The Curtain Rises

"Rumble..."

A powerful wave quickly swept across the entire Flowing Cloud Sea.

The three Flowing Cloud Vortices, which had remained calm for a hundred years, suddenly began to spin faster. To everyone's astonishment, they also started rapidly drawing closer together.

"Hmm, what's going on?"

The powerful wave drew the attention of the many experts present. They soon noticed the abnormal behavior of the Flowing Cloud Vortices.

In an instant, nearly a hundred Universe Masters focused their attention on the vortices.

"This... This has never been recorded in history, has it? The Flowing Cloud Vortices have never behaved like this before, right?"

Four Universe Masters with phantom God Eyes behind them appeared above a Spire Palace. It floated in midair, with lush green vines climbing its walls and giving it a distinctly ancient air.

"Indeed, there's no record of it... With such an unusual disturbance, perhaps the Supreme Treasure emerging this time is even more extraordinary... Pure Eye, notify the Sixth True Master at once."

"Understood."

Lord Pure Eye immediately contacted the Sixth True Master, who had been assigned to follow the matter for their race.

"Pure Eye, notify me immediately if a more valuable Supreme Treasure appears," the Sixth True Master quickly ordered.

The most valuable Supreme Treasure ever found in the Flowing Cloud Sea had been a Peak Domain Type Supreme Treasure. Anything more valuable would be a special Supreme Treasure second only to a Supreme True Treasure.

For example, something comparable to the Mad Demon God-Extinguishing Armor, or an even more valuable "Strange Object."

Either one would be enough to make every force outside the Holy Land Universes clamor for it.

"It's worth making a move this time. I'll head over first... If it really is a valuable treasure, I'll have the others come support me." The Sixth True Master spoke to himself as he transformed into a blur and left his Miniature Universe.

"If anything happens, we'll notify you immediately, True Master."

After receiving the Sixth True Master's orders, Lord Pure Eye quickly replied and relayed them to his three companions.

The Universe Masters the God Eye Race had sent this time had all been drawn from nearby locations within Universe Boat. Aside from Lord Jueyun, who had already been stationed in the Flowing Cloud Sea, they included Lord Pure Eye from the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space, and the married pair Lord Ying'ai and Lord Wuliang, who were likewise stationed in another dangerous region deep within Universe Boat's Inner Domain, the Flame Ice Domain.

Among the four, Lord Pure Eye and Lord Wuliang excelled at soul attacks, Lord Ying'ai specialized in close combat, and Lord Jueyun was skilled at ranged attacks and domain techniques. Working together, they were nearly without equal among Universe Masters.

But this treasure hunt wasn't a one-on-one duel. It was a chaotic battle involving dozens of Universe Masters, and the God Eye Race's identity made them particularly conspicuous. If they weren't careful and came under attack, they could only retreat inside their Palace Supreme Treasure.

So the four God Eye Race Universe Masters quickly began discussing their tactics.

Meanwhile, the three Flowing Cloud Vortices drew ever closer. Fierce, cold winds raged across the surrounding space for hundreds of light-years, carrying vast quantities of Eternal Freeze Cold Qi.

The many Universe Masters immediately began dodging at high speed.

"Ah!"

A shrill scream rang out. One Universe Master failed to dodge in time and was struck by no fewer than three streams of Eternal Freeze Cold Qi.

The unlucky Universe Master was instantly frozen into ice shards.

The many experts nearby couldn't help but grow wary. Lord Banyan Fire, in particular, didn't even wait to recover his strength before joining Lord Ripple Crystal in keeping watch. Qing Huan flew over to them as well, helping the two block some of the Eternal Freeze Cold Qi they couldn't evade.

"Whoosh!"

The outer edges of the three Flowing Cloud Vortices soon collided.

"Boom!"

A violent blast erupted, and vast quantities of Eternal Freeze Cold Qi scattered in every direction. It filled the area so densely that, except in a few directions where it was less concentrated, there was nowhere to dodge.

Qing Huan's expression changed at the sight. He hurriedly called out to the two, "You two, don't resist!"

As he spoke, he waved a hand, intending to draw them into his World Ring.

Lord Banyan Fire and Lord Ripple Crystal were already stunned by what they saw, so naturally, they didn't resist Qing Huan.

Whoosh!

Qing Huan pulled the two Universe Masters into his World Ring. The next instant, the endless Eternal Freeze Cold Qi struck him.

A crimson battle armor appeared, and black flames engulfed Qing Huan's body.

With no other experts nearby, Qing Huan didn't need to hide his Supreme Treasure.

" Hiss..."

The Eternal Freeze Cold Qi easily pierced the black flames, frosting the battle armor over. But the Peak Treasure Armor reduced its power to one ten-thousandth, leaving the remaining damage no more than an itch to Qing Huan.

The other experts weren't nearly so fortunate.

The densely packed Eternal Freeze Cold Qi reaped lives with ease. In an instant, with only a handful of lucky survivors, nearly every Universe Master without Peak Supreme Treasure protection was frozen into ice shards.

Of the nearly hundred Universe Masters originally gathered in the Flowing Cloud Sea, only a little over forty remained.

Of course, not one of the twenty-five Universe Masters from the Peak Races had fallen.

Six of the seven Peak Race teams carried at least one Peak Palace Supreme Treasure. When the Eternal Freeze Cold Qi swept through, the Universe Masters from those Peak Races naturally took shelter inside.

Only the Monster Race from the Primal Universe was relatively poor and lacked a Peak Palace Supreme Treasure. But one member of its team had a Peak Treasure Armor. At the critical moment, Lord Miejin, who wore it, did as Qing Huan had and pulled his two companions into his World Ring, saving their lives.

"As expected of a Peak Race that has survived an entire Reincarnation Era. They're much richer than my Monster Race." Lord Miejin looked enviously at the Palace Supreme Treasures floating in several directions.

The Monster Race's only Peak Palace Supreme Treasure was the Holy Sound Ship, which it had previously handed over to Shi Yan as compensation. It was now in the God Eye Race's possession.

Given how overbearing the God Eye Race was, it certainly wouldn't return the treasure to the Monster Race.

As he thought about this, Lord Miejin quickly informed Demon Ancestor Zhen of the situation in the Flowing Cloud Sea.

"Ancestor, things are complicated in the Flowing Cloud Sea. With just the few of us, we'll be in serious danger," Lord Miejin sent to Demon Ancestor Zhen.

Of the seven Peak Race teams, the Monster Race was the weakest. Lord Miejin was at the peak of the Fourth Order, while the other two Universe Masters were at the Fourth Order.

Working together, the three could handle one or two Fifth Order experts at most. They couldn't compare with the other Peak Races, and the Monster Race team might not even be able to deal with some lone Universe Masters.

"Meng Cha and I are already near the Flowing Cloud Sea. As for the treasure, do your best. If you encounter danger, send me a message at any time. We'll come to your aid immediately," Demon Ancestor Zhen quickly replied.

In fact, it wasn't just Lord Miejin. All the teams with a Universe Supreme Being backing them were contacting their own Universe Supreme Beings in the Flowing Cloud Sea.

Meanwhile, after colliding, the three Flowing Cloud Vortices gradually merged into one. A gigantic vortex more than ten light-years across slowly took shape, and a dark green glow faintly shone from within.

"The Supreme Treasure is about to emerge!"

The surrounding Universe Masters realized what was happening at once.

But even now, the Eternal Freeze Cold Qi still swirling around hadn't abated at all as the Flowing Cloud Vortices merged. In this situation, the experts without Peak Supreme Treasure protection could only stay inside their World Rings or take shelter in a Palace Supreme Treasure. The number of Universe Masters able to move around outside dropped sharply once again.

"Liu Yan, why don't we just leave? No one knows what's inside the Flowing Cloud Vortex. We're weak and have few treasures. We might as well give up."

Inside the World Ring, Lord Banyan Fire and Lord Ripple Crystal both sent Qing Huan a message.

The two were relying on Qing Huan for protection, so naturally, they didn't want to see him take risks. Besides, even if Qing Huan really obtained a Supreme Treasure, they hadn't done anything this time. According to the terms they'd agreed on beforehand, the treasure would certainly go to Qing Huan.

Neither of them wanted to risk their lives without getting anything in return.

"It's fine. Eternal Freeze Cold Qi isn't exactly a roadside cabbage. The collision of the Flowing Cloud Vortices scattered so much of it that the concentration inside is probably even lower than it was when the vortices were separate."

Unmoved by their attempts to dissuade him, Qing Huan flew straight toward the Flowing Cloud Vortex.

"..."

Lord Banyan Fire and Lord Ripple Crystal were helpless, but they were relying on Qing Huan now, so they didn't dare say more. All they could do was fret inside the World Ring.

Qing Huan, however, paid them no mind. As he drew closer to the Flowing Cloud Vortex, other forces gradually came into view.

Every one of those teams was headed for the enormous Flowing Cloud Vortex.

The dark green light inside the vortex continued to grow brighter, and the Supreme Treasure's emergence drew nearer.

At last, the experts arrived one after another near the colossal Flowing Cloud Vortex and plunged inside.

Just as Qing Huan had expected, the Eternal Freeze Cold Qi inside the Flowing Cloud Vortex was far less dense than it was outside. It was still denser than in most places throughout the Flowing Cloud Sea, but it had fallen to a level they could dodge.

Qing Huan waved a hand, and Lord Banyan Fire and Lord Ripple Crystal appeared beside him.

Both of them looked glum.

"Liu Yan, things are so dangerous this time. Wouldn't it be better to wait at the edge of the Flowing Cloud Sea until we can leave safely? No matter how good the treasure is, you need to be alive to enjoy it," Lord Banyan Fire couldn't help saying.

Qing Huan remained calm.

He hadn't come here for the Supreme Treasure in the first place, but he still needed a convincing reason to give these two.

Qing Huan shook his head and said, "We came all this way. It would be a shame to leave empty-handed. Besides, we don't necessarily have to risk our lives. We can adapt as things unfold. If the situation becomes impossible, we can help one side or another. If they succeed, we might get a share of the spoils."

"Well..."

Hearing Qing Huan say that, the two hesitated.

"Come on, don't overthink it. Those Peak Races are more wary of each other. We're just minor players, so as long as we're careful, we'll be fine. We might even be able to fish in troubled waters and pick up a few benefits." Qing Huan reassured them.

After hearing him out, the two gritted their teeth and nodded. "All right. In that case, we'll take a chance too."

The three then cautiously made their way toward the center of the Flowing Cloud Vortex. That was also where the dark green light originated, and the Supreme Treasure was almost certainly about to emerge there.