On the Qianwu Continent, floating islands stood high above the heavens.
One after another, the great and eternal beings let out exclamations of admiration. Gone was their earlier disdain, replaced by unrestrained excitement.
"Haha! That battle was worthy of being compared to mine!"
"Auromitexi also comprehended both the Law of Earth and the Law of Space. Unfortunately, I became an Undying, while he perished."
"The path to becoming an Undying... is unimaginably difficult."
"Shining brightly in the Genius Battle certainly earns the attention of the higher-ups—but it also makes you a target for assassins from the alien races!"
"Indeed."
"That savage, Rong Jun, can already be considered the number one genius of our Qianwu Universe Country!"
"Not necessarily. I still believe Jiang Li is number one."
"Heh, the World District competition is influenced by luck. Only the Arena Finals are the true measure of one's strength."
"Compared to those two, I'm actually more optimistic about Luo Feng. Calm, composed, and decisive—geniuses like him have a much lower chance of dying young. His future will undoubtedly be extraordinary."
The Undying experts freely discussed the battle.
Virtual Universe Network
Black Dragon Mountain Island – Galaxy City
"It may look like I won..."
"...but in reality, I lost completely."
Inside the pavilion of the Jiangnan Courtyard, Luo Feng sat gloomily, draining cup after cup of wine.
"If this had been real life, you would've won."
Jiang Li offered a few words of comfort.
"I'm fine, Brother Jiang."
Luo Feng nodded.
The body provided by the Virtual Universe simply couldn't compare to the power contained within the Golden-Horned Beast's original core.
"You've all advanced..."
"...and poor me still has to get beaten up by that savage Rong Jun again."
Thunder God sighed bitterly before turning toward Hong.
"Brother Hong, are you confident about tomorrow?"
"I've already advanced."
Hong sighed.
"I just received an email from the Virtual Universe Company."
"My opponent..."
"...Blood Sword..."
"...has fallen."
The moment those words were spoken—
Jiang Li, Thunder God, and Luo Feng felt no joy whatsoever.
Only silence.
The path of a martial artist had always been one walked along the edge of life and death.
From the moment one became an elite trainee, that destiny had already been decided.
The only way forward was to keep surpassing one's limits.
Otherwise...
Death was inevitable.
"I probably won't be visiting the Virtual Universe much for a while."
After a long silence, Luo Feng finally spoke.
"There's still over a year until the Final Showdown."
"I want to take on a Death Mission."
A Death Mission was a mission designated by the Universe Mercenary Alliance as one with only a one-in-nine chance of survival.
There were simply too many unpredictable factors.
The risk was extraordinarily high.
Hence the name.
Fortunately for Luo Feng...
His true body was the Golden-Horned Beast.
Even if one of his human bodies died, all it would cost him was the time needed to grow another one.
Jiang Li and the others all knew this.
"In that case..."
"I'll devote myself to training as well."
"I'll fight my way through the Reincarnation Battles and earn a place in the Final Showdown."
Thunder God's eyes burned with determination.
Although his talent couldn't compare to Hong's, he was still one of Earth's greatest geniuses.
Since obtaining The Miscellany of Time, he had steadily improved little by little.
Perhaps...
He could still surpass his own limits and reach the Final Showdown.
"I've made a decision as well."
After both Luo Feng and Thunder God had revealed their plans, Hong took a deep breath.
"I've decided..."
"...to accept Lord Luo Jun as my teacher."
"I'll travel the universe with him..."
"...for twenty thousand years."
"What?!"
Luo Feng and Thunder God both stared at him in shock.
"Curator..."
"You've really decided?"
Even Jiang Li was somewhat surprised.
According to reason, after he had given Hong The Miscellany of Time, Hong's talent and comprehension should have allowed him to master the Law of Time sooner or later.
"Yes."
Hong smiled.
"Back then..."
"I was Earth's strongest."
"There was no road ahead."
"I could only carve one out with my own hands."
"Then came Second Brother."
"And after that..."
"You, Jiang Li."
"And Luo Feng."
He chuckled.
"I've been under a lot of pressure."
It was a rare joke coming from Hong.
His eyes shone brightly.
"My wife has passed away."
"My children have all grown up and started families."
"My only remaining pursuit..."
"...is the Martial Dao."
"You've all received inheritances."
"I can't very well remain buried in isolated cultivation forever, can I?"
"Uh..."
Thunder God blinked.
"Does my inheritance even count?"
"How doesn't it count?!"
Old Fog immediately jumped out in a rage.
"If it weren't for my former master's Lightning Secret Arts, could you have comprehended the Law of Lightning?"
"You ungrateful brat!"
He pointed at Thunder God while unleashing a relentless stream of scolding.
"...Twenty thousand years..."
Luo Feng quietly repeated the number.
If he were asked to make the same choice...
He knew he couldn't be as free and unrestrained as Hong.
"It doesn't matter."
Jiang Li smiled calmly.
"One day..."
"We'll meet again."
Milky Way Galaxy
Earth – Hongning Base City, Huaxia
The setting sun bathed the city in golden light.
Above Hongning Base City, a deep-blue spacecraft hovered silently in the sky.
All the upper management of the Extreme Martial Hall, Earth's Council Members, and Hong's family had gathered to see him off.
"Once the Curator leaves..."
"I wonder if we'll ever meet again in this lifetime."
Liu He...
Zhu Xi...
Iceberg...
Enchantress...
All of them were still only Planetary-level warriors.
A Planetary-level lifespan was merely around a thousand years.
If they failed to break through...
This farewell would become their last.
"Take care, everyone!"
"We'll meet again in the Virtual Universe!"
Accompanied by Hong's hearty laughter...
The deep-blue spacecraft instantly disappeared into Earth's sky.
The following day...
Luo Feng also bid farewell to his newlywed wife, his parents, and his loved ones before embarking on a two-year life-and-death training journey.
Meanwhile...
Thunder God threw himself into the long Reincarnation Battles, competing for one of the 275 remaining qualification spots.
Once again...
Earth's famous group of four went their separate ways.
Henglan Starfield
Myriadfold Divine Mountain
After leaving the Virtual Universe, Jiang Li found himself deeply moved.
As he stepped out of the three-story pavilion...
Besides his teacher, Venerable Wanshan, another figure stood waiting.
She was a fox-tailed beauty whose entire body naturally emitted the aura of Laws.
Her enchanting face carried an irresistibly seductive smile.
The moment their eyes met—
Jiang Li suddenly felt an overwhelming wave of spiritual temptation crashing toward his soul.
The next instant—
Within his soul's inner universe...
The Law Planet erupted with dazzling radiance.
Brilliant streams of Law intertwined.
A majestic Tower of Laws manifested with a thunderous roar, instantly swallowing every trace of seductive power that had invaded his soul.
"Hm?"
Venerable Minghu let out a surprised gasp.
A strange light flickered within her beautiful eyes.
She was a Spirit Reader who specialized in illusion techniques.
Her primary paths were the Law of Water and the Law of Fire, later integrating the Law of Space to become a Space Venerable.
"Jiang Li."
Venerable Wanshan smiled confidently.
"This is one of my closest friends—Venerable Minghu."
He looked rather pleased.
"So?"
"Is my disciple's willpower strong enough?"
Venerable Minghu belonged to the Ming Jade Fox Clan, one of the demi-human races.
Their race was born with innate charm and illusion abilities.
At her level...
Even a casual smile from her could shake the minds of anyone below the Undying Realm.
Yet...
Her charm technique had been broken almost instantly by Jiang Li.
Such resistance was inseparable from the strength of his soul and will.
"Excellent."
"Very excellent."
"I like this young man."
Smiling sweetly, Venerable Minghu flipped her hand.
A scroll covered in mysterious Law runes floated from her palm.
"Your teacher asked me to give this to you."
"It's yours now."
Hearing that...
Jiang Li's heart trembled.
The single word—
Asked.
It carried tremendous weight.
Accepting the scroll, he immediately sensed powerful Law fluctuations emanating from it.
The four ancient characters written upon it caused his heart to race.
The True Scripture of Water and Fire
"Thank you, Teacher."
"And thank you, Venerable Minghu."
Jiang Li took a deep breath before respectfully bowing.
"Hehe."
Venerable Minghu smiled mischievously.
"Once you've learned my True Scripture of Water and Fire..."
"...you'll have to call me Teacher too."
Jiang Li: "..."
"Well..."
He found himself completely speechless.
Beside him, Venerable Wanshan simply laughed.
"Jiang Li."
"Minghu and I have been friends for two cosmic eras."
"You could even call us comrades who have faced life and death together."
"From now on..."
"She'll remain here at Myriadfold Divine Mountain in my place to protect you."
"As for me..."
"I'll personally make a trip to the headquarters of the Universe Mercenary Alliance."