Chapter 259: The Sorrow of Special Lives: Tens of Thousands of Years of Harvest

The Qing Kong Secret Realm has a maximum diameter of 370,000 light-years, which counts only as a small one among the many Cosmic Secret Realms in the vast universe.

After all, among the Cosmic Secret Realms in the vast universe, the smallest have diameters of tens of thousands of light-years, while the largest reach millions of light-years, and there are even some with diameters exceeding one hundred million light-years.

Of course, within the Secret Realm lands, except for specially treated areas, it is very difficult to accelerate to light speed and enter the Dark Universe in other regions.

Not to mention those super Cosmic Secret Realms with diameters of over one hundred million light-years, even those medium-sized Secret Realms with diameters of several million light-years would require millions of years just to traverse once at sub-light speed, let alone fully explore the entire Secret Realm land.

To fully explore such a Cosmic Secret Realm, one must traverse and fly through it at least tens of millions of times.

Moreover, traversing and flying at sub-light speed makes it very difficult to perceive special dangers in special locations.

Precisely for this reason, even the four peak races rarely completely occupy a single Cosmic Secret Realm.

The danger level of this Qing Kong Secret Realm is relatively average; even Immortal Gods occasionally come here to venture forth.

Apart from the ten major dangerous areas, the danger level in other regions of the Qing Kong Secret Realm is not high; even ordinary King-level Immortals might gain something here.

Only the ten major dangerous areas are filled with extreme peril; if a King-level Immortal forces entry, they will basically perish, and even a Universe Venerable is not absolutely safe.

Of course, the greater the danger, the greater the gain.

In those ordinary areas where King-level Immortals can venture, even if one encounters a great harvest, its value might be at most several billion Hunyuan units.

But within the ten major dangerous areas, treasures of the Heavy Treasure level appear frequently, and even a Ordinary Ordinary Zhibao once emerged there.

Of course, that emergence of a Ordinary Ordinary Zhibao happened hundreds of billions of eras ago, so naturally it cannot be regarded as a normal occurrence.

Under normal circumstances, treasures appearing within the ten major dangerous areas mostly just barely cross into the Heavy Treasure level in terms of preciousness; some precious ones can even reach the level of top-tier Heavy Treasure weapons or top-tier Heavy Treasure armor, but such cases are extremely rare.

Precisely for this reason, those venturing in this Qing Kong Secret Realm are at most of the mid-level Universe Venerable or high-level Universe Venerable tier; as for Universe Dominators, they generally do not appear here unless there is a special situation.

And within one of the dangerous areas of the Qing Kong Secret Realm, the "Moonlight Star River".

On a meteorite fragment with a diameter of tens of thousands of kilometers, a middle-aged man with a pair of wings on his back, eyes as sharp as an eagle's, and an eagle-hook nose was waiting quietly.

This person was none other than Iron Eagle Venerable, one of the seven powerful figures of the Winged Human race, a mid-level Universe Venerable!

The Winged Human race is a relatively large branch of the Human race, containing many powerful figures; even Universe Venerables number seven, and Iron Eagle Venerable is one of them.

Just then, a misty blue light suddenly lit up not far in front of Iron Eagle Venerable, and two figures walked out from this misty blue light.

One of them wore green battle armor and carried a green-black battle knife on his back, looking quite heroic;

the other wore purple-gold battle armor, carried a purple-gold long sword on his back, and had a resolute face!

These two were naturally Lu Qingshan and Kuang Dao Zun Zhe, who had arrived via teleportation through the Divine Kingdom.

As soon as Lu Qingshan appeared here, he immediately began observing the surrounding environment.

"Wan Jie, just rest assured!"

Seeing this, Kuang Dao Zun Zhe nearby soon said with a smile, "This place has already been carefully explored by me and Iron Eagle; there is no danger at all!"

"It is not that I do not trust you, Kuang Dao!"

Lu Qingshan soon said with a smile, "It is just that after venturing for many years in the Foreign Battlefield, it has become a habit!"

"The Foreign Battlefield gathers powerful figures from tens of millions of races across the universe and is quite dangerous!"

Iron Eagle Venerable nearby also explained with a smile, "However, this Cosmic Secret Realm is different from that Foreign Battlefield; most dangers within come from dangerous areas, while the chance of encountering alien powerful figures is not great!"

"Moreover, even if one encounters an alien powerful figure from an opposing camp, unless there is a huge conflict of interest, they rarely fight under normal circumstances!"

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan soon nodded slightly and said, "I understand!"

On the Foreign Battlefield, powerful figures of various races kill each other, first to temper themselves and second to accumulate wealth;

even if the enemy carries few treasures, after killing them, one can still obtain military merit quotas rewarded by the army system!

But powerful figures venturing in this Cosmic Secret Realm mostly seek treasures; after encountering powerful figures from an opposing camp, they generally do not fight easily!

Thus, after Lu Qingshan, Kuang Dao Zun Zhe, and Iron Eagle Venerable exchanged greetings, Iron Eagle Venerable and the other introduced some situations within the Qing Kong Secret Realm to him, and then the three prepared to set off.

However, spaceships fly too fast and have relatively large volumes, which would cause space turbulence;

as for direct teleportation, first it would produce special space fluctuations, and second it would easily cause one to miss special locations.

Therefore, after Lu Qingshan and the other two set off, they relied on their own power to fly slowly; this way, the impact on space could be minimized, and they could carefully observe the surrounding environment without missing treasures that might emerge.

Of course, while flying, Lu Qingshan and the other two also activated the micro detectors and large detectors they carried.

When these detectors were first designed, they were originally intended for venturing in Cosmic Secret Realms, not for venturing on the Foreign Battlefield.

The large detector is mainly used for rapid travel in Cosmic Secret Realms; powerful figures can use the large detector to detect celestial bodies, meteorites, etc., on the path ahead in advance, and avoid them early regardless of whether danger exists, choosing to advance through void spaces, which is safer;

as for the micro detector, it is used for cautious exploration after entering certain dangerous areas, and also has the effect of concealing oneself.

However, at the Universe Venerable level, the detectors everyone uses are similar, all having the effect of concealing oneself, so relying solely on detectors makes it very difficult to perceive an enemy approaching; only by means of space fluctuations and divine power detection can one accurately and without error discover the enemy's tracks.

Lu Qingshan and the other two maintained their speed at around 100,000 kilometers per second, one-third of light speed.

This could ensure forward speed while also allowing the detectors to probe the surrounding environment, so as not to miss scenes of treasures emerging.

The natural forms within this Qing Kong Secret Realm are bizarre and varied, showing obvious differences from the fully developed Qianwu Secret Realm, Taichu Secret Realm, Primordial Secret Realm, and others that Lu Qingshan had visited before.

In the universe's starry sky, celestial bodies are mostly spherical, such as stars, planets, moons, white dwarfs, etc., but in this Qing Kong Secret Realm, some special irregular celestial bodies appear from time to time.

Sometimes, a huge continent even appears out of thin air, or a vast lake suspended in the void, or massive mountain ranges stretching endlessly...

The lakes contain various islands, and waterfalls flow on the mountains; they look beautiful and magical, but in reality, they may harbor huge crises.

Of course, most of these dangers mean nothing at all to Lu Qingshan and the other two.

It is just that many places here have already been explored by people, making it very difficult for special treasures to appear again.

For example, in a lake that Lu Qingshan and others passed, dozens of special lives called "Tai Sui Chi Wen" originally lived there.

Normally, these Tai Sui Chi Wen would never leave that lake, so even people from the various races originally living in the Qing Kong Secret Realm did not discover these Tai Sui Chi Wen.

However, later when the location of the Qing Kong Secret Realm became territory of the Human race, powerful figures of the Human race exploring the Qing Kong Secret Realm soon discovered the dozens of Tai Sui Chi Wen hidden in the lake.

Among them, the strongest of those Tai Sui Chi Wen had already crossed into the Universe Venerable level, but the life gene level of the Tai Sui Chi Wen was not very high, only three hundred times that of ordinary life in the universe.

And the law comprehension of those Universe Venerable-level Tai Sui Chi Wen was not too strong either, so they were quickly exterminated by powerful figures of the Human race; even those at the Immortal level or World Master level Tai Sui Chi Wen were no exception.

This is the sorrow of being a special life!

They cannot reproduce; they can only be naturally nurtured by the universe, born special, and as soon as they are nurtured, they can possess extremely powerful strength.

Like ordinary life in the universe, even the twelve supreme bloodlines of starry sky giants find it extremely difficult to defeat an Immortal Deity at the Domain Master stage;

Yet for these special lifeforms, such things are extremely common.

Some even defy heaven, capable of defeating or even killing a Cosmic Zifeng Zunzhe at the Immortal stage!

But precisely because they are born powerful and special, they have become targets of greed for countless powerful beings of ordinary origin.

Whether it is the physical remains of these special lifeforms or the secret arts upon their bodies, all are extremely valuable materials for research;

Especially those special lifeforms that have not yet broken through to the Immortal Deity level, they are prime targets for soul usurpation!

In the early universe, before ordinary life in the vast cosmos had grown, these special lifeforms lived quite freely.

But after a large number of ordinary lifeforms grew up, these special lifeforms became prey; even the eight most powerful special lifeforms, the eight Born Beast Gods with the strength of a Universe Master, were no exception.

Of course, this was also because the bodies of the eight Born Beast Gods were too precious; even the Zushen Sect could not protect them.

As for other special lifeforms, they were naturally far inferior to the eight Born Beast Gods; generally, having the backing of a Universe Master was enough to ensure their own safety.

However, the Taishui Chiwen in the Qing Kong Secret Realm had no background whatsoever, so after being discovered by powerful beings of the Human Race, they naturally all became trophies of the Human Race.

Among them, the Domain Master-level Taishui Chiwen fell directly into a deep sleep, reserved for future soul usurpation by talented descendants of the Human Race; as for the Immortal-level and Cosmic Zifeng Zunzhe-level Taishui Chiwen, they were directly annihilated, becoming individual special materials.

After the powerful beings of the Human Race wiped out the Taishui Chiwen hidden in the lake, that lake naturally became extremely ordinary.

Just like that...

Lu Qingshan, Kuang Dao Zun Zhe, and Tie Ying Zunzhe traveled on together, and one by one, special locations within this Moonlight Star River region fell into their sight.

Like the 'Star River' on the outermost periphery...

And the 'Sea of Divine Corpses' they passed, where powerful figures' corpses floated...

However, the corpses of those powerful figures in the Sea of Divine Corpses held no value, so naturally no one would collect them.

Three years later, before a massive mountain range spanning several light-years within the Moonlight Star River region.

Three streaks of light suddenly stopped, revealing three figures: Lu Qingshan, Kuang Dao Zun Zhe, and Tie Ying Zunzhe.

"Ahead is mountain range number 0745 within this Qing Kong Secret Realm!"

Kuang Dao Zun Zhe looked at the massive mountain range ahead, then said with a smile: "According to the information I queried from the Virtual Universe, powerful beings of our Human Race have hardly explored this mountain range; perhaps we can make some discoveries here!"

"Let's hope so!"

Tie Ying Zunzhe, standing nearby, soon sighed: "Didn't we also gain nothing when we explored lake number 7643 before?"

Hearing the words of Kuang Dao Zun Zhe and Tie Ying Zunzhe, Lu Qingshan also sighed deeply in his heart.

In fact, this is the special nature and uncertainty of exploring a Cosmic Secret Realm.

In such a Cosmic Secret Realm that has not been fully developed, anything can happen.

Even in areas already explored by powerful beings, new treasures may still appear.

Therefore, the three of Lu Qingshan never traveled via teleportation on their journey; instead, they flew directly, using detectors to observe the situation along the way.

Of course, compared to areas that have been explored, the probability of treasures appearing in unexplored areas is even greater.

Precisely for this reason, when Lu Qingshan and the others passed through areas that had already been explored, their speed was generally quite fast, and their exploration was not too detailed;

As for areas that had not been explored, the exploration speed had to be slower and more meticulous.

However, the so-called 'unexplored' is merely suspected.

After all, if a powerful being explores an area and finds a special situation within it, such as a treasure not yet fully manifested, he naturally will not leak the news.

Even powerful beings of the same race are no exception!

Therefore, Lu Qingshan and the others cannot be completely certain that mountain range number 9745 has definitely not been explored by powerful beings of the Human Race.

In addition, powerful beings from other races in the universe may also have explored this mountain range.

In short, exploring a Cosmic Secret Realm is somewhat like gambling on luck.

With good luck, one might make a discovery just a few days into the exploration;

With bad luck, one might explore for ten or a hundred years and still not necessarily make a discovery.

Of course, the higher the danger level of an area, the higher the probability of making a discovery; after all, the higher the danger level, the fewer people usually venture there.

However, correspondingly, the higher the danger level, the greater the probability of encountering danger, or even perishing because of it.

Just like that, Lu Qingshan, Kuang Dao Zun Zhe, and Tie Ying Zunzhe ventured together within this Qing Kong Secret Realm.

Time passed continuously; in the blink of an eye, more than a hundred thousand years had gone by.

During this period, Lu Qingshan also presided over more than ten editions of the Universe Human Race Peak Genius Battle hosted by the Virtual Universe Company.

However, in these subsequent ten-plus editions of the Genius Battle, there were no outstanding geniuses; the best performers were merely comparable to Wu Ka, Jiang Mo, Qian Shui, and others from the original story, so Lu Qingshan naturally had no intention of taking disciples.

Of course, even if he did not take disciples, these individuals would still serve under him after breaking through to Immortal in the future, even if they had taken vows under a Domain Master Immortal.

However, only one hundred thousand years have passed since Lu Qingshan presided over the first Genius Battle; even if those geniuses cultivated very quickly, it would be very difficult for them to break through to the Immortal Deity realm.

It is worth mentioning that Clement, who originally took vows under Tianfeng Zunzhe, cultivated quite quickly.

Not long after the core-level Domain Master qualification battle hosted by the Virtual Universe Company was held, Clement broke through to the Domain Master level.

Later, after cultivating at the Domain Master level for just over ten thousand years, he passed the fifteenth floor of the Zongji Heavenly Bridge; it is thought that before the next Domain Master qualification battle begins, he has a great chance of passing the sixteenth floor of the Zongji Heavenly Bridge.

At that time, remaining smoothly in the Primordial Secret Realm should be no problem; perhaps he could even achieve a good ranking.

However, Lu Qingshan did not pay attention to these matters; instead, he continued to venture within the Qing Kong Secret Realm alongside Kuang Dao Zun Zhe and Tie Ying Zunzhe.

Qing Kong Secret Realm, within the 'Moonlight Star River', one of the ten dangerous areas, inside mountain range number 0745!

"Hahaha!"

Kuang Dao Zun Zhe projected divine power to gather a just-matured flower and grass emitting a purple glow from ahead, then carefully placed it into an exquisite box crafted from G-grade metal: "We waited here for more than ten thousand years; now this Purple Ling Yunxin Grass has finally matured!"

"Waiting more than ten thousand years for this Purple Ling Yunxin Grass was worth it!"

Tie Ying Zunzhe, standing nearby, quickly said: "I recall the exchange price of this Purple Ling Yunxin Grass in the Race Treasury is fifty heavy treasure points; even if we directly contribute it to the Race Treasury, we can still receive forty-five heavy treasure points, meaning each of us three can get fifteen heavy treasure points!"

"Let's not rush to contribute it to the Race just yet!"

The Kuang Dao Zun Zhe nearby quickly said, "In any case, we will still be wandering in this Qing Kong Secret Realm for a long time. During this period, I will contact other Universe Zifeng Zunzhe to see who needs this Purple Ling Cloud Heart Grass. Perhaps we can then obtain more Treasure Points; even if everyone gets one extra Treasure Point, it is good!"

After saying this, the Kuang Dao Zun Zhe seemed worried that Lu Qingshan did not understand the reason, so he quickly spoke to Lu Qingshan: "Ten Thousand Worlds, do not think that just because we have just broken through to Universe Zifeng Zunzhe, the race will bestow upon each of us resources worth one hundred Treasure Points!"

"But apart from these one hundred Treasure Points, it will be much more difficult for us to obtain resources worth another one hundred Treasure Points!"

(End of this chapter)