High Martial Arts: Liver Becomes the Master of the Universe

Chapter 338 The Golden Emperor Takes Action! The Emperor Seals Qin Feng! The Protection of the Weapon Refining King!
The frontiers of the universe are shrouded in endless darkness and death, yet at this moment, a star field with unknown coordinates is ignited by unprecedented light and heat.

This is the present-day site of [Mount Eternal Life].

A majestic mountain, immeasurable by any known unit, stands abruptly suspended in the vacuum.

It is not like a physical entity, but more like a personified ancient time, a cosmic wonder that encapsulates billions of years of Tao and reason.

Above the mountain, divine light cascaded down like a waterfall, each flash seemingly projecting an ancient realm of birth and death onto the backdrop of the universe.

Countless profound laws transformed into visible rune chains, slowly flowing around the mountain, colliding with each other and emitting ethereal sounds like the voice of the Great Dao.

Occasionally, the phantom of a divine weapon would flash by in the mountains, its sharp aura capable of easily severing dimensions.

Occasionally, the outline of a miraculous herb would quietly emerge, its intoxicating fragrance transcending the vacuum, invigorating the soul of those who smelled it.

Even more remarkably, one can see blurry figures practicing martial arts on the mountaintop, unleashing supreme secret techniques long lost to the ages, each movement embodying an ultimate understanding of power.

This is Mount Eternal Life.

One of the most renowned forbidden places of opportunity in the universe.

Its name, "Eternal Life," does not mean that entering it will grant eternal life. Rather, it refers to the laws and Daoist principles contained within the mountain, which encompass the lifelong insights of countless brilliant and powerful individuals who have perished since the beginning of the universe.

These laws are ownerless, pure crystallizations of knowledge and power. For any powerful cultivator who has reached the latter half of their cultivation journey, they are supreme treasures that they would fight for at any cost.

Here, you might find a flawed secret technique that perfectly aligns with your own Dao, allowing you to fill in your weaknesses and boost your combat power.

You might also gain enlightenment from the cultivation notes of an ancient master, breaking through the bottleneck that has plagued you for millions of years.

Not to mention those secret treasures of heaven and earth that are born within the mountains and have miraculous effects even on powerful emperors.

The immense temptation attracted some of the universe's most elite predators.

At this moment, the vast star field surrounding Mount Eternal Life was already filled with countless figures.

Each figure exuded a terrifying aura capable of making an entire galaxy tremble. They were beings at the pinnacle of the universe—Emperor-level powerhouses.

A total of over 100,000 people were granted the title of emperor!

This is a terrifying force capable of overthrowing any top-tier clan, yet now it has all converged here.

Apart from those old monsters who have long since withdrawn from worldly affairs and are trapped in the deepest dead ends, as well as those ancient beings who are isolated by the Holy Academy in the Endless Sea and temporarily unable to reach the first half of the war zone, it can be said that more than 40% of the active Emperors in the entire universe have arrived upon hearing the news.

Despite having over 100,000 powerful individuals, the situation was not chaotic.

They formed three distinct and massive camps, maintaining a safe distance from each other with a sense of vigilance and hostility.

The largest group, comprising nearly two-thirds of the total, is the Alliance of Ten Thousand Races.

Tens of thousands of powerful emperors of various forms and auras, some violent, some cold, some holy, gathered together, forming a terrifying force field that almost crushed the starry sky.

Although they had their own factions, when faced with a common enemy, the cohesion stemming from their shared ethnic interests made them the most formidable force on the field.

Opposite them was the human race.

In terms of numbers, they are only about half of the All-Race Alliance, barely accounting for one-third of the total.

However, the military formations formed by the human emperors were even more formidable and disciplined. The aura of each powerful figure was as solid as a mountain, and when they were linked together, they formed a powerful force that was in no way inferior to the Alliance of Ten Thousand Races.

They are the most powerful single race in this universe, and even though they are outnumbered, no one dares to underestimate them.

Between and on the periphery of the two major factions, there are scattered individual powerful figures who have been granted the title of Emperor.

They are the fewest in number, either lone wolves or from those cosmic nations established by powerful emperors, unwilling to be affiliated with any side.

They are speculators and onlookers, waiting to find their own glimmer of hope in the clash between the two camps.

Under the vast divine light of Mount Eternal Life, the three forces maintained a fragile and dangerous balance.

The air was thick with the oppressive smell of gunpowder, as if a single spark could ignite a cosmic war that would engulf hundreds of thousands of emperors.

Deep within the most chaotic and mixed camp of the Alliance of Myriad Races, a terrifying behemoth, large enough to devour a giant star, floats silently.

Its body was covered in dazzling scales that looked as if they were cast from gold, each scale engraved with natural Dao patterns, shimmering with immortal brilliance. Its head was ferocious and majestic, its eyes like two burning golden suns, occasionally opening and closing, the divine light shooting out was enough to pierce through the stars.

It was none other than the Golden Emperor, the current emperor of the renowned Golden Armored Beast clan among the Starry Sky Beasts.

At this moment, this terrifying being, powerful enough to stop a child from crying at night, had a face so gloomy it seemed as if water could drip from it.

Within his massive claws, comparable to mountains, a communication jade talisman was faintly glowing, and streams of encrypted information were flowing into his mind through special channels, traversing endless star fields.

The information was concise yet impactful.

"Furnace Village... Primordial Fire... Qin Feng..."

The Golden Emperor's eyes, as bright as the golden sun, narrowed slightly, a hint of undisguised surprise and killing intent flashing within them.

He got it.

The forceful intervention of the cosmic will, and that public execution-style mission targeting Qin Feng, have laid all the secrets bare before all the top experts.

The next target location of that human prodigy, whom he once considered a major threat yet whose whereabouts remained elusive, has been announced to the world.

An incredibly difficult choice lay before the Golden Emperor.

His gaze involuntarily fell upon the Everlasting Mountain, which exuded endless allure.

Above the mountain, the light of laws flowed and the aura of Dao permeated the air. For a powerhouse of his caliber, each opening of the Eternal Mountain was a feast not to be missed.

He could clearly sense that there were at least three places in the mountains that resonated with his own Dao. If he could obtain them, his strength would surely advance further, and he might even be able to glimpse the legendary Saint realm, which was above the Emperor realm.

This is a real, huge opportunity right in front of us.

However, the message transmitted by the communication jade talisman was like a poisonous thorn, deeply embedded in his heart.

Qin Feng!

That name is now practically a taboo in Jinhuang.

A monster who has embarked on the legendary "path to godhood".

A destined enemy burdened with a pact of revenge against the ancient king.

Jin Huang can still clearly remember that on the outskirts of the Island of Death and Fall, he felt the gaze of the Ancient King of Ancient Luo, which transcended endless time and space and was full of mockery and killing intent, on Qin Feng.

That was the remnant soul of the Ancient King, who, after choosing Qin Feng as his successor, issued an ultimatum to his "enemy."

From that moment on, Jin Huang understood that there was no room for maneuver between him and Qin Feng; only the complete demise of one of them could end this karmic entanglement.

He had deduced Qin Feng's growth trajectory countless times, and each result terrified him.

The growth rate of the prodigies on the Divine Path completely exceeded the norm.

The time it took for the other party to grow from an ant that he could crush with a flick of his wrist to a "fierce god" who could kill even a marquis was but a fleeting moment in his long life.

He knew very well that if Qin Feng was allowed to continue to grow stronger, the day Qin Feng truly emerged from seclusion would be his death day.

For Qin Feng, who bears the "contract" of the cosmic artifact, the promise of the Ancient King is a mission that must be fulfilled, leaving no room for negotiation.

At that time, he will face a peerless ferocious god with terrifying combat power and great fortune.

"Mount Eternal Life...Slaying Qin Peak..."

The Golden Emperor's enormous head roared in a deep voice, weighing the situation repeatedly in his own mental sea, and the sound caused ripples to spread throughout the surrounding space.

He can become stronger by going to Mount Immortality.

But this takes time and luck.

He couldn't guarantee that he would be able to keep Qin Feng in check after leaving Mount Yong Sheng.

Because Qin Feng's growth rate was unreasonable and too fast.

What if Qin Feng becomes an emperor after the opening of Mount Yong Sheng for 50,000 years? He would be killed by Qin Feng as soon as he came out, unless his opportunity was enough to become a saint, but the chances of that were slim.

This is more like a high-stakes gamble, betting that one's luck can outpace the other's talent.

Going to kill Qin Feng, on the other hand, would be a proactive move to nip the threat in the bud.

This opportunity is truly once in a lifetime. The will of the universe personally intervened, locking onto Qin Feng's location and using the "complete map of the Seven Heavens Abyss Temple" as bait to attract the attention of the entire universe.

This means he is no longer the only hunter; Qin Feng will face an encirclement by 64,000 top-tier experts from across the universe. In this inescapable and desperate situation, the probability of Qin Feng's demise is infinitely increased.

If he were to go in person, with his Emperor-level strength, he would undoubtedly have a huge advantage and could easily eliminate this major threat.

It would be a pity to miss this opportunity at Mount Eternal Life.

But as his long life revealed, time is endless, and as long as he lives, opportunities will always come again.

Mount Eternal Life will reopen a million years from now.

The chance to kill Qin Feng might be gone forever.

"Humph."

In the instant of weighing the pros and cons, the last trace of hesitation in the Golden Emperor's enormous golden eyes was replaced by a resolute killing intent.

A cold snort, filled with endless chill and rage, burst forth from his enormous nostrils, transforming into two golden storms that scattered the surrounding meteorite belt into cosmic dust.

He made a decision.

Compared to the uncertain future, addressing the immediate and deadly threat is the wisest choice.

"Qin Feng...this time, let's see how you escape this time!"

With a roar that shook the galaxy, the Golden Emperor's enormous body moved.

His enormous golden wings suddenly unfurled, blotting out the sky and the sun. With a mere flap, the surrounding space and time were torn apart and folded like a scroll. His body instantly transformed into a golden streak of light that pierced through heaven and earth, ignoring the distance in space, and flew directly towards the coordinates of Furnace Village indicated by the communication jade talisman.

His massive body, far from being a hindrance to his speed, instead displayed an unimaginable extreme speed that was completely disproportionate to his size, thanks to his profound understanding of the laws of space.

The sudden departure of the Golden Emperor caused quite a stir within the Alliance of Myriad Races.

Countless powerful divine thoughts intertwined, filled with doubt and speculation.

"Why did the Golden Emperor leave? The Eternal Life Mountain is about to open, and the opportunity is right in front of us. Why is he leaving?"

"Judging from the direction he went... it seems to be the location of the Weaponry Sect. What happened there?"

"Could it be..."

Soon, as the mission of the Cosmic Will spread further, the answer became self-evident, and many people learned the news.

Before a grand cosmic feast surrounding Mount Immortality has even officially begun, another cosmic-scale hunt, even larger in scale and with a more specific objective, has quietly commenced.

……

at the same time.

Deep within the [239781st War Zone], millions of light-years away from Mount Immortality.

A streak of light is traveling through the dark universe at a speed beyond the comprehension of all physical laws.

Qin Feng pushed his speed to the limit.

The extreme burst of speed, 20,000 times the speed of light, caused a strange distortion in the time and space around him.

In his eyes, distant galaxies were no longer dazzling stars, but stretched into colorful lines that rushed backward.

His expression was more solemn than ever before.

The arrival of the cosmic will completely disrupted all his plans.

What was originally a meticulously planned "secret treasure hunt" turned into a "public enemy" battle royale that was broadcast live across the entire universe.

He was transformed from a hunter lurking in the shadows into the sole target hunted by 64,000 of the universe's top powerhouses.

The plan to "fake his death and escape" was not abandoned; on the contrary, it needed to be executed more thoroughly and perfectly.

He must seize the last geographical advantage and take the "Primal Fire" before all the enemies arrive, and then, in this grand "hunt," stage a magnificent "death" that can deceive everyone.

He is engaged in a race against time with the strongest beings in the entire universe.

Finally, at the edge of his divine sense perception, the outline of a familiar star field gradually became clear.

That star field was completely different from the desolate and lifeless universe around it.

The arrangement of the stars here seems to contain a special rhythm, as if it were carefully arranged by someone with supreme power according to a precise blueprint.

Countless stars, like giant natural furnaces, emit stable and intense light and heat.

The planet is covered with traces of mining and smelting, with huge ring-shaped factories encircling the planet, swallowing and spitting out rare minerals from all over the universe.

A faint scent, a mixture of the cool fragrance of metal and the intense heat of burning flames, permeated the void.

This is the territory of the Weapon Sect, known as one of the holy lands of weapon refiners in the universe—Furnace Village.

According to the legacy left by the ancient king, this place was the starting point of his spiritual journey.

He started as an unknown rogue cultivator, and by chance, he joined the Weapon Sect, where he learned the art of weapon crafting. He grew step by step and eventually returned to the Feather Clan Empire, becoming a renowned weapon crafting master.

It was because of this experience that, after the fall of King Guro, countless powerful individuals followed in his footsteps to this place, attempting to find the treasures and legacies he might have left behind.

However, without exception, everyone was turned away by the Weapon Sect. Some of the more ungrateful experts were even beaten and forced to flee in disarray by the sect leader himself. From then on, no one dared to come here and act recklessly again.

The Weapon Sect, and its mysterious leader, thus left a profound, understated yet powerful impression throughout the universe. Qin Feng restrained his extreme speed, his figure quietly appearing before the outer defensive perimeter of the Furnace Village star system.

Instead of forcing his way in, he quietly hovered in the void, releasing a wisp of peaceful yet pure divine thought to express his purpose.

Almost the instant he released his divine sense, several streams of light shot out from inside the galaxy, surrounding him completely.

Those were several disciples of the Weapon Sect dressed in uniform, bearing the emblem of flames and hammers.

Their cultivation levels were all at the Domain Lord level, their auras were solid, and their eyes were sharp.

What is most striking is the armor they wear and the weapons they hold, all of which are of the highest quality, with runes flowing on them that far surpass standard equipment of the same level.

"Who goes there? This is the territory of the Weapon Sect. No one may enter without permission!"

The leading disciple shouted sternly, his words filled with vigilance.

Qin Feng's gaze swept calmly over the group, showing no disdain despite their cultivation levels. He clasped his hands in a respectful gesture and said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone, "I am Qin Feng, a human cultivator. I have important business to discuss with the sect leader of the Weaponry Sect, and I hope you can convey my message."

"Qin Feng?"

The leading disciple paused slightly, pondering the name, finding it somewhat familiar.

Suddenly, one of his disciples seemed to remember something, his expression changed drastically, and he exclaimed in shock:

"Qin Feng... the fierce god Qin Feng! The one ranked number one on the Prodigy Ranking!"

Upon hearing this, the expressions on the faces of the surrounding disciples instantly became incredibly interesting.

Shock, horror, curiosity, and a hint of barely concealed fear were intertwined on their faces.

The ruthless Qin Feng!

This name is now known to everyone in the universe.

Especially after the will of the universe issued that earth-shattering mission, the name "Qin Feng" became the center of the storm, the focus of discussion and pursuit among countless powerful figures.

They never expected that this legendary figure would appear silently outside their sect.

The leading disciple took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart.

He knew this was definitely not something he could handle. He dared not be negligent in the slightest and quickly said respectfully, "So it is a fierce demon before us! We were blind to your greatness, please forgive us. This matter is of great importance, please wait a moment, I will report to the sect leader immediately!"

Having said that, he immediately crushed a communication jade talisman.

A moment later, a gentle yet authoritative voice resounded deep within their souls.

“Lead him to the main hall.”

"Yes!"

The leading disciple straightened up and became even more respectful to Qin Feng, gesturing for him to follow: "Lord Qin Feng, the sect leader invites you. Please come with me."

Qin Feng nodded and, guided by several disciples, flew towards the central main star of the Furnace Village Star System.

Along the way, he could feel countless divine thoughts, some curious and some awe-inspiring, projecting from all directions. Clearly, news of his arrival had already caused a huge stir within the Weapon Sect.

The main hall of the Weapon Sect is located on a giant planet entirely forged from divine metal and strange iron.

It was less a grand hall and more a colossal workshop of unparalleled grandeur.

Towering chimneys spew out pure energy filtered countless times, and massive furnaces roar deep within the planet's core, each tremor sounding like the heartbeat of a giant.

In the deepest part of the main hall, Qin Feng finally met the legendary sect leader of the Weapon Sect.

To his surprise, the other party was not the burly, muscular weapon-forging master he had imagined.

He was a rather thin old man, dressed in a simple gray linen robe, which was still stained with some dust and sparks.

He was sitting in front of a huge divine metal furnace, holding a small hammer in his hand, carefully hammering a piece of red-hot metal embryo. His expression was extremely focused, as if the whole world consisted only of him and the work in his hands.

His aura was extremely restrained, making him look like an ordinary blacksmith.

However, Qin Feng's spiritual power, which had transformed into "pure black quality," could keenly sense that beneath that seemingly ordinary body lay a terrifying energy capable of burning the heavens and boiling the seas.

That energy was calm, fiery, and brimming with unparalleled creativity.

This is the master of the Weapon Sect, ranked over ninety on the King Conferment List—the Refining Weapon King.

A truly powerful being who has been underestimated by countless people.

Seemingly having completed the final step, the Refining King glanced at his creation with satisfaction, then casually tossed it into the coolant beside him, producing a "sizzling" sound.

He then turned around, wiped his hands with a cloth, and turned his gaze to Qin Feng, who was standing quietly to the side.

His eyes were calm and still, yet they seemed to see right through people's hearts.

"Hmm? Young friend of the human race, what brings you here from afar?"

The King of Weapons' voice, like the man himself, was gentle and mellow, devoid of any emotion.

Qin Feng glanced around. There was no one else in the hall besides the two of them.

But he knew that a place like this must be filled with countless spying formations and restrictions.

The Refining King understood immediately. He didn't even ask a question, and simply waved his hand casually.

In an instant, an invisible force spread out from him.

The entire magnificent hall seemed to freeze for a moment, and then an invisible transparent barrier quietly appeared, completely isolating this place from all contact with the outside world.

This technique was effortless and natural, far superior to any other king Qin Feng had ever seen.

After doing all this, the Refining King looked at Qin Feng again, a genuine hint of doubt in his eyes.

Qin Feng took a deep breath, no longer hesitating, and said bluntly, "I have come here on the matter of King Gu Luo."

The moment he finished speaking, he produced a piece of gold paper as thin as a cicada's wing.

The moment the golden paper appeared, a supreme aura, transcending the laws of nature and originating from the very source of the universe, instantly filled the entire hall. This was none other than the cosmic marvel—the [Contract].

Above the [Contract], the agreement made between King Gu Luo and Qin Feng is transforming into lines of golden divine script, flowing slowly.

At the very bottom of the contract, a wisp of the ancient Luo King's soul imprint, though broken, was still unyielding, emitting a faint light.

When the King of Weapons' calm and collected gaze fell upon the golden contract, and especially when he sensed the familiar aura of the soul imprint, his unchanging expression finally underwent a dramatic change!

His pupils suddenly contracted, his breath hitched, and for the first time, his eyes, which seemed to see through all the illusions of the world, revealed a complex mix of shock, sorrow, and disbelief.

"This...this is...Junior Brother's aura!"

For the first time, the King of Weapons' voice trembled slightly.

He took a step forward and instantly appeared in front of Qin Feng, his eyes fixed on the contract, as if he wanted to imprint every word and every trace of its essence into the depths of his soul.

"Young friend...you've come for my junior brother's inheritance?"

After a long pause, the Refining King finally managed to ask a question, his voice filled with suppressed emotion.

"um, yes."

Qin Feng nodded and said solemnly, "I have come to Luxiang at the request of the senior King Gu Luo to retrieve the core of his legacy."

In exchange, the junior must accomplish one of two things for him: either pass on his complete knowledge of weapon crafting to the Feathered Clan Empire; or personally slay the Golden Emperor to avenge him.

He paused, then continued, "However, the situation has changed. The will of the universe has issued a mission to make the information about the Hearthland and the 'Primordial Fire' public."

It will likely be long before countless powerful individuals flock to this place.

"My plan is to enter Furnace Village as soon as possible, obtain the 'Void Black Flame,' and then leave immediately. I absolutely do not wish to bring trouble upon you and the Weapon Sect because of my personal matters."

His words were frank and direct, full of respect for the Qi Sect, and also showed his unwillingness to implicate the innocent.

The Refining King listened quietly, the excitement and sorrow on his face slowly fading, replaced by a profound resolve. He looked at Qin Feng, his eyes showing a hint of approval and closeness.

"It doesn't matter."

The Refining King said in a deep voice, which was not loud but full of undeniable power: "Since it was a contract that my junior brother made with you before his death, then I, the king, shall naturally follow his last wish. The person he chose cannot be wrong."

He extended his calloused hands, which contained immense power, and gently patted Qin Feng's shoulder.

"The Furnace Village is located within the forbidden area of ​​our sect. I will give you a formation jade talisman later, which you can use to go there on your own. As for... you don't need to worry about anything else."

A hint of arrogance flashed in the eyes of the Refining Weapon King.

"I have some old acquaintances with your master, Devouring Heaven King, and our relationship is fairly good."

Since you are both his disciple and his junior brother's successor, you are a friend of my Weapon Sect.

I will protect you within the territory of the Weapon Sect, so you can safely refine that 'Void Black Flame'.

As long as you remain within the territory of my Weapon Sect, I can guarantee you a worry-free life.

However, if you leave the territory of the Weapon Sect, then that is beyond my jurisdiction.

"senior!"

Hearing this, Qin Feng felt a warmth in his heart, but even more so, he felt anxious. He quickly said, "Senior, you mustn't! Those who have come this time are no ordinary villains."

Previously, the Golden Emperor had already sensed the aura of the Ancient King on me and had launched a manhunt for me.

Now that the incident in Luxiang has been exposed, there is a high probability that he will abandon the opportunity at Yongsheng Mountain and come to hunt down the younger generation himself.

That's a true Emperor-level expert. Once an Emperor makes a move, Senior..."

"It's alright, it's just bestowing the title of Emperor."

However, before Qin Feng could finish speaking, the Refining Weapon King casually waved his hand, interrupting him.

His tone was as calm as if he were talking about something trivial. But within that calmness lay an aura of domineering power, a power that looked down upon the world.

"Just focus on digesting your heritage and refining your 'Primordial Flame.' As long as you remain in this territory, no one will dare to lay a hand on you."

The King of Weapons' gaze seemed to pierce through the dome of the temple, looking towards the distant starry sky where a storm was about to break out, a cold smile curving his lips.

"Let them come if they want. But I will not let them in. No one will be allowed in!"

These words were resounding and filled with unparalleled confidence and responsibility.

Qin Feng was stunned.

He could sense that the weapon-forging king before him was definitely not exaggerating.

That confidence is ingrained in their bones and built upon absolute strength.

He instantly realized that the outside world's speculation that this weapon-forging king's strength was only at the "top ten level of the king-level" was probably true.

The top ten who are enfeoffed as kings are all under divine protection, and can fight to become emperors.

Moreover, the network of connections that the King of Weapons Refining has accumulated in the universe over the years is probably extremely complex.

Faced with such warm hospitality, Qin Feng knew that any further refusal would be pretentious.

He took a deep breath and solemnly bowed to the King of Weapon Forging.

"In that case, thank you very much, senior."

However, deep down, he still stood by his decision.

This weapon-forging king had never met him before, yet because of a legacy left by the ancient king, he was willing to shoulder such a huge karmic burden for him.

He remembered this kindness.

But precisely because of this, he could not bring the flames of war to this sacred land of weapon refiners, which was focused on creation and inheritance.

Once he obtains the "Void Black Flame" and perfects his own Dao [Limited Body], he will leave immediately.

His own battles must be faced by him alone. This is both his principle and his pride.

"Go quickly."

The Refining King seemed to see through Qin Feng's thoughts, but did not point it out.

He flipped his hand and took out a piece of jade talisman that was completely black and carved with intricate array patterns, and handed it to Qin Feng.

"This is a jade talisman for the forbidden area. With this talisman in hand, none of the restrictions in the forbidden area will harm you."

"Luxiang is located at the deepest part of the forbidden area."

Qin Feng solemnly accepted the jade talisman. He felt a warm and heavy sensation as he touched it, and the profound mystery of the array contained within made him feel a chill run down his spine.

He bowed to the Refining King once more, then without further delay, he turned into a streak of light and sped off toward the sect's forbidden area, as indicated by the Refining King.

Watching Qin Feng's disappearing figure, the Refining Weapon King stood quietly for a long time. The domineering aura of a strongman in his eyes slowly faded, replaced by a long-lasting reminiscence and anticipation.

"Junior brother...you've chosen a...very good successor."

He muttered to himself, then turned and walked back to the enormous furnace.

The storm is coming.

And he will be the strongest and most fervent dam before this tranquil hearth town.

(End of this chapter)