Swallowed Star: Primordial Artifact

Chapter 274 Conversation
In that grand hall surrounded by countless sealed stars, the guest of the mountain looked down at Jiang Ye and slowly spoke, his words conveying warmth, but his voice was like rolling thunder, echoing loudly throughout the hall.

"After countless years of accumulation and refinement, I have spent most of my wealth to forge only four truly 'treasures'. Among them, I have meticulously crafted two for the Earth lineage: the Star Tower and the Calamity Armor. As for your second senior brother, I have also bestowed upon him two treasures—the Flame God Halberd and the Primal Soul."

Jiang Ye pondered to himself, "Three top-grade treasures, plus a God-King weapon, the Star Tower. This God-King, who is known for refining treasures, is truly remarkable. Even though his strength is limited to the True God level and he is in the resource-scarce Primitive Universe, he is still able to refine such treasures."

“Back then, I specifically guided the birth of the Flame God Clan. They are born with exceptional talent, truly natural-born warriors. And your second senior brother, as the leader of the Flame God Clan, is especially skilled in close combat. This Flame God Halberd is a supreme treasure crafted specifically for warriors. As for the ‘Original Soul,’ it is an extremely special soul-type treasure. Once integrated into a soul, it can make the soul become increasingly powerful!”

"Your second senior brother is very powerful in terms of divine body. However, compared to his powerful divine body, his soul is relatively ordinary, only comparable to that of an ordinary universe lord. Only by relying on the supreme treasure 'Original Soul' can he surpass others in terms of soul. In this way, the 'Original Soul' strengthens his soul, and the Flame God Halberd makes his combat power even more formidable. Now, he has become an undisputed overlord in the vast universe. In addition, his entire clan is extremely warlike, and many clans are unwilling to easily provoke the Flame God Clan."

Jiang Ye nodded repeatedly as he listened.

In the primordial universe, a world full of limitations, only this reincarnated god-king could create a race capable of self-improving its genetic level.

“However, I am still not satisfied with this.” The Mountain Guest cast his gaze toward the distant void, his eyes showing a hint of pride, but also a sense of unfulfilled desire. “Thus, the lineage of Earthlings came into being.”

"The physical talent of Earthlings is only average in the entire universe. However, there are many ways to alter bloodlines and enhance genes in the universe. Therefore, I created the 'Nine Tribulations Secret Manual.' This secret technique can allow an Earthling with ordinary genes to leap to the level of those rare and unique powerful life forms in the universe. The first tribulation of the 'Nine Tribulations Secret Manual' can enhance genes three times, the second tribulation six times, and the third tribulation twelve times... Just by cultivating to the third tribulation, an ordinary human body can surpass a star behemoth with a peak bloodline!"

As for the fourth and fifth kalpas...

As cultivation deepens, even the most common life forms in the universe pale in comparison. Creatures like the Starry Sky Beasts, capable of multiplying and passing down their lineage, belong to the normal races.

But in the universe, there are also unique life forms that have neither a gestation process nor a lineage. Since the birth and evolution of the universe, some life forms may number only two or three in the entire universe, and some are even unique, unparalleled in the world.

"The more powerful and extraordinary a life form is, the fewer there are."

Just like the Blood Crystal in the Blood World in the heartland of humanity, it was formed from the blood of a beast god.

This Beast God is a unique life form in the universe, born as an embodiment of fused laws, possessing combat power that is considered domineering even among the rulers of the universe!

Special life!

Those are life forms born in the universe under certain special conditions, which are unable to reproduce or pass on their lineage. Life forms that cannot reproduce cannot be considered a species.

Like the giant beasts of the starry sky, though rare, they can at least reproduce and be passed down from generation to generation. Over countless eras, they can still produce a large number of powerful beings.

However, there are some special life forms, such as the Beast Gods. There are only eight of them in the universe, and they cannot reproduce, so they cannot form a race.

"Special life forms in the universe generally grow from weak to strong. Innately powerful fusion law incarnations like the Beast God are extremely rare." Sitting Mountain Guest looked down at Jiang Ye and continued, "The genes of those special life forms are a hundred or even a thousand times that of humans, obviously far exceeding those of the giant beasts in the starry sky."

Although the bloodline of the Starry Sky Beast is said to be the strongest in the universe, it is limited to the bloodline that can reproduce and be passed down.

There are many unique life forms that surpass even the giant beasts of the starry sky, but each type is extremely rare. For example, the Beast God and the World Tree are unique existences in the universe.

"According to my vision, the leader of the Earth lineage possesses the 'Nine Tribulations Secret Manual,' and the future advancements in genes and life will inevitably create a powerful divine body and soul. Moreover, the will and consciousness of the Earth lineage are extremely strong. Consciousness is the foundation of mental power, while will is the commander of consciousness! A strong will and consciousness can enable them to unleash ten or even a hundred times the power at the soul level."

"A powerful body, a powerful soul, and an equally powerful will. While there are many ways to improve the body and soul, willpower, originating from within, is something I have yet to encounter any treasures or secret techniques that can enhance it," the Mountain-Sitting Guest remarked. "Having learned my lesson from the Flame God Clan, I specifically guided and nurtured the Earthlings. They are easier to improve in terms of mental state. Although their physical talent is only average among the entire human race, and even at the bottom in the vast universe, their powerful willpower is enough to make them stand out among countless races in the cosmos."

Jiang Ye deeply agreed. In terms of mindset, Earthlings are indeed unique in the universe—Hong, Thor, Luo Feng.

Some people say that Earth isn't that magical, and that apart from Luo Feng and his two companions, no other geniuses have emerged on Earth since.

But compared to the entire original universe, how can a planet that gave birth to more than three universe lords not be considered miraculous?

"Disciple, your current level of life genes is already quite high, which must be related to the inheritance you have received!" The Mountain Guest's gaze fell on Jiang Ye, and his gaze seemed to be able to see through all of Jiang Ye's secrets. Obviously, Jiang Ye's eight thousand times higher level of life genes could not be hidden from the discerning eyes of the reincarnated God King in front of him.

“Yes, teacher.” Jiang Ye replied respectfully, while secretly thinking to himself, “I’m not lying. In a way, the system can indeed be considered a kind of inheritance.”

He knew that the system he possessed, though mysterious, might truly be one of many wondrous inheritances in a higher world.

"With your current level of life genes, there are very few in the entire universe who can surpass you, and even some special life forms are not as good as you. But this is far from enough! You should know that reaching the level of a universe master can break the limitation of a hundred times the level of life genes, and improve the level of life genes through various materials. It can be said that as long as every universe master cultivates diligently for a period of time, his level of life genes will not be inferior to yours."

Those at my level have all achieved perfect genes, and you still have a considerable gap to close with them.

You must understand that only when your life's genetic level reaches my level will your physical body and soul undergo a true transformation.

“Originally, I created the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual for the Earth lineage, which was tantamount to creating a special kind of life. Unfortunately, the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual requires a Heavenly Soul Crystal to be carried, and can only be cultivated by one person at a time.” The Mountain-Sitting Guest sighed slightly. “Originally, if you could successfully recognize the Star Tower as your master, I planned to take it back from the current Earthling who was cultivating the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual and let you cultivate it. Unfortunately…” The Mountain-Sitting Guest shook his head helplessly.

“Uh… taking it away, wouldn’t that mean…” Jiang Ye’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at the Mountain-Sitting Guest, secretly relieved that the other party hadn’t done so, otherwise… the consequences would have been unimaginable. “It’s all about timing and fate. Now we can only hope that the candidate can successfully recognize this Star Tower as their master.” The Mountain-Sitting Guest sighed, then turned his gaze to Jiang Ye. “However, now that you have become my disciple, I will naturally not let you suffer a loss. I will find a way to help you improve your current life gene level!”

"Uh..." Jiang Ye hesitated, but swallowed his words.

In truth, he wanted to tell the Mountain-Sitting Guest that he didn't need the "Nine Tribulations Secret Manual." After all, with the Creation Jade Disc, once he achieved immortality, his life's genetic level would reach perfection.

Having read the original work, he knew that the "Nine Tribulations Secret Manual" was a unique secret technique of the Jin Kingdom. Once cultivated, it would be equivalent to being branded with the mark of the Jin Kingdom. The Mountain-Sitting Guest's desire to elevate his life gene level was probably based on this consideration.

Therefore, if he refuses, I'm afraid...

……

“Disciple, as I said before, in my original plan, I only intended to take on two disciples, one from the Yan God Clan and one from the Earthlings.”

“But man proposes, God disposes. I took your senior brother in as a disciple before, and now I have you. I have already prepared a treasure for your senior brother, which is almost finished. As for your treasure, I have not made any preparations.” The Mountain Guest said.

"Master, I don't care about these things. I am already deeply honored and satisfied to be able to become your disciple!" Jiang Ye said respectfully to the Mountain Guest.

Looking at Jiang Ye, the Mountain Hermit smiled with satisfaction: "I am very pleased that you have such a state of mind. Although I have not prepared any special treasures for you, it does not mean that your future will be inferior to others."

"Alright then, I'll take you somewhere now." The Mountain-Sitting Guest said abruptly, standing up.

"Teacher, where are we going?" Jiang Ye asked with a puzzled look.

"You'll know when you get there," the mountain hermit said with a mysterious smile.

The towering figure, standing nine hundred meters tall, strode to the center of the main hall, where a twisted passage suddenly appeared out of thin air. The eldest disciple, the Universe Master "Puti," and the third disciple, Jiang Ye, quickly followed, stepping into the twisted spatial passage together.

……

The passage twisted and shifted, and Jiang Ye and his two companions flew through it like lightning. Moments later, they arrived at a mysterious area.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh~~~~"

A hazy, colorful space came into view.

Looking out, countless water droplets of different colors floated and drifted slowly in the endless space. The Mountain Guest, along with Puti and Jiang Ye, appeared out of thin air in this space.

"This is one of the spaces within the Star Tower." The Mountain-Sitting Guest pointed to the various colored water droplets floating in the endless void, looked at Jiang Ye, and asked, "Jiang Ye, do you know what these are?"

"Ok?"

Jiang Ye examined it closely and saw that there were millions of water droplets of various colors, scattered throughout the endless space, slowly floating and drifting.

The Mountain Guest explained, “The ‘Calamity Armor’ I created for the Earth lineage and the ‘Original Soul’ I created for your second senior brother did not actually reach the level they should have at this level; they were both somewhat weak. The main reason is that these two treasures… both contain the ability to nurture offspring. I used up more than half of the materials when I refined them, precisely to endow them with this ability.”

"The armor of calamity can give birth to armor for soldiers, armor for generals, armor for kings, and armor for emperors."

“The original soul can give birth to the souls of soldiers, generals, kings, and emperors.”

"Of course, these names are just code names to distinguish the four different sub-types," the Mountain-Sitting Guest explained with a smile. "Those soldier armor, general armor, king armor, and emperor armor can only be used by the special race of the Yan God Clan, which evolved under my guidance. Of course, the leader of the Earth lineage who cultivates the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual can also use them because their evolutionary style is the same as mine and is more advanced than that of the Yan God Clan."

"No one else can use it. Even your human race, after countless years of research, has failed to uncover its secrets."

At this point, the Mountain Hermit's gaze fell on Jiang Ye's golden armor, a smile of admiration on his face: "Disciple, you were able to modify your King Armor without a teacher, breaking through the limitations I set, and even re-engraving the secret patterns, all thanks to the ancient treasure-refining manual you inherited. This shows that the treasure-refining inheritance you obtained is indeed extraordinary; on the other hand, it also highlights your extremely high talent in treasure-refining!"

Hearing the praise from the Mountain Guest, Jiang Ye was slightly pleased. After all, to be praised by a Refining Treasure God King was something to be proud of!
However, Jiang Ye quickly composed himself and respectfully said, "Teacher, you flatter me. The treasures you crafted are already incredibly exquisite. I was merely following the steps in the inheritance. However, it still took a great deal of effort and time."

(Qiankun Cauldron: Strength? -_-|| It's just wasting a little world power. Time? Nine days is plenty of time!)

The Mountain Guest chuckled, clearly pleased with Jiang Ye's humility: "You don't need to belittle yourself. To have achieved this much is enough to demonstrate your talent and comprehension in treasure refining. If you are interested in treasure refining, I can pass on my insights and experience to you. I can't speak for other things, but I do have a lot of experience in treasure refining."

Jiang Ye was overjoyed. This was an opportunity he had been longing for. He possessed the Qiankun Cauldron and the endless weapon-refining techniques of the Great Thousand Worlds. If he could also receive personal instruction from a Treasure Refining God King, he would be even more fortunate.

(End of this chapter)