All Are Doomed

The ancient hall, entirely black, was illuminated only by the faint glow emanating from nine crystal orbs embedded in its ceiling, casting a dim light throughout the space. As the majestic procession of 299 powerhouses flew into the hall, Duan Dong River was already seated on the throne, smiling as he looked down. “Since you’ve made it through the corridor and arrived here, you may now begin to access the true inheritance.” “The inheritance?” “Access the inheritance?” Everyone understood that only one could obtain the complete inheritance. However, even gaining a partial inheritance and transmitting the information back before death would be well worth it. “If I can get a partial inheritance, perhaps I’ll find a way to transcend reincarnation. Once I discover it... I’ll immediately self-destruct. Even if I perish, I have a clone, so I’ll naturally continue to live... But if Duan Dong River attacks, I fear it would be absolute annihilation.” Many powerhouses who had broken through the first bottleneck thought this, especially. Among the 299 present, two had broken through the third bottleneck, and five had broken through the second. How could those who had only broken through the first bottleneck hope to obtain the inheritance this time? Their best bet was to gather some information and flee immediately if things went south. ...Observing the fluctuating thoughts of the various clan powerhouses below, who seemed eager, Duan Dong River on his throne continued, “Don’t be so hasty. Logically, you are eligible to access the inheritance, but... I still need to ask a question.” “A question?” Everyone’s hearts tightened. Simultaneously, they cursed Duan Dong River silently, thinking he was too troublesome. What was there to ask at a time like this? “As for the other candidates, never mind them. I want to question the seven Cosmic Overlords among you,” Duan Dong River said, looking at the seven strongest individuals below. Of the seven Cosmic Overlords, six were from the First Reincarnation Era, and one was from the Second Reincarnation Era. This time, they had suffered greatly, even appearing quite disheveled in the Rhinoceros Emperor Game. “If your answers are incorrect, I’m afraid you won’t have the chance to access the inheritance,” Duan Dong River stated. The seven Cosmic Overlords were greatly alarmed. How could this be...? “It’s not that I don’t want to give you a chance, but my Duan Dong River lineage has specific requirements for the universes you’ve each cultivated,” Duan Dong River sighed. “Once a universe is cultivated and born, it’s already set. Your future paths will be limited. If the structure of your miniature universe doesn’t meet my requirements, then you won’t be qualified to receive the inheritance.” “Ah!” “The structure of our miniature universes?” “This, this...” The seven Cosmic Overlords were dumbfounded. “Other Universe Masters, Universe Knights, and so on, are weaker and haven’t yet cultivated miniature universes,” Duan Dong River explained. “So they are fine. Those who receive my Duan Dong River lineage’s inheritance will naturally be guided on how to structure their universe once it’s born. But you seven... you’re already set.” “Now I ask you, what is the structure of your universes?” Duan Dong River asked directly. “This...” The seven Cosmic Overlords all hesitated. They all wanted to know what ‘universe structure’ Duan Dong River desired so they could fabricate false information. But Duan Dong River wasn’t foolish and wouldn’t reveal it, making it difficult for them to lie. Meanwhile, the other 292 powerhouses secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, it was the Cosmic Overlords who were unlucky. “No wonder, no wonder the two Holy Lands didn’t send any Cosmic Overlords at all. It seems... while the Duan Dong River lineage can allow Cosmic Overlords to become inheritors, it has extremely high and specific requirements for the structure of miniature universes. And the Cosmic Overlords of the two Holy Lands no longer possess miniature universes, so what ‘universe structure’ could they even discuss?” Luo Feng suddenly realized. “So that’s how it is.” “The inheritance actually has requirements for miniature universes.” The Universe Masters, Universe Knights, and Undying Gods present all gained new insight. This matter posed no danger to them... so they were all very interested in watching, wanting to understand what this ‘miniature universe structure’ was all about. “Speak,” Duan Dong River frowned. “What are you hesitating for? You, speak first.” Duan Dong River pointed directly at Tiebu Demon Master. Tiebu Demon Master hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said directly, “When I broke through from Universe Master to Cosmic Overlord, I opened up eight great planes—Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning, and Light—along the inner periphery of my miniature universe. These secretly connect to the universe’s origin, stabilizing the entire miniature universe.” “A common method...” Duan Dong River scoffed, shaking his head. “Next.” His gaze fell directly on Second True Master. Tiebu Demon Master’s expression changed drastically, and he shook his head with a sigh, realizing it wouldn’t work. Second True Master grew nervous and worried. “I...” After a slight hesitation, Second True Master immediately began fabricating a lie. “I opened up 10,081 miniature plane spaces, each connected to the universe’s origin, transforming into energy spaces. These 10,081 spaces also form spatial secret patterns, taking the shape of a sword.” “Is that all?” Duan Dong River looked at Second True Master. Second True Master was clearly fabricating a lie. Hearing Duan Dong River’s follow-up question, he felt there was hope and quickly added, “Of course not! I also opened up another 10,081 miniature planes, forming temporal secret patterns, also in the shape of a sword. Space and time grind against each other...” “What utter nonsense. If that were true, your miniature universe would have long since been in internal chaos, on the verge of collapse.” Duan Dong River let out a wry laugh. “Next.” “Haha...” Immediately, some powerhouses couldn’t help but laugh. Second True Master angrily glanced around. He had indeed fabricated a purely imaginary structure, as when one cultivates a universe... the internal structure is handled with extreme caution. No one dares to act recklessly; though many ideas might arise, their implementation is always very careful. “When I advanced to Cosmic Overlord, my God Kingdom transformed into a miniature universe. Its internal structure is divided into eight peripheral worlds and two core worlds, making the world structure incredibly stable.” “Stable, yes, but achieving further breakthroughs would be exceedingly difficult,” Duan Dong River shook his head. “Next.” ...These Cosmic Overlords racked their brains, completely disregarding the true structure of their miniature universes and purely fabricating lies to try and meet Duan Dong River’s requirements. “Next.” “Haha, interesting. Are you sure your universe is like that?” “Mediocre.” Duan Dong River listened to the Cosmic Overlords’ replies, evaluating each one. After the last, Seventh True Master, finished speaking, Duan Dong River shook his head. “Indeed, without guidance from a stronger being, simply guessing wildly to hit upon a profound method of universe architecture is quite impossible. None of you seven... can inherit my Duan Dong River lineage. Your potential is too low. If you had previously solved 6,000 Rhinoceros Emperor Game puzzles... my Duan Dong River lineage would have been willing to pay a great price. But your puzzle-solving was mediocre, and your potential is low... you are absolutely not qualified to receive my Duan Dong River lineage’s inheritance.” The seven Cosmic Overlords looked at each other, each helpless. A tragedy. Their journey to receive the inheritance this time was a complete tragedy... they suffered losses in the Rhinoceros Emperor Game, and now they were being discriminated against, not even getting a chance to access the inheritance. ...The other 292 powerhouses from various clans present remained calm. Even if some of the Cosmic Overlords who were disqualified belonged to their own clans from the First Reincarnation Era, everyone could face it calmly. After all, this wasn’t targeting one specific faction... but rather, all Cosmic Overlords were deemed unqualified to enter. “I didn’t expect the structure of miniature universes to hold such profound mysteries,” Luo Feng mused inwardly. “That’s right, in the Original Universe... becoming a Cosmic Overlord is already the pinnacle. Who can truly say whose miniature universe structure is superior? Only ancient civilizations, which gave birth to even more powerful super-beings, would understand which universe structure is better in the later stages.” This was the inheritance! It was the accumulated experience of countless predecessors who had suffered losses, a path they had painstakingly explored, a road leading to the pinnacle. For such a path... countless predecessors had paid an unknown price. Thus, the value of every pinnacle inheritance was immeasurable. It was only natural that even the ancestors of the two Holy Lands were moved by it. “All seven of you are unqualified to enter,” Duan Dong River said, looking down from his throne. “Besides you seven... all candidates from the God-Eye Clan are also unqualified to enter, and the entire God-Eye Clan lineage is doomed to die.” “The God-Eye Clan?” Luo Feng was taken aback. “What?” Lucheng Master was also surprised. “The God-Eye Clan isn’t qualified to enter?” Bloodjade Knight questioned. “Impossible,” Wuliang Master’s expression changed drastically. The entire God-Eye Clan lineage, including Second True Master, Seventh True Master, Wuliang Master... and Ying Ai Master, Jiufang Master, and others who had broken through the first bottleneck, were all stunned in disbelief. “Boom!!!” Seventh True Master immediately flipped his hand, producing the ultimate supreme treasure—Ice Cliff Fortress. He himself instantly entered the Ice Cliff Fortress, which then rapidly expanded. A fortress, elegant and exquisite, stood atop the cold, crystalline mountain peak. At this moment, Seventh True Master anxiously transmitted, “Quickly, get inside!” Immediately, Second True Master, Wuliang Master, and the others, disregarding their shock, swiftly entered the Ice Cliff Fortress. ...Though described slowly, it happened in an instant. The entire God-Eye Clan lineage, including two Cosmic Overlords, a total of 28 candidates, all entered the Ice Cliff Fortress. A chilling Ice Cliff Fortress landed on the ground, and then an angry voice rang out, “Lord Duan Dong River, why is my God-Eye Clan lineage unqualified to enter, and even doomed to die? Why this discriminatory treatment?” “If, Lord Duan Dong River, you truly didn’t want my God-Eye Clan lineage to receive the inheritance, why didn’t you tell us directly during the initial assessment? Just like with the Hai Clan, when you said they weren’t qualified to receive the inheritance. If you had said so earlier... my God-Eye Clan wouldn’t have all come in.” The God-Eye Clan lineage was indeed furious, almost to the point of madness. But even in their rage, they knew it was better to hide inside the Ice Cliff Fortress before arguing. After all, with a Cosmic Overlord’s ability to activate an ‘ultimate supreme treasure palace,’ even if it was Duan Dong River, he had already perished... A long-perished Duan Dong River probably couldn’t do anything to them, right? “Yes, Lord Duan Dong River, why such discriminatory treatment?” “You gave us hope, only to plunge us into despair.” “Only at the very end do you say we’re unqualified, that we must all die.” Voice after voice echoed. Clearly, the God-Eye Clan lineage was extremely enraged. Duan Dong River sat on his throne, looking down. “This... was a request from a friend of mine. I owed him, so naturally, I agreed.”