Chapter 168: The Mountain Guest Appears

An invisible ripple spread outward rapidly in all directions.

The entire Mingyue Community, even the whole Earth and the temple beyond Earth, all life within them, regardless of strength, instantly fell into a sleep-like state akin to time pause.

But the only one unaffected, Zhou Yang, was suddenly shocked! "Universe Origin Law, why does it suddenly feel absent?"

"A Universe Strongest has descended? This is in the Human Race Territory!"

"Child, come."

A warm, heart‑touching voice resonated directly in Zhou Yang's soul, and his body involuntarily flew out of the room into the villa's courtyard.

In a pavilion on one side of the courtyard, a figure stood quietly.

He was compressed to about two meters tall, wearing seemingly ordinary azure armor, with transparent twin horns on his forehead, smiling at Zhou Yang.

An endless aura naturally emanated from him, enveloping the entire Earth and the surrounding vast starry sky.

Under this endless aura, Zhou Yang felt as if an ordinary human under the Sun's sunlight felt no oppression at all, but rather comfortable.

It made Zhou Yang instantly realize this was not intimidation, but the life aura naturally radiated by this super being; in his perception, its intensity far surpassed that of the Chaos City Lord. Within its life aura's range, even the Universe Origin Law had to step aside.

"Universe Strongest!"

Zhou Yang felt a solemn chill.

But when he looked at the figure's form, a vague suspicion arose in his mind, "Could this be that one? Why does he appear now?"

"You see me, yet seem not very surprised?"

A majestic voice thundered, piercing straight into Zhou Yang's soul.

He instantly snapped awake, quickly stepped forward and respectfully performed a bow.

"The Clan's Giant Axe Founder once personally came to investigate Earth's secrets; the senior's fame and image have spread throughout the entire Universe, and the junior naturally knows of them."

"Oh?"

The figure's deep gaze lingered on Zhou Yang for a long time, but ultimately did not probe further, merely saying lightly,

"Sit down and chat. You are the host here, why are you more restrained than I?"

Zhou Yang broke into a cold sweat at the words; I'm just a Realm Lord, with a Universe Strongest before me, how could I not be restrained?

But seeing this one's gentle demeanor, his heart calmed.

"Yes, senior, I am humbled."

He responded, calmly walked into the pavilion and sat down, and with a raised hand a complete tea set materialized.

A moment later, a cup of clear tea exuding a rich aroma was placed before the elderly figure opposite.

"Senior, please enjoy."

The elderly‑looking figure lifted the teacup, silently tasting, his gaze slightly unfocused as if contemplating something.

When the tea in the cup was finished, he finally spoke: "Speaking of it, some of my decisions have indeed been somewhat unfair to you."

"Unfair?"

Zhou Yang couldn't help but wonder, "Senior, why do you say that?"

The elderly figure set down the teacup, then looked at Zhou Yang and asked directly,

"Your original body was an ordinary Earth human, yet during the Realm Master Phase you attained a perfect life gene, surely having obtained some powerful inheritance? Moreover, it should be a powerful inheritance that should not exist in this Original Universe."

"Uh, senior, your guess is correct; the junior indeed has an opportunity."

Zhou Yang did not conceal anything and openly admitted, "But what does senior mean by 'should not exist in this Original Universe'? The junior truly did obtain this opportunity within the Original Universe." After he had traversed here, Meteor Tear had immediately followed, tearing open space and merging into his body, so his statement was indeed correct.

"Some matters, when your realm reaches the appropriate level, you will naturally understand them."

The figure opposite shook his head and changed the subject.

"Since you know Earth's origins, you should understand that the entire Earth Human Lineage and the original Yan Shen Clan lineage are all my children."

"As for the Yan Shen Clan, I will not discuss now, but among the current Earth Lineage members, your performance is the most outstanding; logically you should have the greatest chance to obtain the opportunity I prepared for the Earth Lineage leader. However, the elderly figure stared at Zhou Yang with deep, distant eyes, saying, 'But because I sensed that you are entangled with a special causality that even I cannot trace, I hesitated, and ultimately changed the guide, causing you to miss this opportunity. Therefore I say, this decision is somewhat unfair to you.'"

"I see, that's how it is."

Zhou Yang truly solved a mystery in his heart at this moment.

He had indeed been curious; based on his current performance, he should be far more outstanding than Luo Feng of the same era, making him the top performer among the Earth Lineage now.

Yet it seemed he had never received attention or guidance from the great being who guides the birth of the Earth Lineage.

Like that black metal slab inscribed with the Nine Tribulations Secret Code, he had long had Babata scan Earth countless times, yet never discovered it.

But Luo Feng only occasionally returned, and the metal slab would pop out, as if deliberately delivered into his hands.

Such differential treatment indeed left him puzzled.

It is because he possessed the myriad miraculous abilities granted by Meteor Tear; even without the Nine-Grade Secret Code, his life gene had been elevated to a perfect level 10,081 times, yet his heart still couldn't help feeling a bit unbalanced.

At this moment, hearing the words of the person before him, he finally understood that the other doubted he possessed some powerful inheritance, and he himself was unwilling to be tainted by those causities, thus 'abandoning' himself.

Only, why does this one now appear of his own accord? Thinking this, he respectfully said, "Senior, you speak heavily; the opportunity was left by you, you give it to whomever you wish, what talk of unfairness?"

"Hehe, you are so open‑minded; do you know how great an opportunity you missed?"

A rare smile appeared on the elderly figure's face opposite.

"Opportunity, if it is mine, it is mine; no one can snatch it away. If it is not mine, forcing it is useless, only adding trouble."

Zhou Yang was rather calm.

The opportunities this Mountain Guest left for the Earth Lineage are mainly the Nine Tribulations Secret Code, Tribulation Armor, and Star Tower.

His life gene has now reached the Perfect Level; the Nine-Grade Secret Code is useless to him, while Tribulation Armor and Star Tower are rather attractive, though not to the extent of being indispensable.

Especially recalling the twisted master‑recognition trial of Star Tower, he felt even more inclined to keep his distance.

As long as he cultivates steadily, his strength will continuously rise, transcendence is hopeful; why risk such a great danger for an external object?

"Even so, I have my own principles in action."

The elderly figure opposite sighed and laughed, "Previously, to cultivate the Yan Shen lineage and the Earth Lineage leader, I expended countless efforts; the wealth and treasures I seized over countless years were mostly spent on them. Yet, I did not neglect you entirely."

"You are about to break through Immortal; therefore, I promise you, after you break through Immortal, I will custom‑make a suitable Supreme Treasure for you. Now you may tell me your requirements so I can prepare the materials in advance."

Hearing that, Zhou Yang's eyes lit up! Huh, there's such a good thing—someone comes to deliver a Supreme Treasure! "Senior, is any Supreme Treasure acceptable?"

He tentatively spoke, "Um, um, may I ask for a Supreme Strongest Treasure Palace?"

"Hehe, you little guy really dares to think that."

The person opposite him couldn't help but let a smile rise in his eyes, "But you're overthinking it. At most it's at the Peak Supreme Treasure, uh, Peak Supreme Treasure Armor level—Top-tier Set, Domain Type, Soul Type, Palace Type—these also count as that level."

"I see."

Zhou Yang had only said it offhand earlier, so of course he didn't think the other party could truly grant anything at will.

Supreme Strongest Treasure—right now the Human Race has not a single usable Supreme Strongest Treasure, so it can't be obtained that easily.

He pondered in his heart, which kind of Supreme Treasure should he choose? (End of chapter)