High Martial Arts: Liver Becomes the Master of the Universe

Chapter 359 The Venerable's Legacy! Sitting side by side for a million years! His name resounds far and wide, but killing intent is imminent!
Eight hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye.

For powerful figures who often secluded themselves for tens of thousands of years, eight hundred years was merely a fleeting moment, not even enough to complete a single deep cultivation session.

However, for the tens of thousands of powerful experts gathered outside the first level of the Yao Guang Secret Realm, these eight hundred years seemed exceptionally long and intense.

Everyone's gaze, whether intentional or not, would often sweep over the steel figure perched atop the massive black rock—Vanguard.

He is like an ancient, unmelting block of ice, a silent cosmic reef.

For eight hundred years, he has not moved an inch, nor uttered a single word, and even the metallic luster flowing over his mechanical body has not changed in the slightest.

He sat there quietly, as if he had merged with the boulder beneath him and with this desolate, mysterious space, becoming an independent world forgotten by time.

This extreme tranquility did not cause him to be forgotten by everyone; instead, it gave rise to an even more terrifying sense of oppression.

The more silent he remained, the more bizarre people's speculations about him became, and the more unattainable their assessment of his strength became.

That pure black divine light that completely erased the Heavenly King from both his physical body and soul was like an indelible mark, deeply engraved in the soul of everyone present, becoming an untouchable taboo red line.

In stark contrast to the absolute calm of the vanguard were two other prodigies widely recognized as strong contenders for the throne.

The "Heartless Demon" still wore that eerie and unsettling smile.

His aura had become even more sinister and viscous during the eight hundred years of waiting, as if countless invisible vengeful spirits were swirling and wailing around him.

He would occasionally stick out his scarlet tongue and lick his pale lips, his gaze sweeping over the powerful kings around him, as if he were examining dishes about to be served.

That naked, blatant gaze that seemed to feed on the suffering of others sent chills down the spines of many kings, who instinctively distanced themselves from his area.

He didn't find the waiting agonizing at all; on the contrary, he seemed to be enjoying the calm before the storm, anticipating the "feast" that was about to come, which would give him a great sense of satisfaction.

The "Exquisite Fairy" on the other hand, displayed a completely different style.

She sat cross-legged on a seven-colored lotus platform formed from pure energy, surrounded by celestial light, with law runes fluttering like butterflies.

Her eyes were closed, her face serene and holy, as if all the turmoil of the outside world was irrelevant to her. Her Dao heart was pure and immaculate; for her, the eight hundred years of waiting was nothing more than a period of quiet cultivation.

Her presence was like a clear spring, washing away the murderous and deathly atmosphere that permeated this space, making the creatures that approached her feel a sense of peace.

These three top geniuses, each with a distinct style and unfathomable strength, are like three insurmountable mountains, weighing heavily on the hearts of all competitors.

The vast majority of those who had been granted the title of King had long since extinguished their desire to compete for the final inheritance. Their purpose for this trip had quietly shifted to going as far as possible in the first two trials, hoping to gain some opportunities and hone their skills.

Finally, at the end of eight hundred years, this unchanging space began to change.

hum-

An ancient hum, seemingly from the very beginning of the universe, resounded without warning deep within the soul of every living being.

The void ahead, shrouded in thick, chaotic mist, began to churn and boil violently. The mist slowly receded to both sides, as if an invisible curtain had been pulled open by a pair of giant hands.

A staircase leading to the heavens and the earth slowly emerged from nothingness.

It was a staircase whose material could not be described in words.

Its entire body is a pale white color, as if it were compressed and burned from the bones of countless living beings, or as if it were cast from solidified pain and despair.

The surface of the steps is not smooth; it is covered with countless twisted and struggling reliefs, which, upon closer inspection, are actually faces in extreme pain.

Just looking at it evokes a chill that seeps into your bones and a stinging sensation that pierces your soul.

The ninety-nine-story heavenly ladder pierces straight into the chaotic sky above, with no end in sight, as if it connects to a purgatory specifically designed to torment souls.

"The Ladder of Suffering is now open!"

Someone let out a low growl, a mixture of suppressed excitement and fear, instantly igniting the atmosphere in the entire arena.

Everyone's eyes turned fervent.

The Tianji Sect member who had been relegated to the background reappeared before everyone at the opportune moment, his voice clearly reaching everyone's ears: "Everyone, this is the second trial of the Yao Guang inheritance, the Purgatory Suffering Ladder."

There are ninety-nine floors in total. The higher the floor you climb, the more exponentially the pain increases. This pain not only affects the physical body but also reaches the very essence of the soul, testing your extreme tolerance for suffering and your unwavering will.

"The rules remain the same: each person has only one chance to climb. If you cannot withstand the pressure, you will be immediately teleported out. This ladder opens only once every ten thousand years, and the opportunity is rare. I hope you will act according to your abilities and do your best."

After he finished speaking, he quietly left.

After a brief silence, the atmosphere at the scene erupted completely.

"It's finally here! We've waited eight hundred years for this moment!"

"Hmph, the Heart Refining Trial tests one's Dao heart. If we can pass it, our will is naturally not weak! I will definitely conquer this Painful Ladder!"

"Don't be so confident. Didn't you see what those steps looked like? That's definitely not ordinary pain. How could we possibly fathom the methods of Venerable Yao Guang?"

Amidst the discussions, some impatient King-level experts couldn't contain themselves any longer and transformed into streaks of light, becoming the first to rush towards the pale, towering stairway to heaven.

The moment his foot stepped onto the first step, his body trembled violently, his face instantly drained of color, and large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.

But he gritted his teeth, let out a low growl, and took a second step upwards with all his might.

With the first person to take the plunge, the other powerful kings no longer hesitated and flocked to the Ladder of Suffering like a swarm of locusts crossing a river.

In a short time, dozens of experts began climbing simultaneously.

However, the cruel test begins from the very first step.

"what--!"

A shrill scream rang out as a powerful expert who had just stepped onto the fifth step suddenly convulsed violently, his eyes rolled back, and he spat out white foam mixed with fragments of his soul. His body was thrown away by an invisible force like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground some distance away, and he completely lost consciousness.

This scene sent a chill down the spines of the group that was preparing to climb.

This is only the fifth floor!
The intensity of the pain far exceeded their imagination!
Qin Feng's mechanical avatar, "Vanguard," remained seated on the black rock, observing calmly rather than setting off.

His gaze swept over the figures struggling to climb, his powerful senses allowing him to clearly perceive every subtle change in them.

The first layer is the pain of ten thousand ants gnawing at the heart. Countless invisible energy ants burrow into the body, gnawing at every inch of flesh and every meridian.

The second layer is the agony of being burned alive. The soul feels as if it has been placed in the core of a star, enduring endless burning.

The third layer is the pain of glacial freezing. Absolute zero, rising from the depths of the soul's origin, aims to completely freeze thought and consciousness into ice crystals.

……

The types and intensity of the pain increase with each layer, becoming more and more bizarre.

They are not simply physical or energy attacks, but a conceptual pain that goes straight to the source and is based on the level of laws.

The cultivators' protective divine light, law domains, and secret treasure armor are all useless in front of it.

The only thing one can rely on is one's own pure willpower, which is independent of external factors.

Soon, a large number of powerful experts who had reached the King level were eliminated within the first ten levels. Their faces were contorted, and they screamed as they were thrown out, dazed and confused, their Dao hearts suffering a significant impact.

Those who can reach the twentieth floor are already among the best, and all of them are people with strong willpower.

After climbing to the thirtieth floor, the number of people had dwindled to less than a hundred.

It was at this moment that the two truly top-tier geniuses finally made their move.

"Hehehe... What a delicious 'feast' this looks like!"

The Heartless Demon Child let out a piercing laugh, his figure blurred, and he transformed into a black and red lightning bolt, arriving first despite being behind, and instantly rushed up the Heavenly Ladder.

A horrifying scene unfolded.

When the other powerful kings stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder, they all showed pain on their faces and struggled to move forward.

However, when the Heartless Demon stepped onto the first step, his face showed no pain whatsoever; instead, it revealed an expression of extreme enjoyment and morbid ecstasy.

"Ah...this is the feeling, so...wonderful!"

He opened his arms as if embracing a lover, greedily absorbing the power of pain emanating from the heavenly ladder.

The pain that would have driven an ordinary king to despair became the purest tonic for him.

His speed was incredible; he moved one step at a time, surpassing all the pioneers in an instant.

Ten floors!

Twenty floors!
Thirty floors!
He climbed as if on flat ground, and even increased his speed.

The more pain he absorbed, the denser the demonic energy around him became, and his aura intensified instead of diminishing, becoming increasingly terrifying.

"What kind of monster is this?!"

"He's devouring pain? His Dao... actually feeds on pain!"

"A madman! A complete and utter madman! This Ladder of Torment is a trial tailor-made for him!"

Those watching from the outside world gasped in astonishment, utterly shocked by the performance of the Heartless Demon Prince.

At the same time, Fairy Linglong also moved.

She slowly rose from the seven-colored lotus platform, bowed deeply towards the heavenly ladder, her movements elegant and devout.

Immediately, she took a step forward, and her figure appeared at the foot of the Heavenly Ladder.

She didn't possess the sinister and violent aura of the Heartless Demon; her ascent appeared serene and resolute.

As she stepped onto the first T-shaped staircase, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating that she too was experiencing that excruciating pain.

But the hazy, seven-colored radiance emanating from her body became even brighter at this moment.

Her body was trembling slightly, but her steps were unusually steady, one step at a time, neither hurried nor slow.

Her ascent was not so much a struggle against pain as an acceptance of it, a purification and refinement of it with her pure and untainted Dao heart. With each level she ascended, the celestial light around her became purer, and her will became more resilient.

Pain became the crucible that tempered her crystal-clear Dao heart, allowing this flawless gem to shine even more brilliantly.

Although her speed was not as exaggerated as Wuxin Mozi's, it was still far superior to the others. She steadily followed behind Wuxin Mozi, forming the second echelon and leaving the others far behind.

"Look! Fairy Linglong is starting to exert her power too!"

"Born with an unblemished Dao heart, truly extraordinary! This pure will is simply the nemesis of all illusions and painful trials!"

"They're too strong! The Heartless Demon Prince and the Fairy Linglong, they were practically born for the Yao Guang inheritance! Compared to them, everyone else is far too weak!"

Everyone's attention was completely drawn to these two unparalleled geniuses. Their ascent was a feast for the eyes and the soul, showcasing two completely different yet equally powerful paths.

Forty floors!
Fifty floors!
Sixty floors!
The Heartless Demon's maniacal laughter echoed through the sky; he was like a mad beast, unstoppable.

The fairy's radiance shines in all directions; she is like a lotus flower that grows strong and resilient in the face of storms.

The two of them turned this cruel trial into their own stage.

When they both broke through the seventy-story barrier, there was no one behind them. All the participants had been eliminated.

"Seventy floors! My God! This record probably hasn't been broken in millions of years!"

"This is terrifying! Between the two of them, who will have the last laugh?"

Discussions rose and fell, and everyone believed that the final winner would be one of the two.

However, just as everyone's attention was focused on them, the unchanging black reef finally moved.

The vanguard slowly stood up.

His tall, mechanical body emitted a slight, teeth-grinding metallic scraping sound the moment he stood up, as if a giant cosmic beast that had slept for billions of years was awakening at this moment.

He didn't look at anyone, his gaze calmly fixed on the white bone staircase, and then he took a step forward.

His movements were not fast, even somewhat slow, but each step contained an indescribable rhythm, as if he were one with the pulse of the entire universe.

He arrived at the foot of the Heavenly Ladder.

Then, lift your foot and land.

level one.

His mechanical body did not tremble in the slightest.

His eyes remained completely still.

It was as if he wasn't climbing a ladder of suffering, but rather an ordinary set of steps.

He silently began his climb.

step.

Two steps.

……

Ten steps.

He walked through the first ten floors.

The speed was neither too fast nor too slow, and the rhythm was as steady as a precision instrument.

At first, the outside world didn't pay much attention to him. After all, the performances of the Heartless Demon Prince and the Fairy Linglong were too stunning, having already stolen all the limelight.

"That vanguard has also started."

"Hmph, although he is powerful and can kill the Heavenly King in one move, his willpower is questionable. This Painful Ladder is not a test of combat strength."

"That's right, just watch, it'll be good enough if he can stop on the fiftieth floor."

However, as time went on, the disdain and skepticism on their faces gradually solidified, replaced by undisguised astonishment.

Twenty floors.

Thirty floors.

Forty floors.

The vanguard's figure, like a silent mountaineer, steadfastly climbs upwards. His rhythm never changes, his expression never changes, and in his deep, electronic eyes, there is always a deathly calm.

The pain that would have caused other kings unbearable agony was like a clay ox sinking into the sea, leaving not a ripple in his wake.

"This...how is this possible?!"

"Can't he...can't he feel pain? He's a machine, doesn't he have pain receptors?"

"Impossible! This pain points directly to the very source of the soul! The mechanical race also has a soul core! There's no way he couldn't sense it!"

At this moment, the Heartless Demon Child, who had already climbed to the eighty-fifth floor, also sensed the chilling silence behind him.

He turned around abruptly and saw the unhurried figure of the vanguard, who had already quietly arrived at the seventieth floor.

For the first time, the sickly smile disappeared from his face, replaced by a look of solemnity and...confusion.

Because he couldn't sense any trace of fighting pain in the vanguard.

He himself is enjoying pain and transforming pain.

The Fairy Linglong is purifying pain and refining herself.

And this vanguard... he seemed to ignore the pain.

The pain was there, acting on him, but he remained like an outsider, a bystander, coldly watching the pain ravage his body and soul, unable to shake his ego in the slightest.

This is a higher and more terrifying realm than enjoyment and purification—absolute control!

"Damn it!"

With a low roar, the Heartless Demon Prince felt an unprecedented competitive spirit rise in his heart. He no longer held back, and his demonic energy exploded, launching a sprint towards the ninetieth floor at an unprecedented speed!
The Fairy Linglong also felt the pressure. The seven-colored fairy light around her almost solidified, forming a majestic and solemn phantom of a fairy king behind her, protecting her Dao heart, and she also stepped towards the ninetieth level.

Finally, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the two of them stepped onto the ninetieth step at almost the same time!

boom!
A torrent of pain, more than ten times stronger than before, suddenly descended!
puff!
The Heartless Demon Prince spat out a mouthful of black blood, his smile vanishing completely, replaced by a ferocious and insane expression. He felt as if his demonic soul was being pierced and torn apart by ten thousand divine blades simultaneously; the pain was beyond what he could "enjoy."

On the other side, the illusory image of the Celestial King behind the Fairy Linglong also let out a mournful cry of unbearable strain, shattering inch by inch. For the first time, a look of pain appeared on her pure and flawless face, and her delicate body trembled violently, as if she would collapse at any moment.

"Ninety floors! They've all reached the ninety floors!"

"This is already legendary! An achievement worthy of being recorded in history!"

The gasps of amazement from the outside world could no longer reach their ears. They had exhausted all their willpower, nailing themselves to the ninetieth step, unable to take even half a step further.

They've reached their limit.

However, just as they were struggling to hold on, and just as everyone outside was amazed and cheering for their achievements.

A silent, steel-like figure walked calmly past them.

The vanguard passed by the 90th floor.

His steps remained as steady as ever.

His eyes remained calm.

He didn't even glance at the two top geniuses beside him who were already nearing their limits.

Time seemed to stand still at this moment.

Everyone's breath caught in their throats at that moment.

The Heartless Demon Prince's eyes widened, the madness in them replaced by an emotion called "incredulity".

The Fairy Linglong also struggled to raise her head, her pure, glass-like eyes filled with shock and bewilderment.

gap……

It turns out that from the very beginning, the gap was as wide as an insurmountable chasm.

Their pride in their will, their Dao heart which they regarded as their strongest trump card, was as fragile as a joke in the face of this silent mechanical race.

Qin Feng's heart remained completely still. Pain?

For him now, the meaning of this word has long been redefined.

From the moment his mechanical avatar stepped onto the heavenly ladder, the so-called pain of being devoured by ants and burned by flames was less noticeable to him than a cup of warm water.

His will and his soul had long been tempered in countless trials of life and death, becoming an immortal monument that even the gods could not shake.

He once fought a life-or-death struggle with Blood Butcher for ten thousand years in the Bloodstained Martial Arts Arena. Every death and rebirth was a painful cycle.

He once faced the descent of the evil god's will, and in the illusory mental war that lasted for 150,000 years, he endured the bewitching and spiritual pollution from the divine level that was enough to cause the universe to collapse.

In order to stage a dramatic "fake death," he personally detonated his own Dao and the origin of his soul, experiencing firsthand the ultimate terror of being annihilated in both body and spirit, from existence to nothingness.

Any one of these experiences would be enough to drive a powerful emperor crazy.

The so-called extreme pain of the Heavenly Ladder of Suffering left behind by Venerable Yaoguang is like child's play compared to the suffering Qin Feng once endured.

His [Limited Body], his [Limited Law], and his [Pure Black Quality] soul constitute an absolutely insurmountable barrier.

The pain couldn't even truly "touch" his true self.

He could clearly "observe" the operation of the laws of suffering and "analyze" how they acted on the body and soul, but he himself seemed to be watching a drama that had nothing to do with him, as if he were looking through an impenetrable pane of glass.

His climb was not a confrontation, nor an endurance, but a calm "study".

Ninety-one floors.

Ninety-two floors.

……

Under the gaze of countless dull, numb, and even thoughtless eyes from the outside world, Qin Feng's figure walked resolutely and alone toward the end of the Heavenly Ladder.

Finally, he arrived at the ninety-ninth step.

He lifted his foot and calmly lowered it.

boom!
The entire Ladder of Pain roared violently at that moment.

A surge of pain-based power, solidified to pure black, crashed down from the top of the Heavenly Ladder, pouring entirely into Qin Feng's body.

That is the ultimate test that can instantly obliterate the will of even a newly appointed emperor and turn them into an idiot!

However, Qin Feng's mechanical body only paused slightly.

Within his pure black soul essence, the Dao Seal of the Primordial Furnace gently turned, completely devouring and refining this immense power of pain, transforming it into a tiny, insignificant nutrient to strengthen himself.

It is impervious to all laws and unyielding to all suffering.

This is Qin Feng today!
He walked up to the ninety-ninth floor.

Before him, all the pale staircases vanished, replaced by a portal radiating a soft light, leading to an unknown realm.

Thus, the second hurdle is cleared.

He is the only person who has walked up all ninety-nine floors.

He was the only one qualified to enter the third stage.

Without the slightest hesitation or looking back at the so-called prodigies he had left far behind, Qin Feng stepped into the gate of light, and his figure vanished instantly.

It wasn't until long after his figure had completely disappeared.

The Heartless Demon and the Exquisite Fairy, who had been eliminated, were gently sent back to the ground by a force. Both of them were pale and weak, clearly having exhausted their energy on the ninetieth step.

The deathly silence outside was finally shattered by a thunderous scream.

"He...he finished...he climbed all ninety-nine floors!!"

"My God! That's the Ladder of Torment!"

"Alone...he entered the third level all by himself!!"

"A monster! A real monster!!"

"Now I finally understand... why the Azure Heaven King was killed in one move... In front of him, the Azure Heaven King is probably no different from an ant!"

"He annihilated the Heavenly King, who proved his Dao through strength, with a single punch, and single-handedly traversed the ninety-nine levels of the agonizing Heavenly Ladder... Just who is this 'Vanguard'?! When did the Mechanical Race give birth to such a terrifying being?!"

Shock, horror, worship, fear...

A complex array of emotions erupted in the hearts of every living being who witnessed it all.

At this moment, the name "Vanguard" was imbued with a mythical aura, becoming a legend that everyone present could never surpass and could only look up to.

……

The Tianji Sect member bowed deeply to the void, his attitude more respectful than ever before, as if he were facing not an empty space, but a supreme being worthy of his worship.

"Congratulations, fellow Daoist, on passing the second trial, the 'Hellish Ladder of Torment'."

His voice was clear and solemn, “Please follow me to the third trial, the final place of inheritance.”

As soon as he finished speaking, ripples began to spread in the space in front of him, and a portal of light, similar to the previous one but with a more ancient and profound aura, slowly opened.

After doing all this, the Heavenly Mystery Sect members turned to look at the tens of thousands of beings below who were still in shock, and calmly said, "Everyone, the second trial has ended. According to the rules, those who fail to pass can stay here for a hundred years to comprehend the secret realm, after which the power of the secret realm will teleport you out."

His words immediately sent a chill down the spines of many people.

leave?

Do not!
Nobody wants to leave!

"May we...may we stay and watch the ceremony?"

A bold and powerful king asked in a loud voice, his tone full of pleading, "We will not approach or disturb you, we only ask to witness with our own eyes the birth of the first legendary figure in tens of millions of years who is likely to obtain the Yao Guang inheritance!"

His words immediately drew agreement from everyone.

"Yes! We hereby swear an oath on the Great Dao, and will never overstep our bounds!"

"To witness a peerless genius receive such an astonishing inheritance is an immense opportunity for us! We humbly request your leniency, senior!"

Are you kidding me?
After witnessing the "Vanguard's" miraculous performance, everyone was convinced that it was almost a certainty that he would receive the final inheritance.

This is a historic moment!

This is a momentous event worthy of being recorded in the annals of the universe!
If they were to leave now, they would likely regret it for the rest of their lives.

The Tianji Sect member seemed to have anticipated this situation. He remained silent for a moment before saying calmly, "The rules left by Venerable Yaoguang only apply to the inheritors and do not stipulate anything regarding attending the ceremony. Everyone... may do as you see fit."

After saying that, he ignored everyone, turned around and stepped into the newly opened portal of light, disappearing from sight.

"Great!"

"The seniors of the Heavenly Mystery Sect have tacitly approved!"

A suppressed cheer erupted from the crowd.

Immediately afterwards, almost all the prodigies and king-level experts transformed into streaks of light, following closely behind the Tianji Sect members, and rushed into the gate of light.

They no longer harbored any covetous thoughts; all that remained was pure curiosity and the excitement of witnessing history.

They wanted to see just how far that godlike and demonic mechanical race could go, and just how earth-shattering the legendary Yao Guang inheritance would be.

……

After passing through the portal of light, the view suddenly opened up before my eyes.

This place is no longer the desolate and oppressive space it once was.

What comes into view is a vast and boundless sea of ​​stars.

Countless stars hung silently in the distance, radiating a dazzling yet gentle light. Rivers of stars, formed from pure laws, flowed slowly through the void, breathtakingly beautiful, yet containing a terrifying power that would make even a powerful emperor tremble.

In the very center of this sea of ​​stars, floats a massive, ancient platform carved from an unknown type of white jade.

The platform was empty, yet it naturally exuded a supreme aura that suppressed eternity and overlooked the universe.

Simply by standing in this space and feeling the aura of the Dao Platform, many King-level experts felt that their understanding of the laws had made a subtle but significant improvement.

The disciples of Tianji Sect had already been standing solemnly beside the altar, waiting quietly.

Qin Feng's mechanical avatar, "Vanguard," had already been teleported to the very center of the platform.

He remained silent, standing quietly as if waiting for something.

The tens of thousands of powerful kings who followed them in consciously stopped at the distant edge of the starry sea, not daring to approach the Dao Platform even a fraction of an inch.

They watched from afar like the most devout believers, even unconsciously lowering their breath.

"Is this... the final place of inheritance?"

"Such a rich aura of laws! One year of cultivation here is probably equivalent to a thousand years outside!"

"Look at the Daotai! Something's changed!"

Amidst the gasps of the crowd, countless starlight began to converge on the white jade platform.

The light grew brighter and brighter, eventually coalescing into a blurry human-shaped silhouette.

Although the face of that figure was indistinct, the aura emanating from it seemed to be the source of this universe and the end of countless laws.

He simply sat there quietly, yet all the powerful figures present, who were at the King level, felt an urge to worship him from the depths of their souls.

Venerable Yaoguang!
Even if it is just a phantom used for testing, its power is enough to awe the world!
After the light and shadow coalesced into a form, it slowly raised its hand and pointed to the position opposite it.

Upon seeing this, the Tianji Sect members immediately shouted "Yes, sir!" Their voices echoed throughout the entire starry sea.
"The third trial, the ultimate test—questioning one's true nature!"

"The trial participant 'Vanguard' will sit opposite the illusory will left behind by Venerable Yao Guang on this platform for millions of years!"

"Over these millions of years, the Venerable One's phantom will set up numerous trials, covering secret arts, willpower, enlightenment, the path of cultivation, and even the understanding of all laws in the universe."

Only by passing all the trials can one gain the Venerable One's approval, inherit his Dao, receive his legacy, and glimpse the supreme [Yao Guang Law]!

"This is the final test, and also the ultimate opportunity!"

The words of the Tianji Sect members resounded like thunder in everyone's hearts.

We've been sitting facing each other for millions of years!
They will also have to undergo a comprehensive test from a cosmic master!

What a terrifying trial this is!
A test of wills; they had just witnessed the terror of the Ladder of Pain.

Comprehension, secret techniques, the path to enlightenment... any one of these tests alone would be enough to eliminate 99% of the geniuses.

Now, however, the challenge is to overcome all the tests over a period of millions of years!

This level of difficulty is utterly hopeless!
Just as everyone was feeling uneasy about the difficulty of this ultimate test, the next words from the Tianji Sect member made them breathe a sigh of relief.

"There is no need for alarm. The laws governing this space were personally laid out by Venerable Yaoguang. Sitting opposite each other on the platform, time flies by. Millions of years within this space are but a year to us in the outside world."

That's it!

Everyone suddenly realized what was happening, but the shock they felt was even greater.

Distorting the flow of time a million times! What an incredible feat!
The power of the Cosmic Venerable has indeed exceeded their imagination.

As soon as the Tianji Sect member finished speaking, Qin Feng on the platform moved.

Without the slightest hesitation, he slowly sat down cross-legged opposite the illusory figure of the Venerable One.

The moment he sat down, an invisible light screen, like an overturned bowl, instantly enveloped the entire white jade platform.

Above the light screen, starlight flowed, and the runes of law appeared and disappeared unpredictably, completely isolating all internal and external probes.

The ultimate trial has officially begun!
……

From the outside world, one year.

For those who are waiting, this is destined to be a long and anticipated year.

At the edge of the starry sea, tens of thousands of powerful kings did not disperse. Instead, they each found a spot in the void to sit cross-legged, comprehending the rich laws of the place while staring intently at the white jade platform shrouded in light, their discussions rising and falling.

"Do you think... Senior Vanguard will succeed this time?"

"Nonsense! Of course he can! Think about his previous performance, is that something a 'human' could do?"

"That's right! Killing the Heavenly King in one move proves that his combat power and secret techniques have already reached their peak."

Climbing the ninety-nine steps of the agonizing ladder proved that his will was unbreakable, far beyond our imagination.

If even someone like him couldn't pass the test of Venerable Yao Guang, then this lineage would truly be nothing more than a legend!

“I agree! This trial may sound terrifying, but don’t forget, the opponent is the formidable senior! I even think that this final trial might just be a formality for him.”

"A million years... How exciting! A year from now, when the light curtain fades, we may be able to witness a future cosmic giant laying the foundation for his rise!"

Surprisingly, almost everyone agreed on the same point.

That is—the vanguard will surely succeed!

This almost blind trust stemmed from Qin Feng's two previous, overly shocking and unbelievable performances.

The strength and will he displayed completely shattered the pride of all the geniuses present, establishing an invincible image in their hearts.

They could no longer fathom him using common sense; they could only look up to him and believe in him.

This atmosphere is extremely infectious.

Soon, some prodigies who could not contain their excitement began to use various special secret methods or communication devices to pass on the news of this place to their relatives, friends or sects in the outside world.

"You would never guess what I saw in the Yao Guang Secret Realm! A mysterious mechanical prodigy named 'Vanguard' has suddenly appeared!"

"He instantly killed the Heavenly King who was walking the Divine Path! He also walked through the ninety-nine levels of the Painful Heavenly Ladder alone! Now, he is undergoing the final trial of inheritance!"

"A historic moment! The legacy of Venerable Yaoguang, after countless eons, is finally about to reappear in the world!"

The news, like a nuclear bomb thrown into a calm lake, instantly triggered a massive upheaval in the galaxy outside the secret realm.

At first, the people who received the news did not believe it.

"What a joke! Don't we know what the situation is like in the Yao Guang Secret Realm? Countless brilliant talents have failed and perished. How could anyone possibly pass the final trial?"

"Vanguard? Never heard of it. None of the machine race's prodigies, those listed on the King Ranking, have that name."

However, as more and more prodigies from different races and factions spread almost identical messages, the doubt gradually turned into shock.

The message began to spread exponentially across a wider galaxy.

In this process, the information inevitably undergoes some "processing" and "embellishment".

"Have you heard? A peerless prodigy named Vanguard has emerged from the Yao Guang Secret Realm. He has already cleared all the levels and is currently receiving his inheritance!"

"That's not all! The version I heard is that he didn't put in any effort at all, passing the first two levels in a flash! Now the inheritance of Venerable Yaoguang is already in his grasp!"

"Breaking news! Reliable source! That vanguard has gained the approval of Venerable Yao Guang! He is currently integrating the [Yao Guang Law], and when he emerges from seclusion in a year, he will be an invincible King-level being with the Venerable's inheritance!"

Rumors often spread faster than the truth.

When the name "Vanguard" spread throughout dozens of star sectors, along with the infinitely magical phrase "the legacy of Venerable Yao Guang," its nature began to subtly change.

The initial shock and curiosity were gradually replaced by a more primal and darker emotion—greed.

The lineage of Venerable Yaoguang!

That is the most core lineage left behind by a genuine cosmic venerable! The [Yao Guang Law] contained within it is one of the legendary supreme laws comparable to the origin of the universe!

Whoever gets it will have a ticket to the pinnacle of the universe!
For countless powerful individuals trapped at the King-level realm, with no hope of ever breaking through, this is a temptation that would make them give up everything, even risk their lives.

Who is the "vanguard"? It doesn't matter.

How strong is he? It doesn't matter.

Most importantly, he is about to possess a great treasure!

He, a mere king, could never possibly protect such a precious treasure!

No matter how strong he is, can he withstand the combined attack of dozens, hundreds, or even thousands of equally powerful individuals?
He has just undergone the ultimate trial that lasts for millions of years. His mind and strength must be greatly depleted, and he is at his weakest point!
This is simply a golden opportunity!
Suddenly, undercurrents were stirring.

The chaotic star sectors closest to the Yao Guang Secret Realm were all alarmed, including countless old monsters who had been in seclusion for many years, countless star pirates who lived on the edge of death, and countless lone cultivators who had become kings.

One after another, menacing warships hidden deep within the asteroid belt restarted their engines.

One by one, the stone doors of caves that had been silent for tens of thousands of years suddenly opened with a roar.

Powerful yet subtle auras, like a swarm of sharks drawn by the scent of blood, quietly converged from all directions toward the coordinates of the Yao Guang Secret Realm.

They have only one goal.

and so on.

When that lucky one known as "Vanguard" emerges from the secret realm, carrying the inheritance that could drive the entire universe mad.

then……

Murder and looting!

No one wanted to witness the glory of this legendary genius.

What they wanted was to nip this soon-to-be-born legend in the bud and take everything away from him!
Outside the Yao Guang Secret Realm, that once silent cosmic void has become more "lively" than ever before in just a few months.

Countless greedy and murderous eyes, hidden in the dark corners like venomous snakes poised to strike, together formed a deadly trap, an inescapable net, aimed at Qin Feng.

Inside the secret realm, Qin Feng, who was undergoing a trial, and the onlookers who were eagerly anticipating witnessing history, were completely unaware of this.

(End of this chapter)