Age of Evolution

Han Sha sighed: “Ah! It’s a long story. After discovering your talent, I did deserve some credit, but then I was transferred to another advanced civilization universe country, the Sorcerer Empire. It’s considered a promotion, but unfortunately, I was suppressed there and my life became hard. Otherwise, after more than a hundred years, I shouldn’t still be at the Black Hole Period.”

Lin Zhen didn’t know how to comfort him – considering Han Sha’s current state, it seemed impossible for him to pass through the Heavenly Gate. However, humans are like this; even if there’s only a glimmer of hope, they will fight for it. Otherwise, there would be no chance at all.

“What happened next?”

“Heaven still cared for me. Later at the Sorcerer Empire, I met their prince and activated his Galaxy Beast bloodline. Interestingly, this prince had the same bloodline as you – that of the Fire Kirin.”

“Oh! There’s another Fire Kirin?”

“Ha, not just one. The vast universe has infinite possibilities. Within the walking beasts of the Galaxy Beasts, Fire Kirin is a branch. There are also Ink Kirin, Jade Kirin, Water Kirin and so on. Just within my knowledge, there are sixty to seventy beings, and this is only during the Black Hole Period. There are also some in the Star System Stage and Star Domain Stage.”

At this point, Han Sha quietly moved closer to Lin Zhen’s ear: “However, I feel that your Black Hole Beast incarnation is the most unique. You will definitely be able to go to the Original World.”

Lin Zhen never doubted his ability to go to the Original World. Within the Black Hole Period, he believed that if he wasn’t qualified to go to the Original World, then nobody else would qualify for it.

“Brother, you should also strive to go to the Original World.”

“Ha! You don’t have to say that, brother. I know my limits. There’s no way I can pass the Heavenly Gate. My current hope is that after Ke Xiangnan enters the Original World, he can fetch us over using a Wormhole Egg.”

“Who is Ke Xiangnan? Brother, do you know about the Wormhole Egg?”

“Ke Xiangnan is the prince whose bloodline I activated. He believes that entering the Original World will not be an issue. As for the Wormhole Egg, it has been documented for a long time. After all, the Heavenly Gate has been opened countless times over countless years. Many Martial Artists have entered the Original World and a fair number have returned. Once your bank account level reaches a certain point, you can inquire about some news from the Original World. However, inquiries are charged and they are quite pricey.”

Lin Zhen nodded, acknowledging his statement. The Original World’s secrets couldn’t be hidden from everyone. As long as the World Kings know, the family members of the World Kings would also know. The more prominent Martial Artists should also be aware.

“So, brother, why are you standing here?”

“I’m waiting in line for Ke Xiangnan. Little brother, you see how many people are here; a considerable portion is waiting in line for others. Because the waiting time is very long and the line has to be moved forward frequently, it’s impossible to focus on cultivation. So, people started hiring others to queue for them. For those like me who hold no hope of passing the Heavenly Gate, we stay here to queue for others. If Ke Xiangnan reaches the Original World, naturally he will remember my favor. Maybe he will bring me over – he promised me.”

Lin Zhen was at a loss for words, feeling that Han Sha’s hope wasn’t very reliable. In Lin Zhen’s view, the value of the Wormhole Egg was incredibly high. Even the prince of an advanced civilization universe country might not be very influential once he reaches the Original World and whether he could bring Han Sha over was doubtful.

“The reason why I asked you to come here is actually because of this spot. Ke Xiangnan himself doesn’t need a spot. His father is one of the World Kings occupying the front lines. He could challenge the Heavenly Gate at any time. He has a few dozen people like me, who are specifically here to queue. When it’s our turn, he will sell the spot and earn a large sum of money.”

Lin Zhen was stunned for a moment, then he understood.

The prince of an advanced civilization universe country could easily find some Martial Artists to queue for him. Afraid that in this line, there are many like him.

“There are over three hundred people ahead of me. When it’s my turn, this spot will be given away or sold. Now I’ll take you to Ke Xiangnan. Let him give this spot to you. I think he would still give me this much face.”

Lin Zhen glanced at the long line, hesitated, then shook his head.

He didn’t want to handle things through Han Sha since Han Sha would end up owing him a favor. As a Martial Artist, Lin Zhen didn’t like owing people anything because it would weigh on his mind.

Moreover, Lin Zhen thought that Ke Xiangnan, who was also a Fire Kirin, could potentially become a competitor. He had read many accounts about the Original World. Although most stories are hearsay, there’s no smoke without fire, and there are many information worth referencing.

It was said that the Star River Giant Beast Alliance in the Original World is not a monolith but is comprised of large families.

Take the Kirin family for instance. Not only do they have the Fire Kirin, but they also have many branches such as Ink Kirin, Jade Kirin, Water Kirin and so on.

Each of these families has an elder, and the entire Kirin family is lead by a family head.

Those Martial Artists who venture into the New World will naturally join these families. And the result of the Heavenly Gate challenge will directly determine their status within the families.

As the saying goes, competitors of the same field are enemies. Because they are rivals, fellow Fire Kirins are most definitely competitors – direct competitors at that.

Although Ke Xiangnan might give Han Sha face, he wouldn’t necessarily sincerely help Lin Zhen.

Lin Zhen smiled at Han Sha and responded: “Old brother Han Sha, I’ve understood everything you’ve said, but you don’t have to worry about me. I’ll find a way to pass the Heavenly Gate on my own. If I must, I’d queue up. Besides, I do need some time to cultivate.”

Han Sha didn’t expect Lin Zhen to refuse. He was astonished: “Are you sure about this? Here, you will be queuing for decades, even hundreds of years.”

“Don’t worry. There’s always a way out. I’ll look around on my own for now.”

“Well then, if you change your mind, come find me anytime.”

“Alright, goodbye!”

Lin Zhen waved goodbye to Han Sha and left.

Cutting in line here is absolutely not allowed, unless you are willing to pay for a spot in the front row from the World King.

Being a newcomer, Lin Zhen wasn’t in a hurry and began walking back through the queue.

He had hardly taken a few steps when he was stopped by a lean martial artist with the keen, rodent-like features of the Rat Race.

“Hold on, brother!”

Turning his head, Lin Zhen realized that this person was also a member of the Galaxy Beast Clan, likely of the Rat Race. He wasn’t sure of the specifics, as it was impossible for him to recognize every species of the Galaxy Beast Clan.

“What do you need?”

“Interested in passing through the Heavenly Gate?” The skinny martial artist sidled up to Lin Zhen, speaking in a hushed voice, as if he was disclosing a secret.

“Of course, I believe every Martial Artist here wishes to pass through the Heavenly Gate.”

“How fortunate, if you give me the money, I will help you with this.”

Lin Zhen laughed. With so many World Kings in the front line, with an openly marked price of 100 billion cosmic crystals, why would he need to come to this guy if he were willing to pay?

Although Lin Zhen had a thousand billion cosmic crystals, 900 billion of them were to ensure the account of the ninestar supreme did not downgrade, and couldn’t be used carelessly.

Last time, to resurrect the Little Phoenix, Lin Zhen had spent double the amount required to upgrade his bank account. He does not wish to do the same this time as using the crystals would mean a need to double it next time.

Therefore, the only money he could use was one hundred billion, enough for only one attempt. That was why Lin Zhen was hesitant to try rashly.

The thin martial artist quickly waved his hand: “You must be misunderstanding. If the cost was a hundred billion, I wouldn’t be here embarrassing myself. My services are much cheaper.”

“Cheaper? How much cheaper?”

The martial artist held up two hands, each with three fingers raised.

“Sixty billion?” Lin Zhen thought the price wasn’t great either, as he would only afford one attempt. If he failed the first time, he would be short of money for the next leanattempt.

“No, no, no! Thirty-three billion! Thirty billion is for your entrance fee, and three billion as my commission. How do you find this price? If you have a hundred billion, then you would be able to attempt it three times. Consider it.”

“Why is it so cheap?” Lin Zhen asked.

“You probably don’t know, the Heavenly Gate has been open for a hundred years now, and more than half of the martial artists who felt hopeless have already left. Unable to pass through the Heavenly Gate, they would rather go back and enjoy life. There are much fewer people now than initially, so business is not good. Despite the World Kings still charging a hundred billion, there is not much business left.”

“Did they drop their price?”

“One could say so, while the consensus price is of a hundred billion, no one is offered a drop-in price openly. However, quite a few have quietly lowered their fees. But I assure you, the price of thirty-three billion is a unique bargain. Anywhere else, you would have to pay a minimum of fifty to sixty billion. Don’t miss this opportunity!”

If this was true, Lin Zhen thought it was worth considering.

“If I give you thirty-three billion, can I immediately pass through the Heavenly Gate?”

“Almost, not immediately. You may have to wait a few hours, there are quite a few people queued ahead of you. But you don’t need to hand me thirty-three billion, give me three billion and I’ll lead you there. Then, you can give the World King the thirty billion.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Zhen felt reassured. If he’d said immediately, it might be fake. This arrangement seemed more reasonable.

He gave the martial artist three billion directly: “Lead the way, I want to give it a try.”

“Great! Don’t worry, I promise you won’t have to wait too long. There are only three or four people in front of you. It won’t take more than two hours for it to be your turn.”

While leading the way and making a detour to the front row, the skinny martial artist explained the process.

In the front row of ten thousand spots, they went to the one on the very left, a secluded place with fewer people, since no one queued behind the World King.

An elderly martial artist with white hair sat there, with three followers behind him.

“Senior, I brought you another one who wants to pass through the Heavenly Gate.”

“Hmm, good job, now go.”

“Alright!”

The thin martial artist waved his hand and ran off quickly.

Lin Zhen took the last spot in line, waiting for his chance to pass through the Heavenly Gate.

However, he was soon drawn into the conversation of the martial artists standing ahead of him.