167: Cosmic Temple [Please give a 5-star review]
Elizabeth ignored his teasing and continued.
"A place, an organization."
"A place that stands above all star domains, all civilizations, and all races."
"There lies the ultimate holy land for all martial artists in the entire universe; it is the end of laws and the only ladder leading to immortality."
"Its name is..."
"The [Cosmic Temple]!"
[Cosmic Temple]!
As those four words echoed in Su Jue's sea of consciousness, the Capybara in his arms, which had been sleeping like a dead pig, suddenly jolted and woke up instantly!
Its eyes, which were always half-closed, bulged wide and round!
The Capybara's fur stood on end. Clutching its head, it let out a scream like a slaughtered pig.
"The Cosmic Temple?!"
"Boss! Boss, listen to me! We can't go to that place! That's not a place where small fries like us can get involved!"
"Compared to it, what Saint Kings or Great Saints? They're all freaking ants by the roadside! If you go in, you'll be eaten until not even bone fragments are left!"
It was clearly terrified, speaking incoherently.
Su Jue ignored its ghost-like wailing and simply digested the information transmitted by Elizabeth with great interest.
The Cosmic Temple.
A supreme organization that belongs to no known civilization, yet is recognized by all civilizations.
Its members are spread across every corner of the universe, from the most remote Barbaric Star System to the most Central Divine Domain; its shadow is everywhere.
To join the temple, there is only one path—
Pass the rigorous assessment set up at countless 'reception points' throughout the universe.
The assessment does not look at background or race; it only looks at talent and potential.
Once passed, one can obtain the status of a temple member, receive the most generous resource allocation, access the most profound cultivation inheritances, and even have a chance to glimpse the scenery above the legendary [Saint King Realm]!
It could be said that the [Cosmic Temple] is the ultimate gladiatorial arena for all geniuses in the universe!
It is also the final destination for all ambitious people!
"Your seventh trial mission is very simple."
Elizabeth's voice rang out again, interrupting Su Jue's thoughts.
"Head to the nearest 'Seventh Reception Star'."
"Pass the assessment and become an official member of the [Cosmic Temple]."
"Furthermore, within one year, become a 'Core Disciple' of the temple."
"If you do it, the trial is passed. If you don't..."
Elizabeth didn't state the consequences of failure, but the cold implication was self-evident.
"Interesting."
Su Jue licked his lips.
Compared to simple destruction, this kind of gameplay that requires 'fighting one's way in' seemed more challenging.
"However, I have a question."
"Hmm?"
"What about those two cheap subordinates of mine?"
Su Jue glanced at Niu Tuo and Mao Xiaomeng on the ground, who had been unconscious from beginning to end, only twitching occasionally.
These two were too weak; along the way, they were basically useless except for being tag-alongs and background characters.
Bringing them to such a place, they'd probably be insta-killed the moment they landed.
"Throw them away."
Elizabeth dismissed them casually.
"Trash has no right to stay by your side."
"Uh..."
Su Jue hesitated for a moment.
Although these two were indeed quite useless, they had followed him for a while after all.
Leaving them on this ruined planet like this—waking up to find their boss gone and themselves penniless—seemed a bit miserable.
Just as he was considering whether to leave them some 'break-up fees'...
Elizabeth seemed to sense his thoughts and gave a cold snort.
"Fine."
"Since your performance this time was decent."
"I'll take these two pieces of trash back to the Demon Dragon Star Domain for you and throw them into the 'Myriad Dragon Blood Pool' for a soak."
"Whether they live or die depends on their own luck."
As her voice fell...
Su Jue felt two gentle currents of time power wrap around Niu Tuo and Mao Xiaomeng's bodies. In the next second, they vanished into thin air.
"Thanks, Mom."
Su Jue said in his babyish voice.
Elizabeth, on the other end of his consciousness, fell into another silence.
It seemed the title 'Mom' had a greater impact on her than any Saint King Level divine ability.
After a long while, she spoke again somewhat unnaturally.
"Get ready."
"Teleportation begins now."
Biu!
Before her voice had even faded.
The space in front of Su Jue tore open.
A teleportation gate, more grand and stable than any before, shimmering with interweaving silver and gold light, slowly opened.
The other side of the gate was no longer a specific planet or city.
But a resplendent sea of stars that defied description!
Countless powerful auras, like fireflies in the dark night, flickered in that sea of stars. Every point of light represented an expert at least at the Divine Ability Realm or above!
Su Jue could even feel that several of the auras had reached the Venerable Realm, or even the Saint Realm!
"Holy crap..."
Before Su Jue could even marvel.
A massive suction force pulled from the teleportation gate.
He only had time to hug the shivering Cappy tightly before his vision blurred.
When he regained his sight, he found himself standing on an incredibly vast plaza.
The plaza was paved with an unknown white jade, smooth as a mirror and emitting a warm luster.
The sky was not blue, but a slowly flowing seven-colored nebula, incomparably magnificent.
What shocked him most were the surrounding people.
Or rather, the surrounding 'creatures'.
Giants over ten meters tall, covered in lava-like scales.
Elves with butterfly wings and exquisitely beautiful features.
Scorpion-men with scorpion tails trailing behind them, and very long snake-men.
There were even Void Lifeforms composed entirely of energy, their forms constantly shifting!
Tens of thousands of geniuses and experts from every corner of the universe were gathered on this plaza, forming distinct small groups.
Without exception, their eyes were filled with vigilance, scrutiny, and undisguised arrogance.
This was a stage belonging only to geniuses!
Su Jue's arrival, along with his image as an Infant in an animal onesie and the shivering Capybara in his arms, instantly drew everyone's gaze.
After a brief moment of bewilderment.
Unsurprisingly, a burst of collective jeering erupted.
"Pfft! What is this thing? Where did this brat come from? Did he take a wrong turn?"
"And he's holding a Capybara? Is he here for a picnic?"
"This kind of trash dares to join the fun? Isn't he afraid of being crushed to death with one finger?"
"Probably from some small civilization in a backwater corner, not knowing the heights of the heavens, thinking he's some once-in-ten-thousand-years genius, hahaha!"
Mockery and ridicule were incessant.
Su Jue frowned, feeling a bit annoyed.
It was that familiar opening again—a bunch of trash who couldn't even see through his realm.
Should babies be looked down upon?
He suppressed the urge to slaughter everyone and walked straight toward the Registration Tower in the center of the plaza, which towered into the clouds like a divine sword piercing the sky.