Although your physical body is strong and you've devised an excellent plan to use the Southern Bright Fire to replace spiritual energy, your strength is ultimately suppressed to less than one-tenth of its original power.

Do you know how terrifying the laws and Dao essence you've accumulated over nine lifetimes are? Once unsealed, even the entire Upper Heaven Realm would have to prostrate itself at your feet.

Shen Zhao took a deep breath: "So what? Even if I can't release my spiritual energy, it won't stop me. After all, I like to use my brain to solve problems most of the time, that's what makes things interesting."

"That's because the opponents you're facing now are generally not very powerful. Once the various secret realms open in the future, your formidable strength may not be of much use."

If you agree to continue cooperating, I can consider lifting some of the seals within you, but on the condition that I return to your body.

Shen Zhao refused without even thinking: "Although your offer is very tempting, I'm sorry, I will never let you control me again in this lifetime."

"Don't rush to refuse. I can give you twenty years. During these twenty years, I will not restrict any of your actions."

But twenty years from now, you must travel to the summit of the Nine Heavens to merge with me once more. Think about it. Having reincarnated nine times, you should know that the Immortal Martial Continent is far more dangerous than it appears on the surface.

Do you want to know what irreversible situation occurred in the entire Immortal Martial Continent after your death?

The three luminaries were obscured, all things withered, the Great Emperor fell, and evil permeated the nine realms of immortals and martial arts, causing hundreds of millions of lives to become unspeakable food.

Shen Zhao fell into deep thought, took a deep breath, and slowly said, "It seems I really have no reason to refuse."

“A wise choice. I will give you even greater power and help you get rid of the problem of not being able to use your spiritual energy.”

"I don't think it's necessary. With or without you, I can still solve the problem of stagnant Qi Sea. Through nine reincarnations, I was able to reach the peak every time, not just by relying on the system. After all, you should know better than anyone the miracles I have created."

"As for the problem of corruption you mentioned, I think I can find a way to solve it whether you are here or not."

"No, your current strength is far from enough to fight against the evil influence. The system has its own rules, and without a host, you cannot obtain the power and cultivation to transcend."

"I'm the kind of person who likes to take on impossible tasks. No matter what you say, I won't listen, so I advise you not to try anything with me again."

The system fell silent.

At the same time, Shen Zhao remained silent, quietly waiting for the system's response.

But the next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, followed by a flash of white light before his eyes.

Faintly, the system's voice rang in my ears: "Very good, host. I also want to see how much you can grow without my help. I will be waiting for your return at the peak of the nine heavens."

When Shen Zhao woke up, he found himself in a desolate wasteland.

Upon seeing Shen Zhao awaken, Ding Bu'er immediately cried out, "Master Shen, you're finally awake! You scared me to death!"

Shen Zhao wiped his face and asked, "How long have I been asleep?"

"It's been a month, Master Chen!"

"What! A month!"

Shen Zhao was shocked to hear this.

Just as he was about to ask what had happened during his slumber, a whip suddenly cracked in mid-air.

Immediately following was an angry shout: "Useless trash, what are you dawdling for! If you're awake, get up and push the cart!"

Looking up, all I could see were ragged people pushing horse-drawn carts and speeding across the wasteland.