Babata and Shi Fen's Breakthrough

If Shi Fen had been conscious right now, he would have been especially curious.

Where had Cloud-Touching Vine gone?

And where had Babata gone?

In fact, ever since Luo Feng and Shi Fen had arrived at Mist Island one after another, Babata had been wide awake, monitoring every bit of information from outside. He had been so delighted that he'd been rolling around happily inside the spaceship.

Luo Feng's Brain Domain Width exceeded 18, which was enough for him to take a master. Babata could finally leave this place and venture into the universe again.

Babata had carefully observed Luo Feng for a while and was somewhat disappointed. Luo Feng wasn't very strong; he couldn't possibly be the person who had come here last time and stirred up a storm.

That meant there was another expert.

Babata suppressed his excitement, became a composed hunter, and quietly waited for that important figure to appear. If the Spirits of Vegetation were picked and that person still didn't show up, Babata planned to release a Wood Bud Crystal and cultivate another Beast Emperor.

With Cloud-Touching Vine, a Beast Emperor, and a Wood Bud Crystal, Babata couldn't believe that a mere Earth native would pass up the chance to join in. By then, he would have both Earth geniuses in the palm of his hand.

Soon, Shi Fen appeared. After discovering him, Babata immediately guided Cloud-Touching Vine and learned that Shi Fen was the mysterious person from last time. Babata was utterly thrilled!

When Babata saw Shi Fen control 33 flying knives on his own, dodging and weaving with ease amid the attacks of countless monsters, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him. How could a native with a Brain Domain Width of only 20 control 33 flying knives and dodge so perfectly at the same time?

Babata knew that Earth had the Basics of Spiritual Reader, but that secret manual alone couldn't possibly produce someone like this.

Shi Fen's combat ability defied the logic of a native.

His Soul Amplitude made even less sense. It was double the normal range.

After watching Shi Fen fight, Babata felt his worldview crumbling. An Apprentice Level ninth-stage fighter had comprehended the rudiments of a Domain in battle and killed nearly 150 monsters by himself.

Shi Fen simply wasn't human.

And when Luo Feng called Shi Fen his brother, Babata's thoughts grew even more chaotic.

"Two genius Spiritual Masters have appeared among Earth's natives, and they're brothers. One of them is comprehending a Domain and even helping others comprehend one. My goodness..." Babata shouted inside the spaceship, lamenting the universe's unfairness.

While Hong was teaching Luo Feng, Babata was shocked to discover that Hong actually had a Domain. A Planetary Level Earth native had a Domain! Shi Fen was currently comprehending one, and Thor seemed to have gained some insight as well.

"I've wasted my whole life..." Babata was truly devastated.

Babata was, after all, a Sentient Lifeform. Even though his composure had fallen apart, he immediately took control of Cloud-Touching Vine and made sure it didn't cause any trouble.

Cloud-Touching Vine had been raised by Babata. Even though it hadn't acknowledged him as its master, it still recognized him. Babata used just one Wood Bud Crystal, like giving candy to a child, and coaxed "little Cloud-Touching Vine" into behaving and following his instructions.

That was how Shi Fen was able to comprehend the Domain in peace.

After entering a state of sudden enlightenment, Shi Fen split his consciousness in two.

One part was analyzing the final Secret Pattern Diagram, and making gratifying progress.

The other part was comprehending the wondrous state of battle he had just experienced. It was somewhat similar to that "Emperor of Artifacts Time," but not entirely the same. As Shi Fen continued to comprehend things in his sudden enlightenment, his insights accumulated. When they reached a certain point, the rudiments of a Domain emerged naturally.

Shi Fen felt that the emergence of this Domain might be related to the "Emperor of Artifacts Time" he had entered by accident last time.

From what Shi Fen sensed, this Domain could be called the "Wisdom Domain," or the "Consciousness Domain." It was a special ability to perceive and calculate things in the outside world, without any substantial offensive power.

This wasn't a Domain of the Universe Origin Law, but a special Domain beyond those governed by the Universe Origin Law.

Once he had the rudiments of this Domain, Shi Fen's comprehension and speed of insight increased again. The Domain was visibly taking shape, and its range was growing. He was making remarkable progress in analyzing the final Secret Pattern Diagram.

Shi Fen had a feeling.

His progress in comprehending the Domain would be completed at the same time as his analysis of the Secret Pattern Diagram.

As time passed, the rudimentary Domain soon enveloped everyone nearby. Those caught within it felt their minds sharpen, and found it just a little easier to comprehend the Domain.

Others might have barely noticed that tiny improvement, but Hong felt it very clearly. His eyes shone with excitement. He suppressed his feelings and focused on comprehending his own Domain, hoping to make it stronger.

Sixteen hours after Shi Fen began comprehending the rudiments of the Domain.

Thor, who had gone without food or water while desperately searching for a breakthrough, finally broke through. The rudiments of a Domain appeared around him!

His guards and Luo Feng were delighted.

Now they had two rudimentary Domains to study, so they worked even harder to sense and comprehend them.

Inside the spaceship deep underground, Babata was sprawled carelessly across a chair. When he saw that Thor had also mastered the rudiments of a Domain, he was so shocked that he released the apple he'd been holding, which already had several bites taken out of it. He murmured in disbelief, "Did I hit the jackpot? Not only can I recruit two genius Spiritual Masters among the natives as my master's personal disciples, I can also bring in two genius Martial Artists.

"An Apprentice Level ninth-stage fighter with a Domain, and two Planetary Level fighters with Domains. This..."

Babata suddenly sprang to his feet and darted around the spaceship, howling wildly. "Hahaha! The universe is favoring my master! It's giving him a chance to get revenge! Hahahaha!"

But as he laughed, Babata suddenly began to cry. Crystal-clear teardrops fell onto the spaceship's floor with soft plips. He clenched his fists and curled up in a corner, sobbing quietly and pitifully.

"Master... If only you could see this with your own eyes..."

Babata curled up on Hu Yanbo's coffin, tears brimming in his eyes as his body trembled slightly...

At that moment, Babata was no longer the demon who had roamed the universe alongside Hu Yanbo. He was more like a homeless, friendless child with no one to rely on, crying at a loved one's grave, weak and helpless.

In this world, no one asked about his existence, and no one cared whether he lived or died.

Only the empty spaceship, his loved one's remains, endless loneliness, and the despair he felt deep in his heart toward his enemies kept him company.

For fifty thousand years, Babata had endured too many negative emotions. The instant he saw hope, the defenses in his heart finally collapsed completely...

If Shi Fen had activated his detection function and seen this scene,

his impression of Babata would surely have changed.

Unfortunately, Shi Fen didn't see it. He was still focused on comprehending the Domain and the Secret Pattern Diagram.

The third day after Shi Fen arrived at Mist Island.

The Domain and Secret Pattern Diagram were both just a little short of completion.

Shi Fen remained in a state of sudden enlightenment, as still as a calm well. He had no reaction to the outside world or to himself, and kept devoting himself to his insights and bringing them to completion. The tiny bit that remained would soon reach perfection.

The Domain fully took shape, nearing perfection. He finally finished comprehending the last Secret Pattern Diagram.

"Rumble..."

The instant he fully comprehended the Secret Pattern Diagram, all three worlds inside the Black Mirror changed.

The moment the Domain took shape, it instantly retracted into his body. Shi Fen had just woken up, and his mind was still a little hazy, but he soon realized what had happened and wondered uncertainly, Have I completed the Foundation Trial?

While he was still confused, his mind sensed the changes inside the Black Mirror. Both parts of Shi Fen's consciousness immediately snapped their eyes open.

The outside world.

Shi Fen opened his eyes and found himself looking straight at Hong. Noticing that Shi Fen had awakened, Hong smiled slightly, then nodded and patted the spot beside him, signaling for Shi Fen to stay quiet and sit down.

Shi Fen nodded blankly, stretched a little, and sat cross-legged beside Hong.

He looked around and saw quite a few people gathered nearby: Hong, Thor, Luo Feng, and several powerful figures he hadn't met before. They were sitting in a circle around the spot where he had been standing, with Thor now inside the circle.

Thor seemed to have entered a state of sudden enlightenment too. A terrifying power of lightning was brewing around him, making Shi Fen's scalp tingle. The others hadn't entered a state of sudden enlightenment, but they all looked thoughtful. Shi Fen's awakening hadn't affected them at all.

"Control the range of your Domain and show me," Hong said softly when he saw that Shi Fen understood the situation.

Shi Fen said nothing, only nodding gently. He carefully released his Domain and enveloped the two of them.

Hong was deeply shaken when he sensed the miraculous effect of Shi Fen's Domain. Within it, his mind became exceptionally clear and sharp. He could even vaguely find solutions to things he hadn't understood before.

Shi Fen's Domain could actually improve one's comprehension and intelligence!

Suppressing his excitement, Hong asked quietly, "Little brother, does using your Domain consume much energy? Is it difficult to maintain?"

Shi Fen was enjoying the strange sensation the Domain brought. After using it, his perception of the outside world was exactly the same as it had been while fighting the monsters. But with the Domain active, that sensation was many times stronger.

He felt as if he had everything around him under control. He could even see the flow of energy inside other people's bodies with perfect clarity.

Immersed in this wondrous state, Shi Fen answered without thinking, "It's incredibly easy to use. I feel like I could maintain it for days without much trouble."

"Good!" Hong said softly. He took some food from his Space Ring and handed it to Shi Fen. "Have a little something to eat, then carefully use your Domain to cover everyone here and help them comprehend Domains. You've only just gained your Domain, so I suggest you study it further."

Shi Fen nodded gently, took the food, and carefully used his Domain to cover everyone there.

Everyone felt the sudden boost to their comprehension. Their bodies trembled slightly, and they worked even harder to comprehend their Domains.

After giving Shi Fen his instructions, Hong focused once more on studying his own Domain, trying to make it stronger.

Shi Fen ate a little and drank some water, then closed his eyes and began studying his newly acquired Domain.

Shi Fen seemed to be listening to Hong.

In reality, once the Image World began changing, most of Shi Fen's consciousness had already entered it, where he watched the astonishing transformations unfolding within.

The Eight Trigrams Reincarnation Mirror, Image World.

The instant he completed the "Foundation Trial," the space in the Image World seemed to freeze. Shi Fen's consciousness avatar could barely move. Soon, he witnessed an incredibly terrifying scene.

The Image World and the Treasure Refining World, which Shi Fen couldn't see, evolved at the same time!

The bright white walls on both sides of the Image World shattered in an instant. The scene seemed frozen at the moment a mirror broke, while countless fragments of wall dissolved into the air like melting snow.

Once the fragments had completely vanished, Shi Fen could move again. Beyond the two shattered walls, he saw an even wider "Forging Plaza." At a glance, he saw at least dozens of Forging Plazas exactly like this one.

The strangest thing was that every "Forging Plaza" was nearly identical, from its layout and decorations to the placement of its objects. At a glance, Shi Fen could barely spot any differences.

There were at least dozens of groups of ten Mining Vehicles lined up side by side, along with all kinds of Tech Tools and forging tools. Even the Storage Cabinets were almost exactly the same!

"Th-this... Is this what Teacher Yi truly had planned..." Shi Fen was stunned.

The changes to the Image World weren't over yet. A breathtaking Starry Sky Map appeared across the ceiling, which had become unimaginably high, completely covering it.

Once the Starry Sky Map had fully appeared,

countless colored orbs emerged from it. They spun rapidly, suspended directly beneath the map, gently rising and falling as their different colors cast a faint glow over the Forging Plaza.

The three original giant archways rose from the ground and kept growing. In a very short time, the doors reached a kilometer in height. Set in the walls of the new Forging Plaza, the kilometer-high archways looked like "mouse holes."

When the doors became "mouse holes," four more archways suddenly appeared. Shi Fen immediately read the words above the new doors: "Collection Hall," "Experiment Hall," "Inheritance Hall," "Mortal Hall," "Plant Hall," and "Heaven-Reaching Hall."

Along with the previously existing "Treasure Hall," "Library Hall," and "Meditation Hall,"

the Image World now had nine "Side Halls."

The instant all nine doors were complete, a black, disc-shaped object appeared in the center of the "Forging Plaza," which was also the "Main Hall." It seemed unreal as it passed through the ground and the Forging Plaza without regard for physical matter, soaring into the air above the Main Hall.

The Black Disc finally stopped in the center of the Main Hall's space. It rotated steadily like a millstone, drawing the eye immediately.

The Black Disc was at least ten kilometers in diameter. It was enormous, like a giant disc-shaped spaceship from a science-fiction movie.

As it rose, Shi Fen happened to glance at its upper surface. It was a vast plaza filled with many dark, ancient-looking objects. He saw them for only a moment, yet he could tell they were extremely impressive and clearly no ordinary items.

Compared with the ordinary silver-colored tools in the Forging Plaza, those silver tools looked like "cheap, flashy trash."

The Black Disc, the many silver-colored tools below, and the bright white walls complemented one another. The black, silver, and white colors looked surprisingly harmonious.

Once the Black Disc had fully risen, Shi Fen spotted three giant simplified Chinese characters on its underside.

"Treasure Refining Hall."

"This is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous! Teacher Yi went all out—he used something like this as a signboard!" Shi Fen was at a loss for words, utterly overwhelmed.

Just when Shi Fen thought everything was over,

a silver disc more than a kilometer in diameter rose from the center of the ground in the same way. It lifted off and ascended to a height of one kilometer, hovering directly beneath the Black Disc.

To Shi Fen's surprise, the Silver Disc was covered in silver-colored tools, with at least as many as the square Forging Plaza. There were no words on its underside.

It was practically a floating Forging Plaza.

When the Silver Disc had fully risen, the changes to the Image World finally came to an end.

The Image World had been completely remodeled!

Shi Fen felt that his connection with the Eight Trigrams Reincarnation Mirror had grown much closer, making it a true part of his body. He had greater control over the Image World and had gained many new operating permissions...

He would need to inspect his gains one by one...