600: Third layer

"Hahahaha, Brother, once you ascend, feel free to use my name."

"This... this wouldn't be right, Brother Liu."

Liu Guang and Chen De were walking with their arms around each other's shoulders, as close as biological brothers.

"Hey, for Ascenders like you, you're bound to run into bad luck without a backer when you first arrive. Just think about the situation of those who just ascended here and you'll understand."

Chen De smiled, "If that's the case, then I won't be polite, Brother Liu."

Liu Guang patted Chen De's shoulder hard, "We are brothers, there's absolutely no need for politeness."

The two chatted happily as they arrived at the cross-realm ascension point.

Chen De stopped walking, "Brother Liu, this is far enough. Any further and we'll reach the Third Layer."

"True." Liu Guang nodded. He still had duties to attend to, and before his mission term expired, he could not easily leave this realm.

"Then, Brother, I'll take my leave here."

"Brother Liu, I bid you farewell." After saying goodbye to Liu Guang, Chen De used his token to verify his identity and stepped into the cross-realm entrance.

Before leaving, he had already made arrangements for Liu Guang, telling him to go and Influence the other guardians of the Second Layer Small Worlds.

That group of Immortal Law Realm Fifth Transformation characters would not be able to withstand the power Chen De had left in Liu Guang's body.

As he stepped into the entrance, Chen De's figure slowly vanished from the Second Layer... The Third Layer was the area where many core disciples resided.

Those who could stay in this place had, at minimum, the strength of the Immortal Law Realm Four Transformations.

Fortunately, in the previous layer, Chen De had already successfully raised his cultivation to the Seventh Transformation, so he still held a dominant position.

Therefore, this Third Layer was the place where he could truly show off his skills.

Compared to the Second Layer, there were far fewer people in the Small World he arrived at in this layer.

The number of Small Worlds had also plummeted; this time, they only had one superior world—the Fourth Layer.

Last time, while outside, there were three minor characters he had left marks on.

At first, Chen De thought they were from the First Layer, but after arriving here, he discovered they were actually in the Fourth Layer.

Thinking of the Ancestor at the Immortal Law Realm Seventh Transformation, it was clear the rules weren't that rigid, and it wasn't impossible to use the back door.

At least from the environment's perspective, the cultivation environment improved countless times with each layer, and the advantage of the Fourth Layer was undeniably massive.

But even the worst First Layer had an environment far better than the outside world.

Each Small World in the Third Layer was guarded by a low-level elder or a True Disciple.

Those at the Immortal Law Realm Seventh Transformation were low-level elders or True Disciples and had no ranking.

Those at the Eighth Transformation of the Immortal Law Realm were high-level elders, ranked by strength, such as the Grand Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder... in cases of similar strength, they were ranked by the timing of their breakthrough and seniority.

There were no True Disciples at the Eighth Transformation; a disciple's status peaked at the Seventh Transformation, after which they underwent an assessment. If successful, they advanced to elder; if they failed, they continued to work hard.

If they did not take the assessment, they would unconditionally advance to elder upon reaching the Eighth Transformation.

This was because even the most useless Eighth Transformation could insta-kill an Immortal Law Realm Seventh Transformation.

Chen De was considering whether he should just take out an Immortal Law Realm Seventh Transformation right after coming up.

Having successfully ascended and exited the entrance to World 154, he pondered the issue as he walked.

No, no.

He immediately shook his head; doing that would be a bit too aggressive.

He came here to pull off something big, so he had to proceed slowly and methodically.

If his luck was good, being able to enter the Fourth Layer would be best.

Following Liu Guang's guidance, he could first go find one of his friends upon arrival.

However, just as he arrived, someone blocked his path.

"Brother, please wait a moment."

This was a man in black, standing in the middle of the road with his back to Chen De.

From his experience in the Second Layer, those who blocked the way in such places were all low-tier characters.

"Is something the matter?" Chen De asked.

"This mountain was opened by me, this tree was planted by me! If you want to pass through here, leave behind a toll!"

The man in black recited a catchphrase and then slowly turned around, a giant axe resting on his shoulder.

He pointed the giant axe at Chen De, "Hand over thirty percent of all the resources on your person, and then you can get lost."

At first glance, this Third Layer road-blocker seemed more reasonable than those in the Second Layer, knowing to leave seventy percent for others.

In reality, he was only the first gate; several more people were waiting behind him.

If the man in black robbed everything by himself, he would have broken the rules and wouldn't have a good time later on.

Chen De glanced at the opponent; this guy blocking the road was at the Immortal Law Realm Four Transformations, just like Yang Qi.

However, after coming to the Third Layer, his strength was once again suppressed to the Qi Gathering Realm.

In other words, Chen De could use his Demon Venerable Realm Seventh Transformation strength to handle people in the Third Layer just as he had handled those in the Second Layer.

"Brother, I've just arrived. Let's not talk about thirty percent or whatever. Let's make friends; how about I give you fifty percent?"

Being mugged, Chen De was not only not angry, but instead wanted to make friends with the other party.

This was the broad-mindedness of a Saint, who would not be angered by the evil deeds of others, even if he himself was the target.

Unfortunately, the man in black opposite him didn't seem to appreciate the offer.

The man in black just shook his head after hearing this. He took a few steps closer to Chen De with his giant axe, "I also have principles. When I say thirty percent, it's thirty percent. I won't take even one percent more."

"So I advise you not to harbor any clever ideas and just hand it over honestly."

"You should have heard of the Primitive Punishment; it originally spread up from the Second Layer. You were also a high-and-mighty figure in the Second Layer, and I don't think you want to experience how it feels."

By now, the man in black had walked up to Chen De and swung his axe down at him without hesitation.

The next moment.

Something happened that shocked the man in black beyond measure.

He saw Chen De catch the blade of his axe using only two fingers.

No matter how much force the man in black applied, the giant axe could not descend even a fraction of an inch.

In the Third Layer, there were many figures who could achieve this.

But that didn't mean a mere person who had just ascended could do it.

Was the quality of people coming up from the Second Layer this time so high?

"Wait..."

Realizing he might not be able to handle this, the man in black immediately wanted to back down.

However, he was a step too late; one of Chen De's hands had already gripped his neck.

Subsequently, the Influence was successful. He withdrew his giant axe, having attained a great awakening and realized the true meaning of life.

"Great Sage, I know there are a few more people lurking ahead. I'll lead you there."

As he spoke, he took the initiative to walk in front and lead the way.

Chen De nodded. After being Influenced, this guy's awareness was quite good.

However, he had no interest in wasting time with these minor characters now, so he left them to the man in black to deal with.

"Yuan Zhi, what do you think you're doing!"

"..."

Ignoring them, Chen De first went to Liu Guang's friend and Influenced him the moment they met.