"This place is really something!"
Evan Chu gazed around the Starry Abyss, marveling aloud. It was his first time in a world like this.
"Honestly, it's nothing special—aside from the Star Core, the supreme treasure here, there's not much else. Actually, I didn't get a chance to tell you something before, about Trial Worlds."
"Oh? You still have secrets you're keeping from me?"
"Haha, not really. It's not hiding, just something I didn't get a chance to say. But now, whether I tell you or not, you'll find out soon enough—my grandfather will definitely explain it. I'm just giving you a heads-up."
Desmond Mansfield looked dead serious. Clearly, this was no simple matter.
"Trial Worlds are divided into Sacred-grade Trial Worlds, True Trial Worlds, and Pseudo Trial Worlds. To open a Trial World from a Star Core, you need a suitable treasure, and the user's own cultivation has to meet certain requirements."
For example, if you want to open a Sacred-grade Trial World—the kind the Sacred Lands possess—you need at least five Sacred Emperors, plus the Starry Void Sigil or another supreme treasure with the same effect. Even then, the success rate is only about thirty percent.
If more Sacred Emperors join forces, the odds can go up even further.
As for True Trial Worlds in most dynasties, their grade is about the same. The real strength of a dynasty depends on the experts it nurtures—like parents raising a bunch of kids in the same environment, but in the end, some turn out stronger than others.
But the lowest-tier Pseudo Trial Worlds are a whole different story. Generally, if you use a high-grade Star Core meant to open a True Trial World but the treasure's power or the user's cultivation isn't enough, it will affect the final result.
Usually, you need three peak late-stage Holy Emperors for a success rate above thirty percent. If you fall short, failure is guaranteed—even if you barely meet the requirement, more than half the time you'll only get a Pseudo Trial World.
Creating a Pseudo Trial World just wastes countless years of accumulation for almost no benefit. Its existence means little, and it takes even longer to recover the lost power and foundation. By the time enough strength is gathered to try again, who knows how many generations of Holy Emperors will have died.
So this time... the old men in the clan are going all-in. It has to be true, not pseudo!
Desmond Mansfield spoke at length, leaving Evan Chu genuinely surprised. He hadn't realized there were so many hidden layers to all this.
So with the Starry Void Sigil in hand, if my realm grows strong enough, can't I open my own Trial World someday? I could raise the Dragon-Chen Dynasty to become even stronger than a dynasty—or maybe even a Sacred Land!
Lin Feng, after all I've said, you're really not worried at all?
Uh, worried about what? Worried the Starry Void Sigil isn't strong enough? Then why bother borrowing it?
That's not it...' Desmond smiled bitterly.
Oh, you're worried my cultivation isn't enough?
That's right, your power really is formidable, but even now I can't see what truly sets you apart from others. If it's just a deeper understanding of Stellar Power, I'm afraid that's not enough.
Using a supreme treasure like the Starry Void Sigil consumes terrifying amounts of Stellar Power. And you—you're only at early-stage Saint Venerable. This time, our Mansfield Family has gathered four peak late-stage Holy Emperors, five mid-stage, and seven early-stage experts across five generations.
This is our Mansfield Family's entire heritage—everything rides on this attempt. I can't guarantee they'll trust you to lead the Sigil's activation, with them as assistants. After all, you might have the combat strength of a Holy Emperor, but do you have their foundation?
Maybe you're an iceblade, and Malcolm Mo is just a pool of clear water—water gets cut by ice, sure. But if your power melts down and becomes water, will it outweigh that pool, or fall far short?
If it's the latter, then... those old guys might well act against you—forcefully take over, maybe even rob you. Lin Feng! If it comes to that, promise me you won't fight back! I have a way to get you out safely, but you absolutely mustn't make a move, okay?
Desmond Mansfield finally voiced his worries, while Evan Chu frowned deeply.
Desmond, after all I've done for you—I've treated you as a true friend—and you still set me up? Only now do you tell me? I realize coming here was a mistake!
Evan Chu was furious. Desmond could only smile bitterly; he'd known Evan would be angry, but was glad he'd told him personally. If Evan met the patriarch first and got angry then, things could get much worse.
In fact, he'd only just learned all this from his father—Desmond himself had only just found out how demanding it is to use the Starry Void Sigil to open a Star Core.
Normally, a Holy Emperor wielding the Starry Void Sigil is a hundred times more effective than a Saint Venerable. That difference absolutely determines success or failure in opening a Star Core—and the Mansfield Family cares about that outcome more than anything.
But now... I've already arrived at the Mansfield Family's stronghold, surrounded by more than a dozen Holy Emperors—including some mid- and late-stage powerhouses. No wonder the Mansfield Family can rival most dynasties and has the foundation to attempt opening a Trial World.
Even if it costs me my life, I'll make sure you're safe—as long as you don't lose your temper or clash with them.
If they try to snatch my Starry Void Sigil, I'm supposed to stay calm? You should know what I've already done to the Sigil—if they want to take it, they'll have to kill me first!
I understand! But rest assured, before you die, I won't be alive either! That's my promise to you, Evan Chu.
Fine, I'll trust you this once. You'd better warn your clan's old monsters not to provoke me—I'm not one to pick fights, but anyone who does will regret it.
Evan Chu's voice was cold. Now he truly realized the other side held all the power, while he was carrying the treasure everyone coveted. He'd definitely overestimated his position.
All he could do now was hope Desmond wouldn't let him down—and pray no more trouble cropped up. In fact, Evan lacked everything except Stellar Power!
Inside the Chaos World, just unleashing the Big Dipper's full power would be enough to create several Sacred-grade Trial Worlds.
Besides, Evan himself wasn't even fully aware—with his Star Soul, his comprehension of Stellar Power had already reached Holy Emperor level.
In other words, with Holy Emperor-level comprehension and Sacred Emperor-level Stellar Power reserves, even if Evan were clueless, he could use the Starry Void Sigil to create a True Trial World! He might not be able to use that method in battle, but simple power-guiding is easy—anyone could do it!
But Desmond's warning made Evan much more vigilant—he was already quietly making other plans...