The Lord of Light Goes Deep, Negotiations Begin in the Primal Universe!

"Here we go again?"

Tiga felt the terrifying aura drawing ever closer, his eyes filled with exhaustion.

In the less than ten years since he stepped into the Boundless Heavenly Pool, he had lost count of how many times he had been attacked by these strange creatures.

Logically speaking, the three great forbidden lands rarely harbored life forms, but there were always exceptions.

Within the three great forbidden lands, there existed creatures that were not attached to any universe.

For instance, in the waters of the Inclined Peak Realm, there was a peculiar creature known as a "Water Spirit," most of which possessed the combat power of a Universe Master.

Although they were only at the first tier, they were vast in number and skilled in group combat, posing a significant threat to some Universe Masters who had just arrived to explore.

And here in the Boundless Heavenly Pool, Tiga had encountered similar life forms.

However, unlike the Water Spirits, the life forms here were more like a manifestation of the laws of water.

They mostly fought alone, though their strength was far superior to that of the Water Spirits.

Sensing the aura closing in, Tiga condensed a blade of light in his hand. The moment the water-based creature approached, he shattered its core in an instant, and its form dissolved into a part of the Boundless Heavenly Pool.

Tiga then tucked its core away.

"A core comparable to an ordinary treasure. Though it has little use, if I hand it over to my junior brother, it should add to the foundation of our human race!"

Tiga said, continuing to advance into the depths of the water.

From time to time, he encountered similar water-based life forms, almost all of which were defeated by a single strike, their core components harvested.

There were also unknown boulders and ice crystals that would suddenly appear before Tiga through spatial rifts, all of which he dodged one by one.

"As expected of the most mysterious Flowing Heavy Mountain. To think that even a mere Boundless Heavenly Pool would have such conditions?"

Flowing Heavy Mountain was not just filled with various crises; its most famous feature was actually the illusion maze formed by its Cloud Realm.

And as one of the birthplaces of the Cloud Realm, the Boundless Heavenly Pool naturally held some unspeakable secrets.

"Lord of Radiance? Aren't you in..."

Suddenly, a voice rang out, drawing Tiga's attention. Tiga looked toward the sound and saw a familiar figure.

It was the Star Crystal Lord, a special life form from the second cycle era.

He was also one of the few close friends Tiga had made during his many years of wandering the Universe Sea.

"Star Crystal Lord? Why are you here?"

Tiga was taken aback upon seeing the Star Crystal Lord, and the two gradually drew closer.

"Sigh! Five hundred years ago, during a treasure scramble in the Cloud Realm, I offended a powerhouse from the God Eye Clan.

Who would have thought he was a disciple of the Green-Eyed True Lord? I panicked and fled, and then... sigh!"

The Star Crystal Lord looked utterly dejected, but upon hearing this, Tiga's expression turned somewhat solemn.

Green-Eyed True Lord?

The sixth True God of the God Eye Clan!

He was also the third strongest powerhouse currently in the God Eye Clan.

However, given Tiga's current strength, defeating him would be relatively easy; if not for the harsh conditions required to kill a True God, Tiga would have enough confidence to finish him off.

"Come to think of it, why are you here? Didn't you say five hundred years ago that you were going to the Universe Boat?" the Star Crystal Lord asked.

"Indeed, but on my way to the Universe Boat, I encountered the Blood Shadow Palace Master and traded for a map of the Flowing Heavy Mountain from him.

I thought I'd come and take a look, following the map's guidance, wouldn't you say?"

Tiga's identity in the Universe Sea was that of a special life form from the Primal Universe of this current cycle.

Belial was the same!

It was precisely because of this identity that he was befriended by several guardian lords of the second cycle era.

Of course, Tiga knew full well how much of that was genuine.

"You have a map?"

Hearing this, an expression of excitement appeared on the Star Crystal Lord's face, but looking at his old friend of many years, he temporarily set aside his covetous heart.

In less than half a cycle, this man had already become a peer to fifth-tier Universe Masters.

He even had a chance to transcend the cycle!

For powerhouses like them, who still had more than a full cycle to wait, it wasn't worth turning hostile over a map.

Moreover, he knew deep down that with his own strength, even if he launched a sneak attack, he would never be a match for Tiga.

"What do you plan to do? Are you going out, or..."

Tiga's intention was clear enough; the Boundless Heavenly Pool was fraught with danger, and he couldn't be careful about everything.

Bringing along the Star Crystal Lord, whose strength wasn't too bad, would at least allow him to avoid some common crises.

As for a backstab?

Star Crystal Lord was no fool; otherwise, Tiga would have killed him long ago, and there would be no room for such talk.

"I might as well accompany you on this trip!"

For Star Crystal Lord, neither choice was bad; regardless, without a map, it would take a significant amount of effort for him to leave this place.

And by following Tiga, he might even be able to pick up some scraps along the way.

If he happened to stumble upon some hidden inheritance, he would strike it rich.

"Fine, then follow me!"

Seeing that Star Crystal Lord had agreed, Tiga didn't waste any more words and continued deeper into the Boundless Heavenly Pool.

Star Crystal Lord also brought out his own peak palace-type supreme treasure, the Star God Palace, and followed closely behind Tiga.

On the other side, in the Primal Universe, the tense situation that had persisted for nearly a thousand years collapsed on its own due to Giant Axe's breakthrough.

At the border of the four races' territories, Giant Axe stood holding his supreme treasure, the Heaven Opening Axe, looking proudly at the other four universe supreme masters.

"Everyone, let's talk!"

Giant Axe had always been a powerhouse among the universe masters. Even before his breakthrough, with the help of Original Ancestor and Noah, as well as his own insight, he had created the Tier 7 secret technique Heaven Opening.

After breaking through to become a universe supreme master, his realm reached Tier 8. Relying on his improved secret technique and the amplification of his supreme treasure, he could even hold his own against Original Ancestor if he were still around.

(Note: Original Ancestor would fight Giant Axe with his pinky finger.)

"My Machine Race is willing to compensate with resources equivalent to the value of one peak supreme treasure, as well as one star sector!" The strongest among the three races, Mechanical Father God, spoke first. "However, the human side must release the universe venerables of my Machine Race that have been sealed!"

"Agreed. One ordinary supreme treasure for a low-level venerable, two for a mid-level venerable, one high-level supreme treasure for a high-level venerable, and at least one top-level supreme treasure for a hegemon-level!

As for top-tier hegemons... on top of the hegemon-level price, I want triple. That's very fair!"

Giant Axe Founder agreed to Mechanical Father God's request without a second thought.

Upon hearing this, a blue light flashed in Mechanical Father God's eyes, and he nodded, releasing a peak supreme treasure from his possession.

"I will have Hengxian Master negotiate the remaining items with your side!"

As the words fell, the figure of Mechanical Father God vanished into the space of the universe!

"Alright, Empress, you two from the Monster Race, let's continue!"