After Silver Shadow Marquis departed, the World Lord supervisors remaining on the high platform continued with follow-up explanations—Gan Wu Dojo regulations, task acceptance procedures, contribution-point exchanges, and the channels for trading secret techniques. Their words were concise, authoritative, and practical, clearly meant for those who intended to remain and cultivate long-term.
Once the briefing concluded, the vast square gradually dispersed.
After leaving the ceremony grounds, Bai Yue and the others agreed to head to a street-side restaurant for drinks. These Universe Rank experts had wandered the cosmos for countless years; whether it was hidden rules, obscure dangers, or inside information, their accumulated experience was far more valuable than dry manuals.
On the second floor of a bustling restaurant along Gan Wu Continent's main street, wine flowed freely as conversation drifted between cultivation, adventures, and near-death experiences.
"Brothers!" Kamon raised his glass with a hearty laugh. "To thank Brother Ji Ning for his hospitality, let us wish him boundless martial fortune and Undying eternity!"
Glasses clinked around the table.
Ji Ning smiled faintly and replied, half-joking, "I'm still new to the universe. Compared to you seniors who've wandered the Starry Sky for tens of thousands of years, my experience is shallow. Especially after joining the Gan Wu Dojo—I'm still feeling my way in the dark. If any of you know shortcuts or unspoken rules, don't keep them from this little brother."
Compared to him, everyone present was a true veteran. Some, like Kamon, had joined the Gan Wu Dojo as early as the Planetary Level, while most had entered at Astral Rank. A Universe Rank Ninth Stage newcomer like Ji Ning was rare.
"Haha! If you have questions later, just ask me directly," a bald man with a fierce expression laughed loudly. "I'll tell you everything I know."
This was Ethan—his appearance rough and intimidating, yet beneath it lay a genuine Mental Master Controller, something Bai Yue had already discerned earlier.
After several more rounds of drinking, the discussion finally turned toward the Gan Wu Dojo itself.
"The Gan Wu Dojo's most famous core isn't complicated," Kamon said mysteriously. "It's summarized in just four words—One Tower, Two Paths."
Karlqi snorted. "Why are you acting so secretive? If you don't say it, I will."
"You think you know everything?" Kamon shot back, clearly enjoying himself. "Brother Ji Ning and the others are listening. Go on—explain it!"
After a brief exchange of bickering, Kamon finally relented.
"The Tower refers to the Gan Wu Tower. It was left behind by the Country Lord himself and has thirty-three levels in total. Originally, it was meant only for the geniuses of the Gan Wu Secret Realm. Later, it was opened to all Gan Wu Disciples."
"When challenging it, you can choose opponents of different professions. Everyone starts with the same gene energy and mental power, but the law comprehension increases sharply with each level. I've heard that if someone clears the nineteenth level, their law comprehension is already comparable to an Undying."
Ji Ning's eyes flickered slightly. The structure was different, but the core logic reminded him strongly of the Tongtian Bridge.
"The Two Paths," Kamon continued, "are the Path of Force Generation and the Path of Illusory Heart. One tests your physical amplification and force usage, the other your mental resilience. Like the tower, both have multiple levels. The higher you go, the greater the rewards—points, Dry Witch coins, and more attention from the big figures."
He paused, then sighed. "It's a pity. There's still a long time until the next Universe Powerhouse Battle. On the other hand, the Astral Rank Genius Battle is only a few years away."
The Universe Powerhouse Battle, like the Genius Battle, was held once every five thousand years, jointly hosted by the Virtual Universe Corporation and the Giant Axe Battle Ground.
Bai Yue had no intention of waiting that long.
After the gathering ended, Ji Ning's clone returned to his residence and immediately applied to enter the Gan Wu Tower through the Virtual Universe Network.
In the boundless darkness of space, scattered stars shimmered faintly. Upon a colossal meteorite drifting through the Starry Sky, the Gan Wu Tower stood in solemn silence.
Its tower body stretched endlessly, its circumference unfathomable. The main gate alone stood nearly a thousand zhang high, engraved with ancient patterns that formed lifelike beastly figures.
Space rippled.
Ji Ning appeared beneath the tower. Even with Universe Rank vision, he could not see the top—it seemed to pierce straight into the distant stars.
Surrounding the tower was a massive plaza. Figures of countless races moved about, the noise of discussion filling the air. Most were geniuses from the Gan Wu Secret Realm.
At the tower's base were eight separate gates, each corresponding to a different realm. This separation prevented chaos between Astral Rank, Universe Rank, Domain Lord, and World Lord challengers. Attendants stood before every gate.
Ji Ning headed straight for the Universe Rank entrance.
Compared to the long queue at the Astral Rank gate, there were only about twenty people here. The Domain Lord and World Lord queues were even sparser.
The system was strict—those who showed no improvement and repeatedly challenged the tower within a short time would receive warnings. Persistent offenders were directly barred.
Time passed steadily. Soon, Ji Ning reached the front.
To either side of the gate stood stone platforms two meters high. The right platform was empty, while the left was occupied by a burly man clad in black armor, his aura sharp and oppressive. His gaze swept over the challengers, making even Universe Ranks subconsciously hold their breath.
Space fluctuated.
A figure emerged from the gate, his expression dejected. He bowed respectfully toward the armored man and immediately went offline, vanishing without a word.
"Next," the armored man said calmly.
"Yes, Lord Tian He," the next challenger replied, bowing deeply.
The man stepped forward, placed his hand on the gate, and vanished as space swallowed him.
Ten minutes passed.
When he reappeared, excitement was written all over his face. Though clearly thrilled, he still bowed respectfully.
"Not bad," Tian He said, offering rare praise. "Seventh-level Domain. You're not far from the eighth. Good progress. Attend more lectures when you return."
The challenger nodded vigorously and left.
One by one, Universe Rank challengers entered and exited. Hope, disappointment, excitement, and despair played out repeatedly. Only a few made tangible progress; most were eliminated within minutes.
Finally—
It was Ji Ning's turn.
_____________________
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