I'm not just human!

He didn't even dare to look directly at them, let alone inquire about the origins of the two strongest among the nine righteous gods. That would be tantamount to courting death, and Xia Fa understood this principle.

The voice of the Paradox Joker rang out again, this time filled with curiosity:

"So, Xiafa, is there anything special about your past experiences? For example, were there any unusual phenomena when you were born? Did you have any memorable experiences as a child?"

He immediately added after saying that:

"Of course, you can say whatever you want. You don't have to tell us your secrets. However, I'm really curious. A human body signing five overlord-level secret contracts, absorbing and containing the [Eternal Critical Strike] in a few seconds to become a god, and becoming a god without causing pollution to the real world... If I didn't have time right now, I might really want to find out why you are so special."

Xia Fa smiled wryly:

"My past? It doesn't seem to be anything special. Does the fact that some people mistakenly believe I'm a descendant of the Baal behemoth count?"

[The Paradox Joker] immediately said:

"Of course not. Given your special status, even Baal wouldn't be worthy to carry your shoes."

Xia Fa smiled helplessly:

"Well... why don't you ask the First Historian?"

In fact, besides the three secrets mentioned by the Paradox Clown, he also had the burning sensation in his heart meridian, the strange current in his spine, the random free meals, time travel back to the mutant era, the first and second hearts with the texture of the sun, the three major mutations brought about by the mutant system... and other great secrets.

However, this is of course impossible to say, to anyone.

Oh right, and the most crucial thing is the physical training, which is comparable to the difficulty of a godhood ritual... Now that I think about it, it only takes me a few seconds to absorb and contain the [Eternal Critical Strike], but this physical training is so difficult, it's really full of mysteries.

Fortunately, now that I've done 100 push-ups and 100 pull-ups, all that's left is the final kilometer.

Once the overall goal of this physical training is achieved, we can see what amazing effects will occur after this "physical training," which is comparable in difficulty to a godhood ritual, is fully completed.

[The Paradoxical Clown] then replied:

"Alas, you don't understand. The First History isn't omniscient either. Or rather, it knows 99 percent of the world's secrets, but there are always some secrets it can't know, such as where the First Entity is currently, what the Ninth God is doing, and how the Cleaners came to be. Of course, this also includes your special circumstances."

It must be said that Xia Fa breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

He had previously thought that he had no secrets in front of the all-knowing god, "First History."

However, while he breathed a sigh of relief, he also felt a little regretful. As a result, his plan to personally visit [First History] and ask him what kind of "thing" he really was was likely to fall through.

After thinking for a moment, Xia Fa asked curiously:

"The First Entity and the Ninth True God... they've always seemed very mysterious. May I inquire about them?"

[The Paradox Joker] immediately said:

"There's nothing I can do about it. You'll only know when the two of them are willing to let you know. If you have the chance, go and ask them yourself, hahaha."

After a slight pause, the Paradox Joker changed the subject, saying:

"Let's not talk about that. Now that you are the only god in the real world who can move freely without causing uncontrolled pollution, you can do many things, and you can obtain many benefits. Xiafa, you may not realize how important this is, but you will understand in the future."

Xia Fa said with great interest:

"[Paradox Clown], what exactly do you mean?"

[The Paradoxical Joker] said without hesitation:

"For example, there are actually many strange realms in the real world, both at the level of gods and outer gods. The strange realms of gods are relatively easy to explore, as extraordinary monarchs and secret emperors can risk their lives to go and explore them. But what about the strange realms of outer gods?"

"Since neither the gods nor the Outer Gods dare to enter the real world, the Outer God's Realm has remained empty, yet it contains countless opportunities and treasures,"

"Of course, for the first 20,000 years, we had no choice. If we had let the gods and outer gods enter the Ghost Realm, it would have been a disaster."

"The Ghost Realm is already prone to giving rise to all sorts of strange and bizarre things. If they go in, it will turn the Ghost Realm into a paradise for strange and bizarre things."

"In that situation, if there's even a slight crack in the ghost realm, causing the eerie and monsters to escape... the real world will suffer."

"As for this 30,000th year, it's because the Cleaners refused to let the Outer Gods in. However, the reason was surprisingly similar to the reason for the nine of us: we were afraid of turning the Ghost Realm into a place where disasters would brew."

"And now, Xiafa, you can go in as you please. The more sacred metal you absorb, the greater the benefits. Some of the strange realms may even contain lost eternity certificates, not to mention ancient treasures, divine blood fruits, and so on... There may even be rare treasures that only certain gods can perceive and access."

Hearing this, Xia Fa was already incredibly excited. He found that it seemed to be true, and he couldn't wait to go and explore the Divine Realm or the Outer Divine Realm right now.

The Paradox Joker continued:

"Besides the Divine Realm and the Outer Divine Realm, many mysterious forbidden zones are also extremely dangerous. Even the Extraordinary Monarchs and the Great Emperors of Mystery only dare to explore the outer rings and dare not go deep into them. For example, the Pale Suffocating Sea, the Time Travel Station, the Primordial Chaos Oil Well, the Destiny Spinning Star, the World Serpent, and so on."

"Oh, right, and there's also the [Land of Puppet and Burial Goods] where you are now."

"There are nine such mysterious forbidden zones in the real world, known as the Nine Mysterious Forbidden Zones. Since their formation, very few people have dared to enter and explore them."

"For the first 20,000 years, we dared not let the gods from beyond the gods in casually. In the 30,000 years, the Cleaners were unwilling to let the gods from beyond the gods in."

"However, you must be careful. Unlike the Ghost Realm, these mysterious forbidden zones are the most dangerous areas, where even a Celestial Venerable might perish. But the opportunities they contain are also enormous, depending on your fate."

Even a celestial being might perish in a mysterious forbidden zone?

Xia Fa felt a chill run down his spine upon hearing this, and almost immediately had the idea of ​​leaving the "place of puppets and burial goods".

However, on second thought, this "Land of the Wandering Puppet and Burial Goods" was originally the tomb of a Quasi-Celestial in the Celestial Spirit Realm, and it was later formed due to a fight between fanatical tomb raiders and the Puppet Master. Relatively speaking, it should not be as dangerous as other mysterious forbidden zones.

"No! The tomb of a Quasi-Celestial Venerable... a mysterious forbidden zone..."

Realizing this suddenly, Xia Fa barely hesitated. His figure flashed, transforming into starlight that instantly dissipated, and in the blink of an eye, he had "flashed" to a distance spanning hundreds of planets.

Having become a god, he can now traverse a small part of the star field when using the "Flash" ability of the "Starry Body" sub-contract of the "Gate of Stars".

Seeing that they were far enough away from the [place where puppets and burial goods were scattered], Xia Fa finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Just now, a thought suddenly occurred to him... that in the [Land of Wandering Puppets and Burial Goods], there might be a possibility that the quasi-Celestial Venerable has undergone "corpse transformation"! That's equally dangerous!

The "corpse transformation" of a quasi-Celestial Venerable is something that even a Celestial Venerable couldn't withstand.

The Paradox Joker then asked strangely:

"Xia Fa, did you encounter danger in the [Land of Puppet and Burial Goods]? How did you end up so far away?"

Xia Fa chuckled:

"Nothing much, I just wanted to test how far I could teleport using the Gate of Stars after becoming a god, haha."

He certainly couldn't admit to the Paradox Joker that he had followed his heart this once; that would be too embarrassing.

[The Paradox Joker] chuckled:

“Alright, I happen to be free lately. I’ve teamed up with [First History] and [Silver Universe] and we’ve managed to control the overflowing divine power from [Absolute Defense] very well. [Absolute Defense] is still holding back those thirty-five Golden Cleaners. You just need to be careful of the two Golden Cleaners who escaped.”

He seemed to think for a moment before continuing:

"Hmm... If you encounter Silver Cleaners, it's best to run away as soon as possible. You can't beat them, especially when they form a battle formation."

"As for the rest... well, there's still a year left. In this year, do your best to improve yourself. That way, after you enter that completely closed little world as a spark, and hundreds or thousands of years have passed, you'll be more capable of protecting yourself when you come out."

"Given your current special status—I mean, the fact that you, as a god, can avoid causing uncontrolled pollution to reality—I might entrust you with tasks from [First History], [Silver Universe], and me in the future. Of course, you'll have to decide based on the situation. Anyway, those two won't be stingy with your rewards, haha."

Xia Fa had been listening attentively, and now a strange sense of anticipation welled up inside him.

A mission given by a righteous god? And there's a reward for it?

As long as the risk is not too great, I would definitely be happy to take it!

Seeing that the Paradox Joker had finished speaking, he prepared to cut off contact again.

Xia Fa couldn't hold back any longer and probed indirectly:

"【Paradox Clown】Sir, have you... um... forgotten something?"

The Paradox Joker wondered:

"What? Oh—I remember now…Are you sure you want to hear it?"

Xia Fa replied without hesitation:

"Of course!"

What he was referring to was, of course, the promise made by the Paradox Joker: that once he became a god, he would tell him the truth about the world.

Speaking of which, the "Levier" that was once formed from a thought of the Lord of Absolute Defense also made a promise, but it was only when one was qualified to meet Him.

I don't know if I'm qualified now...

The young miner and the Golden Axe Cleaner seemed to know the "truth about the world" as well, and had promised to tell him after he became a god.

Oh wait, we can't call it the Golden Giant Axe Cleaner anymore, because Xia Fa suddenly remembered that the [Immortal Mummy] mentioned its name as Gastis Giant Axe.

Previously, the Golden Giant Axe Cleaner seemed unaware of its own name, so it's rather strange that it suddenly acquired one.

In any case, once the sixth overlord-level secret contract, namely the "Fairy Tale World," is signed, you will be able to enter that mysterious dark space again to see the young miner and ask him questions.

As for when we'll meet Gastis the Great Axe, that's purely a matter of fate... Especially since the three true gods, including Lord Paradox Clown, are unaware that Gastis the Great Axe has betrayed the Cleaners' faction.

[The Paradox Clown] then let out a long sigh and said:

"Alright, since it was a promise, I might as well tell you. After you hear it, you'll understand why we old folks are inclined to preserve you as seeds of civilization, waiting for the resurgence of extraordinary civilizations."

Xia Fa did not give a direct answer regarding the "spark," because he was unwilling to accept it under any circumstances.

Let him hide alone in that so-called completely safe little world, and then watch the Golden Cleaners sweep across the entire universe, watching his great-grandfather, parents, cousins, Tefalo, Chestnut Benes Meowkor... and even the Paradox Joker, all perish under the weapons of the Golden Cleaners. That would be worse than killing him.

He would rather die fighting alongside everyone than live a life of ignominy alone.

Fortunately, there's still a year left, so maybe we can come up with a solution.

Composing himself, he said seriously:

"My Lord, you may speak, I am ready."

[The Paradox Clown] remained silent for a while, perhaps organizing his thoughts, before finally, through spiritual intuition, a voice was transmitted to him.

Whether it was a misperception or not, when the voice of the Paradox Clown rang out again, Xia Fa felt a moment of disorientation, as if he had returned to the era of 30,000 years ago.

That era of cosmic upheaval, the birth of the Protoss realm, and the emergence and rise of extraordinary beings...

"Our universe is actually hundreds of billions of years old, as you probably know."

"Mutants appeared billions of years ago, and no one knows how they were born or how they grew to power."

"The only thing we know is that the ancient gods, especially the two strongest ancient god-kings among them—the Sun God King and the Moon Mother Goddess—were originally mutants who mutated from humans."

"As for how the mutated people became gods, not only I, but even the First History doesn't know. The Knowledge Apostle has been exploring it, but after more than 30,000 years, it hasn't found any results. Of course, it is only a mere Celestial Venerable after all, so we can't blame it."

"The era after the mutants was the era of magicians. No one knows why the mutants disappeared or how the magicians came to be."

"But one thing is certain."

"From mutants to magicians, and from magicians to superhumans, the Cleaners have only appeared once in billions of years of history."