Refining the Cosmic Crystal (Seeking Follow-ups)

Cosmic Crystals are a universal currency throughout the Primordial Universe.

A one-cubic-meter Cosmic Crystal can be divided into a thousand pieces, each ten centimeters in size, also known as one Cosmic Coin.

For a Star Grade second-order martial artist like Xuan Gang, owning a single Cosmic Crystal was an extreme luxury.

But what shocked Wu Sheng wasn't that—it was what this Cosmic Crystal represented.

Because Xuan Gang's three children had been forcibly taken for a trial, he had "received" this Cosmic Crystal as compensation.

One could say this Cosmic Crystal embodied his spiritual hope for his three children, yet now he was giving it to Wu Sheng, telling him to refine it.

"No, I can't take this! It's too precious for you. You don't need to do this for someone like me."

Wu Sheng shook his head repeatedly, even stepping back a few paces.

In his past life, he had been a cold-blooded killer who never experienced anything called family affection. That had left him in this life wooden and withdrawn, sometimes even actively fleeing the Stone Courtyard to find a secluded patch of grass and sit alone.

He never expected that in this blood-soaked Prison Clan, he would encounter such an alien man, one who not only treated him like his own son but also brought out such a precious Cosmic Crystal.

"Listen!"

Xuan Gang's brow furrowed, revealing a rare stern authority.

"I've taken this thing out, and I'm certainly not taking it back. If you don't refine it, I'll smash it to pieces right here. Then you go your way, I'll go mine, and we'll have nothing to do with each other from now on."

Xuan Gang's words made Wu Sheng freeze, standing there dumbfounded, not knowing what to say.

"Why can't you see it? Things are dead, people are alive. If you're gone, what meaning would having countless Cosmic Crystals have for me? Be good for once, listen to me this time, or I won't feel at ease letting you go!"

Xuan Gang's eyes softened again. After speaking, he simply patted Wu Sheng's little head affectionately and then left directly.

Wu Sheng looked at this dazzling Cosmic Crystal, his heart trembling involuntarily.

Usually, Xuan Gang would occasionally take out some treasures to speed up his cultivation, which had allowed him to reach Planet Grade third-order in both Primal Force and mental power within eighteen years. But he had started out on guard.

As time passed, especially with this Cosmic Crystal placed so generously before his eyes, he truly broke down.

For the first time, he felt how wonderful family affection was!

"Thank you!"

Wu Sheng murmured those two words, looking at the Deep Blue Crystal before him. His icy heart seemed to be tinged with a layer of brilliant color.

Three months later, Wu Sheng sat cross-legged on his small bed, cultivating with full focus.

By now, his strength had reached Planet Grade fifth-order. Not only his internal Primal Force but also his mental power had reached the same level.

Being able to advance so quickly in three months was due not only to him being a Special Lifeform but also to that Cosmic Crystal and this treacherous land.

The Cosmic Crystal needed no further explanation—it contained the most primordial energy of the Primordial Universe, the very foundation for evolving all things in heaven and earth.

And as a Special Lifeform personally nurtured by the Primordial Universe, Wu Sheng could achieve maximum efficiency when using such a luxurious treasure as the Cosmic Crystal for cultivation.

As for this treacherous land, in Wu Sheng's view, it should be a special cosmic secret realm. Although this secret realm didn't contain much primordial universe energy, for a little Planet Grade fellow like him, it offered boundless benefits.

"Not bad, your talent is truly excellent. Even breaking through to Sky Grade or even Nirvana is highly promising. It's a pity..."

Xuan Gang had somehow entered the room, looking quite satisfied with Wu Sheng's current state.

It was just that this adopted son of his was a bit too reckless. Even with Earth Grade fifth-order strength, in Xuan Gang's eyes, participating in the Blood Trial still carried great risk.

Prison Clan members born in this treacherous land generally had decent talent, reaching at least Planet Grade upon adulthood.

Although most were ordinary sorts who would muddle along at the Planet Grade realm their whole lives, there were still many geniuses who emerged.

Ordinary Prison Clan members could basically advance to Planet Grade through either Genetic Primal Force or mental power alone. But to advance to Star Grade, they had to possess both powers simultaneously.

Take Xuan Gang, for example. Though he was a Star Grade second-order martial artist, he had also awakened telekinesis at Planet Grade, which allowed him to break through to Star Grade. He was called a martial artist only because he mainly cultivated Primal Force and excelled at close combat. His telekinesis hadn't reached Star Grade yet and was mostly used for support.

But to truly break through to the highest realm, Genetic Primal Force and mental willpower had to advance together (except for non-soul-type lifeforms).

Because when a Domain Lord broke through from Ninth Order to Realm Lord, the power born from the Life Core within the body was only one kind—World Force.

For a Realm Lord, materialized World Force could be used for physical attack and defense, while its ethereal form was used for Soul Attack and defense.

By the time one reached Immortal, World Force would completely merge with the soul's origin pearl (life imprint), transforming into Immortal divine power.

In short, Genetic Primal Force and mental power were equally important. Starting from Star Grade, the further one went, the more they tended toward balance, until finally fusing into one and resonating with the Origin Land, transforming into World Force.

Now, both powers within Wu Sheng were maintained at the same level. In Xuan Gang's view, not only could Wu Sheng break through to Earth Grade, but becoming a Nirvana powerhouse (Cosmic Level) was also practically certain.

That was why he regretted Wu Sheng's decision to participate in the Blood Trial.

Going in so early was still too risky!

But Wu Sheng could only smile helplessly at this. He was a Special Lifeform, after all—both powers within him naturally advanced together. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to keep breaking through all the way to becoming a peak Realm Lord.

"Alright, let's go! An executive lord is arriving today to take you away. From now on, the road ahead is yours alone to walk."

Xuan Gang looked at Wu Sheng with a sigh, then turned and led the way outside.

Above the territory of this Wu Gang Clan, a circular spaceship five hundred meters in diameter and thirty meters high hovered, glinting with specks of blood-red light under the blood sun in the sky.

Clang!

The circular hatch of the spaceship opened, and a burly, purple-armored humanoid figure, fat of build, with four horns sprouting from his head and a face covered in black demonic runes, stepped out and slowly descended onto this crimson land.

"The population on this star fragment is still so sparse. Terrible, really. At this rate, Blood Sun might be somewhat displeased! But that's none of my concern—I'm only here to collect people."

The four-horned man glanced at the many figures below and couldn't help muttering a few words to himself.

He was the one responsible for taking away the stewards participating in the trial. Of course, if he couldn't gather enough people or meet the target, he would also order forced captures.

"Lord Steward, I am the clan leader of this branch of the Wu Gang Clan. We've met before..."

The Wu Gang Clan's Star Grade Ninth Order clan leader approached with a fawning smile, but before he could finish speaking, the four-horned man cut him off impatiently:

"Enough, why spout so much nonsense! Have you gathered the people I need?"