Swallowing the Stars: Starting with Panlong

Chapter 103 Gift of Innate Secret Techniques - Clone Talent

In the cultivation room of the Bright Moon Community in the Swallowed Star World.

Lin Yun hovered cross-legged in mid-air, the surrounding space slightly distorted, and purple lightning flickered around him. That was the aura of the fundamental laws of lightning—although he had only just begun to understand them, it had already brought about a qualitative change in his entire demeanor.

Unlike usual, his aura was much stronger than before.

The instant the lightning-elemental laws in the Panlong World achieved godhood and the soul split, the feedback energy from the small cauldron surged into this body like a tidal wave. The feeling was hard to describe—it was like a dried-up riverbed suddenly receiving a flood, every cell cheering, every muscle evolving, and the genetic energy running wildly within the body, impacting that invisible barrier.

The martial artist's cultivation level and mental power instantly broke through from the ninth level of the planetary level to the first level of the eternal level.

"Eternal Star Level..." Lin Yun clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body.

Both the quality and quantity of genetic energy have undergone a qualitative leap. At the planetary level, genetic energy is like a trickle, seemingly endless but ultimately finite. At the constant level, however, genetic energy is like a surging river, profound and deep, seemingly inexhaustible. Physical attributes have improved by at least one major level—strength, speed, reaction time, and recovery ability have all been comprehensively enhanced.

The leap from Planetary to Eternal level represents another advancement in the level of life. In the universe, Planetary level is merely considered the beginning of a martial artist's journey, enough to secure basic needs, while Eternal level represents a true "martial artist." Many citizens of various cosmic nations spend their entire lives without ever breaking through this threshold, yet Lin Yun achieved it at the age of nineteen.

But the more significant changes occur deep within consciousness.

The moment the breakthrough was complete, a message from the very origin of the primordial universe suddenly appeared in Lin Yun's mind. This message was neither text nor image, but a more direct transmission, like a memory. It was directly imprinted deep within Lin Yun's soul, like an innate instinct.

However, due to the excruciating pain of his soul splitting in the Panlong World, he had no energy to investigate. The pain surged from the deepest part of his soul, uncontrollable and impossible to ignore. Both of his bodies simultaneously fell into a brief state of unconsciousness, losing all perception of the outside world.

Only now, with the breakthrough in the Panlong World completely completed and the souls of both bodies stabilized, did Lin Yun calm down and carefully examine that message.

"The ability to create clones!"

A surprised voice came from Lin Yun's mouth.

That message was a secret technique bestowed upon him by the primordial universe—the ability to create clones.

A corresponding clone can be created from a mere wisp of flesh or fur. This clone is not an illusion or energy body conjured through laws, but a true clone with independent consciousness and the ability to cultivate independently. It shares a soul with the original, yet can act and comprehend laws independently. The clone can cultivate innate secret techniques that the original does not possess, and can have completely different physical attributes and fighting styles.

"This...isn't this the same as the Golden Horned Beast's ability to create clones?" An overwhelming excitement welled up in Lin Yun's heart.

The Golden Horned Beast is a pinnacle bloodline in the universe, one of the twelve pinnacle bloodlines of the Starry Sky Beasts. Besides their powerful genetic makeup, their ability to stand at the top of the cosmic food chain is primarily due to their innate secret technique—"Cloning." A single Golden Horned Beast can create three clones, each possessing independent consciousness and cultivation abilities. It is precisely this talent that makes the Golden Horned Beast one of the most terrifying races in the universe.

Lin Yun once felt a deep regret—he didn't possess Luo Feng's secret technique for possessing another's body, nor did he have Hu Yanbo's inherited soul imprint. Even if the Golden Horned Beast were placed before him, he wouldn't be able to possess it. He could only watch helplessly as Luo Feng obtained this incredible opportunity, while he could only stand by and watch.

But now, the primordial universe has directly bestowed upon him the talent to create clones!

"How exactly did I acquire this talent for creating clones?" Lin Yun pondered.

He vaguely sensed that this was related to his breakthrough to godhood and the condensation of a divine avatar in the Panlong World. In the Panlong World, his soul split in two, giving birth to a divine avatar. That divine avatar possessed an independent body and an independent soul (although it was split from the main soul), and could independently cultivate the laws of lightning. This change at the soul level was perceived by the primordial universe of the Swallowed Star World.

The primordial universe is fair. When a person's soul undergoes a fundamental mutation, and this mutation aligns with a certain law governing the universe's operation, the universe bestows a corresponding innate talent as "recognition." Just as Luo Feng gained the talent of creating clones after possessing the Golden Horned Beast, Lin Yun also gained the talent of creating clones after splitting his soul in two.

"If that's really the case... then if I have more divine avatars in the Panlong World in the future, will I be able to create more avatars in the Devouring Star World?" Lin Yun's eyes lit up.

Seven elemental laws, seven elemental divine avatars. If each elemental divine avatar can nurture another avatar within the Devouring Starry Sky world... then he will have seven avatars, plus his original body, for a total of eight bodies cultivating simultaneously!

Eight bodies can simultaneously cultivate different laws, comprehend different secret techniques, and engage in different battles. This advantage is unimaginable to the vast majority of geniuses in the entire universe.

Not only the seven elements of law, but also the four major rules, Lin Yun can try to cultivate them to become a god!

"That's amazing." Lin Yun took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

However, the most urgent task now is not to think about the future, but to figure out the specific usage of this talent technique.

Lin Yun closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into his body.

Deep within his inner world, a transparent crystal sphere covered with countless mysterious runes appeared. The sphere was small, only the size of a fist, with a faint glow flowing across its surface. The runes were so complex that even Lin Yun's mental energy could not decipher them. They were neither any known writing nor any known magic array, but rather a manifestation of the primordial origin of the universe—a microscopic embodiment of the laws governing the universe's operation.

From the message, he knew that this was the primordial core—the core used to nurture clones.

The primordial core floated in the center of his inner world, surrounded by the genetic energy Lin Yun had accumulated over many years of cultivation. This genetic energy flowed slowly around the primordial core, like planets orbiting a star. Lin Yun could sense that the primordial core contained an extremely vast amount of life energy, enough to nurture a complete life form.

"Just a sliver of flesh or fur is enough to create a corresponding clone," Lin Yun murmured. "Then... what if we used the flesh and blood of the Golden Horned Beast?"

His heart started racing.

The Golden Horned Beast, possessing the pinnacle of cosmic bloodline and the attribute of metal, is a darling of the laws of metal. If a clone of the Golden Horned Beast could be conceived, his metal-based laws would no longer be a weakness. Moreover, the Golden Horned Beast's innate secret techniques, bloodline inheritance, and combat instincts would all become his power.

It's unknown whether the Golden Horned Beast he conceived also possesses the "clone" talent. If so, combined with the "clone-generating" talent bestowed by the primordial universe, the number of his clones would far exceed that of the Golden Horned Beast.

"But the Golden Horned Beast hasn't been born yet." Lin Yun frowned.

He knew that the Golden Horned Beast was probably still somewhere deep in the Pacific Ocean, but it would be some time before it was truly born.

According to the original timeline, the Golden Horned Beast was born in early 2060. It is currently December 2058, so there is still about a year to go.

"No rush," Lin Yun thought to himself. "Once the Golden Horned Beast is born, there will naturally be an opportunity."

It shouldn't be difficult to obtain a trace of the Golden Horned Beast's flesh and blood. Just a trace will be enough. It won't affect Luo Feng's possession or the Golden Horned Beast's growth.

Just as Lin Yun was pondering his clone talent, he suddenly sensed another change.

Lightning Domain. The Ninefold Lightning Domain has finally been broken through.

The difference between reaching the ninth level of the Domain and stepping into the threshold of the fundamental laws of lightning is indeed vast. A domain is merely the surface of a law, borrowing the power of heaven and earth—when your domain unfolds, the surrounding elements will obey your commands, multiplying the power of your attacks and suppressing the strength of your enemies. But ultimately, a domain is only borrowed, not controlled.

Stepping into the threshold of the fundamental laws means truly touching the core of the laws. It is no longer about borrowing, but about understanding, integrating, and becoming a part of the laws.

Lin Yun raised his right hand, and a purple arc of lightning condensed in his palm. The arc wasn't large, only as thick as a finger, but the power it contained was more than ten times stronger than before. He could clearly feel that the arc contained a trace of the aura of a primordial law—the core mystery of the lightning-based laws, one of the fundamental laws governing the universe.

"This is the fundamental law," Lin Yun murmured.

He closed his eyes, carefully sensing the aura of that primordial law. Unlike the laws in the Panlong world, which were clearly discernible, it was more subtle and profound. The laws in the Panlong world were like clear rivers, which you could follow to explore. But the primordial laws in the Swallowed Star world were like underground rivers, which you needed to perceive and excavate with your heart.

But the two are essentially interconnected. Lightning is simply lightning. Regardless of the world, the essence of lightning is the flow of electric charge, the release of energy, and the combination of speed and explosive force. His understanding of the laws of lightning in the Panlong world is equally applicable here.

Stepping into the threshold of the fundamental laws means he can be considered a true genius in the Swallowed Star world. In the entire universe, those who can step into the threshold of the laws at the cosmic level are sought after by all major forces. And he not only stepped into it, but he did so at the first level of the Eternal Star—this is extremely rare in the entire universe.

At the same time, he also knew that this was just the beginning. Stepping into the threshold of the fundamental laws was only the first step. As his understanding of the fundamental laws continued to increase, he would eventually gain the recognition of the fundamental laws, and finally, he would fully comprehend a fundamental law, thus stepping into immortality.

Even so, after stepping into the threshold of the Origin Law, Lin Yun, with his cultivation level as a first-tier Hengxing-level martial artist and the blessing of the Origin Law of Thunder, has combat power far exceeding that of an ordinary Hengxing-level martial artist.

He silently assessed his own strength.

Martial Arts Cultivation: First Rank of the Eternal Star Level. Mental Power: First Rank of the Eternal Star Level. Law Comprehension: Entry-level in the fundamental law of lightning, and ninth level in the other five elements (earth, fire, water, wind, and light).

Overall combat strength: Among the Hengxing level, he should be considered top-tier. At least within the Qianwu Universe Kingdom, he already belongs to the most outstanding group of geniuses.

As for Luo Feng, he is still struggling at the first level of the planetary stage, and the gap is even greater.

Even a Golden Horned Beast at the Hengxing level would be a challenge for Lin Yun. After all, a Golden Horned Beast that has just broken through to the Hengxing level and hasn't yet had time to cultivate its inherited secret techniques doesn't yet demonstrate the terrifying power of a top-tier race in the universe. If he were to encounter a Golden Horned Beast now, he would have at least an 80% chance of winning.

"My strength has increased significantly again." Lin Yun clenched his fist, feeling the surging power within his body.

With his martial arts and mental power cultivation reaching the first level of the Hengxing stage, his entry into the fundamental laws of lightning, and the acquisition of the clone talent—this series of breakthroughs led to a qualitative leap in his strength.

He switched his consciousness to the Panlong World.

In a miniature plane deep within the magic crystal mine, Lin Yun's other body sat cross-legged on a stone bed. Beside him, a figure dressed in a light purple robe also sat cross-legged—that was his lightning-elemental divine avatar.

Two bodies, two souls, sharing the same origin, yet existing independently.

The main body continued cultivating the other six elemental laws, while the divine avatar focused on the lightning elemental law. The two bodies could cultivate simultaneously without interfering with each other. The cultivation speed was more than twice as fast as before.

Moreover, as he delves deeper into the laws of lightning, the strength of his divine avatar will continue to increase. Once he comprehends and integrates the other mysteries of lightning, ideally by the time he reaches the intermediate god level, he will be able to integrate five mysteries. He can then comprehend the last mystery while integrating it. In that case, when he reaches the upper god level, that will be the time when he enters the Great Perfection stage.

Lin Yun opened his eyes and stood up from the cultivation room.

He walked to the window and opened it. Moonlight streamed in through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating his face. The distant sky was dotted with stars, and the streetlights of Mingyue Residential Area shimmered with a warm glow in the night.

"Next, I need to continue improving my cultivation and deepen my understanding of the fundamental laws of lightning," Lin Yun thought to himself.

In terms of cultivation, he still has more than ten Wood Seed Crystals, but Wood Seed Crystals are planetary-level cultivation resources. He has now reached the constant-level, so the effect of Wood Seed Crystals has been greatly reduced. Moreover, he has other plans for Wood Seed Crystals. One Wood Seed Crystal can create a planetary-level martial artist, which means a Saint-level warrior in the Panlong World. More than ten Saint-level warriors would be of great help to his Chaotic Territory.

In terms of understanding the laws, his lightning-elemental divine avatar in the Panlong World can cultivate independently, while his main body continues to cultivate the other six elements. The two worlds corroborate each other, ensuring a rapid pace of progress. Moreover, there are still many contents in the secret manuals of Meteorite Star that he has not yet studied. Those manuals about metal, wood, time, and space, although not useful now, will definitely be useful in the future.

"As for the clone talent..." Lin Yun turned his gaze towards the Pacific Ocean.

"Once the Golden Horned Beast is born, everything will unfold according to the trajectory of fate," Lin Yun said softly. "Luo Feng will seize the Golden Horned Beast's body and gain the ability to create clones. As for me, I only need a sliver of its flesh and blood."

A trace of flesh and blood wouldn't affect Luo Feng's cultivation or the Golden Horned Beast's growth. But for Lin Yun, that trace of flesh and blood meant the beginning of the metal-elemental laws, a clone of the Golden Horned Beast, and limitless possibilities for the future.

"Luo Feng, I'm sorry." Lin Yun smiled. "The Golden Horned Beast is yours, but I only need a little bit of its flesh and blood."