NOVEL WEB Chapter 259: Monopoly (Part 2)
So, I can only select those challenge platforms that have had their masters for over a millennium.
"Challenge platforms that have been around for more than a millennium account for about one-third."
Lin Qing flew through the air while filtering through the map information on the guide plate, "Most of the challenge platforms change hands quite frequently…"
Once you plant a soul mark on this Void Star, you can temporarily merge your consciousness with it. During this period, the soul becomes ethereal, significantly enhancing comprehension, sensing, and other aspects, nearly akin to an epiphany, which greatly benefits cultivation.
The more Void Stars you plant soul marks on, the longer the epiphany lasts.
It is said that once soul marks are planted on 100,000 Void Stars, the epiphany can last for ten years, and it can be experienced again every millennium.
In the Void Sea, strength is everything, and such treasure lands naturally attract numerous strong individuals.
Whenever a vacancy appears, it is immediately occupied.
If the master of a challenge platform is found to be weak, once the millennium protection period is over, someone will come to challenge them right away.
Even though the Void Star numbers in the millions in the Void Sea, it is not enough to be divided among the billions of Void Creatures.
After planting a soul mark on one Void Star, you will still seek out a second, a third... and even more, to experience a longer epiphany.
"Those who can plant soul marks on 100,000 Void Stars at once are nearly always Void Dominators…"
Lin Qing murmured to himself, "Indeed, even among the peak entities of the Void Creatures, if someone purposely obstructs them, it's very difficult to plant soul marks on 100,000 Void Stars…"
For example, if an enemy deliberately ruins things, once the millennium period is up, they may specifically hire someone to challenge and remove the soul mark, there's nothing one can do.
Once a challenge is initiated, regardless of success, you cannot challenge the same Void Star again for 38 million years.
Unless you can traverse 100,000 Void Stars in just a thousand years.
But even though the vast Void Sea contains a few million Void Stars, their density is naturally low, and each Void Star is separated by a great distance; even a Void Dominator cannot traverse 100,000 Void Stars in a millennium.
"It is said that there are informational brokers near every challenge platform, simply selecting one and purchasing a piece of information will suffice."
While mulling this over, Lin Qing sped along the 'Windless Zone' of the Void Star.
Beyond the Windless Zone lies the chaotic windy region, filled with Void storms; even the Void Dominator dares not linger, lest they exhaust their Power and perish.
And the Windless Zone, serving as a safe passage, can swiftly reach various challenge platforms.
Across a Void Star with a diameter of billions of miles, even with greater gravity, Lin Qing could easily achieve speeds of thousands of kilometers per second by using a Divine Artifact for flight.
Just an hour later, he arrived at the nearest first challenge platform.
It was a relic resembling a giant pyramid, towering several thousand kilometers high, its whole body made of obsidian-like material, akin to the Origin aura of this Void Star, mixed with traces of the aura of Life.
This relic is commonly referred to as a challenge platform.
Once you ascend to the top of the pyramid, your consciousness can merge into the Virtual Space of the relic, forming an avatar within.
"Oh? The protection period is over already?"
Lin Qing examined the towering, majestic pyramid and couldn't help but show a hint of a smile, "The Miracle Fate chose the Windless Zone path correctly."
Upon arriving at this Void Star, he refrained from purchasing information on the various challenge platforms and directly used Miracle Fate to glance and determine the most auspicious path, then he set out.
After all, with his strong Power and the filtering of Miracle Fate, there was naturally no need to waste time slowly researching.
Indeed, the first challenge platform relic found on this path had already passed its protection period; just by buying a piece of information, he could confirm the master's strength for this challenge platform.
After all…
With only one challenge opportunity, one must wait 38 million years for the next, so it's better to be cautious.
"Is this your first time on a Void Star, sir?"
At this moment, a green-skinned man dressed in a black outfit flew over, smiling, "This challenge platform is temporarily unavailable for use; may you switch to another one?"
"Unavailable for use?" Lin Qing glanced at him, frowning slightly, "What do you mean? Isn't the protection period for this challenge platform already over?"
The green-skinned man immediately chuckled and said, "The thing is, this challenge platform has been reserved by a client of our Tianqi Lake Group; outsiders are temporarily not allowed to challenge it. If you have needs, you can reserve spots for other challenge platforms."
"Reserved?"
Lin Qing slightly squinted his eyes and said, "This challenge platform was naturally nurtured by the Void Sea; how could it be reserved by your clients?"
At the same time, his consciousness connected to the Second Cosmic Network, starting an investigation into this Void Star using the Secret Realm Master's privileges.
"Didn't you know, sir?"
The green-skinned man was initially astonished, then shook his head with a smile, "Our Tianqi Lake Group is jointly established by top-tier forces from the three major civilizations near the Deceitful Fog Sea. The 371 Void Stars near the Deceitful Fog Sea have been monopolized by our Tianqi Lake Group. Did you not investigate beforehand?"
At the same time, Lin Qing had already discovered the situation concerning this so-called Tianqi Lake Group.
The Heavenly Shield Civilization, Wuqi River Civilization, Beast Lake Civilization.
The eleven top-tier forces of these three civilizations near the Deceitful Fog Sea banded together to monopolize the Void Stars and established this so-called Tianqi Lake Group.
Planting soul marks on Void Stars is an excellent cultivation aid, with limited spots, offering huge profit opportunities.
Coupled with the geographical advantage of the Deceitful Fog Sea, it prevents random outsiders from entering.
Thus, the top-tier forces of these three civilizations joined forces to monopolize hundreds of Void Stars.
"I see…"
Lin Qing suddenly understood: "No wonder the Master of Deceitful Fog is so arrogant, fearing nothing but Void Dominators. It seems… there may be collaboration with the Tianqi Lake Group?"
The Deceitful Fog surrounding the Deceitful Fog Sea forms a natural barrier.
With the notorious pirate Master of Deceitful Fog present, most Void Creatures fear entering the Deceitful Fog Sea unless they have connections.
The reputation of the Master of Deceitful Fog is likely a result of deliberate propaganda by the Tianqi Lake Group, isn't it?
This way, the Tianqi Lake Group can make better profits.
Even powerful Void Creatures must purchase spots from the Tianqi Lake Group to safely enter the Deceitful Fog Sea, then enter the Void Stars, and be eligible to ascend the challenge platform.
This amounts to a monopoly.
On this challenge platform, a batch of people changes every millennium.
Thanks to this business, all involved forces earn handsomely.
Many Void Creatures may feel it's unfair, but what can they do about their indignation?
The eleven top-ranked forces of the three civilizations join hands to establish it, equivalent to a group of Void Dominators decreeing it!
Even if other Void Dominators or individuals with great backgrounds want to come, they simply notify the Tianqi Lake Group, which will graciously relinquish spots and even help select the challenge platform with the highest success rate.
Moreover, some challenge platforms are occupied by members within the Tianqi Lake Group.
If someone is willing to purchase, those members can voluntarily concede.
Thus, it's a lucrative industry.
"I understand."
Lin Qing suddenly spoke calmly, "I'm curious what you plan to do if a Void Dominator arrives and doesn't bother notifying your Tianqi Lake Group?"
The green-skinned man slightly raised his eyebrows, smiling, "If such formidable beings like Void Dominators arrive, I naturally won't dare to obstruct them. If they are displeased with us, we'll disappear immediately. But…are you such a guest?"
The top-tier forces of the three civilizations joined to finalize a business deal with a group of Void Dominators.
The Tianqi Lake Group does not fear Void Dominators but doesn't intentionally provoke them either.
If any super strong entity plants soul marks on 100,000 Void Stars at once, making the soul mark permanent, they wouldn't occupy challenge platform spots, not affecting the Tianqi Lake Group's 'business'.
The Tianqi Lake Group naturally doesn't care.
"Is that so?"
Lin Qing laughed, "Unfortunately, I am not a Void Dominator, but I also don't like you."
Too lazy to say more, he casually flicked his sleeve, a powerful force sweeping through, instantly sending the green-skinned man flying backward.