Many evolvers were entering the transparent passage one after another.
Lin Yuan, however, stood outside, observing the scene.
Such a rare opportunity to witness so many evolvers unleashing their full potential was not to be missed.
A towering figure, nearly three meters tall, approached the transparent passage.
His limbs were as thick as tree trunks and a massive axe was strapped to his back, making him resemble a humanoid beast.
Boom!
With a single step, the ground shook as the brawny man unleashed a terrifying power, lunging towards the transparent passage.
"Terrifying. Is he truly a human? Or one of those colossal star beasts?"
The hearts of the other evolvers trembled, leading them to retreat.
Even the residual shockwaves of his power could injure ordinary third-tier evolvers.
"Power," Lin Yuan muttered, his gaze intense.
From this giant, he sensed boundless strength.
[Your comprehension of the laws of power is gradually deepening due to your heaven-defying insight.]
"Power rules?" Lin Yuan pondered.
While more tangible than ubiquitous space laws, the giant's profound understanding of power laws was likely why he was marked as one of the three Red Stripe Evolvers.
"I wish I could interact closely with these evolvers," Lin Yuan thought.
To other evolvers, Red Stripe Evolvers were figures to look up to, beyond reach.
But to Lin Yuan, each Red Stripe Evolver was like a treasure chest waiting to be explored.
"I'll have more chances in the future. Once I join the Crimson Leviathan Star Lineage, opportunities will abound."
His thoughts collected, Lin Yuan watched as another man with a blood-red line on his forehead stepped into the transparent passage.
"Wind?" Lin Yuan mused as he felt a fluctuating wind aura emanating from this man.
His speed through the passage surpassed even the towering giant, second only to the silver-haired woman.
After several hours, Lin Yuan felt he had learned enough, although more evolvers arrived continuously from the First Star Cave.
However, they offered him little benefit.
He didn't want to waste time unnecessarily.
Just as he prepared to leave, another evolver appeared.
A young man whose presence felt oddly familiar to Lin Yuan.
"Fang Qing?" Lin Yuan recognized him immediately.
The familiarity came from their frequent sparring sessions, as Lin Yuan sought to better understand the 'Ancient God' evolution path.
Even if Fang Qing altered his appearance or changed his figure, Lin Yuan could identify him at a glance.
"Finally through," Fang Qing breathed a sigh of relief upon reaching the Second Star Cave.
The gravity test of the First Star Cave had cost him dearly, forcing him to use the 'Ancient God' secret technique to barely complete the final stretch.
"This Star Cave tests speed?" Fang Qing noted as he watched other evolvers continue through the transparent passage, understanding what the test entailed.
"Speed?" Fang Qing's expression shifted.
The challenge required him to cover a distance of forty thousand meters in ten seconds.
Though not difficult for a fourth-tier evolver, Fang Qing was only at the third tier.
"It's tough. I need advice from my teacher."
Fang Qing quickly disconnected from the virtual world, as only those undergoing the trial could enter the Seven Star Caves.
Others were blocked out.
The white-bearded elder, being an independent intelligent entity, couldn't enter, forcing Fang Qing to exit to seek guidance.
Lin Yuan, observing Fang Qing's vanishing act, understood he'd gone for help.
"He should be able to pass the Second Star Cave," Lin Yuan thought.
Compared to the First Star Cave, the Second was simpler.
Passing the First meant enduring a hundred-mile track against immense gravity, and though there were tricks, such as reducing gravitational pressure using secret techniques, the path still had to be completed.
In contrast, the Second Star Cave required reaching the end in ten seconds, offering more flexibility for forbidden techniques.
Given the short duration, any risks posed by such techniques could be tolerated.
In this virtual world, even significant sacrifices could be easily recovered.
Fang Qing needed only to select a forbidden technique that pressed his potential.
Even as a third-tier evolver, passing was possible.
With a decision made, Lin Yuan moved forward.
"Here comes the Golden Stripe Master."
"Greetings to the Golden Stripe Master."
"Please, Golden Stripe Master, you go first."
At the passage entrance, the gathered evolvers showed their respect.
For ordinary Silver Striped Evolvers, both Red and Gold Stripe Evolvers were unreachable legends, deserving of their deference.
With a nod, Lin Yuan stepped in, entering the transparent passage.
Boom!!
In less than a moment, Lin Yuan covered several thousand meters.
The forty-thousand-meter transparent passage took him less than seven seconds to cross.
The sonic boom of his passage arrived only after he reached the end.
The dozens of evolvers at the passage entrance swallowed hard.
"This Golden Stripe Master is incredibly fast."
"Indeed. Seems faster than other Golden Stripe Masters."
"Amazing power. But why did such a strong Golden Stripe Master wait until now to attempt the Second Star Cave?"
"Hush, you can't speak of the Golden Stripe Master like that."
The onlookers were awed and filled with mixed emotions.
Once, they were considered unparalleled talents on their respective planets.
The Third Star Cave had an outer space backdrop.
Upon arrival, Lin Yuan felt gravity's absence, almost as if he were floating.
"Hmm?" With a thought, Lin Yuan settled back down.
"Outer space?" He scanned the surroundings, realizing it was merely a simulation, without the radiation threats.
"This test is about reflexes?" Lin Yuan glanced at the nearby stone tablet detailing the trial: Safely traverse the 'meteorite belt' ahead, a pathway strewn with countless meteors.
Touching even one meant elimination.
Raising his gaze, Lin Yuan assessed the distant, endlessly drifting meteorite belt, reminiscent of a giant dragon.
A daunting challenge, yet relatively straightforward.
The main challenge was adapting to weightlessness.
For most third and fourth-tier evolvers, accustomed to planetary gravity, the change posed a significant hurdle.
In this unfamiliar state, navigating the meteorite belt required remarkable reflexes, as a slight delay could mean elimination.
The rule was strict: elimination occurred upon contact, not death.
"But for me, this is exceedingly simple," Lin Yuan smiled, for his Taiji Domain made the trial effortless.
A weightless environment meant nothing within his domain.
His mental command could reproduce gravity instantly, allowing him to foresee the positions of countless meteors and decide whether to evade or take another route.
Passing the Third Star Cave was easy for anyone with domain mastery, presenting little challenge.
However, mastering domains wasn't common for evolvers.
While fourth and fifth-tier may have the potential, many at those levels lacked domain control.
Half a day later, Lin Yuan smoothly transitioned through the Third Star Cave and arrived at the Fourth Star Cave.
"Those final meteorite layers... quite the spectacle," Lin Yuan recalled with a chuckle.
Though he passed smoothly, anyone else, even a Golden Stripe Evolver, risked elimination.
The meteorite swarm's occurrence was largely random—a small chance that simply meant Lin Yuan had drawn the short straw this time.
"Fourth Star Cave," Lin Yuan exhaled, noting that more than half of the Seven Star Cave trials were done.
"This place," Lin Yuan observed, finding himself inside a magnificent hall.
Giant statues lined the chamber, and under each sat a contemplative evolver, including the three Red Stripe evolvers.
Before him was a stone tablet that revealed the trial's theme: comprehension.
Competitors could choose any statue and, upon unlocking its secrets, would pass.
Lin Yuan walked among the identical statues, each holding the same technique.
"This must be challenging," he mused, glancing at the deeply focused Red Stripe evolvers: the silver-haired woman, the one with a forehead line, and the gigantic man, visibly frustrated.
It seemed, were it not for his restraint, the latter might have destroyed the statue.
In the mysterious space of the Seven Star Caves, twelve figures quietly observed the Fourth Star Cave.
While each trial differed, the fourth and seventh both tested comprehension.
"Who will be the first to clear it?"
"Likely Silver Spirit. She's been inside the Fourth Star Cave the longest and possesses great insight."
"Indeed, out of the three Red Stripe geniuses, Silver Spirit seems the most promising to succeed first."
"I can't say who will be first, but that 'brute force' will definitely be last," one figure chuckled, referring to the towering fighter, whose path leaned heavily on brute strength over insight.
The figures speculated about the order of success for the three Red Stripe prodigies.
However, even the most talented Golden Stripes paled in comparison, needing days or weeks to achieve what these geniuses aimed for.
Selecting an obscure corner, Lin Yuan chose a statue.
To ensure fairness, each sculpture was identical, with the same secrets.
"You're here too," remarked a nearby figure seated in meditation, her hair a vibrant green, exuding a certain ethereal presence—Lin Yuan's previous opponent from the First Star Cave's vast arena.
"As long as you sit and gaze at the sculpture, you can start comprehending it," the green-haired woman explained, winking.
Her favorable impression of Lin Yuan stemmed from his restraint during their race.
"Understood," Lin Yuan replied, taking his place beneath the chosen statue.
He focused, staring at it intently, and soon felt the statue morph in his perception.
No longer mere meters tall, it became a towering, sky-piercing mountain.
[Your heaven-defying insight reveals to you the 'Mountain' secret technique upon gazing at the unknown statue.]
A surge of inspiration flooded his mind, crystallizing into a unique secret technique.
This ability stabilized one's spirit and energy, making one as steadfast as a mountain.
"A groundwork solidifying technique?" Lin Yuan swiftly understood.
In the Universal Human Alliance, countless evolution paths existed, each with unique requirements.
Yet, a firm foundation universally promised ease in pursuing evolutionary paths.
The 'Mountain' secret technique began circulating within him, rooting his energy and spirit so profoundly that he seemed a living mountain.
Noticing Lin Yuan's transformation, the statue before him burst into light, enveloping him and transporting him away.
The commotion rippled through the hall, drawing astounded gazes to Lin Yuan's prior spot.
Even the distant silver-haired woman, absorbed in her own study, glanced up in surprise.
In a secluded space of the Seven Star Caves, the twelve observing figures stopped their jovial banter, turning their attention from the Fourth Star Cave to Lin Yuan, now entering the Fifth Star Cave.
A request for votes followed the chapter.