Chapter 1574: Aurora Fortress

Wen Sansi raised a hand and brought out his barrier, pushing it towards Lu Yin. He wanted to test how strong Lu Yin’s attacks were.

Lu Yin raised a hand as well, but he merely flicked a finger. However, that single flick shattered the barrier, leaving Wen Sansi and Xing Kai staring at him in disbelief.

Shockingly, Lu Yin was strong enough to break Wen Sansi’s barrier. Even though Wang Yi had been able to do the same during ZENITH, Lu Yin had done so with just the wind stirred up from a finger flick. This was just absurd.

Wang Yi had used a battle technique to break through Wen Sansi’s barrier, but what about Lu Yin? There was just too big of a difference between the two.

"Like I said, there's no need to test things," Lu Yin said.

Wen Sansi was truly shocked. Each time he saw Lu Yin, the youth forced Wen Sansi to have an entirely new impression of him. At this moment, Wen Sansi felt as though he was facing the strongest person in all of existence. He would undoubtedly stand above all others in the future.

Lu Yin looked over at Xing Kai. "You still haven't answered my question. Does cutting off your finger have something to do with your innate gift?"

Xing Kai grew solemn. "Breaking a finger can allow me to perfectly duplicate an opponent’s innate gift."

Lu Yin was blown away. This innate gift seemed very similar to the Xie family’s secret technique, which allowed them to duplicate any technique that was used near them, and it even allowed them to attack with their opponents’ techniques. However, removing a finger was something that could not be undone, which meant that this innate gift was equivalent to harming oneself to damage their opponent.

Lu Yin switched his attention to Wen Sansi. "Is the Wen family’s Literary Prison only at the first layer?"

Wen San thought that this was a very strange question. "First layer of what?"

Lu Yin considered how to respond. "The Literary Prison can be layered—one level, two levels, three levels. Didn’t you know?"

Wen Sansi grew increasingly confused. "Can it really be used like that?"

Lu Yin smiled. "You don't do that? Or are you saying that you’ve never heard of this before?"

Wen Sansi stared at Lu Yin. "Do you know this for certain?"

He was not quite able to believe Lu Yin’s words. It sounded like Lu Yin was just speaking nonsense. After all, who could possibly understand the Wen family’s Literary Prison better than the Wen family?

Lu Yin looked up and lifted a hand. He used his star energy to imitate Wen Diyi’s seven-layered Literary Prison. Naturally, Lu Yin did not actually know the technique, but he could use his star energy to imitate its appearance.

Wen Sansi stared blankly at the seven-layered Literary Prison; could the technique really be used in such a manner?

Lu Yin was not at all afraid that Wen Sansi would be able to understand the more advanced use of his family’s technique with just a glimpse. If that was possible, then the Wen family would have discovered this possibility long ago.

"Where did you see this?" Wen Sansi asked eagerly, excitement filling his eyes. This seven-layered Literary Prison was something that could open up an entirely new path for the Wen family. It could even be said that learning the seven-layered Literary Prison would allow the Wen family’s strength to rapidly grow until they surpassed all the other Innerverse powers to become the most powerful force in the Innerverse.

The first layer of their Literary Prison might not even be capable of trapping a Realmling, but what about the seventh layer? Nan Yanfei would not be able to even dream of escaping, and it would instantly decide the outcome of a fight.

Lu Yin stared at Wen Sansi in a serious manner. He had been anticipating this moment ever since he had placed Wen Diyi in Zenith Mountain in the Forgotten Ruins.

Lu Yin had used up too many of his treasures and resources in the Perennial World, and he needed to start recuperating his stash.

"Looks like we’ll need to find some time to sit down and talk. There are actually more than just seven layers to the Literary Prison," Lu Yin said with a smile. After that, he simply vanished.

He had no intention of starting negotiations with Wen Sansi just yet, mostly because Lu Yin had no idea what would even be needed.

Still, judging by Wen Sansi's reaction, the seven-layered Literary Prison was more than tempting enough, as it was able to clearly affect the Wen family’s position in the Fifth Mainland. Thus, this matter required Lu Yin’s careful consideration before proceeding.

However, Lu Yin did not even think about Wen Diyi’s opinion, as the youth was nothing more than a prisoner.

Upon seeing the empty sea, Wen Sansi calmed himself down. He had already realized that seeing the seven-layered Literary Prison had caused him to lose his composure. This was a terrible mistake that had already placed his entire Wen family in Lu Yin's grasp. Given Wen Sansi’s understanding of Lu Yin, the Wen family would have to pay an exorbitant price for this technique.

There were still two mountains and one sea in the Daosource Sect’s ruins that Lu Yin had not visited yet. There seemed to be an innate connection between the mountains and the seas, but there was one mountain without a sea, and that was Lu Yin’s goal.

As he approached the mountain, he was unexpectedly sucked into it.

“Challenger, enter.” A voice entered Lu Yin's mind again.

Lu Yin opened his eyes, only to see something completely different compared to what he had seen at the last mountain. This time, there were no torches, just a pool from which spring water was gushing up without end. Despite the surging waters, the pool did not overflow or drain. It maintained its one meter radius even as the water continued to flow without end.

Lu Yin slowly approached the pool and looked at the spring water. He stared for a while but saw nothing. Then, he squatted down and stretched out a hand to touch the water. It was warm to the touch, but also somehow cold. It was quite strange.

Suddenly, the voice entered his mind once again. “Challenge failed.” He then appeared outside the mountain.

Lu Yin was stunned; he had not even done anything!

He stared at the mountain in front of him and then charged straight at it once again. He was sucked into the mountain, saw the spring, and then failed again. He repeated this again and again, but he failed every single time.

Lu Yin tried multiple times in a row, but even when his time in the Daosource Sect's ruins ran out, he was failing.

If Wen Sansi had not lied to Lu Yin, then he was the only person who had been given the task of breaking through and entering the mountains. Did that mean that there really was a Progenitor’s inheritance within each mountain? If that was the case, then how could the Fifth Mainland have been willing to destroy five mountains and five seas? While that action had indeed saved the Fifth Mainland, it had required them to sacrifice five Progenitors’ inheritances. No matter how hard Lu Yin looked at the situation, he could not see that option as one that Progenitor Hui would choose.

That was, not unless, the Mountains and Sea Zone that had exploded had been fake.

The scenery changed before Lu Yin’s eyes, and he returned to Black Street. Besides absorbing more cauldron energy from the Nine Cauldrons, Lu Yin’s greatest gains from this trip to the Daosource Sect’s ruins was the discovery that the Mountains and Seas region did indeed contain Progenitors’ inheritances. However, those inheritances would not be easy to obtain. Lu Yin did not even dare to return to the first inheritance, as he had been terrified that he would be completely incinerated. As for the second inheritance, he had not been able to understand a single thing about it.

He also had no idea which Progenitors had left those inheritances behind.

As for the Nine Cauldrons, that entire incident had given Lu Yin a massive headache due to the huge ruckus that he had caused. The Sixth Mainland would never willingly allow him to absorb more cauldron energy, and their wariness was high enough for them to station a World Imprinter as a guard at the entrance. Not even Liu Ye and Fei Hua would be able to do anything against such an opponent. Lu Yin had run into a problem where it would be difficult for him to absorb more cauldron energy, which was a problem.

…

"Brother Lu, all of the materials that you gave me have been processed." Ming Yan was thrilled when she saw Lu Yin reappear.

Lu Yin greatly enjoyed his time with her, but unfortunately, it was time for him to leave.

"Yan'er, please listen to me and leave this place." Lu Yin tried one last time to convince Ming Yan, but he still failed. Ming Yan might be very gentle towards Lu Yin and listen to almost everything he told her, but then the white-haired Ming Yan would appear. Her appearance would cause Lu Yin to hang his head and act as though he had been caught misbehaving. He felt utterly helpless.

In the end, Lu Yin could only give Ming Yan the knife that he had taken from Wang Su for protection. Lu Yin had used the knife to kill many of his enemies, and the knife was capable of unleashing attacks that were comparable to those of an expert with a power level of almost 800,000. If Ming Yan used this knife together with her Moonstar battle technique and her ability to control Vitality Poison, then she should be able to stay safe.

Also, Lu Yin changed his itinerary.

He had originally intended to visit the Cosmic Sect after Black Street so that he could learn the next level of the Cosmic Art, but Ban Jiu had suggested that Lu Yin make a detour and visit Aurora Enterprises. This was because Aurora Enterprises had access to technology that surpassed what Ban Jiu could touch. They were more than capable of helping Lu Yin create a new set of universal armor.

Lu Yin constantly felt nervous and uncomfortable without a piece of protective equipment, so he was incredibly eager to obtain a new set of armor that he could Enhance. Thus, he made his way straight towards Aurora Enterprises.

What's more, Lu Yin needed to pass by Aurora Enterprises if he wanted to go to the Cosmic Sect anyways.

Aurora Enterprises lay at the northern edge of the Neoverse. After Lu Yin, Liu Ye, Fei Hua, and Ah Da reached the northern border, they once again used the spacecraft to travel.

Lu Yin also brought Luo Shen back out of Zenith Mountain.

Luo Shen made no attempt to ask Lu Yin anything about Black Street at all.

Before too long, they saw more ships traveling nearby. All that Lu Yin could recognize was the ships’ grades, but he could not determine where they came from at all. Some of the vessels were incredibly bizarre, and they looked like they had been customized.

Lu Yin suddenly had an urge to customize an exclusive vessel for the Great Eastern Alliance.

"Lu- Big Brother Lu, is that Aurora Enterprises?" Luo Shen exclaimed as she stared at a monstrously large superstructure some distance ahead of them in space.

Lu Yin moved up next to her and looked at where she was indicating. There was a mammoth construction that looked similar to the forts in Ironblood Weave. "Yes. That’s Aurora Enterprises’ headquarters."

Aurora Enterprises was a giant in the Neoverse. Even though they did not have the same level of status as the Mavis family or the Cosmic Sect, they still qualified to rule over a portion of the Neoverse. Aurora Enterprises’ ships sold very well throughout the entire Fifth Mainland—regardless of where one went, even the most out of the way, backwards galaxies would an Aurora, and each of their vessels was very expensive.

One could only imagine the wealth controlled by Aurora Enterprises. In fact, their wealth was second only to the Mavis Bank.

Liu Ye stared at the distant fortress, clearly amazed. "I actually feel threatened by that place."

Lu Yin glanced over at the Envoy. Even though Aurora Enterprises was a corporation, they were also a power with the strength to stand tall in Neoverse. This was something that ordinary people could not even comprehend. If an Envoy with a power level of just over 700,000 was able to look down on such an organization, it would be a real joke. Lu Yin was fully confident that Aurora Enterprises would be able to instantly annihilate Liu Ye and Fei Hua.

Lu Yin had already announced his visit before making his way to Aurora Enterprises’ headquarters. Thus, he met Director Zhi upon entering. The most influential person in the entire company had personally stepped out to greet Lu Yin.

Their vessel docked, and Lu Yin stood at a window looking down, where he saw Director Zhi and a small group.

Director Zhi looked like an ordinary middle-aged man, and he had a smile on his face that seemed to exist on businessmen everywhere, though this smile also looked truly sincere. If not for Director Zhi’s identity, one would never assume that he was in charge of Aurora Enterprises just by looking at him. He had not achieved his position through strength, as his cultivation was not impressive. So, from Lu Yin’s perspective, the man seemed quite average.

There was a gentle sound as the spacecraft docked. Lu Yin led Luo Shen, Liu Yi, Fei Hua, and Ah Da out of the ship. At the same time, Director Zhi led the entourage from Aurora Enterprises closer as he smiled at Lu Yin.

"Welcome to Aurora Fortress," Director Zhi said enthusiastically as he stepped forward.

Lu Yin smiled." Director Zhi is a gracious host. It is also my honor to be able to visit Aurora Fortress. I have long heard of Aurora Enterprises.”

"Haha, My Aurora Fortress is just a little place in the face of your Great Eastern Alliance. Alliance Leader Lu, please let me show you around," Director Zhi replied with a smile.

"Many thanks, Director Zhi," Lu Yin smiled back, not refusing the offer. Given Lu Yin’s position, it was only natural for Director Zhi to personally show him around during his visit. Lu Yin was the leader of the Great Eastern Alliance and lord of the Outerverse; he more than qualified for such treatment.

Lu Yin did not politely refuse anything, and although Director Zhi’s smile was even brighter, caution and wariness hid in the depths of his eyes.

This was the young man who had personally stopped Shamrock Enterprise from moving their headquarters onto Mt. Microcosms.