34: Red Road Base

As that red crystal, condensed from a billion points of World-shaking Foundation, expanded from dust-like minuteness to the size of a thumb—

The “Heaven” of the entire Ancient Battlefield raged!

It was as if the battlefield's will, dormant for eons, had been thoroughly enraged. The sky let out an unbearable wail! “Crack! Crack! Crack!” Nine terrifying fissures, spanning the heavens and as grotesque as the claw marks of primeval Vicious Beasts, violently tore open! Within these fissures, there wasn't ordinary lightning, but rather a viscous, blood-like substance, surging with endless killing intent and malevolence—Ancient Blood Fiend Divine Lightning!

These destructive forces, capable of instantly pulverizing most Gathering Origin Realm Peak Martial Artists into dust, descended like nine roaring Blood Dragons, carrying the fierce might of annihilating all things, savagely biting down towards the crimson crystal above Lin Yuan's head!

However, Lin Yuan, seated at the center of the storm, curved his lips into an almost maniacal smile!

“Good timing!”

He actually voluntarily withdrew the protective divine light of his chaos heavenly extreme sword! He even opened up all the acupoints around his body!

“Whoosh—!!!”

The Blood Fiend Divine Lightning, capable of melting stars, struck Lin Yuan's body without any obstruction! The violent destructive energy didn't tear him apart; instead, like an iron blank being forged by an invisible giant hammer, it furiously pounded upon the red crystal!

Amidst a teeth-grinding shriek, the blood lightning actually carved countless profound, ancient, blood-colored Dao patterns onto the surface of the red crystal, imbued with the true essence of battlefield slaughter! The birth of each pattern was accompanied by a tremor in the Void Realm, as if a new Law of power was being inscribed!

When the last wisp of blood lightning energy was completely absorbed by the red crystal, as if swallowed by a whale—

“Buzz!”

The red crystal was completely formed! It floated in the center of Lin Yuan's Dantian Qi Sea, its entire body crimson like the purest core of the sun, with blood lightning Dao patterns flowing on its surface, exuding a primitive and domineering pressure that surpassed all known Dao Foundation systems!

Rumble—!!!

The space-time of the entire Ancient Battlefield seemed to be firmly gripped by an invisible giant hand! The wind stopped, the clouds condensed, and even the floating dust particles remained still in mid-air! Time and space were completely solidified at this moment! Only that red crystal emitted a terrifying gravitational pull that devoured everything!

“The legacy of eons, all for my use! Come!”

Lin Yuan let out a long roar, his voice shaking the Nine Heavens! The solidified space-time shattered in response!

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—!!!”

Within a thousand miles, all remaining ancient Formation runes, broken divine weapon fragments, and even the last trace of immortal Dao charm hidden deep within the remains of gods and devils... as if summoned by a supreme emperor, transformed into billions of dazzling streaks of light, tearing through the Void Realm, frantically converging towards the red crystal within Lin Yuan's body!

Boom—!!!!

A tsunami-like torrent of energy poured into his body! Lin Yuan's body shook violently, and the red crystal in his Dantian shone with boundless light, settling firmly into place, occupying the first of his hundred core acupoints!

Buzz! The phantom images of the other ninety-nine acupoints lit up simultaneously, like ninety-nine hungry black holes, exuding a greedy desire for equivalent red crystals! Each acupoint required a red crystal compressed from a billion points of basic combat power to fill it! The difficulty far exceeded imagination!

【Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven • Red Dao Foundation】

【Basic Combat Power: 100,000 Stars】

After the Realm advancement, the dormant Primordial Purple Qi within his body, like a ignited spark, once again surged in Fusion!

【Primordial Purple Qi Fusion: Soared to 10%!】

【Daily evolution points acquired: +10,000!】

【Ultimate Talent—Primordial Dao Body (Awakening 0.5%, not fully Awakened! Requires more Primordial Purple Qi for enhancement!)】

Three days later.

When Lin Yuan slowly opened his eyes, two substantive crimson light pillars pierced through the Void Realm!

The Ninth Heaven before him was already a scene of doomsday:

A thousand-mile ruin? All turned to dust! The once indestructible remains of gods and devils, and ancient buildings, left not even a speck of powder!

Blood-colored thunderclouds? Forcibly dispersed! Only a void of azure blue remained in the sky, as if it had been completely “cleansed”!

On the ground, a hideous star-shaped giant pit, hundreds of miles in diameter and bottomless, appeared, its walls smooth as a mirror, with terrifying Law scorch marks remaining!

Even more unsettling was that the weapon fragments, which had floated for ten thousand years, stained with the blood of gods and devils, now surrounded Lin Yuan within a hundred-zhang radius like the most devout subjects, densely packed, trembling slightly with his every breath, emitting a low hum, as if worshipping their new master!

“Whoosh...” Lin Yuan gently clenched his fist.

Boom!

With just a clench of his fist, the Void Realm around his palm emitted unbearable distorted ripples! A terrifying power, far exceeding 100,000 stars of basic combat power and containing the unique domineering nature of the Red Dao Foundation, surged and roared through his Meridians!

“Is this... the power of the Red Dao Foundation?” Lin Yuan whispered, his eyes shining brightly. But then he thought of the ninety-nine hungry black holes of acupoints, and even with his will, he felt a heavy scalp-numbing sensation. “It seems I need to go ask Hall Master Mu Qingge!”

At the Spirit Martial Hall branch, the light of the teleportation Formation dissipated.

Lin Yuan's white robe was spotless, bathed in the long-lost sunlight. He took a deep breath, and the fresh Spiritual Qi rushed into his lungs, but it could no longer bring the feeling it once did—he himself was now a miniature Universe.

His gaze casually swept over, and not far away, that familiar purple figure—Hall Master Mu Qingge, once unfathomable and as deep as an abyss in his eyes, now her true nature was crystal clear in his perception:

【Myriad Laws Realm Third Heaven】

【Laws Understood: 5 (Comprehension average 30%)】

【Total Combat Power: Approximately 3 million Stars (3 Feather Power)】

After various enhancements, her ultimate combat power barely reached the upper-middle tier of Myriad Laws Realm Martial Artists.

“Hall Master Mu, long time no see.” Lin Yuan slightly cupped his hands, his smile calm, his Aura harmonious and restrained, yet naturally exuding a profound presence that caused space to slightly solidify.

Mu Qingge's gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto Lin Yuan. When she tried to probe his depth, a faint chill, originating from primal instinct, suddenly rose from her spine! It was as if she was staring at a primeval Vicious Beast that had retracted its claws and was sleeping in the abyss! Her heart churned with shock: “How long has it been?! What happened in the Ancient Battlefield? His Aura... how could it become so... dangerous?!” She showed no emotion on her face, but her voice carried a hint of solemnity she herself hadn't noticed: “Lin Yuan, your change this time... is truly significant.”

“I was fortunate enough to obtain some Opportunity, comprehended a superficial understanding of the Law of Thunder, and have now also broken through to Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven.” Lin Yuan said casually, omitting any mention of the Red Dao Foundation, which would have shaken the Xuanxiao Great World's understanding.

Mu Qingge looked at him deeply; his calm words sounded full of holes to her. Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven? What kind of Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven could make her, a Myriad Laws Realm Martial Artist, feel threatened?! But she knew everyone had secrets, so she suppressed the doubts in her heart and changed the subject: “The timing is just right. Having just broken through to the Gathering Origin Realm, there’s a treasure land that might save you a hundred years of arduous cultivation, allowing you to reach Gathering Origin Realm Ninth Heaven directly!”

Lin Yuan's eyes suddenly sharpened like swords: “Please enlighten me, Hall Master!”

“Tian Yuan Secret Realm!” Mu Qingge pronounced each word clearly, “It opens once every hundred years, located near our Xuanxiao Great World. It richly produces 'star fruit'! Low Grade star fruit can help a Martial Artist instantly condense a blue Spiritual Qi crystal (100 stars)! High Grade star fruit... can even directly condense a hundred blue crystals (10,000 stars)!” She paused, looking at the light bursting from Lin Yuan's eyes, “Each time it opens, Prodigies of the Gathering Origin Realm from hundreds of surrounding Six-Star Great Worlds will flock there. But the spots are limited and require passing the 'ten thousand battles platform' trial!”

“ten thousand battles platform?” Lin Yuan asked further.

“There is a ten thousand battles platform in each of Xuanxiao’s 1080 domains! Only those in the Gathering Origin Realm can enter, and it is the only credential for entering the Tian Yuan Secret Realm.” Mu Qingge explained, “The ten thousand battles platform can be challenged at any time, but only ten days remain until Tian Yuan opens! If you want to go, you can teleport to the Tianqing Domain ten thousand battles platform now!”

No hesitation was needed! Lin Yuan's Battle Intent soared: “Thank you, Hall Master! This Opportunity, I, Lin Yuan, will surely seize it!”

“Good!” Mu Qingge said no more. With a flick of her finger, a purple-gold stream of light shot towards Lin Yuan. The token felt heavy in his hand; on the front, the ancient and grand characters “Spirit Martial” were inscribed, and on the back, a star was dim. “Tianqing Domain Branch Quasi-Saint Son Token. After returning from the challenge, you can go to the headquarters for certification.” She looked at Lin Yuan, giving a final reminder, “The ten thousand battles platform... it’s life or death, be careful!”

Lin Yuan gripped the token, a cold, hard sensation spreading through his palm. He cupped his hands again, his gaze as firm as a rock: “Disciple understands!” Turning, he strode towards the teleportation Formation, his white robe fluttering without wind.

Mu Qingge watched the tall figure disappear into the light, her heart unable to calm for a long time: “Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven... yet he makes me feel threatened... Lin Yuan, how far did you go in the Ancient Battlefield...? What kind of storm will you stir up on the ten thousand battles platform?”

Tianqing Domain, ten thousand battles platform.

As the teleportation light dissipated, deafening waves of sound assailed him!

A colossal Star Steel giant platform, a thousand zhang high, stood majestically, its body inscribed with the names of countless powerhouses, exuding an Aura of antiquity and iron-bloodedness. In the plaza before the platform, people surged like a tide, gathering countless Gathering Origin Realm Martial Artists from Tianqing Domain and even surrounding areas, a clamorous uproar.

Lin Yuan's white robe gently fluttered in the spiritual wind as he calmly walked towards the registration desk.

“Tsk... another one.”

“Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven? Where did he get the courage?”

“Probably just broke through, doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth, coming here to die...”

“I bet he won't last three breaths in the first round!”

The harsh whispers buzzed like flies, but Lin Yuan paid them no mind.

The Registration Attendant glanced up at him, frowned, and spoke with undisguised disdain: “Little friend, the ten thousand battles platform is extremely dangerous, Gathering Origin Realm First Heaven is truly...”

Before he finished speaking, Lin Yuan flipped his fingers, and the purple-gold, star-flickering token lay quietly in his palm.

“Spirit... Spirit Martial Hall... Quasi-Saint Son Token?!” The attendant's pupils constricted, and the disdain on his face instantly turned into fright and fawning, cold sweat pouring down! He fumbled to produce a Bronze Talisman, his waist almost bent ninety degrees: “Forgive me, honored sir! Please keep this challenge token! Crush it to enter the illusionary battlefield!”

Lin Yuan took the bronze token and, under countless gazes of suspicion, jealousy, or even greater disdain, calmly walked towards the entrance light screen. His heart was as still as an ancient well; how could the clamor of these ants shake the heart of a true Dragon?

Stepping into the light screen, the world transformed!

A cold, mechanical voice echoed through the Void Realm:

【First Round Challenge: Ten Thousand Gathering Origin Realm Battle Puppets! Time Limit: One Hour! Begin!】

On the desolate battlefield, at the end of the earth, a massive, dark steel torrent surged forward! Ten thousand metal Battle Puppets, exuding cold killing intent, their Spiritual Qi fluctuations uniformly at 100 stars, advanced with thundering steps, cracking the earth! They formed a strict battle Formation, with blades and spears like a forest, their Evil Qi soaring to the sky!

Lin Yuan stood alone in the center of the battlefield, facing this army that would make even an ordinary Gathering Origin Realm Ninth Heaven Martial Artist's scalp tingle, merely raising his right hand indifferently.

He didn't even need a weapon!

With a slight thought, the red crystal in his Dantian trembled slightly, connecting with heaven and earth!

“Burning Heaven.”

He lightly uttered two words.

Boom—!!!!

The sky of the entire illusionary battlefield was instantly ignited! Endless crimson flames emerged out of thin air; these were not ordinary flames, but the Burning Heaven Flames containing the Origin of the Fire Law! The temperature was so high that even space began to twist and melt!

The next instant, a world-destroying fire rain descended!

No process! No struggle!

Every drop of “fire rain” precisely pierced the core of a Battle Puppet! The extremely intense high temperature instantly erupted, and ten thousand metal Battle Puppets, without even a scream, were vaporized in a billionth of a second! Completely vanished! Only wisps of smoke and the melted, glazed earth remained!

Annihilation of ten thousand troops, in but a single thought!

【First Round Challenge Completed! Time Used: Half a Breath! Rating: Perfect! Obtained Elementary Tian Yuan Token! Broke the Tianqing Domain ten thousand battles platform Ten Thousand Puppet Annihilation Record! Reward Secret Realm Points: 100!】

The mechanical voice seemed to carry a hint of unbelievable stagnation.

Lin Yuan stood with his hands behind his back, his robes fluttering, as if he had merely brushed away a few specks of dust. His gaze calmly looked towards the Void Realm: “Continue.”

【Second Round Challenge Activated: One Thousand Gathering Origin Realm Peak Silver-armored Battle Generals (1000 Star Combat Power)! Form the 'God Slaying Battle Formation'! Time Limit: Thirty Breaths! Begin!】

Buzz!

Space twisted, and a thousand battle generals, clad in runic silver armor, wielding giant halberds, and exuding a fierce and wild Aura, appeared instantly! They roared as they formed a Formation, their vast Spiritual Qi connecting into a single entity, transforming into the phantom image of a roaring silver giant beast, its fierce might soaring to the heavens! Its combined Aura even approached the threshold of the Myriad Laws Realm!

This power was enough to make any Gathering Origin Realm Martial Artist despair!

Lin Yuan, however, merely raised his left hand slightly.

This time, he even skipped the incantation.

“Suppress!”

A single word uttered, and the Law followed his command!

Crack—!!!

The illusionary sky was instantly torn apart by endless Law of Thunder! No longer azure, but a destructive black lightning as deep as ink! A thousand black thunder Dragons, as thick as water buckets, entwined with destructive Dao patterns, descended with supreme majesty that judged all things, tearing through the Void Realm and striking with precise accuracy!

Target: The top of each battle general's head!

Rumble rumble rumble—!!!

Blinding black light swallowed everything! That seemingly indestructible God Slaying Battle Formation, that fiercely powerful phantom image of a silver giant beast, melted instantly like ice and snow under the scorching sun! A thousand Peak Silver-armored Battle Generals, along with their runic silver armor and giant halberds, were utterly erased from existence in the violent destructive black lightning, leaving not a trace of residue!

When the lightning dissipated, the battlefield was silent. Only where Lin Yuan stood was there not a speck of dust.

【Second Round Challenge Completed! Time Used: Half a Breath! Rating: Perfect! Obtained Intermediate Tian Yuan Token! Broke the Xuanxiao Great World ten thousand battles platform Thousand General Eradication Record! Reward Secret Realm Points: 500!】

The mechanical prompt in the Void Realm, this time, fell into a long silence.

Lin Yuan stood in the empty, silent battlefield, a faint smile playing on his lips. The warm-up was over. The real challenge, or rather, the real crushing, had just begun.