"How do you use the golden mist?"
The surrounding Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns immediately lit up with interest.
Ever since entering the treasure land, the Sovereigns had focused mainly on searching for core Sky Pillars.
But during this time, each of them had gathered some golden mist to varying degrees.
These golden mists were clearly rare treasures connected to the treasure land's essence.
Being a newly born treasure land, the rare treasures it produced had never been seen in the Six Ancient Kingdoms before. No one knew their exact effects, so they could only explore through trial and error.
"Those golden mists..."
Lin Yuan was very curious as well. His external universe could examine every detail within a hundred billion miles, and he had collected quite a bit of golden mist by now.
"Golden mist contains the power of temporal origin. Whatever you do, don't touch it with your soul or mind—otherwise, you may be forcibly pulled into a time cycle."
Red Flame Heavenly Sovereign warned sternly.
Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns had fully perfected their realms. With a single thought, they could attempt to break through to Rank Thirteen, triggering the time cycle.
But they had been deliberately suppressing that impulse—avoiding the descent of the time cycle.
However, once someone used their soul or will to interact with the golden mist, even if they were suppressing the impulse, it would force them to attempt a breakthrough.
"Time cycle?"
Hong Lian and the others were visibly unsettled.
While most Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns did plan to attempt the breakthrough to Rank Thirteen eventually, that was something to be done only when they had truly reached their limit.
As for now? Many of them still intended to wait.
"Being forced into the time cycle early?"
Lin Yuan, standing nearby, was stirred by this information.
The others were affected because their realms were already perfected.
But Lin Yuan?
His true realm was still at the Dominance stage—far from being ready to break through to Chaos, let alone approaching Rank Thirteen.
Even if he used his soul or mind to touch the golden mist, it likely wouldn't trigger a time cycle—his realm simply wasn't high enough.
"Still, good thing I didn't try it earlier."
Lin Yuan thought to himself. Even if he didn't need to worry about being pulled into a time cycle, who knew if there were other hidden dangers?
"As for how to use the golden mist, the best method discovered so far is to slowly absorb it through the physical body."
"The golden mist gradually transforms the body, creating a time-based physique."
Red Flame Heavenly Sovereign continued.
This conclusion had only been reached after repeated experiments by the Liyang Empire—and it had cost one Sovereign an early plunge into the time cycle.
"Absorb with the body, and it may become a time-based physique?"
After that—
Red Flame Heavenly Sovereign offered a few more cautions before falling silent.
"I'll wait a bit longer before absorbing the golden mist."
Lin Yuan thought it over and decided not to start just yet.
He had the golden mist already. He could absorb it anytime. Better to wait and see what happens when others try first, then evaluate how best to proceed.
Also, from Red Flame's explanation, the golden mist could only be absorbed slowly by the body. But how much was needed to complete the transformation into that special physique? No one knew.
Chaos Void.
Ever since the Milky Way Great Saint had established his continent, experts from thousands, tens of thousands, and even hundreds of thousands of void regions nearby had begun arriving.
This was to be expected. A Chaos Great Saint's fame would naturally attract many Chaos-stage Venerables—each with their own intentions.
Some came simply to witness the famed Chaos Great Saint.
Some hoped to follow him.
Others, knowing they couldn't draw his attention, sought to network with the other Sovereigns gathering here.
"That's the Chaos Continent founded by the Milky Way Great Saint."
In a silver spaceship, an elderly man with white hair and beard looked at the towering continent in the distance and spoke to the young men and women beside him.
"Milky Way Great Saint?"
The youths also looked toward the distant Milky Way Chaos Continent. "Master, what's so special about this Milky Way Great Saint? Why move the whole sect here?"
This elderly man was a peak Chaos-stage Venerable. He had previously opened his own Chaos Continent and founded a sect.
He had followed several Chaos Great Saints in the past, but left each time. Now, however, he intended to permanently settle his entire sect on the Milky Way Chaos Continent.
"The Milky Way Great Saint isn't just any Chaos Great Saint."
The old man smiled.
"In that postnatal universe, he completely crushed Heiyao and Savage Saints. Even if he isn't at the level of a Supreme Saint, he's not far off."
"Not far from a Supreme Saint?"
The young men and women were stunned. Even with the same intelligence, experts of different levels drew very different conclusions.
Clearly, the old man had gleaned the Milky Way Great Saint's true potential from the available information.
In a far-off region of space-time—
Three silent figures stood, their mere presence forcing the nearby chaos laws and Great Dao to retreat.
"The Milky Way Great Saint, as the only one to leave the Mysterious Emperor Universe alive at the peak of the Chaos stage, may have gained some of the Mysterious Sovereign's legacy."
The leading figure spoke.
All three were Supreme Saints—and exceedingly ancient ones. They knew of the Mysterious Sovereign's existence.
The Mysterious Sovereign had torn himself from the time cycle, slain five other Supreme Saints, and left many others in a panic.
These were Supreme Saints.
Throughout the history of the Chaos Void, there had been occasional battles between Supreme Saints, resulting in the destruction of a battle body.
But such a fall usually didn't mean death—the true body remained alive.
Completely killing a Supreme Saint—destroying all avatars and true bodies and erasing all life-saving methods—was almost impossible. Not even an Invincible Supreme Saint could do it.
"This Chaos Continent required at least ninth-level space-time comprehension to establish."
The Supreme Saint on the right spoke.
"Ninth-level space-time comprehension? Even if he isn't a Supreme Saint, we wouldn't be able to do anything to him."
He continued.
Very few Chaos Great Saints ever reached ninth-level space-time comprehension. They were rarer than Supreme Saints themselves.
Such a being, even if they couldn't defeat a Supreme Saint, could always escape unscathed.
"Indeed."
The third Supreme Saint shook his head.
Originally, they had planned to find the Milky Way Great Saint and ask about what had happened in the Mysterious Emperor Universe.
But now—
There was no need.
If they couldn't overpower him, even if they asked, they'd never hear the truth.
"Forget it."
"Better not make an enemy."
The lead Supreme Saint thought carefully and made his decision.
If the Milky Way Great Saint were just an ordinary Chaos Great Saint, they'd handle him however they pleased.
But now?
He had the power to stand against them. Until they knew whether he had inherited anything from the Mysterious Sovereign, they would not take risks.
If they were wrong, and he hadn't gained much of anything, then they would have just created a new enemy.
Supreme Saints were always cautious when dealing with peers. Take Hun Xiao and Yu Lin, for example—they had waited until the Mysterious Sovereign attempted Rank Thirteen before retaliating against his lineage.
"Let's go."
The three Supreme Saints gave the distant Chaos Continent one last glance before vanishing.
"They've left?"
Deep within the Milky Way Chaos Continent, Lin Yuan glanced toward the direction in which the three Supreme Saints had disappeared.
Those three only knew that Lin Yuan had reached ninth-level space-time comprehension—they didn't know his current combat power. Even among Supreme Saints, he was one of the strongest.
With his perception, he had sensed them the moment they approached.
"My current strength has already been surpassed by my body in the Source World."
Lin Yuan thought silently. Ever since the Source World true body formed the Great Liyang Cycle, its combat power had surpassed that of the Chaos Void true body for the first time.
It couldn't be helped. The Source World true body had inherited the complete legacy of the Liyang Ancestor—a Rank Thirteen time-lifeform—and merged it with the Rank Thirteen legacy of the Chaos Void.
Meanwhile, the Chaos Void true body couldn't form the Liyang Seed and thus couldn't gain the same boost.
"If I can complete the third layer of 'Infinite Void,' the gap between the two true bodies might be narrowed—or even erased."
Lin Yuan considered.
The Rank Thirteen legacy Infinite Void, once its third layer was mastered, would greatly enhance both true bodies.
But the Chaos Void true body would benefit even more.
Its internal universe had a deeper foundation than the Source World true body.
Universes with different starting points would receive different levels of enhancement from mastering the third layer of Infinite Void.
"Or I could simply break through to the Chaos stage."
The disparity in foundational strength meant that breaking through to Chaos would yield different levels of improvement.
Clearly, the Chaos Void true body would benefit more.
"Step by step. I still have a long way to go."
Compared to other Saints and Sovereigns who had reached their limits, Lin Yuan was still far from his own.
It wasn't just Infinite Void or advancing to the Chaos stage. Developing the power of Chaos Tai Chi would also bring tremendous gains.
Moreover, the various supreme techniques passed down from the Liyang Ancestor—the Rank Thirteen legacies—had yet to be studied.
And so—
Time quietly passed.
A thousand years went by in the blink of an eye.
A thousand years pass in the blink of an eye for a twelfth-rank lifeform.
The Milky Way Chaos Continent grew ever more prosperous, and Chaos Great Saints would often visit Lin Yuan.
Chaos Great Saints occasionally exchanged insights, verifying the chaotic paths they had each developed. Lin Yuan placed great value on this.
Though the power paths evolved from chaos varied in strength, they were, in essence, all aspects of the Dao. Observing the chaotic evolution paths of others helped Lin Yuan deepen his understanding of the Grand Dao.
Deep within the Milky Way Chaos Continent—
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged.
Before him, strands of chaotic energy continuously formed secret patterns, which dissipated quickly after a brief moment.
Once they faded, they would condense again, cycling endlessly, as if it would never cease.
"Chaos rules…"
Lin Yuan immersed himself in the circulation of chaotic energy, part of his consciousness focused on comprehending the chaotic secret pattern diagram.
The chaotic secret pattern diagram was condensed by a thirteenth-rank ancestor of the Liyang Kingdom from the source world, using great divine powers to gather the essence of chaos rules. It contained the fundamental veins of the chaos rules.
It was one of Lin Yuan's primary focuses for comprehension.
"So that's how it is."
No one knew how much time had passed.
Lin Yuan silently opened his eyes. Deep in his gaze, chaotic energy surged, and the secret pattern diagram before him rapidly became clear and complete.
If a Heavenly Sovereign from the Liyang Kingdom were present, they would recognize that this chaotic secret pattern diagram was nearly identical to the twenty-eighth diagram.
There were eighty-one chaotic secret pattern diagrams passed down by the Liyang Ancestor.
The first eight diagrams represented the first stage of chaos.
Diagrams nine through twenty-seven represented the second stage of chaos.
The twenty-eighth diagram belonged to the realm of the third stage of chaos.
For Lin Yuan to momentarily replicate the twenty-eighth chaotic secret pattern diagram meant he had fully stepped into the third stage of chaos rule comprehension.
"Chaos evolves all things."
Lin Yuan's spirit was radiant. Having reached the third stage of chaos insight, he now had a much clearer understanding of the nature of all things.
The basic structure of the chaotic void and the process of chaos evolution appeared to Lin Yuan as clearly as the lines on his palm.
"All things will ultimately return to chaos."
His gaze was deep as he looked out at the vast chaotic void.
In that moment, Lin Yuan's realm elevated to its peak. He seemed to witness countless billions of cosmic eras rotating within the chaotic void. One day, the entire chaotic void would also undergo a great destruction like that of the natural universe.
Everything in the chaotic void would return to chaos.
"Not just the chaotic void—the source world as well."
Lin Yuan thought to himself. Of course, he wasn't particularly worried. Entities like the chaotic void and source world had destruction cycles far too long to fathom. Even the time lived by a Supreme Saint was a mere drop in the ocean.
"Third stage of chaos rule comprehension…"
A smile surfaced on Lin Yuan's face. A thousand years of bitter cultivation had pushed his chaos comprehension to a new height, just as he had expected.
The chaotic secret pattern diagram had been an immense help in understanding the chaos rules. It wasn't just a shortcut—it was even more efficient than one.
This was a form of generosity from the thirteenth-rank ancestors of the six ancient kingdoms in the source world toward their descendants and all beings.
An Invincible Supreme Saint, who might not appear in even hundreds of thousands or millions of cosmic eras in the chaotic void, could be found in every era of the six ancient kingdoms. In fact, for the Grand Ancient Void Kingdom, it had more than one such Heavenly Sovereign.
Take Heavenly Sovereign Fuxu, for example—his combat strength was equivalent to an Invincible Supreme Saint of the chaotic void. And in the Grand Ancient Void Kingdom, there were definitely others of similar strength.
It wasn't that the beings of the chaotic void were inferior to those of the source world—it was that the thirteenth-rank beings of these two dimensions treated lower-level life very differently.
The thirteenth-rank ancestors of the source world cared deeply, even to the point of exhausting themselves for their progeny.
Whereas the thirteenth-rank time-beings of the chaotic void basically let things grow wild.
If the chaotic void's thirteenth-rank time-beings had also left behind legacies and bestowed opportunities like "possession," then the chaotic void too would have produced many Invincible Supreme Saints.
"My strength…"
Lin Yuan took a moment to feel.
With his chaos comprehension at the third stage, the direct boost to his combat strength wasn't too outrageous.
But the indirect gains were immeasurable.
First was the evolution of the chaotic Tai Chi Dao. Lin Yuan clearly sensed that the giant egg being nurtured in his internal universe was now only about ten years away from fully evolving the chaotic Tai Chi Dao.
"Ten years…"
Lin Yuan's heart surged with excitement. The chaotic Yin-Yang Tai Chi Dao had been the path he chose since the second stage. It had been his final Dao fruit along his cultivation journey.
And this Dao fruit hadn't let him down. While other Great Saints or Great Sovereigns could evolve their chaos power paths at just the first stage of chaos, the chaotic Tai Chi Dao required reaching the peak of the second stage just to begin evolution.
This was with Lin Yuan's Unrivaled Insight. If it had been someone else, they might have needed to wait until reaching the third stage of chaos just to start.
Third-stage chaos rule comprehension? Just to begin evolving a chaos power path?
That wasn't good news for most Chaos Great Saints.
The third stage of chaos was far too difficult to reach. And without evolving a chaos power path, no matter how high one's rule comprehension, they were still only equivalent to a peak Venerable.
Even in the six ancient kingdoms—where rule comprehension was easier—only the top-tier Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns could typically reach the third stage of chaos rule comprehension.
And without evolving a chaos power path, one couldn't even be called a Great Sovereign. The gap in between was too hard to bridge.
Only Lin Yuan, despite not evolving a chaos power path, had such a deep foundation in other areas that he could still match other Great Saints and Heavenly Sovereigns in strength.
Third-stage chaos rule comprehension not only accelerated the evolution of the chaotic Tai Chi Dao—
It had far-reaching impacts in other areas as well, such as advancing toward the Chaos Realm. Currently, what held Lin Yuan back from entering the Chaos Realm was that not all aspects of himself had reached their peak.
His physical body, soul, internal universe—all still needed breakthroughs.
But with the third-stage chaos rules nurturing all things, Lin Yuan's overall growth was now speeding up.
In addition, it also helped in cultivating the third level of Infinite Void. With his elevated understanding of the basic structure of the universe through chaos rules, the process became smoother and easier.
Source world, within the treasure land.
Lin Yuan's true body wasn't actively searching for the treasure land's core pillars.
In the thousand years prior, seventy to eighty Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns from the six ancient kingdoms had been searching nonstop. Most of the core pillars had already been located and refined.
The current rankings for core pillar refinement were as follows:
Grand Ancient Void Kingdom: Seventy-two.
Barbaric Wild Kingdom: Fifty-four.
Liyang Kingdom: Fifty-two.
Grand Ling Kingdom: Forty-five.
Thunder Kingdom: Thirty-eight.
Xuanyin Kingdom: Thirty-eight.
Among the rankings, Grand Ancient Void Kingdom was the undisputed first.
This surprised no one. Once Heavenly Sovereign Fuxu from Grand Ancient Void Kingdom stepped in, the top Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns of the other kingdoms typically backed off.
Even if those Sovereigns carried their kingdoms' secret weapons, they wouldn't use them lightly.
"This Barbaric Wild Kingdom…"
Lin Yuan showed a hint of surprise. The Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns from the Barbaric Wild Kingdom were fighting like madmen over the core pillars—even Heavenly Sovereign Red Flame had yielded a few times.
Only when facing Heavenly Sovereign Fuxu did the Barbaric Wild Kingdom's top Sovereigns retreat slightly.
But when dealing with top Sovereigns from other kingdoms? They were all ready to go down together.
"But this top-tier treasure land… it has over three hundred core pillars?"
Lin Yuan's expression turned serious. Based on prior intel, the number of core pillars in a typical top-tier treasure land ranged between one and two hundred.
Three hundred?
Extremely rare. Of the known top-tier treasure lands, only six had initially revealed over three hundred core pillars.
"If there are over three hundred core pillars here, this treasure land should also have giant core pillars that have completely merged with time and space."
Lin Yuan thought silently. This conclusion was drawn from those six previous treasure lands—all of which had giant core pillars appear.
Giant core pillars far surpassed the normal ones—one giant pillar was equivalent to ten ordinary ones.
However, unlike normal cores, giant cores were fully fused into the space-time of the treasure land. No amount of scanning could reveal them. Only after refining all normal core pillars would they emerge.
And when they did, the entire treasure land would be shaken.
"Giant core pillars are incredibly important. Not only are they equivalent to ten regular cores, but they're also easier to defend."
Lin Yuan mused. Each ancient kingdom held dozens of core pillars, but only had twelve Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns to guard them. How could they protect so many?
Sure, a Heavenly Sovereign could instantly descend beside the pillar they refined, but what if many of those pillars were attacked at once? Which one would they pick?
Refining a giant core pillar, however, meant defending ten pillars with the effort of one.
"Based on the six previous cases, giant cores could appear anywhere—central or peripheral regions alike."
Lin Yuan thought quietly as he attuned himself to the space-time fluctuations around him.
Once a giant core pillar emerged, the resulting anomaly couldn't be hidden. As long as it was sensed, one could rush there immediately.
Liyang Kingdom's capital, in an independent space.
"We're unlikely to refine the first giant core pillar," Red Flame Heavenly Sovereign said calmly. "So let's not concern ourselves with it."
The other Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns didn't object.
First, the treasure land's space-time was vast. A giant core could appear anywhere.
And in terms of speed, none among the seventy or eighty Sovereigns of the six kingdoms could match Heavenly Sovereign Fuxu of Grand Ancient Void.
Over the past millennium, he had demonstrated mastery over time and space. From one end of the treasure land to the other—he needed only a breath.
That meant, as soon as a giant core appeared, Fuxu could arrive within a single breath.
Such terrifying speed—none could rival it. If Fuxu refined the first giant core, the other kingdoms stood no chance.
"Our target is the second or third giant core."
Red Flame Heavenly Sovereign stated.
Normally, a treasure land with over three hundred cores would produce three giant cores.
The previous six all had three.
With Fuxu's power, he could claim the first with no issue. But the second? That would be difficult.
If he tried to seize a second giant core, the first one he claimed would definitely be attacked by other kingdoms' top Sovereigns.
"Understood."
Lin Yuan nodded.
So far, Fuxu remained the undisputed strongest in this treasure land.
In fact, not just here—in all of the six kingdoms' histories, beneath the thirteenth-rank ancestors, Fuxu's strength was among the very top.
So Red Flame had already defaulted to letting him take the first giant core.
Inside the treasure land, Lin Yuan casually cultivated in a secluded valley.
Since Red Flame led the Liyang Kingdom's treasure land operation and had relinquished the first giant core, Lin Yuan naturally followed suit.
And he agreed with Red Flame—there was no need to clash with Fuxu. Only half the time had passed. The most intense phase of the contest hadn't even begun. They could afford to wait and watch.
Time quietly passed.
Then one day—
The space-time within the treasure land subtly trembled.
A strange ripple swept in all directions.
"This aura—is a giant core pillar emerging?"
All the Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns were startled. The ripple came from the treasure land itself—not from battle—and under current conditions, only the emergence of a giant core could cause such a disturbance.
"Hmph!"
"Liyang, Thunder, and Xuanyin Kingdoms have given up on the first core—but my Barbaric Wild Kingdom will fight for it! So what if it's Fuxu?"
A towering figure flipped his hand, revealing a heart entirely formed of space-time. Each beat of the heart stirred ripples of time and space.
"Go."
The figure activated the space-time heart, tearing through countless layers of space-time toward the emerging giant core.
"A giant core? Who says it can't belong to Grand Ling?"
Lingyu Heavenly Sovereign's eyes glinted. His gaze was deeper than ever. As soon as he sensed the ripple, his figure vanished.
At the same time—
The Ultimate Heavenly Sovereigns all rushed toward the core's location. Even those not planning to contest it wanted to witness the event—after all, Fuxu would surely act.
"This…"
Lin Yuan also felt the ripple. Compared to the other kingdoms' Sovereigns, his perception was stronger and clearer—as if it happened right in front of him.
Which, in fact, it did.
The giant core pillar had appeared just beside him—barely a few hundred meters away.
...
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