Chapter 19: Treasures of the Universe

Ji Ning and the other three grew somewhat tense and worried. They had all come to the ancient domain as companions of 'Tianhuo Mangya'. Surely this prince of the Mangya Kingdom wouldn't fail to even enter the Origin Realm? That would be a real joke.

"Hmm?" Ji Ning swept his gaze around.

The three followers beside him—the Immortal Yan He, the World God Tianlang, and the Fire Fairy Su Youji—were all performing fairly well. Immortal Yan He was the most relaxed, even grinning at Ji Ning and the others. Tianlang and Su Youji, both women, looked pale and their bodies trembled slightly, but they were still holding on.

After a long time...

That lofty, overwhelming power, though still omnipresent, no longer attacked them.

"Whew." Tianhuo Mangya breathed a sigh of relief. Tianlang and Su Youji also looked better.

"How embarrassing. I almost couldn't withstand it," Tianhuo Mangya said with a smile. In his long, solitary past, he had been at the World level since birth. Not long after being born, he was captured by the Great Dominator, and his mental fortitude was ultimately far too lacking. This time, he only managed to hold on thanks to his extraordinary talent.

His race was extraordinary from birth. His soul was as powerful as a Dao Lord's, and though his willpower was far weaker than Ji Ning's and the others', he still endured.

"All eight of us can enter. That's good news," Qingheng said with a smile.

"Indeed." Ji Ning glanced at Su Youji beside him and gave a word of praise.

"Master, fortunately, in recent years I've been cultivating in my cave-world, studying the techniques of my master, the 'Flying Immortal Sage Lord'. My mental fortitude has greatly improved. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to hold on," Su Youji transmitted.

Ji Ning nodded.

Su Youji now walked the path of charm and control, so her mental strength was naturally formidable.

...

The flying boat flew into the world of the Origin Realm.

A vast, boundless world, millions of li across, stretching endlessly beyond sight.

"So big!" Su Youji exclaimed in awe.

"This is the origin place of a universe." Ji Ning looked around, sensing extremely powerful auras rising from various distant directions.

"Look." Qingheng pointed into the distance.

"Eh?"

Ji Ning and the others followed his gaze. In the distance, a horned, dark-red-scaled powerhouse sat cross-legged on a golden cloth, on which were placed large amounts of food and drink. He drank, ate heartily, and casually looked around.

"You little fellows." The horned powerhouse suddenly noticed Ji Ning and the others, called out, and flew over.

Ji Ning and the others did not flee. They knew that killing was forbidden in the Origin Realm. After all, disciples of countless mighty figures from across the alternate universe were all heading to the Origin Realm. Though they rarely encountered each other on the way, since everyone's destination was the Origin Realm, and many Dao Lords cultivated here in seclusion,

the Origin Realm had many Dao Lords and not a few World-level cultivators. If killing were not forbidden, those World-level cultivators would have died out long ago.

"Just arrived?" The horned powerhouse smiled as he landed on Ji Ning's flying boat.

"Greetings, senior." Ji Ning and the other seven bowed respectfully.

"World-level cultivators able to come to the Origin Realm—not bad, not bad." The horned powerhouse praised with a smile. "I only came to the Origin Realm for the first time after becoming a Dao Lord. Come, come, bring out some good food and drink for me to taste. I, 'Yu Xiao', will also give you some guidance, letting you know the rules of this Origin Realm."

"Senior, please."

"Senior, please try these."

Ji Ning and the others quickly brought out various foods and drinks.

"Not bad. Hmm, this wine is good. Give me some more." The horned powerhouse not only drank himself but also waved his hand to store some away, showing no shame.

The horned powerhouse, eyes bleary, chuckled: "I'm not freeloading. This Origin Realm is vast. If you bumble around carelessly, you might lose your lives."

Ji Ning and the others listened obediently.

"The Origin Realm is simply divided into the 'Outer Domain' and the 'Inner Domain'. The Inner Domain is also called the 'Source Domain'. It hides the most core essence of the entire universe, and there are also many ancient, deceased mighty figures. It is the most important place in the entire Origin Realm." The horned powerhouse spoke casually. "Every cultivator yearns to enter the 'Source Domain' of the Origin Realm. The Source Domain is at the very center. Once you see it, you'll understand immediately. Gurgle, gurgle..." He tilted his head back and took several more big gulps.

Ji Ning and the others nodded.

In fact, they already knew this. The Mosha puppet had long told Ji Ning these common facts.

"World-level cultivators who can come to the Origin Realm are all considered geniuses," the horned powerhouse said. "But out of a hundred, perhaps barely one can enter the Inner Domain!"

Ji Ning and the others were startled.

Only one in a hundred? Ji Ning and the others hadn't known that. Those who could come here were generally World-level cultivators who could become Dao Lords at any time. Yet entering the Inner Domain was this difficult.

"The Outer Domain is not bad either. It was also produced when the universe was born, leaving many mysterious places and great opportunities." The horned powerhouse said, "I've always been in the Outer Domain... Alas, one in a hundred of you might enter the Inner Domain. Among us Dao Lords, perhaps barely one in ten thousand can enter the Inner Domain."

"The Outer Domain is a treasure land."

"The Inner Domain is even more remarkable. Even Eternal Emperors have all entered the Inner Domain." The horned powerhouse suddenly said mysteriously, "Do you know that the Lord of the Destruction Purgatory, shortly after becoming an Eternal Emperor, entered the Inner Domain... Later, for some unknown reason, his strength increased terrifyingly, and he unified the entire universe, with all mighty figures submitting."

"Oh?" Ji Ning and the others grew even more curious.

All Eternal Emperors had entered?

The Lord of the Destruction Purgatory had gained a terrifying boost in strength in the Inner Domain, allowing him to unify this alternate universe?

"It is said that the Inner Domain contains all wonders. For example, three chaos cycles ago, a Dao Lord obtained a 'Treasure of the Universe' within the Inner Domain." The horned powerhouse spoke mysteriously.

"Treasure of the Universe?" Feng Yixin and Tianhuo Mangya exclaimed.

Qingheng and Ji Ning looked puzzled.

What was a Treasure of the Universe?

Seeing this, the horned powerhouse laughed: "It seems some little fellows don't know about this. Actually, I only heard about it after coming to the Origin Realm. Above Eternal treasures... there are the most powerful legendary treasures and divine weapons, called 'Treasures of the Universe', also known as 'Supreme Treasures'. They are the most remarkable treasures, coveted even by Eternal Emperors, with immense power and extraordinary mystery."

"Unfortunately, a Treasure of the Universe, being a supreme treasure, cannot be forcibly refined. Only by gaining its recognition can one refine it." The horned powerhouse said.

Ji Ning, Qingheng, and the others were somewhat awed.

At this moment, Feng Yixin transmitted: "Beiming, Qingheng, Huojin, the Treasure of the Universe is said to contain inconceivable power. It is the strongest treasure, extremely rare and scarce. Even Eternal Emperors covet them. They are treasures that can only be encountered, not sought. By the way, Beiming, your Sword Palace has a Treasure of the Universe—the 'Broken Sword'."

"Broken Sword?" Ji Ning was taken aback.

He remembered. The first time he entered the Sword Palace, in the Divine Weapon Valley, he had indeed discovered a broken sword with no price tag that he couldn't even approach.

Ji Ning recalled asking the guardians of the Divine Weapon Valley, Jian Wu and Jian Liu. They had replied... that he had no affinity with that broken sword, and that even the two Palace Lords of the Sword Palace had not gained its recognition. Since its owner died, the broken sword had lain dormant for far too long.

"So the broken sword is a Treasure of the Universe. No wonder even the two Palace Lords of my Sword Palace couldn't gain its recognition." Ji Ning thought to himself.

"Senior, are there Treasures of the Universe in the Inner Domain?" Feng Yixin couldn't help asking.

"Yes."

The horned powerhouse shook his head. "According to records, in the endless years, within the Inner Domain, eight Treasures of the Universe have been recognized and willing to follow some mighty figures out. It is said that more are hidden within the Inner Domain. Actually, Treasures of the Universe are nothing special. What truly makes countless cultivators envious is the secret that made the Lord of the Destruction Purgatory so powerful... But you are only World-level cultivators. Don't even think about the top-tier secrets. Your strength is insufficient."

"But the Inner Domain is too mysterious. I've never been there. The eight of you probably can't enter either, so thinking about it is useless." The horned powerhouse said.

...