Between Life and Death

Virtual Universe, Island No. 10720, spectator stands.

"Th-this... I haven't seen someone comprehend even a trace of an Origin Law in a life-and-death battle with my own eyes in decades."

"No suspense now. Under normal circumstances, if someone comprehends a trace of an Origin Law during a Universe Level life-and-death battle, they win immediately. Lin Yuan only survived that last blow thanks to his dual Domains and their high level of mastery. One of them was the Domain of Earth, too. Otherwise, he'd already be dead."

"Which one of you jinxed it? Give me my money back! Still, today's visit was worth it. Seeing a moment like that in a Great Axe Life-Death Battle—what a rush!"

"Heh! I told you Kailan would win. Next time, you'd better all bet on Kailan!"

"Wait..."

"Something's not right. Hss—"

"Holy crap!"

On that Flame Planet in the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom.

Lin Yuan lay on the ground, gravely wounded.

Kailan pressed his advantage and sent the Firebird swooping toward him. He had no intention of giving Lin Yuan another chance to catch his breath.

The threat of death closed in on Lin Yuan.

At that moment, every cell in his body struggled for survival. Under the crushing shadow of imminent death, Lin Yuan's soul seemed to burst apart. Time stretched endlessly, and his thoughts raced.

I can't die yet... What kind of stupid transmigration is this? The world is so vast, and I haven't even seen any of it... Lin Yuan seethed.

Between life and death lay both great terror and great opportunity.

"Break!"

At the brink of death, Lin Yuan took that step.

Enduring the pain wracking his body, Lin Yuan swung the Giant Axe in his hand. A faint, earthy-yellow light clung to its blade, making it heavier. He had clearly drawn on a trace of the Law of Earth Origin, and the defensive power of his Domain of Earth surged.

"So this is the Law of Earth Origin..."

Lin Yuan savored the wondrous feeling of comprehending a Universe Origin Law for the first time.

With a single blow, he sent the Firebird flying.

Kailan froze, then recalled what had just happened. A lingering fear gripped him.

The Domain Lord Level supervisor outside the planet stared wide-eyed. He had never seen anything like this either.

Lin Yuan's thoughts raced. He had comprehended a trace of the Law of Earth Origin and combined it with his dual Domains. Even if Kailan had now comprehended a trace of the Law of Fire Origin, he still couldn't break through Lin Yuan's defenses.

But Lin Yuan was badly wounded and couldn't instantly burst into speed to close in on Kailan. What could he do? Try to outlast him? He'd been a slave, so his energy reserves couldn't compare to his opponent's...

Suddenly, a roulette wheel appeared in Lin Yuan's mind, marked with numbers from 0 to 37.

His Golden Finger?

Information poured into Lin Yuan's mind. The gist was:

[Lucky Roulette (Universe Level). This Golden Finger activates upon comprehending any Universe Origin Law. Each breakthrough in Origin Law Comprehension, cultivation level, or willpower grants one draw. The wheel's rewards range from 0 to 37. 0 is a special reward, 1 to 10 are rare rewards, and 11 to 37 are common rewards.]

[You have one draw. Would you like to...]

"Draw! Hurry up! Don't ask."

The roulette wheel in Lin Yuan's mind began spinning. A small ball rolled into the track around its edge... It stopped at number 28.

[You have received the No. 28 Common Reward: 5% Lower Origin Law Comprehension. Claim it? If...]

"Claim it!"

[Since you have only comprehended a trace of the Law of Earth Origin, the reward has automatically been converted into 5% Law of Earth Origin Comprehension.]

Whoosh!

A surge of Law fluctuations flooded Lin Yuan's consciousness and the core of his soul, imprinting itself deep within. The insights contained in those fluctuations became second nature, as if he had always possessed them.

Lin Yuan had crossed the threshold of the Law of Earth Origin.

All of this happened in Lin Yuan's mind in a mere instant in the real world.

Kailan had just regained control of the Firebird formed by the Fire Cloud Shuttle and sent it flying toward Lin Yuan again.

Boom!

The heavy Domain of Earth spread out, ten times stronger than it had been at the start of the life-and-death battle.

Within that Domain, Kailan suddenly felt insignificant.

With the last of his strength, Lin Yuan gripped the Giant Axe and charged at Kailan in the sky.

"No—"

The Giant Axe swept down, separating head from body.

Kailan was dead.

Virtual Universe, Great Axe Arena Life-Death Battle Plane, Island No. 10720.

The spectator stands fell silent.

To the audience, Lin Yuan's comprehension of a trace of an Origin Law at the brink of death should have made the fight unpredictable once more. But Lin Yuan had instantly unleashed the power of someone who had crossed the threshold of an Origin Law, killing Kailan in one blow.

Once the spectators came to their senses, the stands erupted.

"That's insane!"

"Th-this can't be right. Had Lin Yuan already crossed the threshold of the Law of Earth Origin? I clearly saw him comprehend a trace of the Law of Earth Origin during the fight!"

"You saw correctly. He hadn't comprehended an Origin Law before."

"So he went straight from comprehending a trace of an Origin Law to crossing its threshold in an instant."

"Wow! What a headline! How many eras has it been since we saw a Great Axe Life-Death Battle like this? What a sight!"

"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! I'd say those two million Universe Coins were worth it for the roller-coaster ride."

In a private box on the second floor.

Hass grinned from ear to ear.

"Impressive. Could this be another Giant Axe Warrior? What a windfall!"

Outside the Flame Planet, the Domain Lord Level supervisor in charge of the life-and-death battle sent part of his consciousness into the Virtual Universe.

On an island belonging to the Nine Flames Universe Kingdom Branch of the Great Axe Arena.

"Lord Bart, I have something to report."

"Oh? What is it?"

A tall man with two rows of scales on his face looked down at his subordinate.

Lightning flickered in the man's eyes, and a lightning mark sat between his brows. He was Bart, a World Lord who had earned the recognition of an Origin Law and supervised dozens of islands, including Island No. 10720.

As a supervisor, he occasionally oversaw Domain Lord Level Great Axe Life-Death Battles as well.

Even in the Virtual Universe, the World Lord's gaze made his subordinate's soul shiver.

"My lord, I just supervised a Great Axe Life-Death Battle and found a promising talent. I'll play the recording for you."

The recording of the battle began.

Bart rubbed his chin.

"Hmm... Hmm?"

"This young man has deep foundations and exploded with power all at once. He's a genius in the Law of Earth. At his current level, becoming a Universe Level Giant Axe Warrior will be no trouble at all."

"Not bad. When he reaches his thousandth match, I'll personally pick an opponent for him. If he can win, bring him to see me."

"Yes, my lord."

The Domain Lord Level supervisor then left the Virtual Universe Network.

On the Flame Planet.

The Domain Lord supervisor gave instructions to the staff.

"Give him basic treatment, then put him in a Nutrient Pod to recover."

"Use the model that works fastest."

"Yes, sir."

These Nutrient Pods, specially prepared for the powerful fighters in life-and-death battles, supplied only enough energy to restore the body.

"This young man might become an Outer Member of the Great Axe Arena someday. Then he'll be my colleague."

Watching Lin Yuan being carried away, the Domain Lord thought to himself. He had no idea what it meant to cross the threshold of an Origin Law outright.

Inside the Nutrient Pod, Lin Yuan opened his eyes and gradually regained consciousness.

After instantly killing Kailan in the battle, Lin Yuan's body relaxed. His injuries were too severe, and he had passed out.

As soon as his consciousness returned, a message appeared in his mind.

[Your comprehension of the Law of Earth Origin has crossed the threshold of an Origin Law. You have received one draw. Would you like to draw?]

"Draw," Lin Yuan thought.

...The small ball stopped at number 17.

[Congratulations! You have received the No. 17 Common Reward: one Golden Leaf from the Kras Ancient Tree.]

Lin Yuan froze, then gave a wry smile.

After all that hardship, it seemed his good days really were about to begin.