Chapter 1193

And just a few minutes later, the tall, pale-robed man spoke again: "We have now entered the Initial Universe."

"The top is opening."

Hssss~~

The metal top automatically split apart, revealing the outermost layer, transparent as glass, and immediately Fang Yu saw chaotic currents drifting outside.

In the distant horizon, he could see heaven and earth occasionally splitting open, and vast numbers of strange mystical patterns flowing along the edges of the rifts—these were threads linking together, with mystical patterns drifting upon them, like a loom weaving heaven and earth ever larger.

"Stars and planets have lifespans; the universe itself has a lifespan too, though an extremely long one. This Initial Universe is a newborn universe at the moment of cosmic birth. In its early phase, the universe is constantly perfecting and forming, and the fundamental rules of its origin begin to manifest. Those cosmic spatial rifts are being repaired by the universe's own operational rules."

A look of awe appeared on the pale-robed man's face. "As for our original universe, vast and immense and perfect, precisely because it is perfect, its operational laws cannot be directly externalized. To comprehend them would demand unimaginable cost and extraordinary fortune. But here, in the Initial Universe, you can observe them directly with your naked eyes—you can see how the laws perfectly intertwine, how the universe forms, how the rules operate—so understanding them becomes far easier."

"The opportunity to meditate in the Initial Universe is therefore immensely precious. Outside, it can be auctioned for exorbitant prices."

The pale-robed man turned his gaze toward Fang Yu. "We'll reach Chaos City soon. This is where those who come to meditate in the Initial Universe reside and cultivate. When we arrive, follow the reception emissary's rules within Chaos City—rules here are very important. I assume you know this already."

As he spoke, the ship arrived ahead. When Fang Yu and the pale-robed man disembarked, a black-robed man approached, his eyes fixing on Fang Yu: "I am the reception emissary of Chaos City. Allow me to introduce you to everything here. This city is called Chaos City, older than most cosmic nations, jointly governed by the Virtual Universe Corporation, the Giant Axe Combat Arena, the First Cosmic Bank, the Cosmic River Bank, and the Yongbinglian Alliance."

Fang Yu grunted.

"Follow me."

The emissary spoke to Fang Yu, who then bid farewell to the previous man and followed the emissary down the streets of Chaos City.

"Chaos City has existed for an immense span of time. One supreme being after another has emerged here. You must be careful not to disturb those powerful beings as they meditate on the fundamental laws—if you interrupt them, we will have no choice but to expel you from the Initial Universe and end your meditation opportunity."

The emissary spoke seriously.

Fang Yu nodded, his gaze sweeping the surroundings. Everywhere in Chaos City stood small buildings, and on many rooftops sat peculiar-looking humans in meditation—some carving symbols into empty air as if seeking to comprehend some great truth, others murmuring incantations.

The aura of every single being here was far stronger than that of a Realm Lord.

Above, near the furthest cosmic rifts, other beings also meditated, occasionally casting glances downward toward Fang Yu.

"Another little brat has arrived."

"A little brat, and alone—not in a group. Must not be from the Genius War."

"Probably a special recruitment, or someone who paid to come."

"No, I know this genius—he was specially recruited. He cleared eight levels on the Tianqiao. An unparalleled genius. His name is Fang Yu!"

"Fang Yu! So he's the one. I've heard of this unparalleled genius. Among our human race's prodigies, how many have ever cleared eight consecutive levels? It's been ages. This genius looks impressive—wonder what he'll learn here?"

"I heard several Sovereigns are very interested in Fang Yu—and now he's here!"

When Fang Yu arrived at Chaos City, he naturally drew attention from many. But the emissary acted as if he heard nothing, leading Fang Yu into a small, unoccupied building beside them.

"Chaos City has many small buildings. A pale-white door means it has no owner. Just place your hand on the door for a moment—the door's sensing system will recognize you. Then the door turns deep gray, and you automatically become its owner. Each person may choose only one residence."

The emissary pointed at the door. "You may now become the owner of this residence."

"Good."

Fang Yu followed the emissary's instructions and became the owner of the house.

No need to buy, no need to fight—there are plenty of residences here. Just come, claim one, and it's yours.

"There is one rule in Chaos City: humans must not kill each other. Whoever strikes first will die without exception. Remember this rule."

Seeing Fang Yu now had a residence, the emissary continued.

"No one—not even the ruler of a cosmic nation—may defy Chaos City's rules."

"Understood."

Even without the emissary saying so, Fang Yu already knew.

"The time ratio between the Initial Universe and the original universe is 1:3.28. You have thirty years here to meditate. Of course, if you climb the Tianqiao to the eighteenth level within those thirty years, you gain permanent residency rights in Chaos City. I've heard you've already reached the eighth level—I'm eager to see if you can reach the eighteenth within thirty years. Now, I won't waste more time—I'll take you straight to the City Lord's Mansion, the core of all Chaos City."

The black-robed emissary said, then left the house and walked forward along the street.

"Chaos City Lord?"

Fang Yu followed, his thoughts stirring. The name "Chaos City Lord" sounded incredibly prestigious—even more so than the Lord of the Huang Da World.

Of course, to be fair, the Lord of the Huang Da World was also highly prestigious in the era of Hongmeng Daoist.

One of the top three beings in all the myriad worlds.

"Ahead is the City Lord's Mansion."

After walking a while, the black-robed emissary pointed ahead.

Before them loomed a majestic, imposing structure. The three characters "City Lord's Mansion" glowed brilliantly, as if each character contained its own space, its own universe.

"Chaos City is the only city in the Initial Universe. Within Chaos City lie three treasures: the first is the cosmic operational laws visible to the naked eye; the second is within this Mansion; the third lies outside Chaos City. The one I'm bringing you to meet is the second treasure."

The black-robed emissary spoke solemnly. "In Chaos City, there are fifty-two most precious Chaos Steles. Each Stele records countless mysterious patterns. These fifty-two Steles represent fifty-two paths of cultivation. If you fully comprehend even one Stele, becoming a supreme being in the cosmos and founding a cosmic nation becomes effortless! Every cultivator entering the Initial Universe gets one chance to meditate on them—seven days per chance."

As he spoke, the emissary led Fang Yu into the Mansion.

Along both sides of the corridor hung massive paintings.

"The fifty-two paintings on the corridor walls are rubbings of the Chaos Steles. You may first observe these paintings. If you feel a connection to one, you may choose to enter and meditate on its corresponding Stele."

The emissary said.

Fang Yu's gaze fell upon the fifty-two paintings. The first depicted an ancient, towering tree, its leaves withered and yellow, countless leaves falling. Ten thousand yellow leaves floated above the painting; some still clung to the branches, while the ground was carpeted in fallen leaves—rendering an aura of profound mystery.

The name of this painting was Mother Ancestor Chaos Stele.

On the adjacent painting were countless blade scars, each scar conveying a different feeling. The entire painting contained 10,081 blade scars—the corresponding Stele was called the Heart Scar Chaos Stele.

Another painting depicted the essence of wind. Wind is hard to describe, yet this painting gradually revealed its subtleties—from shallow to deep. The corresponding Stele was called the Wind Shadow Chaos Stele.

Another painting corresponded to the Dragon Walk Chaos Stele.

Another painting corresponded to the Nine Cosmos Chaos Stele. This painting revealed the fundamental principles of space. Most people could not sense them, but someone at Fang Yu's realm could perceive them at a glance.

Another painting showed a colossal axe—the corresponding Stele was the Giant Axe Chaos Stele, left behind by the founder of the Giant Axe Combat Arena, one of the five major factions. To comprehend it would bring great benefits.

The fifty-two paintings each held their own mysteries. Look deeper, and you could discern the underlying laws—metal law, space law, earth law, wind law—almost all the fundamental cosmic laws seemed visible here.

"Choosing one is so hard. Can I take them all?"

Fang Yu smiled and spoke.