Chapter 659: The Choice

Three secret manuals, each with different prices.

“Golden Soul” falls under the category of combat arcana, wielding immense power.

The “Thirty-Six Celestial Manifestations” was crafted by the greatest elder in the history of the Golden-Horned Tribe, Xiluoduo. It could be said that the Celestial Manifestation Weapon is a simplified version of the “Thirty-Six Celestial Manifestations.” This manual is a combat arcana, yet it can also be regarded as a research-oriented text, delving into the mysteries of space and gold.

This arcane art is divided into 36 stages.

The most basic initial stage can be utilized by anyone who has even the slightest grasp of the principles governing space and gold.

The strongest thirty-sixth stage possesses combat power comparable to an immortal god of the Marquis level.

Overall,

The might of the “Thirty-Six Divine Manifestations” is rather unremarkable. The demands for mastering the ultimate thirty-sixth stage are exceedingly stringent, yet its power merely rivals that of a Marquis-tier Immortal Deity.

Such a tome, though blending both martial and scholarly pursuits, grants immense advantages to those of lesser strength, all while maintaining a relatively modest cost. A standard valuation of 100 million merit points would already be deemed quite favorable.

However, because it was created by “Xiluoduo,” it was priced at 910 million contribution points.

*The Words of Xiluoduo* was compiled by his divine disciples after his vanishing, meticulously recording every teaching and pearl of wisdom their master imparted during his guidance. The tome brims with profound content, rich in elucidative doctrines, and even contains fragments of arcane secret arts.

Since it was compiled and collected rather than being a systematic writing by Xiluoduo himself, “The Words of Xiluoduo” is mainly used as a reference during cultivation, serving as an auxiliary manual. Even with its connection to Xiluoduo, its price was set at a round number—100 million contribution points.

“Which one should I choose?”

“Without question, ‘Golden Soul’ stands as the supreme combat arcana among the three, encompassing a total of seventy-two variations—even including techniques befitting a Cosmic Sovereign’s realm,” Luo Feng contemplated. “‘Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation’ would greatly benefit my cultivation and the forging of my future psychic armaments. As Xiluoduo himself proclaimed, this art forms the very cornerstone of his lineage. Yet in terms of martial prowess, it pales in comparison—merely an elevated iteration of the Divine Manifestation Armament, its peak potency scarcely rivaling that of a Marquis-ranked immortal deity. It trails ‘Golden Soul’ by at least two full tiers of might.”

“The Words of Xiluoduo” aids in cultivation but lacks systematic combat techniques. However, much of it comprises direct teachings from Xiluoduo to his disciples… Its effectiveness is undoubtedly not inferior, yet it lacks a structured framework!” Luo Feng frowned.

All three have their advantages and disadvantages.

“Which one should I choose?”

“Golden Soul is a series of combat arcana that can be cultivated to the pinnacle, whereas ‘Xiluoduo’ is purely supportive in nature.” Luo Feng furrowed his brows in deep thought. “The Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation merges both aspects, yet its most formidable strike merely rivals that of a Marquis-tier technique. It’s evidently the most fundamental groundwork. If only I could acquire the complete set of arcana crafted by Xiluoduo!”

Xiluoduo possessed a set of arcane techniques he had devised himself.

It was extremely complex and profound.

Unfortunately…

This Tower of Secret Manuals does not contain this ultimate technique, only the foundational volume of this ultimate technique—”Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation.”

“Alright, I’ve decided.”

Luo Feng suddenly stood up.

The female Golden-Horned Race member Siers, who had been standing obediently beside him, was surprised and said, “Prince Luo Feng, have you already made your choice?”

“Yes, this one.” Luo Feng picked up the central manual.

“Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation?” Siers, the female Golden-Horned Race member, was slightly taken aback, looking at Luo Feng with confusion. She had originally thought this human genius would choose the most expensive “Golden Soul.” “Prince Luo Feng, I will report your choice of ‘Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation.’ You can go to the first floor of the Tower of Secret Manuals and wait. The manual should be delivered soon.”

“Alright.” Luo Feng nodded with a smile.

…

Walking down the stairs like a drifting wind.

“A single bird in the hand is worth ten in the bush,” Luo Feng pondered. “Though ‘Golden Soul’ is formidable, containing combat techniques even a Cosmic Sovereign could wield—how long would it take me to reach such heights? By then, my power would be immense, my vision broader, and I could acquire even greater techniques from the Virtual Universe Company!”

“This ‘Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation’ is, after all, the foundational volume of Xiluoduo’s ultimate technique. In his time, he created this powerful foundational manual, then simplified it to create the Divine Manifestation Weapon.”

“The Divine Manifestation Weapon has spread throughout the universe, being used by many races.”

“And Xiluoduo is the supreme existence among the Golden-Horned Race. His foundational tome of ultimate techniques must be the finest cultivation scripture within all the arcane arts of the Golden-Horned lineage.”

“Although its power is weak.”

“For me, it is still better than ‘Golden Soul.'”

Better to have one bird in the hand than ten in the bush.

The unseen is never truly real.

“Golden Soul” encompasses a total of 72 arcane mysteries, with the 36th requiring the power of an immortal deity to wield. Yet the path I have chosen—the most arduous trial for the Golden-Horned Beast—to ascend as an immortal god is fraught with unfathomable hardship.

“When I ascend to godhood, I shall naturally possess superior arcane arts.”

“Thus, for me, ‘Golden Soul’ is only effective for the first 35 arcane arts. And those 35 are inherently inferior to the ‘Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation.’ While their offensive power might be comparable, in terms of research and the crafting of psychic weapons, it falls far short.”

…

As Luo Feng was selecting a manual in the Tower of Secret Manuals, within the Elder God Palace in the Holy City.

In a dark hall.

Beichuang sat silently, his eyes dark and stormy, like a volcano about to erupt, the surrounding space seemingly frozen.

“My dear brother, have you completely fallen into despair after being defeated by that human genius?” A purple-armored, dark-skinned youth walked in. His appearance was very similar to Beichuang’s, only differing slightly in temperament. Beichuang belonged to the fierce and violent type, while this dark-skinned youth had cold eyes and an aloof demeanor.

Yet occasionally, a flash of ferocity flickered in his gaze.

“Brother.” Beichuang quickly stood up, his expression complex, bowing his head. “I lost… I, I lost in front of ten billion of our race in the Holy City.”

“Nothing much in losing this battle, but if you truly fall into despair like this, then even the teacher will be deeply disappointed.” The purple-armored youth, Beiqiu, said coldly.

“Teacher?” Beichuang was stunned.

Although they belonged to the Elder God Palace lineage.

Their teacher was not the Elder himself. What an esteemed position! The Elder would occasionally guide a genius, but for the Elder to take a disciple? That was extremely rare.

“Pull yourself together.” The purple-armored youth, Beiqiu, barked. “You lost. Let me step in and defeat him again!”

Beichuang’s eyes lit up, nodding. “Brother stepping in will definitely defeat him. His strength is only slightly above mine. He is far from being your match.”

“Hmph.” Beiqiu nodded.

Suddenly, a figure rushed in from outside. Seeing the two genius brothers, Beiqiu and Beichuang, this figure stopped immediately—it was a palace guard, who quickly saluted respectfully. “Commander Beiqiu, we have received news. The human genius, Luo Feng, has left his residence and entered the Tower of Secret Manuals. He should be coming out soon.”

“Oh?” Beiqiu’s eyes gleamed, murmuring softly. “Opportunity has come.”

Whoosh!

Beiqiu transformed into an illusion, rapidly departing.

“Brother.” The younger brother, Beichuang, guessed what his elder’s intentions were. His heart flared with fire, immediately shouting and rushing out as a blur.

…

Inside the first floor of the Tower of Secret Manuals.

Luo Feng, Elder Sifanqi, Kashina, Dylan, and five human World Lords were seated within one of the resting chambers.

“Boom~~~” A powerful pressure spread out, and a group of blurred figures appeared in the hall, their forms solidifying—it was twelve immortal gods of the Golden-Horned Race.

“Prince Luo Feng, they are here to deliver the manual.” Elder Sifanqi whispered softly.

Luo Feng smiled and stood up, walking over.

The twelve immortal gods of the Golden-Horned Race exuded a faint pressure. The leader, a green-skinned woman whose aura was no less imposing than Elder Sifanqi’s, spoke in a hoarse voice. “Prince Luo Feng of the Humans, we are here by the Elder’s command to deliver this manual. We hope Prince Luo Feng will read it here and return it to us afterward. We also hope that after leaving our Rasao World, Prince Luo Feng will not spread this manual beyond our race.”

“That goes without saying.” Luo Feng nodded slightly.

The green-skinned woman then flipped her hand, producing a thick metal book approximately thirty centimeters in size, resembling a box. The metal book floated up, flew from her palm, and finally hovered before Luo Feng.

Luo Feng nodded and took the metal book.

“Thirty-Six Stages of Divine Manifestation”—the title was clearly printed on the cover.

Luo Feng immediately began reading it. This manual was the foundational volume of the ultimate technique created by Xiluoduo. Although only the foundational volume, it still allowed Luo Feng to feel the boundless wisdom of that greatest existence of the Golden-Horned Race.

“It’s actually like this.”

“So this is how Xiluoduo created the Divine Manifestation Weapon.”

“It turns out that forging a personal arcane art can be accomplished through such a brilliant approach.”

“Incredible, making the heavy seem light.”

The more Luo Feng read, the brighter his eyes shone, his face faintly flushed with exhilaration. For the first time in ages, he had truly glimpsed the supreme technique of a mental power user from the Space and Gold lineage! In every minute detail of this ultimate art, Luo Feng could sense the infinite wisdom of that transcendent being—the effortless mastery with which the technique was crafted, cutting straight to its very essence.

It was as though the creator of the “Nine Heavens’ Chaotic Stele,” while penning the “Essays on Time and Space,” could conjure hundreds—nay, thousands—of arcane arts with but a single stroke of imagery to unravel its mysteries.

“Too… too…”

“Too worth it.”

“A combat technique usable by a Cosmic Sovereign costs just over 1.6 billion contribution points. Yet this foundational manual is priced at 910 million. It seems it’s not solely due to Xiluoduo’s reputation—it’s genuinely a delightful surprise. If the complete set existed… its value would soar to tens or even hundreds of billions of contribution points.” Luo Feng pondered. “Indeed, the most core techniques of the Golden-Horned Race—were I the race’s overseer, I wouldn’t place them in the Tower of Secret Manuals either. There must be concealed trump cards. Xiluoduo’s full ultimate technique must have been stashed away.”

The more Luo Feng read, the more delighted he became. It was worth it. More than worth it.

He read all the way to the final page in one go.

On the last page, there was only one passage.

“The greatest strength of the Psychic lineage lies in the ability to wield as many psychic weapons as possible. Hence, the higher the psychic amplification, the better. If, at the peak of the World Lord stage, your psychic amplification fails to reach 300, then forsake the path of the Psychic and discard this manual. It is not meant for you. You are not destined to become a true master of the Psychic Arts.”