A Test of Time, A Baptism of Time

"The Douluo God Realm is in chaos..." Luo Chen knew it could be the spacetime turbulence the realm would encounter later, or perhaps internal strife within the God Realm.

Then what was the variable?

"The variable is you!" The God of Time did not play the riddle-maker, telling Luo Chen the truth directly.

"I am the variable?"

"Yes, based on the uniqueness of your martial soul, as well as other aspects, such as your background..."

Luo Chen's eyes widened abruptly; the God of Time knew his true identity!

"You don't need to worry. Why do I live in seclusion? Because I have seen too much. Our so-called God Realm is too insignificant, merely a small world among thousands. There are many worlds stronger than ours, so I keep a low profile and focus on my cultivation."

It seemed this God of Time was someone of substance; just this lack of arrogance already set him far apart from other deities.

"So you foresaw my appearance long ago and have been waiting for me here?"

"I can only say I was taking a chance. I hadn't made up my mind, but fortunately, the facts proved I was right!" the God of Time said.

"Then do you want me to inherit your godhood?" Luo Chen asked curiously. The godhood of the God of Time, mastering the laws of time—it could be said that this godhood was very powerful.

"No, a single godhood of the God of Time is not enough for you, so I do not intend to pass it on to you."

"Ah? Then what do you mean...?" It was Luo Chen's turn to be confused.

Not passing on the godhood? Then why go to such great lengths?

The God of Time seemed to see through his thoughts and chuckled: "Young man, do you think godhood is some kind of treasure?"

Luo Chen opened his mouth but didn't reply.

"Inheriting a godhood sounds impressive, but in reality, it is a cage. If you accept my godhood, you must follow my path, trapped for a lifetime within the narrow confines of the laws of time."

The God of Time paused. "But you? The seed within your body contains both time and space. To let you learn only half would be a waste, wouldn't it?"

Luo Chen was stunned: "You mean..."

"Walk your own path," the God of Time said. "Combine time and space, and forge a path that no one has ever walked before."

His tone was indifferent when he said this, as if he were commenting on the weather. However, Luo Chen had discovered a new world. That was right! With the seeds of the two supreme laws in his hands, creating his own godhood was the most suitable path for him!

"But Senior, how should I walk my own path? I haven't even touched the threshold of the laws of time."

"Did you think I called you here just to chat and talk about my plans?"

Luo Chen was taken aback.

"Alright, although I won't pass on my godhood, you must still complete the trials." The God of Time reached out, and a silver-white pocket watch appeared in his palm. He handed it to Luo Chen. "The Nine Trials of the God of Time consist of nine stages. Each stage will temper your understanding of the laws of time. Once you pass them all, you will be able to truly fuse with the origin of the laws of time."

"Then what is the difference between that and inheriting a godhood?"

"The difference is huge," the God of Time said. "Inheriting a godhood is like being given a ready-made seat; you just sit down and it's done. The trials require you to walk step by step yourself. When you reach the end, the origin of the laws will be yours; you won't need my broken godhood. So, the initial stages will generally be simpler than ordinary god trials, but as you progress, the difficulty will far exceed them!"

Luo Chen understood. One was being handed a bowl with food already in it, and the other was taking a bowl to earn the food himself.

"What are the contents of the nine trials?"

"I don't know."

"Ah?"

"The trials for inheriting a godhood are determined by the previous deity, but the law trials are tailor-made based on your specific personal circumstances."

He then added: "This pocket watch is called the Time Indicator. Bind it with a drop of your blood, and it will guide you through the next nine trials."

"And what about you, Senior?"

"I have stayed long enough. Once you complete the blood-binding, I will dissipate."

Hearing this, Luo Chen stopped wasting words. He bit his fingertip and dripped a drop of blood onto the pocket watch.

Suddenly, a question occurred to him: "Then Senior, how do I find the origin of space?"

The God of Time smiled without answering, and immediately after, he dissipated with the words, "You will meet it when the time is right."

The blood had already been absorbed by the pocket watch. The next moment, the Time Indicator emitted a glow and merged into Luo Chen's chest.

As the Time Indicator fused with his heart, information about the first trial automatically appeared in his mind.

[First Trial of the God of Time: Baptism of Time (I). Experience the scouring of time within the Time Hourglass and feel the displacement of time flow. You will spend ten days in the hourglass, while ten years will pass in the outside world. Your body will grow synchronously, and your spiritual power will be tempered by the power of time! Time limit: Ten years.]

Ten years? Wouldn't his parents and teachers be worried sick? And he wouldn't be able to influence the development of the plot for ten years?

However, ten years of tempering his spiritual power—to what extent would it be enhanced?

[Please initiate the first trial immediately.]

"Initiate immediately? Can't I send a message to my family?"

Before Luo Chen could react, the entire scene of the Temple of Time changed, transforming into the shape of an hourglass!

"Is this the Time Hourglass? What's flowing down isn't sand, it's the power of time!"

Luo Chen took a deep breath. Ten years it is, then. Since it would only feel like ten days to him, he stepped toward the center of the hourglass, walking to the spot where the power of time was most intense.

As he stepped in, the scenery changed entirely! His body seemed to be in a void; there was no sky, no earth, only boundless, silver-white light.

Luo Chen felt as if he had sunk into the deep sea, being washed by the heavy power of time.

However, the strange thing was that this power of time had no intention of washing over his physical body at all; it headed straight for his sea of consciousness!

It was not like a violent storm or crashing waves, but rather like spring rain, moistening things silently. He felt as if he were soaking in a bath, immersed in the power of time.

Luo Chen sat cross-legged and closed his eyes. He decided not to resist, choosing instead to let the power of time wash over his soul.

On the first day, he could feel his teeth seemingly falling out and being replaced by new ones.

On the third day, he felt a sharp pain in his bones, as if every joint in his body was pushing outward.

On the fifth day, his throat began to feel uncomfortable; he guessed his voice was starting to change.

On the seventh day, he felt an itch on his chin—he was growing a beard.

By the ninth day, the previously gentle power of time suddenly turned violent, and his sea of consciousness was hit by an intense impact in an instant!

His entire face twisted into a grimace from the excruciating pain.

What is happening? Damn it, why did you suddenly hit me like that!

Fortunately, Luo Chen held fast to his origin, stubbornly enduring the sudden "capriciousness" of the power of time.

Time is ruthless; it always inflicts irreversible damage on people when they least expect it.

Finally, the tenth day arrived—the last day. By this time, Luo Chen was already unrecognizable, and his mind had become muddled and dazed!