Swallowing the Stars: Starting with the Battle of Geniuses

Chapter 22 The Realm of Inferno

After the supplies purchased with kill points arrived, you piloted your newly acquired ship away from Azure Star, heading straight for your destination, the Kunjue Star System.

[During the flight, you consumed an S-grade bloodline evolution agent, and you feel fantastic.]

Upon reaching the edge of the Kunjue star system, you switched to an old ship and continued your journey at (*** coordinates). Shortly afterward, you were hijacked by a ship full of space pirates.

One year later, you and a group of galactic lifeforms were sent to the Realm of Inferno. The space pirates warned you that they had marked you, and they could pinpoint your location at any time. They would only spare you if you obtained sufficient resources.

[Before being designated as a testing ground for the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance, the Realm of Inferno is indeed different at this time.]

Within this enclosed world, crimson snowflakes danced incessantly, and you felt your comprehension of the Law of Fire slightly improve.

[But the first thing you did upon entering the Realm of Inferno was not to comprehend the laws, but to use the "Water of the River of Oblivion" to erase the clumsy marks of the space pirates.]

[In the second year, you endured countless battles. Many of the Stellar-level humans who were banished here with you, as well as the "Flame Beasts," the native monsters of the Fiery Hell Realm, fell to your blades. Few could provoke you to unleash your psychic weapons. Unfortunately, you still haven't even caught a glimpse of that greatest "opportunity."]

Before the third year has passed, one day you discover that the crimson snow has subsided. The celestial barrier that once scorched the entire Infernal Realm, preventing even cosmic-level powerhouses from entering, has gradually weakened and extinguished, no longer as impenetrable as before. You know that the greatest opportunity has been seized by someone else.

You searched tirelessly for any trace of the treasure, but found nothing. Then you saw several figures soar into the sky, only to be captured by powerful cosmic-level beings lying in wait. Seeing this, you boarded your beloved ship and sailed away.

With the speed and defensive capabilities of a D9-class spaceship, even hundreds of cosmic-level powerhouses attacking simultaneously couldn't stop you.

You left the Kunjue Star System and returned to Tianlan Star, where you began to devote yourself to cultivation.

[Previously, you knew you had no hope of reaching the top 1,000 in the Genius Battle, and being surrounded by enemies in the Fiery Hell Realm, you didn't participate in the Genius Battle at all. What awaited you was the tragic fate of being sent by Roger for 10,000 years. Given Roger's expectations for that "cheater," you knew that without improving your strength, you would definitely not survive to the end.]

"You filthy cheater, go eat shit!" As the alarm clock rang, signaling the end of the ten-year period, you cursed this as you concluded the simulation.

[This simulation has ended]

Please select the inheritance direction.

[1. Material Inheritance (By taking the Bloodline Evolution Potion, the level of life genes is increased from 1.1 times to 2.5 times; through dedicated cultivation, the life level is raised to the fourth level of the cosmic level)]

[2. Soul Inheritance (Deepening understanding of the third level of "Flowing Blade Like Fire" and the Law of Fire; Breakthrough to the sixth level of "Ninefold Gale"; ...)]

3. Forgo the profits from this simulation.

After selecting the second option as usual, Hunzhen began his self-summary of the simulation.

"(**) Will this coordinate take a year to arrive...?"

After learning that only those at the Hengxing level could enter the exploration area, Hunzhen chose a different direction to approach the Fiery Hell each time.

Since each team's exploration progress is different, and there are many entrances to the Infernal Realm, it is naturally better for him to enter as early as possible.

As of now, even the earliest teams have had to wait at least six months.

This timeframe is far too long for him; he would only be barely satisfied if the timeframe were compressed to at least a month.

However, this can be gradually optimized in subsequent simulations.

Most importantly, it was the role of the D9-class spaceship.

After the restrictions of the Infernal Realm are lifted, every celestial being that escapes from it will be captured by powerful beings from the outside world.

Just as he had expected, the ragtag army outside was not capable of blasting open a spaceship typically used by domain lords in a short time, allowing him to return safely.

The most important matter has passed the test, and even though it was expected, Hunzhen still breathed a sigh of relief.

Although judging from the previous simulation records, these guys were either petty or unable to contact important figures, in the end no top experts at the Domain Lord level or even World Lord level appeared.

However, given the butterfly effect, no one can be absolutely certain about anything.

If this method doesn't work, he will have no choice but to ask Roger for help. But even if he succeeds in obtaining the opportunity or treasure, he will at most end up with nothing.

Fortunately, so far everything is going smoothly.

"Ton ton ton".

Hunzhen took a sip of soda to calm his nerves and looked down with great joy.

A 2.5x increase in life gene ratio may seem insignificant at first glance, but it's important to know that the twelve peak bloodlines of the Starry Sky Beast only reach a tenx level of life gene ratio.

This upgrade is equivalent to elevating Hunzhen from the bottom of the human bloodline to the level of the third or fifth grade bloodline.

"Let's use the Chaos Stone again in a couple of days to see how much our efficiency in comprehending laws has improved!"

Even if we don't say it's an equivalent increase of 140%, since the level of life genes and comprehension are positively correlated but not linearly correlated, Hunzhen would be very satisfied if it could be increased by 30% to 50%.

The enhancement of life genes is exciting, but the most important thing is still the understanding of the laws.

The latest novel is first published here!

Unfortunately, this improvement in understanding the laws was still insufficient for Hunzhen to reach the threshold of understanding the laws of fire.

According to Hunzhen's estimation, even with experience in the Law of Wind, the Law of Fire would normally take at least half a year to learn, so there's no need to rush it.

Otherwise, they wouldn't need to seek opportunities to accelerate their breakthrough.

With such a treasure trove as the Realm of Inferno, it's estimated that the efficiency of comprehension could be increased by several times. Unfortunately, its unusual state doesn't last long; it disappears once the opportunity is taken away. Otherwise, it could easily compress the time to within half a year.

"But this 'Ninefold Whirlwind'..."

Hunzhen frowned, but then relaxed.

At this stage, the power of his techniques using the Law of Wind is naturally far beyond what the Law of Fire can match.

If you encounter a slightly stronger or more numerous attacker within the Realm of Inferno, you will probably have no choice but to use it.

However, it has been "a long time" since Hunzhen touched the threshold of the law.

Even though the focus of his research has shifted, it doesn't mean he has to abandon what he has learned before. At least, he can't abandon the simulated humans whose "ambitions are not that lofty".

Over the years, even if it's just occasional play, for those who have already touched the threshold and are only one step away from truly mastering the craft, there is still significant progress.

Moreover, the competition for survival in the Fiery Hell Realm naturally increases the frequency of using "Ninefold Blazing Wind".

The fifth level of the Ninefold Wind Realm requires touching the threshold of the Law of Wind. As for truly entering the realm, there is still a long way to go, requiring a complete understanding of all nine levels.

Hunzhen's understanding of the Law of Wind was far less than that of the Ninth Level, but it was also far more than that of the Fifth Level. After several simulations, breaking through to the Sixth Level of the Fierce Wind was a natural progression.

"I misunderstood you, Simulator brother. I thought you were doing well with the Fire-to-Air transformation and instead chose that dead-end Wind-based path, showing no ambition."

Hunzhen silently apologized in his heart.

(End of this chapter)