Global Era of Star trekking Chapter 1692 - 827: [Transcendence Zone] 2
Previously on Global Era of Star trekking...
The strength of a single person or family is inherently restricted. The true power of the Torch Human Civilization, a rising Overlord Civilization, can only be harnessed by broadcasting missions to the entire populace.
Crucially, Song Chi now possesses sufficient strength and confidence to manage any ripples caused by the attention of various Torch factions.
Once these arrangements are finished, he makes his way back to the City of Transcendence.
Based on his observations, the city leaves an impression strikingly similar to the Zhu Tian Ruins Market. He refuses to stop now, with only the final Transcendence Zone left to see.
The violent energy surge he felt earlier from that zone was likely the result of a fierce struggle between two or more Mythical Creatures.
While such power naturally breeds doubt and anxiety in those perceiving it, Song Chi’s curiosity drives him to investigate the area himself.
His primary assurance is that his true self remains safe within the Ruins Market; even if the Warship Avatar meets a disastrous end, he would only face a temporary cooldown period.
The Transcendence Zone sits at the heart of the City of Transcendence, shielded by a misty Chaos Light Curtain. Entry is restricted to those possessing a City of Transcendence Entry Order.
As Song Chi triggers the Entry Order, a silver-white pillar of light strikes the Mirror Image Warship, causing the vessel to vanish instantly.
The Mirror Image Warship reappears amidst a boundless cosmic void.
There is no solid ground or architecture here—only drifting stars and intersecting ribbons of light.
“Is this the Transcendence Zone?” Song Chi asks, scanning his new surroundings with interest.
He senses an extreme concentration of energy, many times more refined than the atmosphere within the Zhu Tian Ruins Market.
Cultivating in this environment would be significantly more productive than in the outside world.
Suddenly, the echoes of a massive energy eruption reach him from afar.
Song Chi turns toward the disturbance and spots two entities locked in a violent duel several light-years away in the vacuum of space.
One combatant is a pitch-black figure sporting thirty-six wings. Dark, ancient runes are etched into every wing, radiating a sinister, shadowy aura.
‘A Fallen Angel?’
Song Chi identifies the creature as a rare but undeniably powerful lifeform evolved from a fallen angel.
The opponent is a shifting mass of multicolored mist. It fluctuates between human and bestial forms, with every transformation releasing terrifying pulses of power.
“A Mythical Creature!” Song Chi’s eyes narrow.
The aggressive, vast auras of these two beings are a significant threat. Even if the Heavenly Ruins Cang Qiong exerted its full power without the support of the Zhu Tian Ruins Market, defending against their strikes would be a struggle.
“Is this typical for the Transcendence Zone? Can Mythical Creatures just fight here without restraint?” Song Chi wonders, feeling a surge of inner alarm.
He carefully masks his presence to avoid being noticed by the two combatants.
Simultaneously, he searches for any useful data.
He quickly notices something strange.
Buildings and various facilities are actually situated upon the drifting stars.
On certain stars, he can even make out the movement of people.
“Are there beings here other than Mythical Creatures?” Song Chi is fascinated.
The Mirror Image Warship’s engines roar to life as he maneuvers toward the stars.
As he gets closer, the details of a specific star come into focus.
A massive metropolis has been constructed on the star’s surface, teeming with activity.
To his shock, while these individuals possess formidable auras, they are not Mythical. Most seem to fall between the Eighth and Ninth Rank.
“The population of the Transcendence Zone is far beyond what I imagined!”
He realizes that this is just a single star, and he had previously seen thousands of them.
Landing at the city's outskirts, he uses his Ethereal Body to hide his power, masquerading as a common Ninth Rank being before blending into the throngs of people.
The city features a melting pot of architectural styles from various civilizations.
The streets are filled with diverse races—some scaled, some with three eyes, and others composed entirely of energy.
Walking through the city, Song Chi hears a cacophony of tongues, though the Starry Sea Universal Language is the most prevalent.
“Did you hear? ‘Dark Wing’ and ‘Thousand Illusion’ are at it again. Word is they found a Chaos Source Crystal.”
“It’s all for a tiny boost in power. We’re trapped in this Transcendence Zone; we can’t leave unless we die or achieve transcendence.”
“The centennial transcendence challenge is coming up. Everyone wants to be a transcender.”
Song Chi picks up these vital clues from the passing chatter.
“A transcendence challenge... being unable to leave...” He ponders. “Could the legends of a path to transcendence in this city be true?”
Suddenly, a chime from a bell rings out from the city center.
The crowds freeze, their eyes turning toward the heavens.
Song Chi follows their gaze and sees a massive light curtain unfurling in the sky above.
Text begins to manifest on the glowing screen.
[The new centennial transcendence challenge is commencing. Participants must travel to the Land of Transcendence within the next ten years.]
[The Land of Transcendence?] Song Chi is stunned.
He looks around, observing the reactions of those on the street. Some are fanatical, others look grim, but many appear simply numb or terrified.
“Another hundred-year cycle...” a nearby member of the Tri-Eye Race mutters with a sigh.
“Less than thirty percent of the challengers survived the last one.”
“But if you succeed, you can finally leave this prison!” an alien with metallic scales growls, his fist clenched tight.
Song Chi realizes that the Transcendence Zone isn't just a trade hub; it’s a high-level prison for the powerful beings of Zhu Tian.
The clashes between Mythical Creatures are likely tied to this "transcendence challenge."
He approaches the Tri-Eye alien and speaks in the Starry Sea Universal Language.
“Friend, what are the specific rules for this event?”
The Tri-Eye alien looks him over with suspicion. Seeing Song Chi’s aura is calm and non-threatening, he lowers his voice.
“You’re new? Take my advice: don't rush into this.”
“The challenge is no joke. Just crossing the Storm Sea to reach the Land of Transcendence is the easy part. After that, you have to climb a tower. The number of levels you must clear depends on your age, potential, and strength.
The catch is that once you start a level, you can’t quit until it’s finished. That’s why the death rate is so high every time it opens.”
Song Chi’s mind races as he processes this. He quickly asks another question.
“What if someone uses an avatar for the challenge?”
The Ninth Rank alien stares at Song Chi like he’s lost his mind.
“An avatar? Listen, in ten thousand years, barely anyone finishes the challenge with their true body, and you want to try with an avatar?”
Song Chi focuses on a different detail.
“So, it is possible to use an avatar? In all of history, has an avatar ever succeeded? What happened to them?”
This was the most important point for Song Chi. He had no intention of risking his true body in such a challenge, at least not for a very long time.