“Such a large number?” Luo Feng was startled. He looked around, but could only barely see the figures of two or three teams.
“Most of the teams are near the canyon, and every team is hiding themselves. Unless you carefully search, it is difficult to spot even a few teams.” Babata’s voice sounded.
“Understood.” Luo Feng replied.
……
The mountain was completely bare. Almost all the stones on it were black, with only traces of silver mixed in. Luo Feng’s team carefully continued moving forward. The central area of the mountain range looked as if it had been split open by a divine warrior’s blade, creating a huge canyon.
This enormous canyon formed as if by a blade strike was the ‘Wind Thunder Canyon’.
The violent winds originating from the universe’s primal energy howled wildly, carrying countless fragments of stone. Among them, some Wind Horn Stones were even swept along by the wind. On both sides of the canyon walls, young elites from countless families, forces, and planets within the Black Dragon Mountain Star Region were hiding in various locations.
They were the younger generation who had not yet become true universe experts. This was their first trial on the path to becoming strong!
“Luo Feng, this is the map. The location marked on the map is an excellent position. It would be best for your team to hide there.” Babata communicated through consciousness.
Luo Feng lowered his head and looked at the screen on his arm guard.
“Follow me.” Luo Feng said quietly.
Hong, Thunder God, and the other two followed silently. The closer they got to the canyon, the stronger the wind became. Luo Feng arrived at a rocky area, suddenly lifted a large stone, and revealed a cave entrance beneath it. He immediately sent a mental message, “Everyone, go inside. There is a passage inside that directly connects to the canyon wall.”
“We can even find a place like this?” Thunder God could not help but praise him.
“Get inside.” Hong entered first.
In the Thunder World, the range of a spirit reader’s mental force was greatly reduced. That was because its spreading range in the ‘air’ was limited. For mental force to pass through these massive rocks mixed with the universe’s primal energy, even a Stellar Rank expert absolutely could not do it. Since mental force could not probe through, places like this were extremely difficult to find.
Trying to dig one out personally? With the hardness of the rocks in the Wind Thunder Canyon, which had been continuously tempered by violent winds for countless years, it would take at least one or two years to completely finish.
“Fortunately, we have Babata’s reminder.” Luo Feng also jumped into the cave and covered the entrance with the stone again.
The cave was inside the mountain range.
Following the cave passage, they eventually reached one side of the Wind Thunder Canyon’s wall where violent winds were howling. There was a hole about thirty centimetres wide on the cliff wall.
“What is this?” Thunder God’s eyes lit up.
“Hm?” Hong picked up a smooth, round little stone near the cave entrance. The stone was mainly black, but its surface had a strange blue layer that looked like a coating. Ordinary stones here were black, or black mixed with traces of silver. Only Wind Horn Stones had a deep blue glow on their surface.
According to rumours, Wind Horn Stones were formed after being affected by lightning strikes in the Wind Thunder Canyon. They survived without turning into powder and absorbed a trace of lightning power, forming these strange stones.
“Wind Horn Stone, it is a Wind Horn Stone.” Thunder God said immediately.
“We actually found one just by picking it up.” Luo Feng walked to the cave entrance with a smile. Outside the cave, the violent wind howled like ghosts and wolves, creating a dark and chaotic scene. Inside the cave, because one side was blocked, the wind was extremely weak. Luo Feng turned to the other four and said, “The wind outside is terrifying. It will be very difficult to obtain another Wind Horn Stone.”
The one found inside the cave was probably a Wind Horn Stone carried in by the violent wind.
However, such a thing was purely a matter of luck. Otherwise, there would not have been only one inside the cave.
“Damn, third brother, according to the books, we currently have three methods.” Hong said quietly. “The first method is to go to the top of the canyon and risk our lives to collect Wind Horn Stones. Since the wind becomes stronger the lower and more central you go, the wind at the top of the canyon is much weaker. At least Stellar Rank level seven or eight experts can withstand it. The only danger is that because we are at the highest point, we are more likely to attract lightning strikes. The lightning from those thunderclouds would leave absolutely no chance of survival.”
“The second method is to stay close to the canyon and use mental force or origin power to pull over one or two Wind Horn Stones carried over by the wind. This is difficult, but the danger is very low. It requires patience.”
“The third method is to kill other teams that have obtained Wind Horn Stones and steal them.”
“Everyone, which method should we use?” Hong looked at Luo Feng and Thunder God.
Luo Feng frowned and thought.
Going to the top of the canyon to collect Wind Horn Stones was the fastest method. If they were not struck by lightning, it would be as easy as picking up stones. However, according to the experience of predecessors, when going to the top of the canyon, all metal objects on the body had to be stored away. It was said that the more metal there was, the more likely it was to attract lightning.
If metal robots were sent there, lightning would strike them without exception.
Humans wearing ordinary clothes had roughly a fifty percent chance of being struck by lightning. If they wore alloy battle armour, the probability increased to around two thirds. This was the experience accumulated by generations of people fighting in the Thunder World.
“The first method is too dangerous and depends entirely on luck. It is not suitable for us.”
“As for the third method, attacking other teams?” Luo Feng shook his head. “The location of our cave is excellent. The entrance is directly connected to the canyon wall. For now, we will use the second method. At the same time, we can observe how other teams obtain Wind Horn Stones. We will decide after watching.”
“That works too.” Hong nodded.
Thunder God also agreed, so Luo Feng’s team temporarily began a waiting strategy.
At the cave entrance, they tried to capture the Wind Horn Stones that flew close to them. This required both luck and strength.
The violent wind made it impossible to see clearly with the naked eye. Countless stones were mixed within it, and only occasionally would one or two Wind Horn Stones appear among them. Therefore, luck was needed. Furthermore, the Wind Horn Stone would only pass by the cave entrance for an instant.
They had to grab it instantly. If they missed it, they would have to wait a long time for the next chance.
Unfortunately, the violent wind contained universe primal energy. The moment mental force extended deeper into it, it would be destroyed and dissipate.
The mental force hand formed by Luo Feng could only extend about twenty centimetres outside the cave entrance before losing stability.
Even the Stellar Rank ninth-level Ao Gu could only extend his mental force hand one metre before it disappeared. Beyond one metre, Ao Gu could not maintain the stability of his mental force.
Instead…
What surprised Luo Feng was that his current Stellar Rank fourth-level Moyun Vine, after shrinking down and forming a vine strand, was extremely tough. It could instantly extend about two metres into the violent wind before quickly retracting. Although the vine was covered in injuries, its recovery speed allowed it to maintain this ability.
This truly surprised Luo Feng.
It was estimated that the violent wind containing universe primal energy had a stronger destructive effect on energy-based existences like mental force, while having a weaker destructive effect on plants like vines.
……
In the Wind Thunder Canyon, most teams relied on this waiting method to capture Wind Horn Stones. Occasionally, some teams forced their slave guards to risk their lives at the canyon peak to obtain Wind Horn Stones.
However, such teams were rare. After all, slave guards were also part of their combat strength. Losing one or two would greatly affect the team.
On the third day in the Wind Thunder Canyon, Luo Feng’s team obtained their second Wind Horn Stone.
On the fifth day, they obtained their third Wind Horn Stone.
On the ninth day, they obtained their fourth Wind Horn Stone.
……
This was still because of their excellent location. For ordinary teams, merely crossing half of the Thunder World would take half a year to a year, and collecting Wind Horn Stones would also require half a year to a year. Spending several years was completely normal.
Luo Feng’s team was already considered one of the most efficient teams.
On the thirty-second day in the Wind Thunder Canyon.
“This cave’s location is truly excellent. At this rate, we will definitely gather all the Wind Horn Stones within another month.” Thunder God smiled.
Luo Feng, Hong, Thunder God, Tie Nanhe, and Ao Gu sat cross-legged.
A vine strand extended from Luo Feng’s arm and stopped at the cave entrance, ready to strike at any moment.
In front of the five people, a projection screen appeared on the cave wall. It was created by Luo Feng’s intelligent life, Babata. The screen displayed four images showing the situation within twenty kilometres around them.
“Although we are inside the cave, we can clearly see the situation of every team within twenty kilometres.” Luo Feng smiled.
“Really convenient.” Thunder God praised.
“Look, two teams are fighting over there. Their movements are very fast. That spirit reader is not bad either.” Thunder God looked excited as he commented on one of the images where two teams had suddenly appeared. However, his expression changed, and he immediately said, “It is He Ruo!”
“He Ruo?”
Luo Feng’s expression changed.
Back then, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God had met many friends in the virtual universe’s Killing Ground. Among them were He Ruo and Buleim. Previously, He Ruo and Buleim had said they would participate in the Universe Apprentice Mercenary Assessment.
The entire Black Dragon Mountain Star Region was within this area, so it was normal for He Ruo and the others to appear here.
“Let’s go.” Hong was the first to rush outside.
Ao Gu and Tie Nanhe looked towards Luo Feng.
“Quick.”
Luo Feng did not hesitate. The five-person team immediately rushed through another passage inside the cave. Using mental force, they moved away the inconspicuous rock blocking the exit. After the five people came out, they placed the rock back again.
Far away.
He Ruo’s team was currently being pressured by another team through a fierce attack. He Ruo’s team currently only had two Stellar Rank ninth-level members, while the opposing team had five Stellar Rank ninth-level members.
However, most people on both sides were injured. Clearly, the battle had been extremely intense.
“Hm?”
Both teams quickly noticed another team rushing towards them from afar.
“He Ruo!”
A mental message sounded beside his ear.
He Ruo turned his head and saw that among the five lightning-like figures flying towards him were Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God, his friends. He immediately showed joy.
The two people rushing at the front, Tie Nanhe and Ao Gu, especially Ao Gu, released his mental force weapon from afar, turning it into a golden streak of light.
“Two Stellar Rank ninth-level experts?” The opposing team immediately detected their strength through their auxiliary optical brains.
“Retreat!”
“Quick, retreat!”
The team leader gave the order without hesitation. The team quickly withdrew.
Although they had five Stellar Rank ninth-level experts, three of them were injured.
It must be known that Stellar Rank ninth-level experts also varied greatly in strength. A powerful one could defeat ten experts of the same level. He Ruo’s team had one very strong Stellar Rank ninth-level expert, which was why they could hold on despite being at a disadvantage.
The two people charging over now dared to approach, meaning they had confidence.
Once both teams joined together, the opposing team believed they could not resist.
Even if they could win, both sides would suffer heavy losses, and the opposing team was unwilling to take that risk. Therefore, they chose to retreat.
……
Luo Feng’s team and He Ruo’s team joined together.
“Thank you.”
“Who are they?” A bald young man with green marks on both sides of his face immediately walked over to express his thanks.
“They are my friends.” He Ruo quickly said, while walking forward.
“Luo Feng, Hong, Thunder God.” He Ruo introduced.
“What happened? How did you end up like this?” Luo Feng and the others looked at He Ruo. Thunder God immediately asked, “He Ruo, weren’t you from the Northern Dragon City organisation? How did you end up in this situation?”
After first entering the virtual universe, Thunder God and Hong already understood the importance of the universal language, so they naturally began learning it.
With their brain capacity, learning was extremely fast. Although they were not fluent, communication was no problem.
“It has truly been miserable.” He Ruo shook his head. “Our team originally had five elites and five guards. When we were collecting the Single Horn Iron Rhinoceros horns, we were attacked by beasts and immediately lost one guard.”
“Later, while travelling to the Wind Thunder Canyon, we were attacked by other teams six times in succession. During that process, we lost two more guards and three elite companions.” He Ruo’s expression became bitter. “Now our team only has two elites and two guards left.”
Luo Feng’s heart turned cold.
My god!
His own team had also experienced more than ten life-and-death crises, but most of them came from beast attacks. As for attacks from other teams, with Ao Gu cooperating with the Crimson Mixed Copper Mother Fragment, they had completely overwhelmed their opponents.
Combined with Babata’s warning system, Luo Feng’s team had experienced many dangers and injuries, but no one had died.
However, He Ruo’s team had lost more than half their members!
“Where is Buleim?” Thunder God quickly asked. “Is he with another team?”
“He died.” He Ruo shook his head.
Luo Feng froze.
That rough and sturdy young man who looked like a black bear was dead?
Luo Feng still clearly remembered the scene when he and Hong and Thunder God had wished the two of them a safe return.
Unexpectedly, in the blink of an eye, Buleim was already dead.
How could this happen?
“Being sad is useless.” He Ruo shook his head bitterly. “Many of my brothers and sisters who lived with me for years have already died. This is the first trial for our so-called ‘elites’. Only after experiencing countless life-and-death hardships and finally breaking through to become Universe Rank experts can we truly be called strong and become important members of our organisations.”
“Selection.”
The bald young man with green marks shook his head. “This is selection. Large numbers of so-called genius elites are eliminated and killed during repeated life-and-death adventures. Only a few finally become Universe Rank experts. Our training camp has tens of thousands of genius elites, but if ten of them can become Universe Rank experts, that is already considered impressive.”
Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God looked at each other.
Cruel…
Extremely cruel!
This was the way those universe organisations operated. They gathered countless genius elites, provided them with the best education and resources, then gave them the cruelest elimination process. In the end, only a few strong experts emerged.
It could be said that those participating in the Universe Apprentice Mercenary Assessment were not considered true strong experts.
They were only ‘future strong experts’.
They had to survive countless eliminations, perhaps only one among millions of elite talents from major organisations would eventually become a Universe Rank expert.
“Rumble~~~”
The entire Thunder World suddenly shook violently.
There was no warning. The entire world began trembling.
Every team was shocked.
“What is happening?”
“Is this world collapsing?”
“My god!”
Across more than a thousand kilometres around the Wind Thunder Canyon, tens of thousands of Stellar Rank adventurers participating in the assessment looked around in shock. Luo Feng’s team and He Ruo’s team were also staring around in astonishment.
The entire world was trembling, and even the mountain ranges were shaking.
“What is happening?” Luo Feng looked around.
“Over there!!!” Someone shouted.
The tens of thousands of Stellar Rank adventurers on the mountain almost simultaneously saw the nearby mountain range split open. A dark, torn-looking black hole appeared.
Half of the black hole was on the mountain, while the other half was inside the mountain.
The surrounding space itself seemed to be torn apart.
It was an extremely strange sight.