Translator: CinderTL
"Jiang Ye's strength?"
"He instantly killed a Heavenly Pride of his own level from a foreign race?"
"I truly underestimated that kid. After his third breakthrough, his strength at the dao bone level is nearly invincible." Huang Canglong and Mo Sheng stood before the Extreme Sea Star System Cosmic Passage, both deeply shaken.
Only Qiu Cang's expression remained somber.
"Jiang Ye nearly died just now."
"That genius from the Fire Ember Civilization was carrying a fourth-tier treasure." Qiu Cang's face darkened like water.
Just moments ago, if Chen Zilu hadn't used her innate ability to block a fatal strike for Jiang Ye, he might have been killed.
Speaking of which...
"Xiao Chen is likely severely injured as well." Qiu Cang's expression grew even more grim. "Her divine soul is damaged. I don't know how she's doing."
Even through the screen, he couldn't accurately assess Chen Zilu's condition.
"Old Qiu, stay calm," Huang Canglong said comfortingly. "Life and death trials always carry risks. Several of our Starry Sky University's geniuses have also died this time."
He felt grief too.
But what had happened couldn't be undone.
As a senior professor at one of the ten great schools, Huang Canglong had seen such tragedies too many times.
The deaths of geniuses in life and death trials were not uncommon.
How many people died in the Fire Ember Civilization's trial this time? Jiang Ye alone killed hundreds.
"True," Qiu Cang nodded. "Surviving such a deadly trap is already a miracle."
"I'm more interested in that fourth-tier treasure," Mo Sheng of Heaven's Gate University said slowly.
"A fourth-tier treasure that can be used on Ancient Star No. 7."
"Across the entire Blue Star," Mo Sheng sighed, "you probably couldn't find such a supreme artifact."
Though it was only fourth-tier, that treasure could wield power beyond the natural laws on Ancient Star No. 7. That alone made it priceless.
After all, the Blue Star Civilization had been exploring for centuries without ever discovering such a treasure.
"Such a treasure," Qiu Cang said gravely, "is far beyond the reach of any junior."
"I suspect the Fire Ember Civilization's higher-ups issued the order."
"In that case," Qiu Cang narrowed his eyes, "this was a trap specifically set for Jiang Ye."
If the civilization's leadership was involved, the matter took on a different nature.
"Could it be because of the next civilization strife crossing?" Mo Sheng immediately grasped the core issue.
"Possible," Huang Canglong replied. "The combat power Jiang Ye has demonstrated already meets the standards of an invincible dao bone, enough to be decisive during the civilization strife crossing."
Civilization strife crossing!
This matter was of vital importance to the Blue Star Civilization.
Similarly, it was equally crucial to the Fire Ember Civilization, as the Blue Star Civilization's successful advancement might lead to their own decline.
"Jiang Ye and Xiao Chen will both be targeted by the Fire Ember Civilization," Qiu Cang said, shaking his head. "It doesn't matter. They can't defeat us anyway."
Mo Sheng and Huang Canglong exchanged odd glances.
"Old Qiu, you're really lucky."
"Our Blue Star Civilization has two invincible dao bones," Mo Sheng couldn't help but say, "and they're both your disciples."
"That's not quite right," Qiu Cang replied, shaking his head. "Jiang Ye has Primitive Aptitude. Where does the invincible dao bone come from?"
Huang Canglong and Mo Sheng looked at each other.
That's right!
Jiang Ye has Primitive Aptitude. Where does the invincible dao bone come from?
But now... should they call him an "invincible primitive"?
Meanwhile, in Canghai City of the Fire Ember Civilization...
Two figures sat opposite each other, both radiating powerful auras.
"Canghai, if you can kill that invincible dao bone of the Blue Star Civilization," King Beize said with a smile, "this will be considered your contribution."
"You flatter me, King Beize," Old Man Canghai replied with a chuckle. "Without the three Fallen Star-level Heavenly Pride you sent, my own forces would have struggled to kill an invincible dao bone."
"Speaking of which..."
"I wonder if Mina, Rosen, and the others are making good progress?" Old Man Canghai asked curiously.
"Rest assured," King Beize replied with a smile. "I've bestowed upon them a fourth-tier treasure. Even if they can't defeat that Blue Star genius, that treasure should allow them to kill him. Of course, the probability of that is extremely low."
"Mina is the most outstanding dao bone genius under my command, second only to those few invincible dao bones."
"With her, Rosen, and Kidd working together," King Beize continued with a smile, "there's almost no chance of failure."
Old Man Canghai nodded slightly.
Indeed!
Within the Fire Ember Civilization, Mina, Rosen, and Kidd were practically unmatched.
As long as no transcendent beings were involved, the three of them working together could basically sweep through any opponents of their tier.
Suddenly,
"Hmm?" King Beize's expression shifted as he sensed a slight vibration from his communication token.
"A message has arrived," he said with a smile. "It seems they've completed the mission."
As he spoke, he activated the token.
Beep! A projection materialized.
King Beize focused on the projection.
In the next instant, his face turned extremely grim.
Seeing this, Old Man Canghai's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly turned to look at the projection.
"What is this?"
"Mina and Rosen... dead?" Old Man Canghai's pupils constricted. This was a result even he hadn't anticipated.
"What about Kidd?" he asked urgently.
"Kidd just sent a message," King Beize replied coldly. "That Blue Star genius didn't die."
"He didn't die?"
"This is troubling," Old Man Canghai's expression darkened instantly.
Three Fallen Star-level top-tier Heavenly Prides, working together and wielding fourth-tier treasures, still couldn't kill Jiang Ye?
Worse, they lost two top-tier Heavenly Prides in the process.
Is that Blue Star genius truly that strong?
The entire hall fell into deathly silence, the atmosphere becoming suffocatingly tense.
After a moment, Old Man Canghai spoke in a low voice, "King Beize, should we invite those invincible dao bones?"
"Enough," King Beize replied coldly. "The Star Realm Sea is about to open. The Fire Ember Civilization cannot afford further losses."
"But what about the next civilization strife crossing?" Old Man Canghai pressed urgently.
"There's still time before the next civilization strife crossing."
"That Blue Star genius is only at the third breakthrough. While he poses a threat, it's not significant," King Beize said in a low voice. "Our Fire Ember Civilization's invincible dao bones have all reached the fourth or even fifth breakthrough."
"If we have them suppress their cultivation to go to Ancient Star No. 7, losing even one would be a catastrophic blow."
"Canghai, I know how eager you are for revenge," King Beize sighed. "But given the circumstances, cutting our losses now is the wisest course of action."
His own grief was no less profound than Canghai's.
Mina and Rosen had been brilliant talents under his command, and their deaths on Ancient Star No. 7 were a devastating blow to the Fire Ember Civilization.
Yet as one of the Seven Kings of the Fire Ember Civilization's main star, King Beize had to prioritize the civilization's interests.
"Canghai, don't despair," he said in a low voice. "We still have a chance. When the Star Realm Sea opens, that Blue Star genius will undoubtedly go there. If he dies inside, the outcome will be the same."
Canghai's eyes lit up slightly.
But he quickly murmured, "I recall the Star Realm Sea doesn't restrict cultivation realms, does it?"
"Indeed, it's quite unusual," King Beize nodded.
Canghai's eyes flickered.
If there were no realm restrictions, couldn't they send high-level experts to ambush Jiang Ye?
"I'm not suggesting you send experts to ambush him," King Beize said calmly, seeing through his thoughts. "The rules of the Star Realm Sea are far more complex than you imagine."
"As for that Blue Star genius," he continued, "I'll inform my friend in the Heavenly Fire Civilization and consult his opinion first."
"The Heavenly Fire Civilization?" Old Man Canghai nodded in sudden realization.
The Heavenly Fire Civilization was the superior power to the Fire Ember Civilization and a first-tier cosmic civilization.
Hearing King Beize's words, Old Man Canghai instantly understood his meaning.
However, a question arose in his mind:
"What are the exact rules of the Star Realm Sea?" he pondered. To this day, he had received no accurate information.
Jiang Ye remained oblivious to everything happening outside.
Even if he knew, he wouldn't care.
Targeted attacks? Assassination attempts? Jiang Ye had already experienced them all.
If they sent high-level experts to kill him, it would simply be his bad luck. Worrying about it was pointless.
And if it were experts of the same level? As long as no transcendent beings were involved, Jiang Ye was confident he could sweep aside all peers. Even against transcendent beings, he now had the confidence to retreat unharmed.
Since his trip to Ancient Star No. 7, Jiang Ye's strength had undergone a revolutionary transformation.
And this transformation was still ongoing.
At the exit of the Extreme Sea Crust:
Jiang Ye, Chen Zilu, and Shi Ting laid out the spoils of their journey.
"A total of ten Low B-tier Opportunities and three Mid B-Tier Opportunities," Jiang Ye said softly. "Senior Sister, Shi Ting, you choose first."
Chen Zilu remained silent, turning to look at Shi Ting.
Shi Ting felt a little embarrassed. "I didn't contribute much. Let's forget it."
"You played a significant role in killing the foreign race earlier," Jiang Ye said with a smile. "Pick a few things."
Seeing her hesitation, Chen Zilu said with a cheerful smile, "Junior Sister, since Jiang Ye insists, just choose a few. He's like this."
"Alright," Shi Ting nodded.
From the thirteen treasures, she selected two Low B-tier Opportunities.
"These two will do," Shi Ting said with a smile to Jiang Ye.
Jiang Ye nodded at her, then turned to Chen Zilu. "Senior Sister."
Chen Zilu didn't say much, casually picking out two items.
These treasures weren't of much use to her. After all, most of the treasures on Ancient Star No. 7 were only useful to those just entering the third breakthrough stage. She took two mainly to spare Shi Ting any embarrassment.
After a moment, Jiang Ye put away the remaining treasures. "Shi Ting, what are your plans now?"
"Me?" Shi Ting thought for a moment before answering, "I should head back soon to digest the opportunities and break through to the third breakthrough."
She was still close to the third breakthrough. Now that only third breakthrough powerhouses remained on Ancient Star No. 7, it would be difficult for her to compete for opportunities against those geniuses with her current strength.
"Then I wish you a successful breakthrough," Jiang Ye said with a slight smile.
Shi Ting paused for a moment, then nodded earnestly. "Thank you for everything."
She was referring to Jiang Ye and Chen Zilu's earlier rescue.
"We're both under Teacher Qiu," Jiang Ye replied with a smile. "If it were you, you would have saved me too."
"Of course I would," Shi Ting said, her smile radiant.
With that, she bid them farewell and departed in a streak of flowing light.
(End of the Chapter)
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