Chapter Fifty-Nine: Within the Cradle World

“The Cradle World is also located within the underground, and it’s divided into many regions. The Gate of Evolution isn’t so easily accessible either—the minimum requirement is at least second-tier evolution.” A line appeared on the newspaper.

After reading it, Fang Tang asked, “So it’s not just about raw power? The Frost Cannon could be considered fifth-level technology.”

Tu Jiawen replied, “You haven’t demonstrated the true power of advanced technology. What makes fifth-level technology so formidable isn’t just its destructive force, but the degree of control it requires from its wielder. The higher an evolver’s level, the more superior their reflexes and physical capabilities compared to those of lower ranks.”

Fang Tang fell silent.

He wanted to say, “Really? I don’t believe it!”

But the words never left his lips.

Because as he opened his mouth, a faint, almost imperceptible aura emanated from Tu Jiawen. The moment Fang Tang sensed it, he felt as though he had become the prey of a wild beast—Tu Jiawen could end his life at any moment.

“When your evolution level reaches the second tier, you’ll gain some special benefits. You’ll need to choose carefully.”

Fang Tang lapsed into silence, letting out a soft sigh as the joy in his heart quickly faded.

Suddenly, even the allure of the Frost Cannon seemed diminished.

“So many restrictions!”

He muttered, glancing at the Frost Cannon, which was now complete.

The weapon looked like a square-mouthed firearm and required Fang Tang’s fingerprint to operate—it had a recognition protocol, binding it to its owner.

After registering his fingerprint, Fang Tang found he could freely manipulate the Frost Cannon’s form at will.

The icy-blue barrel melted into a stream of water, flowing over his arm.

The water solidified, transforming into the shape of a hand-held cannon.

Stepping out of the villa, Fang Tang aimed at an open patch of ground and fired.

A blue cascade of frost burst from the muzzle, spreading out in a fan shape—wherever it touched, the world transformed into ice and snow in an instant.

Even the soil beneath his feet froze into brittle shards that shattered at the slightest touch.

“Fifth-level technology truly lives up to its name,” Fang Tang muttered, smacking his lips. The Frost Cannon liquefied once again, merging into his skin and leaving behind a snowflake pattern.

“This weapon is quite exceptional—it can change its form at will,” Tu Jiawen remarked, eyeing Fang Tang with a mixture of surprise and suspicion.

Fang Tang didn’t reply, instead asking, “When will the pass arrive?”

“Soon,” Tu Jiawen responded.

No sooner had she spoken than Fang Tang felt a burning sensation in his left arm.

He hurriedly raised his arm. A string of green numerals gradually emerged from beneath his skin.

00:00:00:00

The countdown was at zero—which meant Fang Tang could now enter the Cradle World.

Where he ought to have felt excitement, Fang Tang found his eagerness dampened by the basic rules of the Cradle World.

Tu Jiawen placed a hand on his shoulder. “If you want to go, then go. Hearing about it is one thing; seeing it for yourself is another. Experience the Cradle with your own eyes. You still have plenty of elemental stones—you can find the Underground Bazaar and buy a sequence talent.”

Fang Tang’s eyes brightened. That’s right!

If he couldn’t access the Gate of Evolution, he could at least visit the Underground Bazaar.

If he managed to find a suitable sequence talent, that would be quite something.

He tapped the pass with his finger. A beam of light pierced the ceiling, enveloping Fang Tang.

Eight seconds!

A fixed transfer time.

When the radiance faded, Fang Tang found himself standing on a platform.

The tiles beneath his feet were inscribed with mysterious characters he couldn’t decipher, reminiscent of a spring, with a string of codes written above.

District L12138.

He was not alone on the platform; many others stood with him, and Fang Tang was at the very front.

Those behind him, seeing him rooted in place, grew impatient.

“What are you standing there for? Move aside, don’t waste everyone’s time!”

Disheveled people shoved past Fang Tang and stepped off the platform.

Unbothered, Fang Tang simply raised his hand to glance at his pass.

00:00:59:26.

One hour!

How short!

Fang Tang sighed. This was the drawback of weak strength.

He only had an hour, and he needed to quickly familiarize himself with the Cradle World.

Looking up, Fang Tang was momentarily stunned by the sight around him.

It was another underground world, but comparatively more spacious—about the size of a stadium.

Rows upon rows of stalls stretched as far as the eye could see.

Whenever someone left a stall, another immediately took their place. It seemed stalls were never left vacant.

“There are so many people in the underground?”

Fang Tang licked his lips and stepped off the platform.

“Hold it, hand over your identity tag.”

A sallow-skinned man blocked Fang Tang’s path, stretching out a hand with an impatient expression.

“I don’t have a tag,” Fang Tang replied, blinking.

“No tag… You’re from the New World?” The man finally took a careful look at Fang Tang.

“Show me your region pass.”

He mentioned something Fang Tang hadn’t heard of before.

After thinking for a moment, Fang Tang realized he was referring to the newspaper.

He pulled out the newspaper and gave the man a questioning look.

“This?”

“Open it yourself—flip to the first page so I can see your region code.”

Fang Tang deftly tapped the region code on the banner.

The sallow man glanced at it and muttered, “D0023z0093… Already at the 23rd world, yet I’ve never seen anyone from the 21st or 22nd.”

He shook his head, took out a form, and handed it to Fang Tang.

“Can you write in the underground script? Since you can understand me, you must have drunk the perfect version of the Language Solution, so you should be able to write.”

The man looked at Fang Tang, then added, “If you can, fill it in yourself: name, age, evolution level, sequence, equipment.”

Fang Tang raised his brows, unsure why so much information was needed.

Nevertheless, he filled out the form.

“Fang Tang, 24 years old, first-tier, second stage, Sequence 666, Sixth Time’s the Charm, mechanical claw arm, Grand Xia Dragon Sparrow…”

The man studied the awkward handwriting, mumbling as he glanced at Fang Tang in puzzlement. “First-tier, second stage—how did you get a pass?”

“Uh… this!” Fang Tang pointed to the mechanical claw arm on his back.

“That’s third-level technology, but still not enough!” The man scratched his head, then waved his hand impatiently. “Forget it, whatever. Even third-level tech can hold its own down here.”

With that, he tossed Fang Tang an iron badge and reminded him, “You’re only first-tier, second stage, so you can’t enter the Gate of Evolution yet. Since you’ve just arrived in the Cradle, take your time and look around.”

“Thank you!” Fang Tang nodded, examining the badge in his hand.

It contained his information, and at the bottom was another string of code.

D0023z0093a0001.

Is this my identity card in the underground world?

Smiling, Fang Tang stepped into the Cradle World outside.

Lost amidst the bustling crowd, Fang Tang felt a little bewildered.

How was he supposed to find the Underground Bazaar?

He grabbed someone at random and asked for directions. Under the stranger’s odd gaze, Fang Tang headed toward the bazaar.

All along the way, Fang Tang sized up the stalls he passed.

Most were selling blueprints, but none specified what kind they were.

And the prices weren’t cheap—seven elemental stones per blueprint.

Fang Tang glanced at them, but felt no urge to buy. These blueprints were like opening loot boxes—you only knew what you bought once you’d collected it.

It could be junk, or it could be a windfall.

Fang Tang wasn’t one to gamble on luck.

Looking at the elegantly decorated Underground Bazaar, Fang Tang broke into a smile.

“Nothing beats having a hefty wallet!”