“Judging from your group, you should be a team of five?” Captain ‘Benden’ looked at Luo Feng and the others.
Benden, one of the two cosmic-tier powerhouses within the Three-Axe Mountain faction of this Realm of Realms, possessed access to meticulously detailed intelligence.
“There were originally five of us, but one has already perished,” Luo Feng sighed.
“Who killed him?” Benden frowned.
“The retinue of the Ninth Prince,” Luo Feng replied, his heart heavy. Iron South River had been a servant, yet on Earth, there had been no concept of slavery originally. Thus, Luo Feng had never viewed his servants merely as commodities, but rather as bodyguards.
Therefore, with Iron South River’s death, Luo Feng felt both gratitude for his loyalty and deep anger toward the Ninth Prince.
“The Ninth Prince?” Benden shook his head. “Then there’s nothing to be done. Too many have died by his hands.”
“We understand,” Luo Feng nodded.
“You surviving and leaving this Realm of Realms will surely bring joy to Lord Mingyu,” Benden smiled. “Let me remind you, I too am under Lord Mingyu’s command.”
“Oh?”
Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God were utterly astonished. As the foremost of the four great factions, the Three-Axe Mountain boasted numerous powerhouses at the Monarch and Domain Lord tiers. Though ‘Mingyu’ did not rank among the absolute pinnacle of Three-Axe Mountain, one of the two newly ascended cosmic-level warriors within the organization was indeed under Mingyu’s command.
“So Captain Benden is also under Lord Mingyu’s command,” Luo Feng’s face brightened.
“Haha, when we leave this Realm of Realms and return to Canglan Star, you should come with me and pay a visit to Lord Mingyu,” Benden smiled. If it weren’t for their shared superior, Lord Mingyu, Benden wouldn’t have personally come to meet Luo Feng’s group.
“Of course,” Luo Feng readily agreed.
After that, Benden departed, as he had many affairs to handle as a high-ranking officer of the Three-Axe Mountain faction.
…
Though it was deep into the night, many warriors in battle armor and helmets were frequently seen entering the central Thunder Castle.
From a distance, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God observed the Thunder Castle in the center of the field.
“Big Brother, Second Brother, what are you planning to exchange for?” Luo Feng mentally transmitted.
“A D6-grade orbital cannon and the Thunder Arcana,” the Thunder God answered.
“Alright,” Luo Feng smiled.
This was the advantage of having immense wealth; they could simply purchase whatever they desired.
“What about you, Big Brother?” Luo Feng turned to Hong.
“There’s not much that would benefit me. If there’s a ‘Life Fruit,’ get one for me. Also, a ‘Star Core,’ if available. Other than that, I’m fine,” Hong replied.
“Understood,” Luo Feng nodded, then smiled. “Big Brother, Second Brother, I’ll exchange the remaining Thunder Stones for other treasures. These treasures represent immense wealth, and once we leave, we can use that wealth to purchase what we truly need.”
“Alright,” Hong smiled.
“Little Brother, you decide. After all, most of this is thanks to you,” Thunder God chuckled. “Your Big Brother and I are just reaping the benefits.”
…
Luo Feng didn’t rush to exchange immediately but instead observed quietly. Indeed, many entered the Thunder Castle, though 99% were likely decoys meant to confuse others.
The night gradually waned, and the Realm of Realms began to brighten.
Cold winds swept across the plains. Luo Feng, clad in alloy battle armor, an alloy battle blade strapped to his back, helmet covering his face—dressed as a standard cosmic adventurer—strode directly toward the Thunder Castle.
“He’s heading to the castle.”
“Is it a distraction, or is he really going to exchange?”
“Regardless, quickly report to our master. The leader of that four-member team is heading to the castle.”
“Yes.”
The guards under the Ninth Prince’s command immediately relayed the news. Luo Feng, of course, was unaware of this. Even if he had known, he probably would have scoffed. Within the allied forces, amidst the Three-Axe Mountain’s main army, Luo Feng truly had no fear.
Under the watchful eyes of many in the allied forces, Luo Feng entered the castle gates.
…
Inside the icy Thunder Castle.
Luo Feng stood silently.
“I wish to exchange for treasures,” Luo Feng called out.
“Little one, wait a moment,” a deep voice echoed inside the ancient hall. “There are many people exchanging these past couple of days. I’ll finish with this one first.”
Luo Feng was secretly startled. “Is the AI currently serving another person?”
“Devious, so devious!” Babata howled.
“What’s wrong?” Luo Feng mentally asked.
“This AI is indeed twisted, a truly devious being,” Babata growled. “Though many enter the castle in the allied forces, it’s only about one every few minutes. This AI is now essentially hinting to you… that the one who entered the castle before you is actually exchanging for treasures?”
Luo Feng was shocked.
“You may have no power or influence, but if you were someone with authority, controlling a team, what would you do?” Babata asked.
“I would assign someone to watch him and strike the moment he leaves the allied base,” Luo Feng’s eyes widened.
He understood now!
“Exactly. This AI is truly devious. As an artificial intelligence, can’t it predict the consequences of every word it speaks? Its computational power is extraordinary. It couldn’t possibly make such a basic mistake. That means only one thing… it’s doing this on purpose!”
“It’s doing this for one purpose only—to incite you all to kill each other!”
“This AI is indeed devious,” Babata cursed furiously.
Luo Feng’s heart burned with anger as well.
If his suspicions were correct, the reason he had been hunted by the Ninth Prince Brolyn’s men was likely due to this castle’s AI. Otherwise, there was no explanation—why the mighty Ninth Prince would target Luo Feng’s small group and not bother with so many others who had entered the castle!
…
Footsteps echoed from the corridor. A stout old man with a white beard entered, smiling warmly. A faint glow surrounded his body. Upon closer inspection, one could barely discern that this old man wasn’t real flesh and blood, but rather an energy construct.
“Mist Lord,” Luo Feng, though inwardly furious, remained outwardly polite.
It would be foolish to provoke a ‘twisted’ AI that had been lonely for millions of years.
“Little one, this is our second meeting, isn’t it?” the old man smiled. “Seems like you’ve gained quite a lot. Well then, tell me, what do you wish to exchange for?”
“A Life Fruit,” Luo Feng said.
“You exchanged for a Life Fruit last time. Again this time?” the old man looked surprised.
“Yes,” Luo Feng nodded.
“None left, none left,” the old man shook his head. “All my Life Fruits have been exchanged. Not a single one remains.”
“Not a single one left?” Luo Feng was stunned.
Indeed.
Thunder Stones represented treasures, but having Thunder Stones didn’t guarantee obtaining the treasures you wanted. Because the treasures here were limited! Take for example the Ninth Prince ‘Brolyn,’ no matter how many Thunder Stones he gathered afterward, he still couldn’t obtain the third password to the inheritance crystal ball.
“Then I’ll exchange for a Star Core,” Luo Feng said.
“No such luck,” Babata shook his head.
“What? Not that either? Then… at least there should be a D6-grade orbital cannon,” Luo Feng stared at the old man.
For the mighty at the Monarch and Domain Lord tiers, a D6-grade orbital cannon held little worth. Such treasures were scarcely obtainable, and merely three stood present in this place.
“No such luck,” the old man shook his head. “That D6-grade orbital cannon was bought out on the very first day—three of them, all at once, by one person.”
“Uh—”
Luo Feng took a deep breath.
This wasn’t available, that wasn’t either. Nothing he wanted was available.
“Mist Lord, what treasures do you still have available?” Luo Feng looked at the old man.
“Up to now, there are still 63 treasures remaining,” the old man smiled at Luo Feng. “I like you, so I won’t waste your time.” With a wave of his hand, energy gathered around him, forming a screen displaying a list of treasures, clearly indicating the remaining quantities.
“Number One Complete Spatial Arcane Inheritance Crystal Sphere Bank Account (Triple Account), remaining balance: zero.”
No.2 Master’s Bank Account, remaining: none.
No.3 Domain Lord-Level Bloodline Elixir (one portion), remaining: none.
…
No. 18 Thunder Arcana (six sets), remaining: five sets.
…
No.68 Fifth-Grade Origin Weapon, Tianhuo Wheel (one piece), remaining: none.”
Luo Feng stared at the list, his breath catching.
Goodness.
None, none, none, none, none! A long string of ‘none,’ enough to chill the heart.
“Little one, what do you want to buy? Choose,” the old man smiled.
Luo Feng, however, was now troubled. What should he choose?
“Hey, Luo Feng, what are you staring for? You’re being silly!” Babata’s voice rang out.
“You want a Star Core? They exist in the universe!
“You want a Life Fruit? They exist in the universe too!
“As long as you have enough wealth and access certain special channels, you can obtain them. So… there’s no need to stare blankly at this list. All you need to do is exchange for treasures from this list that offer the best value. These treasures represent immense wealth. Later, in the universe, you can use that wealth to purchase the treasures you truly need!” Babata explained.
Luo Feng couldn’t help but smile wryly.
Such a simple truth, yet he had been limited by his thinking, stuck within the confines of the list.
“These are the high-value treasures. I recommend you buy these,” Babata communicated with Luo Feng through their mental link, guiding him on what to purchase.
“This one, that one.
“And these, all of them.”
“And the Thunder Arcana, five sets remaining—I’ll take all of them,” declared Luo Feng, his voice brimming with newfound confidence as wealth flowed through his veins.
The old man was stunned.
Generally, those with many Thunder Stones would have already made their purchases early on. The later one came to exchange, the fewer Thunder Stones they usually possessed. Luo Feng’s sudden demand for so many treasures required an astonishing amount of Thunder Stones.
“In total, it will cost 9,020,000 Thunder Stones,” the old man stared intently at Luo Feng.
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