Volume One: The Game of the Controllers Chapter Seventy-Six: The Celestial Sovereign Spirit Treasure

Three days later, most of the remaining thirty-odd contestants had also been eliminated. Only three people managed to reach Qin Shuang’s location. In total, out of the more than 3.5 million experts who vied for the spiritual treasure, after two trials and a round of challenge matches, only five had qualified for the final contest. Including Qin Shuang and Zhang Xingfeng, there were merely seven remaining.

From over 3.5 million to just seven, these were undoubtedly the peak experts of all the lower realms. Among the seven, apart from the super Kuya, Lan Gang, the others were all at the ninth-level Immortal Emperor rank.

The seven gathered together, all uncertain about what further, even harsher trials might await. Yet each understood well: there was only one spiritual treasure, and only one would ultimately claim it.

“Qin Shuang, considered of the Immortal, Demon, and Monster Realm, ninth-level Immortal Emperor!”

A hearty voice rang out, and a figure slowly appeared before them—it was the envoy, Lin Lei.

“Zhang Xingfeng, of the Heavenly Heart Realm, ninth-level Immortal Emperor, and the one who has cultivated the longest,” Lin Lei walked before the seven, smiling as he spoke.

“Lan Gang, of the Dinosaur Realm, eighth-level Immortal Emperor—a rather interesting super Kuya!” The smile on Lin Lei’s lips deepened as he mentioned Lan Gang.

“Tian Xuan, of the Yuluo Realm, ninth-level Immortal Emperor. Apart from Zhang Xingfeng, you have cultivated the longest.” Lin Lei glanced at the wine-lover Tian Xuan, then turned to the remaining three.

“Jing Nan, of the Heavenly Heart Realm, ninth-level Immortal Emperor.”

“Hao Sheng, of the Manduo Realm, ninth-level Demon Emperor.”

“Luo Batian, of the Asura Realm, ninth-level Demon Emperor.”

Lin Lei recited each person’s name, origin, and cultivation, the smile on his face gradually fading. After another glance at the seven, his tone turned cold.

“No matter which realm you come from or how strong you are, now that you’ve made it here, there is no turning back. The spiritual treasure will appear in this space, and whoever among you seizes it, it shall be theirs. If you have questions, you may ask—remember, each of you may only ask one.”

“Senior, I wish to ask: during the contest for the treasure, are we allowed to attack the others?”

After a brief silence, Luo Batian of the Asura Realm was the first to speak. Among the seven, only he was a practitioner of the demonic path, and moreover, he followed the most formidable Asura Dao.

“Indeed. If you are strong enough, you may slay the other six, and then the treasure will naturally be yours,” Lin Lei nodded. “Next, who else has a question?”

“Senior, is the contest for the treasure without restrictions? Can several of us form an alliance to attack the others first?”

Tian Xuan glanced at Qin Shuang, Zhang Xingfeng, and Lan Gang before bowing and asking.

“I’ll repeat myself: in the final contest, any means may be used. Whoever obtains the treasure, it belongs to them!” Lin Lei glared at Tian Xuan, his words slow and clear. It was plain: the contest would depend entirely on their abilities, and to obtain the treasure, one must first overcome the other six.

“Senior, may I ask about the level of this treasure and its uses?”

Qin Shuang posed this question, for the rank of the treasure weighed most on his mind.

This time, Lin Lei did not answer immediately. He looked over the seven once more before speaking softly, “This treasure is called the Source Spirit Pearl, and it is a Celestial Lord’s treasure.”

A shockwave seemed to pass through them. Qin Shuang nearly fainted on the spot. He had expected a first-rate Hongmeng treasure—never had he imagined it would be a Celestial Lord’s treasure. Qin Shuang still remembered how, at his birth, countless God Kings perished in the divine realm for just one such treasure.

The others were equally stunned. As top figures of their realms, all save Lan Gang knew something of the spiritual treasures of the divine world; at best, they understood Hongmeng treasures. None had even heard of a Celestial Lord’s treasure.

“Senior, if one attains this treasure, does that mean they can become a Celestial Lord?” Qin Shuang pressed on, thinking of how the Celestial Lord’s treasure at Celestial Lord Mountain had given rise to a new Celestial Lord. He wondered if the treasure here in the lower realm could do the same.

“You have already asked your question. Did you not hear me say, only one question per person?” Lin Lei barked at Qin Shuang, the force of his voice sending Qin Shuang stumbling back, energy churning within him, his body momentarily frozen.

With just a word, Lin Lei had immobilized a top expert. The others were reminded that what they had faced before was merely a suppressed incarnation of Lin Lei; now, they might be facing his true self.

Lan Gang, about to help Qin Shuang, found himself also unable to move, as did Zhang Xingfeng—both had intended to aid Qin Shuang.

Golden light flashed over Lan Gang, violet lightning flickered and vanished as he stopped resisting the pressure. He simply asked, “Senior, if one acquires this treasure, can they ascend to the Celestial Lord rank?”

“You clever boy, quite resourceful!” Lin Lei chuckled.

“Very well, I’ll explain it in detail for you two. Acquiring the Celestial Lord’s treasure, the Source Spirit Pearl, does indeed make one a Celestial Lord. Additionally, the one who obtains it will receive a mission: they will be granted dominion over a territory as vast as all the lower realms combined, becoming its ruler. In other words, the one who acquires the Source Spirit Pearl will not only become a Celestial Lord but also the master of a vast domain, with supreme status.”

To become a Celestial Lord and govern a territory equal to all the lower realms combined—every heart among the seven pounded violently, even Lan Gang admitting inwardly that the temptation was immense.

“Senior, in my special case, would I also be able to enter the place you mentioned?” Zhang Xingfeng’s eyes flickered; after a moment’s hesitation, he voiced his question.

“Of course. For others, your situation may be unsolvable, but for me, it can be dealt with easily.”

Absorbing the source power of space could be resolved so simply? Qin Shuang’s eyes shone again, Lin Lei’s identity growing more mysterious; at the very least, he must be someone beyond a God King, perhaps even mightier than a Celestial Lord.

Qin Shuang had left home far too early and knew nothing of his father’s true strength. If Qin Si were here, he would have guessed Lin Lei’s identity already.

“Senior, if one gains the Celestial Lord’s treasure and goes to that place, can they ever return here?” Only two had yet to ask a question. This time, it was Jing Nan of the Heavenly Heart Realm. Jing Nan, unlike the others, had a beloved in his home realm; though he had cultivated for ages, he had suppressed his ascension for her sake.

“Yes, but the chance of return is virtually zero,” Lin Lei replied calmly. “When your power surpasses even the Celestial Lord and you reach a higher realm, then you may return.”

“To surpass a Celestial Lord?” Qin Shuang rolled his eyes. In the divine world, a Celestial Lord was the highest existence. Whether there was anything beyond that was uncertain, but even imagining it was beyond reason.

“So the odds really are almost zero.” Of the seven, six understood the divisions of power in the divine world—above the Celestial Lord, what could there be? This must be why Lin Lei said the odds were as good as none.

Lin Lei cast a dissatisfied look at Jing Nan, who now regretted not thinking his question through. He dearly wished to ask if he could bring someone with him, but recalling Qin Shuang’s experience, he swallowed the question.

“You, boy, you’re the last—ask your question quickly.”

Of the seven, only Hao Sheng of the Ying Heaven Realm had not yet spoken. Lin Lei’s words drew everyone’s attention; each secretly wished for another question, but they’d lost their chance.

“I have no questions. If I must ask, just tell us when the treasure will appear.” Hao Sheng’s tone was casual, but the powerful aura he exuded made none dare underestimate him.

“Haha, good, finally someone straightforward. The treasure may appear at any moment. Good luck, lads—when the lucky one claims the treasure, I’ll be back!”

Laughing heartily, Lin Lei offered his parting words, turned, and slowly walked away, his figure fading into the distance.

The treasure could appear at any moment—in other words, the slaughter was about to begin.

Qin Shuang, Zhang Xingfeng, and Lan Gang naturally stood together. The wine-lover Tian Xuan cast a cold glance at them before gathering with Hao Sheng and Luo Batian.

Jing Nan of the Heavenly Heart Realm hesitated briefly before joining Tian Xuan, bowing to Zhang Xingfeng and saying, “Emperor Xingfeng, I respect you, but with the Celestial Lord’s treasure at stake, I must give it my all.” Jing Nan knew well Zhang Xingfeng's strength—if he stood with Zhang Xingfeng, the sides would be four to three, and his own chance to claim the treasure would vanish.

(To be continued)