Species

Flying into the crimson torrent, Luo Feng felt space-time distort, as if he were soaring through a cosmic passage. Whoosh! His vision brightened. Before him lay a hall shrouded in a faint, misty white fog. The hall's material, a deep gray, was identical to the passages and cabins of the Tomb Mausoleum. Inside the hall, eight Universe Masters were present: Deer Bug Master, Shadow Dust Master, Howling Sea Master, Glazed Jade Master, and others. All eight turned to look at him. Swoosh! Luo Feng flew straight towards them. “Galaxy Lord, you've only cultivated for a dozen or so epochs, an incredibly short time, yet you've come!” Deer Bug Master chuckled. “We were just discussing whether you, Galaxy, would come... If I were you, and from the Original Universe, with more than two reincarnation eras left until your lifespan limit, you could live for a very, very long time. With such high achievements in such a short cultivation period, there's no need to contend with us. In fact, you could withdraw now.” Shadow Dust Master appeared quite amiable. “Since I've come, I won't retreat,” Luo Feng stated calmly. “Hmph.” “Coming here is just asking for death,” Howling Sea Master sneered, glaring at Luo Feng. “If the junior wishes to court death, there's no need to concern ourselves with him,” Scarlet Hawk Master said indifferently. The Skeleton Race was inherently a mad and sinister species, uniting only among their own kind and harboring extreme hostility towards outsiders. Especially towards Luo Feng, who had achieved so much in just a dozen epochs of cultivation, there was a hint of jealousy. In truth, Shadow Dust Master, Witch Demon Master, Scarlet Hawk Master, and others present, who chose to brave this challenge and risk everything for the legacy, were the most hostile towards Luo Feng! They knew very well... that when selecting a successor, progress speed and comprehension are typically prioritized. Someone who cultivated for a dozen epochs achieving nearly the same as someone who cultivated for almost three reincarnation eras—who would that ‘Duan Dong River’ choose? It went without saying. Their only hope now was that Duan Dong River's remaining methods couldn't determine how long the present powerhouses had lived. But regarding Duan Dong River, they only felt his unfathomable depth, leaving them with no confidence, and thus, they wished Luo Feng would withdraw sooner rather than later. ...As Luo Feng and the other nine were in the misty hall, exchanging veiled taunts, invisible energy suddenly began to coalesce beside them, forming a figure—the green-haired man, Duan Dong River. “All nine have arrived.” Duan Dong River's gaze swept over the nine powerhouses, and he nodded. “Then, let the first screening begin.” “Screening?” Deer Bug Master, Shadow Dust Master, Luo Feng, and the others felt their hearts tighten. No one dared to claim they could pass the screening. “Rise!” Duan Dong River pointed towards the hall floor from a distance. Whoosh~~~~ The floor suddenly split open, and a strange machine gradually emerged from within. It was a dark red, cube-like instrument, its surface covered in numerous law secret patterns. The profound mystery of these patterns made every powerhouse present feel dizzy and unable to comprehend them. Click! A door suddenly opened in the cube-like instrument. “One enters, one is screened,” Duan Dong River stated directly. “Only one can enter at a time. Begin.” The nine powerhouses present exchanged glances. Who would go first? This eerie and unpredictable cube-like instrument looked quite dangerous, and for a moment, no one was willing to be the first to enter. “You, enter,” Duan Dong River pointed at Deer Bug Master. “This is just the initial screening; Deer Bug Master will surely pass.” “Indeed, how could this be difficult for Deer Bug Master?” The other Universe Masters from the first reincarnation era immediately relaxed, some even jesting. Deer Bug Master merely smiled, said nothing more, and walked directly to the cube-like instrument, stepping inside. Immediately after, click~~~ the door of the cube-like instrument closed. The secret patterns on the surface of the cube-like instrument began to glow. Boom, boom, boom~~~ Powerful energy fluctuations surged within the instrument, causing it to transform from its previous dark red to a dazzling incandescent white. “What exactly is happening inside?” Luo Feng felt a pang of anxiety. Screening? What was being screened? Everything was unknown. No sound came from Deer Bug Master inside. Perhaps he was screaming in agony, but the sound couldn't escape. In short, because they couldn't enter the cube-like instrument... everyone felt a growing unease. A moment later— “Click!” The door opened. A figure emerged from the cube-like instrument; it was Deer Bug Master, his face etched with confusion. This puzzled the other eight Universe Masters as well... it seemed something had happened to Deer Bug Master inside, hence his expression. “First screening, passed,” Duan Dong River said, glancing at Deer Bug Master. Deer Bug Master immediately showed a joyful expression. “Deer Bug Master, what exactly was in there?” Glazed Jade Master asked. “Congratulations, Deer Bug Master. What was it like inside?” Witch Demon Master also inquired. These two were the only females present, and both spoke up. “You'll know once you go in,” Deer Bug Master replied, then stood aside. Having passed this inexplicable screening, he was naturally quite at ease. “Next!” Duan Dong River's gaze swept over the remaining eight. “I'll go!” Howling Sea Master's eyes flashed with ferocity, and he immediately strode forward. Seeing a powerhouse volunteer, Duan Dong River stood silently, watching. Howling Sea Master walked to the door of the cube-like instrument, hesitated briefly, then stepped inside. Click~~ The door closed. Immediately after, the secret patterns on the instrument's surface glowed once more... Luo Feng and the others waited in silence. What was happening inside? A moment later—the door opened, and Howling Sea Master also emerged, his face full of confusion. Duan Dong River looked at Howling Sea Master, a hint of sternness in his eyes, and said coldly, “You, do not qualify!” Immediately, the other powerhouses felt a tremor in their hearts. Not qualified? “Not qualified, I don't qualify? Why, why don't I qualify?” Howling Sea Master grew anxious, unable to stop himself from asking repeatedly, “I've only lived for nearly three reincarnation eras, and Deer Bug Master has lived much longer than me. He's only stronger because of his ultimate supreme treasure. Why don't I qualify?” This was an opportunity for their Skeleton Race, and Howling Sea Master truly didn't want to give up. “Silence!” Duan Dong River barked. “Next!” Duan Dong River looked at the other seven. The fact that Howling Sea Master, the only one who had volunteered, didn't qualify made the remaining seven cautious and unwilling to step forward. “You,” Duan Dong River pointed at Glazed Jade Master. ...Glazed Jade Master, qualified! Rock Giant Master, not qualified! Shadow Dust Master, qualified! Witch Demon Master, qualified! Golden Square Master, qualified! Howling Sea Master, not qualified! Scarlet Hawk Master, not qualified! “You.” Duan Dong River finally pointed at Luo Feng. It was unclear if this was intentional or not, as ever since Howling Sea Master had volunteered and failed, the other powerhouses had all been pointed to by Duan Dong River before entering. Luo Feng also held his breath, walked directly to the cube-like instrument, and stepped through the door. ...Inside the instrument, however, was an independent void. Luo Feng floated in the void, looking around, finding no exit. “Boom~~” “Boom~~” “Boom~~” Twisted secret patterns began to appear in the void, dazzling white patterns instantly covering the entire space. Waves of eerie and unpredictable power were born in an instant, directly penetrating Luo Feng. Even with the Star Tower guarding his soul and the Mad Demon God-Slaying Armor protecting his body, it was useless. This eerie and unpredictable power directly drilled into his divine body. At this moment, it seemed all his secrets were exposed. The invisible, strange power continuously drilled into his divine body, into every fraction of his divine power, completely merging with Luo Feng. A moment later, as the twisted secret patterns in the void began to dissipate, the strange power vanished completely. “Click!” A door appeared in the void ahead. Luo Feng then stepped out, into the hall outside. Everything that had just happened inside the cube-like instrument still left Luo Feng filled with doubt. “You, qualify,” Duan Dong River nodded, revealing a faint smile. “Hmm?” “A smile?” “No.” “Something's wrong.” Deer Bug Master, Shadow Dust Master, Witch Demon Master, and the others who had passed the first screening, all subtly changed their expressions. This was because it was the first time Duan Dong River had shown a smile since the beginning. From the judgment of the powerhouses present... Duan Dong River's original personality was very cold. The ‘phantom’ he left behind must surely match his original character. “You, you, and you.” Duan Dong River pointed at Howling Sea Master, Scarlet Hawk Master, and Rock Giant Master. “The three of you, depart quickly. If you do not... there will only be death.” Howling Sea Master and Scarlet Hawk Master exchanged glances, unwilling to accept this. Was the Skeleton Race to be completely wiped out here? Rock Giant Master, the special rock lifeform, also looked at Glazed Jade Master and said in a low voice, “Glazed Jade, Rock Giant can no longer protect you. Be careful.” “Lord Duan Dong River, could you tell us why neither of us passed?” Howling Sea Master couldn't help but ask. “Not of my species, yet you wish to inherit the legacy of my Duan Dong River lineage? Delusional! Begone!” Duan Dong River said coldly. “Species?” Luo Feng, Deer Bug Master, and the others were all greatly astonished. Strictly speaking, the six powerhouses who passed were not all from the same species, nor were they all flesh-and-blood lifeforms. For instance, Glazed Jade Master was a plant-based lifeform, yet still passed. “Species...” Howling Sea Master and Scarlet Hawk Master trembled. If this was the reason, then it was a huge problem. It meant their failure, and even if other powerhouses from the Skeleton Race came, they would likely fail too. “Still not leaving!” Duan Dong River's eyes blazed with cold light. “Let's go.” Howling Sea Master and Scarlet Hawk Master gritted their teeth, immediately transforming into streaks of light and rushing outwards. Rock Giant Master also reluctantly bid farewell to Glazed Jade Master, then likewise rushed out, flying into the crimson torrent. Following the crimson torrent, space-time flowed, and the three of them quickly arrived back at the previous control room hall. “Hmph,” Howling Sea Master lowered his head, looking at the deep crimson passage, gritting his teeth. “If this is the reason, then does it mean no one from my Skeleton Race can succeed?” “Since that's the case, if our Skeleton Race cannot succeed, then we shall spread the news, letting all major powers know! Let countless powerhouses rush here! If our Skeleton Race cannot achieve it... then neither shall the God-Eye Clan easily succeed,” Scarlet Hawk Master said bitterly. After all, three of the six remaining inside were from the God-Eye Clan. How could the Skeleton Race simply watch the God-Eye Clan succeed? ...Inside the misty hall. Duan Dong River looked at the remaining six and said, “Those not of my species naturally have no right to receive the legacy. However, this was merely the simplest screening... and the only safe one. Below, there will be life-and-death dangers. If you are afraid now, you may still withdraw.”