44: Thousand Star Gourd and Apostle Fruit

"Ding! Congratulations, host, for advancing to Rank 2, One-Star!"

Before he could even feel the changes in his body, two more System notifications rang out in quick succession.

"Ding! Congratulations, host, for Awakening the SSS-Rank companion spirit seed, 'thousand star gourd'!"

"Ding! The apostle fruit has been unlocked. Please check it yourself, host!"

As the System's voice faded, Lin Xingyu was also teleported out of the Secret Realm.

At this moment, the Trial Secret Realm had been completely devoured by him, vanishing entirely.

Lin Xingyu looked around and found that this was not the location where he had entered the Secret Realm.

"It seems the teleportation out location isn't fixed!"

Lin Xingyu wasn't in a hurry to return. He immersed his consciousness into his Inner World and began to materialize the thousand star gourd.

Streaks of light emerged from his body, slowly coalescing into a verdant green gourd.

The gourd was crystal clear, its surface dotted with tiny green flames, making it quite beautiful.

However, there was a large, conspicuous character for "Wine" on the gourd, which was rather jarring!

"thousand star gourd"

"Rank: SSS"

"Characteristic 1: star ray shuttle. Can control star ray shuttles for combat. The number of star ray shuttles will increase with Rank advancement."

"Characteristic 2: Brewing. Input ingredients to produce various spirit brews."

"Description: A supreme treasure crafted by a Wine Sword Immortal from another world. Due to special circumstances, it became the host's spirit seed."

"Note: Waste gas will be produced during the brewing process. After accumulating to a certain extent, it will be actively released into the outside world."

"A new companion spirit seed, and it's SSS-Rank!!"

Lin Xingyu was ecstatic.

The System was indeed reliable!

Advancing by devouring a secret realm core was far superior to absorbing a spirit seed!

However, this was also quite extravagant; who advances one Rank by consuming an entire Secret Realm?

Lin Xingyu delightedly held the thousand star gourd in his hand, examining it up and down.

But, this character for "Wine"... "System, can this character be removed?"

"The host can change the appearance of the thousand star gourd after reaching Rank 3."

Alright, alright, I'll use it like this for now!

Having the "Wine" character might even mislead enemies. Who would think a wine gourd contains star ray shuttles?

Immediately after, with a thought, two star ray shuttles flew out from the thousand star gourd, rapidly spinning around him.

He took out his wind-splitting blade and clashed it against the star ray shuttles.

"Crack—"

The wind-splitting blade snapped in response, the upper half of the blade falling to the ground.

"So sharp?!"

Lin Xingyu looked at the remaining half of the wind-splitting blade in his hand, feeling a bit regretful.

He should have known better than to experiment with the wind-splitting blade.

Now, the wind-splitting blade was completelywaste.

He pointed casually, and a star ray shuttle flashed past, striking a large tree in front.

"Boom—"

The tree fell in response, wood chips flying... After some experimentation, Lin Xingyu discovered that the star ray shuttles could perform various offensive or defensive actions according to his thoughts.

This thing is too cool!!!

From now on, he wouldn't have to fight like a brute, swinging a blade at people.

Engaging in close combat with enemies, getting all dusty and dirty, and occasionally splattered with blood...

With the star ray shuttles, his fighting style would completely change!

Next time he encountered an enemy, he would just need to shout, "Sword, come!" and then just watch from the side.

He could even get some cold drinks and snacks... While chatting and laughing, his enemies would turn to dust!

This is what a civilized person should do!

His prestige instantly rose by more than one level.

The thousand star gourd also has a brewing function; he'll try it later.

No wonder it was said to be a supreme treasure crafted by a Wine Sword Immortal; with the thousand star gourd, he had both Flying Swords and wine.

"The weapon problem is completely solved now!"

Lin Xingyu nodded in satisfaction and put away the thousand star gourd.

"Buzz—"

Just then, his wristband suddenly vibrated.

A message popped up.

"Due to special circumstances, the trial has ended early. Please gather at the designated coordinates: ..."

This was a message sent by Starfall Academy.

Immediately after, his wristband vibrated again; it was a call from Wang Ledian.

Connecting the call, Wang Ledian's excited voice came through:

"Brother Yu, how are you?"

"I'm fine, very safe!"

Lin Xingyu nodded. This guy actually knew to care about him, which was rare.

However, before he could think more, Wang Ledian's voice came again:

"That's not what I meant. Weren't you in the restroom? Suddenly being teleported out, that scene..."

"Scram!"

...After ending the call, Lin Xingyu was not in a hurry to gather.

With a thought, he disappeared from his spot and arrived in his Inner World.

"Such a big change..."

"Now it truly looks like a world!"

Lin Xingyu looked at the world before him, filled with a sense of accomplishment.

It was now a hundred thousand meters in diameter!

This was something he had developed step by step from a small space only a few meters square.

Just then, a question suddenly arose in his mind.

That Trial Secret Realm, although only F-Rank, had an incredibly vast internal space.

How come after devouring the entire Secret Realm, his Inner World only grew this much?

Could it be that the System embezzled some of it?

...Just as Lin Xingyu's thoughts were straying, the System's prompt sounded again.

"Ding! The Inner World's energy level is higher than the Secret Realm's. It requires more energy for expansion!"

"Ahem... I was just thinking aloud!"

Lin Xingyu scratched his head awkwardly and turned to look at the World Tree.

The World Tree towered into the clouds, and from its drooping branches hung three verdant green fruits.

"Hmm? What is this?"

Just as he was about to check the information, he suddenly noticed that next to the World Tree, there was another slightly smaller tree, covered in purple fruits.

Of course, 'slightly smaller' was in comparison to the World Tree; elsewhere, it would definitely be considered a giant tree.

"spirit sculpting tree"

"Characteristic: Can bear spirit shaping fruits. Consuming them can reshape one's spirit seed. Currently, it can only bear Rank 1 spirit shaping fruits."

"Note: A supreme treasure of the Heavenly Spirit Clan, it ended up on Blue Star due to special circumstances. Its Origin is currently damaged and slowly recovering..."

"I almost forgot about it!"

Lin Xingyu slapped his forehead.

Wasn't this one of his goals for entering the Trial Secret Realm?

It seemed that by devouring the Secret Realm, he had brought this thing in as well.

"Origin damaged? Currently can only bear Rank 1 spirit shaping fruits?"

Does that mean it can bear higher-Rank ones in the future, allowing Advanced Evolvers to reshape their spirit seeds?

If so, the value of this thing would be somewhat Heaven-Defying.

He hit the jackpot... Lin Xingyu took a deep breath, calmed his restless heart, and turned to look at the fruits on the World Tree.

"apostle fruit"

"Characteristic 1: Eating this fruit will make one the host's Apostle, granting permission to enter and exit the Inner World."

"Characteristic 2: Absolute Loyalty. Apostles are absolutely loyal to the host and will never betray."

"Characteristic 3: Sharing. Apostles can share the World Tree's ability to generate evolution fruits. The World Tree will extract 50% when used."

"Characteristic 4: Feedback. The Apostle's strength increase will accelerate the growth and evolution of the Inner World, forming a virtuous cycle."

"Description: As the Lord of the World, Apostles are the cornerstone of the host's growth."

"Note: Devouring Secret Realms can generate apostle fruits."

"This is for me to recruit subordinates..."

Lin Xingyu's gaze lingered on this information for a long time before he came back to his senses.

Apostles were far stronger than Slaves; not only were they absolutely loyal, but they also shared a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship.