Inside the Ice and Snow Temple, Venerable Lianyi greeted a tall, burly man who seemed to be composed entirely of ice crystals, his entire being radiating an overwhelming aura of cold.
"Senior Sister, where's our junior brother?" the ice giant asked eagerly the moment he entered the hall, his massive head swiveling as he glanced around the crystalline chamber.
"He hasn't arrived yet. Why are you so anxious?" Venerable Lianyi rolled her eyes, her heroic features displaying mild exasperation at her junior martial brother's enthusiasm.
"Am I being too impatient? I'm finally not the youngest anymore!" The ice giant scratched his head and smiled innocently, his crystalline features somehow managing to convey childlike excitement despite their frigid composition.
"Lingji, you're also a Universe Venerable now. Don't be so reckless," Venerable Lianyi said helplessly, shaking her head at the behavior that seemed entirely unbefitting of someone at his level.
Including Han Jue, the Lord of Ice Peak had accepted a total of seventeen disciples over countless epochs. Of the first sixteen, only four remained alive after enduring the brutal trials of the universe's most dangerous battlefields. These four survivors had all achieved the exalted rank of Universe Venerable, beings who stood as pillars even among the most powerful civilizations.
The strongest among these four was Venerable Lianyi herself, possessing the formidable strength of a Universe Overlord. The weakest was Venerable Lingji, a mere mid-level Universe Venerable, though "mere" was a laughable descriptor for someone who could casually obliterate star systems.
Of course, the weakest disciple currently was Han Jue, still at the Universe level. But judging from this pattern, while the survival rate of disciples taught by the Lord of Ice Peak might not be particularly high, the success rate among survivors was exceptional.
"The little junior brother you've been thinking about has already passed the sixth level of the Tongtian Bridge," Venerable Lianyi said, her tone carrying obvious satisfaction. "He should be heading to the Iceberg Palace in Master's chamber soon, and you'll see him shortly."
"Senior Sister, what gift should I prepare for my little junior brother?" Venerable Lingji asked, his enthusiasm practically radiating from his massive crystalline form.
"He's still in Primal Chaos City and won't need anything too extravagant for now. But he seems to have a Star-Eating Grass?" Venerable Lianyi pondered thoughtfully, tapping one elegant finger against her armored arm.
"Star-Eating Grass? That's perfect! I happen to have some resources for cultivating Star-Eating Grass stored away," Venerable Lingji's eyes lit up with excitement. "By the way, Senior Sister, what are you planning to give him?"
"Me?" Venerable Lianyi shook her head slowly, a mysterious smile playing across her heroic features. "I haven't decided yet. I need a gift worthy of my status as eldest senior sister."
"At the very least, something valuable enough to make an impression," Venerable Lianyi added casually, though her tone suggested she was already planning something extraordinary.
"As expected of you, Senior Sister!" Venerable Lingji gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up, his crystalline hand glittering in the ambient light of the temple.
Even among Universe Venerables of the same rank, the differences between them could be enormous. A top-tier Universe Overlord could sometimes be considered equivalent to an ordinary Universe Master, and even possessed certain capabilities that Universe Masters found challenging. For the pinnacle figures of the human race, a top-tier Universe Overlord could sometimes prove more strategically useful than an ordinary Universe Master in specific situations.
"Alright, Junior Brother should be arriving at the Iceberg Palace by now. Let's get ready to greet him properly," Venerable Lianyi said, rising gracefully from her seat.
Virtual Universe, Iceberg Palace.
"Han Jue, watch this carefully," the Lord of Ice Peak said, his voice carrying that characteristic icy undertone that made even simple instructions sound like pronouncements from the cosmos itself.
As one of the top three strongest humans in close combat, the Lord of Ice Peak had achieved mastery over every conceivable weapon. From swords and spears to fists and kicks, there existed no martial form he couldn't execute with devastating perfection.
Punch, kick, elbow strike!
The first three images carved into the Ice Peak Chaos Monument depicted three distinct fundamental movements. Now, the Lord of Ice Peak demonstrated each one in what appeared to be a casual, almost offhand manner, yet the profound truths contained within every gesture made the very space around him seem to crystallize.
In Han Jue's eyes, enhanced by his Six Eyes bloodline, the Lord of Ice Peak's every movement revealed itself as a perfect fusion of two fundamental laws. The final elbow strike especially, seemingly casual yet somehow imbued with the complete essence of the Origin Law of Water, resonated with truths that Han Jue's enhanced perception could barely begin to comprehend.
The Lord of Ice Peak used the simplest possible method to systematically dismantle and deconstruct the first three images from the Ice Peak Chaos Monument, breaking them down into digestible principles and feeding them directly to Han Jue's comprehension.
Han Jue stood mesmerized, completely lost in contemplation of what he'd witnessed. His mind raced through implications and applications, his innate secret technique [Analysis] working frantically to process the profound insights being offered.
The Lord of Ice Peak didn't interrupt his disciple's trance-like state, but simply stood quietly nearby, waiting with the patience that came from having lived for countless epochs. Time meant something entirely different to beings at his level.
A long moment passed before Han Jue finally emerged from his deep contemplation, blinking as his awareness returned to his surroundings. He startled slightly upon realizing how much time had elapsed.
"Thank you, Teacher!" Han Jue said respectfully, bowing deeply to express his sincere gratitude for such personalized instruction.
"Well, there's no need to be so reserved with me," the Lord of Ice Peak said, his cold voice carrying an unexpected note of warmth. "How much have you learned from that demonstration?"
The Lord of Ice Peak had clearly observed that Han Jue seemed to have gained considerable insight from the brief display. His disciple's potential continued to exceed even his elevated expectations.
Han Jue remained silent for a moment, then chose to demonstrate rather than explain. He immediately began executing Myriad Avatars.
Instantly, a total of 4,999 identical duplicates filled the surrounding space of the Iceberg Palace, each one indistinguishable from the original to normal perception.
The next moment, all the avatars moved in synchronized chaos!
Swoosh!
Nearly five thousand avatars attacked each other in a bewildering display of motion and technique, their movements incorporating the principles the Lord of Ice Peak had just demonstrated. Finally, they dissipated into thin air, having served their demonstrative purpose.
"Not bad," the Lord of Ice Peak commented, genuine approval coloring his normally cold tone. "Completely comprehending the second diagram of the Ice Peak Chaos Monument will achieve precisely this effect. What you need to focus on now is enhancing your understanding of the fundamental Origin Law of Water to match your spatial comprehension."
He paused, his penetrating gaze fixing on his newest disciple with absolute focus.
"During your next thirty years in Primal Chaos City, my requirement for you is to fully comprehend the third diagram of the Ice Peak Chaos Monument. During this training period, you may seek my personal guidance three times for specific questions that trouble you."
"Of course, besides seeking my direct instruction, you may still consult with Lianyi and the others whenever necessary. However, I hope you can rely primarily on your own abilities to complete this task. Do you have the confidence to meet this challenge?" the Lord of Ice Peak asked, his tone making clear this was both a question and a test of character.
"Teacher, I'm confident I can complete it ahead of schedule," Han Jue replied with quiet certainty, his voice carrying genuine confidence rather than empty boasting.
"Very good," the Lord of Ice Peak nodded with obvious satisfaction.
His expression shifted slightly, becoming more businesslike as he addressed the next topic.
"Your home planet has already been restructured by the Virtual Universe Company. Except for the humans you specifically requested remain, all others have been relocated to a life-bearing planet within the Qianwu Universe Nation, where they will enjoy endless prosperity and wealth for generations to come."
"Thank you, Teacher," Han Jue nodded, accepting this reality with composed equanimity.
The migration of Earth's human population had been inevitable from the moment his bloodline's significance became known. There was simply no avoiding that fundamental reality.
The Virtual Universe Company would transform Earth into an impregnable sacred place, protected by defenses so formidable that even the sudden appearance of a Universe Master couldn't destroy it. This transformation would require a massive investment of resources, an expenditure comparable to forging a genuine supreme treasure.
All Han Jue could do was ensure his closest acquaintances and family members remained. He'd already obtained permission to allow children to be born on Earth, preserving its role as the birthplace of his bloodline.
According to the Lord of Ice Peak, to fully control Earth's administration and development himself, Han Jue would need to possess at least the strength of a top-tier Universe Overlord, or have numerous Universe Venerables born from his bloodline descendants.
Han Jue believed that day would not be too far in the future. His potential and the strength of his bloodline virtually guaranteed such an outcome, given sufficient time and survival.
"Well, your senior sisters and brothers have arrived to meet you. You should go talk with them," the Lord of Ice Peak said, turning to depart with casual grace. "Make a good impression."
"Yes, Teacher," Han Jue replied obediently, bowing once more as his master departed.
It wasn't long before Han Jue encountered Venerable Lianyi, whom he'd met previously, appearing here alongside the tall ice giant who radiated that overwhelming frigid aura.
"Junior Brother Han Jue!" Venerable Lingji exclaimed with barely contained excitement, his booming voice resonating through the crystalline chamber.
"Don't scare him," Venerable Lianyi said firmly, physically restraining the overenthusiastic Venerable Lingji to prevent him from rushing forward and potentially overwhelming their new junior brother with his imposing presence.
She then turned to Han Jue with a warm smile. "Junior Brother, this is your Sixteenth Senior Brother, named Venerable Lingji. Before you joined us, he was the youngest among Master's disciples."
"Greetings, Senior Brother Lingji!" Han Jue said respectfully, bowing with proper courtesy.
"Junior Brother, I heard you have a Star-Eating Grass?" Venerable Lingji asked eagerly, patting his massive crystalline chest with a resounding thump. "This is our first meeting, and I didn't prepare any elaborate gifts in advance. However, I happen to possess a considerable quantity of Locke Divine Water. Just follow the optimal cultivation plan for your Star-Eating Grass, and I'll cover all the points required for proper cultivation!"
"Thank you, Senior Brother Lingji!" Han Jue's eyes lit up with genuine gratitude and excitement, his thanks becoming far more sincere as the implications registered fully.
Originally, he'd been deeply worried about how to properly cultivate his Thousand-Vine Star-Eating Grass. The projected cost of 120 billion points, even accounting for treasures like the Locke Divine Water worth 6.3 billion Mixed Yuan Units discovered by World Master Pan Xi, would have been an astronomical burden that could have bankrupted even wealthy Immortals!
Now, with Venerable Lingji's extraordinarily generous offer to cover the entire cultivation cost without hesitation, all those financial worries evaporated instantly!
Of course, while the theoretical maximum cost was 120 billion points, cultivating the Star-Eating Grass didn't necessarily require spending that entire amount. Venerable Lingji might have acquired various treasures during his long lifetime that could be used to cultivate Star-Eating Grass but would provide no benefit to someone at his current level. Giving them to Han Jue represented the optimal use of such resources.
Venerable Lianyi, sensing a potential threat to her position as the most generous senior sibling, couldn't help but speak up with competitive determination.
"Han Jue, the cost of cultivating a Thousand-Vine Star-Eating Grass is certainly significant, but it's not insurmountable for our lineage," Venerable Lianyi said smoothly, her heroic features displaying a confident smile. "When you reach World Master level and prepare to venture onto the extraterritorial battlefield, I'll personally gift you a top-tier soul defense treasure!"
Were all members of the Ice Peak lineage this wealthy?
Han Jue felt an overwhelming sense of vindication that he'd made absolutely the right choice in selecting the Ice Peak Chaos Monument. The material benefits alone justified the decision, leaving aside the profound cultivation guidance.
"Thank you, Senior Sister!" Han Jue offered sincere thanks, bowing deeply to express his genuine appreciation for such extraordinary generosity.
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
☆☆☆
-> 50 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/AshenMoon
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you