Chapter 93: Seven Star Vine Clone Metamorphosis, Black Prison Abyss

Inside the Seven Star Secret Realm situated at the edge of another primordial universe.

In the deep mists of the Endless Continent, Zhou Yu's Seven Star Vine clone was rolling and transforming.

When it reached the Realm Lord stage, the Seven Star Vine was already ten million kilometers long; even after breaking through to Immortal, Cosmic Venerable, and even Lord of the Universe, its size never changed, remaining ten million kilometers long.

But now, the Seven Star Vine's volume underwent astonishing growth, growing from ten million kilometers long to a full 210 million kilometers.

Its length increased 21-fold, while its volume changed by nearly ten thousand times—an absolutely astonishing change.

"I didn't expect that after the Seven Star Vine's gene level rose, the change would be so dramatic." Zhou Yu's ordinary-person clone stood not far away, watching this scene, feeling quite amazed.

One thousand two hundred years ago, he negotiated with himself, letting the Seven Star Vine clone join the Hong Alliance, and also obtained a promise from the Founder of the Giant Axe to obtain a peak-domain supreme treasure or an equivalent treasure.

Zhou Yu naturally did not choose a single peak-domain supreme treasure, for although such treasures are precious, they meant little to him.

Zhou Yu chose many other treasures, the most crucial of which were those that could help the Seven Star Vine clone raise its gene level.

To help the Seven Star Vine clone raise its gene level from 1,000-fold to 3,000-fold, the cost was far greater than that of Zhou Yu's ordinary-person clone, equivalent to the value of a top-tier domain supreme treasure.

But now it seems this cost was completely worth it.

Different changes in life-form gene levels result in different degrees of volume change.

Perhaps because the Seven Star Vine itself is a plant lifeform, after its gene level rose, its volume change was extraordinarily large (here referencing the World Tree, as the original work notes that different gene levels cause huge volume differences in World Trees).

A nearly ten-thousandfold volume increase would already be worth it even if the gene level hadn't changed, let alone the fact that the Seven Star Vine's own gene level has risen.

"Has the Gourd Clone changed?"

Zhou Yu thought, and with a thought he acted.

Instantly, towering gourds on the Seven Star Vine split open with cracks, and immediately seven humanoid figures, each thousands of kilometers tall, walked out from them.

"The Gourd Clone's gene level is about two thousandfold." Zhou Yu nodded.

At that moment, the Seven Great Gourd Clones suddenly blazed with blinding light, and then the seven clones gathered together.

Boom—

Instantly, a figure tens of thousands of kilometers tall appeared.

"Oh? The gene level didn't exceed 10,081-fold, but the size increased greatly." Zhou Yu understood in his heart.

Indeed, this union of the seven clones cannot break the primordial universe's gene limit.

This is perfectly normal, after all, exceeding a gene level of 10,081 allows one to break through to the strongest in the universe.

Moreover, the union of the seven Gourd Clones is an innate secret technique granted by the primordial universe; the primordial universe itself cannot break its own limits.

"Go test your strength."

Zhou Yu thought, and with a thought he instantly teleported a hundred light-years away.

This is a star‑sky river about one light‑year in diameter; the river naturally emits a terrifying suction, an absolute forbidden zone for any life below Immortal, and even Immortals could possibly die inside.

However, at this moment Zhou Yu's united seven Gourd Clone standing here faces no threat.

Zhou Yu pondered for a moment, then suddenly black divine‑power flames erupted from his body.

Boom—

A terrifying wave spread out from Zhou Yu as its center, while his divine power was being consumed at an exaggerated, breakneck speed.

Divine Power Burning Secret Technique—Annihilation Nine Volumes!

Although only the first volume was burning, it also gave Zhou Yu a feeling of an incomparably terrifying power being born; he used no secret technique, just a pure, frantic punch.

Boom—

The vast Void River was instantly pierced through the middle, split into two halves; the terrifying power continued to explode in the direction of Zhou Yu's strike, sweeping clean a trillion‑kilometer expanse of star‑sky before finally dissipating.

"Really powerful."

Zhou Yu watched this scene, feeling very satisfied.

This seven‑fold united clone with a gene level of tens of thousands, combined with the Divine Power Burning Secret Technique, even without any secret art, is a formidable hand among Lords of the Universe—at least third‑stage strength; if combined with secret arts, it becomes far more terrifying.

"However, most of the time the seven Gourd Clones are more effective when separated." Zhou Yu understood in his heart.

When separated, the clones amount to seven Lord‑of‑the‑Universe‑level combat power, far more flexible than when united.

In other words, only when needing to unleash ultimate combat power does the united form become useful.

"Of course, after separation, if the seven clones simultaneously burn divine power, the consumption is also much greater." Zhou Yu quickly thought of this as well.

The Divine Power Burning Secret Technique consumes divine power in a terribly frightening manner.

If the seven clones simultaneously burn divine power, the consumption rate indeed far exceeds that of the united clone.

"However, my Seven Star Vine's main body is large enough that ordinary consumption is nothing to worry about." Zhou Yu reflected, noting that his divine body being large indeed gives a considerable advantage.

Zhou Yu soon teleported away, and not long after his departure, several Foreign Race Venerables swooped in to this vicinity.

"This is." Several Cosmic Venerables cautiously probed the surroundings; they had just felt a tremendous fluctuation, thinking a treasure had appeared, and hurried over to investigate.

Unexpectedly, they actually saw this scene.

"There is definitely a terrifying expert who made a move; the lingering divine‑power aura makes my heart tremble." One Cosmic Venerable exclaimed:

"Could it be that besides the Seven Star Lord, this Seven Star Secret Realm also harbors another Lord of the Universe?"

"Hard to say; perhaps it's an external entity, or maybe the Seven Star Lord himself was just here." Another Cosmic Venerable shook his head and said:

"No matter what, record the situation here and send it back; perhaps we can discover more information."

"Good."

The other Cosmic Venerables all nodded.

……

Time flowed, and in the blink of an eye several years passed.

Inside a temporarily applied‑for meeting space in the Virtual Universe.

Several figures with extraordinary auras sat there.

The leader wore crimson‑red armor, emanating a fierce and brutal aura.

Crimson Flame Venerable belongs to the Universe Mercenary Alliance; his strength is extremely strong, and among high venerables he is outstanding.

Beside him, one person wore a moon-white robe, had narrow, elongated eyes, and possessed extremely handsome features.

Yun Feng State Lord, ruler of the high-level universe state Yun Feng Universe State, is a high venerable renowned for ages.

Besides, there was a purple-scaled man in a green robe; he was the Nine Swords Venerable of the Virtual Universe Company. Although his breakthrough wasn't long ago, his strength remained formidable.

And just then.

Swish! Swish!

With a ripple, two figures appeared here.

These two: one resembled an old man clad in black armor; he is Mo Feng Venerable, the first teacher of Zhou Yu's mortal-division incarnation, who was also the teacher of the Fire Dragon King.

The other is a black-haired man, namely Zhou Yu.

At that moment, the three who had arrived earlier saw Zhou Yu and Mo Feng Venerable appear here, each with different expressions.

"Are you the Realm King? Mo Feng, I asked you to find me an aide—is this the aide you found?" Yun Feng State Lord was the first to react; he rose and asked.

"Yun Feng, don't worry, I won't let you down." Mo Feng Venerable said with a smile.

"Zhou Yu now is no longer the Realm King; he ought to be the Realm Venerable."

"What?"

Yun Feng State Lord was stunned.

Beside them, Crimson Flame Venerable and Nine Swords Venerable also showed a hint of disbelief on their faces.

"Mo Feng, you didn't trick me?" Yun Feng State Lord still couldn't help asking; how long has Zhou Yu been immortal? Less than two thousand years.

"State Lord Yun Feng, such a matter cannot be a joke." Zhou Yu replied with a light smile.

"I just broke through not long ago; hearing that State Lord Yun Feng was looking for help, I volunteered."

Actually, Zhou Yu learned of Yun Feng State Lord's situation from Mo Feng Venerable; he realized this was the opportunity he had long sought, so he proactively told Mo Feng Venerable that he had already broken through to Universe Venerable and was willing to help.

Thus Mo Feng Venerable brought him here now.

"Yun Feng, you know Zhou Yu's identity; he is absolutely trustworthy." Mo Feng Venerable also said.

"Moreover, although he has just become a venerable, his strength is absolutely not weak; helping you poses no problem."

"Haha, I too was just startled, a bit incredulous." Yun Feng State Lord laughed: "Realm, don't mind it."

He knew Mo Feng Venerable spoke the truth; although Zhou Yu had just broken through, his power in immortality was terrifying, easily capable of slaying other invincible crowned kings.

After breaking through, his divine power increased a hundredfold; at least he ranks among the top medium venerables, and he might even manage high venerable strength with effort.

The crucial point is that legends of Zhou Yu spread throughout the universe; it is said he possesses a set of supreme treasures, and in his immortal state he can endure the assassination attempt of the universe overlord.

Now that he has become a venerable, the impact of that hoard of supreme treasures is likely even greater.

"I naturally won't mind." Zhou Yu gave a faint smile.

Soon, Zhou Yu and Mo Feng Venerable took their seats; Mo Feng Venerable, fearing Zhou Yu might not know the two Nine Swords Venerables, gave him a special introduction.

The Nine Swords Venerable greeted Zhou Yu quite politely; they are both Universe Venerables of the Virtual Universe Company, and future dealings will surely be inevitable.

Crimson Flame Venerable, however, was just going through the motions; in his opinion, Zhou Yu's strength was still immature, the gap with him remained large, so there was little to discuss.

Certainly, a hint of jealousy also played a part.

He had struggled countless years to become a Universe Venerable, and only after ages did he attain high venerable strength, while Zhou Yu reached this stage in merely tens of thousands of years.

Moreover, Zhou Yu also possesses a set of supreme treasures, including priceless soul-type supreme treasures.

In contrast, Crimson Flame Venerable himself has had terrible luck; he once fell, leaving him still lacking the resources to exchange for supreme treasures to this day.

"Hmph, lucky bastard." Crimson Flame Venerable thought.

"Since you've all come, you surely know I invited you this time to deal with my mortal enemy, the Five Lights Venerable." Yun Feng State Lord said.

"Yun Feng, cut the chatter, give the details—where is that Five Lights Venerable now?" Crimson Flame Venerable said.

"The Abyssal Black Prison!" Yun Feng State Lord said the name.

Hearing this, Mo Feng Venerable and Crimson Flame Venerable's faces shifted; although Zhou Yu had never heard of this place, a quick check in the Virtual Universe naturally let him swiftly learn the information about the "Abyssal Black Prison."

"Oh? This Abyssal Black Prison."

A hint of surprise appeared on Zhou Yu's face; "What a great place."

"The Abyssal Black Prison is easy to enter but hard to leave; why would the Five Lights Venerable go there for no reason?" Mo Feng Venerable couldn't help asking.

"I also learned of this by chance." Yun Feng State Lord said.

"It is precisely because the Five Lights Venerable went there that I asked you all to help me deal with him; elsewhere, even if we five joined forces, we could not easily kill him."

"The Abyssal Black Prison is vast, and ordinary detection methods fail inside it; Yun Feng, can you confirm the Five Lights Venerable's exact location?" Crimson Flame Venerable asked.

"As long as I get within a hundred million kilometers, I can lock onto his position." Yun Feng State Lord said confidently.

As Yun Feng State Lord continued his introduction, everyone also gained a detailed understanding of the situation.

After some deliberation, everyone ultimately agreed to Yun Feng State Lord's request and joined him to enter the Abyssal Black Prison to slay the Five Lights Venerable.

Mainly, the benefits Yun Feng State Lord offered were ample; tempted by profit, taking a bit of risk was worthwhile.

Of course, Yun Feng State Lord's massive expenditure also made several realize that his aim in slaying the Five Lights Venerable was absolutely not merely that of a simple mortal enemy.

After all, the Five Lights Venerable belongs to one of the eighteen royal clans of the demon race; even if slain, he would quickly be resurrected, so killing him is meaningless unless done by means such as soul enslavement.

But who would think of enslaving a universe high venerable? That difficulty is no ordinary feat! Even the universe master might not guarantee success.

However, they had no intention to investigate; as long as the benefits were sufficient, whatever purpose Yun Feng State Lord had was none of their business.

"Any further questions?" Yun Feng State Lord looked at everyone and asked.

"As for the Abyssal Black Prison, I actually have no doubts." Crimson Flame Venerable then spoke, looking at Zhou Yu.

"But Realm Venerable, are you sure you want to go to the Abyssal Black Prison? The rumors circulating in the universe say you possess a high-grade soul supreme treasure; you couldn't possibly be unaware of how alluring that treasure is."

"No problem; I hide my aura with a high-grade supreme treasure armor, so no one can recognize me." Zhou Yu said with a smile.

Hearing this, Crimson Flame Venerable fell silent.

In the midst of talking and laughing, there was a high-grade supreme treasure armor; just how rich is this domain venerable?

And Zhou Yu didn't say anything more; he was sure he would have to reveal his identity, otherwise how could he attract other strong ones to come seize his treasures?

After reaching an agreement with Venerable Yunfeng and the others, not long after, Zhou Yu's ordinary persona set out from the Seven Stars Secret Realm, traveled for half a month, and arrived near another secret realm in the universe, the 'Black Abyss Secret Realm'.

The Black Abyss Secret Realm is a medium-sized cosmic secret realm, and it has been discovered for a long time; the dangers within have greatly diminished.

However, the 'Black Prison Deep Abyss' located within this cosmic secret realm remains a very dangerous hazardous place.

The Black Prison Deep Abyss is a naturally formed unique region, with a maximum diameter of about three light-years; moreover, spacetime there is quite special, and ordinary life that enters it can never reach its bottom.

Furthermore, within the Black Prison Deep Abyss there is a kind of terrifying gravity that makes it hard to accelerate to light speed; entering it one can only fly at sub-light speed, and cannot teleport or use divine kingdom transmission, as if it were a prison.

Therefore, this hazardous place is called the Black Prison Deep Abyss.

After Zhou Yu and the five met, not long afterward they arrived outside the Black Prison Deep Abyss.

"Mo Feng, it's up to you."

At this moment, the Monarch Yunfeng looked toward Venerable Mo Feng.

Hearing this, Venerable Mo Feng smiled, waved his hand, and instantly a huge divine palace appeared there.

The divine palace exuded a rather heavy aura, far beyond what an ordinary starship could compare to.

This is indeed a flying palace–type precious treasure; although it is only of ordinary precious treasure grade, its value far surpasses that of ordinary precious treasures.

"When I get within a hundred million kilometers of Venerable Wuguang, I can sense him and he can sense me; to catch up to him, I must be faster than he is." Monarch Yunfeng sighed:

"Fortunately, Mo Feng, you have a flying palace–type precious treasure; otherwise I would really have to expend a lot more effort."

"I obtained this palace thanks to good luck," said Venerable Mo Feng, though he inwardly felt quite pleased, after all flying palace–type precious treasures are indeed rare.

Soon, the five entered Venerable Mo Feng's palace treasure, which then instantly turned into a beam of light and swooped into the Black Prison Deep Abyss.

Finding a person in the vast Black Prison Deep Abyss is not easy; fortunately, the position provided by Monarch Yunfeng can narrow the range to within trillions of kilometers, and with Monarch Yunfeng able to sense within a hundred million kilometers, there is hope of finding Venerable Wuguang.

In the blink of an eye, three years have passed; the palace maintaining sub-light-speed flight has already reached the deepest part of the Black Prison Deep Abyss, and is constantly searching back and forth in the vicinity.

These three years were insignificant to Venerable Mo Feng and the others, passing in a flash.

But Zhou Yu was not idle.

The talent 'Superior Thinking' he obtained in the previous simulation made his comprehension speed undergo a qualitative change; over these three years, Zhou Yu has also been deeply studying, in another primordial universe, the two inheritances—the 'Twelve Transformations of the Stars' and the 'Evolution of Spacetime'—that his 'Master of Starry Darkness' avatar can access.

"Both inheritances are very complete, both point directly to the level of the strongest in the universe, but relying on them to break through only makes one a relatively ordinary True God." Zhou Yu thought.

To become the strongest in the universe, one must forge one's own path; although the two inheritances' guidance can also lead to a path, it will inevitably not be strong enough.

At the level of Lord of the Universe, being able to create a sixth-stage secret art allows a breakthrough; creating a seventh-stage secret art also allows a breakthrough; being able to create an eighth-stage secret art likewise allows a breakthrough—these three represent different levels of paths, and the gap between them is naturally large.

"These two inheritances, I can refer to them, but I don't have to follow their guidance completely." Zhou Yu thought.

"Moreover, I actually feel that some aspects of the inheritance of the 'Twelve Transformations of the Stars' are inferior to the secret art that the Lord of Chaos City teacher gave me."

Zhou Yu waved his hand, and instantly a towering stone tablet appeared before him.

This is exactly the stone tablet that the Lord of Chaos City gave him, inscribed with a secret art somewhat similar to his 'Way of the Matrix'.

The secret art on this stone tablet, the more Zhou Yu studied it, the more he felt it was quite extraordinary.

"Unfortunately, it is incomplete." Zhou Yu shook his head.

The secret art on this stone tablet is not high in level, nor is it perfect; it does not point directly to the level of the strongest in the universe like the 'Twelve Transformations of the Stars' does.

But it is indeed more exquisite, allowing Zhou Yu to benefit greatly.

"Later I'll ask the teacher where this stone tablet came from; perhaps I can go look for it again." Zhou Yu thought.

At this moment——

"Zhou Yu, come over quickly."

Venerable Mo Feng's voice suddenly rang out in Zhou Yu's mind.

"Oh? Found it?" Zhou Yu waved his hand and put away the stone tablet.

He quickly arrived at the hall of the palace treasure; Venerable Mo Feng and the others were already there.

"Just follow the current direction and pursue."

"Venerable Wuguang should have realized we came prepared; he is now accelerating his escape."

"Unfortunately, his speed is not as fast as ours; we should be able to catch up to him in about an hour."

"."

At this time, Monarch Yunfeng was constantly giving orders.

In the blink of an eye, an hour passed; inside the palace, everyone saw a monster race venerable with a slender body frantically flapping its wings to flee.

"Haha, Wuguang, where are you running to?" Monarch Yunfeng laughed loudly.

"Damn, it really is you; how did you know I was in the Black Prison Deep Abyss?" Venerable Wuguang roared.

"You'll find out when you're dead." Monarch Yunfeng didn't say more.

At this moment, the five had burst out from Venerable Mo Feng's palace treasure and each launched an attack.

The fiercest was Venerable Chiyan, who wielded a top-tier precious treasure–grade great hammer; one strike turned it tens of millions of kilometers large and came crashing down.

Although Venerable Wuguang is also a high-ranking venerable, he obviously could not withstand such an attack; he was sent rolling by the hammer, and before he could react, the attacks of Zhou Yu and the other four arrived.

Blow after blow struck Venerable Wuguang's body, causing him to vomit blood straight away.

"Everyone, keep attacking; don't give him a chance to catch his breath." Monarch Yunfeng lowly shouted.

Everyone naturally agreed, but at this moment, the panic on Venerable Wuguang's face disappeared, replaced by a faint smile.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Before Venerable Wuguang, terrifying-aura apparitions suddenly appeared.

These apparitions all launched attacks, easily blocking many of the assaults.

"What?" Monarch Yunfeng and the others' faces changed.

"Lord Yunfeng has fallen into the trap," Zhou Yu realized at that moment.

The target was not Venerable Wuguang, but Lord Yunfeng.

"Ha ha, Yunfeng, you think I don't know you secretly enslaved my disciple?" Venerable Wuguang sneered.

"I deliberately sent him false information; I didn't expect you to be so foolish, believing my false news so easily."

Hearing this, Lord Yunfeng's expression darkened; he had thought his deeds were silent, yet they were still discovered.

"Yanhuang, kill Yunfeng first," Venerable Wuguang said, turning his gaze to a two‑headed beast.

Yanhuang is a space‑time nightmare beast.

He has long been a famed Cosmic Overlord, Overlord, and among such overlords is a terrifying presence; this time Venerable Wuguang was confident in scheming against Lord Yunfeng because he secured Yanhuang's promise.

"Wuguang, don't forget you promised me," the space‑time nightmare beast said calmly, nodding.

In the next instant, it took a single stride and lunged at Lord Yunfeng.

"Run!"

Lord Yunfeng turned and fled, while Venerable Mofeng, Venerable Nine Swords, and Venerable Red Flame showed no intention to resist.

A single Yanhuang is terrifying enough, let alone Venerable Wuguang's other allies.

Zhou Yu also turned and ran.

Though killing these demon‑clan venerables would be as easy as eating and drinking, he didn't want to expose himself so quickly; one Cosmic Overlord and a few high‑rank venerables is still too few, isn't it?

(End of Chapter)