Swallowing the Stars: I'll Destroy the Universe with My Talent Attributes

A Time Crystal?!

Qin Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly.

This is a valuable item. Time Crystals are priced at 50 Mixed Yuan Units per drop on the Virtual Universe Company's exchange list, and they are always out of stock.

Its effects are simple and brutal: while maintaining a conscious state, it increases the local time flow rate tenfold for a year, which is equivalent to only thirty-odd days in the outside world.

For cultivators who urgently need to comprehend the laws or accelerate their cultivation, this is a priceless treasure.

'Let's go take a look.'

Qin Yuan's heart stirred, and he immediately turned and walked towards the Lava Tavern.

The tavern is located on the edge of the trading area and is built entirely of some kind of dark red volcanic rock. Two gargoyle sculptures at the entrance, spewing real flames, make the temperature thirty degrees higher than the surrounding area.

Pushing open the heavy metal door, a wave of sweltering heat hits you.

The hall was packed with adventurers of all races. Some human strongmen were drinking wildly from barrels of wine, some demons were lurking in a corner tearing at roasted beast legs, and some mechanical beings were quietly polishing their weapons.

The air was filled with the smells of alcohol, sweat, and energy drinks.

Qin Yuan's [Battle Genius (Blue)] entry automatically activated, instantly analyzing the approximate strength of the 327 people present: 41 were at the Domain Lord level, the rest were all at the Universe level, and there were no World Lords.

He walked toward seat number 07.

This location is a semi-enclosed booth on the second floor of the pub, overlooking the entire hall through crystal glass.

There were already four people sitting in the cubicle.

The man in the main seat was a middle-aged man with red hair and red eyes. He was 2.3 meters tall, and his bare arms were covered with dark red scales. His aura was as hot as a furnace.

The eighth-level Domain Lord, a fire-elemental law cultivator, should be Captain Yan Feng.

To his left was a woman dressed in cyan armor, with a cold expression and a row of potion bottles hanging from her waist. She was a fifth-level Domain Lord, with a strong wood-elemental aura, clearly a healer or pharmacist.

On the right were two young men. One carried a giant alloy shield, his muscles bulging. He was a sixth-level Domain Lord, an earth-elemental being. The other was slender, with three different types of energy pistols at his waist. He was a peak sixth-level Domain Lord, with eyes as sharp as an eagle.

"disturb."

Qin Yuan knocked on the door frame of the cubicle. "I saw the recruitment notice and came to apply."

Four pairs of eyes simultaneously focused on him.

Yan Feng sized Qin Yuan up and down for three seconds, a glint of fire flashing in his crimson pupils: "Seventh-level Domain Lord, solid aura, good foundation."

But what we need is specialization in light-based magic or the ability to break illusions. Want to demonstrate?

It's very direct, which is in line with the style of mercenaries.

Qin Yuan didn't waste any words, extending his right hand with his palm facing upwards.

Without using the laws of starlight, he only drew upon the fundamental light system he had learned from the Light Pupil Clan's heritage and the "Seven Realms of Illusory Light".

A point of pure white light appeared in the palm of the hand, and then, like a blooming flower, split into seven different colored light threads: red, orange, yellow, green, cyan, blue, and purple.

The seven-colored light threads moved and intertwined like living things, constructing a complex three-dimensional structure with a diameter of twenty centimeters within three seconds. This was a rune representing "truth" in the Light-Eyed Clan's script.

"Mastery of the laws of light is at least at the 'proficient' level."

The woman in blue armor beside Yan Feng spoke softly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes: "And her ability to separate and recombine the spectrum is extremely precise. I am Qing He, the team's pharmacist and support. What's your name?"

"Qin".

Qin Yuan gave a brief response.

In the wild and untamed universe, using single-character pseudonyms is very common.

"I am Yanshan, and I'm responsible for taking the damage."

The burly man with the shield on his back grinned.

“Shadow Gun, long-range firepower.” The thin man nodded.

Yan Feng stood up and extended his right hand, which was covered in scales:

"Yanfeng, Captain. Your abilities meet the requirements, but they need to be proven in actual combat. You don't mind, do you?"

"Please go ahead."

Yan Feng suddenly raised his left hand, his five fingers loosely clenched.

The temperature inside the compartment suddenly rose, and seven fist-sized dark red flames appeared out of thin air, arranged according to the Big Dipper constellation, instantly forming a simple fire-based illusion array.

The light distorts between the flames, creating visual misdirection, while simultaneously emitting mental interference fluctuations.

It's a very basic illusion array, but it tests your speed and method of breaking it.

Qin Yuan didn't even move a step; only a faint silver light flashed deep in his pupils.

With the blessing of the "Battle Genius (Blue)" entry, the seven energy nodes, thirteen light refraction paths, and two sources of mental interference of the Flame Illusion Array all clearly appeared.

He extended his right index finger and tapped it lightly seven times in the air.

Each click landed precisely in the "dark zone" between the flames.

Those blind spots created by the distortion of light are actually the hubs of the illusion array's energy flow. Seven points of starlight burst from the fingertips and disappeared into the dark area, like a key being inserted into a lock.

Click.

A faint cracking sound rang out, and the seven flames extinguished simultaneously, the illusion array dissipated, and the whole process took less than two seconds.

A brief silence fell over the cubicle.

Yan Shan's eyes widened, Ying Qiang paused in his work of wiping his weapon, and Qing He took a slight breath. Yan Feng gave Qin Yuan a deep look, the fire in his crimson eyes burning even brighter:

"...It's not a simple deciphering, but a direct dismantling at the level of the laws themselves. Your understanding of light is deeper than I imagined."

"You flatter me."

Qin Yuan calmly withdrew his hand.

"Welcome to the team."

Yan Feng finally smiled and gestured for Qin Yuan to take a seat:

"We plan to depart tomorrow. The entrance to the Aurora Realm's main world is in the 'Flame Corpse Starfield,' about 0.12 light-years from the Divine Wilderness City, requiring three transfers via teleportation arrays."

"The mission objective is clear: acquire Time Crystals. According to team rules, loot is distributed based on contribution, with a minimum guarantee of 10% of the total value. Any questions?"

"Intelligence reliability?"

Qin Yuan asked the key question.

"Eighty percent."

This time it was Qinghe who answered. She brought up a virtual screen that displayed a complex star map and data:

"The intelligence came from the 'Star Sea Chamber of Commerce's' secondary intelligence database, which we purchased for five Hunyuan."

"Three months ago, a demon race expedition detected unusual spacetime fluctuations in the Flame Remains Starfield. Upon further investigation, they discovered that the protective membrane of the World Lord's World was periodically weakening due to its natural decay. They attempted to enter but failed, as the world's remaining aurora laws repelled non-light-based cultivators."

She switched the view, displaying a blurry image:

Within a distorted stellar corona, a faintly shimmering rainbow membrane appeared. Several powerful demon clan lords attempted to break through the membrane, but were injured by the refracted light spears.

"After the demon race withdrew, the intelligence was acquired by the merchant guild. We analyzed the fluctuation cycle, and the next period of weakness will appear in four days, lasting about seventy-two hours."

Qinghe looked at Qin Yuan, "That's why we need light-element specialists. The 'Aurora Barrier' at the world's entrance detects the law attributes of those who enter, and those who are not light-element specialists will be attacked. And you, not only can you enter safely, but you should also be able to open a passage for us."

Qin Yuan carefully observed the images, and the [Battle Genius (Blue)] entry automatically analyzed the energy structure and attack pattern of the light membrane. After a moment, he nodded: "It can be handled. But the situation inside the world is unknown, and more preparations are needed."

"That's natural."

Yan Feng pulled up a list of supplies. "We've already prepared basic supplies like 'Illusion-Breaking Crystals,' 'Light Resistance Potions,' and 'Space Beacons.' Qin, you're a Light Specialist, what else do we need to replenish?"

Qin Yuan quickly browsed the list, simultaneously comparing it with the knowledge he had gained from the Light-Eyed Clan's inheritance in his mind.

"Add three things: First, a 'spectral stabilizer' to prevent visual illusions caused by the disorder of the world's light laws."

"Second, the 'time anchor point'—in case we get stuck in a region of abnormal time flow, we can locate and return to our starting point; third..."

He paused for a moment: "At least prepare one 'Dark Matter Shield Generator'. Since the Aurora Realm Lord is skilled in light-based magic, there is likely an 'Extreme Dark Zone' within the world as a balancing force."

Yan Feng and Qing He exchanged a glance, and the latter quickly took notes.

“We have backup spectral stabilizers, and time anchors… can be custom-made at the Alchemy Workshop in Shenhuang City, but they require ten Chaos Units. Dark matter shield generators are more expensive; a fourth-order Domain Lord level one would require approximately eight Chaos Units.”

"I can produce three mixed units."

Qin Yuan stated directly. Demonstrating value while also showing sincerity is a tacit understanding within a team.

Yan Feng laughed: "Great. Then we'll add ten more Hunyuan units. Shadow Spear, go to the alchemy workshop now and place an order, expedited, we need to get it before we leave tomorrow."

"Yes."

The thin man got up and left.

For the next half hour, the team discussed in detail their action plan after entering the world.

The Aurora Realm's main world is expected to have a seven-layer structure, corresponding to the seven levels of the laws of light.

The Time Crystal is most likely located in the core area, but there will definitely be protective mechanisms along the way.

Yan Feng is responsible for frontal assault and firepower suppression, Yan Shan is responsible for defense and drawing aggro, Qing He is responsible for healing, support and resource gathering, Ying Qiang provides long-range support and reconnaissance, and Qin Yuan specializes in breaking illusions and dispelling light traps.

"One last reminder."

Yan Feng's expression turned serious: "This mission isn't just known to our team. The Star Sea Merchant Guild's intelligence is 'limited-time sale,' meaning at least two other teams have purchased the same information. One is a demon team from the 'Blood Wolf Clan,' and the other's identity is unknown. After entering the world, in addition to dealing with environmental dangers, we also need to be wary of other teams."

"Killing and robbing is the norm in the Wild Universe Kingdom."

Yanshan said in a dull voice.

Qin Yuan nodded. He was already used to the cruel laws of the universe.

After finishing their business, Yan Feng ordered the tavern's specialty, "Lava Spirit," and the five of them briefly chatted.

Qin Yuan didn't talk much, but every time he spoke, he hit the nail on the head. His insights into the laws of light, exploration of secret realms, and teamwork made Yan Feng and the others secretly startled. This seemingly young seventh-level domain lord was incredibly experienced.

In reality, although Qin Yuan is only twenty-eight years old (Earth calendar), his extensive experience in places like the Ancient Star Road, the Aurora Secret Realm, and the Dark Star Belt has made him far more capable of handling crises than ordinary domain lords.

After a few rounds of drinks, a commotion suddenly broke out outside the private room.

"Yan Feng! Get the hell out here!"

A hoarse roar accompanied by energy fluctuations came through.

Yan Feng frowned, a fierce glint flashing in his crimson eyes.