The Art of Chaotic Divinity-Chapter 1158: The Hourglass of Time

"We'll pass an island called Heaven's Illusion Island on the way to Tianhuang City. Its ruler is the Illusion Heart Queen. As long as you can pass her test, she will allow you to use her Hourglass of Time for one day."

The Azure Jade Scale Serpent gave a sly smile. "Do not underestimate that Hourglass of Time. It is a top-grade auxiliary sacred artifact. Inside its unique temporal space, a single day of cultivation equals a full year of training in the outside world. With your talent, if you bring enough cultivation resources, advancing from the third to the sixth level of the Spiritual Element Realm should be easily achievable."

"One day of cultivation is equal to a year in the outside world?"

Ling Feng's eyelid twitched. "A treasure like that, and the Queen of Phantom Heart actually lets others use it?"

"Hehe, that's because the Hourglass of Time is still only a sacred artifact. Each person can use it for a total of three days in their lifetime, no more. Since the Queen can no longer benefit from it herself, she uses it to attract geniuses from across the Tianlan Sea Region and expand her island's influence."

"As far as I know, even Tianhuang City sends its young elites to take part in her trials. Heaven's Illusion Island is at its liveliest around this time every year!"

"That does sound interesting."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose thoughtfully. The opening of the Sea of Miracles was still about two months away. If he could raise his strength before then, perhaps even reaching King-tier, his chances of survival would rise sharply.

"Well? What do you think?"

The Azure Jade Scale Serpent leaned forward eagerly. "I've already told you how to increase your strength quickly. You have to keep your word and bring me with you into the Sea of Miracles!"

"We'll see after I reach the sixth level of the Spiritual Element Realm!"

Ling Feng had no intention of trusting the serpent so easily. The creature was sly and cunning, hardly a reliable ally.

For now, though, he needed its knowledge of the Tianlan Sea Region as his guide.

...

Time passed quickly. Even at Zifeng's current speed, they spent more than half a day before reaching the island the serpent had described.

Night had already fallen by the time they arrived.

"What a magnificent city!"

Ling Feng gazed ahead in surprise. Towering walls and grand palaces stood before him, nothing like what one would expect from an island settlement. It was as if he had stepped back onto the mainland. Tianluo Island was nothing compared to Heaven's Illusion Island.

The defenses here were strict. Flight was forbidden, and even the city gates were sealed with powerful restrictions. They could only enter through the main gate after undergoing several rounds of inspection. Only then did Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan finally set foot inside.

The Queen of Phantom Heart was said to be a fifth-level Human Emperor expert, a formidable figure not to be underestimated.

In the inner sea of the Tianlan Sea Region, she ranked among the most respected of rulers.

Heaven's Illusion Island, which she had built herself, was one of the top five powers in the region. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Just as Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan entered the city, a man in purple robes approached them at the gate. He was rather handsome, with a broad sword at his waist and a confident, easy stride.

"Hehe, you two here for the Illusion Heart Queen's assessment? I happen to have a few admission tickets to the Hall of Heroes. One thousand elemental crystals each."

His sharp eyes glinted with cunning.

One thousand elemental crystals for a single ticket?

Ling Feng frowned. He wasn't short on crystals, but that price was ridiculous!

Elemental crystals were far more valuable than elemental stones!

And what was this Hall of Heroes supposed to be anyway?

"Sorry," Ling Feng said with a small shake of his head. He was about to refuse when the Azure Jade Scale Serpent, still shrunk and hidden in his sleeve, spoke through spiritual consciousness transmission.

"Young Hero, buy them right away. Opportunity favors those who stand close. Don't be stingy. The Hall of Heroes gathers the elite. It's also where the Queen entertains distinguished guests. Staying there won't guarantee anything, but it marks you as someone of status. It will make her notice you sooner."

Ling Feng rubbed his nose again. If that was true, then a thousand crystals wasn't such a bad price.

"Here are two thousand elemental crystals."

He handed them over without hesitation. The purple-robed man froze, then hurriedly opened his dimensional ring to check the payment. After confirming the amount, he passed over two tickets, still looking dazed.

This guy didn't even bargain?

He had never expected anyone to buy them at that price. The tickets were worth a few hundred at best. Selling them for a thousand each was daylight robbery.

He had only hoped to get three hundred a piece and already thought that would be a good profit. To see someone throw out two thousand without blinking left him speechless.

A mere Spiritual Element Realm cultivator, yet this rich?

Ling Feng accepted the tickets and gave him a faint, meaningful glance before walking away with Tuoba Yan.

Watching them go, the purple-robed man stroked his chin and muttered, "Rich fool. Another one with more money than sense. Hehehe!"

...

Before long, Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan arrived at the Hall of Heroes.

A massive structure more than fifty zhang tall stood at the center of a great lake, connected to the shore by nine long stone bridges. The building was majestic and lavishly adorned. Powerful ripples of restrictive energy surrounded it, dense with killing intent. Even a Spiritual Sea Realm expert would find it impossible to break in by force.

Those coming and going were all young prodigies of the Tianlan Sea Region or even the Tiansheng Empire. Entry was impossible without a ticket.

Paying several hundred elemental crystals for admission served as proof of both strength and background.

With their two tickets, Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan passed easily through the gate.

At the entrance to the bridge stood a handsome young attendant. He gave them a casual glance, then raised a hand. "This bridge is called the Soul-Locking Bridge. It stimulates one's spiritual consciousness. If your spiritual consciousness is insufficient, you'd best not try to cross. You can stay nearby and observe instead. It's still worth the price of admission."

He smiled faintly. "After all, the Hall of Heroes admits only the truly outstanding among the young generation."

Though his tone remained polite, the disdain in his eyes was unmistakable.

Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan were only at the early stage of the Spiritual Element Realm. Among the gathered talents, that placed them near the bottom.

To the attendant, they were nothing more than rich fools.

Ling Feng's lips curved into a cold smile. He couldn't be bothered to argue with someone so narrow-minded. Exchanging a brief look with Tuoba Yan, he stepped forward and set foot on the stone bridge.