"So how exactly do we reach the second level?"
Han Jue addressed the Universe Venerable from the Hong Alliance standing nearby.
The Universe Venerable shifted nervously, stealing a glance toward Lord Baizhu and the Northern Frontier Alliance contingent in the distance before responding. "Getting to the second level is straightforward, there's no danger in the passage itself. You just need to go through that staircase over there." He gestured toward a golden structure rising in the distance. "However, Lord Baizhu and his people from the Northern Frontier Alliance have been occupying the passage. I don't know what they've encountered on the second level, but judging from their reluctance to proceed further, it must be dangerous."
Han Jue's gaze swept across the hall, settling on Lord Baizhu. The Universe Master wore an forced, uncomfortable smile.
"Star Sea Venerable, if you wish to ascend, I can certainly make way for you," Lord Baizhu said, his smile not reaching his eyes.
"Lord Baizhu, what's waiting up there?" Han Jue made no move to hurry, his tone casual.
"What's there?" Lord Baizhu's smile turned condescending. "Star Sea Venerable, why don't you go up and see for yourself?"
The intent was obvious, Lord Baizhu wanted to use Han Jue as a scout, letting him face whatever danger lurked above first.
Han Jue's eyes narrowed as he assessed Lord Baizhu. Crushing this Universe Master wouldn't be difficult, but completely killing him? That would prove challenging. Lord Baizhu had reached the Universe Master realm, after all. Unless his soul was utterly destroyed, death wouldn't come easily. And who knew what trump cards or supreme treasures he might be hiding?
Lord Baizhu met Han Jue's gaze with barely concealed nervousness. The Northern Frontier Alliance didn't have many people gathered around this particular hall. If a fight broke out here and now, the outcome would be far from certain.
"Lord Baizhu, how about we explore the second level together?" Han Jue proposed.
Lord Baizhu's expression flickered. "Star Sea Venerable, we're talking about a top-tier Arcana here. Would you really be willing to split your attention between watching me and whatever's up there?"
"Why not?" Han Jue's smile was genuine. "The ones who will decide the ownership of the Heavenly Flowing Sail are Lord Qilan from your Northern Frontier Alliance and Lord Youhou from the human faction. Neither of us has the strength to compete for it directly."
"That's... true." Lord Baizhu nodded slowly.
The two third-tier Universe Masters were indeed the main contenders for the Heavenly Flowing Sail. Everyone else here was merely a supporting player. If Han Jue hadn't appeared, the Northern Frontier Alliance would have held a significant advantage. But now that Han Jue could keep Lord Baizhu occupied, everything hinged on whether Lord Qilan could suppress Lord Youhou.
"So? Shall we proceed together?" Han Jue pressed.
If Lord Baizhu refused, they would have to settle this here and now.
"This... very well." Lord Baizhu finally relented, agreeing to enter the second level alongside Han Jue.
"After you," Lord Baizhu said with exaggerated courtesy.
The passage to the second level manifested as a golden staircase ascending a hundred stories. Each step stood one kilometer high, and the staircase itself stretched a hundred kilometers wide. There was no visible danger at the top.
Han Jue compressed his divine body to one ten-thousandth of its original size, reducing himself from ninety thousand kilometers to a mere nine kilometers in height, before stepping onto the first stair.
Lord Baizhu watched with growing puzzlement. He'd initially assumed Han Jue had deliberately enlarged his divine body for intimidation, but now that theory seemed questionable. How could a human possess a divine body ninety thousand kilometers tall? Had Han Jue achieved perfect genes?
Then understanding dawned. The being before him likely wasn't Han Jue's true body at all, but rather that special lifeform clone, the Star Stream Sea. Judging from the clone's previous appearances, ninety thousand kilometers was indeed its maximum size. Now, shrunk to nine kilometers, its combat power would be significantly reduced.
Yet Lord Baizhu made no move to exploit this apparent weakness. Who could say if Han Jue wasn't simply testing him, baiting him into making the first move?
For two Universe Masters, ascending a hundred steps proved trivial. In mere moments, they entered the second level of the temple.
"ROAR!"
The instant they crossed the threshold, a monster launched itself at them.
The creature stood on four hooves like some primordial warhorse, its body sheathed in scales that flowed like golden sand. Three tails whipped behind it, and thick hair covered its head, lending it a fierce, majestic appearance. Twin horns crowned its skull. The beast measured roughly ninety thousand kilometers tall and over one hundred thousand kilometers long. Its four hooves glowed with an eerie emerald light, as if infused with deadly poison.
The monster's aura was overwhelming, its strength clearly rivaling that of an ordinary Universe Overlord.
The second level hall stretched hundreds of millions of kilometers in every direction, as if specifically designed to accommodate battles of titanic proportions.
"This is a mindless beast called the Golden-Scaled Jade-Clawed Beast, or simply the Golden-Scaled Beast for short," Lord Baizhu explained, keeping his distance from both Han Jue and the creature. "After defeating one, we'll have a brief respite before the next wave appears. Each time, the number of beasts doubles. As for what conditions we need to meet to escape this place or reach the Heavenly Flowing Sail's actual location... that remains a mystery."
This wasn't secret information. After Han Jue defeated the first beast, he'd see the rules inscribed on the walls himself. There was no point in hiding it.
With a casual flick of his wrist, Han Jue sent forth a blade of sword energy. The still-roaring Golden-Scaled Beast died instantly, its massive body crashing to the floor.
Han Jue restored his divine body to its full ninety-thousand-kilometer height and approached the hall's wall. Ancient characters covered the surface. Though the language was unfamiliar, spiritual imprints embedded in the writing conveyed their meaning, matching Lord Baizhu's explanation almost exactly.
'Could one of the three halls on the first level be fake?' Han Jue wondered.
Lord Baizhu stared at Han Jue with barely concealed shock, his wariness deepening. Killing a Golden-Scaled Beast wasn't particularly difficult for a Universe Master of his caliber, but it certainly shouldn't be that easy. Han Jue had dispatched the creature as casually as one might crush an ant.
"ROAR!"
"ROAR!"
Their rest period lasted approximately one day. For Universe Masters, such a span was negligible.
This time, two Golden-Scaled Beasts materialized from the void.
Han Jue glanced at Lord Baizhu, who took a deep breath. If he wanted to avoid turning this into a confrontation with Han Jue, he'd have to contribute.
"One each!" Lord Baizhu shouted. A bamboo weapon resembling a cane appeared in his hand, clearly a high-tier melee Arcana.
Han Jue nodded and attacked.
The two Golden-Scaled Beasts, facing the simultaneous assault of two Universe Masters, were annihilated in moments. Their divine power expenditure was minimal, the creatures posed virtually no threat.
"Next time, four Golden-Scaled Beasts will appear," Lord Baizhu said grimly.
"If the numbers continue doubling, even Universe Overlords could eventually be overwhelmed by sheer quantity." Han Jue's expression remained calm, but his mind was already calculating the implications.