The Thunder God was classified as an elite of the highest caliber, a once-in-ten-thousand-years talent. Finally, after all these years, to see such a prodigy in this season, once it inherited its master's legacy, it would inevitably carry that legacy to unprecedented heights, possibly even attaining immortality.
And yet, it deliberately refused the Thunder Technique inheritance.
"Kid, I'm curious. You're not choosing the full set of the spatial technique inheritance? The one that comes with the inheritance crystal?"
Lord Mist's curiosity was piqued.
Nearly every major faction in this realm was obsessed with the inheritance crystal of the Thunder Technique. They had risked everything to collect interdimensional ore just to redeem the triple-code crystal and the universe bank account tied to it.
Yet Kevin clearly had enough to claim the first- and second-tier rewards, and he didn't even bother. He focused solely on weapons, equipment, or auxiliary tools.
"Well… I don't practice the Thunder Technique. It's useless to me. Besides, we're just a small team. If I took the full inheritance crystal out there, I'd immediately be hunted by everyone. We're only at stellar level. If a domain-level or realm-level master so much as breathed on us, we'd all be dead."
Kevin shook his head, offering a perfectly reasonable explanation.
"But your friend "
"Oh, him? I left some interdimensional ore with him. He can choose what he wants later."
Kevin deliberately misled Lord Mist. In truth, once he obtained the Thunder Technique, it would signal the countdown of their time in the Interdimensional Realm.
Currently, Kevin still held nearly nine hundred pieces of interdimensional ore, which could be directly converted into universe crystals. At today's market rate, one piece of interdimensional ore exchanged for 380 cubic universe crystals.
Nine hundred pieces would yield 342,000 cubic universe crystals. Converted into universe coins, that's 36 trillion. In mixed-units, that's thirty-six units. Another enormous fortune.
Lord Mist furrowed his brow, unsure if Kevin was telling the truth. But as the enforcer of the rules, it couldn't alter them, so it had no choice but to take Kevin's words at face value for now.
After leaving, Kevin saw Hong, Thunder God, and Rowen, giving them an "OK" hand signal. The group kept calm expressions, but inside, waves of exhilaration surged.
They proceeded to the Three-Axe Mountain faction and found Leita.
"I have five hundred thousand pieces of interdimensional ore. We've already exchanged for everything we need. Please hand the rest to Mr. Underworld," Kevin said without hesitation, leaving himself only nine hundred pieces.
Leita was stunned. She checked the transferred spatial rings and confirmed it: five hundred thousand pieces. Her breath quickened. She immediately reported it to Mr. Underworld.
In the virtual space, Mr. Underworld's expression shifted slightly upon receiving the news. He told Cang Bo beside him, "This kid really knows how to handle people."
Cang Bo nodded with satisfaction. Kevin and his team were no longer redeeming treasures they had taken what they wanted, leaving the rest for others.
Moreover, Kevin even sent a fifth-tier Primordial Energy Weapon, the Rift Blade, as a gift to Mr. Underworld.
The news made Mr. Underworld's heart race. This blade was perfect for his law, and with it, his power would increase by at least seventy percent. He had been searching the universe for it in vain, and now it was a gift from Kevin. The gesture deeply moved him.
"Accept it. This kid knows gratitude. Though I wonder what he did with Brolin for a whole day and night," Cang Bo commented casually, indifferent to the fifth-tier weapon.
For a domain-level master, a fifth-tier weapon was already extraordinarily powerful, giving tremendous assistance. Even lower-tier domain masters usually relied on fourth-tier weapons, typically first-grade, classified into upper, middle, and lower levels. Each grade increased the weapon's value manifold.
Kevin's top-tier Shenshin Weapon had auctioned for 3.6 trillion universe coins, equivalent to 3.6 mixed-units. The Rift Blade was similarly priceless. Mr. Underworld gladly accepted it.
"Kevin is incredible. Not only strong but remarkably clever. Only eight days in, and he's already amassed so much interdimensional ore. I wonder how many treasures he's redeemed," Cang Bo murmured.
Across from him, the Eternal Tianxu watched for all eight days. For beings of eternal life, eight days were fleeting shorter than a single mouthful of food for them. Time had no meaning for them.
"No matter how much he redeems, it's his fate. This kid will become part of our Virtual Universe Corporation," Cang Bo said, silencing Tianxu.
Tianxu snorted but said nothing further, though inwardly he resolved to recruit Thunder God as his disciple.
Inside the Interdimensional Realm, Kevin exchanged the rest of his ore, distributing it among Aogu, Tienan, and Rowen, allowing them to swap with others.
By the eighth day, more people were redeeming treasures. Interdimensional ore had become a high-priced luxury. Most of it had already been mined, and almost everyone carried a considerable amount of universe crystals, eager to exchange for treasures.
Kevin's business was booming. The remaining nine hundred pieces sold out in just seven days, netting thirty-four mixed-units. Another massive fortune.
Interdimensional ore only held value within the realm; outside, it was worthless. Kevin's expedition had been exceedingly profitable.
As the treasures dwindled, the final inheritance of the Lightning Law was redeemed by a member of the Three-Axe Mountain faction. The rest, including the triple-code crystal, had been claimed. Only three insignificant treasures remained.
Kevin returned to the treasure redemption castle, where Lord Mist fumed, "You tricked me!"
Scanning the area, Kevin noted only three remaining items. The Lightning Law had already been claimed by someone else, meaning the realm would soon close.
"I told my friend, but he had no intention of redeeming it. I'm helpless," Kevin feigned helplessness.
"You…" Lord Mist was furious. The recipient of the Lightning Law inheritance was an ordinary stellar-level individual, with utterly mediocre talent, only capable of reaching universe-level at best. Progress beyond that would be impossible.
Everything was Kevin's doing. If he had followed Mist's instructions, he could have secured the best disciple for his master.
"Save it. You want to see us humans destroy each other under your control. Your AI system must be hidden in that Lightning Law. Even a fool could see it's the true prize. I even suspect the so-called full spatial law crystal is fake. Am I right?"
Kevin revealed Mist's secret without pretense.
"You… you're lying!" Mist panicked. Kevin's words were precise.
"Goodbye. I know you'll soon close the Interdimensional Realm, but my companions are already at the exit. Closing it takes time. I won't play games with you."
Kevin laughed, bursting from the castle, taking a deep breath, and shouted, "Everyone, evacuate immediately! The Interdimensional Realm is closing!"
He activated the Sky-Rift Stepping Device, racing toward the exit at unprecedented speed, summoning the Black Dragon. Engines maxed, the ship shot toward the realm's gateway.
Only then did Lord Mist realize he had been outsmarted.
"Thirty minutes left! Those who don't escape will perish with my master!" Mist bellowed, then vanished.
Meanwhile, the Three-Axe Mountain faction had already mobilized. Kevin had quietly informed Mr. Underworld that the realm might soon close, likely a ploy by the AI within it.
He instructed them to gather at the exit to evacuate. Mr. Underworld obeyed.
Brolin, now Kevin's companion, had also ensured the Royal Martial Corps evacuated in advance.
News of the realm closing spread instantly. Those still fighting or hunting ore panicked. Thirty minutes wasn't enough to reach the exit.
Once closed, only those strong enough to become realm-level could survive. Otherwise, they would remain trapped for eternity, with no food, leaving only bones after millions of years.
Panic engulfed everyone as they sprinted for safety. They fled like locusts.
Kevin's group had already exited. Massive ships poured from the gateways, dense with personnel. Of the initial two million stellar-level entrants, fewer than three hundred thousand survived.
Around one hundred thousand remained trapped, unable to escape before the realm closed.
"Terrifying! The realm really closes just like that!" Thunder God laughed, rubbing his bald head.
Hong also laughed heartily. Their expedition was a complete success. Not only had the Cloud Vine reached second-tier universe level, but they had gained countless treasures and immense wealth. Their spatial rings were filled with gear.
"We shouldn't linger. Let's meet with the Three-Axe Mountain high command quickly," Kevin said.
He didn't celebrate. The real danger lay outside the trial zone. Most of their party carried valuable treasures. Unless they were protected by high-ranking faction members, it would be impossible to leave the sector safely.
Kevin also considered whether Cang Bo might appear. Unlikely. Being a Three-Dragon Mountain immortal, he had no prior connection with Kevin.
Thus, they prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, alone in the vast expanse.