the Extreme Cold Lands.

Holy Daoist cleared his throat, and the compelling power of a Sanctuary Powerhouse burst forth, “Young friend, ignore them. You study it to your heart’s content, and if anyone dares to stop you, I will intervene.”

With those words, the dozens of people present showed fear. Although they were all at the Saint Seat Realm, they were now at the end of their lifespans, with not much time remaining, unlike Holy Daoist, who had only entered the Ancient Secret Realm for a mere ten years and was comparatively younger.

Should a fight break out, in their frail state, they stood no chance against Holy Daoist unless they were willing to fight to the death without regard for their lives, but not a single one was prepared to gamble with their life thus.

Empowered by Holy Daoist’s words, Wexler Daoist approached the stele and struck it with the force of Holy Dao, which instantly crumbled into countless pieces.

Yet besides the fragments, there was nothing unusual left behind. The other Sanctuary Powerhouses gathered around, inspecting it for a while only to confirm it was of no use.

Their expressions changed as they pointed accusingly at Logan, “Because of your recklessness, the stele is gone, and now so many of us Sanctuary Powerhouses will be trapped here for life!”

Their lifespan was not long, and they only wished for an opportunity to step into the next Realm and continue living. Being trapped here, death was the only thing waiting for them.

Wexler Daoist also looked dispirited. He had thought that Logan might overcome the first obstacle as before, but it seemed he had expected too much. However, this was not entirely Logan’s fault.

“Everyone, Logan did help our Saint Sky Sect on the outside, so don’t lose your temper. If anyone dares to harm Logan, don’t blame me for being rude!”

Holy Daoist saw the signs of aggression in the crowd and spoke out once again to deter them. Logan had saved the Saint Sky Sect after all, and had restored peace to the entire Central Region. If he simply watched Logan being attacked by these dozens of Sanctuary Powerhouses, he wouldn’t deserve to be the Supreme Elder of the Saint Sky Sect.

Yet these dozens scoffed, not giving Holy Daoist any face: “We feared you before because we all still longed for life. Now that Logan has shattered this hope, what if you are stronger than us? One person can take you down with them, let alone dozens of us.”

Logan had been ignoring the crowd, instead studying the fragments of the stele. Why had the Law’s Force disappeared as soon as the stele broke? Even if the stele had broken into countless pieces, each fragment should contain the Law’s Force. And what had been the function of the previous Law’s Force?

“Would you stop arguing? Could you be quiet for a moment?” Logan was already entangled in his thoughts, and the unrest of these dozens was truly agitating him.

After all, these dozens were Sanctuary Powerhouses. Couldn’t they maintain the decorum of the strong? Letting him ponder for a while, he might even come up with a solution.

“Young people nowadays are so arrogant and presumptuous. Clearly having made a mistake in their stubbornness, they still dare to get angry?” The dozens were furious. Logan was just a minor Strong Dominator. By what right did he act so arrogantly before a host of Sanctuary Powerhouses? It was truly ignorance of the highest order.

Even if what Logan had said before was true, and he had dealt with the Demonic Sky Gate and the Blood Drinking Sect, he had only faced two Sanctuary Powerhouses. Here, there were dozens, and the additive power of each Sanctuary Powerhouse was formidable. Dozens of them were likely heights Logan could not reach in his lifetime.

One of the Sanctuary Powerhouses couldn’t stand it any longer and moved to attack Logan: “This punch of mine will crush you so thoroughly, not even ashes will remain!”

Upon hearing this, Wexler Daoist immediately stood in the way, and Holy Daoist also prepared to save Logan. At this moment, Logan, as if he had an epiphany, laughed as if he understood something.

This scene stunned everyone. Watching Logan collect all the fragments on the ground, they couldn’t help but sigh. Surely he couldn’t accept the blow and had gone mad. With the strength of the Dominator Realm, he dared to enter the Ancient Secret Realm. Now facing this calamity, it seemed an inevitable karmic consequence.

“Think about it. When Wexler Daoist threw that punch earlier, using his full strength, wouldn’t an ordinary stele have been reduced to nothing but ashes? Why did it break into just over a dozen pieces?”

Logan glanced up at the crowd and continued, “The key to breaking the puzzle is in the fragments. I must piece it together again, and I’m sure to find the key.”

The dozens had a sudden realization, each feeling that Logan’s words made sense. Why hadn’t they thought of this? They had been too busy blaming Logan.

After Logan pieced the stele back together, everything was as silent as death once more. The others, having just reignited hope, felt it extinguished again and were consumed by frustration. Wexler Daoist and Holy Daoist and a few others kept speaking out, urging Logan not to feel too much pressure and to think calmly.

“Perhaps the order needs to be disrupted, to assemble another stele!” After thinking it over, this was the only solution Logan could come up with; otherwise, he couldn’t think of any other avenues.

But with just over a dozen fragments, if he were to mix and assemble them, hundreds of combinations were possible. What if the stele completely crumbled to dust after a few attempts?

The dozens were silent, each absorbed in their thoughts, observing on the side. They had just shown contempt for Logan, but now all their hopes were pinned on him.

Logan didn’t rush to piece it together but observed each fragment, hoping to find a clue. If the Strong One from the Ancient Secret Realm had truly left behind a chance, they would not have set an impossible puzzle. If they intended for a deserving person to inherit, there naturally would be some hints.