hsntnovel Chapter 130 Intelligent Life
Chapter 130 Intelligent Life
The moment the stone gate swung open, a beam of bluish-white light shot into the sky, causing the entire Radiant Realm to tremble. Above Heavenly Light Cliff, a seven-colored mist surged into a massive vortex, the light at its center shining like a second sun, illuminating an area of thousands of miles in daylight. Fluctuations of the laws of wind and light spread outwards from the beam of light in all directions, and even trial participants tens of thousands of miles away could clearly sense this terrifying energy fluctuation.
Lin Yun stood inside the stone gate, looking at the scene before him, his heart sinking slightly. He had originally intended to explore the realm within a realm discreetly, and then quietly leave after obtaining the treasure. However, the commotion caused by the opening of the stone gate was too great, so great that the entire Guanglan Realm could sense it. Now, he could no longer remain discreet.
"Damn it." Thor's expression changed as he looked at the blinding pillar of light in the sky. "Such a commotion, everyone in the entire Lightstorm Realm will see it."
"It's not just the Lightstorm Realm." Luo Feng's voice also carried a hint of solemnity. "This level of energy fluctuation could probably be detected from the outside world as well."
"There's nothing we can do," Lin Yun said. "Since it's already like this, let's just let nature take its course. The entrance to the Realm Within a Realm has already opened, and we can't stop others from coming in. Let's go in and see what's inside."
The four passed through the stone gate and entered the core area of the realm within a realm. It was a vast hall, its dome inlaid with countless luminous crystals, illuminating the entire space as if it were daytime. The floor was paved with shimmering crystals, so bright they reflected their figures. The hall was several thousand meters in diameter, with dozens of thick stone pillars standing around it, each engraved with runes of the laws of wind and light, radiating a faint pressure.
In the center of the hall stood a high platform. Suspended on the platform was a crystal ball the size of a fist. The crystal ball was completely transparent, and within it, a bluish-white light pulsed slowly, like the beating of a heart, as if it were alive.
But before they could get a closer look, a commotion arose behind them.
The first batch of trial participants have arrived.
Those were the closest teams to Tianguang Cliff, about twenty or thirty people. When they saw the open stone gate, their eyes were filled with greed and excitement, and they rushed in without hesitation. Then, a second group, a third group... more and more people poured into the hall like a tide.
In the sky, countless beams of light converged on Skylight Cliff from all directions, streaking across the heavens like a meteor shower. Those trial participants who had been hunting ferocious beasts throughout the Light and Mist Realm, upon seeing the bluish-white pillar of light, abandoned their prey and rushed towards it as quickly as possible. Some were alone, some in small groups, and some formed teams of dozens. All eyes were fixed on the same direction—Skylight Cliff.
In less than half an hour, several thousand people had gathered in the hall. Some were in small groups, while others were alone. The insignia of the major powers were clearly visible in the crowd. The White Tiger Flag of Hundred Tiger Tower, the Black Dragon Flag of Northern Dragon City, the Black Cloud Flag of Black Cloud Society, and the Three Axe Flag of Three Axe Mountain—these four major organizations arrived the fastest because they had the largest numbers and the widest distribution. People from the two holy lands, Ice Sea Divine Kingdom and Black Dragon Mountain, arrived later. Although their numbers were smaller, each of them was an elite among the Hengxing level, exuding a sharp aura.
The sixteen major realm lord-level families also sent people in one after another. Their teams were orderly and well-organized, clearly indicating that they had come prepared.
All eyes were fixed on the crystal ball on the high platform, their eyes gleaming with greed.
"Is that the treasure left behind by the Realm Lord?"
"It must be! There must be a legacy inside that crystal ball!"
"Whoever gets it first gets it!"
Some people couldn't contain themselves and rushed towards the platform. But as they approached, an invisible force blasted them away, sending them crashing to the ground and spitting blood. That person's cultivation was at the ninth level of the Hengxing realm, which was considered quite strong among the trial participants, but before that invisible force, they were like ants.
"There's a restriction!" the man exclaimed, struggling to get up, his face deathly pale.
The crowd exchanged hesitant glances, and no one dared to step forward rashly. A brief silence fell over the hall, broken only by the faint glow of the runes on the stone pillars.
Just then, a bluish-white light suddenly shone from the crystal ball, then flew out of the crystal ball and condensed into a human figure in the air.
It was a little girl, who looked only eight or nine years old. She had two pigtails, wore a light blue dress, and had a delicate and lovely face, but her eyes revealed a kind of world-weariness that did not match her age. She hovered above the high platform, her hands behind her back, looking down at the thousands of people in the hall with an air of premature maturity.
"Finally, someone has been able to open this realm within a realm." The little girl's voice was clear and melodious, but there was a hint of emotion in her tone. "I've waited for hundreds of millions of years, and this day has finally come."
"Old lady?" Someone in the crowd couldn't help but laugh. "A little girl calling herself 'old lady'?"
"She is an intelligent life form," a knowledgeable person whispered. "Her appearance can change at will, and age means nothing. The fact that she has existed for hundreds of millions of years means that her owner has been dead for a long time."
The little girl—no, we should call her "Xiao Lan"—sweeped her gaze across the thousands of people in the hall, finally lingering on Lin Yun for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes, but she quickly looked away. Her gaze was almost tangible; everyone who was swept by her gaze felt an invisible pressure.
"I know why you're here." Xiao Lan's voice was still young, but every word was clear to everyone. "Treasures, inheritances, wealth. My master did leave behind quite a few of these things. But it won't be so easy for you to get them."
The hall fell silent as everyone held their breath, listening to Xiao Lan speak.
"Let me introduce myself first." Xiao Lan hovered above the platform, her hands behind her back, looking quite mature for her age. "My name is Xiao Lan, and I was the AI assistant to the former Lord of Guanglan. My master's title was 'Lord of Guanglan'."
"Lord of the Guanglan Realm..." someone in the crowd repeated the name in a low voice.
"My master became famous hundreds of millions of years ago. You little guys probably don't know that. Even the world lords of your various families may not have heard of his name." Xiao Lan's voice carried a hint of pride. "He was a core disciple of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance. During his time as a world lord, he had a level of understanding of the laws comparable to that of a Marquis-level immortal, and possessed immortal combat power. His teacher was an even greater King-level immortal powerhouse."
These words caused an uproar in the hall. Most of the people present were scions of prominent families and had naturally heard of the term "immortal king." Luo Feng and the others had also heard it from Babata.
A King-level Immortal—that's an existence standing at the very top of the cosmic pyramid. A single thought can destroy a planet, a single rage can slaughter an entire galaxy. In the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, the two most powerful holy lands' strongest members are merely ordinary Immortals. A King-level Immortal is someone they can't even look up to. The fact that the Lightstorm Realm Lord's teacher is a King-level Immortal means his status and background far surpass those of an ordinary Realm Lord.
"A core disciple of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance?" someone exclaimed. "That's one of the five giants of the universe! Those chosen as core disciples are geniuses, one in a million!"
"The immortal teacher who was granted the title of King..." another person murmured, "No wonder he left behind such a realm within a realm to pass on his treasures."
The crowd's eyes were filled with shock and envy. To be able to become a disciple of a King-level Immortal was the dream of countless cultivators. And the Lord of Guanglan Realm not only achieved this, but also possessed a level of understanding of the laws comparable to that of a Marquis-level Immortal while still in the Realm Lord stage.
"My God, this Lord Guanglan is too monstrous! He already possesses the understanding of the laws of immortality during his time as a Lord. Once he achieves immortality, he will directly become a Marquis-level expert!" Babata also said in Luo Feng's ear. "He is even stronger than your teacher. Your teacher has cultivated for countless years and has only barely managed to become a Marquis."
"Our master is exceptionally talented. Even at the Realm Lord stage, he had already grasped most of the laws of wind and light and fused them together," Xiao Lan continued. "His strength is unparalleled among Realm Lords. Even ordinary Immortals are no match for him."
Disbelief filled the eyes of the crowd. A Realm Lord could contend with an Immortal? What terrifying power that must be! In the universe, there is an insurmountable chasm between Realm Lords and Immortals. Geniuses capable of crossing this chasm are extremely rare throughout the entire universe.
"What a pity." Xiao Lan's voice lowered, a hint of sadness flashing in her eyes. "Master's ambition was too great. Because the Realm Lord stage is the most suitable for comprehending the laws, he wanted to comprehend most of the spatial laws at the Realm Lord stage to lay the foundation for breaking through to a higher level in the future. He studied the spatial laws day and night, and even went so far as to enter the outer battlefield to seek a breakthrough between life and death."
"In the battlefield beyond the realm, he slew countless enemies and amassed immense wealth, ultimately attracting the attack of an immortal powerhouse from another race. Although the master did not perish on the spot, he was left with hidden injuries, which ultimately led to the premature exhaustion of his lifespan."
Xiao Lan's voice carried a hint of sorrow, as if she had returned to that distant era.
"Hundreds of millions of years ago, when my master's lifespan was coming to an end, he returned to the Guanglan Realm and sealed his life's treasures here. He then sealed my core program in a crystal ball, waiting for a destined person." Xiaolan's gaze swept over everyone. "Therefore, it is my master's arrangement that you are standing here today. The legacy and treasures he left behind need a destined person to inherit them."
A hush fell over the hall, and complex emotions flickered in everyone's eyes. Some sighed, some felt regret, some were greedy, and some were in awe.
"The treasures and wealth left behind by our master are worth millions of Chaos Yuan, comparable to an Immortal powerhouse." Xiao Lan's voice carried a hint of pride. "Among them are a large number of cultivation resources, secret manuals, Origin Force weapons, and rare treasures he obtained in the outer realm battlefields. This wealth is enough to make even an Immortal powerhouse envious. Although our master was a Realm Lord, his wealth was no less than that of some ordinary Immortals, because he had a teacher who was a King-level Immortal, and he had been fighting in the outer realm battlefields for many years, so his accumulation was naturally abundant."
Millions of Hunyuan—although many didn't know what Hunyuan was, they could guess from Xiao Lan's tone that it was an astronomical figure. The atmosphere in the hall grew even more heated, and greed gleamed in everyone's eyes. Some people's breathing became rapid, and their fists clenched unconsciously.
"But!" Xiao Lan's tone shifted, her voice becoming stern, a cold glint flashing in her clear eyes. "These riches are not for just anyone. The master has set a test. Only those who pass the test can obtain his inheritance and treasures."
"What kind of test?" someone in the crowd asked impatiently.
"Three trials." Xiao Lan held up three fingers. "The first is the Labyrinth of Light. The second is the Trial of Wind. The third is the introductory technique to the fusion of wind and light. Only by passing these three trials can you prove that you are qualified to inherit your master's mantle."
"These three trials are extremely difficult," Xiao Lan added. "Especially the third one, which involves a fusion technique of scenery left by the master, which is almost at the level of a peak secret technique in the universe. To master it in a short time requires extremely high comprehension."
"A pinnacle secret technique?" Someone gasped.
"Moreover, only those who have comprehended the Domain of Wind or the Domain of Light are qualified to participate in these trials." Xiao Lan's gaze turned serious. "Anyone else who forces their way in will surely die. This is because the power of the laws contained in the trials will directly crush those without a domain. If you do not have a domain, I advise you to leave now to avoid needlessly throwing your lives away."
A commotion arose in the hall. Many people exchanged hesitant glances. Those who had comprehended the Wind or Light Domain were already a minority among the Hengxing level. Most people, although their cultivation had reached the ninth level of the Hengxing level, still had a long way to go before they could truly master a Domain.
Some people asked, unwilling to accept this, "Does not having a specific field mean there's absolutely no chance?"
"No," Xiao Lan replied decisively. "The test set by our master is to select a successor, not to send people to their deaths. Those without the necessary domain will only lose their lives in vain. That's all I have to say; believe it or not is up to you."
Some people silently retreated from the crowd. Though greedy, they valued their lives more. But many others stayed, their eyes gleaming with determination—some had indeed grasped the wind or light domain, while others were unwilling to leave and wanted to take a gamble.
Lin Yun stood in the crowd, looking at Xiao Lan on the high platform, his mind filled with many thoughts.
"Lord Guanglan..." he murmured, "The personal disciple of the King-level Immortal, a core member of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance, who possessed a level of understanding of the laws approaching that of the Marquis-level Immortal at the Lord level. Such a genius ultimately perished because of his excessive ambition."
He recalled his cultivation journey in the Panlong World. He was also cultivating multiple elemental laws and attempting to fuse with the profound mysteries of other species. The experience of the Lord of Guanglan Realm served as a warning to him—ambition can take one far, or it can lead to destruction.
"One must take things one step at a time," Lin Yun told himself. "I can't rush it."
Xiao Lan's gaze swept over the crowd again, finally lingering on Lin Yun for a moment. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly, as if she had developed some interest in Lin Yun, but she quickly looked away.
"Alright, enough chit-chat." Xiao Lan clapped her hands, and a huge portal of light appeared on one side of the hall. White light flowed within the portal, obscuring the view inside. "The first trial—the Labyrinth of Light. Now it begins. Those who wish to participate, go in. Those who do not wish to participate, you may stay here and watch, or you may leave."
"Remember, only those who have comprehended the Domain of Light have a chance to pass this test," Xiao Lan added. "Those who haven't mastered the Domain of Light will only waste their time going in."
Among the crowd, some walked towards the portal, some hesitated, and some turned and left. Lin Yun didn't rush in, but stood still, watching the backs of those people.
"Third brother, aren't you going?" Thor asked.
"No rush," Lin Yun said. "Let them go first. This hurdle isn't difficult for me; it's okay if I go in a little later."
Hong didn't rush in either. Although his Domain of Light had reached the ninth level, it was still a step away from the fundamental laws. He was observing those who had gone in first, trying to find some patterns in their observations.
Inside the hall, Xiao Lan hovered above the high platform, calmly watching the bustling crowd. Her eyes held no expectation, no tension, only a serenity that had settled over the long years.
"Hundreds of millions of years," she whispered, her voice so low only she could hear. "Master, will the person you're waiting for ever appear?"