Chapter 334: Black Hole

“So many?” Luo Feng was surprised, looking around, barely able to see the figures of two or three teams.

“Most teams are near the canyon, and each team hides themselves, so it’s hard to see any teams unless you look carefully,” Ba Bata’s voice sounded.

“I see,” Luo Feng said.

…

Bare and desolate, the stones on this mountain were almost entirely black, with only a few streaks of silver. Luo Feng’s team advanced cautiously. At the very center of the mountain range, it was as if cleaved by a divine war blade, splitting the entire mountain range apart and forming a canyon.

This massive canyon, shaped like it had been sliced open by a blade, was known as the ‘Wind and Thunder Canyon.’

Fierce winds, rooted in the fundamental energy of the cosmos, howled wildly, carrying with them a torrent of shattered rocks. Among these, some Wind-Horn Stones danced chaotically in the air. On both sides of the canyon walls, young warriors from many families, factions, and planets across the Black Dragon Mountain star region were hidden.

They were the younger generation, not yet true cosmic experts. This time, it was their first trial on the path to becoming true experts!

” Luo Feng, this is the map. The marked locations are very good positions. Hiding your team there would be best,” Ba Bata communicated mentally.

Luo Feng glanced at the screen on his arm guard.

“Follow me,” Luo Feng whispered.

Hong, Thunder God, and the other two quietly followed. As they approached the canyon, the wind grew stronger. Luo Feng reached a rock, lifted it, revealing a cave, and transmitted his thoughts: “Everyone, go inside. There’s an opening inside that connects directly to the canyon wall.”

“Could you find a place like this?” Thunder God couldn’t help but praise.

“Inside,” Hong went in first.

In this Thunder World, the range of a mentalist’s telepathic power was very limited—it was limited in the ‘air.’ And telepathic power could not penetrate these massive stones infused with cosmic fundamental energy; even a Stellar-Level expert could absolutely not achieve this. Since telepathic power couldn’t be used for exploration, such places were extremely hard to find.

And trying to dig one’s own cave? Given the hardness of the mountain stones here, which had long been hardened by the constant battering of the wind, it would take at least one or two years to complete.

“Luckily, Ba Bata warned us,” Luo Feng also jumped into the cave and covered the entrance with the rock.

The cave was inside the mountain.

Walking through the cave led to one of the canyon walls, where the wind and thunder howled. On the wall was a hole about thirty centimeters wide.

“What is this?” Thunder God’s eyes lit up.

“Ah?” Hong picked up a smooth small stone near the cave entrance. The stone was mainly black, but its surface had a strange blue film. The ordinary stones here were black or black with a hint of silver. Only the Wind-Horn Stones had a deep blue aura. It was said that Wind-Horn Stones were strange stones formed when thunder struck, and the stones were affected but not turned to dust, absorbing a trace of thunder power.

“Wind-Horn Stone, it’s a Wind-Horn Stone,” Thunder God said excitedly.

“Didn’t expect to find a Wind-Horn Stone just by picking it up,” Luo Feng smiled and walked to the cave entrance. Outside, the wind howled violently, darkening the sky, while inside the cave, one side was blocked, so the wind was very weak. Luo Feng turned to the other four inside the cave and said, “The wind outside is terrifying; it will be very hard to get another Wind-Horn Stone.”

Earlier, there was one on the ground inside the cave, probably a Wind-Horn Stone carried by the wind and accidentally blown into the cave.

But such things were purely a matter of luck, otherwise there wouldn’t be only one Wind-Horn Stone inside the cave.

“Second brother, third brother, according to the books, we now have three methods,” Hong said softly. “The first method is to go to the top of the canyon and risk our lives to collect Wind-Horn Stones. Because the wind is stronger the lower and more central you go, the wind at the top of the canyon is much weaker. At least, a Stellar-Level Seven or Eight could withstand it. The only danger is… being at the highest point makes it easy to attract lightning strikes! A single bolt from the storm clouds would leave no chance of survival.”

“The second method is to approach the canyon and use telepathic power or primal energy to pull any Wind-Horn Stones that are blown near us directly toward us! This is difficult but has low risk. It requires patience.”

“The third method is to kill other teams that have obtained Wind-Horn Stones and take theirs!”

“So, what method should we use?” Hong looked at Thunder God and Luo Feng.

Luo Feng frowned in thought.

Going to the top of the canyon to collect Wind-Horn Stones was the fastest method. If not struck by lightning, it would be like picking up stones. However… according to the experience of predecessors, when collecting Wind-Horn Stones at the top of the canyon, one should put away all metal items. It was said that the more metal one had, the more likely one was to attract lightning.

If a metal robot was used, it would be struck by lightning with 100% certainty!

As for humans wearing ordinary clothes, the probability of being struck by lightning was about 50%. If wearing an alloy combat suit, the probability of being struck by lightning would rise to about two-thirds. This was the experience of generations who had struggled in this Thunder World.

“The first method is very dangerous and purely a matter of luck, so it’s not suitable for us.”

“The third method, ambushing other teams?” Luo Feng shook his head. “Our current cave position is excellent. The cave entrance is right on the canyon wall. Let’s temporarily use the second method. At the same time, we can observe how other teams obtain Wind-Horn Stones. Let’s see what happens first.”

“Alright,” Hong nodded.

Thunder God also agreed, so Luo Feng and his team temporarily began their ‘waiting by the stump’ strategy.

Grabbing the ‘Wind-Horn Stones’ that flew near the cave entrance required both luck and strength! Because the howling wind made it hard for the naked eye to see clearly, and among the many rocks carried by the wind, only occasionally would one or two Wind-Horn Stones appear, so luck was needed. Moreover, the Wind-Horn Stones only passed by the cave entrance for an instant!

One must grab them instantly! Missing meant waiting a long time for the next chance.

Unfortunately… the wind, imbued with cosmic fundamental energy, directly destroyed and dissipated any telepathic power as soon as it tried to extend outward.

Luo Feng’s “psychic hand” could only stretch about 20 centimeters beyond the cave entrance before dissipating. Even Ao Gu’s “psychic hand,” at the ninth Stellar-Level, could extend no more than one meter without dispersing! Beyond that distance, Ao Gu couldn’t maintain the stability of his psychic energy.

However…

To Luo Feng’s surprise and delight, the current fourth Stellar-Level Cloud-Vine, when shrunk, formed a vine that was very tough. It could dart deep into the wind about two meters, then quickly retract. Although the vine was full of scars, its recovery speed allowed it to maintain this ‘lightning-fast two-meter deep dive’ performance!

This truly surprised and delighted Luo Feng!

It was estimated that the wind imbued with cosmic fundamental energy had a more destructive effect on ‘energy’ forms like telepathic power, while having a lesser effect on plant forms like the vine.

…

In the Wind and Thunder Canyon, most teams relied on this ‘waiting by the stump’ method to grab Wind-Horn Stones. Occasionally, some teams forced their slave bodyguards to risk their lives at the canyon’s peak to obtain Wind-Horn Stones. However, such teams were rare, as slave bodyguards were also combat forces, and losing one or two would greatly impact the team.

On the third day in the Wind and Thunder Canyon, Luo Feng’s team obtained their second Wind-Horn Stone.

On the fifth day in the Wind and Thunder Canyon, Luo Feng’s team obtained their third Wind-Horn Stone.

On the ninth day in the Wind and Thunder Canyon, they obtained their fourth Wind-Horn Stone.

…

This was still because of their excellent geographical location. Generally, a team would need half a year to a year just to cross half of the Thunder World, and another half a year to a year to collect Wind-Horn Stones. So spending several years was normal. Luo Feng’s team was already a very efficient team.

On the 32nd day in the Wind and Thunder Canyon.

“This cave’s geographical location is truly excellent. At this rate, we’ll definitely be able to gather all the Wind-Horn Stones in another month,” Thunder God laughed.

Luo Feng, Hong, Thunder God, Tie Nanhe, and Ao Gu sat cross-legged.

A vine extended from Luo Feng’s arm and paused at the cave entrance, ready to strike at any moment.

On the cave wall in front of the five was a projection screen, created by Luo Feng’s artificial intelligence ‘Ba Bata.’ The screen displayed four scenes, showing the situation within twenty kilometers around them.

“Although we’re in the cave, we can clearly see the situation of every team within twenty kilometers outside,” Luo Feng laughed.

“Awesome,” Thunder God praised.

“Look, here are two teams fighting. They’re dodging so fast. This mentalist is also quite good,” Thunder God’s eyes lit up, evaluating one of the scenes on the screen. But his expression suddenly changed, and he said, “It’s He Ruo!”

“He Ruo?”

Luo Feng’s expression changed.

Back then, he and his two older brothers had met several friends in the Kill Zone of the Virtual Universe, including He Ruo and Buleimu. Previously, He Ruo and Buleimu had mentioned they would participate in this Cosmic Novice Mercenary Test. Since the entire ‘Black Dragon Mountain Star Region’ was here, it was normal for He Ruo to be here.

“Go,” Hong was the first to charge forward, while Ao Gu and Tie Nanhe exchanged glances with Luo Feng.

“Hurry.”

Without hesitation, Luo Feng also led the five-person team to quickly rush out through the other end of the cave passage. Using telepathic power to move the unremarkable rock, the five came out and then put the rock back in place.

Far away.

He Ruo’s team was being attacked by another team. He Ruo’s team currently had only two Stellar-Level Nine experts, while the opposing team had five Stellar-Level Nine experts. However, both sides were mostly injured, clearly having fought fiercely.

“Hmm?”

Both teams quickly noticed a team rushing from a distance.

“He Ruo!” telepathic communication sounded in his ear.

He Ruo turned his head and saw five figures streaking toward him like lightning, among them his dear friends Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God. His face instantly lit up with joy. At the forefront charged Tie Nanhe and Ao Gu, with Ao Gu in particular unleashing his psychic weapon from a distance—a dazzling golden arc slicing through the air.

“Two Stellar-Level Nine experts?” the opposing team saw this and their auxiliary computer quickly detected the other side’s strength.

“Retreat!”

“Quickly retreat!”

The team leader gave the order without hesitation, and the team quickly withdrew.

Although they had five Stellar-Level Nine experts, three of them were injured… It should be noted that Stellar-Level Nine experts varied in strength; the stronger ones could fight ten of the same level. He Ruo’s team had a relatively strong Stellar-Level Nine expert, which was why they could hold on for so long despite being at a disadvantage. And now the two charging in… their willingness to charge indicated confidence!

The two sides met, and the opposing team believed they couldn’t block them.

Even if they could block them, it would result in mutual destruction, which the opposing team was unwilling to accept, so they chose to retreat decisively!

…

Luo Feng’s team and He Ruo’s team joined forces.

“Thank you.”

“Who are you?” Immediately, a bald youth with green markings on both sides of his face came forward to express gratitude.

“They are my friends,” He Ruo quickly said, stepping forward.

” Luo Feng, Hong, Thunder God,” He Ruo introduced.

“What happened? How did you end up like this?” Luo Feng and the others looked at He Ruo, and Thunder God quickly asked, “He Ruo, weren’t you part of the Northern Dragon City organization? How did you end up in this situation?” Thunder God and Hong, after their first contact with the Virtual Universe, understood the importance of the Universal Cosmic Language and naturally began learning it.

With their brain bandwidth, they learned quickly, although not fluently, communication was still manageable.

“To be honest, this time has been really bad,” He Ruo shook his head. “Our team originally had five elites and five bodyguards. When we were trying to obtain the horn of the Unicorn Iron Rhinoceros, we were attacked by beasts and lost one bodyguard.”

“Later, on our way to the Wind and Thunder Canyon, we were ambushed six times by other teams. In this process, we lost two more bodyguards and three elite companions,” He Ruo’s face turned grim. “Now, our team only has two elites and two bodyguards left.”

Luo Feng listened with a cold feeling in his heart.

Heaven!

Though his squad had weathered more than a dozen mortal perils, most stemmed from encounters with savage beasts. Ambushes? With the aid of Ao Gu and the ‘Crimson Chaos Bronze Mother Fragment,’ they had utterly dominated their foes! Moreover, thanks to Ba Bata’s keen vigilance, Luo Feng’s team endured countless trials—wounded, yet miraculously, none had fallen.

But He Ruo’s team had lost the majority!

“Where is Buleimu?” Thunder God quickly asked. “Is he in another team?”

“He’s dead,” He Ruo shook his head.

Luo Feng was stunned. The rough, burly young man who looked like a black bear was dead? Luo Feng still clearly remembered the scene where he, Hong, and Thunder God had wished them two a safe return. Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye… Buleimu was already dead.

How could this happen?

“It’s useless to feel sad,” He Ruo shook his head bitterly. “Many of my brothers and sisters who lived with me for years have already died. This is the first test for us so-called ‘elites.’ Only after experiencing repeated life-and-death trials and finally breaking through to the Cosmic Level can we be called ‘experts’ and become important members of the organization.”

“Selection!”

The bald man with green markings beside him shook his head. “That’s the selection. A large number of so-called genius elites are eliminated through repeated life-and-death adventures, dying! Until finally, a few Cosmic Levels are born! Our training camp has tens of thousands of genius elites, but in the end, if ten of them can become Cosmic Levels, that’s considered good.”

Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God looked at each other.

Cruel…

Very cruel!

This was the rule of those cosmic organizations: gathering a large number of genius elites, providing them with the best education and conditions, and then applying the most ruthless elimination rules, finally producing a few experts. In fact… those participating in the Cosmic Novice Mercenary Test couldn’t even be called experts.

They were merely ‘prospective experts,’ needing to survive thousands to one odds—not even that, the probability for elites from major organizations was more accurately millions to one, perhaps one would become a Cosmic Level.

“Boom~~~”

Suddenly, the entire Thunder World violently trembled, shaking without any warning!

All teams were shocked.

“What’s going on?”

“Is this world collapsing?”

“Heaven!”

Within the thousands of kilometers range of the Wind and Thunder Canyon, tens of thousands of Stellar-Level adventurers taking the test all looked up in astonishment, gazing around the world. Luo Feng’s team and He Ruo’s team were equally shocked, looking up at their surroundings. The entire world was quaking, and the mountains were trembling.

“What’s happening?” Luo Feng looked around.

“Over there!!!” someone screamed.

Tens of thousands of Stellar-Level adventurers, as long as they were on the mountains, almost simultaneously saw a nearby mountain crack open, revealing a pitch-black, seemingly torn black hole. Half of this black hole was on the mountain, and half was inside the mountain. The surrounding space was torn open, looking extremely strange.