Inside the temple.
Seven Sovereigns of the Cosmos sat around a round table.
“We knew you’d come, so we all hurried back from various parts of the Qianfeng Realm to personally welcome you,” said the Master of Youhou with a smile. Both he and Luo Feng were disciples of the Original Ancestor’s lineage—one being a disciple of the Lord of Darkness, and the other a disciple of the Chaos City Lord—so naturally, their conversation carried a sense of familiarity.
Luo Feng smiled and looked around. “Master Penggong, Master Anjue, Master Suishi, Master Lang’an, thank you all for coming to greet me…”
“It’s only natural that we welcome you on your first journey into the Cosmic Sea,” said Master Penggong, stroking his large beard. “Some other Sovereigns couldn’t make it because they are deep within the waters or inner regions of Qianfeng. Just getting out would require flying past many dangerous areas—some might take a hundred or a thousand years, others might take entire eons.”
Luo Feng nodded.
The more dangerous the area, the less room there was for careless teleportation—one wrong move and you might be doomed.
“Since Luo Feng is entering the Cosmic Sea for the first time, according to old tradition,” the Chaos City Lord said with a smile, waving his hand. Instantly, a wine cup appeared before each of the seven Sovereigns present, each already filled with wine.
“Galactic Lord, may your treasures be endless and your life eternal!” the Chaos City Lord said to his disciple.
“Endless treasures, eternal life!”
The other five Sovereigns echoed in unison.
Luo Feng also nodded. “Endless treasures, eternal life!”
He understood this tradition well.
After all, coming to the Cosmic Sea was an adventure. Even Sovereigns with clones still faced the risk of perishing! If even the strongest beings in the cosmos could fall, who could claim to be immune? At best, one could only be cautious and avoid the most dangerous areas to prolong life—but without a doubt—
Here, it was all about risk!
And the goal was always the treasures!
“Galactic Lord, although we wish you endless treasures and eternal life, there are still some things that must be said,” Master Suishi said directly.
Luo Feng raised his eyebrows and smiled. “Master Suishi, please speak. I’ve heard of your straightforwardness.”
“Your strength might be enough to accompany other Sovereigns on expeditions in the outer regions of Qianfeng, but if you intend to venture alone and seize treasures, you’re still far from ready,” Master Suishi said, his voice deep and resonant, shaking the hall. “Especially when it comes to the most ferocious warriors from the First Cosmic Era. If you go alone and encounter one of them, you may very well perish! I know you have the ability to create clones, but your human clone has no treasures at all. In my opinion, the treasures you possess are of considerable value.”
Luo Feng shook his head with a faint smile.
Master Suishi was indeed as blunt as his reputation suggested. Although Luo Feng knew his own shortcomings, did he really have to be so direct?
“Indeed, the warriors of the First Cosmic Era are extremely dangerous,” the Master of Youhou interjected, trying to change the subject. “They might even fight to the death fearlessly. They are the most difficult opponents.”
“They have reason to be desperate,” Master Anjue rasped. “The Primordial Universe cycles through countless generations, and even if they escape the destruction of the Primordial Universe, according to what we know, even the strongest beings can only survive for three cycles. Once that time comes, all of them from the First Cosmic Era will perish, including the strongest beings in the cosmos.”
“Yes, no one can survive beyond three cycles.”
“Just look at the more than ten thousand ruined small universes in the Cosmic Sea to know how many cosmic sovereigns have perished. No one can transcend the limit of three cycles.”
“Except for the two holy lands.”
“Even those two holy lands are just two universes.”
Luo Feng nodded inwardly.
Indeed, the Cosmic Sea held many unsolved mysteries.
Why could no one survive beyond three cycles?
Why were those two holy lands exceptions?
How vast was the Cosmic Sea? How many small universes were there? How many dangerous places? How many forbidden zones? Were there really only the three forbidden zones? Was it possible that in the unexplored regions there were more forbidden zones, comparable to Qianfeng, Liuzhong Mountain, and the Cosmic Vessel?
“The First Cosmic Era faces the threat of annihilation,” the Chaos City Lord said. “That’s why they train themselves relentlessly. Without a doubt, only the strongest can break through this limit! Since the two holy lands have succeeded, no one will easily give up. Luo Feng, you must be vigilant against the warriors of the First Cosmic Era.”
Luo Feng nodded. “Yes, Master.”
“It’s not just the First Cosmic Era. You must be wary of all top-tier Sovereigns,” Master Suishi said solemnly. “Avoid them as soon as you encounter them. And you must also avoid the two holy lands. Any individual from those two holy lands would be far superior to you.”
Luo Feng’s eyebrows slightly furrowed.
“I know you’re not happy, but I’m saying this for the sake of our Hong Alliance,” Master Suishi continued. “If you’re in danger, immediately call for help through the Virtual Universe System. The Virtual Universe System will immediately send a message to all the strong beings in the Hong Alliance, and the fastest one will come to your aid.”
“I understand,” Luo Feng nodded without further argument.
…
Luo Feng indeed felt somewhat displeased, but he did not argue further. Actions would speak louder than words.
Soon, the Masters of Youhou, Penggong, Anjue, Suishi, and Lang’an departed from the gathering place and embarked on their adventures within Qianfeng.
“Suishi, you should have been a bit more considerate of Chaos City Lord’s face,” Lang’an said to Suishi in the void of Qianfeng’s outer regions. “And Luo Feng isn’t as bad as you made him out to be.”
“What, do I have to bow just because of Chaos City Lord? What I said was absolutely correct, maybe even understated,” Suishi snorted, two streams of flame erupting from his nostrils. “That Luo Feng fought against Master Banfu. Do you know who Banfu is? He’s a master of illusionary attacks, and his physical attacks are very weak, even lacking the strongest secret techniques. Yet Luo Feng was still suppressed and only managed to match Banfu after using his Micro-Chaos World.”
“The Micro-Chaos World can at least instantly kill many Cosmic Sovereigns,” Lang’an countered.
“Hmph.”
“It’s only effective against weaklings in large groups,” Suishi said. “The Micro-Chaos World is somewhat similar to domain-type treasures, good for mass destruction of weaklings. But when it comes to facing strong opponents one-on-one? It’s only useful for adding some power, and even then, such large-scale secret techniques consume a lot of spiritual energy.”
“Consuming spiritual energy just to add a bit of power. Even with that added power, it’s only comparable to Banfu’s physical attacks. Without the Micro-Chaos World, he’d be at the mercy of anyone stronger.”
Suishi snorted again, flames erupting from his nostrils. “What I said was actually generous. He’s at the bottom of the pack. The ancient warriors of the First Cosmic Era have trained endlessly and are all insane. Every one of the two holy lands could crush him. Did I say anything wrong? Hmph, if he dies, his treasures will surely be taken.”
“He hasn’t trained for long. Those treasures are probably gifts from his human race,” Suishi continued. “We worked hard to obtain even one good treasure, yet he became a Sovereign and already has a pile of treasures. Just wait and see, this Luo Feng will definitely suffer a major defeat.”
“You’re not wrong. His strength is indeed lacking,” Lang’an slowly nodded his massive head.
“Hmph, it’s only because he’s human that he has his master, Chaos City Lord, to rescue him whenever he’s in danger. Without his master, if he were to wander the outer regions of Qianfeng alone, he’d be doomed.”
…
In the canyon on the surface of the celestial rock, the temple was now empty except for Luo Feng and the Chaos City Lord.
“Luo Feng, I must also go and explore,” the Chaos City Lord said. “If you need anything, you can contact me through the Virtual Universe.”
“Yes, Master,” Luo Feng nodded.
“Hmm.”
The Chaos City Lord smiled at Luo Feng, then vanished in an instant through teleportation.
Watching the Chaos City Lord disappear, Luo Feng looked at the temple behind him. He was now completely alone. It was clear that those who ventured into the Cosmic Sea were always honing themselves.
“I should carefully study the information about Qianfeng in the Cosmic Sea map, as well as the information about the strong warriors from various factions.”
On a rock outside the temple.
Luo Feng, clad in silver armor with silver wings, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began meticulously organizing the information, categorizing the key points that required his attention.
…
Whoosh~~~
The celestial rock continued to move at several times the speed of light, but Luo Feng, sitting in the canyon on its surface, remained calm and serene. He was in no hurry to venture into the outer regions of Qianfeng.
“Hmm?” Luo Feng suddenly took out a token with a flip of his hand.
“Master Zuoshanke is contacting me? No wonder this communication token is a treasure-level artifact—it can even reach me in the Cosmic Sea,” Luo Feng thought, his consciousness penetrating the token.
A message appeared within.
“Are you in the Cosmic Sea, Luo Feng?” came Zuoshanke’s transmitted message.
“Yes,” Luo Feng replied.
“Which of the three forbidden zones are you in?” Zuoshanke asked.
“I’m in Qianfeng. Master, how did you know I must be in one of the three forbidden zones?”
“The three forbidden zones have produced the most treasures. Almost all factions have gathered there. If you didn’t go to one of the three forbidden zones on your first trip, would you go to some remote, dangerous place with few treasures? Your human race isn’t that foolish. Well, if you’re in danger, you can ask your master for help, but I hope you won’t have to.”
“I understand,” Luo Feng replied.
…
Deep within the endless chaotic currents of the Cosmic Sea, in the heart of the perilous ‘Beihua Xuelan Domain’.
A solitary palace, emitting a faint green glow, floated amidst the endless currents. Within the palace, shadows of countless attendants could be seen—each one a Cosmic Sovereign. This was the true residence of ‘Zuoshanke’, and the perilous Beihua Xuelan Domain represented Zuoshanke’s domain.
Among the nearly a hundred factions in the Cosmic Sea, none dared to provoke Zuoshanke.
Everyone knew—Zuoshanke was not someone to be trifled with.
In the grand hall.
A towering old man, over ninety thousand kilometers tall, sat on the throne. Below the throne stood a snake-tailed human warrior of the ‘Snakepeople’ race, waiting respectfully.
“Haha, Puti, your little junior apprentice has also entered the Cosmic Sea,” Zuoshanke’s voice thundered.
“Congratulations, Master,” Puti replied quickly.
“It’s too early to congratulate. His strength is still far from sufficient,” Zuoshanke looked down at Puti. “Puti, you’ve been with me the longest and know me best. You know how disappointed I am in your second junior apprentice—I’ve practically given up on him. You’ve been diligent, and I know among my three apprentices, Luo Feng has the greatest potential, followed by your second junior apprentice, while you have the least. Yet now, you are the strongest.”
Puti bowed. “It’s only because I’ve trained the longest and have always been by your side, seeing much and thus understanding much.”
He had always been low-key, never showing off. Even the Flame Emperor looked down on Puti, thinking he was merely a servant before, how could he know that Puti’s true strength had quietly surpassed his own.
“I’m giving you an opportunity.”
“The same opportunity as your second and third apprentices.”
“You also go to the Cosmic Sea and properly explore and hone yourself,” Zuoshanke looked at Puti and, with a wave of his hand, produced a broken piece of green wood. “I can’t prepare the most suitable treasure for you. This divine wooden artifact is a gift to you. It has been in my possession for countless eons, merely a collectible to me, but in your hands, it should be able to unleash sufficient power.”
Puti’s divine body trembled slightly.
The same opportunity as the second and third apprentices?
How long had he waited for these words?
“Yes, Master. I will do my utmost and not disappoint you,” Puti bowed deeply, his voice filled with boundless conviction.
“Go,” Zuoshanke nodded.
Puti bowed again before leaving the hall.
Zuoshanke’s gaze pierced through the hall doors, as if passing through the endless chaotic currents, gazing far toward Qianfeng. Slowly, he said, “I have waited too long… too long…”
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