13: Xuanxiao Great World

Lin Xuan's fingertips flowed with Star Power as he tapped gently.

A moon-white Daoist robe appeared out of thin air, as if woven from the purest starlight.

On the surface of the robe, countless dense star patterns flowed and flickered like living things, while nine brilliant golden threads wound around the cuffs, outlining a miniature, lifelike Xuan Turtle divine pattern that radiated an ancient Aura of defense.

"This is a protective item personally bestowed by Lord Ji Fengyun for the top scorer of this year's college entrance examination."

Lin Xuan's voice was flat as he flicked the collar of the robe.

Hum!

A three-dimensional explanatory light projection was instantly cast out: [Star Brilliance Daoist Robe · Hand-crafted by Ji Fengyun] Effect: After being activated by thought, it can instantly draw upon the Star Power of the heavens to bolster the user, increasing base combat power by 50%! (Note: Can support a maximum bonus of up to 50-star combat power!)

Just as Lin Yuan draped the robe over his shoulders, a gentle, vast feeling of comfort, as if connected to the entire starry sky, instantly enveloped his whole body.

"Now, make your choice."

Lin Xuan's expression suddenly became extremely serious, his gaze like a torch as he looked directly at Lin Yuan.

"As a holder of a Six-Star Mark, you are qualified to set foot in any foreign world not exceeding the Six-Star level. Remember, in the six hundred years of Blue Star, the highest mark holder ever born was only a Three-Star. You are the first!"

With a wave of his large sleeve, a vast and brilliant holographic star map unfolded before the two of them.

The six world levels were arranged from bottom to top like a divine staircase piercing through the heavens:

Bottom layer: Countless dim points of light gathered into a river, marked "One-Star · Small World".

"The area is similar to Blue Star, with thin Spiritual Qi and simple Laws."

Lin Xuan pointed to this area, his voice flat, "The strongest are no more than the Ninth Level of the Awakening Realm. 99% of cross-boundary travelers choose this for their first time, completing the basic tasks issued by the Spirit Martial Hall, and can safely return after familiarizing themselves with the rules. For you..."

He paused, "It is like a giant stepping into a sandbox, completely meaningless."

Upwards: The points of light became as bright as gemstones, marked "Two-Star · Minor Thousand Worlds".

Further up: The light was as brilliant as a small galaxy vortex, marked "Three-Star · Middle Thousand Worlds".

Middle layer: The light was as fierce as a star, marked "Four-Star · Ten Directions Realm".

"Starting from here, there are already experts of the Dharma Domain Realm holding down a region, speaking the Law, and controlling the Laws of a region!"

Lin Xuan's voice carried a hint of solemnity.

High layer: The light was blinding, marked "Five-Star · Hundred Domains Realm".

"Experts of the Feather Transformation Realm appear, merging their bodies with the Dao, with unfathomable power; a single move can cause stars to collapse!"

Top: A blinding white light that could not be looked at directly, as if forged from billions of stars, marked "Six-Star · Major Thousand Worlds"!

Lin Xuan's voice suddenly deepened, carrying incomparable awe and warning: "This is a Shura field for the strong and a burial ground for the weak! There are no Mortals! Even the lowest existences are in the shedding mortality realm! The Myriad Laws Realm? They are as numerous as crucian carp crossing a river! There even... exist Myriad Dao Realm experts who grasp the Dao and are nearly immortal! Those are existences that truly look down upon the rise and fall of the Star Domain!"

Lin Yuan's gaze remained locked on that blinding white light at the top of the star map, which burned everything and symbolized supreme power and endless danger!

The vastness, desolation, and destructive pressure contained within that light made his Soul tremble even through the star map, yet it ignited the fire of longing for extreme power deep within his heart!

"With my cultivation in the Spirit Refining Realm," Lin Xuan's voice carried a hint of self-deprecation, "I need to tread carefully even in a Four-Star world, walking on thin ice."

"Department Head," Lin Yuan suddenly spoke, purple electric starlight swirling in his eyes, "Is the Dharma Domain Realm above the Myriad Laws Realm?"

"Correct."

Lin Xuan nodded, a hint of yearning flashing in his eyes, "In the cultivation of a Martial Artist, after Shedding Mortality, it is Awakening, Gathering Origin, Spirit Refining, Myriad Laws. The Myriad Laws Realm leads to the Dharma Domain Realm, where Laws become a Domain, and I am supreme within the Domain; the Feather Transformation Realm, where ten thousand feathers become wings, and the power of the wings can open up the world; the Myriad Dao Realm, where ten thousand Daos return to one, nearly immortal and indestructible. As for higher..."

He shook his head slightly, "That is already a forbidden Realm touching the Origin of the Universe, not something I can pry into."

"By convention..."

Lin Xuan's finger habitually moved toward a light point at the bottom of the star map marked "Green Vine Realm".

"Spiritual Qi concentration!"

Lin Yuan suddenly interrupted, his voice resolute, "How much difference is there in Spiritual Qi concentration between a One-Star and a Six-Star?"

"Hmm?"

Lin Xuan was slightly taken aback, and then a flash of realization and appreciation crossed his eyes.

The star map responded immediately, popping up a glaring data comparison: [Estimated Cultivation Speed (Based on Spiritual Qi concentration and completeness of Laws)] 1-Star Small World: ≈ 2 times the Blue Star standard. 6-Star Major Thousand Worlds: ≈ 100,000 times the Blue Star standard!

100,000 times!

This number exploded in Lin Yuan's mind like thunder from the Nine Heavens!

He was pursuing the power to turn the tide before the Burial God Abyss swallowed Blue Star!

Time was tight, and there was no room for comfort or slowness!

"I choose the Six-Star Major Thousand Worlds!"

Lin Yuan's voice was without the slightest hesitation, carrying the determination to burn his boats, his fingertip carrying an unstoppable momentum as he pressed heavily onto the blinding white light at the top of the star map representing a place called "Xuanxiao Great World"!

"Good!"

Lin Xuan's eyes shot out brilliant light, carrying incomparable expectation, but also a hint of heaviness, "Courage is commendable! But remember, no one from Blue Star has ever set foot in a Six-Star world! All the rules, return conditions... there, you must explore them alone! Survive, and then... become stronger!"

"Transmission command confirmed! Target locked: Xuanxiao Great World (6-Star · Extremely Deadly)!"

"Identity confirmed: Lin Yuan, Source: Central Universe (Blue Star), Mortal Transformation Baptism completed (Creation-level), meets the minimum requirements for cross-boundary transmission!"

"Warning! Target world danger rating: Deadly! Please prepare for the highest level of survival!"

Hum—!

A thick, pure white beam of light containing terrifying Space Law tearing force descended with a bang!

It completely swallowed Lin Yuan!

"One last reminder—"

Lin Xuan's figure blurred rapidly in the light beam, his voice seeming to penetrate the space-time turbulence, clearly imprinted in the depths of Lin Yuan's Soul, "Over there... with your current strength... you are likely only at the level of the lowest... Utility Disciple!"

At the moment when his vision was completely twisted and the Space Law was crazily tearing at his body, the last data panel Lin Yuan glimpsed: [Lin Yuan] Base combat power Peak: 12900! Space anchor point: 1 (awaiting activation) evolution points reserve: 2334 Primordial Purple Qi Fusion rate: 0.1% (faint glimmer)

The white light swallowed everything!

On the star map, the light point representing the Xuanxiao Great World suddenly erupted with a blinding light that pierced through the star map!

And in the depths of that mysterious Central Continent that towered above countless worlds, at the top of a giant tower that connected the heavens and the earth, on a huge star disk that seemed to contain the stars of the heavens, a brand new point of light, extremely faint but carrying the unique "Central Universe · Blue Star" mark, silently... lit up!

It was as if he had crossed the Chaos of billions of light-years and experienced the ruthless tearing of space-time turbulence.

When the transmission Spiritual Qi that wrapped around his body dissipated like a receding tide, Lin Yuan's feet finally stepped onto solid and cold ground.

The dizziness had not completely subsided when a Spiritual Qi so thick it was suffocating, almost condensing into substance, surged over like a tidal wave!

With every breath, he felt majestic energy forcibly pouring into his limbs and bones, scouring every Meridian!

This Spiritual Qi was not only dense, but also contained an ancient, barbaric, and domineering Law Aura, far incomparable to Blue Star!

Under his feet was a huge square paved with large blocks of dark silver metal engraved with mysterious star patterns.

These metal floor tiles, merely by the weak energy fluctuations naturally emitted, made Lin Yuan feel his skin stinging slightly—he did not doubt that if an ordinary Martial Artist of the Awakening Realm stood here, they would be torn apart by this energy field instantly!

Hum—!

A cold, mechanical voice sounded without emotion: [Xuanxiao Great World · Cross-boundary Reception Plaza · No. 314 Spirit Martial Hall] [Identity scanning System activated... Deep scanning in progress...]

An invisible beam of light, as if it could pierce through the Origin of the Soul, instantly enveloped Lin Yuan!

He felt that every secret from his Physical Body to his Soul was being ruthlessly analyzed and probed by this beam!

The width of his Meridians, the density of his bones, the activity of his cells, the fluctuations of his Sea of Consciousness, and even the imperceptible flow of the Primordial Purple Qi... nothing could be hidden!

In mid-air, a translucent data panel appeared coldly: [Cross-boundary Martial Artist File · Number: 35414-15321542] Name: Lin Yuan. Bone age: 16 (Standard adult bone age: 18). Source Universe: Central Universe (Secondary mark: Blue Star). Current Realm: shedding mortality realm Ninth Level (Assessment: F-level · Seriously lagging). Base combat power detection: 1.2 (Extremely abnormal!). Mental Energy strength detection: 0.52 star (Assessment: SSS-level · Extremely abnormal!). Realm growth rate rating: F-level (Seriously unqualified). Comprehensive potential rating: A+ (Based on abnormal data).

"Hiss— This... this data?!"

The gray-robed, thin, and tall deacon responsible for registration, whose body had originally been lazily leaning against the back of the chair, suddenly sprang up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on!

His wrinkled face was filled with horror as if he had seen a ghost, "shedding mortality realm... 1.2-star base combat power?! Has the System been invaded by extraterrestrial demons?!"

Beside him, the fat deacon who was holding Spiritual tea with a round belly, spat a mouthful of scalding Spiritual tea with a "pfft" sound onto the precious registration Jade Slip.

The tea stain quickly spread, but he was completely unaware.

He snatched the detection Jade Slip from the thin deacon's hand, and a shocking bright light erupted from his small eyes, personally scanning Lin Yuan again fiercely!

"Beep beep beep—!"

The Jade Slip emitted a harsh buzzing sound that represented the data was confirmed to be correct!

"Hell!"

The fat deacon's voice changed, and the fat on his face was trembling, "A normal shedding mortality realm Peak has a base combat power of 0.2 stars at most! This kid... exceeds the standard by a full six times! Six times!!"

Whoosh!

The thin and tall deacon appeared in front of Lin Yuan like a ghost in an instant, his withered fingers like eagle claws carrying a cold, bone-chilling Aura, pointing directly at the center of Lin Yuan's eyebrows without warning!

The speed was so fast that Lin Yuan had no time to react!

"Hum!"

A defensive barrier originating from the instinct of Divine Thought instantly appeared outside Lin Yuan's Sea of Consciousness!

The thin deacon's finger pointed at the barrier, emitting a slight humming sound.

"Hiss—! The Mental Energy is even more exaggerated!"

The thin deacon retracted his finger like lightning, his voice trembling with disbelief, "0.52 stars! This... this is the Mental Energy level that only an ordinary Gathering Origin Realm Peak has! There are still such talents in the Lower Realm Universe? What kind of monster is this kid?!"

"The data... is correct."

The thin deacon swallowed with difficulty, his gaze toward Lin Yuan full of scrutiny and inquiry, "The physical Realm is indeed a genuine shedding mortality realm... but the purity of this Spiritual power, the activity of these cells... are comparable to the Peak of the Gathering Origin Realm!"

He turned his head to whisper to the fat deacon, his voice carrying a hint of dread: "Old Wu, do you remember the... reincarnated old demon who crawled out of the 'Nether Dead Sea' three hundred years ago?"

The chubby deacon heard this, and the shock on his face was instantly replaced by a complex expression mixed with greed and caution. He squeezed out an "amiable" smile and leaned closer to Lin Yuan: "Hehe, kid, with your Aptitude, if you were in those one-star or two-star backwaters, you'd be a shoe-in for a local overlord! Why on earth did you run to our Xuanxiao Great World... Hmm?"

He pointed at the glaring "F" on the panel, his tone carrying undisguised mockery and pity: "See that? This 'F'! Around here, 16 years old and haven't even touched the threshold of the Awakening Realm? Tsk tsk, not even qualified to be a sweeper at some big shot's manor...!"

Before he could finish, the massive crystal wall beside them projected cold, glaring comparative data, like the cruelest verdict:

【 Xuanxiao Great World · Basic Standard (16 years old) 】

Mediocre: Awakening Realm Third Heaven (combat power ≈ 0.3 - 0.5 stars)

Excellent: Gathering Origin Realm One Star (combat power ≈ 1 star)

Prodigy: Gathering Origin Realm Three Stars (combat power ≈ 3 stars) or above

Trash (F Rank): Below Awakening Realm (combat power < 0.2 stars)

"But then again..." the thin deacon rubbed his chin, his sinister gaze scanning Lin Yuan. "1.29 stars of combat power paired with a shedding mortality realm shell, that is a rare oddity in a thousand years. But considering your bone age, this bit of combat power and Mental Energy... it's just so-so, it's just that your Realm... tsk tsk, is pitifully low, isn't it?" He deliberately elongated his tone, filled with sarcasm.

"What a pity, what a pity!" The chubby deacon shook his head, looking "heartbroken." "16 years old and still in the shedding mortality realm, this Cultivation speed rating can only be F Rank, it's set in stone! Do you know what this means?"

He pointed at the line for the comprehensive rating, as if reading out a sentence: "In the Xuanxiao Great World, if you can't reach the Gathering Origin Realm before 20? Heh, let alone joining a Sect, even if you wanted to be a guard dog for those powerful Loose Cultivators... they would think your Aptitude is too poor and a waste of food!"

The thin deacon suddenly leaned in, his voice lowered to a whisper, carrying a venomous, snake-like coldness: "Kid, let me tell you the truth. Your data anomaly only has two possibilities: either you are hiding some heaven-defying treasure on you that can deceive the Spirit Martial Hall's scans; or..."

A gleam of greed and wariness flashed in his eyes. "You are some 'old monster' Reincarnation who was struck by heaven's wrath, had your Realm knocked down, and had to resort to Possession to restart your Cultivation! Either way... hehe, before we figure it out, you'd better pray that your life is tough enough!"

Just then! "Boom—!" The entire cross-boundary plaza shook violently! Not far away, the teleportation array erupted with brilliant starlight ten times stronger than when Lin Yuan arrived! Space twisted violently, and a figure stepped across the starlight path, walking through the void!

He was draped in a starry robe embroidered with the pattern of nine scorching suns, his face handsome, his eyes disdainful. Most shocking of all, behind him, seven brilliant star phantoms, condensed as if real and radiating the power to burn the sky and boil the seas, slowly rotated!

The mere pressure naturally radiating from him made many Awakening Realm Martial Artists who had just teleported in turn pale and retreat repeatedly!

The detection System responded instantly, its booming voice echoing across the plaza:

【 Nine Suns Universe · Excellent Talent Arrives! 】

Name: Yang Yan (Nine Suns Imperial Dynasty · Seventh Prince)

Realm: Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven (Stable)

Basic combat power: Excellent

Mental Energy: 1.2 stars (Evaluation: A Rank · Excellent)

Bone Age: 19

Comprehensive Rating: S (Key Cultivation Target)

The expressions on the two deacons' faces instantly switched to the most sycophantic, enthusiastic smiles, as if they had seen their own father. They immediately threw Lin Yuan to the back of their minds and trotted over to greet him, their voices cloyingly sweet: "Welcome, Your Highness Yang Yan! Your Highness has heaven-defying Aptitude; your arrival in Xuanxiao is truly the fortune of our No. 301 Spirit Martial Hall!"

"This way, Your Highness! We will handle the paperwork for you immediately! S-Rank Geniuses have exclusive channels and resource allocations!"

Lin Yuan remained expressionless. He gripped the cold Jade Slip in his hand marked with "F" and "Special Observation Group" and silently walked toward the "Awakening Realm Preparatory Team," which had the largest number of people and the most oppressive atmosphere. Just as he reached the end of the line, harsh mockery buzzed like flies:

"Yo! Look! Another 'F' Rank peerless 'Genius' has arrived! Hahaha!"

"Tsk tsk, the combat power shows 1.2 stars! Scared me to death!"

"Pfft! So what if it's 1.2 stars? Bone age is 16 and still in the shedding mortality realm? Trash is trash! That's how it's going to be for the rest of his life. Probably some hick from a backwater Small World who thinks having a bit of brute strength makes him something special?"

"Exactly, in Xuanxiao, this kind of trash wouldn't even be considered strong enough to dig for Star Pattern Steel in the mines!"

Right in the midst of these malicious whispers— "Hum————!!!"

The entire cross-boundary plaza, including the sprawling building complex in the distance, suddenly dimmed! It was as if the sun had been blocked by an invisible giant hand!

In the sky, endless clouds frantically gathered and swirled, eventually condensing into a massive, indifferent, and majestic face that covered the entire firmament! The lips made of clouds parted, and the voice that emerged was like billions of thunderclaps exploding simultaneously, shaking everyone's Soul to the core:

【 Xuanmu Region · Full Domain Announcement 】

This month, the 312 Spirit Martial Halls under the jurisdiction of the Xuanmu Region have completed the reception of cross-boundary Martial Artists: 15,321,542 people!

Full-Domain scan statistics are complete!

Special Commendation Announcement:

Central Universe · Blue Star · Martial Artist Lin Yuan!

While in the shedding mortality realm, set the highest record in the history of the Xuanmu Region —

【 Highest Basic combat power Record in the shedding mortality realm: 1.29 stars 】!

Hereby awarded: 1000 Spirit Martial Hall points! As an encouragement!

Boom! The entire plaza instantly exploded into an uproar! Tens of thousands of gazes, like spotlights, focused intensely on the youth who had just been mocked as an "F-Rank trash," filled with extreme shock, jealousy, curiosity, and disbelief!

At the same time, a token made of neither gold nor wood, engraved with the insignia of the Spirit Martial Hall, appeared out of thin air in front of Lin Yuan. He instinctively reached out to catch it.

【 Spirit Martial Hall · Temporary Identity Token (C-Grade) 】

Permission Level: C-Grade (Lowest)

Points: 1000

Redeemable List (Partial):

Basic Sword Technique (Trash): 10 points

Low-Grade Foundation Establishment Pill (Inferior): 50 points/pill

...

That Seventh Prince of the Nine Suns Imperial Dynasty who was surrounded like the moon among stars—Yang Yan, turned his head abruptly! The seven scorching sun phantoms behind him, which could burn the sky and boil the seas, seemed to have been provoked. Their light suddenly became scorching for an instant, and seven solid, scorching gazes of pressure locked precisely onto Lin Yuan across the crowd!

A playful and condescending arc curled at the corner of his mouth. His voice was not loud, but it clearly penetrated the noise and entered Lin Yuan's ears:

"Heh... A somewhat interesting little bug. A record? I hope this pitiful capital of yours can let you... live until the day the selection tournament begins."

"Silence—!" A cold shout containing supreme majesty suppressed all the clamor!

An old man wearing a Star-Moon Daoist robe with seven golden stars flowing with the Aura of Law embroidered on his cuffs stepped through the void and arrived! The mere pressure naturally radiating from him made the entire plaza instantly silent! Dharma Domain Realm! An absolute powerhouse!

He expressionlessly unfurled a golden imperial decree:

【 This Month's New Martial Artist Allocation Results 】

Normal Training Camp (Cannon Fodder Camp): 15,000,000 people

Elite Training Camp (Slightly Valuable): 320,000 people

Genius Club (Key Seeds): 1,538 people

Potential Anomaly Observation Group (Pending · High Risk): 4 people (Including Central Universe · Lin Yuan)

The old man's gaze was like a cold blade, lingering on Lin Yuan for a moment, as if he were sizing up a defective product about to be sent into a furnace: "The four little guys in the Observation Group..." His voice carried an unquestionable coldness, "I'll give you... ten days! Ten days later, at the Talent Certification Hall, a secondary potential evaluation will be conducted!"

He paused, his tone bone-chilling:

"At that time, if there is no significant Breakthrough... it will prove that your 'anomaly' was just a flash in the pan or caused by external objects..."

"Your cultivation qualifications will be directly revoked, and you will be cast into the 'Discarded Resource Recovery Sequence'! Do you understand?!"

Before he could finish! Hum! A strong sense of vertigo from the spatial transition struck again! Even rougher than when he arrived! Lin Yuan felt his vision blur, and his body was thrown away by an irresistible force!

When his vision cleared, the pungent air carrying a rich metallic rust and materialized scent of blood instantly rushed into his nostrils! A scorching touch came from beneath his feet; he discovered he was standing on the Peak of a solitary mountain made entirely of dark red, as if built from solidified blood and broken skeletons!

Surrounding him was a bottomless abyss churning with dark red Evil Qi. The thick Evil Qi writhed like a living thing, emitting a hair-raising hissing sound, as if countless resentful Souls were wailing within it!

Directly facing him was another steeper, blood-colored precipice, as if split open by a giant axe! On the precipice, the Law of this land of death was inscribed in dripping, scarlet characters that seemed to still be oozing blood. Every character radiated the killing intent of a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, along with unquestionable, absolute coldness:

"Either — Become Stronger!"

"Or — Die!!!"

The terrifying pressure of death struck Lin Yuan's heart like a solid heavy hammer! The Primordial Purple Qi in his body circulated frantically, only then barely resisting the erosion of this Evil Qi that penetrated straight to his Soul!

Just then! Hum! The data panel popped up automatically before his eyes, and a new prompt, radiating a pale golden, seductive light, appeared with absolute clarity:

【 Detected that the Host is in the 'Blood Evil Forbidden Land', the energy environment is special, and the Breakthrough process can be accelerated. 】

【 Do you wish to consume 200 evolution points to immediately assault the 'Awakening Realm' barrier? 】

【 Yes / No 】

Following closely behind was his extremely glaring anomaly data, presented again like a bloody medal and a pillar of shame:

【 Lin Yuan · combat power Anomaly Report 】

shedding mortality realm Normal Peak: 0.2 stars

Lin Yuan Actual Peak: 1.29 stars (Exceeds standard: 600%)

shedding mortality realm Mental Energy Normal Peak: 0.02 stars

Lin Yuan Actual Peak: 0.52 stars (Exceeds standard: 2600%!)

The blood-colored solitary Peak, the churning Evil Qi abyss, the dripping warning, and the Breakthrough option radiating deadly temptation before his eyes... Ten days! Either achieve Nirvana and Breakthrough in this desperate situation, or... become yet another pile of dry bones in this Blood Evil Valley!

Lin Yuan's fists clenched tightly amidst the thick, bloody Evil Qi! His knuckles made creaking sounds from the excessive force, but the purple lightning starlight burning in his eyes was even more intense than this blood-colored world!