As everyone knows, Level 12 is a continuous process of grasping the rules. To comprehend the rules, one must cultivate a martial art to the pinnacle of the fifth realm.
This is a painstaking process with no shortcuts. It depends entirely on one's innate talent in various martial arts.
Among all the Level 12 powerhouses present, aside from the two guides whose strength remains unknown, the vast majority have only channeled a single rule galaxy into their bodies.
In other words, they have only cultivated a single martial art to the pinnacle of the fifth realm. And this is precisely because each of them possesses extraordinary aptitude.
For ordinary individuals, dedicating their entire lives to mastering a single martial art to the pinnacle of the fifth realm, comprehending the power of rules, and thereby guiding a rule galaxy into their bodies to ascend to Level 12 would be an incredibly arduous feat.
Why was Sarl so arrogant and unruly? Because he truly had the capital for his arrogance.
At Level 12, he has already channeled two rule galaxies into his body, and the third is already emerging. This proves he has mastered at least two martial arts to the peak of the fifth realm, with a third nearing its zenith.
He achieved more, greater accomplishments in less time than anyone else. Thus, he is a genius—a talent born once every hundred thousand years in a star region.
This was innate talent, a gift bestowed by the cosmos, something one was born with. Others could envy it, but never attain it.
Yet now, Sarl claimed the crystal cores extracted from the Level 12 beast leader, which contained fragments of the Law. Absorbing them would grant direct access to the power of the Law.
This was fucking incredible. It was practically a miracle cure.
If they had enough energy crystals, how much grueling cultivation could they skip? Who wouldn't take a shortcut? Even fools would.
Instantly, everyone present stared at the beast crystals held by those who'd seized them with burning eyes. Those individuals, meanwhile, stashed the crystals into their storage rings like precious treasures.
"You're quite clever..."
At that moment, the stern middle-aged man glanced at Sarl and remarked indifferently, "The beast crystal core does indeed contain fragments of the rules, but it's equally laden with impurities.
At the rate you're absorbing it, you'll likely become a servant of the dark side before long."
Sarl's expression froze momentarily before he stubbornly retorted, " Rest assured, I know what I'm doing."
The stern-faced middle-aged man said no more, merely motioning for everyone to continue their journey.
Though the battle had ended without posing a true threat, its lingering repercussions were far from resolved.
Many eyes began to flicker with calculation, clearly already scheming in their minds how to acquire the beast crystal core.
Groups of Level 11 martial artists murmured among themselves, transforming the once quiet caravan into a buzzing hubbub.
"No wonder—high-grade beast cores directly boost a martial artist's power. This trip was worth it!"
Saya clenched his fists tightly, his handsome face radiating excitement.
The clever Tang Dun countered from the side, "The guide said this method has side effects. It might drag one into darkness."
"Come on, it's just a possibility..."
Saya waved it off dismissively. "Besides, that was just that hothead Sarl not knowing the proper absorption technique. As long as you're careful, you can completely avoid those drawbacks."
Lu Sheng remained silent.
In truth, he had long known the marvelous uses of beast cores.
Having absorbed the memories of countless Level 12 and 13 zombie overlords within the dream realm, his understanding of beasts likely surpassed that of everyone present combined.
He even knew numerous methods to perfectly absorb the rule energy within cores without side effects.
But... It wasn't worth it.
Rather than picking at those tiny fragments of rules within the beast cores, he'd rather spend his time advancing a couple more diagrams in the dream realm.
"Still, high-grade beast cores contain more than just rule fragments—they hold significant energy reserves. Far more than any energy crystals. And energy is precisely what I lack most right now."
As for why beast cores contain fragments of the rules?
The reason couldn't be simpler.
Beasts are products of the Dark Universe. As a realm that has gathered the negative energies of countless universes, the Dark Universe...
Amidst the energy charged with all manner of negative emotions, it was only natural that those who generated such dark sentiments would also gain insights into their own martial paths.
In the time that followed, their group encountered several more waves of beast swarms.
After witnessing the benefits reaped by the first to strike, during these subsequent encounters with beast swarms the Level 12 powerhouses scrambled like mad, eyeing the beasts as if they were Liu Yan naked after a decade of celibacy—desperate to get their hands on the spoils. But the beasts were too few to satisfy even the Level 12s, let alone the Level 11 warriors.
They watched helplessly as the high-level beasts were slaughtered like cutting through melons and vegetables, their expressions filled with bitter resentment.
"Damn it! When will it be our turn?!"
Another wave of beasts was divided up. Seeing many others get beast cores, Saya's eyes nearly turned red as he spat out his frustration.
"Here, take mine..."
Tang Dun, standing nearby, held a white crystal core up to Saya's face. After examining it curiously for a moment, he offered it to him.
He'd just snatched a monster and obtained an 11th-level beast crystal core.
Though not the sharpest tool in the shed, this guy was genuinely loyal to his friends. But Saya stubbornly refused, "No. I want one I hunted myself."
"Fine, whatever."
Tang Dun clicked his tongue and didn't press the issue.
Seeing Saya's flustered state, Lu Sheng couldn't bear it and offered comfort:
"What's the rush? We're heading to the battlefield—you won't run out of beasts to kill. The real worry is you won't be able to keep up. If you want cores, there'll be plenty of chances later. Better to use this time to study the beasts' strength and tactics. Once we're at the base, you won't get such a good opportunity..."
Saya froze at Lu Sheng's words. After careful thought, he realized the man had a point. His previously restless heart gradually calmed. He even solemnly thanked Lu Sheng:
"You're right, Lu Sheng. Thank you for your guidance."
Lu Sheng gave a slight nod, saying nothing more. Yet as Saya observed Lu Sheng's composed demeanor, he grew increasingly convinced of his extraordinary nature.
Though seemingly average in strength, Lu Sheng radiated an unshakable sense of steadiness, calmness, and confidence—as if everything unfolded precisely as he intended.
From the moment he entered the battlefield. Oh no, to be precise, from the moment he met Lu Sheng. Lu Sheng had maintained an absolute state of calm, as if nothing in this world could ever stir the slightest ripple in his heart.
That calmness wasn't feigned; it was genuine.
Saya wasn't someone who hadn't seen the world.
He had encountered a similar aura to Lu Sheng's in some individuals before. And every single one of those people was a major figure of immense importance, possessing confidence in their own abilities that reached the pinnacle.
For Lu Sheng to possess such an aura, it meant either he had an extraordinary background or he had immense backing. Whichever the case, it was absolutely no small matter.
At this realization, Saya couldn't help but feel a quiet sense of relief. His luck was truly remarkable. The two friends he'd made since entering the battlefield:
One possessed immense strength yet no guile, utterly loyal to his comrades, a partner worthy of entrusting one's very life.
The other displayed extraordinary vision and insight, cutting straight to the heart of matters with piercing clarity, yet shrouded in profound mystery.
Both could be called treasure-tier companions.
"Could it be that old swindler astrologer was right? That the greatest turning point of my life truly lies within this battlefield?"
Saya pondered silently.
When encountering the next beast horde, Saya didn't rush to stomp his feet.
He let others handle the fighting and the dividing of the spoils, instead following Lu Sheng's advice to quietly observe and memorize the strengths and tactics of each beast.
The group traveled for several more cosmic days, encountering dozens of beast packs of varying sizes along the way.
The largest were led by three Level 12 beast chieftains, while the smallest were commanded by mere Level 11 beasts.
Many martial artists in the group were thoroughly satisfied with their spoils of beast crystals. Some had even begun attempting absorption, the benefits of which were immediately apparent, fueling their motivation even further.
Among them, Sarl reaped the greatest harvest.
This guy attacks nearly every wave of beasts, fiercely snatching monsters. Others, intimidated by his strength, dare not compete with him.
Meanwhile, Sarl's power grows visibly stronger, fueling his increasingly arrogant and brazen demeanor—he even seems to be thriving in this environment.
Then, the individual with the second-highest harvest.
His name is Huang Ji.
This individual was once obscure, but after a Level 12 powerhouse snatched a monster from him during a battle, he suddenly erupted.
Following that fight, everyone was startled into realization.
This Huang Ji fellow was actually a super-powered individual whose strength was in no way inferior to Sarl's!
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Previous chapter: #528. Monstrous Beast Crystal Core, Rule Fragment (4) [Transcedence chapter #538]
This chapter: #529. Treasure-Level Partner! [Transcedence missing chapter, 539.1]
Next chapter: #530. Cloud Waves and Strange Phenomena (1) [Transcedence missing chapter, 539.2]