Chapter 1687 Mirror Descent （2）
Mirror Descent was a cultivation technique known only to truly powerful races of the Void Realm.
Using this method required at least two prerequisites. First, a suitable Lower Realm was essential. Second, formidable Array Dao skills were necessary.
And precisely, the Male and Female Shaman Clan possessed both.
Thus, Mirror Descent became one of the most anticipated cultivation methods for cultivators of the Male and Female Shaman Clan, especially for those seeking to condense and strengthen their Spirit Separation.
Sun Hao was no exception.
Mirror Descent held even more significance for Gerlane. Born lacking a strand of Divine Soul, inherently weaker in Spiritual Consciousness, this method offered a crucial and urgent path to elevate her soul strength.
After emerging, Gerlane enthusiastically explored Dragon Domain with Sun Hao for a while, battling various creatures. She eventually recalled her mother's instructions: she needed to undergo Mirror Descent to cultivate her spirit soul.
Immediately, she spiritedly led Sun Hao to the Mirror Descent chamber within Dragon Domain and hurriedly contacted her brother. "Brother, I've arrived! I brought Xiaoshan! Let's Mirror Descent together to train our spirit souls..."
Almost instantly, Germain's surprised and delighted voice emanated from the Blue Orb in her hand, "Lil' sis! You're finally out of seclusion! Missed you so much! But ah, you're a bit late this time. I'm heading to the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm for this descent. It's not a realm you can just waltz into casually. The Warriors my Hero can mirror have already descended in advance, and there aren't any slots left for you now. Don't worry though, sis. It'll take me maybe half a year to a year at most, then I'll be back. Any realm you want then, I'll take you!"
Gerlane blinked, baffled. "Brother... that sounded way too complicated. I didn't get it."
Germain simplified it. "What I mean is, I'll take you next time."
Gerlane pouted and looked at Sun Hao. "Xiaoshan, what does brother mean? Why next time?"
Sun Hao thought for a moment and spoke softly. "Let's see if we can find the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm. Maybe we can get in ourselves."
Gerlane didn't overthink it. She cheered loudly. "Alrighty! Let's go..."
They found an unoccupied mirror chamber. Gerlane swept her Array Basketball lightly to open it, and both slipped inside.
Inside, Gerlane peered around curiously. "Xiaoshan, what now?"
Sun Hao smiled. "Simple. Each find a Meditation Cushion. Sit down. Hold hands. If we succeed, we should be together."
Based on Germain’s explanation, the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm's entrance spots had reached the maximum capacity that his Hero's unit could command. Sun Hao and Gerlane simply couldn't enter.
Gerlane nodded dimly, still largely confused about such matters.
But Sun Hao understood quite clearly. If he could enter the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm, then Germain wouldn’t need to worry about that so-called "Warrior limit."
He possessed the First-grade Purple-Gold Belt, after all.
In the Middle Void, Sun Hao had gradually grasped concepts that were obscure in the Lower Void, such as the purpose of the Hero’s Headband.
The Myriad Races of the Central Void interacted with countless Lower Realms. Yet, these powerful Middle Void races couldn't waltz freely into Lower Realms without restriction; passage required credentials.
The Void Ranking’s Hero’s Headband was one such credential – more precisely, it allowed the bearer to lead a contingent of Warriors into a Lower Realm.
This explained the immense value of Lower Void Heroes and their ability to choose Mid-Void Cultivators to form contracts.
Witch Clan records indicated that once in a Lower Realm, the Hero’s Headband had numerous miraculous effects, significantly boosting the combat power of the unit it led and manifesting powerful abilities.
Naturally, different grades of headbands yielded different effects.
Sun Hao privately mused about the First-grade Purple-Gold Belt hidden on his forehead. Honestly, he didn’t know exactly how many people he could bring with him, nor what effects it would exert once there. But right now, he felt reasonably certain that he and Gerlane could likely initiate the Mirror Descent.
The outcome aligned precisely with Sun Hao’s prediction. Gerlane and Sun Hao felt only a slight dizziness, a ripple effect seemingly swirling around them.
When their minds refocused, they found themselves hand-in-hand on an immense grassland.
The grassland stretched beyond sight, each stalk of wild grass as tall as, if not taller than Gerlane. Numerous trees stood scattered throughout.
Despite the lush vegetation in the steppe, the climate was harshly cold. The moment they arrived, both felt as if they'd plunged into an ice cellar, their bodies involuntarily shivering.
Sun Hao gave a gentle shake of his wrist. A large pack basket manifested on his back. He gave it a light pat and tugged gently, signaling Gerlane to climb on.
Perched on Sun Hao’s broad back, Gerlane exclaimed in surprise, "This place is so weird! So cold! And I can't fly here! Is this the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm? Xiaoshan, what do we do now?"
Sun Hao explained with a smile, "In such Lower Realms, two types of enemies typically appear. First, uncivilized native inhabitants who instinctively drive out intruders and become adversaries—though occasionally, they might become allies. Second, the true enemy: Mirror Images of Undead Race armies sent here, or sometimes actual physical Undead invaders. Our main task is to strengthen our spirit souls through continuous combat amidst them..."
Gerlane curiously patted her body. "Xiaoshan, why don't I feel mirrored at all? It feels like this body is truly my own."
Sun Hao smiled again. "That's due to this realm's unique rules reflecting our form outwardly. What arrived here isn't our true bodies, but fragments of our souls. Simply put, if we die within the Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm, our true bodies will suffer immensely but won't perish outright. We can also strengthen our spirit souls through the understanding gained from this cycle of death and rebirth. Of course, if we manage to defeat death entirely and conquer this Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm directly... the progress for our spirit soul would be even more incredible..."
Gerlane giggled, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's move out! Conquer this Half-Dead Frost Dragon Realm!"
Sun Hao ambled forward in the direction Gerlane pointed, speaking as he moved. "Conquering a Lower Realm is very difficult. Especially one labeled 'Half-Dead' and named after Frost Dragons. Not only will there be masses of Undead Race troops, but likely actual Frost Dragons guarding it too. I suspect even your brother and his group are just here for training; they might not even dream of conquering this entire realm."
Gerlane looked stunned for a second. "So tough? Fine... my brother probably doesn't bring many Warriors either. Conquering it does seem unlikely. Come on, Xiaoshan, let's find brother's main force."
Sun Hao broke into a run, carrying Gerlane swiftly across the grassland. Yet, without the ability to fly freely, locating Germain within a vast Lower Realm was virtually impossible.
They hadn't dashed three hours when strange changes occurred on the steppe.
Squads—not of Undead Warriors, but seemingly native inhabitants—began emerging amid the tall grasses.
These Warriors were much shorter than ordinary humans, resembling Dwarves—compact and powerful, with horizontal tattoos on their faces. Groups of roughly thirty formed small units, watching Sun Hao and Gerlane intently from a distance. They appeared observant and cautious, making no immediate hostile moves.
Gerlane studied the diminutive figures with wide-eyed curiosity. "Xiaoshan, are these shortlings the natives?"
Sun Hao nodded. "Yes, they are the locals. Don't be fooled by their size. Look carefully—they’re incredibly agile, their bows are meticulously crafted, and each one appears to be an elite archer. If a fight breaks out, expect a rain of arrows..."
After running for a further three hours, a large, open clearing appeared in the grassland. A tall mound rose in the center, and atop it stood a Warrior distinctly taller than the others, nearly Gerlane's full height. A chicken feather adorned his hair as he gripped a bow and surveyed the newcomers.
Sun Hao’s tall form strode out of the waist-high grass and halted a good distance away from the Warrior on the mound.
Gerlane, still on his back, whispered cautiously, "Is battle starting?"
The blue glow intensified in her Orb as she readied a Witch Clan spell in her palm.
Sun Hao wore a faintly strange expression. "Hold your attack, Little Lan. They don’t seem hostile."
Before he finished speaking, the robust Warrior knelt on one knee atop the mound. He addressed Sun Hao and Gerlane, uttering guttural words in his native tongue.
Simultaneous with his speech, a faint violet light shimmered on Sun Hao’s forehead. Instantly, both Sun Hao and Gerlane understood the meaning behind the Warrior’s words:
"Great warrior! We honor your mighty name. Wish join your band. You welcome us?"