Wei Huan had "sunk in" again.
After opening the portal, the work of deploying the Facehuggers no longer required Wei Huan's direct action. Dot-Mom took over command in the Great Tomb, so from the very beginning, he only needed to "open the door."
Bored, Wei Huan first reviewed his entire experience since entering the assessment world, trying to find clues. But no matter how he looked at it, leaving this place and following the map's guidance to find the location of the two giants seemed to be the necessary next steps.
Having no immediate direction, Wei Huan simply directed his consciousness into the Profession Temple and arrived at the Great Tomb. The Undead on this Great Tomb were almost all recruited. The remaining numbers could not last three months, but he had not found a way to reach other Great Tombs.
Perhaps as he advanced further, the bridge to the Great Tomb would naturally open? Or was some kind of opportunity needed? This was one of Wei Huan's motives for participating in the assessment. The Undead on the Great Tomb were limited. If he couldn't find a solution in three months, his strength would stagnate. However, Wei Huan, who still wanted to strengthen himself and "shear Mofidi's wool" one more time before entering the Tier 6 world, was certainly unwilling to leave with such regret.
But now, having entered the assessment world, he had been led by the nose the whole way, with almost no clue, and even less idea of what he could gain from passing the assessment.
Finally, Wei Huan focused his attention inside the Great Tomb. If all the Undead on the Great Tomb were recruited, he would have to go inside the Great Tomb, wouldn't he? Many times in the past, there was consciousness inside the Great Tomb, transmitting the desire to be summoned, but he had ignored them. Besides the fact that summoning the Two-Headed Shadow Demon at this time might consume a large amount of spirit power and their insufficient combat strength, the main reason was that he could sense that his current strength was still insufficient, and he probably couldn't perfectly control the Two-Headed Shadow Demon.
Rather than risking an accident, Wei Huan believed his current combat strength should be sufficient to cope with the current world. But now, Wei Huan had to try to consider the Two-Headed Shadow Demon. At least touch it and feel if his current self could control this level of Undead relatively perfectly.
This time, he projected his soul into the Great Tomb, searching for these deep-dwelling Undead in the darkness filled with a large amount of spirit energy.
"Roar, roar, roar!"
"Awoo, awoo, awoo!"
"Screech!"
Noisy sounds came from the depths of the spirit energy, from all directions, layer upon layer, seeming sometimes far and sometimes near. Sometimes it sounded like a howl right next to his ear, but he opened his eyes wide and still couldn't see anything. Wei Huan knew this meant it was not the right time for him to enter the Great Tomb.
According to the sequence advancement, his next sequence was [Gatekeeper of the Underworld]. This name itself revealed that his next stage was to move from outside the Great Tomb to inside, to the entrance of the "Underworld." These were completely two worlds. It was normal that his strength was insufficient to cross the world boundary.
He tried to search in the darkness for the Undead that responded to him, like fishing in water. Only those willing to leave with him could escape the control of the Underworld, rising from the water to the surface. Otherwise, if he wanted to catch the "fish" in the water with his bare hands, it would be extremely difficult.
Unfortunately, the aura that usually "entangled" him was nowhere to be found today. Wei Huan continued searching, undeterred.
He searched for a very long time. He felt lost in the black mist, forgetting where he came from and where he was going. He forgot his past life, drifting like a lonely soul in the darkness.
Suddenly, a thunderbolt seemed to explode in the darkness. A flash of white light cleaved down from the endless sky, splitting a fissure in the black mist before his eyes. He instantly snapped back to his senses. He seemed to have strayed a bit too far this time, lost in the world within the Great Tomb, staying for too long. He should return.
He knew his cultivation time was up. The cleaved fissure should be the light guiding him away. The Profession Temple was protecting him from getting lost; it was waking him up.
But...
Wei Huan looked beyond the white light and saw a colossal figure propping up the sky and the earth. A majestic body, a hideous face, seated high on a throne. This scene was familiar. Was this... the vision he saw during his epiphany? Yes. That was right. It was during his epiphany that he saw these beings seated on thrones.
The next second, Wei Huan disregarded the pull of the Profession Temple and let his thoughts continue to chase the deeper reaches of the divine image, plummeting downward.
"Crack, crack, crack!"
Lightning appeared more frequently, from slow to fast, striking down before his eyes one after another, illuminating colossal figures. He even saw human figures on those thrones. But at the same time, the Profession Temple was frantically warning him of danger, and a pulling force tried to stop him from plummeting deeper. It was protecting him, wasn't it?
But at this moment, Wei Huan did not want protection! It had been so long, and he finally felt the opportunity for an epiphany again. He wouldn't give it up for anything. His willpower struggled against the pull of the Profession Temple. His downward speed became slower and slower. Just as he stagnated and was about to be pulled back, a strange power surged into his body. He felt like he was pushed, and he plummeted sharply. Soon, the speed became even faster.
This time, even the lightning couldn't catch up to him. He fell straight into the deepest part.
"Boom!"
The power of the Netherworld, like a giant hammer, suddenly smashed down at a certain moment. He saw a boundless, colossal mountain in the deepest darkness, pitch-black, stretching to the edge of his vision. He was struck by that hammer-like force, quickly plummeting down along the mountain wall. He felt like he was about to die, as if the sheer speed would kill him.
Then, another force descended. His speed suddenly slowed down. Then, as if reaching a certain frequency of resonance with that incomparably powerful Netherworld power, his thoughts changed from plummeting to dancing. He became a wisp of wind, a puff of smoke, slowly drifting.
Slowly, after an unknown amount of time, the Netherworld power seemed to recognize him as one of its own. He successfully integrated into it, transforming himself into the shape of the Netherworld, completely disguised. As he became more and more like the Netherworld power, the black mist that had been obscuring his vision began to fade.
His eyes brightened as if it were daylight. Wei Huan looked at the behemoth before him. Even though he had already guessed what it was when his vision was blurred, he was still constantly shocked. This was a colossal being, infinitely larger than a planet. A planet was merely a drop of water in Its hair, and humanity was the most microscopic creature in that drop of water. It resembled the cosmos. Wei Huan could not clearly see Its face, only that It was a combination of human and animal forms—an upright human-like body, but covered with various monstrous horns.
It was sleeping. With every breath It took, countless lives on the planets scattered across Its body died, turning into energy that was sucked into Its body. Then, with Its exhale, the energy returned to the planets, completing a cycle.
Was this the God of Death? Or the universe he was in? Or the Challenge World itself? Countless questions arose, but Wei Huan had no answer.
He only knew that the other party possessed a terrifying coercion that inspired endless awe, yet he did not fear It, as if he were a part of Its body. Even if microscopic and negligible, he was still himself.
Just like that, he drifted like a speck of dust in the cosmos, circling this existence for an unknown amount of time. Until he felt tired, a profound exhaustion. When the power that usually surged whenever he felt tired did not appear again, he finally closed his eyes and entered a sweet, dark sleep...
...
"Wei Huan, Wei Huan, Wei Huan!"
Wei Huan was shaken awake. Opening his eyes, he saw Captain Fang's glowing face. Wei Huan blinked, taking some time to remember where he was. Right, he was deep inside a massive building, undergoing the Colossus assessment. Before entering the Profession Temple, they were trying to dig a channel out.
"Sorry, I fell asleep," Wei Huan sat up. He hadn't expected to be able to sleep in such an environment. Everyone was busy with the escape. His sleeping was indeed inappropriate.
"Fell asleep?" Captain Fang chuckled. The micro-light on his ear clip, which had the function of a data glasses, flashed, revealing Wei Huan's current attributes. He said, "You slept for three days and three nights. I thought you'd be Sequence Five when you woke up."
"Three days and three nights." Wei Huan raised an eyebrow. Quickly realizing that what he experienced in the Profession Temple, including seeing that unknown Being, was not a dream, his eyes suddenly brightened. "Check if I had an epiphany?"
Captain Fang nodded: "If Dark Energy Invasion represents an epiphany, then yes, you did."
Hearing this answer, a smile appeared on Wei Huan's face.
Aglis's voice came from the side: "Still using that old-fashioned Silver Glasses? You should upgrade. Advanced data glasses can view your data anytime, and the most advanced ones can even carry an AI housekeeper, equivalent to having a personal assistant."
After speaking, Aglis pouted: "The only AI data glasses I've seen opened were taken by the Commander-in-Chief. Fortunately, he's using it himself. If I saw it taken by some relative, I'd beat them up."
Wei Huan listened to Aglis's complaint, thinking that he seemed to have a Platinum-grade data glasses in his vehicle. He wondered if it was the so-called AI data glasses.
However, his attention was not here at the moment. After an meaningful exchange of glances with Captain Fang, he saw the Twelve-Leaf Sapling that Captain Fang had wanted him to look at. The only 12 leaves of the sapling were now missing more than half, with only 5 leaves remaining.
Wei Huan immediately linked this to the highly unusual way he entered this epiphany. After all, the state of epiphany was uncommon, yet this was the second time he had entered it in the past six months. Moreover, every time he felt he couldn't hold on, a force helped him. Counting carefully, it was exactly 7 times. This matched up perfectly, didn't it?
"This sapling has the ability to aid in epiphany," Wei Huan told Captain Fang. "Because of its assistance, I will likely have a major strength breakthrough in the short term."
Captain Fang nodded: "That's similar to my guess. Even if it doesn't increase the chance of epiphany, it should possess some ability to increase cultivation, especially since this is the Colossus assessment ground."
"But how do you use it? Do you really have to pick it and eat it?" Aglis said, eagerly wanting to pick a leaf again.
This time, Captain Fang didn't stop her. Wei Huan had already taken seven leaves. In his opinion, that was enough. It would be inappropriate for him to stop her again. They had discovered the sapling together through cooperation, so sharing resources was necessary. As for how Aglis chose to use her share, he had no objection.
But Aglis, who had been talking about picking the leaves, poked and prodded but ultimately didn't make a move. Only five were left. Who would dare to misuse them? Aglis moved closer to Wei Huan, wanting to ask him how he used the sapling for epiphany, but Captain Fang stopped her.
Captain Fang said: "The excavation of the channel has already exceeded Wei Huan's summoning range. The challengers are now working manually, but the time left for us is limited. We need to leave here as quickly as possible."
Wei Huan realized. Yes, even though he kept the portal open while cultivating, the summoning distance limited the progress of the channel excavation. Captain Fang could only hold off the situation for him for these days based on his past prestige. Now that he was awake, he naturally had to help resolve the current predicament as quickly as possible.
Wei Huan got up, took a few steps, and then stopped, looking at Captain Fang: "Are you going to continue guarding the sapling?"
Captain Fang nodded: "I don't know what the subsequent assessment will be, but the value of this sapling cannot be lost. Don't worry, I will guard it until we can leave here."
This last sentence was mainly for Aglis. Aglis sighed, stood up, and said: "Alright, let's go. Let's go check the front."
The channel had been excavated for over 30 kilometers while Wei Huan was unconscious. Everyone worked tirelessly, their lips white with exhaustion. Seeing Wei Huan awake and arriving, everyone showed expressions of relief.
The portal to the Great Tomb was opened at the end of the channel. The Facehugger engineering team reappeared, and with a speed several times faster than the challengers, they dug frantically and tirelessly. The momentarily idle challengers sat down in the channel to rest. They took out food from their bags, quickly finished eating, and then immediately lay down and fell asleep.
Wei Huan followed the progress of the excavation, taking the opportunity to feel the abundant Dark energy in his body. He was very certain that this energy would rapidly increase his strength. It wouldn't be long before he reached Sequence Five. Moreover, the energy inside him this time was immense, many times more than before, enough to last him a long time. Could he directly advance to Sequence Six? Or even higher? If he cultivated to Sequence Nine, how big would the difference be between him, as the [God of Death], and that infinitely magnificent cosmic Being?
What... exactly was that? The more he pondered, the more fear he felt. This was humanity's reverence for the unknown, and also the fear brought about by the huge disparity in power. And that unavoidable anticipation deep in his heart, the fantasy of becoming such an existence. Was it possible?
Wei Huan looked down at his palms for a long time.
Another day passed. Wei Huan, who was talking with Yake, suddenly had a surprised look on his face.
"Caw, caw, caw."
Yake curiously looked at the Raven, which was noticeably larger and had more mist around it, then looked at Wei Huan. Wei Huan had finished listening to Raven Sister's report. A hint of joy appeared in his eyes: "We've dug through!"
Yake naturally believed him, but was a bit surprised: "That fast?"
Wei Huan nodded: "We expected over 200 kilometers, but it looks like it's less than 100 kilometers."
Yake thought for a moment and said: "After all, this assessment is not meant to annihilate us. I'm increasingly certain this is an assessment testing human unity and cooperation. When we choose to cooperate instead of killing each other, the excessive burial actually becomes meaningless to us."
Wei Huan listened. As they spoke, the two had already walked to the end of the channel. As expected, light was shining in ahead. For the past few days, they had been using Wise Man's light bombs or personal lighting items. The light shining in front was red. Wei Huan almost forgot that this world had turned blood-red shortly after he entered, and the culprit seemed to be the structure they were standing on.
Even Yake looked like he just remembered: "The next step is to go to the locations of the two giants indicated on the map. But seeing this sky reminds me that the anomalies here were all caused by this structure. Have we truly finished exploring here?"
Wei Huan turned to look at Yake: "What are your plans?"
Yake said: "One person is needed to guard the sapling, and two people are needed to separately explore the two giants. The extra person can stay here and see if anything has been overlooked."
Then Yake smiled: "The four of us happen to have a direction each. Isn't that a coincidence?"
It was indeed very coincidental, as if it knew who would enter, arranging the most suitable tasks to test every single one of them.
Yake added: "I'll stay here. Eagle Eye can help me explore many places. Also, as a pure long-range fighter, I'm not sure if the task of searching for the giants suits me, but I'll definitely be the best combination with Captain Fang."
Yake and Captain Fang were indeed people who had reached the extreme in their two fields. Comparatively, while Wei Huan's sequence was strong, besides the numbers, his offense was lacking, and his defense was insufficient. However, his comprehensiveness made him more suitable for tasks involving unknown situations. Aglis was the same. This was why Yake said the assessment gave the feeling of being arranged.
"Agreed," Wei Huan agreed with Yake's arrangement. At the same time, he looked at the other challengers who rushed over after hearing the channel was open. He said: "I will leave here and go outside to search for more clues. Those who want to join can follow me."
Before Wei Huan's words could finish, Jones rushed out: "Lord Wei, I'll go with you."
Some people were dissatisfied with Jones's "clinging to a strong person" behavior, and others, sensing the disapproval, hesitated to move despite wanting to. Finally, an Arch-Mage walked out. He was from Great Bear Nation. Due to the close diplomatic relations between the two countries, he trusted Wei Huan more, so he said: "If no one else is going, count me in."
Wei Huan nodded. In fact, he didn't want to bring anyone, so he didn't care how many. Since they came, let's go.
Wei Huan didn't waste words. He summoned the Burrow Beast Mother as transportation. Just like when they came, these Burrow Beast Mothers would shield them from the purple spots' erosion. The three of them flew out, like sitting on a jellyfish swing. Simultaneously, a large number of Ravens flew out of the portal following Wei Huan, scattering like a cloud of black smoke.
This large-scale maneuver made some people feel a little regretful. But others quietly said: "The Colossus fragments were already taken by them. We obviously lost the right to challenge. It's better to stay here safely and avoid the invasion of the purple spots."
However, some people still wanted to take a chance.
The late-arriving Aglis was confused to see Wei Huan leave: "Where are they going?"
Yake said: "To the giant on his side. You need to go to the other side."
Aglis was stunned: "I can't even tell the directions now."
Before Yake could be troubled, the five Druids who seemed to have formed a private alliance, one representative stepped forward and said: "Lieutenant General Flangelin, I still remember the way we came. Let us accompany you."
Clearly, these were people who wanted to try and seize the opportunity. Aglis recognized these people and nodded: "Then let's go."
Blood mist overflowed from her body, extending fifty meters before dissipating. The contamination of the purple spots was blocked outside. The five Druids jumped into the sky, transforming into magnificent Falcons, flying into the blood mist, and heading in the direction behind Wei Huan along with Aglis.
Now, only five people remained here. Yake glanced around and thought it was perfect, sending them down to protect Captain Fang, who was guarding the sapling alone. Yake stood at the entrance of the Burrow and closed his eyes. The breeze blew through his hair, and when he opened his eyes again, they had turned gold. Immediately, the area within a 50-kilometer radius centered on him was scanned one by one, searching for any missed clues.
"..."
When the eyes in the sky disappeared, a dark, burly man hiding in the shadows carefully emerged from the ruins. Following him was a woman with a flushed face and bright eyes—Cynthia.
"That's Yake's ability, Eagle Eye. Eagle Eye allows him to see great distances and can send his bullets to the location of his eyes. I didn't expect our location to be within his Eagle Eye's detection range."
After Cynthia finished speaking, she looked at the strong body of the man in front. This was a muscular strongman nearly 2.5 meters tall, with broad, powerful shoulders. His skin was a black color that no human could possess, with the texture of cool, smooth, and hard leather, which felt very comfortable. She liked this strong body, but when the man turned to look at her, she couldn't help but feel sick inside.
Because this man's face was terrifying. It looked like it had been splashed with strong acid and then cut hundreds of times, completely unrecognizable. He didn't even have a nose, only a dark hole.
"Denton, does that thing you spoke of really exist? How do you know where it is?"
Cynthia endured the nausea, trying to keep her gaze on his chest, showing an obsessed yet sincere smile: "What's next? What should we do?"
The man who turned around was Denton. He also had another identity. However, he deliberately changed his name after deciding to enter this assessment and knowing that Wei Huan would definitely enter too. This was done with the help of Aosam. It was impossible to change names in the Challenge World, but if he completed the name change through official procedures and it was entered into the Challenge System by the nation in the name of the state, his new name could take effect.
As for what his past name was, Denton no longer wanted to mention it. Because the hatred was too deep, gripping him like a nightmare. He would not resume his identity until he had taken his revenge.