Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 416 The unknown secret

“I’m starting to struggle,” Silvermoon admitted frankly. “This level of complexity is beyond my comprehension.”

Although Silver Moon is an elite mediator of the Virtual Universe Company and her strength has reached the level of a Domain Lord, her expertise lies mainly in diplomacy and negotiation, and understanding such profound laws is not her forte.

"Hang in there," Rowan encouraged, "maybe things will turn around."

But the situation did not improve. As time went on, the intensity of the cosmic storm continued to increase. Silvermoon began to feel immense mental stress, and her body began to tremble slightly.

"I feel like I'm about to collapse," Silver Moon gritted her teeth and persevered. "The pressure from this level of law is too intense."

Rowan wanted to help Silvermoon, but quickly realized it was impossible. This trial tested one's understanding and will; external forces could not provide assistance.

After persisting for about half an hour, Yin Yue finally reached her limit. She opened her eyes, her face pale, and her body swaying precariously.

"I can't go on, I really can't go on," Silvermoon said weakly. "This level of trial is beyond my capabilities."

Just as Silvermoon conceded defeat, a soft light enveloped her. This light gradually separated her from the cosmic storm and transferred her to a safe space.

“Silver Moon,” Rowan said worriedly, looking at Silver Moon as she was being moved.

"I'm fine, I just withdrew from the trial," Silvermoon's voice came from afar. "You continue, don't worry about me."

Although Silvermoon was now safe, Rowan's mood grew even heavier. He was now alone to face this terrifying cosmic storm, and its intensity was only increasing.

“Now comes the real test,” Rowan said, taking a deep breath and refocusing.

With Silver Moon's withdrawal, the cosmic storm seemed to have determined that Rowan possessed greater resilience and began to unleash even more terrifying power. The energy vortex expanded further, and the fluctuations of its laws became more complex and profound.

Rowan began to feel unprecedented pressure. Even with his strength at the World Lord level, he felt a tremendous challenge in the face of such a terrifying cosmic storm. But he did not choose to back down; instead, he focused even more intently on understanding the laws of the storm.

"What is the true nature of a storm?" Rowan pondered this question in his mind.

At first, he thought storms represented destruction and chaos. But as his understanding deepened, he began to discover that storms contained something else. Within the seemingly chaotic flow of energy, there was actually a deeper order.

"Destruction and creation, chaos and order," Rowan began to understand the true meaning of the storm. "A storm is not only a force of destruction, but also a force of reshaping and regeneration."

As this understanding deepened, Rowan found his resonance with the cosmic storms intensifying. What had once been terrifying energy fluctuations now transformed into a wondrous rhythm.

But the trial was far from over. The cosmic storm entered its second phase, its power increasing dramatically once again. This time, distortions of time and space began to appear within the storm.

"A spacetime storm?" Rowan was shocked to discover that the storm was no longer a simple energy phenomenon, but involved a high-level application of the laws of spacetime.

In the spacetime storm, the passage of time becomes uneven. Sometimes a second feels like a year, and sometimes a year feels like just a moment. Space itself begins to distort, distance becomes meaningless, and things that are close at hand may actually be tens of thousands of miles apart.

This spacetime distortion caused Rowan immense distress. His senses were severely impaired, and he even began to doubt his own existence.

"Is this an illusion? Or a real distortion of spacetime?" Rowan struggled to stay conscious. "I must find the pattern."

After a long period of observation and reflection, Rowan gradually discovered the operating rules of the spacetime storm. Although it appears to be completely chaotic on the surface, this distortion is actually governed by certain patterns.

"I see," Rowan suddenly realized, "The spacetime storm isn't creating chaos, but rather revealing the profound mysteries of the laws of spacetime."

Having grasped this, Rowan began to try to follow the rhythm of the spacetime storm, merging his consciousness into it. This was an extremely dangerous process; a slight misstep could lead to being lost in the distorted spacetime.

But Rowan succeeded. His consciousness synchronized with the spacetime storm to some extent, and he began to experience an unprecedented understanding of the laws. In this state, his understanding of time and space underwent a qualitative leap.

"Is this what the Storm King wanted to impart?" Rowan wondered to himself. "Not just skills or knowledge, but a profound understanding of the nature of the universe."

The spacetime storm lasted for a very long time, but for Rowan, who was caught in it, time had lost its meaning. He was completely immersed in comprehending the laws, forgetting everything outside.

Just when Rowan thought the trial would continue like this, the cosmic storm began to enter its third phase. This time, the nature of the storm underwent a fundamental change.

The previously turbulent energy flow began to calm down, and the distortion of spacetime gradually returned to normal. However, a deeper test began—the ultimate trial of will and character.

During this stage, Rowan began to see various visions. Some visions showed immense wealth and power, while others showed the safety of those he cherished most. These visions were so realistic that it was almost impossible to distinguish them from reality.

"This is a test of my mindset," Rowan quickly grasped the essence of this stage, "The Storm King is testing my character and moral bottom line."

In the hallucinations, Rowan saw Silvermoon in danger, needing him to abandon his trial to save her. He also saw the Virtual Universe Corporation facing a crisis, requiring his immediate return to address it. Even more disturbingly, his family and friends appeared in the hallucinations, all pleading with him to make certain choices.

These illusions were incredibly alluring, and Rowan was almost persuaded to give up the trial several times. But each time, he discovered the flaws in the illusions through rational analysis.

"A true strongman not only needs great strength, but also a firm will and the right character," Rowan silently recited this principle in his heart, resisting all kinds of temptations and threats.

The Trial of the Mind is far more difficult than the previous Trial of the Laws because it directly attacks the weaknesses of human nature. Even the strongest and most resolute individuals find it hard to remain completely rational when faced with their deepest fears and desires. But Rowan persevered. His experiences and self-cultivation allowed him to better understand himself and what truly mattered. Although the process was arduous, he was never misled by illusions.

Finally, after undergoing three phases of trials, the cosmic storm began to subside. The violent energy flow returned to calm, the distorted spacetime stabilized again, and the alluring illusions vanished without a trace.

"Congratulations, Rowan," the voice of Severus, the Storm King, echoed through the starry sky, "you have passed all the tests I set, proving yourself worthy to inherit my legacy."

As Severus's voice appeared, a colossal figure began to emerge in the starry sky. This figure was clad in storm armor, wielding a lightning scepter, and surrounded by countless miniature cosmic storms, exuding majesty and mystery.

"Your understanding of the laws of storms has reached a considerably high level," Severus continued, "but more importantly, you have demonstrated the qualities necessary to become a true powerhouse. Strength can be acquired through training, but character requires countless trials to forge."

“Thank you for your recognition, senior,” Rowan replied respectfully. “I will cherish this legacy and use it for good.”

“I believe you will,” Severus nodded with satisfaction. “Now, accept my legacy.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Severus's figure began to glow, and countless rays of light shot out from his body, converging into a complex runic pattern. This pattern contained the Storm King's lifelong understanding of the laws and the inheritance of his skills, and its value was immeasurable.

The runic patterns slowly flew towards Rowan and eventually merged into his body. Instantly, Rowan felt a massive flow of information flooding into his consciousness. This information included profound understandings of various laws, powerful techniques and secret arts, and unique insights into the nature of the universe.

"This inheritance will greatly enhance your strength," Severus's voice began to weaken, "but remember, true strength does not come from ruling others with power, but from guiding the world towards a better future with wisdom and character."

As he finished speaking, Severus's figure began to dissipate, and the entire Starry Sky Trial Arena began to dissolve. Rowan found himself back in the stone hall, where Silver Moon was waiting for him not far away.

"You succeeded," Silvermoon said, both pleased and somewhat envious as she saw Rowan return. "How does it feel?"

"I've gained a lot," Rowan replied succinctly, "not just in terms of improved skills, but more importantly, in a new understanding of many things."

Rowan felt the new power flowing through his body, a feeling both familiar and strange. The legacy of the Storm King was not merely the transmission of skills and laws, but more like a deep fusion of consciousness. He could sense fragments of memories left by Severus, his profound understanding of cosmic storms, and his unique insights into the nature of power.

But within these precious legacies, Rowan discovered a perplexing gap. There was absolutely no information in the legacies about the Storm King's final days, about how he died. This omission seemed extremely abrupt, as if that memory had been deliberately erased.

“This is strange,” Rowan pondered. “Logically, such a complete legacy should contain all the important memories. Why is the part related to death missing?”

Silvermoon noticed Rowan's unusual expression. "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the inheritance?"

“It’s not a question, it’s a question,” Rowan said, organizing his thoughts. “The memories of the Storm King’s final days in the lore are blank. That makes me very curious about how he died.”

"King-level immortal powerhouses must have extremely long lifespans," Silver Moon analyzed. "Besides even stronger enemies, only a few special circumstances could kill them."

Indeed, the life force of immortal beings is extremely tenacious; under normal circumstances, they can survive for tens of thousands of years or even longer. The fact that such a powerful being could die must conceal some unknown secrets.

“Guardian,” Rowan turned to the mysterious figure still standing not far away, “I want to know some information about the Storm King’s final days.”

The guardian remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering whether he should answer the question. Finally, he slowly spoke: "I am not entirely clear about the cause of my master's death. I am merely a projection of his consciousness, and my memories are limited."

"Could you tell me what you know?" Rowan continued, "Even just fragments of information will do."

“I remember that during the last period, the master became very anxious,” the guardian recalled. “He often stayed alone in the lab, working on things I couldn’t understand. Sometimes, I could hear him talking to himself, saying things like ‘There’s not enough time,’ ‘We have to find a solution.’”

"What are you researching?" Silver Moon asked curiously.

“I don’t know the specifics,” the guardian shook his head. “The master sealed all those research materials in his private palace; even I can’t get in.”

Upon hearing this, Rowan's eyes lit up. If the Storm King had kept important research data in his palace, then perhaps they could find some clues there.

"Where is the bedroom? Can I enter now?" Rowan asked.

“Of course,” the guardian nodded. “Now that you have inherited your master’s legacy, you have complete control over this temple. All areas are open to you.”

As he spoke, the guardian waved his hand, drawing an intricate rune pattern in the air. The pattern emitted a soft light and eventually transformed into a beautiful crystal key that floated towards Rowan.

“This is the master key to the temple,” the guardian explained. “With it, you can enter any area and access any facility.”

Rowan took the crystal key and immediately felt a wondrous connection with the entire building. It was as if this enormous temple had become an extension of his body, with every room and every passage within his perception.

“This feeling is truly amazing,” Rowan exclaimed. “I can now sense the structure and function of the entire temple.”

Indeed, through this master key, Rowan was able to clearly "see" the entire temple. The building was much larger than the parts they had explored before, containing hundreds of rooms with different functions, including research rooms, libraries, training rooms, treasure vaults, and even a small ecological garden.

The most striking feature is the Storm King's chambers located on the top floor of the temple. This area occupies the entire top floor, is extremely large, and is protected by multiple protective arrays. Even now that he has control, Rowan can still feel the power of those protective arrays.

(End of this chapter)