In the manor of the Central Continent,
On the third floor of the main building,
Lin Yuan and Fang Qing sat facing each other.
"Brother Lin, I've got some advanced information about the trial of the Seven Star Caves, and I wanted to share it with you," Fang Qing spoke without delay, not wanting to endure any more of the wrath reminiscent of the white-bearded old man's roars.
"Oh?" Lin Yuan's interest was piqued.
The information related to the Seven Star Cave trial by the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord was tightly sealed by the Universal Human Alliance and the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord himself.
Under such conditions, those who could still acquire this information were not ordinary.
They undoubtedly had significant backing, perhaps tied to a colossal force commanding respect on a high-level life-bearing planet.
Or they belonged to a major power safeguarded by sixth-tier Falling Star Evolvers.
Canglan Star, being a mid-level life-bearing planet, lacked the prerequisites for birthing such a power.
"Looks like the guess was accurate."
Lin Yuan's expression became more serious as he looked at Fang Qing.
During the arena competition, someone had already gathered information on the top fifty evolvers.
The speculation about Fang Qing suggested that he might have received a great opportunity, inheriting the legacy of a formidable evolver.
Later on, as Fang Qing demonstrated techniques from the 'Ancient God' evolution path, it further corroborated this guess.
The 'Ancient God' evolution path involves cultivating with reference to a certain powerful 'Ancient God' in the depths of the starry sky.
Without extremely detailed guidance, any lapse in cultivation could lead a cultivator to be tainted by the 'Ancient God', eventually becoming a servant or even the puppet of that 'Ancient God'.
For those mighty beings, a mere glance or thought could obliterate countless lower-level life forms.
Among the publicly acknowledged evolution paths of the Universal Human Alliance, the 'Ancient God' path is absent due to its immense cultivation risk.
With other evolution paths, at worst, failure results in death.
But with the 'Ancient God' path, any mistake means becoming a vessel for the 'Ancient God's' descent.
Of course, the Universal Human Civilization only forbids the wide dissemination of the 'Ancient God' evolution path, rather than completely prohibiting it.
The reason being, many 'Ancient Gods' of the deep starry expanse have already fallen or vanished throughout history.
While cultivating the 'Ancient God' path carries risks, it might also allow one to inherit the power and everything of that particular 'Ancient God'.
In summary, with Fang Qing daring to cultivate the 'Ancient God' evolution path, he likely had detailed guidance for this evolution path and possibly an intelligent lifeform dedicated to correcting his cultivation errors.
"I have no information about the trial of the Seven Star Caves."
Since Fang Qing was here to share information, Lin Yuan felt he should reciprocate, yet he had nothing of value to share.
"That's alright."
"We're both from Canglan Star; it's only natural to help each other," Fang Qing gestured dismissively.
Information can be invaluable or worthless, given that it requires no ongoing costs.
"But before I start, Brother Lin, please ask the Goddess of Wisdom to stop monitoring us, since the Seven Star Caves information is strictly prohibited by the Alliance," Fang Qing quickly added as he recalled something.
Since this manor belonged to Lin Yuan, only he could ensure privacy and shield them from the Goddess of Wisdom's surveillance.
"Alright," Lin Yuan agreed, connecting with the Goddess of Wisdom to temporarily halt the monitoring.
With that settled,
Fang Qing began to divulge the information he had about the trial of the Seven Star Caves.
"In truth, the trial is rarely initiated. It's only when the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord is in a good mood that it happens," Fang Qing remarked with a sigh.
The Crimson Leviathan Star Realm houses eight major star systems.
After each arena competition, the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord selects a star system to test the top ten contenders from each life-bearing planet.
The majority of trials are ordinary, mainly for appeasing the Universal Human Alliance.
Only when encountering true geniuses might the Seven Star Caves be opened.
"But this is our chance."
"Once the Seven Star Caves trial begins, the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord’s twelve disciples will pay attention. As long as contestants pass through all seven caves, they stand a chance to become apprentices to these disciples," Fang Qing mentioned, pausing before continuing, "Don’t underestimate the twelve disciples. The weakest of them are at the sixth-tier Falling Star level, while the strongest two or three have even surpassed it."
"Surpassed the sixth-tier…" Lin Yuan's heart stirred slightly.
It wasn't just surpassing the sixth-tier; even reaching it was a distant goal for Lin Yuan.
By his estimation, breaking through to the sixth-tier would require two to three more traversals, spanning hundreds of years in those alternate worlds.
Of course, in terms of alternate world time, but the passage of time in the main world shouldn't be as lengthy.
Even so, from Lin Yuan's current perspective, just reaching the sixth-tier Falling Star level was a laudable achievement.
"So, during the trial, we must endeavor to showcase ourselves fully, for every move is observed by those twelve disciples."
"Even if you don't pass the Seven Star Caves trial, impressing those twelve may still grant entry into the Crimson Leviathan Star Lineage," Fang Qing whispered.
This detail was unknown even to many Falling Star level forces, marking it as top-secret.
Fang Qing's teacher, during his lifetime, expended significant effort uncovering it.
"I see," Lin Yuan nodded slightly, committing the advice to memory.
"Despite all this talk, we haven’t touched on the content of the trial."
Fang Qing seemed to realize this oversight, grinning, "The trial of the Seven Star Caves isn’t complex. It's split into seven star caves."
"Each cave is a trial."
"As for the specific challenges, they vary greatly, but essentially they are tests of the body, speed, will, mind, and comprehension."
Fang Qing explained.
"I understand now," Lin Yuan murmured.
No wonder other evolvers involved in the trial would ask him which cave was the hardest.
Whether Lin Yuan replied that the first cave was the hardest or the seventh, both answers would be wrong.
In reality, which cave was most difficult or simplest depended entirely on the individual.
For instance, if an evolver excels in speed, then the speed-related cave would be the easiest for them.
Conversely, if an evolver had a weak mind, the mind-related cave would be the toughest.
So there's no definitive answer for which is the hardest or easiest cave.
"Nevertheless, I believe the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord values an evolver's comprehension the most. Other traits such as aptitude or bloodline merely set the baseline, but to truly reach the peak, step into the sixth-tier, or go beyond, it's comprehension that matters," Fang Qing said earnestly.
This was not his own insight but wisdom imparted by his departed 'teacher'.
"That’s because the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord himself possesses the most supreme bloodline in the cosmos," Lin Yuan chuckled.
There were numerous rumors about the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord.
Primarily that while at the fifth-tier, he ventured on a warship into uncharted star domains where he accidentally discovered a planet.
The creatures on this planet were all extinct, and even the planet itself was on the verge of being consumed.
This was because the planet had become a nesting ground for a unique lifeform— the Starry Sea Roaming Leviathan.
Starry Sea Roaming Leviathan was among the most powerful unique lifeforms in the universe, extremely rare, reaching the sixth-tier upon maturity, with a size comparable to a normal planet.
Typically, upon conceiving, a mature Starry Sea Roaming Leviathan would find a planetary host to house its egg, utilizing the core's geothermal heat for incubation.
During this period, the infant Leviathan would slowly absorb the planetary energy.
By the time the young Starry Sea Roaming Leviathan neared maturity, the planet would be thoroughly depleted.
When the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord found that planet, it was undergoing slow consumption by a juvenile Leviathan.
Nonetheless, it was likely in the early stages of consumption, as the young Leviathan had only a faint consciousness and instincts.
Realizing the opportunity, the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord understood the rarity of encountering a Leviathan-nesting planet among innumerable planets in the vast cosmos, a probability less than one in sextillions.
Confirming his theory, the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord employed the Union’s 'seize body' secret technique to possess the juvenile Leviathan's body.
This unique being, a darling of the cosmic universe, was born sixth-tier and at its peak within that tier, given its planetary size.
Comparable to a regular planet's size, containing immense energy—an insurmountable despair for regular sixth-tier Falling Star Evolvers.
The Crimson Leviathan Star Lord took the name 'Crimson Leviathan' because his true form is a Starry Sea Roaming Leviathan.
It was only after centuries of hidden cultivation and breakthrough to the seventh-tier that the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord returned to the Universal Human Alliance.
Certified by the Alliance’s experts as having a human soul, not an alien disguise, he securely established himself among humanity.
In essence, the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord's journey was akin to a life of great luck.
With the unparalleled bloodline of a Starry Sea Roaming Leviathan, the very baseline was a sought-after goal for countless humans.
“That makes sense," Fang Qing nodded.
Compared to the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord, his own serendipitous encounter seemed insignificant.
"Oh, by the way, when you entered the Seven Star Caves world, did you alter your appearance and form?"
Fang Qing asked with concern, looking towards Lin Yuan.
"I did," Lin Yuan nodded.
Upon receiving the prompt, he had willingly changed his appearance.
It required little effort, and there was no reason not to comply.
“That's reassuring.”
Fang Qing sighed with relief.
"While we're not direct competitors in the Seven Star Caves trial, it's best not to reveal our true identities."
He explained, "Given how the arena videos are broadcasted to surrounding regions, there's always the risk of encountering someone who holds animosity towards us and is also part of the trial, which could spell trouble."
Such unforeseen disasters are best avoided by changing one's appearance and form so that everyone remains unfamiliar.
As long as interests don't conflict, there's little reason to engage in conflict.
After sharing all he knew about the Seven Star Caves trial,
Fang Qing refrained from questioning Lin Yuan further, not even about Lin Yuan's appearance in the trial world.
He promptly took his leave.
Knowing each other's appearance could complicate things if Fang Qing faced trouble during the trial.
Would Lin Yuan help or not?
Fang Qing's intention in providing Lin Yuan with these insights was purely like making an investment, and seeking Lin Yuan's appearance afterward might seem like leveraging a favor.
Back at his own manor,
Fang Qing connected to the virtual world, appearing in his personal space.
Swoosh.
A small white-bearded old man appeared on Fang Qing's shoulder.
"Well done."
The old man nodded in approval.
"That Lin Yuan is very likely to reach sixth-tier Falling Star in the future. Your proactive move to deliver the information when needed should have secured a connection."
The old man showed satisfaction.
Strength often comes with solitude, yet powerful individuals also form alliances.
In the boundless universe, the mightiest groups aren't individuals but collective forces like the human and Zerg races.
These groups claim the richest domains in the cosmos, constantly nurturing countless powerhouses.
Years ago, the white-bearded old man's master, the force behind the 'Ancient God' evolution path inheritance, was inherently aloof.
When hunted by enemies, not a single friend came to their aid.
Thus, the old man urged Fang Qing to forge a bond with Lin Yuan.
“I wonder how far Brother Lin will get in the Seven Star Caves?”
Fang Qing speculated curiously.
"If I’m not mistaken, with Brother Lin’s talent, in the Seven Star Caves world, he should bear the mark of the 'Golden Stripes'."
The old man glanced at Fang Qing.
“Golden Stripes.”
Fang Qing inhaled deeply.
The 'Golden Stripes' stood not only for identity but also for the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord's acknowledgment.
"Passing through all seven caves shouldn’t be a problem. For Brother Lin, what truly matters is choosing which of the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord's disciples to follow."
The old man revealed.
Even among the twelve disciples of the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord, there were significant variations in strength—the best choices were undoubtedly the top three.
These were beings who transcended the sixth-tier.
While the remaining nine were also impressive, all being at the sixth-tier Falling Star level.
Given a choice, the top three were undoubtedly preferable.
Time passed swiftly.
Before long, twenty-four hours had elapsed.
Lin Yuan's thoughts stirred as he connected to the virtual world, emerging in the White Jade Plaza within the Seven Star Caves world.
At that moment, the plaza was dotted with numerous evolvers, either standing alone or in small groups.
To most evolvers, the trial's nature was unknown, leading them to instinctively form groups.
Then suddenly,
A towering figure appeared.
He gazed down at the assembled evolvers, his voice resonating mightily, "The time has come; I trust everyone is sufficiently prepared."
"I will now reiterate the rules for the Seven Star Caves trial."
"There are seven star caves in the trial. Your goal is to pass through each one."
"Each person can spend a maximum of one month in each cave. Failing to pass within this time results in failure."
"Dying during the trial also counts as failure."
After the majestic figure concluded, he waved his hand, and in an instant, over a million evolvers vanished from White Jade Plaza.
Meanwhile,
In a hidden realm within the Seven Star Caves world,
Twelve figures materialized.
These twelve figures were seated in two tiers.
The upper tier had three figures,
While the lower tier held nine figures.
In terms of presence and aura, the upper trio clearly outmatched the nine below.
These twelve figures, of course, were the twelve disciples of the Crimson Leviathan Star Lord.
At the onset of each Seven Star Caves trial, they would send a part of their consciousness to select new disciples.