The Initial Universe

The Demon Killer Clan, one of the peak races among energy-based lifeforms, holds the title of 'Strongest Assassin Race.' In terms of numbers, members of the Demon Killer Clan aren't as rare as Golden Horned Beasts. However, when it comes to their skin alone, the rarity of a Demon Killer Clan member's skin is no less than that of a Golden Horned Beast's corpse. Unfortunately... a damaged Demon Killer Clan member's skin has very low 'cultivation value' itself; its worth is primarily as a collector's item. Luo Feng was still quite pleased about this. “I hope the Immortal beings don't get carried away,” Luo Feng secretly prayed. One mixed-element unit was a huge sum for a Domain Lord. Without special circumstances, a Domain Lord wouldn't waste money like that. His only fear was that some Immortal beings would splurge. 1.1 trillion cosmic coins... 1.15 trillion cosmic coins... On the token's screen, the numbers kept climbing. 1.5 trillion cosmic coins... 1.51 trillion cosmic coins... 1.56 trillion... 1.59 trillion... The numbers jumped continuously, breaking past two trillion (two mixed-element units) in just a moment. “Is it really necessary for a damaged skin?” Luo Feng gritted his teeth. “That skin contains spatial origin secret patterns,” Babata said. “But it's damaged!” Luo Feng gritted his teeth and entered a new, higher bid. The price jumped at a dizzying speed, with occasional large leaps that quickly pushed it past three trillion. After that, the bidding increments noticeably slowed down. After all, it was still just a damaged Demon Killer Clan member's skin. “Three mixed-element units. Any higher is pointless.” Among the millions of thrones, a guest on one of them, clad in strange silver armor, with white eyebrows, white pupils, and a bald head, smiled. He exuded an aura like a warm sun. Warm, yet demanding reverence. “3.6 mixed-element units. If I win it, this Demon Killer Clan member's skin will reside in my cultivation chamber.” A silver-haired elder in black robes watched the bid surpass 3.6 trillion, then shook his head and stopped bidding. “Enough, enough, don't go any higher,” Luo Feng muttered, staring at the auction token's screen, his fingers gripping the token so tightly it creaked. “3.9 trillion.” Luo Feng gritted his teeth and entered the price again. Others might not buy it, but he had to seize this opportunity. After entering the price, he continued to stare at the screen. The number displayed remained '3.9 trillion cosmic coins,' and it didn't change for several seconds, which made Luo Feng a little excited. “3.9 trillion! Any higher bids? Counting down three seconds, 3... 2... 1! Congratulations to guest number KND99286, you have acquired the damaged Demon Killer Clan member's skin.” The turtle-shelled elder's voice echoed through the vast, seemingly endless auction hall. “Phew!” Luo Feng let out a long breath, looking at the message displayed on his auction token. “Haha, Luo Feng, you succeeded!” Babata exclaimed, overjoyed. “Good luck. I was really afraid it would exceed what I could afford,” Luo Feng said, his face beaming. It was enough. He had participated in this Ganwu Auction, witnessed thousands of valuable items, and purchased several important ones. The Lan Ke fruit was for the Moyun Teng. The Yan Shen Weapon would be his personal weapon for a long time to come, and the Demon Killer Clan member's skin was for cultivating his second clone. His second clone—a Demon Killer Clan member! “Now, I have one concern...” Luo Feng mused inwardly. “What are you worried about?” Babata asked. “I'm worried about the power level of the Demon Killer Clan skin's original owner,” Luo Feng thought. “The Golden Horned Beast cannot cultivate a clone stronger than itself. Currently, the Golden Horned Beast is at 'Universe-level Stage Six,' so the strongest clone it can cultivate would also be Universe-level Stage Six. This skin's original owner... I hope they weren't stronger than Universe-level Stage Six.” “It's all up to luck now, but don't worry, Luo Feng. As the strongest assassin race, the stronger a Demon Killer Clan member is, the harder they are to kill, let alone kill and preserve their skin. So... the probability of it being a Domain Lord is almost zero, a Sector Lord is higher, and a Universe-level is even higher. Of course... it still depends on your luck.” This Ganwu Auction attracted more than half of the powerful individuals within the Ganwu Universe Nation. Even some Immortals from other cosmic nations came to participate! An emperor of some empire, the leader of some organization, and even the Immortal God Lord of some divine kingdom were merely attendees at the auction, and Luo Feng was one of them... Many individuals of extremely high status attended this auction primarily for the most important finale item. “Ladies and gentlemen, up to this point, 99 finale items have already been auctioned,” the turtle-shelled elder said with a smile, his voice echoing through the entire auction hall. “Only the very last finale item remains! Once this item is auctioned, this Ganwu Auction will officially conclude.” “I believe everyone is eager, and truthfully, I, Old Barto, am also quite impatient,” the turtle-shelled elder's voice suddenly rose. “Now!!!” “I solemnly announce that this final finale item is—a single slot for comprehending the Initial Universe!” The turtle-shelled elder's eyes shone brilliantly, his voice loud. “A Domain Lord-level slot! This is a slot to enter the Initial Universe for comprehension. I believe all Domain Lords and Immortals present clearly understand how precious such a slot is!” Whoosh—The entire auction hall erupted in a frenzy. Although rumors had spread long ago, hearing that the final item was indeed this slot still sent the whole venue into an uproar! “The Initial Universe.” “The legendary Initial Universe! To be able to enter and merely glimpse it, even if one dies of old age afterward, it would be worth it.” “I heard the Initial Universe is different from our Primal Universe.” “Slots for the Initial Universe have long been monopolized by the five great behemoths. Even for various cosmic nations, it's incredibly difficult to acquire one. Let alone a 'Domain Lord-level' slot... This is going to be insane; the auction price will definitely be astronomical.” The discussions were incessant, and Luo Feng could feel the fervor, envy, anticipation, and excitement contained within the surrounding chatter. “Babata, what does 'Initial Universe comprehension slot' mean?” Luo Feng asked. “What kind of place is the Initial Universe?” “Luo Feng, you should know that the universe we currently live in is the most vast and expansive, with an incredibly diverse array of races. This universe is called the 'Primal Universe.' The Primal Universe is a very complete universe, and comprehending its origin laws is extremely difficult,” Babata explained. “However, the Initial Universe is different.” “Initial... since it's called 'Initial,' it means the 'Initial Universe' is in the early stages of cosmic evolution.” “Legend has it that no life has yet been born in the Initial Universe.” “Legend has it that because the Initial Universe is incomplete, natural disasters are constant.” “Legend has it that because it's incomplete, it's easier to comprehend its origins!” “In the cosmos, some super organizations, such as the Virtual Universe Company, Cosmic River Bank, Giant Axe Martial Arena, and other five great behemoths, occasionally send important elites to the Initial Universe for comprehension,” Babata sighed. “Comprehending in the Initial Universe makes progress much easier.” Luo Feng was very confused. “Where did the Initial Universe come from? How do you get there?” “I don't know,” Babata said. Meanwhile, in the auction hall, the turtle-shelled elder announced loudly, “A peak Domain Lord entering the Initial Universe has over a fifty percent chance of reaching Immortality! This slot is incredibly precious. Now, let the bidding begin! The starting price is still zero!” “1,000 mixed-element units!” This number appeared on the auction tokens of millions of guests, causing many Domain Lords to sigh inwardly at such immense wealth. The number suddenly jumped— “10,000 mixed-element units!” Silence! The entire auction hall fell completely silent. All the Domain Lords were somewhat dumbfounded. This was the first time throughout the entire auction that a price reached 10,000 mixed-element units! This was the threshold for a Four-Star Tier account. Among Immortal powerhouses, possessing 10,000 mixed-element units was already considered quite successful. To throw out 10,000 mixed-element units just for a Domain Lord-level comprehension slot was indeed extravagant. “My heavens, this is just a Domain Lord-level slot. If it were an Immortal-level slot... how much more expensive would that be?” Luo Feng's eyes widened. “Immortal-level slots would never appear at a 'Beginner Auction.' They would typically be a rare finale item at a 'Mid-tier Auction' or appear at a 'High-tier Auction.' Even your teacher, at times, couldn't afford one even if he lost everything,” Babata sighed with emotion. “Huh?” Luo Feng was startled. “Your teacher once attended an auction, but even after exhausting all his wealth, it wasn't enough,” Babata shook his head. “So, your teacher has never been to the Initial Universe either.” “Even teacher hasn't been?” “Although he hasn't been, it's... just a special place. The Initial Universe is in the 'initial state' of cosmic evolution. In terms of size, it's also far smaller than the Primal Universe!” Babata said. “The Primal Universe contains countless races and countless lifeforms; humanity is just one of the countless lifeforms in the Primal Universe!” “The Primal Universe is the true core.” “Other secret realms, divine kingdoms, worlds, the Initial Universe, and some other special places, many are even dependent on the 'Primal Universe'!” Babata said. “Or rather, many are just a part of the Primal Universe!” “A part?” Luo Feng was confused. “If I tell you now, you wouldn't understand! *Cough*... Actually, I don't know much about it either!” “Although your teacher is considered a powerhouse among Immortals, the vast cosmos is filled with experts. There are plenty stronger than your teacher.” “Moreover, the cosmos is too vast. Even an Immortal would find it difficult to explore the entire universe in billions of years. So, your teacher only knows a tiny fraction about this universe. Of course, I wouldn't know much more,” Babata said. “As for the most ancient, most powerful, and most mysterious 'Primal Universe,' if you want to know more, you'll have to rely on yourself.” Luo Feng smiled. He was currently only operating within the Heilong Mountain Starfield, hadn't even entered the Ganwu Universe Nation, let alone dared to speak of exploring the entire cosmos. After all, humanity was merely one of countless lifeforms in the vast universe. “36,530 mixed-element units! Any higher bids?” “36,550 mixed-element units, uh, 37,000 mixed-element units, now it's 37,000 mixed-element units!” The turtle-shelled elder's voice resounded through the massive auction hall. “Any higher bids? The countdown has begun... 10, 9, ah, 37,500 mixed-element units! A new high bid, a new high bid! This is the final moment; miss it and it'll be hard to encounter again! 10... 9... 8...” “3... 2... 1! Congratulations to guest number TUF49903, you have acquired this Domain Lord-level slot to enter the Initial Universe for comprehension! I wish for a new Immortal to be born under your command!” The turtle-shelled elder's voice was high-pitched. “All items in this auction have been sold! Thank you for your support. I, Old Barto, solemnly declare that this auction... is officially concluded!!!”