The Curtain Rises

"Rumble..."

A powerful wave rapidly spread across the entire Flowing Cloud Sea.

The three Flowing Cloud Vortexes, which had remained calm for a hundred years, suddenly accelerated and began to draw close to one another.

"Hm, what's happening?"

The many experts present were drawn by the intense fluctuation and quickly noticed the anomaly in the Flowing Cloud Vortexes.

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

"This, this... has there ever been a record of such a phenomenon in the Flowing Cloud Vortexes in history?"

Four Universe Masters, each with a phantom divine eye behind them, appeared above a Spire Palace. The palace floated in midair, with verdant vines climbing along its walls, exuding an ancient charm.

"Indeed, there hasn't... Such an unusual disturbance might mean the treasure emerging this time is even more extraordinary... Lord Pure Eye, notify the Sixth True Master at once."

"Alright."

Lord Pure Eye immediately contacted the Sixth True Master, who was overseeing this matter within their clan.

"Lord Pure Eye, if a more precious treasure appears, inform me immediately." The Sixth True Master quickly issued his command.

The most valuable treasure ever produced in the Flowing Cloud Sea's history was at the level of a Peak domain-type treasure. Anything rarer than that would be a special treasure second only to a Supreme True Treasure.

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

Either would be enough to make forces outside the Holy Land Universes flock to it.

"Worth making a move for. I'll head over first... If it really is a valuable treasure, I'll call for reinforcements later." The Sixth True Master muttered to himself as his form turned into a phantom and left his Miniature Universe.

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

Lord Pure Eye replied swiftly after receiving the Sixth True Master's orders, then relayed them to his three companions.

The Universe Masters dispatched by the God Eye Race this time were all mobilized from within the Universe Boat. Besides Lord Jueyun, who was already stationed at the Flowing Cloud Sea, there was Lord Pure Eye from the Black-Veined Stone Pillar Space, and a married couple—Lord Ying'ai and Lord Wuliang—who were stationed at another perilous location deep within the Universe Boat's Inner Domain, the "Flame Ice Domain."

Among the four, Lord Pure Eye and Lord Wuliang specialized in soul techniques, Lord Ying'ai excelled in close combat, and Lord Jueyun was adept at long-range attacks and domain techniques. Together, they were nearly unmatched among Universe Masters.

However, this treasure hunt was no one-on-one duel but a chaotic melee involving dozens of Universe Masters. The God Eye Race's identity was extremely conspicuous, and if they were caught off guard and surrounded, they could only retreat into their palace-type treasures.

Thus, the four God Eye Race Universe Masters quickly began discussing tactics.

Meanwhile, the three Flowing Cloud Vortexes drew closer and closer, with fierce winds raging across hundreds of light-years, carrying vast amounts of Eternal Freeze Cold Qi.

In an instant, many Universe Masters began to dodge frantically.

"Ah!"

A piercing scream rang out as a Universe Master failed to evade in time and was struck by three streams of Eternal Freeze Cold Qi.

The unfortunate Universe Master was instantly frozen into ice shards by the cold.

At this, the many experts nearby felt a chill in their hearts. Lord Banyan Fire, abandoning any thought of recovering his energy, began to stand guard alongside Lord Ripple Crystal. Qing Huan also flew to their side, helping block some of the unavoidable Eternal Freeze Cold Qi.

"Whoosh!"

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

"Boom!"

A violent blast wind exploded instantly, sending a sea of Eternal Freeze Cold Qi scattering in all directions. The sheer density made it impossible to evade except in a few directions where the cold was sparse.

Seeing this, Qing Huan's expression changed. He quickly said to the two, "Don't resist!"

With that, he waved his hand, intending to take them into his World Ring.

Lord Banyan Fire and Lord Ripple Crystal, already stunned by the sight, naturally did not resist Qing Huan.

"Swoosh!"

The two Universe Masters were taken into Qing Huan's World Ring, and the next moment, an endless torrent of Eternal Freeze Cold Qi descended upon him.

A crimson battle armor emerged, and black flames ignited across Qing Huan's body.

With no other experts nearby, Qing Huan didn't bother disguising his treasure.

"Sizzle..."

The Eternal Freeze Cold Qi easily pierced through the black flames, forming patches of frost on the armor. But after being weakened to one hundred-thousandth of its power by the Peak Treasure Armor, the remaining damage only tickled Qing Huan.

The other experts were not so fortunate.

The dense Eternal Freeze Cold Qi effortlessly reaped the lives of one expert after another. In an instant, aside from a few lucky ones, nearly all Universe Masters without a Peak treasure for protection were frozen into ice shards.

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

Of course, none of the twenty-five Universe Masters from the peak races fell.

Six of the seven peak race teams carried at least one Peak Palace Treasure. When the Eternal Freeze Cold Qi scattered, these Universe Masters naturally took shelter inside.

Only the Monster Race from the Primal Universe was relatively poor, lacking a Peak Palace Treasure. However, one member of their team had a Peak Treasure Armor. At the critical moment, Lord Miejin, who possessed the Peak Treasure Armor, also took two companions into his World Ring, saving their lives.

"As expected of a peak race that has survived a full Reincarnation Era—they are indeed far wealthier than my Monster Race." Lord Miejin looked enviously at the palace-type treasures floating in several directions.

The Monster Race's only Peak Palace Treasure was the Holy Sound Ship, which they had previously forfeited to Shi Yan, and it was now in the hands of the God Eye Race.

Given the God Eye Race's domineering nature, they would never return the treasure to the Monster Race.

While thinking this, Lord Miejin quickly informed Zhen Demon Ancestor of the situation in Flowing Cloud Sea.

"Demon Ancestor, the situation in Flowing Cloud Sea is complicated now. For the few of us, it's fraught with danger at every turn." Lord Miejin sent a message to Zhen Demon Ancestor.

Among the teams of the seven peak races, the Monster Race was the weakest. Lord Miejin was at the top of the Fourth Order, while the other two Universe Masters were both at the Fourth Order level.

The three of them working together could barely handle one or two Fifth Order experts. Not to mention comparing with other peak races, even against some lone Universe Masters, the Monster Race team might not necessarily come out on top.

"Both I and Meng Cha have already arrived near Flowing Cloud Sea. As for the treasure, just do your best. If you encounter danger, send me a message at any time, and we will come to rescue you immediately." Zhen Demon Ancestor quickly replied.

In fact, it wasn't just Lord Miejin. In Flowing Cloud Sea now, teams backed by Universe Supreme Beings were all contacting their own Universe Supreme Beings.

At the same time, three Flowing Cloud Vortices collided and gradually merged with each other. An extremely massive Flowing Cloud Vortex, over ten light-years in diameter, slowly took shape. Faintly, a dark green light seeped out from within the Flowing Cloud Vortex.

"A Supreme Treasure is about to appear!"

The surrounding Universe Masters instantly realized this.

But at this very moment, the Eternal Freeze Cold Qi scurrying everywhere showed no sign of receding because of the vortex's fusion. Under these circumstances, experts without Peak Supreme Treasures to protect their bodies could only stay obediently inside World Rings or hide within palace-type Supreme Treasures. The number of Universe Masters able to actively move outside sharply decreased again.

"Liu Yan, how about we just retreat? No one knows what's going on inside that Flowing Cloud Vortex. We're weak and have few treasures. Let's just forget it."

Inside the World Ring, Lord Banyan Fire and Lord Ripple Crystal were both sending messages to Qing Huan.

The two were now under Qing Huan's protection and naturally didn't want to see him take risks. Moreover, even if Qing Huan really obtained the Supreme Treasure, since the two of them had done nothing this time, according to the pre-agreed distribution principle, the treasure would inevitably go to Qing Huan.

With no benefit and having to risk their lives, both were somewhat unwilling.

"It's fine. The Eternal Freeze Cold Qi isn't roadside cabbage. The vortex collision flung out so much Eternal Freeze Cold Qi; the internal cold qi density is probably even lower than when it was scattered before."

Facing their persuasion, Qing Huan remained unmoved and flew directly toward the Flowing Cloud Vortex.

"..."

Lord Banyan Fire and Lord Ripple Crystal were momentarily helpless, but now that they were living under someone else's roof, they dared not advise further. They could only fret inside the World Ring.

But Qing Huan paid no attention to this. As he got closer to the Flowing Cloud Vortex, teams from other forces gradually appeared in his line of sight.

Without exception, the targets of these teams were all that massive Flowing Cloud Vortex.

At this moment, the dark green light inside the vortex was still growing stronger, and the time for the Supreme Treasure to appear was drawing nearer.

Finally, a group of experts arrived one after another near the giant Flowing Cloud Vortex and plunged headlong into its interior.

As Qing Huan had expected, inside the Flowing Cloud Vortex, the Eternal Freeze Cold Qi was far less dense than outside. Although it was still much denser than in most places of Flowing Cloud Sea, it had already entered the realm of being avoidable.

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

But the two now both looked troubled.

"Liu Yan, this situation is so dangerous. Wouldn't it be better for us to first go to the edge of Flowing Cloud Sea and wait to leave safely? No matter how good the Supreme Treasure is, you need to be alive to enjoy it." Lord Banyan Fire couldn't help but say.

Upon hearing this, Qing Huan's expression remained calm.

He hadn't come for the Supreme Treasure in the first place, but facing these two, he still needed a plausible reason.

Qing Huan shook his head and said, "We've already made this trip. Wouldn't it be a pity to return empty-handed? Besides, we don't necessarily have to fight to the death. We'll adapt to the situation. If things don't work out, we can assist one side. If we succeed then, we can also get a share of the benefits."

"This..."

Hearing Qing Huan say this, the two also hesitated.

"Alright, don't overthink it. Those peak races are more wary of each other. We're just small fry. If we're cautious, it'll be fine. Who knows, we might even fish in troubled waters and grab some benefits." Qing Huan comforted the two.

With things put this way, the two gritted their teeth and nodded in agreement. "Fine, since that's the case, let's take a gamble too."

The three then cautiously crept toward the center of the Flowing Cloud Vortex. That was also the source of the dark green light, where the Supreme Treasure would most likely appear.