The list of rewards Lin Yuan saw for clearing the sixth level included treasures from the seventh, and even some from the eighth-level reward pool. The rewards you receive after clearing each level of the tower depend on your performance during the challenge.
As a rank ten lifeform, Lin Yuan cleared the sixth level with a performance far beyond top-tier expectations. This was reflected in the reward list, which included options several levels higher than usual.
This was also why Lin Yuan had previously encountered eleven-star treasures like the World Tree and the Source of Gold in the reward list for the second level.
"Three rewards?" Lin Yuan gazed at the list in front of him. There were only three options:
Boundless World, Cosmic Destruction and Heart of Space-Time
Lin Yuan had never heard of these treasures, but he could sense their incredible value—so rare that even the human civilization's treasure vault might have few things comparable to them.
"Senior Shen Ji, what are these three treasures?" Lin Yuan asked softly.
"The Boundless World," the humanoid statue Shen Ji began with a smile, "comes from the tower master's search for traces of a Perfect Time Being. It's a fragment of a world where such a being may have once resided."
Shen Ji chuckled, "Though this is just a theory. Even if it wasn't a Perfect Time Being, it was left behind by someone extremely close to such perfection."
"The tower master studied this Boundless World for a long time, but made little progress."
"Perfect Time Being?" Lin Yuan's expression grew more serious. Based on Shen Ji's words, the Boundless World was tied to beings on par with or near the level of Perfect Time Beings.
Lin Yuan had only encountered such an entity once before—the creator of the two-dimensional world.
"And Cosmic Destruction?" Lin Yuan asked next.
"Ah, Cosmic Destruction..." Shen Ji paused for a moment, then continued, "You know, the universe itself will one day be destroyed."
"Yes," Lin Yuan nodded.
A universe goes through an unimaginably long cycle from birth to destruction, which is known as a cosmic epoch.
"When a universe is destroyed, its rules and principles collapse. For any rank twelve lifeform within the universe, this is a disaster—at least half, if not most, will perish."
"Cosmic Destruction is a replica of that process—a recording of the complete destruction of a universe, from the beginning to its total obliteration."
Shen Ji paused briefly before adding, "While a cosmic destruction is a catastrophe, it is also an opportunity. Observing the collapse of countless rules and principles during this process can greatly enhance one's understanding of the universe's laws."
"I see," Lin Yuan nodded, realizing how valuable this record of cosmic destruction truly was.
To replicate such a monumental event, the entity doing so would have to be a rank twelve lifeform. But facing the destruction of a universe, most rank twelve beings would be too focused on survival to make such a recording.
"And finally, the Heart of Space-Time?" Shen Ji glanced at Lin Yuan. "By merging with the Heart of Space-Time, a being below rank twelve can extend the time they have to break free from the River of Time."
"Extend the time to break free from the River of Time?" Lin Yuan took a deep breath.
He immediately understood the greatest use of the Heart of Space-Time—it was meant for those attempting the ultimate breakthrough.
A rank eleven lifeform, when attempting to ascend to the ultimate rank, must break free from the River of Time in what is known as the "ultimate leap." During this leap, the lifeform steps out of the River of Time and must complete their ascension before being pulled back in.
The time they can remain outside the river is extremely limited, so anything that extends this period significantly increases their chances of success.
When a rank eleven lifeform leaps out of the River of Time to reach the ultimate, the river itself resists them. To the River of Time, an ascending lifeform is like a fish trying to escape its waters forever—naturally, the river does everything in its power to pull them back.
When the supreme being Xia Qin helped Lin Yuan briefly step out of the River of Time, that was only a temporary act, so the river's retaliation wasn't as severe.
"Which of the three treasures will you choose?" Shen Ji asked, his gaze fixed on Lin Yuan.
"The Heart of Space-Time," Lin Yuan answered without hesitation.
The Boundless World, though mysterious, would hold no value if Lin Yuan didn't achieve the ultimate breakthrough. As for the Cosmic Destruction, while it would be invaluable to a supreme being, it was beyond what Lin Yuan needed at the moment.
In essence, the Boundless World and the Cosmic Destruction were both incredibly precious, but the biggest challenge for Lin Yuan was his ultimate leap. If he failed, these treasures would be like distant dreams, unattainable.
Thus, the Heart of Space-Time was Lin Yuan's clear choice.
The ability to extend the time spent outside the River of Time was a concept Lin Yuan had never even heard of. The human civilization's rare treasures that helped with ultimate breakthroughs, like the Source of the Universe, mainly enhanced one's power. The Heart of Space-Time worked differently altogether.
For example, if the ultimate leap were compared to an exam, the Source of the Universe would allow the student to study harder before the test, improving their chances of scoring higher.
The Heart of Space-Time, on the other hand, lowered the difficulty of the test itself, making it easier to achieve a high score.
Both served the same purpose but through entirely different mechanisms.
"Alright" Shen Ji nodded.
At that moment, a crystalline heart appeared before Lin Yuan, translucent and softly pulsating.
"This is the Heart of Space-Time."
Lin Yuan took a moment to observe the treasure, then carefully stored it away.
"I'll be heading back now," Lin Yuan said, preparing to leave.
Shen Ji nodded silently, watching as Lin Yuan disappeared from sight.
The Heart of Space-Time... Shen Ji remained quiet.
In truth, the Heart of Space-Time wasn't even part of the treasure pool for the seventh, eighth, or even ninth levels of the black tower.
It came from the most secret vault of the Devil Jade Tower, reserved for only the tower's direct disciples who were preparing to make their ultimate leap.
Technically speaking, Lin Yuan, as a core member of the Devil Jade Tower, should not have even been aware of the Heart of Space-Time, let alone have access to it.
But the Devil Jade Tower was no longer what it once was.
Shen Ji knew that if they stuck to the old rules, the Heart of Space-Time would likely never see use and might go to waste.
To become a direct disciple, one needed the personal approval of the Devil Jade Tower's master.
But the master of the Devil Jade Tower had disappeared long ago, making it nearly impossible for any new direct disciples to be accepted.
Back on the Milky Way's Main Star.
Lin Yuan's consciousness returned, bringing with it the three rare treasures.
"I've truly struck gold this time."
Lin Yuan felt a surge of excitement. He had anticipated the value of the Source of Gold and the secret technique Tianhe*,* but the Heart of Space-Time? He had never imagined obtaining such a treasure.
"The Heart of Space-Time."
With a thought, the crystalline heart appeared before him, gently pulsating and exuding an unidentifiable aura.
"I'll store it in the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm."
With that, Lin Yuan sent his physical body into the depths of the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm and placed the Heart of Space-Time in its most secure location.
The Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm was the safest place Lin Yuan knew of—no supreme being could enter. It was as close to absolute security as one could get.
After a moment, Lin Yuan calmed himself.
Though the Heart of Space-Time was an incredible asset that could lower the difficulty of his ultimate leap, it was still essential for him to build up his own strength. There was no guarantee of success, and Shen Ji had never said that merging with the Heart of Space-Time would ensure he reached the ultimate.
There was no method in the entire chaotic void that could offer such certainty.
"I still need to deepen my foundation."
Gathering his thoughts, Lin Yuan retrieved the golden light—the Source of Gold.
Whoosh.
At once, a bell-shaped weapon appeared, emitting waves of energy.
It was Lin Yuan's original Essence Gold, which he had been nurturing for some time.
"Merge."
Lin Yuan merged the Source of Gold with the original Essence Gold.
Boom.
Upon absorbing the Source of Gold, the original Essence Gold began to rapidly transform, its energy condensing as it quickly reached the peak of rank ten, then ascended to rank eleven, continuing to grow stronger.
"Once it fully absorbs the Source of Gold, it will likely become a peak rank eleven weapon."
"At that point, when I advance to rank eleven, the original Essence Gold, with its affinity to me, will be as effective as a supreme weapon."
Lin Yuan thought to himself.
Even if the Primordial Bell reached peak rank eleven, it would still be far from a supreme weapon. (I decided to change the name of original Essence Gold to Primordial Bell, because it's a bell .-. )
But other rank eleven evolvers also couldn't wield the full power of a supreme weapon. Unless a supreme weapon carried some residual will from its original owner, Lin Yuan's Primordial Bell would be just as effective as any other rank eleven using a supreme weapon.
Leaving the Primordial Bell in the Mysterious Emperor's Secret Realm to continue its slow transformation, Lin Yuan returned to the Milky Way's Main Star.
"The Tianhe secret technique." Lin Yuan took out the crystal that contained the Tianhe technique.
After a brief pause, Lin Yuan sent a portion of his consciousness into the crystal to begin receiving the vast knowledge it held.
"Incredible!"
As soon as Lin Yuan began to comprehend the technique, he was filled with excitement.
Compared to the three protector secret techniques of the Mysterious Emperor's lineage, Tianhe was far more comprehensive, containing profound knowledge of space-time, particularly covering the essence of space-time fusion from the sixth level to the ninth level.
Lin Yuan had chosen this secret technique to prepare himself for reaching the sixth level of the space-time fusion rule.
As Lin Yuan immersed himself in the comprehension of Tianhe, a wave of energy stirred in the depths of his mind, interrupting him.
"Hm?"
Lin Yuan's consciousness immediately shifted to his mindscape, where he gazed upon the towering, majestic Gate of the Myriad Realms.
...
20 chapters ahead on patreon: patreon.com/David_Lord
70