【Tokens Acquired: 20,000】
【Tokens Acquired: 40,000】
【Tokens Acquired: 100,000】
【Tokens Acquired: 500,000】
"..."
【Remaining Tokens: 851.4 billion】
Returning to the Earth Universe, Mei's most critical task remained the continuous harvesting of faith markers. Honestly, Tier 5 powerhouses within the Earth Universe were exceedingly rare.
Mei swept through numerous galaxies yet failed to gather many Tier 5s. As for Tier 6s, she basically never encountered them. There were simply too few across the entire cosmos.
Unless Mei actively sought them out, or they were directed to her under Gaia's command, encountering a Tier 6 in the vastness of the universe was highly improbable.
During this faith marker harvest,
The Star Spirit King swiftly constructed Universe Bridges linking the Earth Universe and other universes, gathering all Star Spirits from various dimensions, alongside those qualified to contend for the Star Spirit King's power, to this designated location.
From this action, it became evident:
The Star Spirit King was immensely potent.
Mei, after ascending to Tier 7, had wandered the void more than once, truly unable to locate other universes and worlds. The Star Spirit King, however, directly constructed Universe Bridges.
This served as definitive proof that a Tier 8 powerhouse could traverse the void at will.
The so-called trial,
Was a no-rules slaughter.
The Star Spirit King was a being who strictly adhered to the "might makes right" doctrine. The weak held no inherent right to inherit her power; only the surviving strong were deemed qualified.
She was entirely unconcerned with how many Star Spirits perished in this carnage. Even if every single one was eliminated, new Star Spirits would rapidly coalesce in the void.
In this cosmic context, life held little intrinsic value.
Contempt.
This was a characteristic shared by most supreme overlords.
Without any ceremonial announcement, official referee, or formalized rules, the Star Spirit King directly broadcast the coordinates of the chosen trial participants.
As long as they entered the Earth Universe,
The trial participants could sense each other's locations. Whether they engaged in one-on-one duels or chaotic free-for-alls was irrelevant.
"Hahahaha!"
A Star Spirit, sword in hand, stood atop the wreckage of a desolate planet, radiating intense excitement: "As expected of the legendary Star Spirit King! Such a style is truly magnificent in its brutality!"
Waninoon.
A Tier 7 powerhouse.
He originated from a universe somewhat proximal to the Earth Universe. Legend held that the Star Spirit King, who had instigated the Star Spirit upheaval 5 billion years ago, was not actually deceased, and was now orchestrating such a grand spectacle.
Truly fascinating.
Most importantly, Waninoon was a Star Spirit. However, thanks to the brutal upbringing under the Star Spirit King, he had struggled on the brink of life and death since childhood, holding zero loyalty to the Star Spirit race.
Seeing his own kin, he never hesitated when it came time to strike. Loyalty aside, Waninoon genuinely appreciated the Star Spirit King's savage methodology.
This trial format suited him perfectly.
"Hmm?"
Not long after,
Waninoon sensed a certain trial participant materializing nearby. A fierce gleam immediately flashed in his eyes. Regardless of the opponent's strength, he instantly brought his blade down.
Boom!
In an instant,
The sea of star energy surged, creating massive waves, as if a massive meteorite had impacted the ocean. A colossal crimson slash tore through the cosmic void, cutting deep into the galaxy.
One strike.
The entire galaxy cluster was ripped open.
All obstacles in its trajectory—planets, stars, and even black holes—were annihilated by this single blow, which seemed intent on tearing the universe itself apart.
Indeed,
Tier 7s possessed the capability to cleave universes. This was an undeniable fact. Any Tier 7 powerhouse could casually annihilate a universe.
It simply hinged on their volition to do so in combat. The Earth Universe, transformed into a trial battlefield, would undoubtedly fare no better, even if it wasn't utterly destroyed.
The ferocious cleave arrived in a flash, but dissipated into nothingness just as it reached Mei. Mei looked into the depths of the cosmos, exchanging a glance with Waninoon across the vast distance.
Waninoon grinned.
Arrogant and bloodthirsty intent was clearly visible.
"Looks like I've found a worthy opponent."
Waninoon tore through space with a single strike, stepping into it, intending to close the distance to his prey. However, the space suddenly shattered and collapsed, sending Waninoon flying violently back out.
Overwhelming, terrifying power swept over and crushed him. Waninoon, right at their initial encounter, was already bleeding across the cosmos. He didn't even comprehend how he sustained the injury.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
His body, accelerating backward, struck and shattered every celestial body in its path at light speed. Waninoon gritted his teeth, exerting every ounce of might to finally halt his retreat, already heavily wounded.
Is this reality?
Waninoon's injuries rapidly healed. His expression was one of incredulity: "We are both Tier 7, but how can the disparity in strength be this immense?"
He did not grasp the meaning of "All Concepts."
Nor could he comprehend "Veritas."
Waninoon understood that variances existed among Tier 7s, but he simply could not fathom how the gap could be so immeasurably vast.
Almost defeated in their very first exchange?
This was simply too extreme!
Tzzz—
The next second,
The universe seemed to have skipped a segment of visual data and processes. Waninoon's pupils constricted. When he regained full focus, Mei had already materialized before him.
A spatial concept?
A temporal concept?
Or which concept entirely?
Completely beyond his understanding!
Waninoon felt an icy chill. He possessed the power of the "cleaving strike" concept, but at this moment, he felt only boundless shock. He was confronting an incomprehensible being.
Following his instinct, Waninoon unleashed a full-power strike. This time, his cleaving strike failed to even stir up a single ripple.
The blade sliced through the vacuum effortlessly.
The sea of star energy surrounding him was utterly silent.
With a mere thought, Mei's seemingly insignificant power dissolved Waninoon's "cleaving strike" concept from its very foundation. Now, his blade could sever nothing.
That unparalleled power pressed down.
Boom!
Waninoon's face was a mixture of shock and terror, finally twisting into a ferocious grin. Then, he erupted into a ball of primordial energy.
The stars behind him shattered into cosmic dust. The exploding fragments, carrying dazzling light, scattered in all directions, creating a beautiful, shimmering expanse.
Veritas absolutely dominated at its tier. When Waninoon faced Mei, it was effectively no different from facing a Tier 8.
Aside from being instantly annihilated, there would be no other conclusion.
Both were Tier 7 powerhouses who controlled concepts, but Mei was, fundamentally, two dimensions higher than Waninoon. This wasn't merely a difference in scale, but a difference in fundamental nature.
A point.
A plane.
A being.
Like the inherent difference between those three concepts.
This encounter—decisive without being a true battle—brought Mei considerable rewards. The affected scope of the "battle" was significant, and the number of faith marker holders within that region remained undetermined.
At this critical juncture,
The Token data on the faith marker marketplace was updating frantically.
【Tokens Acquired: 10,000】
【Tokens Acquired: 35,000】
【Tokens Acquired: 200,000】
【Tokens Acquired: 1,000,000】
"..."
【Remaining Tokens: 1.1753 trillion 】
Among the flood of Token notifications, an entry for 1,000,000 appeared. Some unlucky Tier 5 individual must have been caught in this devastating clash, leaving absolutely no trace behind.
...
Void Realm.
Within the colossal cosmic rift, violent void energy surged incessantly. A massive beast born directly from the void emerged, unleashing a ferocious roar.
"Roar!"
In an instant,
The sea of star energy rippled violently.
Boom!
Dazzling aurora pierced through the cosmos, instantly pulverizing the ferocious void beast into elementary particles. Its essence vanished. As the light subsided, a figure was revealed.
It was Gamma.
The Star Spirit who had previously crossed paths with Mei.
When he first arrived at the Void Realm, he was already Tier 4, and his combat prowess was considerable. Consequently, he was immediately thrown onto the frontline to fight against the void beasts.
This creature possessed no discernible intelligence; it was purely an external mechanism of destruction. The cosmic rift could not be sealed, causing these entities to continuously pour forth.
The Void Realm existed for precisely this purpose.
Through the cosmic rift, Gamma could discern a massive Universe bridge extending from outside the universe and piercing into the void. He felt an intense, primal unease.
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He, too, was a Star Spirit.
Although he possessed the qualifications for the Star Spirit King's trial, he was acutely aware of his own limitations. A mere Tier 4 daring to enter this vortex was essentially courting annihilation.
Fortunately, he had the protection of the Void Realm. Those trial participants could not harm him. Truthfully, Gamma had never anticipated that the old man, as unyielding as a cosmic beast, was so profoundly concealed.
"You had better stay right here and kill void beasts for me!"
As the old man spoke, he instantly crushed a Tier 6 trial participant who dared to target Gamma. He showed no concern for any Star Spirit King's inheritance.
Anyone who dared to lay a hand on someone under the Void Realm’s protection, he would eliminate them.
According to the old man, Gamma obediently remained in the Void Realm. The Star Spirit King's inheritance was not meant for him. He was content simply to survive.
Suddenly,
A razor-sharp blade light tore through the chaotic void. The imposing blade intent arrived in a flash. A figure emerged from the cosmic rift, characterized by long white hair and a crimson blade.
His distinct features were undeniable.
"Only been gone for a moment, and this entire universe has become so vibrant?"
Arrogant and commanding.
Star Silver reappeared!
...
Crack!
Deep within the Earth Universe, shattered and dimly lit celestial bodies floated aimlessly. The galaxy itself was severed; the Supercluster, a formation of hundreds of galaxies, was broken beyond any hope of repair.
The entire spatial region exhibited bizarre, irregular warping and fragmentation; even time showed discontinuous phenomena, extremely unsettling.
"Is this… a former battlefield?"
A trial participant, guided by instinct, arrived at the periphery of the Supercluster, hesitant to venture inside. He intended only to discern the residual traces of this titanic conflict.
However,
It was entirely incomprehensible.
For high-level powerhouses who controlled concepts, understanding conceptual force was typically not difficult. But the power manifesting here transcended their conceptual framework.
【???】
Another trial participant arrived outside this catastrophic zone. This one was a powerhouse from the Mechanical Race. He scanned the lingering energies, attempting to analyze them.
Without exception,
Every analysis attempt yielded nothing but garbled code and question marks. Based on the readings, this power level was astronomically high; their current technology lacked the necessary analytical capacity.
"Hahahaha."
A third trial participant arrived. In a flash, three trial participants had gathered—all Star Spirits. The newest arrival laughed loudly.
"Could this be the residual energy signature of a Tier 8?"
The three stood poised, perhaps on the brink of conflict. Just as tension peaked, the Mechanical Race Tier 7 powerhouse's expression suddenly shifted dramatically. He noticed the curvature of the surrounding space rapidly distorting.
"Who is that?!"
Realizing the truth now was too late—or rather, even having realized it earlier would have been futile. Their impending outcome remained unchanged.
The entire cosmos was on the verge of collapse. An incomprehensible power, dominating everything, completely sealed off this star sea spanning tens of millions of light-years.
At this critical juncture,
They could only perceive a partial view.
Tens of millions of light-years, reduced to a bead-sized speck, floated within a certain being's palm, continuously imploding, approaching the concept of "Nothingness" infinitely.
Three Tier 7s.
Were nothing more than mere ants within the confines of that hand.
Instantly,
The three experienced absolute despair.
【Unable to analyze!】
【Unable to analyze!】
【Unable to analyze!】
The Mechanical Race system frantically issued warnings; his vision was a blinding field of red. He looked up at this terrifying entity, whose form was the very darkness of the universe, and was utterly shaken to his core.
"What… what kind of being is that?"
Tier 8?
If it truly commanded Tier 8 power, then this trial would be entirely meaningless. Carrying this analytical data, the Mechanical Race's consciousness permanently ceased to exist.
Finally,
The tens of millions of light-years within her grasp collapsed to an infinitesimally small scale, almost ceasing to exist entirely. At such a scale, even the concept of death held no meaning.
The star sea spanning tens of millions of light-years had been crushed, and a massive influx of faith marker Tokens rapidly poured in. The faith marker marketplace notifications continuously updated. The remaining Tokens surged by an enormous amount.
【Tokens Acquired: 50,000】
【Tokens Acquired: 1 billion】
【Tokens Acquired: 1.5 billion】
【Tokens Acquired: 3 billion】
"..."
【Remaining Tokens: 1.3285 trillion】
Mei held no intrinsic interest in the Star Spirit King's trial, but she was keenly interested in the high-tier powerhouses participating in it. Most who achieved this level possessed faith markers.
A Tier 6 faith marker Token started at 10 million. According to the spatial pricing regulations, the difference between Tier 6 and Tier 7 faith marker Tokens was a hundredfold.
This implied that a Tier 7 faith marker was worth at least 1 billion.
This was also one of the Star Spirit King's objectives: if one wasn't strong enough presently, that was acceptable. Just continue the fight. As long as one continuously acquired Tokens, one could grow stronger.
The Star Spirit King intended to gather powerhouses from countless universes to cultivate the strongest trial participant. Perhaps, this was her design five billion years ago.
Mei remained unconcerned with the grand scheme, but she was certainly willing to seize this opportunity to accelerate her Token acquisition. With this haul, she should soon amass 10 trillion.
Suddenly,
Boom!
The destructive power of the intertwined Earth Universe's will, bound by causality to Mei, tore across half the universe with irresistible force, annihilating countless galaxies.
Prior to this attack, even a Supercluster appeared utterly minuscule. Within this infinite expanse, it was like countless grains of sand, mercilessly crushed.
Mei remained completely unmoved.
Invisibly, all concepts dissolved and collapsed. This attack, which traversed half the universe, vanished before it even managed to reach her.
It was like ripples on a vast lake being forcibly smoothed away.
"All Concepts, is it…"
A soft voice stirred ripples in the sea of star energy. The universe's will materialized. The Gaia consciousness descended. A shadow emerged from the cosmic void.
Its aura was ancient and majestically powerful.
This vast, boundless energy was the manifestation of the Earth Universe. Within its indescribable breath lay the profound meaning of the endless cycle of birth and death inherent to the Star Sea.
The Gaia consciousness descended.
Leveraging the psychic link between trial participants, he successfully located Mei. Without this trial, he would never have realized Mei had ascended to this level of power.
But, there were no "if"s in this reality.
Unable to truly transcend all levels, one could never fully predict what would occur in the subsequent second. The Gaia consciousness acted decisively.
The Gaia consciousness had previously hunted Mei. He and Mei were sworn adversaries. Although Mei was no longer a Star Spirit, this accumulated enmity would not simply be forgotten.
Furthermore,
Mei represented a powerful, immediate threat in this trial.
No matter the cost,
The Gaia consciousness could not permit Mei to continue escalating her strength. In an instant, she had grown to such an unimaginable extent. Allowing this progression further would undoubtedly result in catastrophic consequences.
This confrontation did not surprise Mei. From the moment the Star Spirit King initiated the trial, she knew a clash with Gaia was inevitable.
Two conceptual-level beings.
A single shared glance was sufficient to grasp all necessary data.
Introductions were superfluous.
No need for idle discussion.
The slaughter commenced immediately.
Hum—
In an instant,
The cosmos erupted with dazzling light. The Star Sea formed a magnificent spectacle. Behind the Gaia consciousness, the imposing posture of a powerhouse from the primordial war manifested.
Gaia hadn't fully entered the realm of All Concepts, but as a survivor of the Star Spirit upheaval, he clearly possessed considerable inherent strength.
Previously,
He had secured quite a few top-tier, high-level war spoils.
Boom!
A battle spear pierced through the Star Sea. In the river of ages, a slumbering, long-lost entity was awakened—a Tier 7 Star Spirit who had once dominated five billion years ago.
An All Concepts Tier 7 Star Spirit!
Gaia's expression remained indifferent.
"Today, your calamity is inescapable…"
However,
His proclamation was abruptly cut short.
With a single, effortless grasp, she tore apart Gaia's magnificent Star Sea. A mere glance sufficed, and the Tier 7 Star Spirit of War, wielding All Concepts and the battle spear, was forcibly pulled back into the river of time.
A colossal palm directly pressed against Gaia's face. Mei's expression was icy. Then, she slammed Gaia's head, blasting him through the cosmic boundary.
All Concepts?
Gaia had severely underestimated Mei's power.
Mei's unique power, originating from Veritas, absolutely transcended Tier 7. To eliminate her, one would need at least a Tier 8, to begin with.
Furthermore,
Even one Tier 8 might not be enough.
Mei could probably take down one or two Tier 8s in a desperate fight.
Gaia's strength alone was insufficient to contend with Mei.
Within a certain Universe Bridge,
Several Star Spirits were about to enter the Earth Universe. Mei's overwhelmingly powerful strike pierced the Universe Bridge's barrier, almost severing the entire bridge.
Boom!
Residual, savage power swept through.
The Star Spirits were instantly terrified. Just being grazed, their bodies were almost shattered, and they couldn't even flee.
"What's happening?"
"A battle?"
Crack!
Subsequently,
The Universe Bridge could no longer withstand the destructive power it unleashed. It fractured section by section, completely severing at that point. Gaia attempted to use his power.
But Veritas dissolved and nullified all his concepts. Before Mei, he was utterly powerless to resist, yet his...
However,
It wasn't over.
Void energy gathered again. The root that Mei had erased reformed. Tier 8 power successfully withstood Veritas's crushing force at a higher level.
Tier 8...
It was probably similar to items like Death Substitute. Mei wasn't surprised. Gaia had existed for too long; possessing such deep foundations was not unusual.
It seemed.
Finally, she had to employ Tier 8 power.
The void trembled.
A terrifying phantom, countless times larger than the Earth Universe, slowly emerged. Void energy ebbed and flowed, completely destroying the broken Universe Bridges.
"Aah—"
Those unlucky ones perished because of this.
Gaia revealed a new form. A rhomboid Divinity floated above his head, bestowing upon him the power of a Tier 8 being.
Eight eyes appeared.
Three heads, six arms.
He wore a compassionate expression, his body as sacred as white jade. Then, his six arms stirred the void, suppressing Mei. Mei faced such power.
The moment she realized Gaia was utilizing Tier 8 power, Mei decisively used a Tier 8 ticket, upgrading a Tier 1 item to Tier 8.
There was no need to employ Source Annihilation; that would be excessively wasteful.
In just an instant,
The item completed its upgrade.
——
【Item: Demon-Quelling Manifestation】
【Grade: Tier 8】
【Description: Manifest as Demon-Quelling, possessing Tier 8 power. Duration: twenty-four hours. Cooldown: one year.】
——
The void surged.
Six arms pressed down. Veritas was enveloped, akin to the force of countless worlds descending, the weight of countless timelines, countless universes, countless worlds.
Suddenly,
An even more potent force broke free from its constraints. The Primordial Daemon body revealed its true form, transforming into the Demon-Quelling, like a fierce, wide-eyed vajra.
This was not merely Tier 8.
It was a Tier 8 possessing the special power of Veritas!
The Primordial Daemon behind her. At this moment, Mei commanded Tier 8 power. She perceived infinite possible timelines.
Then,
She utilized absolute, overwhelming power to seal off all possibilities. From this point forward, Gaia's future in this world could only proceed along the timeline she dictated.
He could only have one outcome!
"Roar!"
"Aah!"
Boom!
Two supreme and mighty Tier 8 beings clashed defiantly in the void. The three-headed, six-armed form confronted the Primordial Daemon's Demon-Quelling. In the instant of their collision,
The entire void seemed to tremble violently.
Just one exchange,
And the three-headed, six-armed form immediately displayed its absolute inferiority. The Primordial Daemon, with absolute power, struck Gaia deep into the void.
In this engagement,
Gaia had no prospect of victory.
Both were Tier 8, but Mei possessed Veritas, placing her above Gaia. Moreover, she still held methods she hadn't even deployed. If she used Source Annihilation,
Gaia would surely perish.
That he possessed Tier 8 power was understandable, but it was absolutely impossible for him to possess Tier 9 equipment or artifacts. The Tokens required for Tier 9 were beyond what the Earth Universe could provide.
Even if Gaia exploited the Earth Universe for five billion years, gathering sufficient Tokens for Tier 9 equipment would remain an unattainable fantasy.
