Chapter 430: Five Years of Silence, One Day of Outburst

The sixth level of the fifth Trial Tower.

It was a vast, desolate wasteland, upon which ten immense creatures lay or patrolled—colossal beings entirely covered in dark golden scales. These were the Star-Beasts “Cang” of the cosmos.

“The target of the sixth level—the Star-Beast Cang!” Luo Feng gazed at the ten cosmic beasts before him.

He had already learned all the details about the Cang from his inherited memories.

To be precise—

Cang shared a special relationship with the Golden-Horned Giant Beast.

Among the “Metal Attribute” Star-Beasts, the first was naturally the “Golden-Horned Giant Beast,” one of the twelve ultimate bloodlines of the Star-Beasts. The second was “Cang.” Though only differing by one rank, the actual combat power gap was vast.

The Golden-Horned Giant Beast, when fully matured, could reach the level of a World Lord.

Cang, when fully matured, could only reach the Domain Lord level!

Still, Cang was considered quite formidable among the Star-Beasts, though naturally not comparable to the twelve ultimate bloodlines. However, Cang also possessed innate secret techniques. As a favored child of the Metal Origin, they were savage and possessed astonishing combat power. Though wingless, they could fly naturally.

No Star-Beast was incapable of flight.

In terms of combat power… their average level was slightly stronger than even the strongest bloodlines among humans!

The ten Cang before Luo Feng were each approximately 300 meters in body length, with tails nearly matching their bodies in length. Their entire bodies were covered in dark golden scales, with sharp, spiked protrusions rising along their backs. Their heads were enormous, with wide, blood-dripping mouths that sent chills down one’s spine. Each tooth within their mouths possessed an incredible bite force. Their heads were bald and armored with scales, and their large eyes each had triangular pupils, exuding a cold, bloodthirsty aura.

“Hon!”

All ten Cang turned their massive heads to gaze at the tiny human before them—Luo Feng.

“How interesting,” Luo Feng’s eyes radiated an even more chilling killing intent.

What would happen when Cang encountered the Golden-Horned Giant Beast?

Now…

Cang had encountered the humanoid Golden-Horned Giant Beast—Luo Feng.

“Hong!” Luo Feng, riding the Dark Cloud Shuttle, instantly transformed into a wisp of ethereal light. Immediately, the ten massive Cang Star-Beasts also turned into streaks of light, chasing after him. However, after five years of cultivation, Luo Feng’s speed on the Dark Cloud Shuttle was far greater than when he had fought against Ronjun.

And it was even more bizarrely agile!

Shua! Shua! Shua! Shua! Shua! Shua! Shua! Shua!

Eight Luo Fengs appeared midair! The ten Cang instantly blinked their eyes, seemingly confused about which one to chase. In an instant, they split up to pursue each one separately.

“Such arrogant creatures,” Luo Feng’s figure solidified, while five golden streaks of light emerged around his body—five golden phantom swords, shooting directly at the nearest Cang. The Cang reacted swiftly, swinging its powerful hooves.

Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu!

Of the five golden phantom swords, two collided with the hooves, and the third was deflected by its tail.

“Chi!”

But the fourth golden phantom sword pierced straight through its throat, impaling its brain and instantly killing it! Unlike the Golden-Horned Giant Beast, as a mid-tier Star-Beast, Cang did not possess an inner world, so it naturally had no Origin Core. Its life was similar to that of most flesh-based lifeforms.

Before reaching the Domain Lord level, its soul resided in the brain.

“Hon!” “Hon!”…

After one Cang died, the other nine, possessing high intelligence, immediately realized their enemy was formidable. They united and no longer scattered.

“It’s useless. It just wastes a little time,” Luo Feng knew clearly that although Star-Beasts possessed immense strength, incredible speed, terrifying attack power, and high innate abilities—making them dangerous even to humans of the same or higher realm—their only weakness was—

Their massive size!

Their large bodies made it troublesome when facing smaller opponents like humans. Hence, Luo Feng had diligently cultivated the “Absolute Space” and “Divine Realm” techniques. “Divine Realm” could reduce his size, while “Absolute Space” enhanced agility, instantaneous bursts, and movement techniques.

…

Being able to manifest eight phantom bodies, and being thoroughly familiar with the habits and weaknesses of the Cang, Luo Feng’s battle, although taking a bit of time—”ten days”—was actually quite decisive. Mainly, for the last Cang, Luo Feng deliberately waited until the final half-hour of the countdown before striking the killing blow.

…

The seventh level of the fifth Trial Tower.

The space blurred momentarily, and Luo Feng entered the seventh level.

“The seventh level is far more troublesome than the sixth,” Luo Feng frowned. As a mentalist master facing “encirclement,” he had a significant advantage over warriors, as he could quickly escape and evade, using maneuver warfare to his advantage. However, when the number of enemies became overwhelming, even the most skilled warrior would feel the pressure!

It was an endless desert.

In the distance, on a green oasis, was a massive spherical object approximately 120 meters in diameter, its surface pitted and uneven, oozing toxic liquid and emitting faint toxic fumes.

120 meters was equivalent to a towering forty stories. In other words, the surface of this colossal hive, as tall as a forty-story building, was riddled with countless pits, each abruptly disgorging a triangular-headed insectoid creature—the Qingtang. Clad in a gleaming green chitinous exoskeleton, it bore two quivering antennae, enormous compound eyes, and a compact yet muscular frame. Its powerful hind legs supported its weight, while four forelimbs extended like razor-sharp battle blades. Translucent wings shimmered upon its back, poised for flight.

The hive, forty stories high, with each pit about a meter in diameter, instantly spewed forth approximately 1000 Qingtang!

Hu! Hu! Hu!

Three successive waves, totaling approximately 3,000 Qingtang warriors—each identical, all of them the legendary Green Mantis.

Qingtang were the most common “battle-type” insectoids among the swarm, often referred to as “cannon fodder.” That term was used because they were typically deployed as expendables on extraterrestrial battlefields. Fortunately, the entire “Insectoid Hive” had its power adjusted. Otherwise, a true Insectoid Hive could produce many different types—classified by function, they could be scouts, assassins, ranged attackers, siege units, and more.

Classified structurally, there were even more variations.

“3000 Qingtang,” Luo Feng observed the swarming Qingtang descending from the ground and sky, his brow slightly furrowed. “The hive has released all its stored units at once. The next wave should be in twenty minutes.”

The hive required time to gestate its insectoids.

These 3000 were already prepared in advance. Of course, in reality, a hive’s gestation ability wouldn’t be this poor. Otherwise, how could it easily conquer an entire star system or even a star region?

“Kill!”

Luo Feng’s eyes sharpened. Instantly, he split into eight phantom bodies, maintaining maximum speed as he began a terrifying massacre, unleashing the current limit of his control—”nine golden phantom swords.” The nine sword beams were like lasers, piercing through the insect swarm, cutting down Qingtang after Qingtang.

“Stronger than I expected,” Luo Feng’s brow furrowed slightly.

He could normally control five golden phantom swords effortlessly, but in a desperate situation, he could manage nine. However, his agility, directional control, and precision were affected. With 3000 insectoids swarming, Luo Feng had no choice but to do this, trying to pierce through each Qingtang’s head.

But…

“Crunch! Crunch!” One Qingtang, its body half-severed by a golden phantom sword, bit into the corpse of another Qingtang nearby. As it consumed the remains, it rapidly regenerated, becoming whole again.

“This is what makes insectoids annoying.”

The eight phantom bodies constantly appeared in different locations, while the nine golden phantom swords slashed and pierced, striving to pierce each Qingtang’s head. However, as insectoids of the fifth Trial Tower, their agility and reactions were significantly higher. And with their overwhelming numbers and speed, Luo Feng couldn’t afford to stay far away—he had to stay close to control the Yifeng’s Divine Weapons.

So, unavoidable injuries occurred.

Twenty minutes later.

682 Qingtang remained alive. Luo Feng’s face was pale, with a wound across it: “The second wave is coming!” The massive insectoid hive’s surface once again surged with red-shelled insectoids—100 in total.

“Not good,” Luo Feng’s expression darkened slightly. “Blood Mantises! A hundred of them!”

The hive’s first wave, which had been stored for a long time, was 3000 Qingtang.

Every twenty minutes, it could gestate another 1000 Qingtang, but the hive wasn’t limited to producing Qingtang—it could gestate other, more terrifying insectoids, though in smaller numbers.

At Luo Feng’s current rate of killing—over two thousand slain, leaving 682 remaining—if the second wave had only been 1000 Qingtang… he might have been severely injured, but still victorious.

But this time, it was “Xuetang,” far fiercer than Qingtang. Luo Feng had never encountered Xuetang in the first through fourth Trial Towers.

“Big trouble,” Luo Feng’s expression darkened.

Buzzzzzz~~~

The surviving 682 Qingtang immediately divided into 100 squads. Some squads consisted of six Qingtang and one Xuetang, others seven Qingtang and one Xuetang. In an instant, they formed 100 insectoid squads, led by Xuetang, beginning an orderly encirclement and annihilation of Luo Feng.

“Strong combat power doesn’t scare me. What’s most annoying is the Xuetang’s leadership,” Luo Feng’s expression changed drastically.

According to his inherited knowledge, insectoids were extremely low in intelligence. However, among the various insectoid tribes, there were specific insectoids that served as “leaders.” Xuetang often led Qingtang squads. A scattered group of 100 Qingtang was nothing compared to ten Qingtang under the command of a Xuetang—latter was far more terrifying!

“Weng!”

“Weng!”

“Weng!”

The 100 insectoid squads moved like fighter squadrons. Among them, seventy squads directly descended from the sky to encircle and kill Luo Feng, while thirty squads attacked from the ground and beneath the desert, led by Xuetang as vanguards. Suddenly, Luo Feng felt the trouble intensify.

“Kill!” Luo Feng gritted his teeth and resolved to fight!

…

Only five minutes later, Luo Feng’s right arm was severed, his face pale, and his mental energy nearly exhausted. Of the 100 squads, 82 remained—82 Xuetang and 353 Qingtang. Luo Feng had slain more Qingtang.

“If only I had reached the ‘Nine-Line Flow’ stage…” Luo Feng, faced with the overwhelming, multi-directional assault of the insectoids, seemed to see himself being devoured into nothingness.

“Die, but take as many with me!”

Luo Feng’s eyes turned red.

“Insectoids, all of you, perish! Perish! Perish!!!”

Mounted upon the Dark Cloud Shuttle, Luo Feng surged forth with frenzied speed, clashing again and again against the 82 squads. Occasionally, he struck down a Qingtang, battling fiercely to slay even a single Xuetang. As the squads dwindled to 76, Luo Feng descended into utter madness.

“Hmm?”

Even in madness, his heart remained ice-cold and calm—this was a trait inherited from the Golden-Horned Giant Beast.

Luo Feng sensed the familiar fluctuations of spatial essence, vaguely feeling something different.

“This is it!”

“This is it!!!” Luo Feng even sensed the formation of a square domain within a certain radius around him, like a Nine-Palace Grid. Instantly, Luo Feng’s speed increased slightly, and nine phantom bodies formed around him!

The second stage of the “Ten-Thousand Line Flow” secret technique—the Nine-Line Flow!

Although the speed increase was slight, and the number of phantom bodies only increased by one.

But in reality, it was a fundamental change!

Secret techniques—what were they?

Secret techniques were methods of applying one’s understanding of the fundamental laws of the universe to achieve greater effects!

If someone had comprehended the spatial essence, creating three phantom bodies, four, eight, or nine… they would feel their power increase only slightly. The difference between eight and nine phantom bodies wasn’t that significant. However, practicing the “Ten-Thousand Line Flow” secret technique changed everything!

“Single-Line Flow” represented a unique combat style.

“Nine-Line Flow” represented another unique combat style. For example, only with nine phantom bodies could one unleash the “Nine-Line Flow.” Eight phantom bodies were insufficient.

…

In fact, Luo Feng’s Mo Sha Clan clone had long been able to manifest over a hundred phantom bodies. However, the Mo Sha Clan was a spatial prodigy, naturally adept at such techniques. As for Luo Feng’s main body, trained normally in the virtual universe, he had been stuck at eight phantom bodies for a long time.

At a moment of life and death!

At a moment of madness!

Luo Feng finally sensed that special feeling—the same as when his Mo Sha Clan clone used the “Nine-Line Flow.” Because he was familiar with that sensation, he quickly seized it.

…

“Nine-Line Flow! Haha, Nine-Line Flow! Finally achieved!” A surge of exhilaration filled Luo Feng’s heart. It had been so difficult, so long awaited. Finally, he had reached the second stage of the “Ten-Thousand Line Flow.”

Hong!

Guided by his intimate understanding of space, he instantly moved, riding the Dark Cloud Shuttle. A series of bizarre, consecutive phantom bodies formed, each dispersing like a “Nine-Palace Grid” layout. Instantly, the efficiency of the “Nine-Line Flow” increased more than tenfold compared to the previous eight phantom bodies.

Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu! Pu!

Luo Feng’s movements became incredibly strange, his golden phantom swords unpredictable and ghostly, each strike sharp and fierce. Sometimes, a single sword strike pierced through several insectoids—Xuetang and Qingtang alike.

In a short while!

He had nearly wiped out all the insectoids, then lightning-fast cleaved open the insectoid hive, severely injuring the hive queen. After a brief rest of half a day, allowing his body to fully recover and recuperate, he directly killed the hive queen!

No more waiting!

No more waiting for ten days. Since he had already mastered the “Nine-Line Flow,” what was the point of delaying for ten more days?

From the dawn of the Cycle War until now, more than five years had elapsed. Five years of slumber, five years of grueling cultivation. At this very moment, he finally crossed the threshold into an entirely new realm. The “Nine-Line Flow” was infinitely more fearsome than the “Single-Line Flow.” His power had ascended to unprecedented heights.

“The next Trial Tower!” Luo Feng’s eyes gleamed with excitement.

…

Five years of silence, one eruption—and the entire world was stunned!

…

At the central plaza.

Over a million geniuses, and countless immortal existences, all gazed at the sole remaining screen displaying the sole remaining trial taker—”Luo Feng.” In an instant, nine phantom bodies appeared, sweeping through the insectoid swarm. The entire central plaza, with its million geniuses, fell into complete silence.

“Nine-Line Flow… he’s actually reached the Nine-Line Flow stage,” the armored giant in scaly battle armor, known as “Thirteen,” gazed at the screen, his eyes flashing with a terrifying light.