The fragments of the Universe Ark were terrifyingly close to the massive vortex of wind. Even the sporadic gusts that lashed out slammed into the Ark fragment—already traveling at many times the speed of light—with an incessant, roaring gale. The winds felt like countless blades, powerful enough to shatter a neutron star, hacking at Luo Feng’s body, his hair, his eyelids, his very pupils…

To Luo Feng, however, it felt merely like a gentle breeze.

“Luo Feng!” A figure materialized out of thin air in the distance and strode toward him.

“Martial Uncle!” Luo Feng looked up in surprise at the Lord of the Ice Peak. “How did you end up on the Universe Ark too?”

After the battle with the Lord of Yuan Ao, he and the Lord of the Ice Peak had joined forces to seize the Silken Thread Diagram, sharing the experience of fighting a common enemy. Furthermore, Luo Feng had helped the Lord of the Ice Peak… Combined with their Martial Uncle-Nephew relationship, the Lord of the Ice Peak, known throughout the outside world for being cold and unapproachable, treated him with considerable warmth.

“Why wouldn’t I be here?” the Lord of the Ice Peak responded.

“No, I mean, isn’t our Human Race primarily based in the Tilted Peak Realm in the sea of chaos?” Luo Feng asked. “So, I assumed Martial Uncle would be at Tilted Peak Realm.”

“It was indeed focused on Tilted Peak Realm before,” the Lord of the Ice Peak, Jie Feng, explained. “But you just contributed an extremely detailed map of a rather large section of the Universe Ark. The initial spoils from exploring a brand-new map are always greater, so naturally, many of our Human Race’s powerhouses were eager to rush over here. Besides…” The Giant Axe Creator also wanted to explore the Universe Ark after obtaining a supreme ultimate treasure and is currently emerging from Tilted Peak Realm. At his speed, it should take him only a century or two to reach the Ark.”

“The Giant Axe Creator isn't exploring Tilted Peak Realm anymore?” Luo Feng sounded surprised as he flew alongside the Lord of the Ice Peak.

“Perhaps he will continue exploring in the future.”

The Lord of the Ice Peak elaborated, “The deeper regions of the partial map we obtained during the battle with the Lord of Yuan Ao were never truly reached by the Giant Axe Creator. He was quite fortunate in an inner domain area… perhaps some other events occurred, but in the end, the Giant Axe Creator managed to obtain a supreme ultimate treasure.”

“Obtained in the inner domain?” Luo Feng was astonished. Supreme ultimate treasures usually appeared in the core regions; it was rare for them to manifest in the inner domain.

Of course, appearances in the inner domain weren't impossible; even the ‘White Wings’ could appear near the edge where the water domain made contact with the mountainside. What truly was impossible?

“It was in the inner domain, which is why he’s coming out quickly,” the Lord of the Ice Peak continued. “For now, the focus of our Human Race is the Universe Ark. As for the unexplored areas of Tilted Peak Realm…” that will likely be postponed.”

Luo Feng understood.

The map he contributed covered a vastly larger area, whereas the segment obtained during the Yuan Ao battle was merely a few scattered pieces of the Silken Thread Diagram, describing fragmented areas without a complete route penetrating from the outer domain to the core region.

A moment later.

At a gash on the Universe Ark fragment, within a massive canyon—enormous from a human perspective—a white, dome-shaped divine hall had been constructed.

“When exploring the map regions of the Universe Ark, the objective is naturally the inner domain. Therefore, the peak military strength of our Human Race will arrive continuously,” the Lord of the Ice Peak said, heading toward the white divine hall. “Three have arrived already: myself, the Lord of Void Gold, and Lord Zhenma from my Hong Alliance. Including you, that makes four.”

“Lord Zhenma?” Luo Feng was surprised.

“After all, the Hong Alliance is an alliance. We will also prepare a simplified map, covering about twenty to thirty percent of it, based on the map you contributed, and give it to them,” the Lord of the Ice Peak said. “But remember, other races are still other races. Even within an alliance, we cannot share absolutely everything in our secrets one hundred percent. These secrets were hard-won by our Human Race; loyalty among non-our-kind might not be absolute. Many among them secretly trade with other factions.”

Luo Feng nodded.

Those alien races, for the sake of survival, would naturally prefer selling information for benefits when other powers pressured them. As long as no evidence was left behind, nothing could be traced. There were even historical instances where alien powerhouses dependent on humans defected from the Hong Alliance to join another bloc due to certain circumstances. Even human powerhouses, like Emperor Yan, had defected from humanity, let alone alien races leaving the Hong Alliance.

Luo Feng and the Lord of the Ice Peak communicated telepathically via divine power, imperceptible to the powerhouses inside the divine hall.

“Luo Feng, Ice Peak.”

“Galaxy Lord, Lord of the Ice Peak.”

Two figures appeared at the entrance of the hall, greeting Luo Feng and the Lord of the Ice Peak.

“Lord of Void Gold, Lord Zhenma,” Luo Feng greeted in return.

Since powerhouses like the Lord of the Ice Peak and the Lord of Void Gold weren't rushing inside but waiting for other human powerhouses, Luo Feng naturally didn't press ahead, waiting quietly. As days passed, human powerhouses arrived one after another—figures like the Lord of Peng Gong and the Lord of Desolate Mirror, pillars of the Human Race—all arriving successively.

One day.

Outside the divine hall, at the highest point of the canyon, Luo Feng and the Lord of Void Gold stood at the cliff edge, letting the fierce winds howl around them.

“Is there something you wish to discuss with me privately?” the Lord of Void Gold asked, his thick brows lowered, his aura steady as a mountain.

“Lord of Void Gold.”

Luo Feng began, “When my Earth lineage first emerged, there were three brothers: Hong was the eldest, and I was the third. I believe you are aware of this. Eldest Brother later became your disciple. Initially, I could still contact him, but he hasn’t appeared in a long time now, and I haven't been able to reach him. I don't know his current situation?”

“You mean Hong?” The Lord of Void Gold rarely showed a smile. “He truly is a genius, worthy of your eldest brother. His initial progress wasn't fast, but he is special. Most powerhouses slow down as they advance, but he is different. His early cultivation speed was not quick, yet he kept breaking through later on.”

Venerable Scorching Fire was a disciple of the Lord of Void Gold.

How fast did Venerable Scorching Fire cultivate?

Compared to him, Hong’s initial cultivation was indeed extremely slow.

“When he first joined my sect, besides excelling in willpower and illusionary realms, everything else about him was truly mediocre. He was the weakest among all my disciples,” the Lord of Void Gold stated. “But later, his progress managed to catch up to the average advancement rate of my many disciples. Tens of thousands of years ago, he went to train in that Sector Prison. Later, in the Sector Prison, he broke through to Immortal and reached the King level, taking the title Phantom Realm King. He was then directly taught by Giant Axe and entered Giant Axe’s miniature universe for cultivation. I know nothing more beyond that; you should ask Giant Axe.”

“In Giant Axe’s universe?” Luo Feng nodded. “It’s no wonder I couldn’t contact him.”

The Human Race possessed two miniature universes: the Primal Universe and Giant Axe’s universe.

The Primal Ancestor used an earth-shattering secret technique to create the Virtual Universe, which could propagate throughout the entire Primitive Universe! However, no matter how powerful, it could not penetrate the sea of chaos, thus failing to cover other miniature universes. The Primal Universe was an exception because it belonged to the Primal Ancestor, so it could still be covered by the propagation.

Therefore, the scope of the Virtual Universe encompassed the Primitive Universe plus the Primal Universe. Since Hong was in Giant Axe’s universe, contact was naturally impossible.

“But you can’t compare,” the Lord of Void Gold said, looking at Luo Feng. “In such a short time, you’ve already entered the ranks of Universe Masters…”

Luo Feng smiled faintly.

“But you are not suited to come to this Universe Ark,” the Lord of Void Gold continued. “Previously, when you adventured outside the outer domain of Tilted Peak Realm, figures like City Lord Chaos would rush to save you if you encountered danger, even if they entered the inner domain. But this time is different. This is exploration based on a newly acquired map, and many powerhouses will venture deep into the inner domain… If you encountered danger in the outer domain, they might not have time to rescue you.”

“It’s fine,” Luo Feng just started to say.

“I know you have those wings that control space and time,” the Lord of Void Gold shook his head. “But if you encounter an enemy possessing a peak-tier domain-type ultimate treasure, and they break your technique, you will truly be in danger! Although you have the ability to create avatars, if your avatar is killed, and your wing ultimate treasure and other valuable treasures are lost, the damage will be immense. I won’t say more; your ultimate treasures are your own business. I have no right to meddle if you choose to risk danger.”

Swish!

The Lord of Void Gold flew downward. Luo Feng stood at the cliff edge, looking down, feeling utterly speechless.

After waiting on the Universe Ark fragment for nearly a month, sixteen Universe Masters from the Hong Alliance gathered there and finally decided to set off.

Some would explore the outer domain.

Some would enter the inner domain.

“The inner domain is perilous! Even I could perish if I become careless,” a powerhouse from the Human Race flew out of the divine hall. City Lord Chaos admonished Luo Feng. “Those who dare enter the inner domain usually possess at least the standard of Ice Peak or Void Gold. Unless they have extremely powerful, heaven-defying life-saving abilities. You absolutely must not venture in recklessly.”

Luo Feng grimaced. He needed to go to the Pillar of Heaven Supporter to temper his willpower. He hadn't even mentioned that he planned to head toward the area of the Green Token in the future… which was already the fringe of the core region. If he dared to say he was going, City Lord Chaos would surely be furious.

“City Lord Chaos, Luo Feng is not a fool,” the Lord of Void Gold interjected from the side. “Even in the outer domain, he occasionally encounters danger. In the inner domain, setting aside alien powerhouses, the numerous dangers naturally born within the inner domain alone are not something he can overcome. Going there would be suicide. He won’t be that reckless.”

City Lord Chaos frowned slightly. “He is my disciple.”

The Lord of Void Gold’s lowered brow twitched slightly, and a faint smile touched his lips. “He is a member of our Human Race, and I only wish him well.”

“Let’s go!” The Lord of Peng Gong called out.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

One by one, they vanished via instantaneous movement. City Lord Chaos gave Luo Feng a concerned glance before teleporting away. Meanwhile, the Lord of Void Gold looked at Luo Feng with a strangely knowing smile, saying, “Don’t cause trouble. If you do, your teacher and I will be too busy in the inner domain to help you.” He then also teleported away.

Everyone departed, leaving only those preparing for the outer domain expeditions, some of whom called out, inviting Luo Feng to join their adventures.

“No, I will act alone.”

Luo Feng instantly teleported away.

It took him nearly twenty minutes of continuous teleportation to reach the surface of the massive, damaged Universe Ark. According to the map left by Jie Fanzi and the original maps held by the Human Race, there were over a hundred routes leading into the inner domain. The human powerhouses naturally dispersed, while Luo Feng’s destination was the Pillar of Heaven Supporter… He naturally chose a route that was relatively close and had fewer dangerous areas.

“According to projections, this route contains 892 terrifying dangerous zones.”

“Some relatively safer spots can be traversed using instant movement, but extremely dangerous zones must be flown through slowly. It will take me about 500 to 600 years to reach the Pillar of Heaven Supporter.”

“Advance!”

Luo Feng shot directly toward a vast, dark, damaged entrance below, entangled by a massive amount of vines. This entrance was a giant fissure, approximately 280,000 light-years long, up to 92 light-years wide at its broadest point. Giant vines climbed the periphery, and countless ice crystals lined the edge of the rift.

Whoosh. Luo Feng dove into the depths of the dark, cold great rift…