Longevity Island being the first trial ground for the Starry Sky Ladder was something Tendo had known for a long time.
Not only that, he was keenly aware that this seemingly ordinary fallen zone was actually a very special place.
The formation of this island was not only related to the Calamity-grade Star Beast residing on it, but also to the legendary Stone of Miracles.
Any existence that set foot on this island would be trapped within a time rift that was neither the past nor the future. If one could not leave the island within the allotted time, they would be forever confined to this time loop that 'resets' after a period, unable to break free.
In a sense, this was no different from 'immortality.'
This was the origin of Longevity Island.
And because of the peculiar nature of Longevity Island's 'infinite loop,' the island possessed another very interesting effect.
Namely, 'death' on this island was not true death. Instead, the deceased would lose a portion of their 'memories' and be 'reborn' in the next cycle.
The younger the creature, the more nascent the soul, the more 'memories' would be lost with each death. Eventually, they would become a permanent member of Longevity Island's endless cycle.
This... was the essence of Longevity Island.
A place where 'death' and 'new life' constantly interchanged.
[Heavenly Martial Capital, Heavenly Martial Arts Kirin Tower, Heaven-Grade Training Area Dormitory]
Click!
Tendo placed the pruned golden chrysanthemum on the windowsill, then turned and returned to the sofa, sitting down leisurely.
Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the now-empty living room.
The sound of showering faintly drifting from the far end of the hall was Caroline's routine casualness in treating Tendo's dormitory as her own.
Caroline didn't mind this. Tendo had a slight opinion, but not too much of one.
Since the room was so large, one extra person made no difference.
Even though Caroline herself had a luxurious single room similar to his.
As two of the training base's few Heaven-grade students, Tendo and Caroline enjoyed far more 'benefits' than ordinary students.
For one, his dormitory was nearly ten times larger in floor area than the lowest Yellow-grade students', equivalent to a standalone large apartment.
Furthermore, the room's décor was minimalist yet subtly luxurious.
The light-gray sofa placed in the center of the living room, and the 'nutrient solutions,' 'Star Energy Soul-Soothing Incense,' and other high-level cultivation items placed in the display cabinet—all were provided free of charge by the training base; Tendo didn't need to pay for them.
This was still within the 'one-month adaptation period.'
After the adaptation period ended, as long as Tendo maintained his Heaven-grade student status, a plethora of people in Heavenly Martial Capital would come to 'send him gifts.'
However, Tendo didn't pay much attention to these external things.
Tendo nestled into the sofa, grabbed a potato chip bag, and stuffed chips into his mouth. While waiting for Caroline to finish showering so they could go out together, he spoke to himself.
"Using apparent death or a plot-kill to manufacture intense plot conflicts and generate buzz—the Stars Production Team guys are really getting better at this."
Caroline was currently showering, and he had chosen to delete the footage of himself from this time segment.
So, he didn't need to worry about anyone knowing his words.
"If it were according to the original plot, Chen Kong should have tasted enough despair in Season One, been driven by rage to grow in Season Two, and completed his 'dark transformation' during several key nodes in this Season Three..."
Tendo flicked the special silver coin in his hand, letting it drop onto the coffee table and spin by itself.
Staring at the constantly rotating silver coin, Tendo smiled and said: "...But what about now? The despair of Season One was far less genuine than in the original due to my existence."
"The rage of Season Two, thanks to my intervention and mockery, is completely insignificant compared to the cruelty of 'losing loved ones' in the original work."
As he spoke, the silver coin on the coffee table finally stopped, face-up.
Tendo picked up the silver coin, and a deep intensity flashed in his azure eyes.
"Although, in terms of the main plot, Chen Kong's current strength is similar to his original self, their mindsets are worlds apart. He lacks the ruthlessness and decisiveness a protagonist should possess."
"And if we want everything to return to the correct path, Longevity Island is the perfect venue."
"After all, 'death' within the loop is not true death."
"But the pain caused by death and the despair in memory will be forever branded onto the soul, becoming the 'catalyst' for certain people's transformation."
Why did Enite choose Longevity Island as the trial ground this time?
It was because here, students could unleash their full power without reservation; even if they lost or died, they could start over.
And this seemingly cruel, yet actually controllable 'despair,' was the best way to maximize a person's potential.
He intends to utilize this fact to teach this batch of students a good lesson.
Thinking of this, Tendo couldn't help but chuckle: "In the original work, he was the one who manipulated everything from behind the scenes. After revealing the truth to everyone, he twisted the seemingly tragic plot into a harmonious, comedic grand finale."
"However, using a treasure land like Longevity Island, which can infinitely loop, just as a trial ground is ultimately too extravagant."
Saying this, Tendo narrowed his eyes slightly, constantly flipping the silver coin over the back of his fingers.
"If that old man wants to play, then let's play for higher stakes."
"As for the bet... it will be the ownership of Longevity Island."
"If I remember correctly, according to the Star Envoy Association's rules, the first individual or team to completely crack a fallen zone gains ownership of that fallen zone."
What can a place that can loop infinitely be used for, besides a trial ground?
One doesn't even need to think hard to come up with many interesting solutions.
For example, using it for continuous trial-and-error for certain dangerous projects.
Or, for example... turning it into his own unique Spell.
And Tendo's goal was the latter.
Having already created one perfect Spell, Tendo clearly knew the conditions required to complete a perfect Spell.
The existence of Longevity Island, this fallen zone, just happens to help him achieve this.
The most crucial element here is his Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye after its second awakening.
[Name: Star Eclipse Heavenly Eye]
[Type: Trait-Type Star Core]
[Effect 1. Star Trace Observation: You can clearly observe subtle Star Energy flow traces and clearly detect their weak points.]
[Effect 2. Star Eclipse Interference: You can interfere with the observed Star Energy flow traces to a certain extent, and greatly enhance your own Star Energy control.]
[Effect 3. Fate Trace Prevision: By observing the Star Energy flow trace data, you can predict one hundred of the enemy's actions 3 ~ 5 seconds in advance based on their power level, and even foresee fragmented futures in specific circumstances.]
[First Awakening Effect: Spatial Interference: You can observe subspace nodes and interfere with them to a certain extent. The maximum range is 100 meters.]
[Second Awakening Effect: Heavenly Eye Backtrack: Can revert your own status (e.g., injuries, position) within 5 seconds, but cannot change external events that have already occurred or your own Star Energy value. (Can only be used once every 24 hours, passively triggers when sustaining a fatal injury)]