Swallowing the Stars: Starting with Panlong

Chapter 124 Killing Space

After reaching fifty times the level of life genes, Lin Yun had another cultivation task added to his repertoire.

Every morning, he would take a walk in the garden of Mingyue Community. It wasn't just a simple walk; he used his intimate perception of life to analyze the life around him. Flowers, trees, insects, birds… every kind of life has its own genetic map, and every kind of life has its own essence. Although life on Earth is generally quite ordinary, with a low level of genetic diversity, there are still some unique life structures that can be helpful in his study of the rules of life.

"The life essence of this rose is completely different from that osmanthus." Lin Yun squatted down in front of a rose bush and gently touched its petals. His consciousness sank into his perception, and the genetic map of the rose slowly unfolded in his mind—the distribution of pigments in the petals, the arrangement of the stamens, the growth pattern of the root system... everything appeared in his consciousness.

The genetic makeup of the rose is very low, only a fraction of that of an average human. However, its genome contains some unique structures—the symmetry of its petals, the pathways for fragrance synthesis, and the mechanisms regulating its flowering period. These structures, though simple, also contain the mysteries of life.

"Every life is unique." Lin Yun stood up and continued walking forward.

A butterfly fluttered among the flowers in the garden. Lin Yun's spiritual power captured it, and his sense of affinity for life extended towards it. The genetic map of a butterfly is far more complex than that of flowers and plants—the scale structure of its wings, the visual system of its compound eyes, the regulatory mechanisms of its metamorphosis... This information deepened Lin Yun's understanding of life.

"Although insects have a low level of life essence, some of their gene sequences are more sophisticated than those of humans," Lin Yun thought to himself.

The vibrant colors of a butterfly's wings are not due to internal pigments, but rather the refraction of light by the microscopic structure of its scales. This structure does not exist in the human genome. If we could decode the superior gene sequences within the human genome and apply them to our own genome…

"It's worth a try." Lin Yun recorded the butterfly's genetic map for future research.

In his spare time, Lin Yun would guide He Lingruo's cultivation.

He Lingruo's talent is already top-tier among ordinary people. Her ability to rank first on the Black Dragon Ranking in the elite training camp demonstrates that her talent and effort far surpass those of ordinary people. However, compared to prodigies like Lin Yun and Luo Feng, she is still considerably inferior. Nevertheless, with the assistance of the Life Rules, her progress has accelerated significantly. Lin Yun's life-gifted power nourishes her body, allowing her to avoid many detours in her cultivation. Currently, He Lingruo's marksmanship has reached the Domain level, still some distance from the Origin Law, but it is already far stronger than it was a few years ago.

"Lingruo, your spear technique is becoming more and more refined." Lin Yun stood in the training room, watching He Lingruo practice her spear. The Silver Moon Spear in her hand transformed into a silver streak of light, its shadows overlapping, tearing through the air with a sharp whistling sound. Her movements were as light as a swallow, her feet moving swiftly throughout the training room, each thrust precise and sharp.

"I still can't compare to you." He Lingruo put away her gun and stood up, fine beads of sweat appearing on her forehead, a slight smile on her lips.

"Don't compare yourself to others." Lin Yun walked over and took her hand. "Your current strength far surpasses that of Hong back then."

"That's all because of you." He Lingruo leaned on his shoulder. "The power that life has given me has saved me from taking many detours."

"I'm just an assistant; you have to walk your own path," Lin Yun said softly.

Aside from guiding He Lingruo's cultivation, Lin Yun spent most of his time in the virtual universe.

In the virtual universe, there are two important battle spaces—the killing space and the dueling space.

The Killing Space is designed specifically for one person. It allows for the creation of various opponents, making it an ideal training ground. Lin Yun honed his laws within the Killing Space, battling mirror images and virtual opponents of various races, constantly refining his six-elemental secret techniques.

The Duel Space is different. It's a place where real martial artists duel with each other; the combatants are real humans, not virtual beings. The cost in the Duel Space is only one-tenth of that in the Killing Space, which attracts a large number of martial artists to spar and compete here.

Lin Yun has recently become obsessed with the Duel Space. Not because it's cheap, but because he needs real opponents. While the mirror images in the Killing Space are experienced, they are ultimately virtual. Real opponents experience fear, hesitation, and weaknesses. Only real battles can truly allow him to test his own strength.

In the dueling arena, everyone's physical attributes are synchronized to standard star-level values ​​by the virtual universe; there is no question of who is stronger or faster. The competition is purely about the understanding of the laws, the mastery of techniques, and the judgment of timing. This is the fairest contest and the stage that best tests true skill.

The Duel Space has a star rating system. From one star to nine stars, the higher the star rating, the stronger the fighter. Nine stars is the highest level, and only the strongest fighters in the Eternal Star level can achieve it.

Lin Yun's goal is to get a nine-star rating.

Duel Space, in an ancient arena.

Lin Yun stood in the center of the arena, facing a burly, imposing man. The man had dark red skin, two horns on his head, and held a massive battle axe. He exuded the aura of a peak ninth-tier Hengxing level expert, and his muscles were as if forged from steel.

"Red Rock Clan, Red Tiger." The burly man grinned, revealing a set of sharp teeth. "Ninth Rank of the Constant Star. Kid, you don't look very strong."

Lin Yun did not answer. His mental energy swept over his opponent, sensing his strength. The Crimson Tiger was strong and fast, but his understanding of the laws was almost zero. He was simply relying on his racial talent and brute force to fight—but in the duel space, the differences in physical attributes brought about by racial talent were erased, and he was left with only his fighting instincts.

"Let's begin," Lin Yun said.

Red Tiger launched the first attack. He was very fast, and his huge battle axe was covered with a layer of red battle aura, carrying a scorching heat.

Lin Yun did not dodge. He raised his right hand, and a golden light condensed in his palm—Golden Domain, Eighth Level.

The golden domain expanded, enveloping the Crimson Tiger. The Crimson Tiger's body suddenly sank, its speed drastically decreasing. The speed of its battle axe strike slowed by at least 30%, and its power was greatly reduced.

"This is... a domain?" A look of shock flashed in Chi Hu's eyes.

Lin Yun did not answer. His figure flashed and appeared in front of Chi Hu, his right hand reaching out and pressing directly on Chi Hu's chest.

"Go down."

A gentle force emanated from his palm, propelling Crimson Tiger's body out of the arena's range.

"The winner is Lin Yun!" the referee's voice rang out.

Lin Yun turned and walked off the arena. He had barely exerted himself in this battle. The suppression of his Eightfold Metal Domain, coupled with his profound understanding of the Law of Metal, made dealing with an opponent who lacked any understanding of the laws as easy as an adult facing a child.

In the days that followed, Lin Yun continued to challenge stronger opponents in the dueling space.

He started from one star and fought his way up to eight stars. In every battle, he honed his combat skills using only the Gold Domain and basic gold element manipulation. After reaching eight stars, his opponents were significantly stronger. Most of them possessed domains, and a few had even touched the threshold of the fundamental laws. Lin Yun began to feel the pressure, but his progress accelerated even further.

In the ongoing battles, the Golden Realm gradually approached from the eighth level to the ninth. He could feel that the thinner and thinner barrier between them was becoming.

"Golden Domain, Eighth Level Peak." After a battle, Lin Yun felt his progress. "Only one step away from the ninth level."

Finally, in the 123rd battle, he had the opportunity to break through to the nine-star level.

The opponent was a warrior from the Giant Axe Clan, a ninth-tier Star-level expert whose Metal-elemental Law had already reached the threshold of the Origin Law. The Giant Axe Clan was a powerful race within the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, possessing extremely high combat talent. In the duel space, their racial advantages were neutralized, but their understanding of the laws and combat skills remained outstanding.

"Mongo of the Giant Axe Clan." The opponent stood in the center of the arena, over two and a half meters tall, his muscles bulging like an iron tower. In his hand he held a huge battle axe, golden light flowing across the blade.

"Human, Lin Yun." Lin Yun stood opposite him, holding a silver-white battle sword in his hand.

"Your metal domain is strong," Mongo grinned, "but my metal domain is no weakling either. Come on, let's see whose metal element is stronger!"

The battle begins.

Mongo launched the first attack. His speed was astonishing; his massive battle axe, glowing with golden light, cleaved towards Lin Yun. A golden domain expanded from his body, enveloping Lin Yun within it.

"Golden Domain, Ninefold." Lin Yun's pupils contracted slightly.

Mongo's Golden Domain is stronger than his. A nine-fold domain is only one step away from the fundamental laws. Moreover, Mongo's mastery of the Golden Law is extremely refined; every axe strike carries the sharpness and weight of the golden element.

Lin Yun didn't take the blow head-on, but instead dodged to the side, simultaneously unleashing a golden blade of light. That was a basic application of the Metal Domain—condensing metal elements into a blade of light, without any fancy techniques, only the purest sharpness.

The golden blade clashed with Mongo's battle axe, producing a deafening roar. Both men jolted simultaneously, each taking a few steps back.

"Alright!" Mengo shouted and charged forward again.

Lin Yun abandoned passive defense and took the initiative to attack. His movements were more agile than Meng Ge's, allowing him to move quickly across the arena and launch attacks from different angles. Although the eighth level of the Metal Domain was not as advanced as the ninth level, his understanding of the laws of metal was no less than Meng Ge's.

The two exchanged blows for nearly fifteen minutes. Meng Ge's axe techniques were fierce and domineering, each strike carrying immense power; Lin Yun's sword techniques were agile and unpredictable, each attack precise and cunning.

Finally, Lin Yun seized the slight pause after Mongo swung his axe, slashing at the side of the axe with his own blade, shifting Mongo's balance. Then, a second, a third, a fourth… followed in quick succession, each strike landing in the same spot. Mongo's defense was finally breached; the axe flew from his hand, and he staggered a few steps, kneeling on one knee.

"I lost." Mongo's voice was a little hoarse. "Although your Golden Domain is only at the eighth level, your application of the laws... is stronger than mine."

Lin Yun bowed slightly.

"Thank you for your concession."

"The winner is Lin Yun! Nine-star rating!"

The referee's voice echoed through the arena. Lin Yun stood in the center of the arena, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Nine stars. He finally got them.

Stepping out of the arena, Lin Yun strolled through the streets of the virtual universe.

He went to a virtual café, ordered a drink, and sat down to rest in a corner. Although battles in the dueling space didn't harm his real body, they still took a toll on his mental well-being.

"You're Lin Yun?" a voice came from the side.

Lin Yun turned his head and saw a young man in a white robe standing not far away. The young man had delicate features, with a scholarly air about him, and exuded the aura of a peak ninth-level Hengxing cultivator. He held a slender sword in his hand, with faint blue patterns on its blade.

"Who are you?" Lin Yun asked.

"Lan Feng." The young man smiled slightly. "A peripheral member of the Virtual Universe Company. I saw your name on the Nine-Star Evaluation Ranking. Very impressive."

"Thank you," Lin Yun said.

"Your metal-elemental laws are very strong." Lan Feng sat down opposite Lin Yun. "I cultivate the water-elemental laws. I wonder if there would be a chance for us to spar?"

Lin Yun glanced at him. Lan Feng's aura was steady. Although it was impossible to discern the depth of his understanding of the laws, the fact that he took the initiative to propose a sparring match showed that he was confident in his own strength.

"Sure," Lin Yun said. "However, my metal element laws are still in the refinement stage, so they might not be very impressive."

"It's alright," Lan Feng said with a smile. "Being able to spar with an expert like you is a learning opportunity in itself."

The two agreed on a time and then left the coffee shop separately.

Lin Yun watched Lan Feng's retreating figure and nodded inwardly. This Lan Feng had considerable talent and a good mentality; he was a worthy opponent. Among the peripheral members of the Virtual Universe Company, he should be considered one of the best.

"Genius Battle..." Lin Yun murmured the phrase to himself.

He knew that Virtual Universe Corporation held a genius battle open to the entire universe every so often, which only those at the Hengxing level could participate in. It was a stage for countless geniuses to prove themselves, and also his only chance to enter the core of Virtual Universe Corporation.

"It'll be soon," Lin Yun said softly.

He exited the virtual universe and opened his eyes. Moonlight streamed through the window into the cultivation room, illuminating his face.

"Next, I need to continue improving my Metal Domain and strive to step into the threshold of the Metal Law before the Genius Battle," Lin Yun thought to himself.

He closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the ocean of the fundamental laws of metal.

Golden light flowed through his senses like a rushing river. He followed the river forward, searching for that invisible threshold.

His life force was fifty times stronger than that of ordinary people, giving him a perception far beyond that of ordinary individuals. He could sense that the threshold of the fundamental law of metal was right in front of him, within reach.

"It'll be soon," Lin Yun murmured.