To be perfectly honest, the sixth level of the Tongtian Bridge shouldn't pose too much difficulty given Han Jue's current level of comprehension.
Even if he couldn't clear it on his first attempt, studying the Chaos Monument twice more would be more than sufficient. After all, he'd already absorbed considerable insights from his initial seven-day observation period.
"Han Jue, this is the complete set of 'Ice Peak Prologue' as your gift for becoming my disciple."
Recalling the Lord of Ice Peak's words, Han Jue couldn't help but appreciate the tremendous benefits of becoming a Universe Master's personal disciple. Even if he'd been accepted by other Universe Masters, no matter how generous they might be, they wouldn't grant a secret technique worth hundreds of billions of points immediately upon accepting a new student, let alone the other advantages that came with such prestigious backing.
This single gift alone meant he could completely save his initial 100,000 points and allocate them toward other necessities. The economic advantage was staggering.
So after receiving such unprecedented favor from the Lord of Ice Peak, it was time to demonstrate his worth and justify that investment.
"Bolan cleared the second level on his first attempt, and Luo Feng managed the first level?" Han Jue murmured thoughtfully, reviewing the current standings.
No one else among the new batch of geniuses had succeeded in passing even the first level of the Tongtian Bridge. The difficulty was precisely calibrated to separate true prodigies from merely talented individuals.
Without further hesitation, Han Jue selected his destination and entered the Tongtian Bridge plane.
The Ice Peak Chaos Monument corresponded to a Tongtian Bridge with twenty-seven levels total.
Similar to the Nine Universe Chaos Monument, it possessed fewer levels compared to monuments like the Huge Axe Chaos Monument or the Mother Ancestral Chaos Monument. However, the number of levels merely indicated the profound depth achieved by the being who'd originally created and left behind that particular Chaos Monument, it didn't necessarily mean that comprehending a monument with more levels would make one inherently more powerful than practitioners of other paths.
At the same level of law comprehension, different Chaos Monument practitioners achieved comparable strength through their respective specializations. The paths diverged, but the destinations remained equally valid.
During the thirty-year training period in Primal Chaos City, all point rewards earned from crossing the Tongtian Bridge levels would be multiplied tenfold, an incredible incentive that made early success extraordinarily valuable.
Thinking of the enormous quantities of points required to properly cultivate treasures like the Star-Eating Grass later in his development, Han Jue felt a slight headache forming. Every point mattered, and this multiplier represented an opportunity he couldn't afford to squander.
The Tongtian Bridge represented a genuine opportunity, one he intended to exploit fully.
"Han Jue, you're finally here!" Wu Ka's eyes lit up with obvious excitement. He hadn't expected to encounter Han Jue in the Tongtian Bridge plane. "Everyone's been eagerly waiting to see what level you'll reach on your first attempt!"
"Really?" Han Jue smiled slightly, unsurprised by the attention. His performance in the Genius Battle had guaranteed scrutiny from countless observers.
"Han Jue?" Guardian Bafen, who'd been observing from a short distance away, immediately brightened and approached with barely contained enthusiasm.
"The Ice Peak Tongtian Bridge is currently unoccupied. You should go quickly," Guardian Bafen said encouragingly, his voice carrying obvious anticipation. "Come now, if Bolan managed to clear the second level on his first attempt, you can definitely reach the third!"
His confidence wasn't mere flattery. Guardian Bafen had witnessed enough genius attempts to recognize genuine potential, and Han Jue's aura suggested capabilities that exceeded even Bolan's impressive showing.
"Thank you for your encouragement, Lord Guardian," Han Jue replied courteously with a slight smile, then strode confidently toward the Ice Peak Tongtian Bridge.
The moment Han Jue vanished into the bridge's dimensional space, Guardian Bafen immediately transmitted thousands of notification emails to interested parties across the Virtual Universe.
Within moments, nearly a thousand King-level Immortals materialized throughout the Tongtian Bridge plane's observation areas, their attention collectively focused on the Ice Peak Bridge's viewing screen.
Quite a few King-level Immortals harbored considerable interest in Han Jue's potential. Most had arrived simply to witness the spectacle and evaluate his true capabilities, while a select few still harbored hopes of potentially recruiting him as a personal disciple, though such aspirations had grown increasingly unlikely given recent developments.
"Silver Moon, which member of your Ice Peak lineage accepted this exceptional youngster?" a King-level Immortal asked with undisguised curiosity, his tone carrying genuine interest.
"Indeed, Rong Jun was accepted as a personal disciple by Venerable Yuanchen, so Han Jue's teacher shouldn't be far behind in status," another King speculated thoughtfully.
"Could it be Venerable Lianyi herself?"
"Stop speculating unnecessarily," Silver Moon King replied with unusual coldness, his expression betraying subtle frustration that only those who knew him well might detect.
This 'little fellow' you're all discussing is now technically my martial uncle! he thought with considerable irony.
The Lord of Ice Peak himself had accepted Han Jue, a decision that placed the young genius far beyond the reach of ordinary recruitment. Such great beings operated on an entirely different level, serving as genuine decision-makers who shaped humanity's overall strategic direction.
Silver Moon King maintained his composure outwardly, but internally he marveled at the implications. His own teacher had been elevated to unprecedented status by association.
"Choose your opponent. You may select a warrior, a controller, or an illusionist. Defeat your chosen opponent to pass the first level of the Tongtian Bridge."
The mechanical voice resonated throughout the dimensional space, clinical and emotionless.
"Warrior," Han Jue declared without hesitation.
His specialization lay in close-quarters combat augmented by spatial law manipulation. Facing a warrior-type opponent would allow him to demonstrate his true capabilities most effectively.
The next instant, space rippled and coalesced.
An opponent clad in pristine white Force armor materialized across from Han Jue. At first glance, the figure appeared remarkably similar to the simulated opponents he'd faced countless times in the Virtual Universe's killing fields, identical equipment, comparable stance, familiar presence.
The weapons and armor used by both combatants were perfectly matched, creating absolutely equal conditions. Victory would depend entirely on skill, law comprehension, and tactical execution.
"Divide the Sea!"
Han Jue didn't waste time with unnecessary observation. He stepped forward explosively, his movement leaving afterimages as he closed the distance. His blade traced an elegant arc through space itself, and the white-armored opponent dissolved into scattered particles before comprehending what had struck him.
The first level, passed effortlessly!
Without pausing, Han Jue continued advancing.
The second level presented a marginally stronger opponent. Han Jue's blade found its mark with clinical precision. Passed.
The third level escalated the challenge noticeably. Han Jue adapted his technique, incorporating deeper spatial manipulation. Still passed with comfortable margins.
The structure of the Tongtian Bridge followed a deliberate progression, every three levels formed a distinct threshold corresponding to deeper comprehension of the associated Chaos Monument's teachings.
With Han Jue's current understanding of the fundamental laws, the first three levels posed no meaningful challenge whatsoever. His comprehension had already exceeded the baseline requirements by a considerable margin.
Without hesitation, he pressed forward.
The fourth level awaited.
Another figure clad in white armor gradually coalesced from ambient energy, this one radiating noticeably greater power than its predecessors.
If the first three levels of the Tongtian Bridge corresponded to the first diagram of the Ice Peak Chaos Monument, then levels four through six aligned with the second diagram's more profound teachings. The difficulty spike was substantial and deliberate.
"Draw your sword," the white-armored figure commanded, its voice carrying an oddly mechanical quality that suggested something beyond mere simulation.
Han Jue nodded fractionally, his expression focused and calm. His blade sang as it left its sheath, moving with such speed and precision that space itself seemed to part before its edge!
The white-armored figure shattered instantly, dissolving into white mist that dissipated like morning fog under intense sunlight.
Han Jue's current law comprehension had genuinely reached the threshold of studying the third diagram of the Ice Peak Chaos Monument, a level that most Universe-level cultivators required decades or even centuries to achieve.
The first three diagrams of the Ice Peak Monument systematically studied the fundamental essences of the Origin Laws of Water and Space, building comprehensive understanding layer by meticulous layer.
Regarding spatial laws specifically, Han Jue had already grasped forty-nine of the fundamental essences, an achievement that placed him firmly in the upper echelons of comprehension even among much older practitioners. The third diagram's teachings had reached an intermediate level of mastery in his hands.
Regarding the Origin Law of Water, he'd similarly achieved complete mastery of the second diagram's scope, with his understanding extending into the third diagram's territory.
Given such comprehensive law comprehension, this Tongtian Bridge section couldn't possibly impede his progress!
After efficiently clearing the fourth level, Han Jue immediately faced the fifth level's guardian. Once again, his opponent lasted mere seconds before dissolution. The pattern continued, Han Jue's blade work demonstrated such profound understanding that each victory appeared almost casual.
Passed instantly!
The sixth level materialized before him.
"What a fierce sword technique!" Silver Moon King's eyes fixed intently on Han Jue's movements displayed across the observation screen, his expression revealing genuine admiration mixed with analytical interest.
Every motion contained profound meaning, not flashy demonstrations, but economical movements that maximized efficiency while showcasing deep law comprehension.
"Do you think he can clear the sixth level on his very first Tongtian Bridge attempt?" one observing King asked, his voice carrying obvious curiosity.
"He breezed through the first five levels with such apparent ease. Perhaps he genuinely possesses sufficient comprehension," another speculated thoughtfully.
"I'm somewhat concerned," a third King interjected with measured skepticism. "Successfully passing the sixth level requires complete comprehension of the second diagram on the Chaos Monument, doesn't it? That typically demands far more time than he's had available."
"Let's observe and evaluate," several Kings murmured, their attention unwavering.
The atmosphere grew charged with anticipation. Several Kings had even begun placing informal wagers on the outcome, their competitive natures emerging despite their elevated status.
"Silver Moon, care to make a friendly wager?" one particularly bold King asked with a knowing smile.
"Certainly. I'll stake one piece of Amber Dragon Gold," Silver Moon King replied with unusual confidence, his tone carrying absolute certainty.
"Hmm, you're genuinely willing to part with your Amber Dragon Gold?" the challenging King responded with obvious surprise. "Very well then! I'll match with one grain of Fire Feather Sand."
"Then I'll be expecting your Fire Feather Sand shortly," Silver Moon King said with a rare smile that transformed his usually severe features.
"Don't celebrate prematurely. I've been coveting that Amber Dragon Gold for quite some time," the other King retorted good-naturedly. "It's the exact missing ingredient I need for upgrading my armor."
Both Amber Dragon Gold and Fire Feather Sand represented exceptional forging materials, rare substances suitable for creating weapons and equipment used by Immortal-level beings. In extraordinary cases, they could even serve as auxiliary components for forging genuine treasures!
Genuine treasures remained extraordinarily rare even for Universe Venerables, let alone ordinary Immortal Kings. Only the most powerful Kings might possess one or two such items, while the vast majority wielded Immortal-grade equipment instead.
Immortal equipment lacked clearly defined ranking systems in common parlance, though some practitioners informally referred to premium pieces as "Immortal Divine Weapons", a secondary designation indicating armaments superior to fifth-tier Force weapons but inferior to genuine treasures. The terminology mattered less than the practical capability such equipment provided.
"Enough discussion. Pay attention, the sixth level is beginning," Silver Moon King said, his focus returning entirely to observing Han Jue's performance.
The sixth level of the Tongtian Bridge materialized around Han Jue, its dimensional space subtly different from previous environments.
His opponent remained the familiar white-armored figure, but this iteration radiated substantially greater power and presence.
This guardian possessed complete mastery of the thirty-six fundamental essences governing both the Origin Law of Water and the Origin Law of Space. Additionally, he'd achieved comprehensive understanding of the second diagram of the Ice Peak Chaos Monument's teachings.
Furthermore, this opponent had perfectly comprehended the first level of secret patterns inscribed within the legendary weapon known as the 'Cloud Sea Hunting Dragon' blade, and approached complete mastery of its second level, representing weapon technique refinement that transcended mere law comprehension.
By comparison, Han Jue's understanding of the 'Cloud Sea Hunting Dragon's' secret patterns had only reached completion of the first level, making him noticeably weaker in this specific aspect of combat capability.
The weapon secret patterns represented an entirely separate dimension of power beyond raw law comprehension, specialized knowledge that required dedicated study and could dramatically amplify combat effectiveness.
"Hmph!"
Unlike the previous five opponents who'd been eliminated so swiftly they barely managed to speak, this white-armored guardian didn't waste breath on preliminary declarations.
Having observed Han Jue's devastating efficiency in the earlier levels, this more sophisticated combat AI recognized the genuine threat it faced and immediately launched a preemptive offensive!
The guardian's blade descended like a collapsing mountain, carrying the weight of profound spatial manipulation and the flowing inevitability of water's nature, two fundamental forces woven together with practiced expertise that spoke to centuries of refined technique.
Han Jue's eyes narrowed fractionally, his Six Eyes ability instantly analyzing the incoming attack's structure, energy flow, and underlying law principles.
Interesting, he thought with cool assessment. This level genuinely requires serious engagement.
His own blade rose to meet the descending strike, and the dimensional space erupted with cascading energy as two profound understandings of cosmic law collided directly!
The observers held their collective breath, watching with rapt attention as the true test finally began.
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