Chapter 442: No One Has Ever Dared To Fool Me

Lin Moyu knew Antares wouldn’t answer too many questions. With so many on his mind, he had to choose carefully.

Antares fixed its eyes on him once more, “You’re only level 50. Becoming a Transcendent God-level powerhouse is still a long way off. Think carefully. If I answer this, I won’t answer anything else.”

Lin Moyu caught the disdain in its gaze. He knew he was reaching far beyond his current abilities—but this question wasn’t for himself.

“I’ll stick with this question.” Lin Moyu said firmly, “Please answer it.”

Antares said, “Since you’re so insistent, I’ll tell you. Becoming a Transcendent God-level powerhouse isn’t that difficult.”

“First, you need to reach level 98. Levels 98 and 99 are both considered half-step Transcendent God-level. Once you hit level 99, there are three methods to advance to Transcendent God-level.”

Lin Moyu’s eyes widened slightly. Three methods? So the road to Transcendent God-level wasn’t as narrow as he had imagined.

Seeing his reaction, Antares gave a contemplative smile, “The first method is the simplest. Reach level 99 and master all required insights to their limit. Then, using top-tier materials and a special formation, you can break through and become a Transcendent God-level powerhouse.”

“The second method: reach level 99, fully comprehend the required insights, and then use a mythical-grade item. That’ll give you a chance to ascend to Transcendent God-level. Now you should understand why everyone’s fighting over the Genesis Scepter.”

“The third method is the most difficult. If, at level 98 or 99, you’ve reached full comprehension—and one of your attributes exceeds 10 million—you can ascend to Transcendent God-level through sheer force alone.”

Lin Moyu immediately followed up, “Are there differences between the three methods?”

Antares chuckled, “That was your last question. I don’t have to answer anymore.”

Lin Moyu shook his head with a slight smile, “Someone like you—having lived so many years—surely has a generous heart and wouldn’t fuss over something so trivial.”

To get the answer, Lin Moyu didn’t mind resorting to a bit of flattery.

Antares seemed slightly amused, “Since you’re being so earnest, fine—I’ll humor you. Of the three methods, those who break through using their own attributes are the strongest. Those who rely on mythical-grade items come second. And those who use formations… are the weakest.”

Lin Moyu understood instantly.

Breaking through by sheer force of one’s own attribute—naturally, that was the peak path. But it was also the most brutal path.

10 million in a single attribute. Not combined. Not with equipment. Just base attribute. Absolutely insane.

He’d already considered his own attributes to be high, and even then, his highest—spirit—was only 200,000. 10 million meant 50 times that. A mountain no ordinary person could climb.

The second method—relying on one’s own strength plus a mythical-grade item—was weaker. But it involved external help.

And the third? Using a formation to break through? Completely dependent on external aid.

There was no contest.

Antares said, “You understand now, right? The reward has been given. Now it’s your turn to fulfill your promise.”

But Lin Moyu shook his head, “Not so fast. I haven’t finished stating my terms.”

Antares’s eyes widened, “What did you say?”

Lin Moyu met its gaze without flinching, tone brazen, “You don’t really think a few answers are enough payment for me to march into some death trap to retrieve something for you, do you?”

He wasn’t afraid. Not even slightly.

He’d already thought this through, even before he asked his first question.

Antares narrowed its eyes, “Kid, don’t get greedy. I’ve seen plenty of greedy ones—they all met tragic ends.”

There was a clear edge in its voice. A veiled threat.

But Lin Moyu didn’t flinch, “You said it yourself—equal exchange, fair deal. Even if you won’t agree, you should at least let me finish stating my terms.”

He added casually, “Besides, if you really wanted to kill me, it’d be as easy as breathing.”

It wasn’t just boldness in his words now. There was also sharp wit.

Anyone who knew him would’ve been stunned. This quiet, withdrawn guy—it turned out he could talk circles when he wanted to.

Lin Moyu didn’t like talking. That didn’t mean he didn’t know how to.

Antares gave a dry chuckle, “Alright then, speak. I’m listening.”

Lin Moyu spoke without hesitation, “Consider the questions earlier as a deposit. After I bring back the item from the Lightning Burial Canyon, I want some materials in return. The legendary-grade Solidified Fire God’s Blood Essence.”

He looked directly at Antares, “I know this land holds a fair amount of those materials. For someone like you, it shouldn’t be hard to get them.”

It was a calculated request.

Lin Moyu had already guessed there were such resources buried within the core area. He knew they were out of reach for him—but for Antares, it’d be effortless.

And since the materials weren’t owned or in use, retrieving them would cost Antares nothing.

This was why he believed the condition would be accepted.

“That’s all?” Antares raised an eyebrow, slightly amused.

Exactly the reaction Lin Moyu had anticipated.

To Antares, these materials were worthless—never considered valuable enough for a trade. But to Lin Moyu? They were treasures.

“Yes.” Lin Moyu confirmed, “That’s all.”

Antares let out a hearty laugh, “Alright. As long as you bring me what I need, not only will I give you those materials, I’ll even throw in something extra.”

“Then it’s settled.” Antares said, voice turning serious, “When you go to the lower layer, head to the Lightning Burial Canyon. Bring back what I need.”

Lin Moyu nodded, “Then it’s settled. When I go to the lower layer, I’ll head to the Lightning Burial Canyon.”

A subtle wave of relief washed over him. The deal was done. As for when to go—there was no rush.

But Antares had other plans, “Then I’ll send you off right now.”

A sudden wind surged out of nowhere.

Lin Moyu caught a fleeting glimmer of amusement in Antares’s massive eyes. Unease prickled in his chest.

“Something’s wrong.”

That look—it felt off. But by then, it was already too late.

The wind carried glittering light particles, swirling up like stardust, wrapping around both him and Mu Xianxian.

In an instant, they vanished.

“Hmph.” Antares let out a low snort, “You really thought you could bargain with me? That I’d be so easy to fool?”

A chuckle rumbled from its throat, “Trying to play games with me? Kid, you’re still far too green.”

With that, Antares lazily laid back down, slowly closing its eyes. But a flicker of playfulness remained, glinting in its eyes like a cat toying with a mouse.

Meanwhile, in a dim and unfamiliar place, Lin Moyu looked up at the sky.

There was light—but it was faint and distant. Specks of glowing light drifted downward like soft snow, casting some light across the land.

All around him grew strange plants—neither flower nor grass. Their leaves were massive—easily large enough to wrap around him completely.

Each leaf contained glowing veins, casting dim light across the shadows.

In contrast to the faint light above, the light from the plants was brighter.

Behind the leaves stood a squat tree. Its branches spread out like vines, each one holding more of those enormous, glowing leaves.

At that moment, Lin Moyu stood on one of the massive leaves. Beside him, Mu Xianxian lay unconscious.

The leaf supported both of them with ease—incredibly sturdy.

Lin Moyu looked around, eyes narrowing, “This isn’t the upper layer. Where are we?”

The teleportation had lasted an entire minute.

He recalled the flicker in Antares’s eyes just before they were swept away, and a sense of unease welled up inside him.

Then, Antares’s voice echoed directly in his mind, “You little brat… You’re the first in thousands of years who’s dared to pull one over on me.”

“This is the lower layer of the Immemorial Battlefield. Since you’re already here, go ahead and fulfill your promise—head to the Lightning Burial Canyon.”

Lin Moyu’s eyes widened, realization dawning—he’d been tricked. Antares had baited him.

Antares had never specified when he should go—only where. And in that moment, caught in the flow of negotiation, Lin Moyu had agreed without catching the nuance.

He hadn’t expected Antares to seize on that and send him to the lower layer immediately.

Now that he was already here, he had no choice but to follow through.

Just then, a small scale appeared before him. One glance was enough—he recognized it instantly as one of Antares’s scales.

“This scale can take you out of the lower layer.” Antares’s voice added, “But only one person.”

Frustration rippled across Lin Moyu’s face.

He had been played. Antares wasn’t just powerful—he was cunning, calculating.