COUGH, COUGH!
「Near Treasure Star.」
The silhouette of the Dayun materialized in a desolate expanse of space. After forcing his way through the Dark Cosmos of the star caves, Shi Ming was suffering from the spatial backlash. His body was a mangled mess of flesh and blood, but it was already healing with incredible speed.
’This backlash is even stronger than before!’
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
The power of the Supreme Sanctuary was rapidly repairing his injuries.
He had three ways to leave the depths of the Cave of the Stars. He could use a "Miniature Wormhole" to reach a random area, use the "Star Lamp" to return to Earth, or tear out a Shuttle Page from the "Wanderer’s Atlas" to travel to a marked anchor coordinate.
But after some consideration, he chose the third method.
He tore out a Shuttle Page.
He still had an unfinished mission in the Thirty-Seventh Cosmic Country: to help the Star Spirit in the Lamp of Wishes eliminate its "clan’s mortal enemy," upgrade the Heart of the Star Spirit, enter the Star Spirit Race’s ancestral land—a place even the Cosmic Country’s Sovereign couldn’t find—and seek the opportunity that the Eye of Destiny had described as having an "extremely high return on investment."
If he had left the Thirty-Seventh Cosmic Country using a Miniature Wormhole or the Star Lamp, returning would have been much more difficult.
He would have had to make a long and arduous journey.
’Using the Heart of the Star Spirit within the territory of the Thirty-Seventh Cosmic Country will be detected by the Sovereign. He probably already knows I used it in the depths of the star caves. But it doesn’t matter. Even if this Sovereign knows the exact location where I used the Heart of the Star Spirit, it won’t be easy for him to personally travel to the depths of the star caves.’
’If he really does come looking for me, then we’ll fight! It’ll be a good test of my strength!’
’I’d also like to know what kind of gap exists between myself and a true Pillar Stone.’
Shi Ming’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit.
The battle with the Fisherman had shown him his own strengths and weaknesses compared to other powerhouses. His greatest advantages were the Eye of the Divine and [Moth], but his disadvantages couldn’t be ignored. Those old monsters who had lived for thousands, even tens of thousands of years, had long since tempered their basic physical attributes to extremely high levels, and the synergy between their skills and treasures was perfected.
Understanding one’s own shortcomings was a good thing.
This was why experts always preferred to spar with opponents of equal strength, rather than crush weaklings.
With that, his trip to the star caves came to an end. In the captain’s quarters of the Dayun, Shi Ming began to take stock of all his gains.
1. The ultimate treasure, the Stone Pillar of Profanity and Transgression.
The pillar’s power was astonishing. It could directly suppress Bai Yimo, who also possessed a numbered Nirvana skill, for at least five seconds. Its moves were wide and sweeping; though a blunt weapon, its force was tyrannical, defined by its weight, ferocity, and smashing power! Its only drawback was that it couldn’t change size. Wielding a ten-meter-tall giant pillar in human form gave him the air of Lu Tixia uprooting a weeping willow.
2. The Nirvana-rank mount, the Rainbow Centaur Queen.
Although Cai Zong lacked intelligence, she was a true Nirvana-rank creature. At critical moments, her Nirvana skill, [Colorless], could provide significant assistance.
3. The ultimate treasure, the Crown of Slaughter.
When facing swarm tactics, the Crown of Slaughter was the most invincible of ultimate treasures. While wearing it, one’s condition would not decline, granting immunity to negative buffs and maintaining a constant state of perfection!
4. Five pieces of Divine Spinal Marrow.
This was a necessary material for a Pillar Stone to advance to a pseudo-god, and one of the greatest rewards from this trip to the star caves.
5. The Nirvana Origin [Starshatter] and the method to bypass exclusivity, both obtained from Bai Yimo.
[Starshatter] was the Nirvana skill of a member of the Six-Armed Race. It involved infusing power into an opponent or object and then detonating it, capable of unleashing might that could shatter a planet. It was a tyrannical offensive skill. As for the method to bypass exclusivity provided by Bai Yimo, it had become initially viable after being supplemented by the Eye of Destiny. However, the margin for error was low. Until he mastered [Zero], Shi Ming had no plans to use this method to acquire his second skill.
With these gains, Shi Ming had transformed from a native of a low-level civilized Star Domain into a Nirvana Powerhouse with some foundation, possessing three ultimate treasures.
According to the power rankings of the Thirty-Seventh Cosmic Country, he had completely broken into the top three, becoming a peak expert capable of roaming an entire Cosmic Country unhindered.
But it wasn’t enough.
His mission was to "Slay a God in Three Years."
He needed something even more potent.
...
...
...
The Dayun, having altered its appearance once more, flew into the docking port of Treasure Star.
On the other side of the docking area was a watery mirror-like surface, similar to a Teleportation Gate. This was the Star Realm Gate, leading to the interior of Treasure Star. Beneath the mirror’s surface was an embedded gemstone that flowed with brilliant colors—one of Treasure Star’s treasures, the "Eye of All Beings."
The Eye of All Beings could detect the "treasure aura" on a person and classify it into various ranks.
Those with the lowest-grade white treasure aura were barred from many places on Treasure Star and faced severe discrimination.
Shi Ming stepped through the Star Realm Gate.
The Eye of All Beings scanned him.
White, blue, pink, purple, orange... The colored lights shifted constantly, finally settling in the orange range.
"Aura of Treasure! Fifth Grade!"
This was a considerably high-grade treasure aura, exuding an air of nobility. Moreover, the orange treasure aura on Shi Ming was pure and flawless, untainted by any other color! And this was the result after he had deliberately kept a low profile, restraining all but one of his ultimate treasures.
"My lord..."
"My lord..."
The two guards maintaining the Star Realm Gate caught sight of the orange light and immediately lowered their heads in utmost reverence.
Without a doubt, this was a great personage they could not afford to offend. They had to be absolutely submissive.
Shi Ming didn’t pause. With the familiar air of a powerhouse, he strode directly through the Star Realm Gate. He had come to Treasure Star this time for one reason: to go to the Trading Tower and purchase a few nice items he had his eye on from last time. But before that, he needed to visit the black market and exchange for enough Cosmic Crystals.
On Treasure Star, social strata were divided by treasure aura.
Last time, with his white treasure aura, Shi Ming was an "untouchable."
This time, he was a supremely noble "Brahma"!
...
...
...
"Clan Uncle, have you made your decision?"
Lord Ron was only a phantom, but his kingly pressure was perfectly replicated, without the slightest discount.
"Ron, your request is simply too outrageous."
To delve into one’s fate without any resistance—this was equivalent to the Fisherman revealing his entire body and soul to Ron. Moreover, if the other party had malicious intent and wanted to kill him, by opening himself up, he would have no chance to resist!
"Yes, Clan Uncle. This request is indeed outrageous. But it’s worth it, isn’t it? Besides, I swear on the bloodline of the Six-Armed Race that I will only investigate the fluctuations of your fate for the next three months. Three months in exchange for three thousand years—an opportunity like this is not easily found, even in the depths of these star caves. What’s more, there is nothing else about you, Clan Uncle, that is worth my taking."
The Sovereign’s voice was devoid of any emotion.
The Fisherman did not respond, deliberating.
Three thousand years of extra life was indeed a tempting offer. Now that his greatest opportunity had vanished, his only hope of extending his life might be through the hands of this nephew of his.
’Investigate the fluctuations of my fate for three months?’
’It seems my Sovereign nephew has already sensed something. Perhaps through his methods, I can also find out the identity of the person who stole my opportunities three times. I might even be able to get back that Divine Spinal Marrow. As for that talk about an illegitimate son during the battle, that was just a roundabout way of probing his identity. How could I not know whether the other party was a member of the Six-Armed Race?’
"I agree. But I must first return to the True King Hall of the Cosmic Country. All transactions will take place there. Also, you must compensate me for the ultimate treasure I lost here."
"Agreed."
Lord Ron’s voice boomed across the cosmos.
Then, the phantom vanished, leaving only an echo behind.
The Fisherman sighed.
He had lost his opportunity; he could only blame his bad luck.
But he would surely settle the score with the one who stole his boat!
He glanced at the place he had spent a thousand years to reach and shook his head. His will was gone. His lone boat had also been stolen, so naturally, he could no longer continue his exploration. He dissipated this body, taking his three most precious ultimate treasures with him as he vanished from the depths of the star caves.