The ancient and silent hall was vast and empty, except for a prominent stone disk at its center. By placing an item on this stone disk, the Virtual Universe System could inspect and evaluate it. This was the most straightforward way Luo Feng could think of to identify treasures.
“I previously used the Virtual Universe Network, cross-referencing various unknown metals based on my access privileges, and nearly all of them have been identified. Although rare, none of them were valuable enough to make Varnob go to such lengths. That leaves only the last three metals,” Luo Feng mused. His investigation through the network had narrowed it down to three unidentifiable metals.
He guessed the treasure must be among them.
With a wave of his hand, a small green crystal, about the size of a sesame seed, appeared in his palm. He gently placed it on the stone disk.
A low hum resonated.
Azure threads spiraled up from the stone disk, enveloping the green crystal as it began the detailed inspection. Moments later, a voice echoed, “One ‘Wood Ultimate Transformation Crystal’ identified. Offering it to the clan will earn you 18 Treasure Points. Luo Feng, are you willing to offer this treasure to the clan?”
“Oh? So it really is a treasure,” Luo Feng said, a hint of surprise on his face. “No wonder I couldn’t find any information about this metal through the network with my privileges. A single sesame-sized grain is worth 18 Treasure Points. It seems the treasures among the hoards I’ve taken from those Cosmic Monarchs and Cosmic Honored Ones are indeed numerous.”
“Still, just 18 Treasure Points… not enough to justify Varnob’s efforts,” Luo Feng muttered, shaking his head. He immediately reached out, and the crystal floated back into his palm before vanishing into his world ring.
With another wave of his hand, another metal appeared in his palm.
This was a black metal about the size of a human head. Its surface had exactly 360 facets, each one perfectly smooth, even reflective like a mirror. This was one of the three metals Luo Feng couldn’t identify.
“Go.”
The black metal floated and landed on the stone disk.
Countless azure threads spiraled up and enveloped the black metal.
“Hmm?” Luo Feng frowned. “It’s taking this long?” Even testing supreme treasures hadn’t taken this long before.
After a while, the gentle voice returned, echoing throughout the hall with reverberations: “One ‘Qijing Stone,’ one of the artifacts of the Qishen Temple. Offering it to the clan will earn you 20 Supreme Treasure Points. Luo Feng, are you willing to offer this treasure to the clan?”
Luo Feng’s eyes lit up instantly!
Twenty Supreme Treasure Points? More valuable than the Jiuxiong River!
“This is it!”
Luo Feng stared in shock at the Qijing Stone, then quickly retrieved it with a wave of his hand, his eyes gleaming as he gazed at it. “No wonder Varnob went to such lengths. He tricked me into exchanging metals, taking advantage of my inability to recognize the secrets of the Qijing Stone.”
“So this is the Qijing Stone,” Luo Feng felt his blood boiling.
…
Although Luo Feng had been absent from the Origin Star for nearly twenty thousand years, during that time, his consciousness occasionally entered the Virtual Universe. Thus, he was naturally aware of the most significant events that had occurred on the Origin Star.
During these twenty thousand years, if there was one event that had shaken all factions across the 10081 Origin Stars, it was the Qishen Temple incident.
The Qishen Temple!
It had driven all races in the universe into a frenzy. Around the 600th year after the Origin Star channel opened, the fundamental essence of the universe descended upon Origin Star No. 02892. The fundamental essences of the elements—metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, light, time, and space—descended simultaneously on this Origin Star.
The pressure was overwhelming. For a time, the entire planet seemed paralyzed, making movement difficult even for Cosmic Honored Ones and Cosmic Monarchs.
At the same time, a temple gradually emerged from the ground…
The emergence of the temple lasted nearly a century. During this century, all major cosmic forces dispatched their superiors to the site. Around the temple, almost all were Cosmic Sovereigns, and only the top-tier Cosmic Monarchs dared to approach.
After a century, the Qishen Temple fully emerged.
In front of the Qishen Temple stood a black stone tablet engraved with ancient secret patterns. Any powerful being who saw it would instantly understand its message. The message was very simple—
The Temple of the God of Qi has emerged, and the stone stele has appeared. When the stone stele vanishes, at some unpredictable time and place across the 10,081 Origin Stars, one or more Qi Essence Stones will manifest irregularly. There are a total of 36 Qi Essence Stones… These stones resemble ordinary rocks, yet when they appear, their aura rivals that of supreme high-grade treasures. Once all 36 Qi Essence Stones have manifested, the Temple of the God of Qi will open. Only those in possession of a Qi Essence Stone may enter. Any other powerful beings who attempt to breach its gates shall be utterly annihilated…
A year later, the stone tablet vanished.
Then various rumors began to spread, claiming that Qijing Stones had appeared on certain Origin Stars, sparking numerous conflicts. However, without knowing the exact time and location, it was a matter of luck to find one. Even with great power, it was difficult to obtain a Qijing Stone!
This message from the stone tablet had long since spread… and Luo Feng naturally knew of it.
…
“So this is the Qijing Stone. I truly had a treasure in hand and didn’t recognize it,” Luo Feng gazed at the black crystal. “The Qijing Stone’s emergence is accompanied by an aura and pressure comparable to that of a high-level supreme treasure. Therefore, only by discovering it at the moment of its emergence would one realize its uniqueness.”
A mere stone, yet its pressure rivals that of a high-level supreme treasure.
A true master would sense something amiss.
(Note: I adjusted “强者” to “true master” for a more natural English expression while retaining the essence of the original meaning. “Suspect something unusual” was refined to “sense something amiss” for conciseness and idiomatic flow.)
But…
For someone like Luo Feng, who had slain other powerful beings and amassed their treasures—even possessing a Qijing Stone—it was impossible for him not to recognize it.
“The descent of all fundamental cosmic essences… the Qishen Temple must be the greatest treasure of this Origin Star,” Luo Feng mused. Origin Stars typically open only after an immeasurable passage of time, remaining open for just 1000 eons. During these 1000 eons, treasures of the same tier—top-tier domain-type supreme treasures, top-tier soul-type supreme treasures, top-tier flying palace-type supreme treasures, and peak weapon-type supreme treasures—would appear multiple times.
However, they were all incomplete, appearing separately.
Throughout the 1000 eons that the Origin Star remained open, there would also be one supreme treasure more terrifying than the others, surpassing all other treasures. It would generally be a ‘peak domain-type supreme treasure,’ a ‘peak flying palace-type supreme treasure,’ or a ‘peak soul-type supreme treasure.’ Naturally, they often had additional functions.
For example, the ‘Calamity Armor’ had some soul defense capabilities, the ‘Beast God Armor’ had both attack and defense capabilities, and the ‘Supreme Treasure Star Tower’ had even more functions—soul defense, flying palace, suppression, and attack.
When an Origin Star opened, the strongest supreme treasure usually had several functions.
For example, a peak soul-type supreme treasure would primarily focus on soul defense, and might also have some physical defense capabilities, or even illusion techniques…
In short!
A peak soul-type supreme treasure was second only to the Supreme Treasure! The Supreme Treasure was something that could only be encountered by chance! Even among the nine great superpowers of the universe, there were some without a Supreme Treasure to guard them. Thus, treasures of the peak domain, soul, and flying palace types were enough to drive all cosmic races into a frenzy.
…
“The Origin Star only opens after an extremely long passage of time,” Luo Feng mused. “Each peak soul-type supreme treasure—or supreme treasure of the same tier—is considered a clan’s ultimate treasure! Once a powerful Cosmic Sovereign obtains one and combines it with other supreme treasures, they would be nearly impossible to kill. Even if they encountered a Supreme Treasure… they might not be able to win, but they could at least escape.”
“No wonder!”
No wonder Venerable Tianyang had been hiding and dared not reveal himself. After all, once he did, the Qijing Stone would naturally be used by the Mechanical Race’s Cosmic Sovereigns. It would be fortunate for him to obtain a high-level supreme treasure. However, if he entered himself… it is known that only 36 powerhouses can enter the universe at most, and they must enter through different gates of the Qishen Temple. There is a real chance of survival. If he survives, the rewards would be immense. Even if he fails—resurrection is always an option—but if he succeeds…”
Luo Feng fully comprehended the thoughts of the Tianyang Venerable and Fort Master Varnob.
Venerable Tianyang concealed the information.
The Lord of the Fort, Varnob, also did not wish to publicly disclose that Tianyang possessed the Qijing Stone. Once exposed, the Venerable Tianyang would likely have to surrender it to the clan.
Venerable Tianyang would not disclose Lord Varnob’s secret either. Once revealed, Lord Varnob’s esteemed position—with three avatars, each comparable to top-tier Cosmic Monarchs!—would be compromised. Even if the Ring Alliance knew he possessed the Qijing Stone, they wouldn’t be able to seize it by force.
Provoked…
The ‘Varnob’ of Special Life origin might completely leave the Ring Alliance and join another faction.
…
Both had their own intentions. The Venerable Tianyang was not afraid of Varnob pursuing him, as he believed he had the means to survive. Meanwhile, Castle Lord Varnob also harbored the idea of acquiring it for himself, so the situation dragged on…
Until Luo Feng intervened!
Venerable Tianyang was adept at fleeing. With a domain-type supreme treasure, high-level supreme treasure armor, and the Light Feather Wings… even Luo Feng couldn’t catch up to him. In the end, Luo Feng only managed to defeat him by using the “I am the Universe” technique. Thus… the Qijing Stone fell into Luo Feng’s possession.
…
“With the Qijing Stone in hand, I now have the qualification to enter the Qishen Temple,” Luo Feng was extremely excited. “Such an opportunity probably only comes once in countless eons. Moreover, within a thousand years, I will definitely reach the Cosmic Honored One level! Once I reach the Cosmic Honored One level, my divine body will grow even stronger, enhancing my power… giving me more capital to compete for treasures.”
Luo Feng nodded to himself.
He also tested the third metal, a small piece worth 31 Treasure Points. While it surprised him, he merely chuckled. Then, Luo Feng directly left the Chaos City and the Initial Universe… returning to the Original Universe.
…
Within the territory of the Ring Alliance.
On a highly developed life planet, technology was rampant. Even those who didn’t follow the technological path still lived on planets where technology was widely used, especially for life forms with inherently weak genes… they would use technology to create an extremely comfortable living illusion.
Skyscrapers, flying cars, aerial docking platforms… everywhere.
At the top of a skyscraper.
Varnob transformed into a divine body over three meters tall, sitting on a chair overlooking the city. Because he was a special life form, he actually preferred the world where ordinary, weak lives thrived.
“Luofeng?”
“The Gold Horned Beast? This Qijing Stone should have fallen into his hands. My plan failed, and he must be suspicious. I believe that with the human race’s intelligence system, he should be able to identify the Qijing Stone…” Varnob frowned in deep thought.
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