For a powerful being like Lin Yuan, the only true treasures in the two-dimensional world are the strange artifacts.
Of course, the most valuable thing is the two-dimensional world itself, which is represented by the "white paper."
However, even the Strongest Ones cannot refine the "white paper."
The powerful beings trapped within naturally have no such thoughts.
As for the strange artifact possessed by the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom, Lin Yuan knew it to be a Blood Rain Tea Tree.
However, this Blood Rain Tea Tree was taken by several powerful beings who had crossed into the Witch Ancestor stage nearly a century ago.
The mystical properties of the Blood Rain Tea Tree were no secret among the upper echelons of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom.
Once the value of strange artifacts in the two-dimensional world became apparent, the Blood Rain Tea Tree was quickly targeted by the powerful, and the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom had no means of protecting it.
"Could it be that the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom still has other strange artifacts hidden?" Lin Yuan became intrigued.
The royal family of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom had claimed to have a precious treasure to offer, and Lin Yuan naturally began to think along these lines.
"Very well."
"I'll meet them."
With the matter concerning a strange artifact, Lin Yuan decided that it was worth a meeting.
"Understood."
Cha Ran Gu quickly replied.
"My lord has agreed to the meeting, I will inform them right away."
Cha Ran Gu respectfully withdrew.
Without Lin Yuan's permission, not even the royal family of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom dared to approach the Luo Chuan settlement.
Over the years, although Lin Yuan rarely took action, the little that he had done was enough to intimidate the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom.
While Cha Ran Gu went to inform the royal family, there was still some time before the meeting.
Lin Yuan continued to focus on the silver mirror, pouring his mental energy into it.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
As Lin Yuan expended large amounts of mental energy, the silver mirror before him gradually revealed its extraordinary nature.
Faint silver light began to appear.
At the same time, Lin Yuan sensed a very familiar fluctuation.
A spatial fluctuation.
It was purely a spatial fluctuation, without involving any spatial rules.
"It's working."
Seeing this, Lin Yuan continued to pour in his mental energy.
Only a strong being at the nineteenth stage of the Witch Ancestor could possess such abundant mental energy.
If it had been someone at the fifteenth or sixteenth stage, they wouldn't have even been able to meet the prerequisites for unlocking the silver mirror.
Time passed.
Half a day had gone by.
Lin Yuan frowned slightly.
Maintaining such a prolonged flow of mental energy was beginning to wear him down, even at his level.
If he continued like this, it would soon start affecting his overall strength.
Just as Lin Yuan was considering whether to keep going, something changed.
The silver mirror suddenly underwent some sort of transformation.
It began to slowly levitate.
Its surface, like mercury, rippled with small waves.
"What is this?"
Lin Yuan stared at the floating silver mirror, his face showing surprise.
The fact that the mirror could float didn't shock Lin Yuan.
Given his current strength, he could easily float for a short time if he released his full power.
By making his blood and energy surge, he could create a strong life force magnetic field, counteracting the pull of gravity.
What really astonished Lin Yuan was that he could sense that inside the mirror was an independent space.
The space wasn't large, only about ten square meters.
But keep in mind, in the two-dimensional world, the concept of spatial depth didn't exist; everything was two-dimensional, everything was flat.
And yet, within the mirror, a three-dimensional space had been created inside this two-dimensional plane. What an incredible and unimaginable power!
"My inner world spans over 233 million miles in radius, with over three billion layers of space. Even so, when I fell into this two-dimensional world, my inner world was immediately compressed into a single sheet of 'paper,' completely flattened."
Lin Yuan marveled inwardly.
But now, there was a stable independent space inside the silver mirror.
If this independent space were brought back to the main universe and fully expanded, just how vast would it be?
"With the space inside this mirror, things will be much more convenient." Lin Yuan stroked the silver mirror thoughtfully.
Though the space inside the mirror wasn't large, it was more than enough to store Lin Yuan's everyday items, especially the black iron rod, which was too conspicuous to carry on his back.
Now, he could place the rod inside the mirror.
He could retrieve it instantly whenever he needed it.
Moreover, for Lin Yuan, the silver mirror also had a crucial life-saving function.
If he ever encountered an attack he couldn't withstand, he could hide inside the mirror.
As for the silver mirror itself, it was a strange artifact, a twelve-star rare treasure and weapon. In this two-dimensional world, it was practically indestructible.
Even if a Strongest One were to fall into the two-dimensional world and be suppressed by its rules, unable to exert their full power, they still wouldn't be able to shake the silver mirror.
"Not bad at all."
Lin Yuan was delighted. With this silver mirror, he had added yet another powerful method to his arsenal.
"Let's put the iron rod in first." With a thought, the nearly two-meter-long black iron rod vanished from sight, entering the space inside the silver mirror.
Next, Lin Yuan placed the bronze compass inside the mirror. The compass was another strange artifact that was extremely useful to him, but keeping it on him required constant attention.
Now, with it stored safely inside the mirror's space, Lin Yuan could be at ease.
After figuring out the abilities of the silver mirror, the members of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom's royal family arrived.
The one who came to meet Lin Yuan was the current emperor of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom, a middle-aged man with a dignified and imposing presence.
"Greetings, my lord." The Blood Rain Emperor and the few princes and ministers behind him were all extremely respectful, bowing to the young man seated cross-legged before them. The oppressive force emanating from him on a fundamental level of life itself caused them great pressure, and beads of sweat began to form on their foreheads.
"So, this is the mysterious strong being hidden within my Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom?" The Blood Rain Emperor swallowed nervously.
The battle that had taken place in the desolate northwest region of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom had spread widely among the powerful beings of many races. The native forces of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom had also heard of it.
The royal family of the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom had, based on various clues, deduced that the mysterious strong being was likely the young man seated before them.
Over the past century, many extraordinary strong beings had appeared one after another in the Twelve Ancient Kingdoms, leaving the ruling royal families trembling with fear.
If it weren't absolutely necessary, the Blood Rain Emperor would never have approached Lin Yuan, as the pressure was overwhelming.
"Rise."
Lin Yuan glanced at the few people standing respectfully before him, pausing for a moment on one of them.
This person was the Prince of Zhenbei in the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom. Lin Yuan had a past connection with him, having obtained the bronze compass partly due to him.
If it hadn't been for the Prince of Zhenbei chasing the eighteen bandits of Yunshan, the latter wouldn't have fled near the Luochuan settlement.
Even if Lin Yuan had set out to claim the reward for capturing them, it would've likely been too far from the settlement, and he would've missed the bronze compass.
"Even in this two-dimensional world, cause and effect still exist, though they're barely perceptible," Lin Yuan mused.
At the Xiayou Evolution Tower, Lin Yuan had sent an avatar to comprehend the cosmic aurora, significantly deepening his understanding of the laws of cause and effect.
Meeting the Prince of Zhenbei in this way was also a manifestation of cause and effect.
"My lord, we have brought a precious treasure as a tribute." The Blood Rain Emperor presented two wooden boxes.
One was large, about half a meter long, while the other was small, only ten centimeters in size.
Cha Ran Gu quickly stepped forward, taking the boxes and respectfully placing them before Lin Yuan.
Lin Yuan, intrigued, opened both boxes.
In the larger box was a small axe, intricately carved from jade, with a sharp aura faintly flowing along its blade.
In the smaller box was a piece of wood. Without even touching it, Lin Yuan could sense an immense life force emanating from the wood.
"These two treasures..."
Lin Yuan's expression remained unchanged, but he was inwardly excited.
The small jade axe was likely a Strongest One weapon, similar to the black iron rod.
As for the piece of wood, it was probably a twelve-star rare material. If it were brought back to the main universe, it would certainly spark a battle among the Strongest Ones.
"The Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom..."
Lin Yuan glanced at the Blood Rain Emperor and his entourage.
Over the past century, the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom had undoubtedly been raided by many powerful beings, yet they had managed to retain these two treasures. Clearly, they had some hidden means.
"Speak."
"What do you want me to do?"
Lin Yuan asked calmly.
The Blood Rain Emperor and his group hadn't come all this way to present such valuable strange artifacts without a request.
"Was the recent battle in the northwest region of the ancient kingdom related to you, my lord?" the Blood Rain Emperor cautiously asked.
"It was me," Lin Yuan replied directly.
With his current strength, there was no need to hide anything. It was easier to be straightforward.
"Your strength is truly extraordinary," the Blood Rain Emperor said, genuinely in awe.
The traces left behind by the great battle in the northwest region had shattered the royal family's understanding of the world many times over.
"Just get to the point," Lin Yuan said, his tone calm.
"Yes."
The Blood Rain Emperor steadied himself. "I hope you can protect my Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom, my lord."
"Protect it?" Lin Yuan glanced at the Blood Rain Emperor.
He had anticipated this request. For the native kingdoms in the two-dimensional world, facing the countless powerful beings descending upon them from other races, fear was inevitable.
"Here's the deal."
"From now on, your Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom can publicly announce that it is under my protection."
Lin Yuan replied.
"That simple?" The Blood Rain Emperor was stunned.
"Once that announcement is made, other powerful beings won't act too recklessly," Lin Yuan said softly.
Among the powerful beings, information circulated very quickly. Once they learned that the mysterious strong being ranked sixth on the leaderboard was protecting the Blood Rain Ancient Kingdom, no one would dare to act rashly, no matter how bold they were.
"Understood."
Although the Blood Rain Emperor didn't fully understand, he didn't dare to show any dissent.
A month later.
After returning to the capital and publicly announcing the protection arrangement, the Blood Rain Empire experienced much more peace. Even the arrogant powerful beings became much more subdued.
Most of the powerful beings believed that Lin Yuan was undoubtedly a perfect Rank Eleven legendary lifeform from the main universe.
Faced with such an existence, who would dare to cause trouble within his protective domain?
Time flew by quickly, and Lin Yuan remained immersed in his cultivation. Nearly two hundred years passed in the blink of an eye.
Only two months remained until the opening of the Heavenly Gate, which occurs once every ten thousand years.
...
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