146: Chapter 146 Full Speed ​​Ahead, The Road to Breaking Records

The 'third day' of the Trial Ancient Star was not an accurate measurement of time.

There were no sunrises or sunsets here, no alternation between day and night, only the extremely subtle brightness fluctuations of that purple sky every twelve hours—that was the only time reference System for the ancient star.

Lin Ye stood at the pass where the crystallized forest met the foothills of the Star Core Giant Beast mountains, and looked up at the firmament.

The twelfth brightness trough.

This was the sixtieth hour since they entered the Trial Ancient Star.

[Current Time Spent: 2 days 12 hours 7 minutes]

[Remaining Time: 19 hours 16 minutes (based on the record-breaking target of 1 day 7 hours)]

[Remaining Distance: approx. 117 km]

[Current Coordinates: Trial Ancient Star · Western Continent · End of Northern Foothills of Star Core Giant Beast mountains / Southwest edge of Crystallized Forest]

[Completed Distance: approx. 353 km]

[Completion Percentage: 75.1%]

Three-quarters.

Lin Ye withdrew his gaze and looked down at his palm.

There was a silver pattern extending from his wrist to the base of his middle finger—it was not equipment enchantment, not a skill effect, and not even anything that could be classified by the System as a 'buff status'.

It was an 'imprint' left on the surface of his Meridians after 47 hours of continuous overload of Chaos Divine Power.

[Status: Chaos Power · Meridians Overload]

[Rank: Level III (Moderate)]

[Description: The Meridians of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body have borne a Divine Power flow rate exceeding the conventional limit by 340%; some capillaries have experienced permanent dilation, spiritual power conduction efficiency has increased by 22%, but the resilience of the Meridian walls has decreased by 31%.]

[Effects:]

[1. Chaos Domain maintenance consumption -40% (current mode only)]

[2. Chaos Divine Power interference efficiency with 'physical Law' +35%]

[3. Every 60 minutes, 8% of current HP is automatically deducted as a maintenance cost]

[4. Requires 72 hours of natural recovery after exiting combat, or forced repair via Saint-Grade healing]

[Warning: Accumulating this status for over 72 hours will cause irreversible Meridian damage.]

47 hours.

From the moment they left the star tablet, Lin Ye had never turned off this status.

Not for combat.

It was for 'dispelling'.

—

[Chaos Divine Power · Gravity Interference Mode]

[Type: Law-Grade Skill / Non-standard Application]

[Rank: None (Self-created)]

[Description: Using the Origin characteristics of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body, release high-concentration Chaos Divine Power in a very short time to create a 'Law blank layer' in the designated area—within this area, the gravity coefficient experienced by the target will be temporarily reduced to 30%-60% of its original value.]

[Current Coverage: 8-meter radius]

[Current Gravity Reduction: 52%]

[Duration: Each release lasts 4-7 seconds, requires a 2-second interval to re-release]

[Consumption: 230 Divine Power per second (normal state) → 410 Divine Power per second (Meridians Overload)]

[Cost: Every 30 minutes of continuous use, Meridians Overload Rank +1%]

This was not a System skill.

This was the method Lin Ye thought of during those three minutes when they were trapped by thick fog at the edge of a cliff while crossing the main ridge of the Star Core Giant Beast mountains at the 19th hour of entering the Trial Ancient Star, with pursuers behind, no path ahead, and the team's stamina dropping below the 30% critical point.

The Origin of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body is 'containment' and 'assimilation'.

Since it can assimilate myriad mother qi, can assimilate the power of stars, and can assimilate that trace of ancestor will in the Hegemon Blood essence—

Then why can it not assimilate gravity?

It is not 'confrontation'.

It is 'bypassing'.

9.7 times gravity is the physical Law of this ancient star, an immutable Law, and a trial that every Trial Taker must endure.

Lin Ye did not want to endure it.

He wanted to break the record.

1 day 7 hours.

Unbroken for 814 years.

And he had to walk 470 kilometers within 31 hours, cross mountains, traverse forests, and kill the Star Core Giant Beast.

He could not afford the time for 'adaptation'.

So he chose—

To make that 8-meter radius space not belong to this planet for 4 seconds out of every 4 seconds.

—

'Boss.'

Zhao Wuji's voice came from behind him, carrying the hoarseness typical of severe vocal cord wear after 47 hours of continuous forced marching.

'Supply redistribution is complete.'

He crouched on the ground, with the thousand faces cloak spread out in front of him, which had 17 holes corroded by acid—that was what Qin Ruoxue had lent him to pad the bottom of the backpack, fearing the medicine would be crushed during high-speed movement.

'Remaining High-Grade Recovery Pills: 23, Mid-Grade: 0.'

'Remaining High-Grade Divine Pills: 11, Mid-Grade: 0.'

'There are 2 emergency repair kits left—Chen Hao says it's enough to reach the end, as long as we don't get bitten in the joints by Star Beasts again.'

'The mecha energy cores, those two spares have been swapped in, and now chaos unit no. 1 is at full energy.'

He paused.

'Also—'

He took out 10 crystal tubes from the deepest part of his backpack, each the thickness of a thumb, completely transparent, with pale golden liquid flowing inside.

That was what Lin Ye had exchanged with his last 970 Materials points in front of the star tablet.

Not medicine.

Not ammunition.

Not any conventional supplies.

[Chaos Original Fluid · Diluted Version]

[Type: Law-Grade Consumable / One-time use]

[Quality: Saint-Grade (Diluted)]

[Description: A special preparation based on the homologous power of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body, fused with the energy escaping from the core of the Trial Ancient Star. Cannot be mass-produced, cannot be copied, only available with an extremely low probability of refreshing in the star tablet exchange interface.]

[Effects:]

[1. After consumption, immediately restores 30% of the user's maximum Divine Power (ignoring current depletion status)]

[2. In the next 60 seconds, all skill cooldown speed +200%]

[3. Additional effect for holders of the Chaos Heavenly Emperor Body: Next 'Law interference' type skill consumption -50%, effect +70%]

[Side effects: Enters a 6-hour 'Law rejection' status after consumption, during which the user cannot be targeted by any healing skills]

[Exchange price: 970 points/vial]

[Current Inventory: 10 vials]

10 vials.

970 points.

Lin Ye had only said two words at the time:

'Exchange everything.'

Zhao Wuji did not ask why.

He simply wrapped these 10 crystal tubes individually in the thickest cushioning material and placed them in the deepest part of his backpack, right against his back.

47 hours.

10 vials, not a single one moved.

—

Lin Ye took a Chaos Original Fluid from Zhao Wuji's hand.

He did not take it immediately.

He just held it in his palm, feeling the faint pulsation that was homologous to his own Origin.

'117 kilometers left,' he said.

'There are still 11 kilometers of Crystallized Forest to cross.'

'After that is the plain area, about 90 kilometers, no large threats, we can sprint at full speed.'

'The last 16 kilometers are within the lair of the Star Core Giant Beast.'

He paused.

'We need to cover these 117 kilometers within 6 hours.'

'Average speed of 19.5 kilometers per hour.'

'Under 9.7 times gravity.'

'And we need to leave at least 1 hour to fight the Star Core Giant Beast.'

No one spoke.

No one calculated what this number meant.

Because in the past 47 hours, they had already accomplished things even more impossible than this.

—

The 61st hour.

The expedition team entered the final 11-kilometer section of the Crystallized Forest.

The density of the crystallized trees here was more than three times that of the outer perimeter.

Each one was 5-8 meters tall, 0.3-0.7 meters in diameter, with surfaces smooth as mirrors and edges sharp as blades.

Under 9.7 times gravity, even a slight brush of a sleeve would leave a deep, bottomless cut on Saint-Grade armor.

Chu Yunxi walked at the very front of the team.

Not Lin Ye.

It was her.

[Chu Yunxi · Vermilion Bird Hall Master]

[Rank: Level 52]

[Current Status: Low fever (39.2°C) — from a wound infection at the edge of the Crystallized Forest at the 27th hour]

[HP: 71%]

[Divine Power: 43%]

[Stamina: 37%]

Her spare bow had been put away.

At this moment, she was holding that spare fine iron dagger in her hand—not for combat, but for clearing the path.

Every three steps, she swung the blade.

The blade light swept across the dense, nearly invisible network of crystal threads between the crystallized trees.

The moment those crystal threads were cut, they would erupt with an extremely faint, pale blue fluorescence.

That was the natural warning network formed over thousands of years by the energy dissipated by the Star Core Giant Beast condensing in this forest.

Cutting one thread would cause a micro-imperceptible pulse shift deep within the lair of the Star Core Giant Beast.

Cutting one hundred threads would cause the pulse shifts to accumulate into an abnormal signal sufficient to cause the giant beast 0.1 seconds of confusion.

Cutting three hundred threads—

The Star Core Giant Beast would think that another high-level Star Beast was competing for territory on the west side of the forest.

It would not attack.

But its attention would be diverted.

Chu Yunxi did not look behind her.

She simply repeated that action mechanically: walk three steps, swing the blade, walk three steps again, swing the blade again.

The webbing between her thumb and index finger had completely split open at the 43rd hour, she had changed her bandages three times, and blood was still seeping out.

She did not stop.

Because in the entire expedition team, only her Eagle Eye technique could clearly see those crystal thread networks that were thinner than hair in this twisted space.

—

The 63rd hour.

The expedition team passed through the last natural barrier of the Crystallized Forest.

The view ahead suddenly opened up.

It was a gray-white wasteland that had been scorched for thousands of years by the energy overflowing from the lair of the Star Core Giant Beast.

The surface was covered with fine, ash-like powder.

Every step taken would kick up a small cloud of dust, which would settle rapidly under 9.7 times gravity.

The air was filled with an extremely pungent smell, similar to a mixture of ozone and sulfur.

That was the waste gas expelled from the lung cavity when the giant beast breathed.

[Star Core Giant Beast Nest - Outer Perimeter Warning Zone]

[Distance to Nest Entrance: 16.3 km]

[Threat Level: ★★★ (Mild)]

[Main Threats:]

[1. Giant Beast Aura Residue - Triggers a Willpower check every 30 seconds; failure results in a 2-5 second "Fear" status]

[2. Ground Temperature - 47°C - 62°C; continuous contact will accumulate burn damage]

[3. Spatial Distortion - Directional sense -60%; coordinate recalibration required every 10 minutes]

Lin Ye stopped.

He did not turn back to look at the nine faces behind him that were exhausted to the extreme yet still following him closely.

He simply took the second Chaos Divine Power Potion from Zhao Wuji.

This time, he did not hold it in his palm.

He bit open the nozzle, tilted his head—and poured it down.

[You have consumed "Chaos Divine Power Potion - Diluted Version"]

[Current Divine Power: 0% → 30%]

[Skill Cooldown Speed +200%, duration 60 seconds]

[Next "Law" Interference type skill: Consumption -50%, Effect +70%]

[Side Effect: Cannot be targeted by any healing skills for 6 hours]

6 hours.

Enough for him to walk the remaining 117 kilometers.

Enough for him to stand before the Star Core Giant Beast.

Enough for him to—break the record.

64th hour.

The expedition team entered the 13-kilometer mark of the Star Core Giant Beast nest perimeter.

Surface temperature rose to 54°C.

Yun Qianxue's Divine Power dropped from 11% to 4% after applying "Burn Resistance" to the whole team for the 32nd time.

She said nothing.

She only held the fourth Divine Pill under her tongue without swallowing it.

65th hour.

The expedition team entered the 10-kilometer mark of the Star Core Giant Beast nest perimeter.

Qin Ruoxue issued a "Red Alert" in the team channel for the first time.

It wasn't the Giant Beast.

It was behind them.

"It's here," her voice was light, devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"The Queen Ant."

"Bringing at least 3000 soldier ants."

"Distance from us—27 kilometers."

"Speed—32 km/h."

"Estimated contact time—47 minutes."

47 minutes.

10 kilometers.

Star Core Giant Beast.

3000 soldier ants.

Lin Ye did not stop.

He simply took the third Chaos Divine Power Potion from Zhao Wuji.

Bit it open.

Poured it down.

[Current Divine Power: 30% → 60%]

[Law Interference Effect: Current Gravity Reduction 58% → 87%]

[Chaos Domain Maintenance Consumption: -40% → -65%]

The space within an 8-meter radius around him, at that moment, completely broke free from the physical Laws of the Trial Ancient Star for the first time.

9.7 G → 1.2 G.

Not reduction.

It was "expulsion."

When Zhao Wuji took that step, he almost fell to the ground—he had forgotten how to walk under 1.2 times gravity.

47 hours.

They had been sprinting for 353 kilometers under 9.7 times gravity.

47 hours.

47 hours without experiencing "lightness."

Zhao Wuji's eyes turned red at that moment.

But he didn't cry.

He just gritted his teeth, quickened his pace, and caught up to the figure ahead that was already blurring.

66th hour.

The expedition team entered the 7-kilometer mark of the Star Core Giant Beast nest perimeter.

Distance to pursuing enemies: 19 kilometers.

Lin Ye consumed the fourth Chaos Divine Power Potion.

[Current Divine Power: 60% → 90%]

[Law Interference Range: 8-meter radius → 11-meter radius]

[Gravity Reduction: 87% → 92%]

Su Qingyue spoke for the first time during the forced march:

"Enough."

Her voice was light, carrying the characteristic weakness of the aftereffects of extreme cold backlash.

"You still need to save Divine Power to fight the Giant Beast."

Lin Ye did not answer.

He just kept walking.

67th hour.

The expedition team entered the 4-kilometer mark of the Star Core Giant Beast nest perimeter.

Distance to pursuing enemies: 11 kilometers.

Lin Ye consumed the fifth Chaos Divine Power Potion.

[Current Divine Power: 90% → 100% (Overflow)]

[Law Interference Range: 11-meter radius → 13-meter radius]

[Gravity Reduction: 92% → 95%]

That 13-meter radius gravity vacuum layer had now expanded enough to cover everyone in the team.

Chen Hao's chaos unit no. 1 ran for the first time on the Trial Ancient Star.

Not walking.

Running.

The magnetic anchors on the mecha's feet alternated between adsorbing and releasing at maximum frequency, leaving a series of 3-centimeter deep footprints on the gray-white dusty ground.

Speed—23 km/h.

68th hour.

The expedition team entered the 1.5-kilometer mark of the Star Core Giant Beast nest perimeter.

Distance to pursuing enemies: 3 kilometers.

Lin Ye consumed the sixth Chaos Divine Power Potion.

[Current Divine Power: 100% → 100% (Limit)]

[Warning: Excessive intake of Chaos Divine Power Potion, Meridians load has exceeded safe threshold by 470%]

[Recommendation: Stop usage immediately, otherwise you will enter "Meridians Rupture" status in 15 minutes]

He did not stop.

He just kept walking.

68th hour and 43 minutes.

The expedition team arrived at the Star Core Giant Beast nest entrance.

It was a massive crater with a diameter exceeding 50 meters and perfectly circular edges.

Deep within the crater, a dark blue light pulsed like a heartbeat.

With every pulse, a visible ripple of energy spread from the bottom of the crater to the surface, stirring up fine dust mists on the gray-white wasteland.

[Star Core Giant Beast - Trial Ancient Star Final Boss]

[Rank: Level 70 (Saint-Grade Projection / Incomplete Form)]

[HP: 3,700,000]

[Attack: 12,500-15,800]

[Defense: 9,700]

[Traits:]

[1. Star Core Protection: Surrounded by a three-layer shield composed of Star Core fragments; each layer can absorb 80,000 damage]

[2. Earth Vein Resonance: For every 20% HP lost, triggers a screen-wide earthquake, dealing 5,000 fixed damage and knocking down all targets]

[3. Giant Beast Roar: Released every 60 seconds, dealing 15,000 sonic damage to a 120-degree fan-shaped area in front and inflicting "Stun" for 3 seconds]

[4. Death Throes: When HP is below 10%, all attributes +50%, attack speed +100%]

[Weaknesses:]

[1. Eyes: Defense reduced by 70%; attacking the eyes has a chance to deal 2x damage and interrupt skill casting]

[2. Below the third ring of the abdomen: Star Core energy transmission node; once destroyed, the Giant Beast will be unable to use "Earth Vein Resonance" for 15 seconds]

[3. Fears Chaos Power: Chaos attribute attacks ignore 30% of the Star Core Protection's damage reduction]

Lin Ye stood at the edge of the crater.

He did not look back.

But he knew, the 9 people behind him, every single one of them was looking at him.

On the horizon behind them, that black-and-gold insect tide was now less than 1 kilometer away.

3000 soldier ants.

1 Queen Ant.

In front, deep in the crater, a Level 70 Saint-Grade projection.

Overhead, on the star tablet, that record that had remained unbroken for 814 years.

Remaining time: 14 hours 17 minutes.

Remaining distance: 0 kilometers.

Remaining combat: One battle.

Lin Ye took the seventh Chaos Divine Power Potion from Zhao Wuji.

He did not bite it open.

He just held it, turned around.

Looking at those 9 familiar faces.

47 hours.

353 kilometers.

127 Star Beast cores.

217 kilograms of insect Materials.

1 Black Tortoise Shield destroyed.

1 flame feather bow broken.

1 person suffering from spiritual sea backlash.

1 person suffering from extreme cold backlash.

1 person with an open fracture in three places on the right arm.

1 person with the web of the hand torn forty-three times.

1 person carrying 70% of the team's supplies for 470 kilometers.

1 person wrapping hands with bandages, shielding everyone from the wind for 470 kilometers.

1 person keeping watch for 47 hours while everyone slept.

1 person who hadn't closed their eyes since the first second of entering the Ancient Star.

Lin Ye looked at them.

One by one.

Su Qingyue.

Shi Potian.

Chen Hao.

Zhou Tieshan.

Chu Yunxi.

Zhao Wuji.

Qin Ruoxue.

Yun Qianxue.

Lu Xinghe.

Then he said:

"The seventh one."

"After killing the Giant Beast, I'll pay you back."

He bit open the nozzle.

Poured it down.

[Current Divine Power: 100% → 100% (Limit)]

[Meridians Load: 470% → 530%]

[Warning: Meridians Rupture countdown—]

[14 minutes.]

[13 minutes.]

[12 minutes.]

Lin Ye turned around.

He took his first step towards the dark blue light deep in the crater.

Behind him, 9 people stepped forward simultaneously.

Behind them, on the horizon, that black-and-gold insect tide, 300 meters from the crater's edge—stopped.

The Queen Ant did not attack.

It just watched from afar at that figure walking deep into the crater.

Watching that 13-meter radius gravity vacuum layer that reduced 9.7 times gravity to 0.5 times.

Watching that hand holding the sword.

Watching that back that did not look back.

Then—the Queen Ant emitted an extremely faint, extremely complex pheromone pulse that no human could interpret.

It wasn't an attack command.

It was—waiting.

Deep in the crater.

The dark blue light grew brighter.

The ground began to shake.

The Star Core Giant Beast, had awakened.