Chapter 182: Kadoan!

"Ms. Yi Leina Duo, I am preparing to go to the Bronze Demon Mountain right now," Lin Qing said seriously.

Yi Leina Duo frowned slightly and said, "If Nuoreke is indeed the Yuan Chen civilization elder, Kadoan, he will surely sense that Jia Yi's eyes have been transplanted to you. Do you still intend to go?"

"Nothing."

Lin Qing shook his head and said, "He is a scholar-type divine function researching life. Even if it is a Star-level divine function, his combat power cannot be that strong. Moreover, his life level has dropped to High-level Primal Lifeform. Even with a Holy Word, his combat power is very limited."

The same Holy Word will produce different effects depending on the divine function and genes.

A combat-type Star divine function user, if well-matched in terms of Holy Words, can reach a combat power of Yu Xingyuan Layer Eight at most. Even with a drop of two life levels, he would still possess the standard of Yu Xingyuan Layer Six.

But for scholar-type divine functions like this, the most important thing is often to benefit the civilization. If one's own combat power is also extremely strong, that would be too absurd.

"Theoretically, it would be good enough for that Kadoan to have the strength of Yu Xingyuan Layer Five."

Yi Leina Duo said, "But an old fellow who has lived for over a hundred thousand years could have any kind of means. It is quite normal for him to have methods to compensate for combat power. You still need to be careful."

"I will not underestimate him." Lin Qing nodded.

After all, he was about to face a Star divine function user who had lived for over a hundred thousand years.

He did not plan to bring his Black Flame Clone either.

Even if his original body died, he could resurrect through the Black Flame Clone.

"You have always been cautious and smart. Since you have decided, then go." Yi Leina Duo stopped persuading him.

Lin Qing pondered for a moment and asked, "If he is indeed Kadoan, as a former Star Lifeform whose life level has now dropped to Primal, can he still separate a portion of his consciousness to log into the Second Universe Network?"

"No."

Yi Leina Duo stated firmly, "The reason Star Lifeforms can separate a portion of their consciousness is key to their life level of Self-Transformed Stars. Only when life is as stable as a star can consciousness be stable enough to separate a part, or even maintain the integrity of the soul and consciousness to possess a body."

She paused and said, "Energy at the Seventh Level begins to harbor the Will of the Universe. Under normal circumstances, one cannot deeply sense it, but the stable consciousness after Self-Transforming into a Star can resist it."

Lin Qing realized.

A smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "In other words, even if it is truly Kadoan, once he enters the Ruin Space, he cannot log into the Second Universe Network while fighting, right?"

Logging into the Second Universe Network with consciousness requires a certain amount of time.

Logging into the Second Universe Network during a battle of this level would be equivalent to suddenly losing consciousness, which is no different from seeking death.

Only Star Lifeforms can separate a portion of their consciousness to log in while the other portion continues to maintain wakefulness in reality.

"That is correct." Yi Leina Duo sized him up and asked, "Do you have any plans?"

"Now is his weakest moment, and also the moment he is most likely to die."

Lin Qing narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "I want to try killing him now. He is inside the Ruin Space, so Lei Tong cannot help him. Once he leaves the Ruin Space, with Lei Tong present, there will be no way to kill him at all."

Yi Leina Duo looked Lin Qing over but did not ask further, simply saying, "You can ask Yan Que for help, but you must also be careful. Yan Que does not have much time left to live."

"Does not have much time left?" Lin Qing asked in confusion, "Why?"

As a Star Lifeform, one should have a lifespan of at least over a hundred thousand years. How old is Yan Que, and how could he not have much time left?

"I am not clear on the specifics, but he once left Earth for a period of time and seemed to encounter some disaster."

Yi Leina Duo shook her head slightly and said, "He now has only a few years of life left. His life force is as faint as a dying candle in the wind, and he cannot even transform into an Ultimate Star Lifeform."

Lin Qing said thoughtfully, "No wonder he said he would definitely leave Earth in the future and entrusted me to look after his son..."

At that time, he already felt it was strange.

Even if he was leaving Earth, there was no need to be like entrusting an orphan, specifically asking him to help look after his son, right?

Now it seems, he will not live long?

"Are there no longevity drugs or Holy Words?" Lin Qing asked.

"When we saved him back then, everything that could be used had already been used." Yi Leina Duo sighed, "Without these, he would probably have died long ago."

Lin Qing pondered for a long while, already having a thought in his mind, and immediately nodded, saying, "I understand."

Deep in the desolate desert, a bronze giant peak phantom like a mirage sat there, hidden beneath the sky light, towering and mysterious.

Patrol armies established by the United Extraterrestrial Civilizations were stationed and patrolling nearby, each a Primal Lifeform wearing power armor.

There was also a Level Five fortress with a diameter of several hundred meters floating in the air, constantly monitoring this area.

Suddenly—

A streak of light flew from the horizon, heading towards the foot of the bronze giant peak.

The speed was so fast that the soldiers had not yet reacted when they found that streak of light had already arrived before the bronze long stairs at the foot of the bronze giant peak.

"Who goes there!"

The soldiers immediately soared into the air, swarming forward to surround the falling streak of light and figure heavily.

Lin Qing glanced over, frowned slightly, and said, "Want to die?"

The cold oppressive pressure immediately made this group of soldiers step back in unison.

It was not just the pressure brought by life levels; the key was that the database of the nanomachines in their bodies had already identified the identity of this Earthling before them.

Lin Qing, the Prospective Star Patrol Officer of the Star Patrol Council! In theory, a Prospective Star Patrol Officer should not be enough to make them fear.

But this Earthling genius named Lin Qing, who was not even a Primal Divine Function user, had remained unharmed under the siege of three Yu Xingyuan Layer Five star pirates, and even forced Councilor Yan Qingqing to flee in panic! Such a person would definitely become a top powerhouse of the Urban Circle in the future, so naturally, it was completely different.

"Haha, Mr. Lin Qing."

At this moment, a figure suddenly flew down from the fortress above.

That was a bald man with two small horns, tall and burly, looking quite fierce, yet now wearing a brilliant smile.

"Oh? Councilor Yuan Qi." Lin Qing nodded slightly, which served as a greeting.

This person was one of the councilors of the Star Patrol Council, but his strength was just average, only at the peak of Yu Xingyuan Layer Four.

"Haha, I didn't expect Mr. Lin to come as well."

Councilor Yuan Qi was not angry at all; he was still smiling cheerfully, his smile quite enthusiastic.

He knew very well that he was not even a match for this Earthling genius now, let alone the fact that with the other party's strength, he could pass the Primal Divine Function trial at any time, at which point his strength would be comparable to that of the Chairmen.

Moreover... such an unparalleled genius would find it no difficult feat to become a Starborn! Facing an existence destined to far surpass him in the future, no matter how cold the other's attitude, he could harbor no objection whatsoever.

Besides, with the terrifying figure of Chu Hongjun backing Earth's civilization, even the Starborn below the level of the Wisdom Star Group have been nearly wiped out; only two Original Divine Officials remain among the important figures.

"It's been a while since I last saw Mr. Lin Qing. I thought Mr. Lin had gone to participate in the Original-level Divine Official trial."

Councilor Yuan Qi smiled and said, "Is Mr. Lin wanting to prepare a bit more?"

Lin Qing was too lazy to pay him any mind; he merely glanced at the surrounding soldiers and asked, "What? Is entry into Ruin No. 6 forbidden to people of Earth's civilization?"

"Nothing of the sort. It's just a routine check."

Councilor Yuan Qi smiled, then swept his gaze over the surrounding soldiers and ordered, "Disperse."

The group of soldiers immediately scattered with eager haste.

With the Starborn below the Wisdom Star Group nearly all dead, they were not soldiers of the Wisdom Star Group and held no grudges against the Earth faction, so naturally they had no intention of deliberately making things difficult.

"Very well."

Councilor Yuan Qi said with a smile, "Does Mr. Lin Qing also intend to try Ruin No. 6?"

Lin Qing nodded slightly and asked, "Who is currently inside the ruin's space?"

"Councilor Yan, Rodris and Moon from the Twenty-Four Families, and Norek from the Wisdom Star Group—these four are all present," Councilor Yuan Qi said.

"Councilor Yan Qingqing is not there?" Lin Qing asked.

Councilor Yuan Qi knew that this Mr. Lin Qing had once hunted down Councilor Yan Qingqing, but that was a matter concerning the Wisdom Star Group, so he did not care; he immediately said, "Councilor Yan came only once yesterday, but for some reason, she withdrew very quickly."

Lin Qing raised his eyebrows slightly.

He had even hoped to settle that matter along with everything else, yet she had actually escaped?

"Perhaps because the ruin's trial is too arduous."

Councilor Yuan Qi said, "I heard this ruin is purely a trial of heart and will. In this regard, it has little to do with strength; it depends only on one's life experiences, and even has no relation to how long one has lived. In this aspect, it is truly hard to say."

"Given that Mr. Lin Qing is so young, it is actually quite normal if he cannot enter," he sighed. "The requirements of this ruin are indeed very strange."

Clearly, in his view, a genius like Lin Qing, who spent every day cultivating, had experienced nothing; his heart and will could not possibly pass the ruin's entrance trial.

Lin Qing was also too lazy to say more; he immediately followed the illusory path of the bronze giant peak and walked toward the bronze steps extending upward.

Inside the five-tier fortress above the phantom of the bronze giant peak.

Two figures, gazing coldly at Lin Qing below through the fortress's simulated exterior view.

Both bore a vertical eye in the center of their brows; they were none other than the last two Original Divine Officials of the Wisdom Star Group.

When the terrifying great explosion occurred at the Wisdom Star Group's fortress back then, apart from the Starborn on the very top level, almost all Wisdom Star people were annihilated; the two of them had escaped unscathed only because they happened to be at the Star Inspection Council at that time.

"This Earthling actually dares to dream of entering Ruin No. 6? A little brat who has undergone nothing—how presumptuous."

"Faher, should we kill him while he stands on the steps, lost in thought? In that situation, he cannot unleash any Divine Skill at all; with our strength, killing him would be effortless."

"Are you mad? Chu Hongjun and Yi Leina Duo could not possibly be ignoring this place."

"... The members of our Wisdom Star Group are nearly all dead; not a single one of our family or friends survived. Don't you want revenge?"

"Killing him would not bring revenge. Besides, even Councilor Yan Qingqing, who concealed so much strength, was no match for him. If he were to react, you would still be unable to kill him."

"Hmph... Anyway, he cannot enter. When the time comes... hmm?"

Both suddenly froze, their eyes filled with incredulity and disbelief.

For they watched with their own eyes as that Earthling below stepped onto the first of the bronze steps; after a slight pause beneath his feet, he proceeded to climb the steps one by one.

"This... he, he actually... how is this possible?"

"A little brat who has lived only twenty-odd years and has no experiences—how could he possess such heart and will?"

The two Wisdom Star Group councilors felt it utterly absurd and bizarre; their hearts could not accept it at all.

High talent, keen comprehension, mastering Divine Skills—though they were shocked, they could still console themselves by attributing it to good luck.

But... even his heart and will are this strong?

That is simply too incredible.

Among all the powerful figures of Earth, only five people have ever entered.

Moreover, even the strongest on Earth, the envoy of their Yuanchen civilization, failed to pass the entrance trial of Ruin No. 6!

On what grounds does this Earthling... "Quick!"

One of them suddenly snapped out of his shock. "Report immediately to my Lord Lei Tong!"

"Hurry and contact those inside the space of Ruin No. 6 via the Second Universe Network!"

The other urgently transmitted a thought-voice: "None of them are Lin Qing's match. Since Lin Qing would kill Councilor Yan Qingqing without any grudge, he would likely kill them as well!"...

Inside the new fortress of the Wisdom Star Group.

In the grand hall on the very top floor.

"That Earthling... actually entered? How is this possible?"

The three-eyed white-haired man showed a trace of surprise in his eyes. "Talent and comprehension so high, and heart and will this strong? Could he, like Yan Que, have some unknown special experiences?"

Talent, comprehension, heart.

Some factors are innate; others are acquired.

Heart and will place great emphasis on wisdom, so those with high comprehension generally do not have poor heart and will either.

But one must also have had sufficient life experiences for the heart to undergo transformation.

"Councilor Yan Qingqing was right; this Lin Qing indeed conceals himself very deeply..."

At this moment, the words spoken by Councilor Yan Qingqing yesterday inevitably surfaced in his mind.

At that time, he had thought... that Councilor Yan Qingqing's act of withdrawing early out of fear of Lin Qing, worrying about being killed inside the ruin's space, was overthinking it.

Now it seems Councilor Yan Qingqing's judgment was quite accurate?...

"He is absolutely not the inexperienced genius we see on the surface; hidden within his heart lies a cold-blooded devil..."

……

At this moment, the three-eyed white-haired man recalled the words Yan Qingqing had spoken and finally believed a few more points.

Moreover, my lord Kadoan discovered last night that the genius of the Ninth Level of the Three-Eyed Clan had already had his third eye transplanted out.

At that time, he suspected it might have been transplanted into Lin Qing? However, because Lin Qing was under the protection of Chu Hongjun and Yi Leina Duo, and with the threat of those seven thousand-plus bombs, he had no opportunity and did not dare to act.

But...

It is different within the Ruins Space!

As long as Lin Qing is killed within the Ruins Space, Lin Qing, a Primordial Being, would not have time in the midst of battle to log onto the Second Universe Network to contact the outside world. Afterwards, one could simply claim the Ruins themselves contained unknown dangers; since the person is already dead, what could Chu Hongjun do? "I didn't even expect to kill him, yet there is such a good thing..."

The three-eyed white-haired man sneered coldly, his consciousness entered the Second Universe Network, and instantly contacted that civilization's Elder, 'Kadoan'.

"My lord Kadoan, Lin Qing has entered Ruins Space Number Six. Kill him."

Although he was unclear exactly how much combat power my lord Kadoan, a research scholar, possessed, he had heard of one thing...

My lord Kadoan had previously killed several highly prestigious Star Deities, all of whom were Combat-type Deities, and all were pillars of civilization who had lived for hundreds of thousands of years!

The position of Elder is not one that can be seated securely merely on the basis of knowledge and contribution.

……

Ruins Space Number Six.

Heavenly light pierced through the firmament, silently shrouding this massive and towering bronze giant peak, as an ancient and mysterious aura permeated between heaven and earth.

On a mountain path wide enough to be a hundred meters, one could see layers of dim bronze steps, covered in the vicissitudes of time, winding upward like a great bronze snake toward the mountain peak shrouded in heavenly light.

At this moment, at the very bottom of the bronze long stairs, a figure suddenly appeared there.

"You've entered?"

Lin Qing stood on the ancient bronze steps, observing the situation around him.

Just then, a cold voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

"Primordial Realm Primordial-level subject, stepping into the Bronze Demon Mountain, obtaining one reception mark of the 2.7-level civilization's Void Secret Realm 'Bai Ta World'."

In an instant, Lin Qing saw a stream of light fly over silently at a shocking speed, instantly merging into his brow, and finally imprinting itself upon the surface of his soul.

A strange aura spread out following it.

"Oh?"

Lin Qing's eyes brightened. Sensing the strange mark on the surface of his soul, he could not help but smile: "Indeed, as long as a Primordial Realm Primordial-level subject enters the Bronze Demon Mountain, they can directly obtain a most suitable reception mark of a 2-level civilization."

With this reception mark of the Void Secret Realm, he could pretend to be from a 2-level civilization in front of others from 2-level civilizations.

As long as he emitted the Void Origin aura of this reception mark, those from 2-level civilizations living within Void Secret Realms would naturally believe he also came from another 2-level civilization's Void Secret Realm.

"A 2.7-level civilization's Void Secret Realm? Not bad." Lin Qing nodded slightly in satisfaction.

Before becoming a Star Deity, he had no intention of leaving Earth anyway; the specific level of civilization didn't matter much.

"This Bronze Demon Mountain is truly large enough."

Lin Qing observed this Bronze Demon Mountain.

Its appearance was the same as what was seen on Earth, only the phantom seen on Earth was more than a hundred times smaller.

Although the entire Bronze Demon Mountain was shrouded in heavenly light, allowing only a small portion of the nearby mountain body to be seen, according to the information he had obtained—

The height of the Bronze Demon Mountain is approximately three hundred and eighty kilometers. There is only this one mountain path to ascend the mountain, and the bronze long stairs of the mountain path have a total of nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine steps.

These steps possess means targeting the mind, such as temptation and intimidation; essentially, they are all tests.

As one gets closer and closer to the mountain peak, the difficulty of the mental test for each step becomes higher and higher.

After a Primordial Realm subject steps into the Bronze Demon Mountain, they can directly obtain a most suitable reception mark of a 2-level civilization, but others do not have such good fortune.

Only by stepping onto the ten-thousandth step can one obtain the reception mark of the most suitable 2.1-level civilization's Void Secret Realm!

Only by stepping onto the twenty-thousandth step can one obtain the reception mark of the 2.2-level civilization's Void Secret Realm!

Only by stepping onto the thirty-thousandth step can one obtain the reception mark of the 2.3-level civilization's Void Secret Realm!

And so on.

When stepping onto the ninetieth-thousandth step, the reception mark obtained would be the reception mark of a 2.9-level Void Secret Realm.

As for anything higher?

The requirements for mental willpower would be unimaginably high.

The reception mark of the 2.7-level civilization's Void Secret Realm that Lin Qing obtained is equivalent to the reward one would get after climbing seventy thousand steps.

It can be considered a welfare benefit for Primordial Realm subjects.

"The number of steps is the same to me anyway; after all, I have already obtained the most suitable 2-level civilization mark..."

Lin Qing slightly felt the power of temptation brought by this layer of bronze steps, and immediately suspended himself in mid-air.

The strange temptation targeting the mind also disappeared.

Whether suspended in the air or leaving the mountain path, as long as one does not come into close contact with the bronze long stairs, the test targeting mental willpower will disappear.

As for leaving this Ruins Space, one must pass through the Gate of Space at the peak of the Demon Mountain.

"Hmm, first kill the others, then kill that fellow suspected to be Kadoan. If he is truly Kadoan, he should want to kill me too... If Councilor Yan can help, then seek an alliance with Councilor Yan."

Lin Qing had already prepared a plan in his heart and immediately flew along the air above the mountain path toward the top of the Bronze Demon Mountain.

Even though the gravity of the Bronze Demon Mountain is shocking, and even a Yu Xingyuan Level Two or Three cultivator would find it difficult to fly, with his strength he could naturally still fly, only not very fast.

In a short while, Lin Qing saw a figure.

Blonde hair, tall, a white male, was on the bronze long stairs, struggling to move forward step by step.

"Rodris?"

Lin Qing recognized at a glance that the other party was the founder of the Rodris family, one of the upper three families among the twenty-four!

He was also a councilor of the Star Patrol Council, a Primordial Deity.

However, a regular Deity is only at the peak of Yu Xingyuan Level Four strength at best.

"Hmm?"

Rodris suddenly turned his head, his face instantly changing: "Lin Qing? You can get in?"

"The Wisdom Star People seem not to take you seriously; the news of my entry didn't even pass through the Second Universe Network to tell you?"

Amidst the cold telepathic transmission, Rodris saw Lin Qing charging directly at him through the air, not deploying the godly technique described in the intelligence that was like rolling stars.

"A Weapon Commander, not deploying a godly technique, and still dares to fight me in close combat?"

Rodris's heart turned ruthless; he gritted his teeth fiercely, and a destructive aura suddenly erupted from his entire body. His right hand shot out like a sharp claw, as if to tear apart everything before him, launching a full-force attack directly at the flying Lin Qing!

Lin Qing watched the other party indifferently.

At this moment, extremely condensed energy surged from his body surface, instantly extending a huge, semi-transparent arm like a sculpture, filled with vast amounts of strange dark-gold substances resembling muscle tissue, which directly slapped down at Rodris.

"Boom!"

What seemed like a simple slap appeared to carry terrifying power, causing the free-floating energy in the air to ripple out, transforming into a tidal wave of shockwaves.

Upon sensing the power of this slap, Rodris regretted it instantly.

"No..."

"What ability is this? Isn't he a Weapon Commander? No... I don't want to die!"

With a heart full of unwillingness, Rodris watched the massive palm fall toward him, wanting to turn and flee, but it was already too late.

The terrifying power descended.

"Boom!"

Rodris's desperate counterattack was like an egg striking a rock, instantly shattered and annihilated; then his entire body was also smashed by this slap, instantly turning into a pool of mud-like blood! Lin Qing glanced expressionlessly, casually picked up Rodris's subspace storage device, and continued flying upward along the mountain path.

For such a weak primordial divine servant, with his current strength, he didn't need to exert his full power using the World God; deploying just one godly technique was enough to easily kill him.

The godly technique 'Flesh of Ten Thousand Spirits' could cause the power of a pseudo-god body to surge to an astonishing degree; even just revealing one hand was enough.

"Whoosh!"

Flying straight up, Lin Qing casually eliminated another founder on the road ahead, 'Moon', who wasn't even a primordial divine servant, and easily slapped him to death.

"Hmm?"

After flying continuously over thousands of steps, Lin Qing discovered the Norek suspected to be the Wisdom Star People elder 'Cardon'! "Hmm? Lin Qing?" Norek also seemed to realize, suddenly turning his head to look, his face instantly changing drastically.

He immediately flew rapidly out of the mountain path range, seemingly trying to leave by climbing the mountain body from the side, looking as if he was fleeing in panic without choosing a path.

"You pretend quite well."

Lin Qing sneered inwardly, "But you want to kill me, and still want to hide?"

At this moment, a line of blood-red prompt had already appeared before his eyes.

【Current Order Level decreased by 11.1 levels】

The chairmen of the Star Patrol Council, as Star Beings, capable of passing through the six layers of the Yu Xingyuan, all possessed danger levels exceeding 11.

And this Norek, seemingly only at the third layer of the Yu Xingyuan, actually had such a high danger level; it must be Cardon! (End of this chapter)