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Chapter 98: Reaping the Benefits First (Seeking Subscription)
Chapter 98: Reaping the Benefits First (Seeking Subscription)
"So soon?"
The twelve figures were somewhat surprised.
While the 'Mountain' secret art was indeed the introductory secret art of the Chi Kun lineage, fully comprehending it was no easy task, especially for a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Evolver.
Yet how long had Lin Yuan taken?
Half an hour?
To be precise, it had only been twenty-three minutes.
The twelve figures were at least Tier 6 Fallen Stars, their consciousness powerful. With a brief recollection, they confirmed the time it had taken Lin Yuan from the moment he sat down to when he was transmitted to the Fifth Star Cave.
"Unbelievable, this Gold Mark Examiner possesses such formidable comprehension."
"Indeed, he performed adequately in the first three Star Caves, but he suddenly burst forth in the Fourth Star Cave, leaving the three Red Marks behind."
"Kawu, how do you feel about this? Do you regret not taking action sooner?"
One of the nine figures below teased.
Kawu furrowed his brows. Back in the Second Star Cave, he had taken notice of Lin Yuan. Lin Yuan's comprehension of the Yin-Yang attribute rules overlapped with his own Light rules, and a senior brother had suggested that he take Lin Yuan as a disciple. However, Kawu had felt that taking on a disciple was not a decision to be made lightly, and he had intended to observe Lin Yuan's performance further.
Now, he had certainly witnessed Lin Yuan's capabilities.
But...
"What a pity."
Kawu sighed inwardly.
Regardless of anything else, the fact that Lin Yuan had comprehended the 'Mountain' secret art in just twenty-three minutes spoke volumes about his comprehension abilities. He was undoubtedly the most talented Examiner in the Seven Star Caves this time around, surpassing even the three Red Marks Examiners.
However, now that he and his senior brothers knew about Lin Yuan, the possibility of taking him in had diminished.
If Kawu had spoken up in the Second Star Cave, the other senior brothers wouldn't have objected, as Lin Yuan's performance then had been unremarkable and within the expectations of a Gold Mark Examiner. With over a hundred Gold Mark Examiners to choose from, there would be enough to share among the twelve of them, and no one would have disputed Kawu's claim on an ordinary Gold Mark Examiner.
But now...
Kawu glanced at the three figures above him. He could sense that these three senior brothers, who had transcended Tier 6, had also taken an interest in Lin Yuan.
With their involvement, his hopes were completely dashed.
The three figures above were also observing Lin Yuan. Compared to the nine figures below, they maintained a much calmer demeanor.
As beings who had transcended Tier 6, they were well aware that comprehension was a tricky aspect to quantify, unlike bloodlines, body constitutions, or strength.
A simple example would be that some Evolvers exhibited remarkable comprehension in the Wind-attribute rules but were utterly average in their comprehension of other rules.
"Gold Mark Examiner Lin Yuan, originating from Planet Canglan, a medium-life planet in the Morning Star Galaxy, born into an ordinary family, age twenty."
The three figures began perusing the information they could find on Lin Yuan. Most of the accessible data was public information, and anything more detailed was restricted, indicating insufficient permissions.
"Insufficient permissions?"
"Is he one of the citizens under the discreet observation of the Three Goddesses?"
"Seems like his background checks out, and with the goddesses' interest, he's definitely not a disguised member of an alien race."
The three figures weren't particularly surprised. At their level, they were aware that the Three Goddesses of the Universe Alliance also kept an eye on every citizen. If someone displayed any peculiarities, they would attract the attention of the goddesses.
While the goddesses wouldn't offer direct assistance, they would intentionally block access to certain information.
Of course, this blockade would attract the attention of those with ulterior motives. For instance, if everyone's information was accessible except for one person's, it would naturally raise suspicions.
However, it's important to understand that the criteria used by the Three Goddesses to identify special talents weren't solely based on evolution potential but also encompassed fields like humanities, science, and even culinary arts.
Moreover, the information blockade wasn't permanent. If, after a period, the goddesses deemed that an individual was no longer a special talent, they would lift the restrictions.
Statistically speaking, there would likely be one or two citizens on each planet whose information was blocked by the Three Goddesses.
This strategy prevented alien races from specifically targeting these individuals for assassination. After all, they couldn't know what they were dealing with.
What if, after expending tremendous resources and sacrificing numerous important pieces, an alien race discovered that they had assassinated an expert in the culinary arts instead of a powerful Evolver?
"Even just based on the public information, this Gold Mark Examiner Lin Yuan must have experienced something extraordinary. After all, an ordinary family couldn't afford to support a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Evolver's cultivation."
"Regardless of whether he had a fortuitous encounter or not, his comprehension is unquestionably extraordinary, as evidenced by him grasping the 'Mountain' secret art in just twenty-three minutes. Now, we'll see how he fares in the Seventh Star Cave."
The three figures conversed among themselves. To them, the concept of fortuitous encounters was commonplace. Among the Examiners who had made it to the Seven Star Cave world, even the lowest-ranked Silver Marks had experienced some form of serendipity.
"Indeed, the Fourth Star Cave tests one's comprehension, but it only provides a general direction. It's the Seventh Star Cave that truly determines whether one is suited for our Chi Kun lineage."
The gazes of the three figures upon Lin Yuan were filled with satisfaction.
They had even decided that if Lin Yuan's comprehension talent wasn't a match for the numerous secret arts of the Chi Kun lineage, they would still take him under their wing.
After all, Lin Yuan's achievement of comprehending the 'Mountain' secret art in twenty-three minutes was too astonishing to let such a genius slip away. If he wasn't compatible with their lineage, they could always gather cultivation secret arts from other factions and test them on Lin Yuan one by one.
"Fourth Star Cave."
All the Evolvers who were in the process of comprehending the statue were astir with excitement.
When Lin Yuan left, the statue glowed, and a pillar of light appeared—a clear indication of passing the test.
And he had done so in less than half an hour.
The other Examiners couldn't help but feel like they had wasted their lives.
"My teacher once told me that my talent was the strongest he had ever seen, but it is precisely because of this that I must join an even more powerful faction," a silver-haired woman thought to herself.
"Joining a powerful faction is not only about gaining access to better resources but also about meeting other geniuses. Only then can I avoid becoming arrogant and continue to push forward," she mused, taking a deep breath.
At that moment, she deeply understood the wisdom in her teacher's words.
Witnessing Lin Yuan pass the Fourth Star Cave test in far less time than she had, the silver-haired woman felt a surge of motivation.
"I'm almost there, too."
"Just a little more."
The silver-haired woman turned her gaze back to the statue before her, delving into a deeper level of comprehension.
"I really want to smash this statue to pieces," muttered the nearly three-meter-tall brute, his impatience growing.
He had been somewhat restless in his comprehension, and seeing someone else pass the test only exacerbated his frustration.
Moreover, the person who had passed wasn't one of the other two Red Marks but a Gold Mark whom he had not considered a threat.
"My Three-Eyed clan is naturally adept at comprehension, yet someone still managed to surpass me," a man with a blood-red line on his brow thought to himself.
"But I'm close as well."
The man with the bloodline raised his head to gaze at the statue, and the line on his brow seemed to pulse faintly.
Chapter 98: Reaping the Benefits First (Seeking Subscription)
Fifth Star Cave.
Lin Yuan appeared in this place.
"He actually teleported directly to the Fifth Star Cave."
Lin Yuan felt a twinge of regret.
He had originally intended to stay in the Fourth Star Cave and try to understand the other statues after comprehending the 'Mountain' secret art, rather than rushing off.
Although all the statues looked identical, and in theory, for the sake of fairness, they should all contain the same secret art, but what if there was a difference?
"The Mountain secret art is indeed peculiar."
After pondering for a moment, Lin Yuan began to carefully sense the changes within his body.
When operating the 'Mountain' secret art, his qi and blood condensed, and his entire body seemed like an immovable mountain.
Lin Yuan could feel that his physical body was slowly improving.
Although the extent of the improvement was almost imperceptible, it was indeed strengthening.
A moment later.
Lin Yuan began to look around.
"Fifth Star Cave."
According to the information provided by Fang Qing, the first three Star Caves tested one's physical body.
Whether it was the gravity of the First Star Cave, the speed of the Second, or the reactivity of the Third, they all targeted the physical body.
As for the Fourth Star Cave, it tested one's comprehension.
After the Fourth Star Cave, the Fifth and Sixth Star Caves would test one's soul.
"Test of this Star Cave: Climb to the top of the mountain peak along the mountain path."
"Hint: There is no danger to life in this Star Cave."
"Climb to the top of the mountain." Lin Yuan looked up and saw a mountain peak standing not far away.
The mountain was about a hundred meters high, and at its foot was a narrow mountain path entrance.
Lin Yuan's expression turned slightly solemn.
Even without thinking, he knew that the climb would definitely not be that simple.
"No danger to life."
Lin Yuan scanned the hint plaque once more.
There were two prerequisites for elimination in the rules of the Seven Star Cave test.
One was spending more than a month in the world of a particular Star Cave.
The other was death.
"Let's try climbing first."
Lin Yuan arrived at the foot of the mountain, paused for a moment, then stepped onto the mountain path with his right foot.
Hum!! A wave of invisible force suddenly descended.
In the Niwan Palace between his eyebrows.
The black and white Tai Chi force formed a 'galaxy' that suddenly began to vibrate.
This force that had suddenly descended ignored Lin Yuan's many defenses and directly attacked his soul.
Boom boom boom.
The black and white Tai Chi grinding wheel slowly turned.
Soon it ground this invisible force into nothingness.
"This, is this a soul attack?"
Lin Yuan suddenly realized.
He now understood the content of this Star Cave's test.
That is, soul defense.
Each step of the staircase would be subjected to a soul attack.
If one could withstand it, they could step onto the next step.
If one couldn't, they would briefly fall unconscious and roll down the steps.
Lin Yuan finally understood why it was said that this Star Cave held no danger to life.
With the physical strength of a Tier 3 or Tier 4 Evolver, even if one fell from the top of the mountain, which was about a hundred meters high, they wouldn't even sustain any injuries.
Of course, during the climb, all soul defense weapons could not be used.
Lin Yuan's Soul-Calming Bell was included in this restriction.
Just as Lin Yuan was deep in thought.
Another wave of soul attack descended.
Hmm hmm hmm.
In the Niwan Palace between his eyebrows.
The black and white Tai Chi grinding wheel slowly turned.
Soon it obliterated the soul attack.
Suddenly.
[Your heaven-defying comprehension is enhancing your soul defense as you endure the soul attacks.]
In a daze.
Lin Yuan sensed that the black and white Tai Chi 'galaxy' in his Niwan Palace seemed to have become more stable.
"There's this kind of benefit, too?"
A smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
His heaven-defying comprehension not only allowed him to grasp techniques, evolution paths, various secret arts, and even rules far beyond other Evolvers, but it also enhanced his adaptability.
This adaptability was quite broad in scope.
For example, in the Dragon-Tiger World, Lin Yuan's consciousness had descended upon an infant's body.
When he was about to freeze or starve to death, he suddenly comprehended a means to resist the cold and hunger.
Now, as Lin Yuan endured the soul attacks, the black and white Tai Chi 'galaxy' in his Niwan Palace was shaken.
Thus, he comprehended a way to stabilize his soul.
Of course, this adaptability had its limits.
In the Godly Soldier World, when Lin Yuan entered the spatial rift at the end, he was instantly reduced to dust, without even a moment to comprehend anything.
But the soul attacks on the first step here were obviously not strong enough to quickly crush Lin Yuan's soul defense.
"Good, good, good."
Lin Yuan was delighted, as he was well aware of the importance of the soul. The stronger his soul defense, the safer he would be.
Boom! Another soul attack descended.
But this time, the black and white Tai Chi galaxy in his Niwan Palace was much more stable. It merely sped up a little before obliterating the soul attack.
[Your heaven-defying comprehension is enhancing your soul defense as you endure the soul attacks.]
Instantly.
The black and white Tai Chi galaxy became even more stable.
Witnessing this, Lin Yuan decided to stay on the first step without moving.
He allowed wave after wave of soul attacks to descend, stimulating the slow transformation of the black and white Tai Chi galaxy in his Niwan Palace.
Ten minutes later.
The soul attacks on the first step.
Had lost the ability to shake the black and white Tai Chi galaxy in his Niwan Palace.
The invisible force that descended could not even get close to the outermost edges and simply dissipated on its own.
Only then did Lin Yuan reluctantly step onto the second step.
The soul attacks on the second step were slightly stronger than the first.
But for Lin Yuan, they were nothing to worry about. Unless the attacks could quickly crush his soul defense, any damage he sustained would only serve to make him stronger.
When Lin Yuan reached the sixth step.
Swish! Another figure appeared in the Fifth Star Cave.
It was the Red Mark Examiner, Silver-haired woman, Yin Ling.
"Fifth Star Cave."
The silver-haired woman's eyes immediately fell on Lin Yuan, who was standing on the steps.
At the same time, she understood the content of the test.
"It took him so long to climb only that far. The test must be incredibly difficult." At this moment, Yin Ling no longer considered Lin Yuan as a competitor for the Red Mark.
Although the Seven Star Cave test was not a competition, and as long as one passed through the seven Star Caves, they could join the Chi Kun lineage, there was no limit to the number of people who could join.
But after seeing Lin Yuan's performance in the Fourth Star Cave, Yin Ling subconsciously compared herself to him.
"I'll give it a try, too."
Yin Ling walked to the foot of the mountain and stepped onto the first step without hesitation.
"Hmm?"
"It's not that difficult."
The descending soul attack only slightly shook the outer layer of Yin Ling's soul before being blocked.
Second step.
Third step.
Fourth step.
Fifth step.
Yin Ling continued to climb towards the mountain peak.
Before she knew it, Yin Ling had already climbed to the fortieth step.
The mountain peak was about a hundred meters high, with roughly three hundred steps.
By now, the descending soul attacks had become a serious matter for Yin Ling.
She instinctively glanced downward.
She saw Lin Yuan still lingering on the seventh step.
"This guy..."
A strange expression appeared on Yin Ling's face.
(End of Chapter)
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