Chapter 653: Brutal

Two years had passed.

Li Pin glanced at his recently updated personal stats:

[Energy: 150,000]

[Energy Level: 2.1]

[Perfect Realm: 460,000]

[Astral God: 90/100]

In addition, there were [True Spirit: 1/100] and a notably changed [Dao Realm: 10/100].

These values were calibrated to match the world discarded by a Supreme. Once they reached their maximum, he would be able to break free from this supreme world.

That would signify that his Dao Radiance, derived from the Dao Realm, could withstand any Cosmic Radiance-tier seal and inner spirit attack.

However, that was limited only to the inner spirit level. Dao Radiance had had minimal effect on physical or energy-based offense and defense.

But that wasn't the main point. What truly mattered was...

[Primordial Supreme Technique – First Layer: 91/100]

[Trinity Transcendent Art – First Layer: 32/100]

[Black Abyss Highlord Technique– First Layer: 17/100]

This was the reason he hadn't yet completed the first level of the Primordial Supreme Technique after all this time.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of different systems, he had chosen to cultivate three top-tier techniques simultaneously. Otherwise, with his Martial God foundation, mastering the four fundamental forces wouldn't have been particularly challenging.

Yun Lai glanced at Li Pin and continued, "As long as a genius doesn't make the wrong choices and diligently cultivates the art that best suits them, completing the first level within ten stellar years shouldn't be a problem.

"However, reaching the second level will demand their utmost effort, possibly even the assistance of Creation Gold Coins. Of course, those with exceptional compatibility with their technique or other unique opportunities are exceptions."

He paused for a moment before adding, "You were selected for the Eternal Ascent of Humanity Initiative. Even if you aren't a true prodigy, you're likely close to it. As long as you don't aim too high, I doubt it will take you ten stellar years just to complete the first level."

Li Pin responded confidently, "I appreciate your concern, but I'm quite sure I can reach the first level without issue."

Yun Lai nodded. "I don't doubt your capability. What concerns me is the risk of you choosing the wrong path—or worse, attempting to cultivate multiple Supreme Techniques simultaneously. After all, mastering a single Supreme, Transcendent, or Highlord Technique is equivalent to gaining over a dozen Solar Flare Divine Items. Where else could you find such an opportunity?"

He chuckled. "Since we're both in the Divine Realm, I hope we can both hold on until the forces from the outside world come to our rescue."

Li Pin acknowledged with a nod.

"Come with me," Yun Lai said, gesturing. "You haven't seen anything beyond the Golden Land yet, have you? Let's explore together."

Seeing no urgency in his own plans, Li Pin followed Yun Lai down the mountain.

"How well have you mastered the four fundamental forces? Can you use them for rapid movement?" Yun Lai asked.

"I can," Li Pin replied.

Yun Lai's idea of rapid movement involved harnessing electromagnetism to propel oneself forward, akin to an electromagnetic leap. This technique also required manipulating gravity to reduce its pull, thereby enhancing mobility.

However, constrained by the world's restrictive laws, even with Li Pin's basic mastery of the four fundamental forces, his abilities remained limited. He couldn't achieve feats like hovering, flying, or launching electromagnetic attacks. Even his speed boost was modest at best.

The two moved at a pace slightly faster than a galloping horse as they descended the mountain range.

After some time, Li Pin noticed that the settlements below were arranged in concentric circles. They were all built within the same boundary, as if an invisible barrier had prevented further expansion.

Soon, Li Pin discovered that this was no illusion, as the moment he stepped into the town, he immediately sensed the stark contrast between the two lands.

In the Golden Land, his mind had been sharper, his perception more acute, and inspiration flowed effortlessly during his cultivation.

But here, in this place, his thoughts weren't exactly clouded, but they no longer carried the same clarity and swiftness he had experienced atop the mountain. It felt as though he had returned to an ordinary state of being.

Yun Lai glanced at him. "Feel the difference?"

Li Pin nodded. "The contrast is obvious."

"It goes deeper than that." Yun Lai looked at Li Pin and continued, "You're still able to enter the Golden Land because you're a recognized member. If an outsider tried to force their way in, they'd be instantly transported to the Exile Zone."

"So no outsiders can enter..." Li Pin mused.

He wasn't particularly surprised. Over the past while, aside from the occasional newcomers who had been brought in by force, he hadn't noticed any increase in the population around the Inheritance Tower.

Just then, a woman in a long beige dress approached. Bathed in a soft glow, she exuded grace and elegance.

"Good afternoon, Seniors," she greeted warmly. "May I offer my assistance? I offer services ranging from guidance to reception and explanations. They are available for just one Gold Fragment per day."

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Yun Lai asked, "Tell us about yourself. Where are you from, and what is your cultivation level?"

The woman responded promptly, "I arrived in this world 232 stellar years ago. I was originally a member of the royal family of the Great Spirit Empire, rulers of the Crimson Radiance Star Domain. Eighty-three stellar years ago, I became a Tier Six Legend and was granted the title of Princess Zi Luo. You may call me Zi Luo. During the prodigy battle of our Star Abyss, I was captured along with over three thousand other promising talents."

Li Pin was slightly surprised. "Eighty-three years to reach Tier Six Legendary?"

It was indeed an impressive feat. Once a cultivator reached the fourth tier of the Legendary Realm, their lifespan typically extended to a thousand years. While that was a theoretical maximum, living six to seven hundred stellar years was well within the realm of possibility.

For Zi Luo to achieve such remarkable accomplishments within just eighty-three stellar years was nothing short of extraordinary. Her talent was undeniably on par with that of a peerless genius.

Even Si Yue, the heir to the prestigious Astral God Aristocratic Si Clan and their most favored daughter, along with Xu Anping, the Golden Pioneer revered in the Mara Divine Treasury Hall, were at best her equals in terms of talent.

Yun Lai turned his gaze to Li Pin and explained, "Gold Fragment is a currency jointly issued by several major factions. Its exchange rate with Creation Gold Coins fluctuates around 1:110."

Every newcomer to this world was granted ten Creation Gold Coins for free. This meant Li Pin currently held the equivalent of 1,100 Gold Fragments.

Li Pin asked out of curiosity, "Several major factions?"

"It seems you've completely immersed yourself in the Inheritance Tower," Yun Lai remarked with a smile. He then provided a brief overview. "The major factions primarily include the Prodigy Hall led by King Tianyu, the Clearheart Society led by Shen Duxiu, the Worldbreaker Peak led by Wang Fuyun, and the Stormwind Tower led by Liu Suxin.

"Each of them has mastered the third level of the Supreme and Highlord Techniques. They have lived in this world for thousands of years and are widely regarded as the most likely to break through to the fourth level. If they succeed, they may uncover the truth behind this trial and find a way to escape."

Yun Lai continued, "Once one of them achieves the breakthrough, the Highlord's experiment would be complete. They would finally learn their fate regarding whether they would be safely released or summarily eliminated.

"Even if they remained imprisoned, if one of those individuals managed to escape, they could spread the word, alerting the leaders of their respective races to come to their rescue."

With that, Yun Lai handed a small, fingernail-sized gold coin to Zi Luo. "Take us to Gale Street."

At the mention of Gale Street, Zi Luo's face paled slightly. However, when she saw the Fragment Gold in his hand, a flicker of uncontrollable delight crossed her enchanting face.

"Thank you, Senior. Please follow me."

She immediately took the lead.

"You should already know that, unlike the Golden Land, the Silver Lands offer no cultivation enhancements or mystical benefits," Yun Lai explained calmly. "There's also one major constraint. Everyone must carry a Creation Gold Coin. Its power is what allows them to survive here. But each coin only lasts for one stellar year. Once the energy runs out, that person will be sent to the Exiled Lands."

He paused briefly before continuing, "To ensure they have enough Creation Gold Coins to survive in the Silver Lands, many people go to great lengths to secure stable work. But Creation Gold Coins are incredibly expensive... As a result, countless individuals are forced to sell themselves into servitude."

Li Pin was taken aback. "Sell themselves into servitude?"

Yun Lai did not elaborate further. Instead, he got straight to the point. "How many gold coins would it take to buy you?"

Zi Luo trembled slightly, but she forced a smile. "Apologies, Senior... I still wish to try earning my way forward. If I can cultivate to the fourth level of my technique or endure until rescue arrives, I won't have to take that path."

"That makes sense. Since you're willing to work, it shows you haven't given up yet. I phrased my question poorly." Yun Lai nodded. "Let me put it another way. Serve me for one stellar year, and I'll pay you five Creation Gold Coins. Is that enough?"

All living beings here had been reduced to their most basic state. In the Golden Lands, their thoughts became more active, and their desires intensified. Naturally, this included human cravings.

Zi Luo pressed her lips together and glanced at Yun Lai. She clearly understood his true intentions, so she smiled. "Five Creation Gold Coins is already above the market rate. Thank you for your generosity, Senior."

"I understand that, in theory, a year of service isn't worth that much. But considering your reputation for maintaining your dignity, and your initial refusal, I'm willing to pay a premium," Yun Lai replied calmly.

"Senior, if you're truly interested in acquiring servants, I know a few sisters who are also looking for suitable buyers. Their talents are not far off from mine. One of them even ascended to the Astral God Realm," Zi Luo offered, sensing the aura of the first level technique Yun Lai had cultivated. "As long as you're willing to meet their price."

"Astral God?" Li Pin was taken aback. "Even an Astral God can be enslaved?"

Yun Lai explained, "The power of the mighty can obscure and distort the inner spirit. Once someone's mind is twisted, the consequences can be even more severe than traditional enslavement.

"Enslaving an Astral God requires contracts that are extremely costly, and even then, there are hidden risks. In truth, those who barely break through to the Astral God Realm without exceptional talent often struggle even more to survive in this world."

While they were talking, the scene ahead shifted without warning, and a lively marketplace unfolded before Li Pin's eyes.

However, the goods on offer were not mere items or food. They were sentient beings! Both humans and non-humans were among them, displayed as if they were commodities. Strangely, there were no guards or overseers in sight. It seemed as though everyone had gathered here voluntarily, willingly offering themselves for sale.

Yet, outside of this world, each of these individuals would have been celebrated as true geniuses, their names etched in glory. Across entire star systems, their legends would have been told, their achievements revered.

But here, in the Silver Lands, they were reduced to desperate measures. To survive, to avoid exile—a fate that would strip them of their thoughts, talents, and potential forever—they willingly submitted to servitude.

The radiant brilliance of their genius was extinguished, crushed under the weight of necessity. They stood like livestock, parading their strengths, hoping to be chosen by a buyer.

For those unprepared, witnessing such a scene could shatter their worldview and break their spirit.