Swallowing the Stars: Level 1, One Talent, Invincible Chaos Origin

Chapter 230, The Hall of Illusion
Jiang Ming stepped out and headed towards the central palace.

Just as Jiang Ming's spiritual imprint merged into the spiritual realm, at the core, the light source with its hazy colors trembled slightly.

"Finally, a new test subject has entered."

The light source gazed at Jiang Ming from afar.

“My ‘Illusory Galaxy’ was once so prosperous, with geniuses entering for trials every moment. But now, it has been 6721045 epochs since the last one.”

The light source emitted a somewhat nostalgic sound.

"More than two hundred million epochs have passed since the destruction of my Nightmare Clan. Are there still any members of the Nightmare Clan?"

The light source sighed.

Jiang Ming's consciousness avatar walked across this vast and desolate land, heading towards the only existing, enormous palace.

As they drew closer, the details of the palace gradually became clearer.

The entire palace is constructed from an unknown dark gold material, with countless complex and ancient patterns engraved on its surface. These patterns are not static, but rather flow slowly, like living things, emanating a heart-stirring illusion and soul-stirring energy.

The palaces are millions of kilometers high, majestic and imposing; in their presence, people appear as insignificant as dust.

The tightly closed circular passageway door was as smooth as a mirror, reflecting Jiang Ming's own figure, yet it also seemed to reflect countless thoughts and fragments of memories deep within his heart, bizarre and ever-changing.

"This palace?"

Jiang Ming felt the oppressive aura of the palace and was suddenly startled.

"How come the oppressive aura of this palace is almost comparable to that of a supreme treasure?"

The 'Soul Golden Pearl' in Jiang Ming's hand is a treasure bestowed by the Lord of Chaos City, and Jiang Ming has been studying it for countless years.

They have an extremely deep understanding of the 'Soul Golden Pearl' and are very clear about the level of pressure exerted by a supreme treasure.

"How is that possible? How could the Nightfall Clan possibly possess a palace treasure?"

Jiang Ming frowned. He didn't believe that the palace in front of him was a treasure, but the oppressive aura was real and undeniable.

Just as Jiang Ming was pondering, a light source emitting a mesmerizing glow appeared.

"Little one, are you wondering why my Nightmare Clan possesses a palace treasure?"

The language spoken by this light source was not any universal language that Jiang Ming knew, but through emotional perception, Jiang Ming could understand its meaning.

"Are you the 'Source of Starlight'?"

Jiang Ming inquired.

“That’s right, everyone calls me ‘Starry Origin’, but I’ve given myself a different name. I prefer to be called ‘Inkfish’.”

The sound emanating from the light source carried a hint of laughter, like that of a cheerful old man.

"Hello Squid, I am indeed very puzzled. If a palace treasure is placed here, it is impossible for the Zerg not to take it."

Jiang Ming nodded and asked.

Although this illusory starry river is wondrous, it is impossible for it to be hidden from the Zerg Queen if this palace is truly a treasure of the palace.

Even at the risk of destroying other treasures, the Zerg would not let go of this palace treasure.

A single palace treasure can be worth as much as thousands of ordinary treasures!
"Hmph, Zerg!"

When Cuttlefish heard about the Zerg, his tone was filled with intense anger and hatred.

"Because this is not the real palace treasure, but just a real projection, a real projection so real that it can be mistaken for a real one."

The squid's voice carried a hint of pride, but also a barely concealed sense of loneliness.

"Real projection?"

Jiang Ming felt a slight stirring in his heart; he was no stranger to real projections.

This is a training path within the illusionist school, creating realistic projections.

But no matter how realistic the projection is, it is ultimately just a projection, an illusion. If someone could truly create a real projection, that person's strength would likely reach the level of a Void God, or even an Eternal God. However, no matter how Jiang Ming sensed the immense pressure emanating from the majestic palace, it felt like a real, priceless treasure.

"This is one of the highest achievements of my Nightmare Clan's illusion technology, 'True Illusion Realm'!"
A contrived, eternal illusion, so realistic it could easily be mistaken for reality, even possessing, to some extent, the characteristics of a true treasure!

The cuttlefish floated slowly around Jiang Ming, its hazy light flickering intermittently.

"The Zerg have had their eye on it, and those fools, just like you, thought it was a real palace treasure."

However, upon attempting to act, they discovered that it was merely a 'shadow,' a 'shadow' rooted in the origin of the 'Illusory Star River,' impossible to move or truly refine.

"However, although it is not a true treasure, within this 'Illusory Star River,' it possesses one-tenth the defensive power of an ordinary palace treasure, and it is also the place where my Nightmare Chime Clan tests geniuses."

The squid's light shone onto the tightly closed circular door.

"To obtain the true core heritage and treasures of my clan, one must pass the test of this 'Illusory Hall'."

Jiang Ming thought about it and agreed with Cuttlefish's statement.

The Nightmare Clan could never possibly have left behind a palace treasure, so this palace, though seemingly identical to the real one, is not.

But it couldn't possibly be a true palace treasure.

At the same time, Jiang Ming was also marveling at how each powerful race truly had its own unique strengths.

Even though Jiang Ming knew that the palace treasure in front of him was fake, he couldn't tell why it was fake.

If one were to master this technology and secret method, and create scenes of supreme treasures being born, it would be easy to incite powerful beings from all races to fight each other.

"Squid, how should I conduct the test?"

Although Jiang Ming obtained the incomplete "Star Illusion Codex" and gained some information, he knew nothing about how to conduct the test.

"It's very simple. There are nine levels of trials in this 'Illusory Palace.' You will receive a corresponding reward for each level you pass."

The more floors you clear, the greater the rewards; if you can clear all nine floors, you'll obtain all the treasures.

"That's what the squid said."

What specific rewards are there?

Jiang Ming inquired.

"I can't tell you, but do you see this 'Illusion Palace' in front of you? The technology to create it is among the rewards on the seventh floor."

Squid's words startled Jiang Ming.

In Jiang Ming's view, the technology used to create this 'Illusion Palace' should be extremely close to the final reward, even if it is not.

But I didn't expect it to be just the reward for the seventh floor.

It seems that the legacy of the E'pan Clan is even more substantial than he had imagined.

As they spoke, Cuttlefish led Jiang Ming to the door of the circular passageway.

The squid was quite satisfied with Jiang Ming. It had observed each of the owners of the Holy Decree Fragments and, in its opinion, Jiang Ming was not the strongest among them, but he was the one who was improving the fastest.

And since they were human, it was even more satisfied.

It is also aware of the news that the Terrans and Zerg are at war.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Whoever is the Zerg's adversary, the squid will have a natural affinity for them.

"go in."

As the squid spoke, the passageway gate opened with a loud rumble.

A passage of unknown length was revealed.

Jiang Ming nodded in response, and then entered the passage directly.

(End of this chapter)