Chapter 497: Half‑God‑Level Power!

A faint ripple of afterglow spreads along the Spiral Vortex Passage, permeating deep into the layer‑world where the Crystal World Tree stands.

The subtle disturbance is especially glaring around the silent Crystal World Tree.

For a moment, many lower‑ and mid‑tier legendary cultivators on the outskirts glanced toward the direction of the Spiral Vortex Passage.

After confirming that the Green Star Clan was unlikely to break through, the legendary cultivators slightly eased their minds.

Yet many already harbored strange thoughts.

Not only had they crossed the 500‑level threshold of the Divine Crown.

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Steam Civilization Weaver (SSS-exclusive level): 16500%.

"Hmm, it's about time we left here."

"Only…"

The terrifying Divine Curse Storm, interlaced with rune arcane forces of earth, light, and chaos, even bearing some Star Scar power, roared across the world and lingered before finally dissipating.

"Combined with the powerful Chaos Rune Arcane of my 664 Cycle and the nascent Star Scar Rune Arcane power."

"Boom—boom—boom…"

It is a powerful ancient artifact of the Shadow Sequence.

"The Blood End Scythe has not yet been forged."

Only just over 200 million remain.

A strong "evasion trait" plus its own formidable defensive capability.

"Thanks!"

Upon hearing this, many surrounding legendary cultivators cast envious glances.

"First let the network spread outward, seek the nodes, then let the steam ecology continue to expand."

"Wooo…"

"At the same time it is fraught with unknown dangers; we may encounter enemies from other races, or half‑god guardians from the Forbidden Divine Realm, even divine guardians."

"Investing source‑energy experience could raise us to about level 245, roughly level 246."

Chaos Cosmic Constellation (SSS-exclusive level): 32000%.

Ta Ke silently performed the "Steam World" enlightenment on this Crystal Civilization Sequence Tree.

With such thoughts, Ta Ke's mouth curved into a faint smile.

"Moreover, I have a Divine Shadow Cloak that is about to ignite a second Divine Flame Node; its defensive power is not weak."

The low‑stability sub‑world of this layer, under the might of a massive hand, shattered swiftly.

"The Star Nier Staff, nurtured by the Steam Chaos Star Core, has already ignited the second Divine Flame Node."

"In my view, after this wave of attack we should leave here as soon as possible; after all… we have only a year or two left before we must depart, and continuing cultivation here yields no real breakthrough, only risking us falling into danger."

For a moment, many legendary cultivators' faces darkened slightly.

Upon reaching the 500 Cycle, once the divine fire is ignited, Ta Ke can more easily condense the "Divine Crown".

This reward seems almost on par with the divine.

Ta Ke therefore has no need to linger here any longer.

"And with my Ancient Artifact."

This allows Ta Ke, after merging with the defensive artifact and entering the Divine Shadow State, to still possess extremely strong defense.

The efficiency of comprehending Chaos Rune Arcane here is truly high; any extra cultivation time is just that—extra time.

It merely lets the ecology operate slowly on its own.

"The Star Nier Staff focuses more on Divine Curse casting, and maximally amplifies the destructive power of the curse itself."

"I hope it can give you some assistance."

"Huh… breathe…"

The person said this in a lowered voice.

Ta Ke rose, facing the night‑curtain giant Xue Bairun flying toward him, and laughed aloud.

Steam World Origin Spirit State (SSS-exclusive level): 28000%.

Fortunately, the Green Star Clan's attack ceased after just one wave.

The Ancient Artifact possesses a Divine Flame Node, an artifact ecology, and growth capability; its ceiling can utterly crush the power of current artifacts.

In the corner where steam gray mist gathered without dispersing, Ta Ke let out a long sigh, slowly ending this three‑year meditation and cultivation journey.

"Without borrowing the Star Net Ecology's power, I now possess the strength to step over the half‑god threshold."

From the star‑light giant's words, it was clear he was delivering an "Ancient Artifact" to Ta Ke Lamor.

"The core combat Divine Curses have all risen to a level‑249 standard."

Ta Ke took the Transcendent Storage Bracelet that Xue Bairun handed over.

Upon mentioning the Divine Secret Vault, several legendary cultivators tightened their minds, treating the matter with utmost secrecy and saying no more!

In the chaotic layer dimension, the massive hand intended to press down those five or six scorching legendary auras together.

Wing of Storm (7500 fragments): Level 230.

"Oh?"

Even top‑tier half‑gods, let alone 300‑level divine beings, may not possess an Ancient Artifact.

Oblivion·Silent Nier Star Explosion (6‑star): Level 230.

Steam Light Feather Blade (9‑star, Form Ability): Level 249

Under the amplification of the Crystal World Tree, at eight‑fold to nearly nine‑fold strength.

Transcendent Talent.

Critical·Phase Walk (1832 fragments): Level 200.

"After going out again, that will be the new era of version updates."

"Among them are many pieces of information concerning the Death Maze and the deep divine hidden caches."

Bang bang bang…

Chaos·Starfall Ring (Seven-Star Rank): Level 249.

Ta Ke inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly.

"As for the previously slow expansion of the steam ecosystem, I need a constant influx into various regions to enlighten the Steam World."

"Because the expansion speed is fast and many rooting nodes have formed, it is hard for the ecosystem to be eradicated."

Primordial Dark Sea: Level 240.

"Indeed!"

"The Green Star Clan has been quite tumultuous lately!"

Seeing this, Ta Ke couldn't help but smile.

"But… it should be soon. A few days ago, Leimengsi sent me a message."

"The Green Star Clan's harassment and attacks have intensified, and the top elites over there show no intention of acting. It seems the Green Star Clan will eventually break through; once they enter en masse, I'm afraid…"

A deep‑purple, mountain‑massive, heavy and sharp icy scythe blade flashed before Ta Ke's eyes.

Accompanied by the roar of steam, the Steam Star Net burst forth rapidly.

The Chaos Rune Grand Art 664 Ring State is the current height Ta Ke has attained.

Moreover, Ta Ke has gradually poured the talent fragments gathered over the past decade into the Steam World Primordial Spirit State, raising it to a lofty 28,000%.

【Divine Shadow Form】 is one of the forms of that ancient robe relic.

This is the astonishing aspect displayed when the "Ancient Relic" combines with Ta Ke's innate talents.

If Ta Ke·La Mo Er were not defending this place, the Green Star Clan would have already broken in.

"Level upgrades are unnecessary; in natural cultivation, refining divinity to raise level yields better results."

"Besides…"

As Ta Ke's body quivered slightly.

"It possesses both virtual and actual effects."

Immortal·Flame Heart (56,000 fragments): Level 249.

The many delicate usage methods and techniques of the Ancient Relic require time to adapt, understand, and assimilate before mastery, and prior to that sufficient ecological acclimation is needed.

After reviewing his system attribute page, focusing his mind, Ta Ke prepared to use the waiting time of the Blood‑End Scythe to continue covert cultivation.

If the Green Star Clan launches a massive assault, it will form an encirclement.

It will be difficult for them to break out.

For sixteen years, Ta Ke has not actively promoted ecological growth.

"I entered this divine forbidden land at the behest of a senior, tasked with completing a certain mission."

"This entry into the divine forbidden land caused a qualitative change in the combination of the Star Net ecology and the Steam Divine Form."

Chaos·Calamity Blood Flame (Eleven-Star Rank): Level 249

The massive crystal root veins anchored to Ta Ke from all directions began to snap.

Although a full point allocation is impossible, it can raise the core divine incantation, which already significantly boosts Ta Ke's overall strength.

Soon, several legendary strongmen gathered silently together.

【Transcendent Witchcraft/Ability】

"We are the cannon fodder charging ahead."

"More like a magical scythe!"

"Blood transforms into scythe, great scythe spawns small scythe, the scythe blade is endless!"

With the power of the sequential ladder, Ta Ke finds it relatively easy to surpass Level 300.

Not to mention the Chaos Core, even the sheer volume of semi‑relics used as material already blocks many legendary strongmen.

"It's a bit chaotic; they even obtained information from unknown sources this time and tried to seize the Ancient Relic we sent, but unfortunately they failed."

【Transcendent Sequence】

Chaos·Steam·Legendary Wizard: Level 242.

"Speaking of now, the defense and tankiness of 218's realm."

In the Chao Shen Da Shi tier, Ta Ke's mastered "Light‑Shadow‑Dark" three‑phase advancement trait is now being effectively utilized.

1‑1‑1.253.217.126

……

【Transcendent Divine Skill】

It possesses the qualities of shadow and darkness.

A massive palm surged in through the vortex channel.

………

But Ta Ke's Chaos·Cosmic Constellation, a powerful divine‑level talent, together with his post‑limit breakthrough, has been pushed to the extreme.

Ancient Spirit·Star Dragon Breath (Five-Star Rank): Level 230.

Ta Ke had only just entered the enlightenment state for a short time.

Precision·High‑Dimension·Correction (SSS‑exclusive tier): 15,000%.

………

Ta Ke raised an eyebrow, smiled lightly, and murderous intent simmered silently deep within.

Normally, advancing into the higher-tier Godshadow State from the Shadow State equates to giving up part of one's own defensive capability.

"Being trapped in a deadland and dying then is not impossible."

Of course, Ta Ke is currently only a weak demigod at level 242.

Reaching level 300 still has a long way to go.

Possessing seven Godfire Nodes, if the user has a talent trait of darkness or shadow, that is enough to nurture and use this divine artifact.

"Going forward, the safety of exploring deeper into the 【Divine Spirit Secret Trove】 has also improved considerably."

"Are you preparing to leave here?"

"Indeed! Especially Ta Ke·La Mo Er, who only went out a few years ago, and after returning has never made a move; people say Ta Ke·La Mo Er's projection technique is extraordinarily marvelous, it's uncertain whether his return is just a projection and not his true form, and perhaps… he may have already abandoned this place."

The things here have long been packed; at this moment the ancient divine artifact 【Blood End Scythe】 is in hand.

This also let Ta Ke rise from the early stage of the 420 Ring State all the way up to the current height of the 664 Ring State.

This allowed many legendary powerhouses cultivating in secret at the Crystal World Tree to feel somewhat relieved.

Seeing this, Nightfall Giant Xue Bailun nodded slightly.

The cultivation here has now nearly reached its end.

"Although it has drawn some of my source energy, it also improved my comprehension efficiency a bit, which is not bad."

"Inside, not only does it possess an unpleasant labyrinth rampart, various passages and corridors, but it also contains traps and mechanisms."

"My current Mid Legend defensive power is already not weak, plus a 218-fold increase in toughness and defensive capability."

A faint steam rumbling sound, like ripples, quickly spread throughout the entire world.

Ancient divine artifact!

Some legendary powerhouses also began to leave this place.

Rampart·Crystal Shell Armor (five-star): level 230.

That Green Star Clan currently seems not daring to easily charge in.

Xue Bailun laughed heartily and said.

"Even against powerful weak demigod-level attacks, it's hard to hurt me."

In his thoughts, Ta Ke took a deep breath, carefully feeling the fruits of his 16 years of secret cultivation.

Level: 242.

Although the level only increased by two.

"Once wounded by the Blood End Scythe, that is the beginning of death; the scythe's damage will surge like a tide continuously."

Magic Ban·Exclusive Pass (7265 shards): level 200.

"This spreading speed is astonishingly fast."

"This is a very typical product of the staff system!"

Ta Ke's core divine abilities and divine mantras can be raised to level 249 without much issue.

While feeling the Steam-Star Net blossoming, Ta Ke also completed a new round of point allocation upgrade.

It can exempt the artifact's wielder from a large portion of damage.

"While the Blood End Scythe possesses an extraordinary effect in single-target slaying, especially after the enemy is wounded, it further triggers the scythe's bloodthirsty trait, focusing more on its own reaping, killing, and growth effects."

Immediately after.

"There's a saying that the Blood End Scythe pairs very well with a Star Mark possessing mechanism-breaking ability."

Of course, the most important is still the comprehension and cultivation of the Chaos Rune Arcana over these sixteen years.

Ta Ke nodded.

Ta Ke paused, then glanced at the positions of several Starlight Giants not far away.

A huge fist and palm intertwined.

"Once you go out and ignite the divine fire, becoming a weak demigod, you will have the ability to return alone to the Chaos Ancient Continent."

Black Hole·Chain·Devourer (twelve-star): level 249

"As for the… attack aspect, that is even stronger."

Using ability to exchange for avoidance is one of the characteristics of the Godshadow State.

Immediately after, Ta Ke flew toward the vortex passage.

Saying this, Nightfall Giant Xue Bailun once again took out an extraordinary storage bracer.

Five or six scorching legendary auras suddenly burst into this stratum world along the vortex passage.

But Ta Ke's ecological foundation increased far more than that.

"In short, being careful when going there is always right."

"Not to mention it takes a lot of time, and the efficiency is somewhat low."

Ta Ke gathered his spirit and rested briefly.

Apart from the astonishing progress in comprehending the Chaos Rune Arcana.

The leading Starlight Giant snorted coldly and retaliated with a fierce punch.

…………

Not only does it possess an ancient divine artifact, but it is also a strong warrior of the Green Star Giant clan who was directly escorted here.

Seeing that the incoming Starlight Giants and the Green Star Clan's warriors even directly fought their way into the depths of this stratum world.

In just a few breaths, the brilliant Steam-Star Net, with the Crystal World Tree as its core, spread throughout the entire stratum world.

9.8 billion source energy experience, as the all-around point allocation ends.

"Moreover… in the labyrinth-like Divine Spirit Secret Snow area, I also need to study the ladder of sequential civilization."

"Nowadays, when going out, perhaps I can also explore other treasures in the outside world; I've heard that deep down… the 【Divine Spirit Secret Trove】 that many forces most want to explore has gradually opened!"

Once the divine fire is ignited and the chaos divine spirit form is condensed, that defense will undergo a qualitative change.

Eternal Vision (Eleven-Star): Level 249

……

At the same time, my legendary star fire and the divinity stacked from faith are quite substantial, and the upgrade efficiency is not slow.

After glancing at the source energy experience, Ta Ke gave a light smile.

Moreover, Ta Ke surpassed the higher threshold of the 600-chaos-rune ring state.

After all, in the last year or two, searching for the Divine Spirit Secret Cache is also one of the most secret aspects for many legendary powerhouses.

Mirage Light Projection (Nine-Star): Level 249

Boom—

A year or two is not long for the purpose of exploring the Divine Spirit Secret Cache.

To forge an ancient divine artifact, the chaos star core is essential.

Ta Ke took a deep breath, brows slightly furrowed.

It's about time to use steam power to obtain the power of the ecological civilization sequence of this crystal world tree.

Ancient divine artifact, divine shadow dark robe.

Many powerful figures from various forces have come for this.

"Upon reaching the weak demi-god level, slowing the promotion process, refining divinity more is actually more important than level increase."

After accumulating source energy experience over these sixteen years, the source energy experience now amounts to just over 9.8 hundred million.

Although it's not much, for Ta Ke alone it can still play a significant role.

After looking at the area where Ta Ke had previously sat in meditation, Xue Bailun asked.

"Is anyone still scheming about my ancient divine artifact?"

Fortunately, Ta Ke·La Mo'er is here, and the deterrent force is still sufficient.

……

After sensing it carefully for a moment, Ta Ke then placed it into the ecology of the Divine Kingdom·Strange Manor for cultivation.

Spacetime Wormhole (Seven-Star): Level 230

Carefully gathering these materials in hand, Ta Ke said in a low voice.

The progress of the legendary stellar form is also not weak, also reaching 218 times.

As Ta Ke cleared the connection between the steam ecology and the crystal world tree ecology,

Ta Ke, lightly rubbing the palm, slightly raised the head to look at the vortex passage at the exit.

"Since that's the case, be more careful when exploring on the road; the divine spirit secret snow region, akin to a death labyrinth, is not comparable to this outer area."

"Being too deeply immersed in the crystal world tree ecology, these drooping roots must take root in my ecology."

Watching Ta Ke·La Mo'er fly away.

Nightfall Giant Xue Bailun stood still for a long time, gazing.