542: Break through the realm of the universe and peek in secret?

"Host, strictly speaking, each of the four stages takes a very long time. The relatively shorter stage is when the power of rules forms the source fire, which takes about several hundred million years."

The System answered earnestly, "The longest stage is the growth of the Source Star, which might take tens of billions of years. All four stages combined will take approximately two to three hundred billion years to complete."

"..."

For some reason, hearing this timeframe, Lin Yang suddenly felt a strange sense of relief budding in his heart.

Because this time was much shorter than he had anticipated.

He had previously thought it would take trillions, or even tens of trillions of years, which was why he had even brought up units like 'zhao' and 'jing' for easier counting.

One trillion is one zhao.

Ten thousand zhao is one jing.

But now... two to three hundred billion years was indeed a huge difference from his psychological estimate.

Although two to three hundred billion years was still an unimaginably long period, compared to what he had thought, Lin Yang felt a slight sigh of relief.

Then, he couldn't help but say, "It takes so long to complete the birth of a new Source Star and the reappearance of source fire. This is not something a few generations can accomplish; it's a matter for thousands, tens of thousands of generations. By then, I'm afraid I'll have been dead for who knows how many years."

An Old Ancestor can only live for ten thousand years.

Even if those above an Old Ancestor could double or even multiply that lifespan several times, it would still be too far from the figure of several hundred billion years.

Even if there were stronger realms and levels above an Old Ancestor, it would be difficult for anyone to live for hundreds of billions of years, Lin Yang lamented in his heart.

After all, living longer means having the chance to encounter, or even inevitably encountering, any low-probability event.

The longer one lives, the greater the possibility of death.

And among all possibilities of death, the greatest risk comes from revenge killings.

After all, over such a long period, it's impossible not to have an enemy, or not to offend someone.

So, in most cases, many people simply don't live to their natural lifespan limit, dying of old age.

He had only lived for a little over a hundred years, and the dangers he had encountered were already countless.

Lin Yang found it hard to imagine anyone living for hundreds of billions of years.

Even if the upper limit of life was that long, it would be difficult to live that long peacefully and smoothly.

Anyway, for him currently, this time was indeed too long, unimaginable.

While lamenting, Lin Yang also thought of another question:

"System, since it takes so long to complete the gestation and growth of a new Source Star, is there still a need to protect the Source Star Core? After such a long period, no one can guarantee that they, their descendants, or the people from their original Universe Zone will still exist, right?"

"And if descendants are born in other Universe Zones, then the universe they belong to should be the one they were born in, naturally giving them a home universe. In that case, what is the meaning and purpose of continuing to nurture a new Source Star?"

The generation that needs the Source Star and source fire cannot live that long. Their descendants would naturally have to be born in other Universe Zones or Spacetimes, and thus would naturally have their own home Universe Zones.

So, even if a new Source Star were nurtured, their descendants probably wouldn't need it.

Then it seemed unnecessary to nurture and cultivate a new Source Star.

The System, however, said:

"Host, in everything, one must guard against that one-in-ten-thousand chance. What if you or other strong individuals from your Home Universe Zone are lucky enough to live that long?"

"We must prevent the situation where one lives long enough but lacks the protection of the original rule power of a home Universe Zone. Without a clone, the stronger one is, the more disadvantaged one becomes."

"Secondly, some Universe Zones and special Spacetimes do not have original rule power. People born in those special Spacetime Universe Zones also cannot possess the ability to condense clones."

"Universe Zones with a Source Star are relatively fortunate existences. Therefore, re-nurturing a Source Star is very necessary in many situations."

"...Alright then." Lin Yang stopped asking further questions.

He just mentally complained about the System's words.

Lucky enough to live that long?

How lucky would that have to be... Then, Lin Yang hesitated.

He was a bit hesitant about whether to disclose the news that the Universe Zone Boundary Wall was under attack and the universe might be destroyed.

However, after two and a half minutes of thought, Lin Yang made a decision.

Not to disclose it for now.

Even if it were disclosed, they wouldn't have the strength to resist the dark hunt.

Even if the Ten Thousand Realms Universe and the Ten Thousand Universes united, they wouldn't have that strength.

Instead, if it were disclosed, people, knowing that the end of the world was coming, would likely go completely insane.

Human nature cannot withstand such a test.

Once the news is public, the most ordinary, bottom-tier populace will definitely suffer first.

Various violent criminal acts like arson, murder, looting, and robbery would definitely spread like a plague to every corner of every universe.

At that time, no matter how many law enforcement teams there were, they wouldn't be able to easily suppress this final madness.

Laws, in the apocalypse, are the least binding things.

As for only telling the top-tier strong individuals and asking them to keep it a secret.

Lin Yang believed that this news would absolutely not remain completely secret.

It's still the same saying: you cannot test human nature.

What is more unlookable than the sun is the human heart.

Anyway, there are still over seven hundred years left, and perhaps things might still take a turn for the better.

Lin Yang decided to temporarily conceal this news.

Others knowing would not help at all; instead, it would only cause panic and worry.

It would be all harm and no benefit.

Better not to say anything.

Even Old Ancestor existences, knowing it, couldn't help and might instead feel increased pressure, preventing them from focusing on their improvement.

If he didn't say anything, perhaps one or two existences above Old Ancestor might emerge in seven hundred years.

"System, after I become an Old Ancestor, can I go to the Boundary Wall to take a look?" Lin Yang asked after deep thought.

The Breaking Universe Realm allows entry into the Endless Spacetime.

Others dare not enter because doing so means losing contact and being unable to return.

But he had the System to help him locate and a Space-Time Signal Beacon to guide his direction. As long as he was careful and wasn't swept into other Spacetimes, there shouldn't be too much of a problem.

He wanted to go near the Boundary Wall to check the situation.

If it could be repaired, it might delay the complete breakdown of the Boundary Wall.

"Host, the System finds it very necessary to remind you that the danger level near the Boundary Wall is extremely high. You need to leave the Home Universe Zone to perceive the Boundary Wall's existence from the outside, but unknown creatures are currently attacking the Boundary Wall. You are very likely to be torn apart and eaten by those creatures the moment you appear," the System warned very seriously.

"Ah, this... So, that means unless I am confident I can withstand the attacks of those creatures, I won't be able to observe the Boundary Wall's situation?" Lin Yang's expression turned a little grim.

Those creatures that could attack the Boundary Wall must also be at a power level above an Old Ancestor.

That meant he would at least need to reach a level above an Old Ancestor to possibly withstand the attacks of those creatures.

This basically meant he wouldn't have the chance to observe the Boundary Wall's situation.

"Yes, Host, the System does not recommend you risk going to the Boundary Wall."

"Then what is the usual method for repairing the Boundary Wall?" Lin Yang asked again.

He couldn't go now, but he could prepare in advance.

"Host, the Boundary Wall is actually very difficult to repair. The power required is at least above the Breaking Universe Realm. You currently do not possess the strength to repair the Boundary Wall."

"..." Lin Yang was speechless.

He felt that whatever he wanted to do now seemed to require being above an Old Ancestor.

This was a bit outrageous.

He wasn't even an Old Ancestor yet!

"Sigh, I still need to improve my strength as quickly as possible!"

Lin Yang sighed.

Ultimately, strength was king.

Insufficient strength made everything difficult.

Even saving the world required a threshold!

"Seven hundred years, can I reach above an Old Ancestor?"

Lin Yang murmured.

He really didn't have much confidence.

Because, after reaching the third level of the Old Ancestor Realm, accumulating to the limit would purely rely on time.

One could no longer continue to improve within the Universe Zone; one could only rely on special resources appearing in the Time-Space Turbulence Zone to advance further.

But with only seven hundred years, even if all the resources from the three Time-Space Turbulence Zones were given to him alone, it would be impossible to reach the limit of the third level of an Old Ancestor.

The resources in the Time-Space Turbulence Zone do not appear at a fixed time.

Instead, they are random.

Sometimes, it might take decades or even over a hundred years for them to appear once.

Anyway, in seven hundred years, it would be impossible to reach the peak of the third level of Old Ancestor, let alone beyond Old Ancestor, by relying on the resources of the Time-Space Turbulence Zone within the Universe Zone.

“Perhaps, only by leaving the Universe Zone can there be more hope and possibilities.”

Lin Yang's eyes flickered.

If there was no chance to reach beyond Old Ancestor within the Universe Zone in seven hundred years, then he could only enter Endless Spacetime to achieve it within seven hundred years!

“System, if I become an Old Ancestor and directly enter Endless Spacetime, should I have a faster chance to reach beyond Old Ancestor?” Lin Yang asked.

He had already thought of every possible method.

But the power beyond Old Ancestor was a threshold.

If he wanted a chance to repair the Boundary Wall or take his mother and others out of the Home Universe Zone within seven hundred years, he had to reach beyond Old Ancestor!

Entering Endless Spacetime might be very dangerous.

But, no breaking, no establishing!

He had no other path to choose!

He could only take a gamble.

“Host, according to the information in the database, theoretically, there are some advanced normal spacetimes in Endless Spacetime. Within them, you will not be restricted, and compared to the restrictions in the Home Universe Zone, it is possible to reach beyond Breaking Universe Realm faster. However, it is also more dangerous.”

Lin Yang's eyes flashed: “Then after I break through, I'll assess the situation. If it's not good, I'll directly enter Endless Spacetime.”

The Universe Zone was about to be destroyed.

What was danger... Besides, he felt that the current situation left him no choice but to enter Endless Spacetime.

If he didn't enter, he wouldn't be able to reach beyond Old Ancestor after seven hundred years.

Only by entering could he have some vitality and hope.

He had no other choice!

Afterward, Lin Yang stopped communicating with the System and began to rest, waiting for the storm to calm down so he could assault Old Ancestor.

Two years later.

The storm in the Time-Space Turbulence Zone dissipated.

“I can begin.”

Lin Yang took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and once again began to absorb greatly.

This time, he held nothing back, even mobilizing the power of the “Boundary” to assist in the absorption.

Terrifying spiritual power surged wildly, instantly forming a new storm of spiritual power.

The effect was more than ten times stronger than his own absorption.

“This is too fierce! Absorbing with the power of the ‘Boundary’ feels like it's instantly emptying all the spiritual power nearby!”

Lin Yang gasped, not daring to be distracted any longer, and immediately began to break through.

Breaking through to Old Ancestor this time was a certainty.

But his goal was to reach the second level of the Old Ancestor Realm in one go!

Saving a large amount of time spent progressing from the first level to the second level.

Therefore, Lin Yang endured the discomfort of a large amount of spiritual power entering his body in a short time, rapidly transforming and absorbing it.

Ten minutes later.

He felt as if a membrane wall inside his body had been broken through.

Then, a sense of enlightenment surged into his mind.

The Breaking Universe Realm.

He had reached it!

In an instant, everything around him became incredibly clear in his perception.

He seemed to feel the birth, death, and passing of the universe.

A spark of insight rushed out in his mind.

It seemed to break some kind of shackles and restraints at that moment.

The spark of insight merged into the boundless darkness.

“This is...”

Lin Yang felt that as that spark of insight merged into the darkness around him, he perceived some conditions of the Time-Space Turbulence Zone.

Time and space flowed slowly like streams in the darkness, and were torn like curtains, very distorted.

Then, the distorted time and space seemed to turn into a water curtain covered with droplets.

Within each droplet, it seemed to be connected to other spacetimes.

Some had dangerous auras, some had peaceful auras.

There were also some with unfathomable auras, difficult to perceive.

The water droplets seemed to become spacetime passages, and Lin Yang could perceive the internal conditions of different spacetimes from them.

Although he could only perceive different auras, it also allowed him to know which spacetimes were extremely dangerous and should not be entered.

The spacetime auras within some spacetime passages also carried destruction and decay.

Lin Yang suspected that those spacetimes might have suffered destruction.

The spark of insight swept past most spacetime passages at an extremely fast speed.

And the speed became faster and faster.

In the end, the spark of insight could sweep past at least tens of thousands of different spacetime passages in an instant, and Lin Yang didn't even have time to perceive the auras within them.

Suddenly.

As the spark of insight swept past a spacetime passage again, an extremely strong suction pulled Lin Yang's perception into it.

With a hum.

Lin Yang felt dizzy and had a splitting headache, almost fainting.

He almost subconsciously cut off that trace of perception.

Otherwise, he felt his head would explode and he would die.

Just as he cut off the connection.

He saw the last scene.

Amidst a pure white cloud, auspicious beasts seemed to soar and dance.

Below the clouds were endless mountains, with mist swirling between them.

In the very center of the endless mountains, there was a black water swamp, which was completely out of place with the surrounding misty and auspicious atmosphere.

Above the black water, a Qing Pao figure stood within it.

The figure did not exude any aura, appearing like an ordinary person, but when Lin Yang's consciousness observed this, the Qing Pao figure suddenly looked up at the endless clouds, and at the same time, a low, murderous voice came out:

“Which senior has arrived? Why not show yourself?”

“Peeking in the dark, isn't that a loss of demeanor!”

Following the voice, the Qing Pao figure flicked a finger, and a wisp of energy shot straight into the sky.

In an instant, the layers of clouds burst open, the auspicious beasts soaring among the clouds fled in fright, revealing the clear blue sky.

All the mist in the endless mountains also dissipated instantly, revealing green mountains.

At the same time, an unknown force rolled back along Lin Yang's will, seemingly wanting to trace Lin Yang's true body through this willpower.

Even across Endless Spacetime, this unknown force could not be obstructed from rolling back.

Hum.

But the next second, the unknown force suddenly broke off.

The Qing Pao figure instantly frowned, seemingly surprised and doubtful.

“There's no one?”

“And untraceable?”

“When did the Mirror Void Realm have such a strong expert?”

“Could it be...”

The Qing Pao figure did not continue speaking, looking again at the black water swamp beneath his feet, his eyes heavy... “Phew...”

“Too terrifying!”

“That Qing Pao figure above the black water is too terrifying!”

“That wisp of energy, I feel like it could kill me across Endless Spacetime!”

Time-Space Turbulence Zone.

Lin Yang's heart was pounding.

Fortunately, he cut off that perception in time.

Otherwise, he felt that the wisp of energy flicked out by the Qing Pao figure could pass through that perception and directly kill him across different distant spacetimes.

The moment that wisp of energy appeared, his mind trembled slightly.

“What level of power was that? If it weren't for some power obstructing it at the last moment, that wisp of energy could really have followed the severed perception, locked onto me across Endless Spacetime, and instantly killed me.”

Lin Yang was greatly shocked.

That feeling just now was many times more terrifying than the pressure he felt when he was an Extraordinary Warrior facing an Old Ancestor expert.

“Is that Qing Pao figure an expert from Endless Spacetime...”

Then, Lin Yang calmed his emotions, and his eyes became fervent again.

He could advance to such a terrifying level in Endless Spacetime.

If he himself possessed such terrifying power, facing the Dark Hunt, he should be able to resist it, right?

At least, taking his mother and others out of the Universe Zone would definitely not be a problem!

He felt that the rules and power of the Time-Space Turbulence Zone might not even be able to stop the power of that Qing Pao figure.

That was an unspeakably powerful force!

“Advance!”

“Continue to advance!”

“The spiritual power is still not enough!”

“Absorb more!”

Afterward, Lin Yang's heart burned with fervor, and he began to absorb greatly again.

The power possessed by that Qing Pao figure became his new goal!

If beyond Old Ancestor wasn't enough, he would reach the level of the Qing Pao figure!

Boom boom boom!

As Lin Yang continuously absorbed wildly, the Time-Space Turbulence Zone began to riot again.

“Stabilize space!”

Lin Yang directly mobilized the power of the “Boundary” to stabilize his own space.

This time, he would not stop until he reached the second level of the Old Ancestor Realm!

As for what that spark of insight that emerged from his mind was, and why it brought such a unique experience, Lin Yang had no time to think about it now.

He currently.

Needed power!