Swallowing the Stars: Starting with the Battle of Geniuses

Chapter 122 Divine Guards, Frenzied Probing: "Only He Will Face Our Lord Head-on" (Fake)

The bright and solemn temple is shaped like a giant leaf, divided into five levels, with five arcs of increasing length drawn from the top to the bottom.

Silver City was originally the dwelling place of "giants," and the Silver Temple, as the dwelling place of the gods, was even more so.

It may seem like just four steps, but each step is separated by tens of kilometers, which is the distance between ordinary cities.

The highest level is the throne of the gods. The distorted space acts as a natural shield, allowing only a vague glimpse of the gods' figures, adding to their inviolable majesty and mystery.

Below that, blocked by the turbulent flow of space, lies the angels who stand before the gods, responsible for proclaiming divine decrees and presiding over ceremonies.

Angels are usually lowly, but in this context, as the representatives of the gods, they are placed above all the nobles.

The third tier, naturally, consists of the highest-ranking nobles, whose bloodlines are second only to those of the gods—dozens of royal bloodlines.

The fourth level comprised at least a thousand members of the first to third-class noble bloodlines present.

On the fifth floor, countless imperial guards stood in formation, leaving a wide avenue leading directly to the main gate and the staircase.

A figure, much smaller than the other nobles, knelt on one knee; this was Hunzhen, who had returned from the depths of the abyss.

"True Knight, show us your proof of knighthood."

Under the angel's mechanically calm declaration, Hunzhen's body trembled, and silver scales instantly covered his entire body. A pair of fleshy wings covered with metallic silver feathers emerged from his body, instantly revealing his demonic form.

Even in the core inner sanctum of the Silver God Temple, which is extremely stable in this space-time, ripples of spatial fluctuations were generated around Hunzhen when he manifested his demon form.

The group of royal blood members, who had initially been somewhat uninterested, all lit up with excitement.

"Such a powerful aura."

"This spatial fluctuation, and the resonance of abyssal power it evokes, indicates a high-level knight's bloodline, and it's definitely the purest grade!"

"Hey, I want such a valiant general!"

All the sharp-eyed Wang Xue perked up.

Seeing the powerful figure of Hunzhen while sitting in her wheelchair, Milirat's expression was somewhat complex and difficult to understand.

Originally possessing level nine combat power, with the added boost from this advanced knight bloodline, reaching level eleven power is not a problem, even without the enhancement from the power of the abyss.

The knights' greatest advantage lies in the fact that they do not rely much on the power of the abyss. When helping nobles with their affairs on the surface, they can maintain their dignity and are less likely to make mistakes.

Such a promising rookie knight as Hunzhen would surely make even the most proud and arrogant royal bloodline want to snatch him up.

It can be said that the threat posed by Laujars was largely disintegrated the moment Hunzhen revealed his demonic form.

At the angel's signal, Hunzhen, in his demon form, raised his head and quickly found Milirat within the royal blood, then quietly winked at her.

Unfortunately, his face was also covered with thick scales, making this movement difficult to understand.

"Sure-knight Hunzhen, are you willing to accept the royal decree, offer your loyalty and honor, and become his shield and his spear, a true knight?"

"I do."

Hunzhen naturally agreed to what the angel read aloud.

"So."

The angel's gaze abruptly shifted to the third tier, and he continued in a flat tone, "Please, Your Highness, who wishes to bestow the title of this loyal and valiant quasi-knight, step forward—"

boom--!

A thunderous roar interrupted the angel's pronouncement and the eager movements of the royal bloodline.

If any noble, even a royal bloodline, dared to interrupt the angel's reading at this moment, he would probably punish them like a ruthless execution machine.

However, the source of such a noise was the first level, which resembled the abode of the gods in the highest heavens.

The angel immediately stopped reading and bowed in silence.

All the royal bloodlines bowed their heads.

Immediately afterwards, as if it had been preordained, all the nobles and royal guards prostrated themselves in submission.

"My lord!"

They chanted honorifics aloud, expressing their submission to the supreme being.

"Knight Junzhen, come before the Emperor."

The deep, majestic voice, though not loud, echoed throughout the vast temple, lingering for a long time.

All the nobles and royal bloodstains, whose faces were bowed, showed expressions of astonishment.

"My lord, this is not allowed—"

A nobleman spoke up reflexively.

The next second, with a soft "poof," his figure was swallowed up and disappeared by the distorted space.

No one paid attention to this little incident, but they still couldn't hide their shock and confusion at the sudden divine decree.

While the nobles were still in shock and doubt, the man of the lower race who had been named by the god stood up with a calm expression, without any pressure or wavering, and walked forward step by step.

At this moment when all the nobles prostrated themselves on the ground, the man, without fear, straightened the lever, faced the divine countenance, and slowly climbed towards the clouds and the abode of the gods.

The nobles all felt aggrieved and indignant, but dared not speak out.

Because the source of this humiliation lies in the gods they revere and believe in.

pat.

Hunzhen finally stopped and arrived before the deity, with the angel who had just preached standing beside him.

According to what he saw in the future, at this very moment, he should kneel down and bow his head in reverence.

In reality, however, Hunzhen still held his head high, staring directly at the figure of the deity whose form was distorted by space.

It wasn't the arrogance that the nobles and royalty cursed in their hearts, but rather... a test.

The simulation records have proven that the gods could not kill him in one move, which is the reason he dared to test the waters.

He always found it strange that the Silver Demon King had inexplicably favored him.

There is no hatred without a reason, nor is there love without a reason.

Every word and action of this being standing at the highest point of the abyss world must have its own significance.

"Hunzhen, I will personally bestow upon you the title of my one and only chosen knight. What do you say?"

A casual voice of a deity came from the highest heaven, isolated by distorted space.

Hunzhen even detected a hint of amusement in it.

This did not reassure him; instead, it heightened his vigilance.

Next comes the real test.

"Lord Silver God, if I may be so bold as to ask, why did you personally bestow this title upon me?"

Becoming a guardian of the gods might allow one to directly approach Hunzhen's ultimate purpose in coming to the abyss of purgatory.

However, if the Silver Demon King's intentions are unclear, it is entirely possible that it is a trap.

After all, in the simulation records, the Sims never posed a threat to the Silver Demon King. It's hard to say whether there's something else fishy going on.

The closer we get to the final moment, the more cautious we must be to prevent the fruits of victory from slipping away unnoticed.

"Oh?"

Silver Demon King seemed not to have expected that Hunzhen would dare to ask him questions in front of the emperor.

Instead of showing anger, he replied very amicably, "Hunzhen, is the fact that you are the most talented inferior race I have ever seen in countless years enough reason?"

If it were anyone else, even a human from beyond the abyss, receiving such praise would probably make them feel flattered, or even as if they had found a kindred spirit.

Hunzhen shook his head and said, "Before me, there must have been another 'strongest,' but since Lord Silver God said I am the 'only one,' I am naturally the 'first case.' Lord Silver God did not bestow the title of Chosen Knight upon that strongest, so there is no reason to bestow it upon me. Therefore, it is not enough."

There was one more thing that Hunzhen didn't say aloud.

Given the world level of the Purgatory Abyss, the probability of producing strong individuals and geniuses is extremely high. Over countless years, even if there are no geniuses who can truly rival it, those who are slightly weaker will definitely emerge.

After all, he is not even a thousand years old, and like most geniuses in the universe, he would have broken through to the realm master level as early as possible if it weren't for this "accident".

Over countless years, it's not unreasonable for one of these people, who can only live to the limit of a domain lord's lifespan, to emerge as a peerless genius comparable to him in his current state.

In the outside world, people who could break through to the Domain Lord level would have done so long ago. But people here can only stay at the Domain Lord level. Even if their talent is slightly weaker, it is normal for them to be stronger at the Domain Lord level than geniuses in the outside world at that stage.

"presumptuous!"

One of the kings was instantly enraged and rebuked Hunzhen for daring to contradict the Silver Ghost King.

Even with the precedent of nobles being crushed to death on the spot, he did not hesitate to take such action.

The reason is simple: life is of little value to the royal family of the abyss; rather, maintaining the dignity of the gods is more in line with their values.

The reason the others remained silent was simply because they differed from this king's understanding of "upholding the dignity of the gods" and did not want to interrupt before the gods had given them permission to rise.

However, in the eyes of the nobles and the royal bloodline, regardless of whether this royal bloodline would be punished by the gods, Hunzhen's death was a foregone conclusion and beyond dispute.

puff--.

However, the truth was that the Silver Demon King casually waved his hand, slapping the King Blood who had spoken out against Hunzhen across two levels, turning him into a spray of blood and flesh that flew hundreds of meters away.

The latest novel is first published here!

Only a dazzling life core floated above the narrow bloodstain.

Everyone was deeply shocked.

The saying "King's blood is second only to the gods" is not just a figure of speech.

Most of the time, the gods are very fond of the royal bloodline, and even if it makes a mistake, they will not punish it too severely.

But now, the inferior race that refuted the gods is unharmed, while the royal bloodline that spoke up was slapped to death! ! ! ? ? ?

Any nobleman would find it unbelievable.

Even Hunzhen himself had his pupils suddenly constrict.

The Silver Demon King, as if casually swatting a mosquito, showed no concern for having just killed Wang Xue, and continued his conversation with Hun Zhen, asking, "So, what do you think would be enough?"

Hunzhen's eyes flickered, and various thoughts intertwined and collided in his mind.

Having reached this point, it was no longer just a test; without a doubt, it was his best opportunity to make demands in order to achieve his ultimate goal.

Hunzhen took a deep breath and slowly opened his mouth...

……

After acquiring the bloodline of the demon, the suppression from the abyss was greatly reduced, and Hunzhen's return speed was at least 50% faster than when he came.

During the return journey, thousands of simulated inheritances resulted in a significant improvement in Hunzhen, and at the same time, one thing came to mind.

It is true that the Abyss Crystal Core is a higher-level source of spacetime, but due to its limited familiarity with "space," it can only improve the compatibility with spatial laws at the soul level.

However, we also learn from Milirat that it is a treasure that can increase the purity of the demon bloodline.

In other words, this is a resource that offers benefits from both material and spiritual inheritance.

Choosing one option means you can only inherit half of the benefits.

Considering that he still had a small number of Abyss Crystal Cores, and that the efficiency of refining the Origin of Time and Space to improve the compatibility of the laws had suddenly increased after obtaining the Demon Bloodline, Hunzhen chose to inherit the soul first.

Unfortunately, it seems that only efficiency has improved, rather than the upper limit.

Two years later, the improvement brought by the spacetime origin has reached its limit, and it is fixed at three times the value, and no further improvement can be made.

Incidentally, Hunzhen had already calculated that the level of his Time-Space Demon bloodline should be at the "advanced" level.

Apart from the additional law-matching amplification, the other changes are consistent with those of high-level demon bloodlines of the same level.

The intermediate-level demon bloodline grants a +1x gene multiplier and a +5x law compatibility.

Advanced demon bloodline grants +2x gene multiplier and +7x law compatibility.

In other words, the current genetic multiplier of pure life is 39 times, and the time and space laws are in sync with it by +7 + 3 = 11 times.

If the power of Bloodlust is added, the harmony of the laws of time and space will directly reach 12 times!

This alignment with the law is absolutely no less than that of a noble family with a superior bloodline.

Combat ability is one aspect, but training efficiency has also been greatly improved.

However, compatibility with the laws does not directly equate to cultivation efficiency.

With Hunzhen's current understanding of the laws of time, even though he initially had no talent for time, as he delved deeper into the laws of time, he has now reached the level of immortality in his understanding of time. His comprehension efficiency is naturally no worse than that of ordinary time geniuses at the beginning of their cultivation.

Once the fundamental law of time is acknowledged, an extremely high degree of law compatibility can be achieved.

But such an improvement is by no means bad.

Hunzhen was confident that, within a few years to several decades, his understanding of the laws would reach the fourteenth level of the Tongtian Bridge.

Today, Hunzhen still follows a path that prioritizes time and uses space as a secondary element.

This route requires a high level of understanding of the laws of time, but a lower level of understanding of the laws of space.

It can be said that his spatial perception was just not too far behind, while his true perception of the laws of time had already reached the fourteenth level of the Bridge to Heaven.

If one truly follows the path of fusion of laws, it is entirely possible to reach the fourteenth level of the Bridge to Heaven by fusing laws when the comprehension of a single law is only around the twelfth level. If the degree of fusion is even higher and more perfect, even if one reaches the combat power of the fifteenth level of the Bridge to Heaven, it would not be considered earth-shattering.

Hunzhen relied on his comprehension of the "Seventy-Two Levels of Primordial Spirit" during this period, coupled with the sudden increase in the compatibility of the spacetime laws, which boosted his research on the spacetime laws. This allowed him to study the effects of partially merging laws even when the space laws were insufficient, which is why he was able to break through the fourteenth level of the Tongtian Bridge in the near future.

At that time, he will also truly enter the first thirty-six levels of the seventy-two levels of the Primordial Spirit, and be able to unleash the final form of the Primordial Spirit Weapon.

However, it is almost impossible to make another breakthrough in the short term.

Not only the laws, but also the pure will is tempered in the process of delving into the colorless realm and enduring the pressure of time and space.

Finally, he broke through that difficult bottleneck and reached the level of immortal will.

This means that once he breaks through his understanding of the laws, his strength and the hard indicators related to possession will hardly see a qualitative leap in the short term.

With no further advancement in strength, one can naturally reach a position closest to the gods.

Furthermore, according to the simulation records, the simulated human can survive for at least several days after using the body-snatching technique, thus meeting the minimum requirements for body-snatching.

In theory, Hunzhen's possession of another body will never fail, but this theory has a hidden limit in reality.

The amount of soul power he consumes from the Silver Demon King each day may not even match the opponent's recovery speed.

This could lead to a fatal possibility—the body-snatching would not be successful until the end of Hunzhen's lifespan.

This illustrates the possibility that possession, which is theoretically infallible, may fail in practice.

Therefore, in order to make the plan, which was already 99% complete, more smoothly complete the final 1%, Hunzhen planned to achieve three goals as much as possible before actually possessing the body.

1. Explore the reasons and purpose behind the Silver Demon King's recruitment of him as a chosen knight;

2. Try to lure the Silver Demon King out of the deep abyss area;

3. Try to weaken the Silver Demon King.

The reasons for the first goal have already been mentioned.

As for the second and third goals, their fundamental purpose is actually the same.

The former was naturally intended to allow the Silver Demon King to escape from the deeper layers, thereby reducing the abyss's influence on his physical strength and regenerative abilities.

The same applies to the latter. The more severe the injury and the greater the energy loss, the lower the recovery ability will naturally be.

Those who attempt to possess the Abyss royal family and the two great kings will inevitably face a backlash from the will of the Abyss.

At that time, the Abyss of Purgatory would probably be happy to provide the Silver Demon King with as much energy as possible.

If the Silver Demon King is in good condition and has the entire Purgatory Abyss as a highly efficient backup energy source, Hunzhen has almost no chance of successfully possessing another body.

"Actually, the reason doesn't matter."

"I just want Lord Silver God to show me your sincerity."

This seemingly arrogant act was both a test and a crucial step in dragging the Silver Demon King into a trap.

(End of this chapter)