Chapter 561

Star Tear ‘Fragmented World’.

As his avatar returned, Lin Yuan’s true self felt quite pleased.

This trip to the Myriad Dao Pavilion had essentially achieved its goal.

He’d now secured a channel to spread the many side paths of the Martial Dao’s evolutionary road.

With the Pavilion’s help, it was easy to predict that the Martial Dao’s numerous side paths would rapidly propagate throughout one void domain after another.

The speed and breadth of that spread would far surpass anything achievable within the universe.

“The sheer number of side paths I’ve opened under the Martial Dao probably scared that Eye of Ten Thousand Laws…”

Lin Yuan mused to himself. The Martial Dao was something he had forged through journeys across different dimensional worlds.

Its explanations and encapsulation of the nature of power and rules far exceeded other evolutionary paths at the same level.

That was why, even at the Path-Clearing stage, his Martial Dao had produced such a massive number of side paths.

To travel across dimensions—that was something even thirteenth-rank beings might not be able to do. Even great time-based lifeforms were still in exploratory stages when it came to other dimensions.

But with the Gate of Myriad Realms, Lin Yuan could easily traverse dimensions—that was the key to creating the Martial Dao’s evolutionary road.

“That Eye of Ten Thousand Laws… it must really be tied to the thirteenth rank,” Lin Yuan thought.

During the conversation with the Eye of Ten Thousand Laws, he had been secretly observing it.

While it couldn’t compare to the vast aura of the Gate of Myriad Realms’ projection, it was clearly above ordinary Chaos Great Saints.

“Shame it's still too far above me—I couldn’t comprehend anything from it.”

Lin Yuan felt a little regret. If it had been the Eye’s true body rather than just a projection, perhaps he could’ve gleaned something useful.

But from just a projection, and with such a vast gap in level between them, he had gained nothing.

“Hm?”

“My avatar has arrived safely at the Myriad Phenomena Void Domain?”

Lin Yuan sensed something and turned toward a particular direction.

Back during his first exploration of the chaotic void, he had acquired many treasures left behind by a peak Dominance-level expert named Cang Weiyang. That had been Lin Yuan’s “first pot of gold.”

Cang Weiyang had asked for nothing in return—only that, when Lin Yuan had the chance, he go to the Myriad Phenomena Void Domain and take a member of the Stonefolk as a disciple.

With Lin Yuan’s current strength, that was easy, so he had already sent an avatar ahead.

Myriad Phenomena Void Domain.

Amid drifting chaotic energy, a figure condensed—it was Lin Yuan.

“Finally here.”

A smile appeared on Lin Yuan’s face.

The Myriad Phenomena Void Domain wasn’t far from the one that held the Guming Continent.

The two were neighboring void domains.

Even so, it had still taken Lin Yuan nearly ten years to arrive.

And that was with his space-time comprehension already at the eighth level—his travel speed was on par with Chaos Venerables.

Many newly ascended Chaos Venerables hadn’t even reached eighth-level comprehension of space-time and were slower than Lin Yuan.

“No wonder they say even Chaos Great Saints and Supreme Saints can’t explore every corner of the chaotic void.”

Lin Yuan shook his head, filled with emotion.

The chaotic void was simply too vast.

“Stonefolk…”

He looked around to confirm his bearings.

Cang Weiyang’s intel had included detailed information about both the Myriad Phenomena Void Domain and the Stonefolk.

Just like the chaotic void birthed countless universes, it also birthed countless races.

Some strong, some weak. The Stonefolk were among the weaker ones, living in a secluded pocket realm.

These “secret realms” were naturally-formed hidden spaces within the chaotic void—much less secure than a universe.

But for the Stonefolk, it was already an excellent place. Their entire race could live quietly inside.

Of course, such a “secret realm” meant they were severely lacking in cultivation resources. That was why Cang Weiyang had left to venture out on his own.

A mere secret realm could never produce a peak Dominance-level powerhouse.

Whoosh.

Soon—

Lin Yuan arrived at the entrance to the Stonefolk’s secret realm.

It was hidden deep within layers of space-time, extremely hard to detect.

But with Lin Yuan’s space-time perception, it wasn’t a problem—especially with Cang Weiyang’s detailed coordinates.

Whoosh.

Lin Yuan stepped in directly.

All the barriers outside the secret realm were like tissue paper to him.

“Let’s make this quick.”

Lin Yuan intended to pick any random Stonefolk, take him as a disciple, and bring him back to human civilization.

How far that disciple could eventually go would depend on his own fortune.

“Hm?”

Hovering high in the sky, Lin Yuan looked down over the secret realm.

The Stonefolk’s secret realm was only a few hundred light-years across—“small,” as far as realms go. Lin Yuan could see through it at a glance.

That was expected—the Stonefolk weren’t powerful. Their strongest members were only at Path-Clearing. Naturally, their territory wasn’t impressive.

If it were a vast and resource-rich realm, how could the Stonefolk have claimed it?

“Not a single Stonefolk?”

Looking down, Lin Yuan saw the place was empty—even parts of the terrain had large pits and signs of ruin.

“According to Senior Cang Weiyang’s intel, the Stonefolk numbered over a trillion, even if most of them were only fourth or fifth rank…”

Lin Yuan’s brows furrowed slightly.

“Now there’s none?”

Well, not quite none.

At the center of the realm, where the environment was best for cultivation, a few Path-Clearing auras remained.

“Seems like something happened.”

Lin Yuan’s expression turned thoughtful, then his figure vanished.

At the heart of the realm, inside a massive structure—

Four towering figures sat cross-legged, chatting casually. All four had Path-Clearing auras.

“Hahaha! The Stonefolk must’ve had some rotten luck, offending the Ninefold Venerable and ending up with their whole race taken away.”

One of them, a ram-horned figure, laughed.

If not for that, the four of them could never have seized this realm.

The Stonefolk may have been weak, but they still had nearly ten Path-Clearing experts—one of them at the peak.

Normally, they could easily defend this realm. The four newcomers would have stood no chance.

“How could the Stonefolk offend the Ninefold Venerable? And why would he personally order the entire race taken away?”

Another Path-Clearing being was puzzled.

The Ninefold Venerable was a Chaos-stage expert. To such a being, the Stonefolk were dust—not even worth a glance.

“No idea. Word is, one of the Stonefolk ran into him while out adventuring.”

A third said uncertainly. It was just a rumor he’d heard.

A Chaos Venerable ordering an entire race taken away had caused quite a stir in the area.

“Whatever the reason, we four brothers lucked out. This realm is ours now.”

The fourth one grinned. To them, it was a gift from the heavens.

With the Stonefolk gone and the realm’s formations still usable, they only needed to tweak a few things to become its new owners.

As the four continued chatting—

Suddenly, the scenery around them changed. A misty glow enveloped the space-time.

All external auras were cut off—suddenly, they were in a completely isolated space.

“A space-time domain?”

All four froze.

A space-time domain was formed purely through comprehension of space-time laws.

Normally, at least peak seventh-level comprehension was needed to create one.

Inside such a domain, it was like a sealed capsule—cut off from the outside world. Unless your comprehension was equal or greater, escaping was nearly impossible.

These four had barely reached sixth-level comprehension. The moment they realized they were trapped, they didn’t dare move a muscle.

“Whoever you are, if you have any commands, just say the word—we four will obey,” the ram-horned one said immediately.

To form a space-time domain like this? At least a peak Dominance expert!

Such a being could’ve killed them already if they wanted. No need to play games.

“What happened to the Stonefolk?”

Lin Yuan’s voice echoed from all directions, reaching their ears.

“The Stonefolk…”

The four Path-Clearing figures shuddered.

A peak Dominance-level figure specifically asking about the Stonefolk? Could he be connected to them?

Sure, the Ninefold Venerable had ordered their removal, but it was these four who had seized the realm…

“Lord, the Ninefold Venerable’s order had nothing to do with us!” the ram-horned one blurted, terrified he’d be implicated.

“Ninefold Venerable?”

Lin Yuan’s expression didn’t change.

The Ninefold Venerable was a newly ascended Chaos-level being, having reached that stage within the last ten cosmic eras.

The Ninefold Void Domain was right next to Lin Yuan’s—he’d heard of recent major events there.

Including the rise of this Ninefold Venerable.

“Why did he take the whole Stonefolk race?”

Lin Yuan asked directly.

He had already listened in on part of the four’s earlier conversation.

“We’re not sure,” the ram-horned one said stiffly.

“They say a Stonefolk who was adventuring outside clashed with the Venerable…”

The four of them quickly spilled everything they knew.

Within the space-time domain, no one dared lie or hide anything.

Soon—

Lin Yuan had pieced together the full story.

“A wandering Stonefolk angered the Ninefold Venerable… so he took the whole race?”

Lin Yuan felt something was off.

With the Venerable’s power, if a single Stonefolk offended him, he could’ve wiped him out with a thought.

Why go through the trouble of seizing the entire race?

Unless… there was a deeper reason.

Within the misty domain—

The four Path-Clearing figures were tense.

They’d said all they knew. Whether they lived or died next was up to this powerhouse.

“Don’t resist. I’m going to soul-search you.”

Lin Yuan decided to confirm things himself.

Although he was confident they’d told the truth, final verification was always necessary.

“Yes, sir.”

The four nodded.

At this point, they had no other options.

Even if Lin Yuan soul-searched them and then killed them, they couldn’t stop it.

Buzz.

Soon—

Lin Yuan finished the soul-search.

Everything matched what they’d said.

“Ninefold Venerable…”

With a wave, Lin Yuan swept the four unconscious Path-Clearing beings into his inner universe.

Until he fully understood the Venerable’s motives regarding the Stonefolk, he didn’t want word of his arrival spreading.

So for now, they would remain asleep in his inner world.

Ninefold Secret Realm.

The Ninefold Venerable’s residence—vast beyond comparison to the Stonefolk’s realm.

Not all Venerables created Chaos Continents. The Ninefold Venerable had only ascended ten cosmic eras ago—he was a newer Venerable, and building a continent required enormous effort.

He didn’t yet have the foundation.

At the top of the secret realm, inside a great hall—

“Your Excellency,” three Dominance-stage beings bowed to the thin, cold-eyed elder on the throne.

As a Chaos-stage being, the Venerable naturally had many followers. Many Dominance-level cultivators, stuck at the peak, depended on a Venerable’s guidance to progress.

“So? Has the kid talked yet?”

The Ninefold Venerable asked coldly.

“We’ve soaked him in the Pool of Sin, bombarding his soul and mind with endless torment—but…”

The three exchanged looks, then said softly, “He still refuses to speak.”

“Still refuses?”

The Venerable frowned.

The “kid” they referred to was Cang Yulong, from the Stonefolk.

Half a cosmic era ago, the Venerable had discovered a warped space in the chaotic void—and within it, glimpsed a mysterious realm.

He immediately realized this place had a major origin—likely tied to peak Chaos or even Great Saint-level beings.

He spent half a cosmic era and countless favors trying to break through the space-time barriers to get inside.

Just as he was about to succeed, a figure suddenly appeared in the mysterious space.

Clearly, that figure had entered via some other teleportation method.

Before the Venerable could react, the figure activated the realm and vanished with it.

All the Venerable’s efforts—half an era, favors, time, energy—gone in an instant. Someone else had reaped the fruit.

He was furious.

He then spent tens of millions of years tracking that figure via the thin thread of causality left from their brief contact—until he captured him.

That figure was Cang Yulong.

The Venerable tried to soul-search him directly, but found Cang Yulong’s sea of consciousness protected by some unknown force.

He could forcefully break through—but it would destroy Cang Yulong’s mind.

So if he wanted information, he had to get it willingly.

Cang Yulong refused.

So the Venerable tortured him endlessly.

Within this Ninefold Secret Realm, there was a special feature: the Pool of Sin, containing infinite sin and torment. One drop could cause unbearable agony.

So he immersed Cang Yulong in it.

But—so far, it hadn’t worked.

“Does he know I’ve captured his people?”

The Venerable asked.

At first, he hadn’t known Cang Yulong’s origin.

But later, by examining his physical traits, the Venerable identified him as a Stonefolk and ordered the entire race captured.

“We told him,” the three Dominance-level followers nodded.

“Then tell him this: for every day he stays silent, I’ll slaughter a hundred million Stonefolk—and soak their souls in the Pool of Sin too.”

The Ninefold Venerable’s expression was icy.

“Yes, sir.”

The three shuddered. They knew how terrifying the Pool was. Honestly, the fact that Cang Yulong had endured it this long was unbelievable.

As they departed, the Venerable once again pictured that mysterious realm.

Even with just a glimpse, he had seen a world-tree-like giant tree at its center, surrounded by endless chaotic mist.

“The Chaos Tree…”

A glimmer of greed flickered in the Venerable’s eyes.

If the World Tree was an eleventh-rank supreme treasure—

Then the Chaos Tree was a twelfth-rank supreme treasure.

And twelfth-rank supreme treasures were at the level of Chaos Great Saints.

Planting one in his inner universe would massively stabilize it—letting the Venerable reach peak Chaos in record time.

And that was just one use. As a twelfth-rank treasure, the Chaos Tree had countless other miraculous properties.

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