“What does Felynn want to do?” Lu Yin asked.
When Tong Mi’er saw that Lu Yin was interested, he relaxed a bit. “Lady Felynn doesn’t want to attract Saul’s attention before the Lockbreaker Competition begins, so she would like for you to disguise yourself when you arrive on Sourcepeak Planet. After that, Lady Felynn will help you join the competition.”
“Once I reach Sourcepeak Planet, Saul can’t possibly deal with me publicly, right?” Lu Yin asked.
Tong Mi’er smiled bitterly. “The three executive members have managed to keep Saul under control, but quite a large number of other Lockbreakers are under the vice president. He doesn’t need to personally make a move to deal with you, and he could just as easily send someone to make trouble for you and cause you to be unable to compete.”
“I still have the same question: what does Felynn want from me? Just to team up and deal with Saul?” Lu Yin asked.
Tong Mi’er replied, “This is something that only Lady Felynn can discuss with you.”
Lu Yin nodded. “Alright. I’ll do as you suggest. I’ll disguise myself before I arrive at Sourcepeak Planet.”
***
Sourcepeak Weave was located slightly to the east of the Outerverse’s center, and it was also quite close to the Astral River. It was a very busy weave since the Lockbreaker Society’s headquarters were in it, and that had naturally led to Sourcepeak Weave containing the most Lockbreakers out of the entire Outerverse, and it stood a cut above the rest.
Sourcepeak Planet was situated in the southern region of Sourcepeak Weave, and it was a massive, green planet filled with plants. The climate on the planet was wonderful. It was also different from all the other planets; there were three mainlands that protruded out from the planet’s surface, making it look like a massive gear from a distance.
These three mainlands were where the Lockbreaker Society conducted its examinations, and each mainland was supervised by a different executive member. Every year, countless people visited Sourcepeak Planet to be evaluated in hopes of qualifying to become a Lockbreaker, but only a rare few actually succeeded.
After the Outerverse was cut off from the Innerverse, quite a few Lockbreakers had been left stranded in the Innerverse. Even so, there were still quite a number of Lockbreakers on Sourcepeak Planet.
The entire Lockbreaker Society consisted of 630,000 registered Lockbreakers, but there were nearly 10,000 of them on Sourcepeak Planet at any time. Although the vast portion of them had never successfully had a lockbreaking session, there was a portion of them that had been graded, and nearly ten of them had reached the Perceptive Intermediate level. However, the exact details of the Lockbreakers on the planet were not very clear to the outside world, and only the president and vice president knew all the details.
Sourcepeak Planet was huge, and there were Lockbreakers scattered all over it. These Lockbreakers’ greatest desire was to visit the Hall of Insight, which was the holy land of the Lockbreaker Society’s Outerverse headquarters. Only Lockbreakers who had reached the Perceptive Intermediate level were allowed to enter, and legends said that there was a sourcebox array that had been arranged by a Boundless Advanced Lockbreaker inside. Anyone who entered could attempt to comprehend the array, and there were some Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreakers who stayed in the Hall of Insight all year round specifically to comprehend the array and therefore become Boundless Advanced Lockbreakers.
The Hall of Insight was a shortcut to reaching the Boundless Advanced level, as an almighty Lockbreaker from the past had paved this path forward for Lockbreakers who were still at the bottom.
Behind the Hall of Insight were many interconnected courtyards. This was where the president and vice presidents resided, and each courtyard was enormous.
Within one of the courtyards, Mr. Jun stood next to a stone table with his hands clasped behind his back.
As a Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker, he was one of the headquarters’ executive members. Mr. Jun held a high status within the Outerverse Lockbreaker Society, his reputation was impressive, and Wang Wen had even drafted him to participate in the defense of Ironblood Weave. But at this moment, Mr. Jun had a rather apprehensive look on his face, which revealed the respect he had for the owner of this courtyard.
The void before Mr. Jun distorted as an aged man suddenly appeared.
Envy shone through in Mr. Jun’s eyes. The space on Sourcepeak Planet was extremely stable, and it became even more stable the closer one drew to the Hall of Insight. Here, it had reached a point where even a Hunter like Mr. Jun could not tear the void apart. There were only a few who had the ability to tear space apart and travel through the void here, and the person in front of Mr. Jun was one of them: the Outerverse Lockbreaker Society’s Vice President Saul.
“Greetings, vice president.” Mr. Jun bowed respectfully.
Saul looked towards the Hall of Insight, where the grand building stood while being propped up in midair by four giant trees that surrounded the structure. Those four trees were actually sourceboxes, and he had once tried to comprehend the sourcebox array that the ancestor had left behind, but he had never achieved anything whatsoever. Since long ago, looking over at the Hall of Insight had already become a habit for Saul.
“You failed?” Saul’s tone was deep, and he sounded a little imposing.
Mr. Jun replied, “Yes, we failed.”
Saul stared at the Hall of Insight as he quietly spoke. “You’ve already been a Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker for many years, but you have made no further progress. Now, you can’t even deal with a child. I’m growing ever doubtful of your abilities.”
Mr. Jun’s face turned fearful. “My apologies, vice president. That kid has external items that allow him to withstand an Enlighter’s attacks, and he even has a subordinate who can defend himself against Enlighters.”
Saul looked over at Mr. Jun. “I don’t need explanations. You just need to tell me if you can deal with him or not.”
Mr. Jun gritted his teeth. “I can.”
“Alright. I only care about the results. This is your only opportunity: take care of him, and I’ll help you become a Boundless Advanced Lockbreaker. I can even lend you the True Insight for a look. However, if you can’t deal with him, then you will continue to be an executive member and will remain mediocre for the rest of your life. You’ll forever be a well-respected, three star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker.”
This sentence motivated Mr. Jun. After he had become a three star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker, he had not been able to make any more progress, and centuries had already passed by. He was sick of his stagnation, and thus, he had dabbled in some shady undertakings to receive Saul’s support.
And now, the opportunity to advance was finally in front of him. His expression firmed, and he became determined to trample over anyone who stood in his path. He had once appreciated Lu Yin’s talent, and he had even wanted to take the youth in as a disciple. But now, the youth was just an obstacle in his mind.
He left the courtyard and immediately pulled up the route that Lu Yin would use to travel to Sourcepeak Planet. Mr. Jun had to take care of this brat before he arrived at Sourcepeak Planet, and it seemed like he would have to call in all his favors to finish this.
Back in the courtyard, Saul silently stared at the Hall of Insight, his expression calm from start to end.
Not long after, a youth entered the courtyard. “Master.” This person was Saul’s disciple, Deng Pu. He was a genius who had become a Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker at a young age, and his reputation in the Outerverse even surpassed that of Charon and the other elites. In the entire Lockbreaker Society, he was one of the select few existences who was second only to the Distinguished Five.
Saul did not reply, and the atmosphere was a little silent.
“Master, must you deal with Lu Yin? He’s only a five star Discerning Elementary Lockbreaker, and he was only just recently promoted. He shouldn’t be any threat to this disciple,” Deng Pu said respectfully.
Saul frowned. “I don’t like the word ‘should.’”
Deng Pu hurriedly amended his words, “This person is definitely of no threat to this disciple. Please rest assured, Master.”
Saul quietly answered, “Throughout life, one will meet many destined opportunities. Some can grasp those opportunities while others can’t. This Lu Yin has turned his misfortunes into blessings, and he was even able to survive the storms of Tempest Flowzone. He also obtained the Sea King’s appreciation, seized control of the pyrolyte mines, and survived through Ironblood Weave’s war. Now, he has already become someone who is protected by the Hall of Honor, and his destiny has greatly surpassed yours. This sort of person will have his own protection, and becoming enemies with such a person is the same as fighting against the heavens themselves. It’s simply not worth it. Even if he’s no threat at all to you, he still has to be quickly dealt with.”
Deng Pu did not understand his master’s words, as perhaps only those that were at the level of a Boundless Advanced Lockbreaker could see the universe so clearly.
“If Mr. Jun takes care of that person, then does Master truly intend to help him become a Boundless Advanced Lockbreaker?” Deng Pu felt suspicious.
Saul’s lips curled upwards. “He’s just a clown, and at best, he’ll be able to become a four star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker. If he doesn’t get a lockbreaking tool, then he won’t even be able to reach four stars, so he can just forget the Boundless Advanced realm. This sort of person needs a dream, and so what if we give it to him.”
“Then what about True Insight?”
“You ask too many questions,” Saul replied sternly.
Deng Pu hurriedly lowered his head and acknowledged his mistake.
“Although there aren’t many Lockbreakers in the Outerverse who pose a threat to you and Master has taken care of the older ones who can, you still have to take note of a few others, such as Xi Qi. That fish of hers is very crafty, so it’s best to not let her attend,” Saul said firmly.
Deng Pu immediately acknowledged his master’s words.
***
The Lockbreaker Competition was only held once every decade, and every time, it always attracted many Lockbreakers to participate, and even the worst ones would at least be three star Discerning Elementary Lockbreakers. However, this particular competition was different, as even one star Discerning Elementary Lockbreakers had decided to participate. This was specifically because the Outerverse was currently isolated from the Innerverse, and so, many Lockbreakers felt like their opportunity had finally arrived. There would not be nearly as many strong Lockbreakers competing, so the competition was greatly reduced.
At Sourcepeak Planet’s space station, one spacecraft after another queued up to enter, and the line extended far into outer space.
Lockbreakers weren’t the only ones who would gather at the Lockbreaker Competition, as this was also an opportunity to expand the Lockbreaker Society’s influence. Hence, the society also invited many important figures to spectate each competition, such as the famous Four Corporations of the Outerverse and the representatives of the leading powers of certain weaves.
Inside one small spacecraft, there was a youth who was looking up with an arrogant expression, and he had several juniors taking turns to flatter him.
“Brother will definitely be able to become an overnight celebrity, and he’ll win first place! He’ll become the youngest champion in the history of the Lockbreaker Competition.”
“That’s right, Brother will definitely suppress everyone with his ability, and he’ll be able to raise his status and gain the President’s attention. He’ll later be able to enter the Hall of Insight, wed beautiful geniuses, and rise up to the pinnacle of life.”
“Brother, at that point, don’t forget your juniors who have served you well. Your juniors wish for you to quickly gain success and amaze the universe with your name.”
“Swift success! Famous throughout the universe!”
“Hahaha,” the youth laughed as he patted the head of the junior beside him. “Don’t become too proud—pride comes before the fall. Your brother is just at the level of a two star Discerning Elementary Lockbreaker, and that’s not enough. Not enough, hahaha.”
The bootlicking from the surrounding juniors continued to flow like a waterfall, making the youth elated.
Suddenly, the youth looked out into outer space, and an amazed look appeared on his face as his expression slowly changed.
The surrounding disciples were all puzzled. “What did you see, Brother? Let us help you.”
The youth pointed at a man who was standing outside the spacecraft. “He, he-”
One of the juniors stepped forward and hollered, “Hey brat! Our Brother is shouting for you, so come over here!”
The youth was almost frightened out of his wits, and he pushed his junior down and then bowed apologetically towards the man outside. The man outside the vessel only glanced over, not bothering with the group. He then stepped forward and vanished.
The junior had been nearly suffocated by the youth, and his face was flushed red. “Br- brother, what’s going on?”
The youth watched the man disappear before finally relaxing and glaring fiercely at his junior. “You almost got me killed!”
The surrounding juniors blinked at him, as they were all at a loss.
“Do you guys know who he is? That was Straight Metallic Man!” the youth hollered with an ugly expression on his face.
The surrounding juniors’ eyes went wide. “That’s actually a name?”
“It’s a title—who knows what his name is!? He’s a five star Discerning Elementary Lockbreaker as well as a Cruiser! Fortunately, your brother’s reaction was fast, or else we might have been eliminated without even knowing what had happened!” The youth was feeling horribly stressed.
The crowd of juniors stared at their senior brother blankly. “A five star Discerning Elementary Lockbreaker? Isn’t the Outerverse isolated from the Innerverse? How is there still such a freak competing?”
The youth hollered at them, “Who the hell knows? There’s a bunch of freaks that won’t go to the Innerverse and instead stay in the Outerverse. My True Insight is gone, gone!”
The surrounding juniors quieted down. “Our hope is gone.”
“Shut up!”
