The Temple Spirit fell silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "This Temple was built by Star King, and it possesses the ability to travel across the myriad worlds."
"Why does the Temple travel the myriad worlds?" Ian Song continued to ask.
"To search for an heir."
Before Ian could ask again, the Temple Spirit continued to explain: "About thirty eras ago, Star King created me and left his legacy within the Temple. Anyone who can complete all three tiers of the trial can inherit his legacy and become the master of this Temple."
Hearing the Temple Spirit's explanation, Ian couldn't help but ponder. After a long silence, he asked, "Why did Star King do this?"
"Before creating this Temple, Star King obtained a heaven-defying treasure, one so powerful that it could drive even a God King mad. He was betrayed by his close friend and wife and was on the verge of death. In his final moments, he built this Temple and placed his legacy inside, then ordered the Temple to travel the myriad worlds to find a successor. Whoever inherits his legacy must also inherit his vengeance. So, to fully claim this Temple, you must not only clear all three tiers of the challenge, but also swear an oath to avenge Star King and kill those who betrayed him!"
"How strong was Star King?" Ian asked again.
"The strongest God King in the God Realm," the Temple Spirit replied proudly.
"What kind of place is the God Realm?"
"The first realm among the myriad worlds."
Suddenly, Ian's mind stirred. "Temple Spirit, since this Temple can travel the myriad worlds, does that mean if I become its master, I can freely travel to any world?"
"That's right, but it requires a tremendous amount of energy."
"Then what do you think this world is?" Ian asked.
"A world created less than ten thousand years ago, and its creator is extremely powerful. After creating this world, they used the Law of Time to make its time flow far faster than other worlds. I can sense that you do not belong to this world!"
Boom!
Ian's mind suddenly shook. He had always treated the worlds he traveled to as fictional worlds, but only now did he realize that the three worlds he had traversed were all incredibly real—just built by the system using novels and movies as templates.
"Temple Spirit, let me ask you again—can Star King create worlds?"
"He can, but the worlds he creates can't fully anchor in the void, and their lifespan won't exceed ten thousand years! But this world is already anchored in the void, only its time flow is different—about one year here to one day elsewhere. So, the creator of this world is very powerful, at least stronger than Star King!"
Wasn't this world created by the system? Looks like the system is way more badass than Star King.
Still, even if the system is more powerful, it's not under my control. If I can get this Temple, that's still a pretty good deal. So he asked, "Temple Spirit, what's the challenge of the second tier?"
The Temple Spirit said: "The second tier has six layers. If you can clear the second tier, you will gain primary usage rights to the Temple."
"What does primary usage rights include?" Ian asked again.
"First, you gain access to level-one cultivation rooms. Second, after expending triple the usual energy, you can travel freely among third-class worlds. Third, you gain access to level-one refining rooms."
"Can you explain in detail?" Ian grew interested.
"You don't have enough authority, so I can't explain!" The Temple Spirit gave Ian a frustrating answer.
"How many people have cleared the second tier trial?"
"So far, not a single one." The Temple Spirit replied.
"How can that be? Didn't over three hundred thousand people clear the first tier? Is the second tier really so difficult?" Ian was shocked.
"It's not that difficult. You just have to defeat yourself!" The Temple Spirit replied.
"What do you mean?" Ian was a bit confused.
But the puppet that looked exactly like him didn't let up, slashing at him again.
Ian retreated again.
"Puff puff puff!"
Sword-light surged like a tidal wave, covering Ian from all directions. Forced into a corner, he summoned the Azure Lotus Sword and unleashed the same move at his opponent.
Boom boom boom!
Huge explosions rang out as both sides retreated several meters before steadying themselves.
With a whoosh, Ian lunged at the puppet, unleashing the first four moves of the Azure Lotus Sword Codex in quick succession. But the puppet was just as familiar with the Azure Lotus Sword Codex, dodging skillfully and causing all of Ian's attacks to miss.
Ian stopped attacking and retreated.
If he just kept fighting head-on, Ian felt there was almost no chance he'd kill the puppet.
So what should he do? He began to ponder.
"With so many chances to revive, maybe it's not impossible to succeed!" Ian finally showed a hint of joy.
"Temple Spirit, please send me into the Second-Tier Trial now!"
"As you wish!"
As soon as the words fell, Ian found himself standing on a lush green prairie.
Before he could get his bearings, a flash of light appeared, and a puppet that looked exactly like him showed up.
Damn, a puppet that looks exactly like me—if I hit him, it's like hitting myself. How am I supposed to do that? Ian thought, speechless.
But while he hesitated, the puppet struck first—and went all out.
A flash of silvery sword-light shot toward Ian like lightning.
It was the sword essence slash from the Azure Lotus Sword Codex.
Having lost the initiative, Ian didn't try to clash head-on. Instead, he quickly retreated.
But the puppet that looked exactly like him didn't let up, slashing at him again.
Ian retreated again.
"Puff puff puff!"
Sword-light surged like a tidal wave, covering Ian from all directions. Forced into a corner, he summoned the Azure Lotus Sword and unleashed the same move at his opponent.
Boom boom boom!
Huge explosions rang out as both sides retreated several meters before steadying themselves.
With a whoosh, Ian lunged at the puppet, unleashing the first four moves of the Azure Lotus Sword Codex in quick succession. But the puppet was just as familiar with the Azure Lotus Sword Codex, dodging skillfully and causing all of Ian's attacks to miss.
Ian stopped attacking and retreated.
If he just kept fighting head-on, Ian felt there was almost no chance he'd kill the puppet.
So what should he do? He began to ponder.