The ancient hall was profoundly silent and vast, with only the central stone platform standing out. Placing an item upon it was all that was required for the virtual universe system to examine and render a judgment. This was the easiest method Luo Feng could devise for identifying treasures.

"I've already cross-referenced the unfamiliar metals I couldn't identify before using my clearance through the virtual universe network. Most have been confirmed; while rare, they shouldn't be worth the great lengths that Fort Master Fan Nuo went to. So, only three types remain," Luo Feng mused internally. Based solely on network investigation, three metals remained unidentifiable.

Luo Feng conjectured the treasure must be among them.

With a flip of his hand, a crystal the size of a sesame seed, bearing a faint trace of green, appeared in his palm. He gently set it on the stone platform.

Whirrrrrr~

Threads of cyan light rose from the platform, enveloping the green crystal to begin a meticulous scan. Moments later, a voice sounded: "Metal identified as 'Wood Essence Crystal.' Donating it to the race yields 18 treasure points. Luo Feng, are you willing to offer this treasure to the race?"

"Oh? It truly is a treasure," Luo Feng replied with a hint of surprise. "No wonder I couldn't find any data on this metal online, even with my clearance. A mere sesame-seed-sized grain is worth 18 treasure points. It seems... the spoils I took from the killed Universe Hegemons and Universe Venerables truly contained a significant number of treasures."

"However, 18 treasure points alone aren't enough to make Fort Master Fan Nuo make a move." Luo Feng secretly shook his head, realizing this wasn't the one. He immediately reached out, and the sesame-sized crystal floated back into his palm, directly stored in his World Ring.

He then flipped his hand, and another metal appeared in his palm.

It was a black piece of metal about the size of a human head, possessing no less than 360 precisely cut facets. Each facet was flawlessly smooth, polished to a degree where it could serve as a perfect mirror. This was also one of the three metals Luo Feng could not recognize.

"Go."

The black metal floated directly onto the stone platform.

Countless cyan threads coiled up, shrouding the black metal stone...

"Hm?" Luo Feng frowned. "This is taking so long?" Even identifying Supreme Treasures hadn't taken this long previously.

After a moment, the gentle voice sounded again, echoing throughout the entire hall: "Discriminator Mirror Stone, one of the tokens of the Origin God Hall. Donating it to the race yields 20 treasure points. Luo Feng, are you willing to offer this treasure to the race?"

Luo Feng's eyes instantly lit up!

20 treasure points? More valuable than the Nine Roar River!

"This is it!"

Luo Feng stared at the Discriminator Mirror Stone in shock, swiftly recalling it back to his hand, his gaze fixed on it, shining brightly. "No wonder, no wonder Fort Master Fan Nuo schemed so thoroughly, first deliberately swapping metals with me—he was counting on me being completely unable to discern the mystery of this Discriminator Mirror Stone."

"So, it is the Discriminator Mirror Stone." Luo Feng felt his blood surge with excitement.

...

Although Luo Feng had been away from the Primitive True Star for nearly twenty thousand years, his consciousness occasionally entered the virtual universe during that time. Thus, he was naturally aware of the most pivotal events that had transpired on the Primitive True Star.

In those nearly twenty millennia, if one were to speak of the most heart-stopping event across the 10,081 Primitive True Stars, it would undoubtedly be—the upheaval surrounding the Origin God Hall.

The Origin God Hall!

It ignited madness among all the races of the universe. Around the 600th year after the Primitive True Star passage opened, the fundamental laws of the universe descended upon Primitive True Star numbered 02892. The fundamental principles of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, Lightning, Light, Time, and Space simultaneously manifested upon that star.

The oppressive might was immense; for a time, the entire planet seemed shackled, making movement difficult even for Universe Hegemons, let alone Universe Venerables.

Simultaneously, a divine temple began to break through the earth...

The emergence process lasted nearly a century. During these nearly hundred years, the major powers of the universe dispatched supreme beings to that location. For a time, the area surrounding that divine temple was almost entirely populated by Universe Masters, with any Universe Hegemons daring to approach being of 'peak Universe Hegemon' strength.

A century later, the Origin God Hall was completely revealed.

Before the Origin God Hall stood a black stone tablet inscribed with ancient secret patterns. Any strong being viewing it would immediately comprehend the message it carried. The content was extremely simple—

'The Origin God Hall emerges; the stele manifests. Once the stele vanishes, one or more Discriminator Mirror Stones will appear without pattern at a certain time and place across the 10,081 Primitive True Stars! There are a total of 36 Discriminator Mirror Stones... Discriminator Mirror Stones resemble ordinary stones; upon their emergence, the phenomenon rivals that of a High-tier Supreme Treasure. When all 36 Discriminator Mirror Stones have appeared, the Origin God Hall will open. Only those possessing a Discriminator Mirror Stone may enter; any other powerhouse attempting forced entry will be annihilated...'

One year later, the stone tablet disintegrated.

Following this, various rumors began to circulate about the appearance of Discriminator Mirror Stones on certain Primitive True Stars, sparking numerous conflicts. However, without knowledge of the exact time and location, obtaining them relied purely on luck. Even great strength made securing a Discriminator Mirror Stone difficult!

This message from the stele had long spread everywhere... Luo Feng naturally knew of it.

...

"So it is the Discriminator Mirror Stone; I truly held the treasure in my hand and didn't recognize it," Luo Feng said, looking at the black crystal. "When the Discriminator Mirror Stone emerges, its aura and pressure are comparable to a High-tier Supreme Treasure appearing. Therefore, only by discovering the stone precisely at the moment it manifests can one recognize its peculiarity."

A mere stone emerging with the aura of a High-tier Supreme Treasure.

Any powerful being could deduce it was extraordinary.

But...

For someone like Luo Feng, who acquired treasures by slaying other powerhouses, even possessing the Discriminator Mirror Stone meant he wouldn't recognize it.

"The fundamental laws of the universe descending... The Origin God Hall seems to be the greatest treasure cache of this Primitive True Star cycle," Luo Feng mused. A Primitive True Star generally opens only after immense eons, and each opening lasts merely 1000 epochs. During these 1000 epochs, supreme treasures like top-tier Domain-type Supreme Treasures, top-tier Soul Supreme Treasures, top-tier Palace-type Supreme Treasures, and Peak Weapon Supreme Treasures... would appear several times.

However, they would be fragmented and scattered upon appearance.

And during the entire 1000 epochs the Primitive True Star is open, there would also be one most terrifying treasure, surpassing all others. Usually, it would be a 'Peak Domain-type Supreme Treasure,' a 'Peak Palace-type Supreme Treasure,' or a 'Peak Soul-type Supreme Treasure.' Generally, these would incorporate other functionalities as well.

Just as the 'Jie Armor' possessed slight soul defense, the 'Beast God Armor' encompassed attack and defense, and the 'Ultimate Supreme Treasure Star Tower' combined soul defense, palace function, suppression, attack, and numerous other utilities.

The most powerful treasure appearing during one opening of the Primitive True Star would typically integrate several functions.

For example, a Peak Soul-type Supreme Treasure would focus primarily on soul defense, perhaps even incorporating some divine body defense capabilities, or even illusionary functions, etc...

In short!

Peak Soul-type Supreme Treasures are second only to Ultimate Supreme Treasures! And Ultimate Supreme Treasures are exceedingly rare, something one might encounter once in an eon. Even the nine great super-factions of the universe do not possess an 'Ultimate Supreme Treasure' reigning over them. Therefore, Peak Supreme Treasures across the Domain, Soul, and Palace categories... were enough to drive all races of the universe into a frenzy.

...

"The Primitive True Star opens only after an impossibly long duration," Luo Feng reflected. "Every Peak Soul-type Supreme Treasure... or any treasure of the same tier, can be considered a race-guarding treasure! Once a powerful Universe Master obtains one, combined with other supreme treasures, their demise becomes nearly impossible. Even if they encounter an Ultimate Supreme Treasure... if they can't win, they can still escape, right?"

"No wonder!"

"No wonder Venerable Tian Yang remained hidden, daring not to reveal himself. Once revealed, this Discriminator Mirror Stone would naturally be used by the Universe Masters of the Mechanical Race. Him obtaining a High-tier Supreme Treasure would be a good outcome. But if he were to enter himself... remember, a maximum of 36 individuals can enter the entire universe, and they enter through different doors of the Origin God Hall; there's a complete chance of survival. Once he emerges alive, the gains would be tremendous. Even if he fails—he can only be resurrected at most; but if he succeeds..."

Luo Feng perfectly understood the thoughts of Venerable Tian Yang and Fort Master Fan Nuo.

Venerable Tian Yang concealed the information.

Fort Master Fan Nuo also did not wish to reveal that Venerable Tian Yang possessed the Discriminator Mirror Stone; if it were public, Venerable Tian Yang would likely obediently offer it to his race.

Venerable Tian Yang also would not reveal the secret of 'Fort Master Fan Nuo.' Once revealed, Fort Master Fan Nuo's status was extremely high... possessing three avatars, each comparable in might to a peak Universe Hegemon! His status was already almost on par with a Universe Master, and even if the Thorn Ring Alliance learned he possessed the Discriminator Mirror Stone, they couldn't forcibly demand it.

If pushed too far...

The 'Fort Master Fan Nuo,' who originated as a special life form, could completely defect from the Thorn Ring Alliance and join another faction.

...

Both had their schemes. Venerable Tian Yang wasn't afraid of Fort Master Fan Nuo pursuing him; he was confident in his means of survival. Fort Master Fan Nuo also harbored the idea of securing it for himself, so the matter dragged on...

Who knew Luo Feng would intervene!

Venerable Tian Yang was exceptional at escaping; his Domain-type Supreme Treasure, combined with High-tier Supreme Armor and Flowing Light Wings... even Luo Feng couldn't catch him, ultimately leading to his demise only through 'I Am the Universe.' And thus... this Discriminator Mirror Stone fell into Luo Feng's hands.

...

"The Discriminator Mirror Stone is secured; I now have the qualification to enter the Origin God Hall." Luo Feng was immensely excited. "An opportunity like this might only occur once in endless epochs. Furthermore, within a thousand years, I will definitely break through to the Universe Venerable level! Once I reach the Universe Venerable level, my divine body will strengthen again, my power will increase... giving me better capital to contend for treasures."

Luo Feng nodded to himself.

He also tested the third metal concurrently. It was a small piece of metal valued at 31 treasure points. While it surprised Luo Feng, he merely smiled about it. Immediately after, Luo Feng left Chaos City, departed the Original Universe... and returned to the main universe.

Within the territory of the Thorn Ring Alliance.

A life planet was incredibly prosperous. The contagion of technology was potent; even for those who didn't pursue the path of technology. Most life planets in the universe, especially those inhabited by life forms with inherently weak genetics... the planets they lived on utilized technology even more to create incomparably comfortable living illusions.

Skyscrapers, flying vehicles, aerial docking platforms... were visible everywhere.

At the apex of one skyscraper.

Fort Master Fan Nuo, transformed into his three-meter-tall divine body, sat in a chair, overlooking the city. Being a special life form, he actually preferred the worlds inhabited by ordinary, weaker beings.

"Luo Feng?"

"Golden Horned Beast? That Discriminator Mirror Stone must have ended up in his hands. He will certainly be suspicious now that my operation has failed. I trust the human race's intelligence system will be able to identify the Discriminator Mirror Stone..." Fort Master Fan Nuo frowned in deep thought.

Chapter Two is ready. Happy Christmas Eve, wuuu~ Tomato continues writing Chapter Three!