The Purple Moon Progenitor frowned slightly, observing the candidates he had been meticulously watching all fall silent, one by one. The demise of the Lord of Insect-Deer, upon whom he had placed the greatest hope, caused his expression to visibly shift.
“Failed?” The Purple Moon Progenitor frowned. “Who obtained it? That Primitive Universe human, or Dong Emperor? Or some other lucky faction?”
The Purple Moon Progenitor felt a surge of anxiety; he couldn't yet pinpoint who had secured the inheritance, though the odds heavily favored the human from the Primitive Universe.
“Whether it is me or Dong Emperor, we desperately need this Duan Dong River lineage inheritance!” the Purple Moon Progenitor mused internally. “That human Galaxy Master or Dong Emperor Universe’s Azure Blood Venerable—it is almost certainly one or the other.”
“These two are the most likely candidates. Dong Emperor certainly knows who obtained the inheritance.” The Purple Moon Progenitor nodded faintly. “I must closely watch the movements of the Dong Emperor Holy Land, or simply see if Luo Feng is still alive to know for sure.”
Within a dimensional space in the Dong Emperor Holy Land Universe.
On the towering ancient tree, the candidates who had been sitting cross-legged on enormous leaves all slumped, their divine bodies suddenly weak, collapsing onto the foliage. Some corpses even slipped off the leaves, plunging downward, colliding with other leaves on their descent.
“Hmph!” Dong Emperor, faintly emanating a green light, saw his face darken dramatically, letting out a furious snort.
He stared intently at the corpse of Azure Blood Venerable lying on a nearby leaf, his expression grim. He murmured low, “Human Galaxy Master Luo Feng?”
The instantaneous annihilation of the candidates sent shockwaves through the entire Universe Sea. The Duan Dong River lineage inheritance was coveted by nearly a hundred powers within the Sea, as it represented the method and opportunity for transcendence from the cycle of reincarnation.
“Who—who got it?”
“Was it the humans or the Dong Emperor Holy Land?”
“Which side ultimately secured the inheritance?”
All major powers in the Universe Sea were anxious and bewildered. Except for the Dong Emperor Holy Land, no one had a firm grasp. Since they knew Azure Blood Venerable was dead, there was a ninety-nine percent chance the Human Galaxy Master had won!
“I have broken through and become the successor of the Duan Dong River lineage.” Luo Feng sent an email through the virtual universe to the Giant Axe Creator and the City Lord of Chaos, then temporarily ignored the resulting shockwave this message caused among the human race’s high command, heading straight to meet Duan Dong River.
Pillars supported the three-dimensional phantom projection of the Rhino Emperor Array. Standing amidst this cluster of pillars was a figure clad in a white robe. Just as Luo Feng finished drafting the messages intended for the Giant Axe Creator and the City Lord of Chaos, the man in white smiled; he already knew the contents of the emails.
“This silent war in the Universe Sea, the war that decides the fate of our race... My human race... has won!” Yuan Zu smiled.
He knew.
Regardless of whether he himself could escape the looming suppression before the next reincarnation cycle brought destruction to the Primitive Universe, the human race was destined for limitless prospects. He was even highly confident that the Third Holy Land Universe would eventually belong to humanity.
Meanwhile, the emails had arrived at the Giant Axe Creator and the City Lord of Chaos.
The Inheritance Space.
“Other candidates… eliminated!” The cold, mechanical voice still echoed nearby. Luo Feng felt a premonition and turned to look into the distance. A figure flew towards him—it was Duan Dong River, dressed in robes of noble elegance.
Duan Dong River, at this moment, wore white armor laced with countless golden, starlike streaks of light. He trod on magnificent battle boots and wore a helmet, exuding an air of noble grandeur and high spirits.
“Lord Duan Dong River,” Luo Feng saluted respectfully.
“Do not call me ‘Lord,’” Duan Dong River chuckled, his smile incredibly carefree. “You may call me Master. I am the previous Duan Dong River, and you are the current one. I am your Master, and your guide.”
Duan Dong River glanced toward three icebergs in the distance and waved his hand. Whoosh—the three icebergs vanished into nothingness.
“Hm?” Luo Feng instinctively turned to look, a pang of heartache hitting him; those were treasures!
“Haha, the 820 basic inheritances—you can study them however you like later,” Duan Dong River laughed. “Those are trivial sidelines, mere diversions for when one is resting from cultivation. The core inheritance is what truly matters in my Duan Dong River lineage.”
The core inheritance?
Luo Feng felt a surge of anticipation.
“Follow me,” Duan Dong River flew straight out. A spatial exit hovered nearby, and Luo Feng quickly followed, the two moving one after the other.
As soon as they emerged, Luo Feng turned and saw a row of glowing spatial entrances suspended in mid-air.
“Conceal,” Duan Dong River swept his gaze over them, and every entrance vanished, making Luo Feng even more curious.
Duan Dong River smiled upon seeing his reaction. “This Inheritance Space is where successive Duan Dong Rivers received their legacy; it is a truly wondrous treasure, incomparably precious, far rarer than what you call ultimate treasures. In terms of uniqueness, it is far more extraordinary than some miniature universes. Naturally, it contains a vast number of independent plane spaces. With a single thought, I can manifest 820 pathways connecting those 820 independent plane spaces of the basic inheritances.”
Luo Feng nodded.
It seemed one could simply treat this Inheritance Space as a highly specialized miniature universe.
“Go!” Duan Dong River enveloped Luo Feng, using his absolute control over the entire Inheritance Space to transport Luo Feng deep within it.
Luo Feng felt the scenery shift abruptly. He found himself standing atop a mountain peak reaching into the endless heavens, gazing down only to see endless clouds swirling around the peak. These clouds resembled rivers, yet no solid ground was visible beneath them.
“Where is this?” Luo Feng asked in surprise.
“This is the highest apex of the main space of the Inheritance Space.” Duan Dong River’s voice suddenly became calm and solemn. “Look over there.”
Following the direction of Duan Dong River’s pointing finger, Luo Feng looked. Near the edge of the mountaintop stood a majestic human statue, carved in the likeness of a being with long, flowing hair and clad in battle robes, his gaze fixed into the distance.
It appeared to be a simple carving, yet after observing it for several seconds, Luo Feng faintly perceived the ‘might’ contained within this statue—a power that was transcendental, unique, and far beyond his current comprehension.
It was like speaking of ice to a summer insect; the inherent power contained within this statue clearly surpassed Luo Feng’s current level, so much so that he hadn't even sensed it at first glance.
“This is the Third Ancestor of my Duan Dong River lineage,” Duan Dong River said, his eyes full of reverence. “His name is Duan Dong Jue Sheng Wang.”
Luo Feng paused.
Duan Dong River, Jue Yi, Sheng Wang? What strange names.
“I am the Tenth Successor,” Duan Dong River continued. “My name is Duan Dong Zhen Wu!”
Luo Feng became even more confused.
Wasn't this Duan Dong River’s full name Duan Dong Wu?
“And your future name will be Duan Dong River Luo Feng!” Duan Dong River looked at Luo Feng. “Every successive Duan Dong River shares the same primary name; only the suffix changes. Before I became the 175th Duan Dong River, my name was Zhen Kan.”
Luo Feng suddenly understood.
The Third Ancestor’s original name must have been Jue Yi!
“The Third Ancestor…” Duan Dong River turned and looked up at the statue, his eyes filled with admiration. “He is the greatest existence in my Duan Dong River lineage. While the First Ancestor was powerful, in my civilization, he was merely counted as a super expert. The Second Ancestor was also... but the Third Ancestor was truly exceptional. He is the one who truly spread the name of my Duan Dong River lineage, and he himself stood among the absolute pinnacle.”
“Don’t tell me about your ‘Universe’s Strongest’ titles—in my homeland, that’s a laughing matter,” Duan Dong River shook his head. “Your so-called Universe’s Strongest is called a ‘True God’ in my homeland.”
“The ranks below True God—Immortal, Universe Venerable, Universe Master—their titles match ours. A True God, in my homeland, is merely the threshold to becoming a super expert.” Duan Dong River sighed. “Though considered an expert, he is still too far, far from the true peak. Even I have not reached that level.”
Luo Feng listened intently.
He was already stunned... So the title ‘Universe’s Strongest’ was called a ‘True God’ in that ancient civilization. No wonder the Godhead race’s Seven Great Lords had roared something about ‘True God’ and ‘Eternal True God’ when fighting the Giant Axe Creator.
“The Third Ancestor stood at the very peak,” Duan Dong River mused wistfully. “He was revered by countless experts and was long ago recognized as qualified to have the character ‘Sheng’ added to his name! And when he stood at the absolute peak... the character ‘Wang’ was added—King among Sages... the genuine pinnacle. As for me, I am still quite far from being revered enough to earn the title ‘Sheng.’ I only barely managed to be conferred the character ‘Wu.’”
Conferred? Wu?
It seemed this title was bestowed by others. But ‘Sheng’ and ‘Wang’ appeared to require recognition from countless experts.
“The Third Ancestor stood at the highest echelon. I perfected the inheritance for the Duan Dong River lineage, so even though subsequent successors could not be as heaven-defying as the Third Ancestor, my lineage’s inheritance has never been broken. Throughout all generations of successors, nine have earned the title of Sage! Even within the entire civilization, my Duan Dong River lineage ranks among the strongest inheritances.”
Luo Feng was secretly astonished.
He had been incredibly fortunate. An inheritance capable of producing an existence at the ultimate peak, with such profound foundations, truly deserved to be called one of the strongest inheritances.
“Come, bow to the Third Ancestor,” Duan Dong River instructed. “Only then will you officially become the 176th successor.”
Luo Feng nodded and stepped forward to the black, silk-woven cushion set aside for kneeling, immediately lowering himself, and then bowed his head once.
Thud!
His head struck the stone!
Immediately, the black silk cushion where Luo Feng knelt erupted with boundless black light, swiftly surging into his body. Simultaneously, the imposing statue of the Third Ancestor released white light, shining directly down upon Luo Feng.
“Inherit!” Duan Dong River watched the scene silently, a look of relief spreading across his face. This seemingly simple act of kneeling was, in fact, the most crucial step of inheritance in the entire Duan Dong River lineage.
“Ah!!!”
Even Luo Feng’s will involuntarily let out a painful roar. Furthermore, a strand of black light and a strand of white light interwove and became firmly embedded in his brow center, as a strange inheritance imprint began to form...
Seeing this imprint, Duan Dong River’s whole body trembled slightly, thinking silently, Duan Dong River, Luo Feng. From this moment on, you are Duan Dong River.
It’s Monday again! I still have to shout for recommendation votes and tomatoes; please support me!