Marquis Yuankun gazed at Lin Yuan, his expression serious.
"Lin Yuan, since you're now setting your sights on the Law of Space Origin as well, your teacher must warn you: this is advice distilled from the experience of countless predecessors."
"For cultivators of ordinary talent, focusing on a single lower law still gives them a sliver of a chance to become undying. But for them, the higher laws are like poison. If comprehending a higher law shakes their resolve to study a lower law, even a little, they'll lose their chance to break through to undying forever."
"My boy, your talent for comprehending the Law of Earth Origin is exceptional. With me to guide you, becoming undying won't be too difficult. For now, I recommend focusing on the Law of Earth. Once you reach the World Lord stage and have mastered most of the Law of Earth Origin, you can spend the rest of your time studying the Law of Space Origin."
"That's what I did. I focused on the Law of Earth Origin until I was just one step away from fully mastering it, then shifted my attention to the Law of Space Origin. This gives you the best chance of becoming undying."
Lin Yuan nodded.
"Your Third Senior Sister failed to become undying because she spent too much time studying the Law of Space Origin early on."
"Take the geniuses in the Virtual Universe Company's Core Layer, in the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm and the End-of-the-World Secret Realm. Even if they don't die, few of them ever become undying. They think they're geniuses and don't understand their own limits. They go wrong again and again, starting with their choice of Chaos Stele, and waste precious cultivation time."
"I'm telling you this not to forbid you from comprehending the Law of Space Origin, but to make sure you understand the pros and cons. The choice is yours."
"Watch closely."
Marquis Yuankun raised a hand and pointed forward. At once, 108 miniature rocky planets appeared in the hall, slowly circling around a central point. Suddenly, they all vanished. A moment later, they reappeared. Marquis Yuankun lowered his hand, ending the demonstration.
"Although I've earned recognition from the Law of Space Origin, it's only initial recognition. I've only mastered 'Body Merging into Void,' one of the branches under the broad category of 'Teleportation.'"
"After all, you haven't comprehended even the slightest trace of the Law of Space Origin. Just look for inspiration in this demonstration. Remember, you can't force your comprehension of the Law of Space Origin."
As Lin Yuan watched, his mind suddenly jolted. He closed his eyes and sat cross-legged. Marquis Yuankun's demonstration was etched in his mind. Again and again, he replayed the sight of the 108 rocky planets, feeling as if he understood something—and yet didn't.
Lin Yuan focused on one of the 108 rocky planets, staring intently at it. It seemed somehow familiar.
"That's it."
Lin Yuan recalled the Golden Leaf of the Kras Ancient Tree that he had been studying for thirty years. The law secret patterns on the leaf resembled the pits and hollows on the rocky planet's surface.
He compared them again and again, recalling his understanding of the law secret patterns on the leaf over those thirty years. Gradually, his mind sank into them, savoring their beauty. He began to form his own understanding of one of the 108 fundamental aspects of the Law of Space Origin.
"Did he...have an epiphany?"
Marquis Yuankun stared in disbelief.
Saiwen's eyes nearly bulged out of his head.
My junior brother... His talent is even greater than he's shown so far? After watching the demonstration just once, could he really have grasped a hint of the mysteries of the Law of Space Origin?
Saiwen wondered to himself.
"Don't disturb him. Let him keep studying here."
Marquis Yuankun spoke to Saiwen with a complicated expression.
Three days later.
[You have comprehended a trace of the Law of Space Origin. You have earned one guaranteed draw from Rewards No. 0–10. Would you like to draw?]
Lin Yuan, who had been sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, finally returned from his state of comprehension.
"Draw!"
[Congratulations! You have received the special Reward No. 0: Innate Secret Technique "Clone."]
"Zero! It's zero!"
Lin Yuan was ecstatic.
"And it's the Innate Secret Technique 'Clone'! Reward No. 0 is an opportunity of this magnitude!"
Lin Yuan chose to store the reward in the System Space. He was curious to see what an innate secret technique would look like in there. He sent his consciousness into the storage space and found a new point of light.
Lin Yuan thought of Luo Feng's three clones and felt full of anticipation for his own future. He would have to choose his clone carefully.
Smiling, Lin Yuan opened his eyes and stood up.
Marquis Yuankun was seated some distance away in the hall, while Saiwen stood respectfully beside him.
"Teacher."
Lin Yuan stepped forward and bowed.
"Thanks to your guidance, I've managed to comprehend a trace of the Law of Space Origin."
Marquis Yuankun nodded in satisfaction.
"Your talent is greater than I imagined. But remember not to grow arrogant. Don't get fixated on comprehending the Law of Space Origin, or you'll waste too much time."
"Yes, I'll keep your teachings in mind, Teacher."
"Go and take care of your personal affairs first. If you have any questions about cultivation, you can come to me at any time."
"Saiwen, take your junior brother to his residence."
"Yes, Teacher."
Lin Yuan and Saiwen respectfully left the hall.
Only Marquis Yuankun remained inside.
"My young disciple..."
"I originally chose him for his will and character, and because he comprehends the Law of Earth Origin just as I do. I saw something of myself in him. I never expected his comprehension to be this impressive. Could I really have taken on a true genius this time?"
Marquis Yuankun sat alone in the seat of honor, musing to himself.
"Junior brother, that's the first time I've seen Teacher be so generous. He must really think highly of you."
The two of them stopped in front of a small manor.
"Maybe it's because Teacher was a Giant Axe Warrior too," Lin Yuan replied.
"This is your residence. It only cost a little over two million Universe Coins—nothing much."
"Junior brother, I'm heading back to the Seventh Legion. You're very talented. I look forward to seeing you shine in the Peak Warrior Tournament."
"I hope your words prove true, senior brother. Thank you for looking after me during this time."
"Come on, no need to thank me. If you need anything, you can contact me through the Virtual Universe. Ha ha!"
Saiwen gave Lin Yuan a hearty smile, then turned and headed for the Planet Spaceport.
Lin Yuan looked over his little manor. It was a residence in the main city of Red Flame Planet. Thinking back to his days as a slave and the tense days he'd spent at the Great Axe Arena, he felt deeply moved.
After enduring hardship for twenty thousand years, he could finally begin to experience the vibrant colors of this world.
"Right."
Something suddenly occurred to Lin Yuan.
"I'm still an undocumented person."
Lin Yuan's original body had been born on a slave planet, and from the moment he'd crossed over until now, he hadn't registered as a citizen of any Universe Country. The account he'd used to log into the Virtual Universe Network had also been temporary.
Lin Yuan gave a wry smile and headed for the Administrative Building in the main city.
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