178: Reverse Tiangang

This was a massive base, its location unknown. As far as the eye could see, countless workshops were engaged in real-time recording of various aspects, with all sorts of data displayed on screens.

At this moment.

In the large workshop where the report was being given, images flickered on the light screen. Besides focusing on the Federal geniuses participating in the Miracle Corridor for the first time, they were also observing the entire Miracle Corridor, making relevant records, and making real-time adjustments.

Behind the reporting personnel.

About a dozen figures stood, watching the images on the light screen.

Among them were elders in research attire, as well as extraordinary beings with impressive bearing and remarkable abilities. Now, as the report concluded, the man leading at the very front spoke, “Which one is it?”

His voice was quite magnetic and captivating.

“Wu Yuan Academy, Qin Jin.”

The staff member’s reply came, “He is the top genius from Wu Yuan Academy this year, having won the Star Dome Breaking Limit Cup. On the Dengxing Arena, he received our preserved invitation, earning him the opportunity for a first experience of the Miracle Corridor.”

“Qin Jin?”

The leading man nodded slightly, as if he had heard the name before. His expression unchanged, he said, “For a genius from Wu Yuan Academy to achieve this, it is quite normal.”

He turned to look at the person beside him and said, “Dr. Cheng, the Miracle Corridor is about to officially begin operation. The Miracle Corridor was originally created to emulate that special place. How does its current achievement compare to that special place?”

“Currently, it’s at about 40%.”

The elder, addressed as Dr. Cheng, responded, “With continuous optimization and updates, it should reach over 60% by the time it officially opens.”

“To go further, we need to achieve a major breakthrough, or deepen our understanding of that place. To have reached this point based on the information we’ve gathered is already the limit.”

“After all—”

“That place is the legacy of a truly top-tier civilization, and now it is jointly maintained by multiple civilizations.”

“I understand.”

The man nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone in the workshop: “Everyone, keep up the hard work. Strive for the day when the Miracle Corridor becomes a true Civilization Corridor.”

After leaving that remark, he turned and departed.

Miracle Corridor.

Fourth-level area, the surrounding floating light spheres were purple, varying in size and shade.

The moment Qin Jin stepped into this area, a purple light sphere streaked across the sky in the distance, coming directly before him. Upon arrival, its surrounding light quickly diminished, revealing what was inside.

Inside was a five-pointed star-shaped artifact, about the size of a thumb, like a pendant. As the light retracted, Qin Jin clearly sensed a refining sensation emerging in his spiritual plane.

He raised his palm, and the pendant fell into his hand.

Relevant information was transmitted from the spiritual plane, flowing into his mind.

[Spirit Nurturing Starfall]

This was a treasure that aided a Martial Artist in spiritual refinement. It could be held long-term, simultaneously refining the spirit and boosting personal growth. Moreover, it had a protective effect, many functions, and could also assist in cultivation.

“Is this the reward for entering this area after I defeated the guardian?”

“It seems the guardian is also a form of assessment, though I don’t know if the rewards are consistent for all who pass.”

Qin Jin’s thoughts stirred. He put it away and looked further into the distance. With a surge of his body, he shot forward.

Soon after he started moving.

With a sudden sensation, Qin Jin’s gaze turned back, looking behind him.

No figures were visible within his sight.

But in his perception, he could detect a momentary fluctuation in the far distance behind him. Clearly, others had also arrived in this area.

“Their progress isn’t slow.”

Those who could become the first batch of experience-takers were certainly not ordinary people. The guardian method of the fourth area was destined to stop ordinary geniuses, but it would never stop these top-tier individuals.

His figure accelerated, and the surrounding purple light spheres swirled, looking quite dazzling.

After traveling a certain distance.

At the end of his vision, brilliant light rose.

As far as the eye could see, a clearly visible boundary barrier stood ahead. On the other side of the barrier were dazzling golden light spheres, captivating to the eye. Just by looking at them, one couldn’t help but think that the rewards inside must be extraordinary.

The golden light spheres shimmered in response to each other, making one feel a sense of anticipation.

Qin Jin’s gaze lowered, falling before the boundary barrier.

There, a figure stood with arms crossed, eyes slightly closed, seemingly resting.

His face looked young, and he also seemed like a participant of the Miracle Corridor, but Qin Jin’s memory was astonishing.

He could confirm that this person was not among the seventeen who entered this time—and it was impossible for anyone to have arrived here before him.

Therefore, the identity of the other party was obvious.

The guardian of the fifth area!

The thought flashed through his mind.

Qin Jin slowed his pace, stepping on the starlight. After a few steps, the young figure suddenly opened his eyes and looked at him.

“You arrived sooner than I expected.”

The other party’s voice rang out.

Qin Jin looked at him and calmly said, “How should I address you?”

“Are you also an imprint left here by a senior?”

“You can call me [Wu].”

The other party smiled, revealing a set of white teeth: “I am not an imprint.”

He shook his head slightly: “I am a guardian established by Federal powerhouses in cooperation with research experts, relying on the Miracle Corridor.”

“You can consider me a test.”

“The Federal geniuses entering the Miracle Corridor have an age limit. If you can defeat me alone, possessing power beyond the limit at this stage, it signifies that you truly possess the potential of a Martial God.”

At this point.

[Wu] looked at him and asked, “How about it, do you want to fight me?”

“If you don’t wish to fight, then you should collect opportunities in the fourth-level area. The Miracle Corridor’s first opening has limited time, so it’s best not to waste it.”

“Since you were the first to arrive here, with your ability, your gains in the fourth-level area should not be small.”

His voice echoed through the starlight.

Qin Jin’s eyes flickered with deep thought: “The guardian of the fourth-level area is a Celestial Imprint, controlling a body of the same realm as the challenger. This seems more like a self-test.”

“But the fifth-level area has been greatly elevated.”

“From variable to constant, the difficulty has increased immensely.”

Thoughts flowed through his mind, and Qin Jin looked at the golden light spheres behind him: “It seems the rewards for the next area are exceptionally astonishing.”

“Naturally.”

[Wu] nodded slightly: “This opening of the Miracle Corridor, the highest-level area, is the next area.”

“That place is the endpoint of this Miracle Corridor.”

Qin Jin nodded.

He looked thoughtful, gazing at the other party, and said in a calm tone: “The so-called test should only be a secondary matter.”

“It’s true that you need to defeat me to enter the fifth-level area, but you specifically mentioned the word ‘alone’ just now, and there’s no arena like in the fourth level within this boundary.”

“Can the participants of the Miracle Corridor cooperate, join forces to defeat you, and then enter the fifth-level area together?”

Qin Jin’s voice held a sense of certainty.

Within the Miracle Corridor, some rules were not explicitly stated, so certain ideas could naturally be implemented.

Although it seemed strange for the Miracle Corridor, which emphasized “competition,” to allow joint efforts to clear a stage, the existing conditions made this an obvious deduction.

Ahead.

[Wu]’s expression remained unchanged. He nodded: “You are correct.”

“Within the Miracle Corridor, you cannot communicate, but you can cooperate, jointly attack me, and attempt to enter the fifth-level area.”

“This is permitted.”

“How so—”

“Are you waiting for others to arrive?”

“I can remind you that the number of people participating in this Miracle Corridor is extremely small, and at this very moment, some have already chosen to stay in the previous areas to obtain opportunities.”

“Given the limited opening time of the Miracle Corridor this time, you might not wait for many helpers.”

“No—”

Qin Jin shook his head and said calmly, “I am just confirming some rules of the Miracle Corridor.”

“After all, there will be opportunities to enter here again in the future.”

As he spoke.

Qin Jin extended his hand, making an inviting gesture: “Please.”

“Good!”

[Wu] shouted loudly, an excited look flashing across his young face. His aura rapidly surged, and with a step, the starlight rippled. His figure suddenly leapt out, and a faint light radiated from his body.

In an instant.

Qin Jin clearly sensed that the other party’s body was also covered by a domain.

This guardian, who tested the “Martial God’s potential,” was at least a Grandmaster. As he surged forward, his aura grew once more. With a raise of his hand, the surrounding “light spheres” were drawn to him through the air.

Wrapped in power, they hurtled towards Qin Jin.

The light spheres, like cannonballs, impacted towards Qin Jin. He moved forward, his domain operating, and his intrinsic power actively spread. The incoming purple light spheres, upon contact with the domain, exploded with power and were violently repelled.

Some light spheres, upon contact, even directly burst and shattered, revealing what was inside.

It seemed that the opportunities and assessments within the Miracle Corridor also varied in difficulty. The simplest ones only required breaking the light sphere’s restriction to obtain its contents.

The light spheres scattered, replaced by [Wu] who had already closed in. He raised his fist, and surging power, like a rushing river, violently struck out.

On this starlight.

Fist met fist, and the two engaged in their first clash.

Boom!

Power erupted upon contact, and tangible, substantial force ripples spread in all directions. The light spheres in the entire area were directly swept away by the ripples, clearing the entire zone.

After one collision.

Both bodies retreated slightly. Immediately after, their figures flashed, and they re-engaged. Explosions continuously echoed within the starlight. In a brief moment, they had exchanged dozens of blows. After another collision, their bodies separated. Qin Jin’s brows held a sense of exhilaration as he looked at the other party and said, “Not bad.”

“Not bad?”

[Wu] was a mysterious creation born within this Miracle Corridor, but he was extremely agile, with thoughts indistinguishable from a normal person. Upon hearing the evaluation,

He showed a hint of surprise: “You, fellow, how did you turn the tables?”

“Shouldn’t I be the one evaluating you?”

Qin Jin did not answer directly.

In martial arts, he was also far ahead. In the previous exchange, he had only used martial arts techniques, which was also a form of self-testing.

Now.

Listening to [Wu]’s voice, Qin Jin looked at him and smiled brightly.

“Are you ready?”

“What?”

[Wu] frowned slightly.

“Unleash your full power.”

“Otherwise—”

“You will quickly lose.”

The moment his voice fell.

A faint light flashed around Qin Jin.

As it flashed, his figure instantly vanished.

Nine Secrets of Star Seeking, Secret of Movement!

The moment he reappeared, brilliant lightning surged around Qin Jin. His Sky Thunder Body activated, empowered by the Thunder Marsh, the two systems merged into one, carrying Qin Jin’s most familiar lightning power, making this place the most dazzling spot in the starlight.

He unleashed a punch.

The moment Qin Jin disappeared, [Wu] became alert. When the attack came, his reaction was swift. His intrinsic power gathered, and as his domain operated, other areas became weak, while only the area where Qin Jin attacked was instantly strengthened. Layers of intrinsic power overlapped and circulated, intercepting the blow.

The next instant!

The thunderous punch struck the domain.

With one blow, the domain resisted for a moment, then shattered with a roar. The external circulation of intrinsic power was broken, and lightning pulverized everything.

The lightning power converted from Qin Jin’s own power was already of extremely high quality. After condensing the ‘Calamity’ character and being empowered by the Thunder Marsh, it underwent a qualitative change.

The layered intrinsic power defenses were instantly shattered. Qin Jin’s punch struck [Wu]’s chest. The dazzling lightning was even more striking than the golden light spheres deeper within. With one blow, astonishing power erupted, and [Wu]’s body flew backward.

Thunder still clung to his body.

It was at this time.

Qin Jin moved again.

His figure shot forward, and in the process, his momentum surged once more.

True Dragon Treasure Technique activated!

With its empowerment, the faint white dragon around him was encircled by brilliant lightning, appearing even more majestic. As Qin Jin’s figure darted forward, a thought arose, and surging intrinsic power burst from his body, forming a dragon phantom, as if replicating the white dragon surrounding him. Electric arcs flowed on the dragon scales, and the thunderous white dragon charged forward in the star sea, pursuing and striking [Wu] with immense force.

[Wu] did not stop resisting, deploying his own techniques to intercept.

But...

Everything was futile.

His test also had a standard. When combat power exceeded that standard, one could truly win.

And Qin Jin, throughout his journey, had already, knowingly or unknowingly, surpassed this standard!

The thunder dragon roared, and power erupted.

Under the impact of extraordinary power, at a certain moment, [Wu]’s figure suddenly vanished.

Ahead.

Within the boundary barrier leading to the fifth-level area, a portal appeared.

As Qin Jin’s thoughts stirred, the techniques still erupting with power in the starlight quickly receded and gradually disappeared.

This was, after all, the ultimate control over one’s own power.

On the spot.

His figure solidified, and [Wu] reappeared, looking at Qin Jin with a look of astonishment in his eyes.

As a “creation” within this Miracle Corridor, he was not a real person and naturally would not truly die, which was why Qin Jin acted without restraint.

“You passed.”

[Wu]’s voice rang out, murmuring, “This isn’t what they said.”

Qin Jin raised an eyebrow, not asking further. He collected the reward that had been blasted open by the aftershocks and directly stepped into the portal on the barrier.

Just after Qin Jin entered.

In the distance of the starlight, a figure approached. Upon seeing [Wu], she spoke, “Are you the guardian of the next area?”

Her voice was pleasant to the ear.

This was a woman, dressed in white, with a heroic demeanor.

“That’s right.”

[Wu] nodded slightly, looking at her. As if he remembered something, a look of alertness appeared in his eyes: “Defeat me, and you can enter the fifth-level area.”

Passing through the portal.

The brilliant golden light spheres appeared exceptionally dazzling.

The moment he entered this place, a light sphere flew from the distance. Along the way, the light enveloping it rapidly diminished.

“An opportunity reward related to [Wu].”

“If we had defeated him together, I’m afraid we wouldn’t have obtained this reward.”

Thoughts flowed through his mind. The light sphere approached, and even before it reached Qin Jin, relevant information had already been transmitted through the spiritual plane, seeming somewhat joyful.

Within this light sphere, there existed a—

[Law Star Core]