Ling Xuan and the other three came to their senses and emerged from their state of comprehension.
"Everyone, come out!" "Everyone, come out!" "Everyone, come out!" "Everyone, come out!"
A chorus of demonic voices urged the people inside the cultivation chambers to hurry up and leave, forcing them to get to their feet and walk out through the bronze doors.
The moment they stepped through the bronze doors, the brain-rattling voices instantly faded away.
"Do you feel like you haven't comprehended enough yet?" Kandeli smiled at them. "The Chaos Stele is a treasure of the Human Race, and everyone wants to study it. But there's a limit to how many people can study a Chaos Stele at the same time, so you can't keep at it indefinitely. Besides, studying the Chaos Stele continuously will only make your comprehension less effective. You have to make good use of your opportunities. The best results come when you study it after you've accumulated enough questions and insights."
Perhaps out of consideration for Zhulong King, Kandeli said quite a bit more and even explained the mysteries of the Chaos Stele to them.
"This is your first time in the cultivation chambers, so let me remind you of something... Go find a residence to use as your Cultivation Residence for the next thirty years. After that, enter the Virtual Universe and apply to enter the 'Heavenly Bridge.'"
"The Heavenly Bridge?" someone asked in confusion.
"The Heavenly Bridge is where your comprehension of the Chaos Stele is tested. Every time you pass a level, you'll receive another opportunity to study it. You can also earn valuable points by crossing the Heavenly Bridge. Go there, and you'll understand." Kandeli smiled and waved them off.
"Thank you, sir." Ling Xuan bowed to him with the three women, then left.
As soon as they left the corridor where they had studied the Chaos Stele, Ling Xuan stopped and said to the three women, "Wait here for a moment. I'm going into the Inner Mansion to see my teacher."
"Mm." The three women nodded in unison.
They had already decided to stay together, and their feelings were at their most intense right now. Of course they would live together in Chaos City, too. Otherwise, thirty years later, when they left Chaos City, Ling Xuan would go to the Giant Axe Secret Realm while they went to the Shenshi Secret Realm, and they would only be able to meet in the Virtual Universe.
Ling Xuan had barely reached the entrance to the Inner Mansion of the City Lord Mansion when two guards stopped him.
"The Inner Mansion of the City Lord Mansion is the residence of the great Chaos City Lord. No unauthorized entry."
The two guards stood on either side of Ling Xuan, holding spears and blocking his way. Their auras surged, divine power flashing around them and displaying the strength of Immortal Gods.
If Ling Xuan showed the slightest disrespect and dared to challenge the authority of the City Lord Mansion, they would strike him down without hesitation.
"I'm Ling Xuan. I'm here to pay a visit at the behest of my teacher, Giant Axe Founder."
Ling Xuan spoke calmly and without deference.
The two Immortal God guards exchanged a glance, then stepped aside.
They had clearly recognized Ling Xuan and didn't dare stop him.
Ling Xuan strode through the Inner Mansion's gates.
He followed the broad corridor and soon reached a plaza paved with Chaos Stone. Continuing forward, he finally saw a quiet courtyard ahead.
A stone stele stood outside the courtyard, bearing the words "Chaos Ruins."
Knowing this was his destination, Ling Xuan stepped inside without hesitation.
Rumble—
Space and time suddenly twisted, and the scene before Ling Xuan's eyes changed in an instant.
A moment ago, he had been in the elegant courtyard of the City Lord Mansion. Now, with a single step, he found himself in a vast, barren wasteland.
He looked around. Corpses of all shapes and sizes lay scattered across the boundless land.
Some were as enormous as planets. Though their bodies were broken, they still radiated an aura capable of destroying the heavens and the earth. Others were smaller than humans, yet the terrifying pressure surrounding them was just as unnerving.
Clearly, this had once been the brutal battlefield of a clash between the greatest powers. Countless mighty beings had perished here, leaving behind only this desolate ruin, steeped in death and lingering power.
"Wake up." Inside the Origin Core, the Void Mirror trembled slightly. A voice like the great sound of the Dao, present since the dawn of Chaos, poured into Ling Xuan's ears, rousing him from his daze.
Ling Xuan shuddered and snapped out of the illusions conjured by the terrifying corpses.
He looked up and saw two people standing not far ahead.
The person on the left was none other than Ling Xuan's mentor, Giant Axe Founder, unquestionably the strongest member of the Human Race.
His smooth hair fell loosely around him, and he was tall, with thick knuckles.
The second man stood about three meters tall. He wore a Dark Red War Armor that was incomparably intricate and ancient, covered in mysterious patterns. Heavy boots encased his feet, and a scaly tail wound out from beneath his battle skirt.
Ling Xuan recognized him at a glance. This was Chaos City Lord's Slaughter Clone.
"Teacher, City Lord." Ling Xuan hurriedly bowed, his voice full of respect.
"Kid, you really struck it lucky." Giant Axe Founder's lips curved into a smile. He had clearly sensed the Void Mirror inside Ling Xuan's Origin Core.
"I was just lucky, that's all." Ling Xuan played the part of the lucky guy.
He knew the Void Mirror was powerful, but it wasn't enough to tempt these two pinnacle experts of the universe.
If he'd run into some greedy, shameless Universe Masters, they might have coveted it. But Giant Axe Founder and Chaos City Lord would never do that.
"I'd originally planned to give you a life-saving Supreme Treasure when you reached Chaos City, but it seems it might not be much use now." Giant Axe Founder stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.
"Don't do that, Teacher!" Ling Xuan hurried forward, a hint of urgency on his face. "Having one more treasure is always one more layer of protection. You're so powerful, Teacher, and surely have countless treasures. Any one you casually grant me would make me even more formidable."
Giant Axe Founder looked at him and burst out laughing. "You really are a slippery one. Chaos, who does this kid remind you of?"
Chaos City Lord's Slaughter Clone chuckled softly. "He's a lot like Zhulong when he was young."
"Teacher, then for the sake of our ancestor, shouldn't you grant me a few more?" Ling Xuan eagerly seized the opportunity, hoping to squeeze a few more treasures out of him.
Giant Axe Founder was at a loss for words. "You slippery little rascal. You're even better than Zhulong at bargaining. But you're still too weak. I can give you some valuable Supreme Treasures to protect your life, but if you rely too much on their power, they'll only hold back your growth."
As he spoke, he swept his hand, and a small, tower-shaped treasure floated toward Ling Xuan.
The little tower glowed with a soft blue light. Ancient mysterious patterns covered its surface, and as they glimmered, a mysterious power seemed to flow through them.
"This tower is called the Lingxu Tower. It's an Ordinary Supreme Treasure of the soul type. It can protect your soul and make it difficult for others to peer into or erode it. At a critical moment, it can also launch a Soul Attack and catch your enemy off guard. If you ever encounter an opponent skilled in Soul Attacks, it will come in handy. Remember, never let yourself be Soul Enslaved."
Ling Xuan took the Lingxu Tower, his eyes filled with delight and gratitude. "Thank you for the treasure, Teacher!"
Although the Lingxu Tower was only an Ordinary Supreme Treasure, its quality was excellent, and its requirements for use were not high. Ling Xuan could easily make it recognize him as its master.
After binding the Lingxu Tower and storing it in his sea of consciousness, he felt the power linked to his soul and gained a little more confidence in the adventures ahead.
"Chaos, from now on, I'll be counting on you to look after my disciple." Giant Axe Founder smiled at Chaos City Lord, who had been watching from the side, as if prompting him to offer something as well.
Chaos City Lord's Slaughter Clone chuckled. "So that's why you and your disciple didn't meet at the headquarters of your Giant Axe Martial Arena. You had this in mind."
But Chaos City Lord didn't refuse. With a flip of his hand, a pitch-black token appeared and floated in front of Ling Xuan. "You already have a Supreme Treasure to protect your life, so I'll give you one of my divine power imprints. If you encounter a crisis you can't handle, crush this token. I'll sense it immediately and arrive soon after."
Ling Xuan happily took it. This was a real life-saving treasure: it could summon Chaos City Lord to his side in an instant. With the Void Mirror as well, he could finally count on his life being safe.
Thanks to '殇很精致' for the two monthly votes, '银河以北tzj吾彦最美' for one monthly vote, and 'canhdj' for one monthly vote.
I'm adding an extra chapter today. Please keep reading! My readership has fallen off, and it's Tuesday, of all days. If I don't get enough readers, I'll lose my recommendation spot.
Before you continue