Swallowing the Stars: The cheat system only comes when I'm almost a god?

The two hid in the shadows, quietly observing the development of the battle.

The battle lasted for about an hour, and the mechanical race team ultimately won by a narrow margin. The demon race lost one Venerable, and all of them suffered severe depletion of their divine power.

The victorious mechanical race elder quickly gathered the fruits of the Jade Spirit Vine and then hurriedly left, clearly worried that the commotion of the battle would attract other powerful figures.

After they left, Lin Yuan and his companion, who had been watching the battle for a long time, finally appeared.

"Captain, did you see that?" Lawrence pointed in the direction the other party had left and said with a smile, "As strength continues to increase, the fighting styles of various races will gradually converge in one direction, and become more and more extreme."

Their team primarily hunted Venerables of the Northern Frontier Alliance, and they generally avoided encountering teams from other top-tier races, only taking action when absolutely necessary.

This time, in the struggle for the treasure, a confrontation with them was inevitable. Therefore, Lawrence took the opportunity to explain to Lin Yuan the characteristics of a peak clan's Venerable-level powerhouse.

"Be careful when you encounter powerful members of the Mechanical Race on the Primordial Star. Their technological weapons can often threaten enemies who are a small realm higher. Even a High-Level Venerable could potentially harm you."

The main advantage of the demon race lies in their massive divine bodies, but in this respect, they are often no match for the same level of powerhouses who have possessed special lives. Therefore, at the level of the Universe Venerable, it is difficult for the opponent to gain an absolute advantage.

The previous battles were a clear example. When the difference in their treasures was not significant, or even slightly inferior, their massive divine bodies became sitting ducks. Even burning their divine power, they were unlikely to be a match for a mechanical or insectoid powerhouse of the same level.

Lin Yuan carefully recalled the details of what had just happened, comparing them with his experience on the battlefield outside the domain, and found that it was indeed the case.

At the level of Cosmic Sovereigns, the characteristics of the fighting styles of various races become increasingly apparent.

After all, while it's difficult to make up for weaknesses when one's strength is low, it also requires fewer resources. A teacher's casual reward can provide a disciple with valuable treasures, so the difference in combat power between those who are crowned kings and invincible is very small.

However, the Cosmic Venerables are different. Most of them do not have a teacher at the level of a Cosmic Lord, making it extremely difficult for them to obtain a supreme treasure.

Therefore, these powerful individuals do not try to make up for their weaknesses in a short period of time, but instead continuously amplify their advantages, eventually making their racial characteristics more and more obvious.

It must be said that observing the fighting styles of powerful individuals from different races on the Primordial Star was a very valuable experience for Lin Yuan.

"Let's move on," Lawrence said. "Let's bypass this area and avoid encountering that machine squad from before."

……

Over the next few months, Lin Yuan and his group encountered numerous battles along the way and also discovered traces of many other powerful individuals.

There are solitary cosmic overlords, as well as small teams of three or five; there are powerful figures from the six peak races, as well as venerable figures from powerful or even weak races.

And everyone was heading in the same direction—Azure Lake.

Clearly, news of the emergence of a palace-type treasure has spread, attracting a large number of powerful individuals.

Three months later, the Firewood Squad finally arrived at the edge of Lake Bibo.

This is a vast and boundless lake, its waters a deep turquoise blue, the calm surface reflecting the pale green sky like a mirror.

In the center of the lake, a huge whirlpool can be vaguely seen slowly forming.

The vortex has a diameter of over 100,000 kilometers, is unfathomably deep, and emits terrifying spatial fluctuations.

"The treasure is being nurtured at the bottom of the vortex," Lawrence said, pointing to the vortex. "Judging by its size, its emergence will certainly be a grand event."

Lin Yuan looked around and found that many powerful people had gathered at the edge of the lake.

Some occupied a hilltop by themselves, while others set up camp in groups of three or five. Everyone maintained a wary distance and was on guard against each other.

"The competition is even fiercer than we anticipated," Lawrence said gravely. "We've already discovered seven cosmic overlords nearby, two of whom are well-established top overlords."

"Even if the three of us join forces, we can barely protect ourselves against a powerhouse of this level. It's almost impossible for us to compete for the ultimate treasure."

Lin Yuan was silent for a moment, then asked, "Does our plan need to be adjusted?"

Lawrence shook his head: "Not for now. The top overlords are after the treasures themselves, they won't easily target small fry like us. What we need to do is look for opportunities in the chaos, see if we can pick up any leftovers, or hunt down some lone strongmen."

He paused, then continued, "Moreover, the emergence of supreme treasures is often accompanied by special circumstances and dangers; even top overlords can be caught off guard and fail. If we are cautious enough, we may still have a chance."

Lin Yuan nodded, understanding Lawrence's strategy.

Take advantage of the chaos and wait for the right opportunity to strike.

This is the best way for the weak to survive and profit in a game between the strong.

"Let's go back and meet up with Yan Yue first, and then discuss our next move," Lawrence said.

The two quietly retreated and returned to a cave not far away.

Venerable Yan Yue had been waiting for a long time.

"How is it?" she asked.

Lawrence explained the situation in detail, and Venerable Yan Yue frowned deeply after listening.

"Seven cosmic overlords, two of whom are top-tier... This lineup is too impressive. It seems that the grade of this palace-type treasure may be even higher than we expected."

"You mean, it might be a top-tier palace-type treasure?" Lin Yuan asked, his desire for it growing even stronger.

"Possibly." Venerable Yan Yue nodded. "While ordinary high-level palace-type treasures are precious, they wouldn't attract multiple top overlords to gather here at the same time. But if it's a top-tier palace-type treasure, then it makes sense."

Top-tier palace-type treasures are the best treasures below the pinnacle of treasures. Even the Lord of the Universe would be tempted by them, and for the overlord of the universe, they are even more powerful tools for survival and combat.

"Should we still participate?" Lawrence asked.

Lin Yuan did not express his opinion. He had not been a Cosmic Venerable for long and had only stayed on the Primordial Star for a few hundred years. In terms of judging the battle situation, he was not as good as his senior sister and the Heavenly Eclipse Venerable who had been there for tens of thousands of years.

After pondering for a long time, Venerable Yan Yue finally gritted his teeth and said, "I will not fight anymore!"

"Adjust our strategy. We will not actively participate in the competition. We will wait until they are both weakened before making our move. Our target will be the weaker or injured cosmic overlord."

While these powerful individuals may not possess treasures comparable to top-tier palace-level treasures, they should still have some high-level treasures. Just taking down one of them would yield more than we've accumulated over the past few centuries.

How do you think it was determined that Yan Yue and Lawrence's combat power didn't reach the overlord level? It's because they had previously caused trouble for the alien universe overlord.

Although they couldn't defeat their opponent, they possessed a wealth of treasures and ultimately managed to escape.

Now that Venerable Jinliu, who was dragging the team down, has left and been replaced by Lin Yuan, the true overlord of the universe, and who has more auxiliary treasures, their ambitions are growing, and the level of their hunting targets has been raised again.

Yan Yue looked at the two of them seriously and said solemnly, "Remember, our primary goal is to survive, and only then can we hunt down the universe's overlords."

We have quite a few treasures on us; losing them would be a huge loss. If things become untenable, we must retreat immediately without the slightest hesitation.

"Understood," Lin Yuan and Lawrence replied simultaneously.

In the days that followed, the three began to operate around the outskirts of Bibo Lake, familiarizing themselves with the terrain, investigating the movements of other powerful individuals, and occasionally taking action to hunt down some lone Venerables.

As time went by, the whirlpool in the center of the lake grew larger and larger, and the waves it emitted became stronger and stronger.

The day of the precious baby's birth is drawing ever closer.

……

On the shore of the turquoise lake, deep in the dense forest.

Lin Yuan and his two companions hid in a natural cave formed by the gnarled roots of a giant tree. The entrance was cleverly concealed by Lawrence using spatial magic, making the isolation of their presence almost perfect.

Through the gaps in the roots, one can see the vast blue lake in the distance, and the huge vortex in the center of the lake that stirs up energy that extends for hundreds of millions of miles.

"The vortex is spinning faster." Venerable Yan Yue stared intently at the lake surface. "At this rate, the supreme treasure will be fully revealed in at most another fifty years."

Lawrence sat cross-legged to the side, the virtual screen displaying a map of the lakeshore topography marked with a dozen or so dots: "Three new teams have arrived nearby."

Thirty million kilometers to the northeast lies the Zerg Queen, Gali. She is a top-tier cosmic overlord, and under her command are two high-level Venerable-level soul servants and more than a dozen ordinary cosmic Venerable-level Zerg warriors.

Approximately 45 million kilometers to the west lies the Silver Claw Venerable of the Northern Frontier Alliance, a top-tier overlord. He is suspected of possessing high-level class treasures and has a history of escaping from the clutches of the Lord of the Universe.

To the southeast... is a squad of the Mechanical Race, led by Venerable Xuanchou. Although the three of them are only ordinary overlords, they cooperate seamlessly, excel at combined attacks, and together they can contend with top-tier overlords for a while.

With each name he spoke, Venerable Yan Yue's brow furrowed more deeply. These powerful figures were renowned throughout the entire primordial universe; none of them were easy to deal with.

"The top overlord Jiali has also arrived..." Venerable Yanyue took a breath. "It seems that the attraction of this treasure is even greater than we imagined. She is a soul master, and her insectoid warriors are fearless and the most troublesome to deal with."

Lin Yuan listened silently, quickly assessing the situation in his mind.

The top cosmic overlords have reached the pinnacle of the cosmic venerable level, and can even contend with the most ordinary cosmic lords for a short time.

Even if the three of them joined forces, they would probably only be able to run for their lives.

"They are not our targets." Lawrence drew several circles on the map with his finger. "Look at these, these are either lone ordinary overlords or powerful squads of Venerables."

When the supreme treasure appears, the central area will inevitably become the battlefield for top experts like Jiali and Yinsha. The teams on the outer perimeter, like us, are either looking to pick off the weaker opponents, or they intend to observe or hunt down the wounded. These are our prey.

The areas he pointed out were far from the whirlpool in the center of the lake, but they all had relatively open views, making it easy to observe and evacuate.

"The commotion caused by Jiali and the others fighting in the central area of ​​Bibo Lake will be significant." A glint of light flashed in Venerable Yanyue's eyes. "That will be our opportunity. Anyone who dares to join in the fun will be our target."

Lin Yuan nodded: "Senior sister, could we set up some measures on the perimeter in advance? We don't need to harm the enemy, just to provide early warning so we can take advantage of the chaos."

Lawrence shook his head: "There's no need. Our methods are only effective against those of the same level. Those we can detect will be eliminated directly, and those we can't detect are no match for us anyway."

Yan Yue disagreed: "Early warning measures are not necessary, but they cannot be absent. Even if they are eliminated, it is still a valid piece of information, indicating that a powerful person just passed by."

"Alright then!" Lawrence thought her words made sense. "I can set up a spatial ripple trap. Once a powerful person passes by or unleashes intense energy, it will generate subtle fluctuations, which we can sense in advance."

Venerable Yan Yue nodded, "I also exchanged for a set of Flame Light Illusion Array flags. They have the effect of disrupting perception and slowing speed. Although the range is not large, they may have a miraculous effect when used at key intersections. However, setting them up takes time and cannot attract the attention of other teams."

"We'll take turns," Lin Yuan said. "Two people will stay behind, and one person will go out to make arrangements."

"We'll deploy a little bit in one direction each time, taking it slow and not rushing things. Anyway, there are still decades before the treasure is born, so there will definitely be enough time."

"Okay, let's get started!"

Exclusive! An exclusive interview with Geng Nu, the author of "Swallowing the Stars: The Golden Finger Only Arrives When He's Almost a God?", and behind-the-scenes details of the creation process.