"Since you say so, I won't beat around the bush," said General Panyong.
Immediately, a light screen appeared in the void.
On it appeared rows of text, showing the names and appearances of ten evolvers.
"These ten evolvers are the ones our clan has deduced to be the most likely true identities of the Thirteenth Peak Master based on various information," General Panyong said.
Other consciousnesses turned their attention to the light screen.
The ten evolvers on the screen were all members of the Red Kun Lineage.
Among them, the last one was a three-eyed man of the tribe.
As for the first nine, they were evolvers who had performed outstandingly in the past few Red Kun main star tests, mainly focusing on the Crimson Mark Evolvers.
"General Panyong, showing us this list alone is not very helpful."
"Yes, most of these evolvers are hidden on the main star of Red Kun. How do we proceed?"
"Even if we manage to kill one recklessly, the others will surely be alert, making it even harder to act."
The remaining consciousnesses frowned, expressing some confusion.
"You don't need to take action," General Panyong said calmly.
"One of our clan's experts in curse killing is willing to expend a thousand years of lifespan to perform the curse killing technique."
General Panyong explained.
The curse killing technique involved a special application of the law of cause and effect.
Understanding the law of cause and effect was extremely difficult, let alone deriving relevant secret techniques from it.
Moreover, the curse killing technique had significant limitations, requiring at least two major realm crossings to perform, and each use consumed a vast amount of lifespan.
Unless absolutely necessary, few experts would voluntarily use the curse killing technique.
Of course, using the curse killing technique was far more effective than assassination; regardless of distance, as long as there was a connection of cause and effect, one could directly curse kill.
"Curse killing?"
"That's an easy way out."
"Direct curse killing, these ten evolvers won't even have time to react."
"That's right. Currently, the Thirteenth Peak Master is only at the fifth rank, not yet advancing to the sixth rank. Using curse killing on him only requires a seventh rank curse killer."
"If we wait until he advances to the sixth rank, attempting curse killing would require an eighth rank curse killer to pay a great price, and even then, success is not guaranteed."
After some discussion among the consciousnesses, they agreed to General Panyong's approach.
Given the potential displayed by the Thirteenth Peak Master, it was best to eliminate him before reaching the sixth rank.
Once he reached the sixth rank, with many life-saving means at his disposal, even if an eighth rank curse killer was willing to expend thousands of years of lifespan, it might not be possible to curse kill him.
"I need you to fulfill your promise," General Panyong immediately negotiated a deal with the other consciousnesses.
Half a day later.
Subtle spatial fluctuations rippled through the starry sky.
A humanoid creature covered in scales emerged.
"This is the 'medium'," General Panyong's mind moved slightly, and ten items appeared.
These ten items, from the ten evolvers on the list, were collected by General Panyong's men from the planets where they lived.
They had come into contact with these ten evolvers and retained some of their aura.
Although the curse killing technique was unpredictable and difficult to defend against, it required the use of a 'medium' to perform.
From cause to effect.
Locking effect to cause.
"Panyong, remember your promise."
The humanoid creature covered in scales stared at General Panyong for a moment, then swallowed the ten 'mediums' in one gulp.
Buzz!!
Invisible ripples spread out.
The humanoid creature covered in scales seemed to be affected by some kind of backlash and began to collapse.
"That's it," General Panyong nodded slightly.
"Don't worry, after you die, your clan will be treated well."
General Panyong looked at the gradually collapsing figure and spoke.
For the humanoid creature covered in scales, the remaining thousand years of lifespan were far from enough to make further progress.
"Now."
"Let's wait."
General Panyong looked at the other consciousnesses.
Trading a thousand years of lifespan from a rare seventh-rank curse killer for the lives of ten fourth and fifth rank youngsters was definitely a big loss.
But as long as one of these ten youngsters was the Thirteenth Peak Master, it would be a gain, not just a gain, but a big one.
Main star of Red Kun.
The three-eyed man finished his cultivation.
"Hmph."
"Fool."
The three-eyed man glanced downward.
Seeing Fang Qing hastily leaving, it was obvious that something was going on.
The three-eyed man didn't like Fang Qing, not only because Fang Qing was just a Silver Mark initially, but also because he had expended a lot of favors to other disciples for his friend Lin Yuan.
As a result, Fang Qing had a good image in the Red Kun Lineage.
"True strong ones are always lonely; they don't need any friends. Needing friends only shows that one is not strong enough."
The three-eyed man's gaze was firm.
"I..."
The three-eyed man let out a sigh of relief, about to get up.
Just then.
An invisible wave descended.
"No!!!"
The three-eyed man widened his eyes, and the bloodline mark on his brow opened.
But it was all meaningless; as the wave dispersed, the three-eyed man's soul rapidly dissipated.
At the same time.
On the main star of Red Kun Star Domain.
The other nine evolvers died inexplicably.
Virtual world.
Personal space.
Fang Qing sat in front of Lin Yuan, his face full of anger.
"The despicable aliens actually used curse killing techniques," Fang Qing blurted out the mysterious death of the ten evolvers, including the three-eyed man.
This matter wasn't a secret on the main star of Red Kun. The final fate of the Thirteenth Peak Master, attributed to curse killing techniques from aliens, gradually calmed the situation.
"Curse killing technique?" Lin Yuan's mind stirred.
As the Thirteenth Peak Master, he naturally knew about this mysterious and unpredictable method.
The curse killing technique was a special application of the law of cause and effect, even more esoteric than soul attacks.
Of course, using the curse killing technique also came with a huge cost; it required crossing at least two major realms to be effective, and each use consumed a hundred years of lifespan.
"What would the aliens want with the curse killing technique?" Lin Yuan speculated inwardly but still asked.
"Others say that the aliens witnessed the Thirteenth Peak Master's performance in the arena and targeted these ten evolvers for curse killing, presumably searching for the Thirteenth Peak Master," Fang Qing said in a lowered voice.
"I see." Lin Yuan nodded.
At this moment, he felt somewhat fortunate that he hadn't exposed his identity.
If, due to the suppression from Black Prison Ao, Lin Yuan couldn't help but reveal his identity earlier.
Even if he could safely return to the main star of Red Kun, once 'Lin Yuan's identity was exposed, it would allow the aliens to lock onto him.
Lin Yuan had lived on Canglan Star for so many years; he couldn't guarantee that he hadn't left behind any 'mediums'.
If the aliens found the 'mediums', Lin Yuan wasn't sure if he could survive another curse killing attempt.
Although as a disciple of the Red Kun Star Lord, he might have some means to block the effects of the curse, if he failed to do so...
"Keep a low profile."
"I still need to keep a low profile." Lin Yuan thought to himself.
He was thankful that he had endured the pressure from Black Prison Ao in the end.
"That three-eyed man." Lin Yuan felt that the three-eyed man had probably shielded him from disaster.
In the Seven Star Cave world, there were three Crimson Markers, over a hundred Gold Markers, and over a million Silver Markers.
The three-eyed man was probably the most similar to the Thirteenth Peak Master who was currently causing chaos in the arena.
After all, the other two Crimson Markers had too distinctive personal characteristics; the silver-haired woman, Silver Spirit, was skilled in spatial attacks, and the nearly three-meter-tall brute force expert was skilled in strength attacks.
Neither of them resembled the Thirteenth Peak Master much.
As for the Gold and Silver Markers below them, there were too many to determine.
Only the three-eyed man, this Crimson Marker, seemed to fit.
"I wonder if the Thirteenth Peak Master is okay." Fang Qing suddenly sounded despondent. Since the aliens dared to use curse killing, they must be confident; curse killing across infinite distances required a huge price.
"We'll find out tomorrow," Lin Yuan comforted.
"That's true." Fang Qing was slightly stunned.
The Thirteenth Peak Master would challenge various evolvers in the arena every morning and afternoon.
If the Thirteenth Peak Master was fine, he would surely appear tomorrow.
"I hope nothing's happened." Fang Qing whispered.
If the Thirteenth Peak Master were to die at the hands of the aliens again, just like thousands of years ago, the Red Kun Star Lord might do something crazy.
The next day.
Virtual world.
Arena.
Inside a box.
Several figures gathered here.
"Whether the Thirteenth Peak Master was curse killed or not, we'll know soon."
These figures were naturally transformed aliens; the virtual world network couldn't completely block them out.
Some aliens skilled in disguise could perfectly mimic the aura of humans. As long as their identities were correct, they could smoothly enter the virtual world.
"If the Thirteenth Peak Master hasn't appeared by now, there's a high probability he was curse killed."
The figures looked at each other with hopeful eyes, staring down at the arena below.
This time, to curse kill the Thirteenth Peak Master, they had paid a much higher price than thousands of years ago when they assassinated the Red Kun Star Lord's disciple.
To assassinate that disciple, only a few sixth-rank experts were involved.
But this time, they had directly paid the lifespan of a seven-rank peak expert skilled in curse killing techniques.
It was worth noting that seven-rank peak experts skilled in curse killing techniques were even rarer than eighth-rank experts.
If it weren't for this expert volunteering, they wouldn't have been able to command such a sacrifice.
"Thirteenth Peak Master."
"You must die."
"If you don't die, wouldn't our efforts be in vain?"
Several aliens thought quickly in their minds, their eyes fixed on the figure of the Thirteenth Peak Master below.
Soon.
A figure appeared on the stage.
That was the opponent of the Thirteenth Peak Master.
"If he hasn't shown up by now, it should be..."
Joy surged in the hearts of several aliens.
However, in the next moment.
The figure of the Thirteenth Peak Master appeared on the other side of the arena.
Silence.
The box fell into silence.
Several aliens' faces turned ugly as they stared fixedly at the figure of the Thirteenth Peak Master below.
"Was the curse killing a mistake?"
"Is the Thirteenth Peak Master still alive?"
"It's over."
Several aliens took a deep breath, bitterness evident on their faces.
"Let's go."
"No need to watch anymore."
"Let's go back and report."
Several aliens disconnected from the virtual world.
When they saw the figure of the Thirteenth Peak Master, they realized that they couldn't stop his rise anymore.
With what could they stop him? Curse kill him again? Not to mention if they could find another willing seventh-rank peak expert skilled in curse killing techniques to cooperate with them.
Even if they found one, what then? How would they select the target?
The ten evolvers they had chosen previously were the most likely targets for the Thirteenth Peak Master.
Now that they had all failed, they needed to choose from a much larger pool of evolvers.
The possibility of another failed curse killing attempt would be much higher than the first.
Virtual world.
Personal space.
Lin Yuan closed his eyes.
Through challenging evolvers from various evolutionary paths, Lin Yuan's proficiency in the martial path of evolution continued to improve.
"Someone wants to visit me?"
Lin Yuan glanced at the visitor list.
Since being suppressed by Black Prison Ao,
There were very few people who came to visit him.
Even when Fang Qing appeared and resolved the situation where Canglan Star's trade was cut off, Lin Yuan, this person, was still put on many forces' 'blacklists'.
Too arrogant, too troublesome.
Today he offended Black Prison Ao; who knows who he'll offend tomorrow.
"Mr. Lin, I'm Director Shi Cai from the Huiyin Group."
A man with a hooked nose smiled.
"Hello."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"We hope that Mr. Lin can take the lead and help us contact Lord Fang Qing."
The man with the hooked nose stated his purpose.
"Mr. Lin, rest assured, the Huiyin Group will definitely reward you generously afterward."
The man with the hooked nose promised.
"No need."
"I can't promise you that."
Lin Yuan shook his head and refused.
So these people wanted to get to know Fang Qing through him?
"In that case."
"Sorry to bother you."
The man with the hooked nose maintained his smile.
He directly exited Lin Yuan's personal space.
When he returned to reality, a hint of gloom appeared on the man's face.
"Don't you even see what situation you're in now?"
"And still so arrogant."
The man with the hooked nose sneered.
In his view, Lin Yuan was currently only able to live so well because of Lord Fang Qing's favor.
If he didn't take advantage of Lord Fang Qing's current appreciation for him to make more connections with other forces, it would be a complete waste of resources.
"Wait and see."
"I'll see what your future holds."
The man with the hooked nose sat in his seat. If Lord Fang Qing could protect you for now, could he protect you for a lifetime?
In the future, when you lose Lord Fang Qing's protection, what will you use to face the Black Prison Family?
Central Continent Manor.
Underground training ground in the main building.
Lin Yuan sat cross-legged.
In front of him, a reddish "stone" was placed.
Under his extraordinary comprehension, the inspirations emanating from the red "stone" and the insights gained from sparring with various evolvers were constantly combined.
He rapidly improved his proficiency in the martial path of evolution and enhanced the efficiency of soul integration.
Until he reached a critical point.
It's unknown how much time passed.
An hour.
Ten hours.
Or a day.
Lin Yuan quietly opened his eyes.
"I..."
Lin Yuan only felt a sense of 'completion' emerging from every part of his body, or more accurately, from the depths of his soul.
"Soul integration."
Lin Yuan immediately began to sense the degree of his own soul integration.
After a moment.
A smile appeared on Lin Yuan's face.
Because in this world, his soul integration degree had already reached...
One hundred percent.
...
I need POWAAAA :D
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