Inheritance Concluded

Within the 32 Inheritance Halls on Demonic Sound Mountain, every single one was occupied by someone undergoing an inheritance. This was primarily because Luo Feng had unexpectedly seized Meng Cang King's spot back then, startling the other Undying Gods who were supposed to receive a place. Each of them vehemently petitioned the Hong Alliance, ultimately gaining early entry into the Inheritance Halls.

Across the 32 Inheritance Halls, there were 31 Undying Gods and one Universe-level Ninth-tier youth.

...

Inside the Inheritance Hall. Layer upon layer of Inheritance Steps stretched upwards, extending into the depths of the void, where the grand hall still stood. The 2316th step.

Luo Feng stood like a statue on the black stone steps. Half of his consciousness resided within his Golden Horned Beast body, using the 'Three Thousand Starry Skies' technique taught by Teacher Bubulu to comprehend the profound artistic conception contained within the Beast God Statue. If he encountered any truly perplexing problems, he could even consult Bubulu.

“Success on the 2316th step!” The statue that was Luo Feng suddenly opened its eyes, a hint of joy flickering within them.

“Although the qualification battle was held earlier, it didn't affect my inheritance in the slightest.” Luo Feng felt pleased. Suddenly, the image of 'Ke Luofu' flashed in his mind. Like himself, Ke Luofu had also been undertaking a desperate-level cultivation mission during the qualification battle.

However, Ke Luofu hadn't been as fortunate as he was.

“Two years!” “Nearly two years have passed since the qualification battle, yet there's still no news of Ke Luofu.” Luo Feng frowned slightly. “There's no way to confirm whether he's alive or dead!”

Indeed, it was difficult to confirm life or death, especially in the unique circumstances of desperate missions. For instance, if Luo Feng were killed on Demonic Sound Mountain, his body destroyed without a trace, and his treasures stolen, how would the Virtual Universe Company confirm if he was truly alive or dead? The more unusual the environment, the harder it was to ascertain one's fate.

“For nearly two years, Ke Luofu hasn't been able to log into the Virtual Universe Network. His absence from the competition led to a defeat without a fight. If he were still alive, he should have logged into the Virtual Universe Network at least once, if only to explain his situation to his friends. Could it be… he's truly dead?” Luo Feng's brow furrowed. Suddenly, a thought struck him, sending a shiver down his spine.

“That was close!” “These continuous cultivation missions have brought me great benefits, making me increasingly proud and ambitious. Fortunately, I've come to my senses now.”

A trace of lingering fear flashed in Luo Feng's eyes. He had gained significant advantages from the 'Xueluo World' mission. In the subsequent 'dangerous-level missions,' Luo Feng had only fulfilled the basic requirements, never exploring the hidden secrets within those mission worlds. However, ever since he acquired the 'Demonic Sound God General Inheritance' during a desperate-level mission, Luo Feng had excitedly deduced a truth—

Those special mission worlds likely all contained secrets! And those secrets, he suspected, represented great opportunities!

After realizing this truth, Luo Feng had felt a pang of regret for not thoroughly investigating the other dangerous-level missions. Yet, at this very moment—while pondering Ke Luofu's situation—Luo Feng was suddenly jolted awake.

“I… I was far too reckless!”

“Every cultivation mission requirement is already extremely perilous. For instance, obtaining three Xueluo Crystals in the 'Xueluo World' and fusing them to become a Blood Warrior is still very dangerous and challenging for a Universe-level Ninth-tier genius. After all, one wrong move could lead to being hunted by Domain Lord-level natives, and technological weapons are forbidden, among other restrictions.” Luo Feng mused. “If one were to explore the secrets of the Ancient God Ruins, or the secrets of the Beast God Statue… that would be certain death!”

“And Demonic Sound Mountain. Surviving there for three years is already considered a 'desperate-level mission.' Even if one can evade the terrifying demonic sounds during those three years, they might encounter Sector Lord-level natives, or even Sector Lord-level illusionary beasts. Indeed, surviving for three years truly qualifies as a desperate-level mission.”

“As for wanting to obtain the 'Demonic Sound God General Inheritance,' that's simply a 'death mission'!” Cold sweat beaded on Luo Feng's forehead.

The place where the Demonic Sound God General Inheritance resided was a death trap even for Sector Lords! Even among Undying Gods, only the stronger ones could evade the obstruction of those terrifying, massive illusionary beasts.

“If not for my Demon Killer Clan clone, I would have surely died!” Luo Feng's forehead was slick with sweat. “My luck was incredible this time, but it might not be the same next time… Other desperate-level missions probably also contain great secrets. And to explore those great secrets and reap significant benefits, the danger level might be no less than Demonic Sound Mountain!”

“The creatures within Demonic Sound Mountain are illusionary beasts! Their intelligence is low…”

“But the dangers contained within the great secrets of other desperate-level missions might not necessarily be illusionary beasts. Suppose they were intelligent Undying-level guardians; they might directly kill me.” Luo Feng felt a wave of lingering fear. The secrets hidden within these cultivation mission worlds were like a drug! Once tasted, they became addictive, but a single misstep could lead to death.

“I have a Demon Killer Clan clone and a Golden Horned Beast clone. My survival capabilities are indeed stronger than other geniuses. I can complete the normal requirements of desperate-level missions if I'm careful and cautious. But if my ambition grows too great, and I blindly pursue some grand secrets and opportunities, I might very well lose my life.” Luo Feng mused.

“Wait!”

“According to what my teacher said, Ke Luofu's strength suddenly exploded in the last one or two centuries.” Luo Feng's eyes lit up. “Could it be… that Ke Luofu also discovered a secret and gained a great opportunity in a certain cultivation mission?”

Luo Feng speculated that every mission might contain secrets. He didn't believe he was the only one capable of discovering them.

“It's very likely so.”

“Because he gained a great opportunity one or two centuries ago, having tasted success, he craved more. During this desperate-level mission, he probably consciously or unconsciously observed and explored that great secret. This might have led to a series of terrifying dangers… ultimately costing him his life.” Luo Feng's eyes gleamed with understanding.

It was very likely this way. He himself had deduced that every mission contained secrets, which fueled his ambition. Others might have done the same!

“Such super opportunities come with super risks!”

“I escaped this time thanks to my Demon Killer Clan clone, but what about next time?” Luo Feng immediately grew cautious.

Swoosh! Luo Feng took a step, transforming into a phantom, and landed on the 2317th Inheritance Step. Instantly, an incredibly profound secret technique continuously flowed into Luo Feng's memory. Luo Feng once again began cultivating this inherited secret technique, causing even his soul to undergo changes during the process.

...

In terms of cultivation method, this inherited secret technique was very similar to the 'Soul Imprint' created by Luo Feng's former teacher, Huyan Bo. The 'Soul Imprint' secret technique also caused the soul to undergo changes and transformations before the technique could be fully utilized. This 'Supreme Demonic Sound Inheritance' similarly altered the essence of countless streams of mental energy.

Luo Feng's soul was a Domain Lord-level Ninth-tier soul, taking the form of a condensed crystal sphere. At this moment, however, this crystal sphere was covered in golden patterns, countless intricate golden patterns densely spread throughout it, exceptionally profound. As Luo Feng continuously cultivated the secret technique, the golden patterns within his soul gradually increased. The more golden patterns in his soul… the stronger his mental energy amplification strength became!

...

However, there was an end to receiving the Demonic Sound God General Inheritance. The 3211th Inheritance Step.

“Hoo!” “Hoo!” “Hoo!” Luo Feng knelt on the stone steps, sweat seeping from every pore of his skin. His face was pale, his eyes faintly bloodshot. He couldn't help but clutch his head, his soul consumed by endless exhaustion… If Luo Feng were to give up resisting, he would likely fall asleep instantly. The intense stinging pain in his soul pushed him to the brink of collapse.

“Persevere!” “Persevere until this layer's inheritance is fully absorbed.” Luo Feng roared inwardly, repeatedly chanting to himself as if in a trance, hypnotizing himself. He knelt precariously on the steps, swaying.

Logically, the inheritance time for each step wasn't long, but Luo Feng felt every second stretch longer than a year. The endless exhaustion of his soul… had plunged Luo Feng into a dazed state, leaving him barely able to think. His thought process was probably slower than that of an ordinary child on Earth.

His thinking speed was incredibly slow, threatening to halt at any moment. The fatigue of his soul had also weakened his control over his entire body to the extreme. He knelt on the ground, ready to collapse at any second.

Finally—the portion of the inheritance contained within the 3211th step was completely transmitted.

“I finally succeeded!” Luo Feng's heart eased, and then endless exhaustion instantly buried his consciousness, plunging him into a coma.

Boom! Luo Feng collapsed onto the steps, motionless, completely unconscious.

...

After an unknown period, Luo Feng finally opened his eyes.

“Hm?” Luo Feng scrambled up, looking around. He found himself on the plaza outside the Inheritance Hall, its grand doors now closed.

“Luo Feng, about five hours after you fell unconscious, you were directly enveloped by an invisible force and transported to the plaza. The Inheritance Hall then automatically closed. In other words… the inheritance has concluded.” Babata's voice echoed in Luo Feng's sea of consciousness, and Luo Feng regained his composure.

“It's over?” Luo Feng smiled as he looked around. The plaza was empty, and the white light barrier outside it still stood, preventing the illusionary beasts from flying in.

“How long was I unconscious?” Luo Feng asked.

“31 days,” Babata replied.

“Quite a long sleep,” Luo Feng mused.

He had been undergoing the Demonic Sound God General Inheritance for nearly 12 years. Throughout these 12 years, his soul had been in a continuous process of cultivation and transformation from the inheritance, never resting! That exhaustion had been steadily accumulating…

“I was incredibly lucky this time. Originally, I would have reached my limit around the 1200th step,” Luo Feng said with a wry smile. “I never expected that by using my Demon Killer Clan clone to obtain that 'Golden Soul Fruit,' it would alter a certain characteristic of my soul, making it more suitable for receiving the inheritance. That's what allowed me to persevere to the 3211th step.”

The first stage of the Demonic Sound God General Inheritance comprised 3333 steps. Over countless eons, hundreds of thousands of beings had come to receive the inheritance, almost all of them Undying Gods. Yet, many Undying Gods reached their limit towards the end of the first stage. Luo Feng, relying on the Golden Soul Fruit, had achieved results comparable to many Undying Gods.

“The inheritance has concluded!” Luo Feng stood alone on the plaza.

“During these 12 years, five years ago, my Golden Horned Beast successfully fused with its 98th Xueluo Crystal. Now, I feel much stronger than five years ago. Perhaps it can fuse with the 99th Xueluo Crystal.” Luo Feng was in high spirits. Deciding to act on the impulse, he immediately instructed the Golden Horned Beast within his inner world to attempt fusing with the 99th Xueluo Crystal.