A Life of Drifting, Half Spent!

A breeze carrying moisture from Linghu Island brushed against Tang Ping's slightly drooping hair.

Upon hearing Tang Ping's answer, the information flow on the light screen in front of Wind-Thunder Venerable instantly surged and boiled, so fast that only a blurry streak of light remained.

A moment later, a soft "Eh!" broke the silence.

"I never expected that a Primitive Star that hasn't even been connected to interstellar routes would harbor figures like Hong and Thunder God, besides you and Luo Feng. To Planetary Rank —such talent is indeed rare among lower civilizations."

Her gaze swept over the images of ancient books labeled "Earth," and her tone became more admiring.

"The civilization of your planet is very interesting, especially the classic texts on spiritual cultivation. Many of the insights of the ancients are so profound that even I find them insightful."

Her tone abruptly shifted, and the air around her seemed to freeze. "However, within the vast Human Territory spanning thousands of Universe Country kingdoms, Hong and Thunder God's talent is at best average." The true measure of genius has always been the mastery of the Source Universe, not the speed of one's initial cultivation level.

She looked up at Tang Ping, her admiration for Double Pupils undisguised. "Luo Feng's achievements today are half due to fortuitous encounters and half to perseverance. But if we're talking about pure talent and foundation, you are the real anomaly."

"Not even eighty years old, without a famous teacher to guide him, never touched the aura of the Chaos Monument's laws, never received any resource support from the Virtual Universe Company, and never even experienced a life-or-death ordeal."

"By just blindly figuring things out, I've managed to grasp the Higher Time Origin Laws to this extent."

At this point, she couldn't help but roll her eyes, her tone somewhat helpless, "Although the approach she used was a bit... unconventional, her talent is undeniable."

She traced the rules of the "Genius Tournament" on the light screen with her fingertips, and her voice softened. "The Genius Tournament uses the Star Rank as the threshold because cultivators at this level have short lifespans and their souls are not yet fully formed."

"External resources like rare and precious materials, or the guidance of renowned teachers, cannot create significant waves over a century. Only true innate talent can reveal its brilliance in such a short time."

The screen dimmed, revealing an image of Bolan, the previous champion of the Genius Tournament. Looking at the image, she murmured, "To have mastered the Time Law to this extent at such a young age through sheer self-exploration— Bolan, hailed as a once-in-millions talent, is probably only slightly better than you, kid."

"Thank you for your kind words, sir. I am humbled." Tang Ping kept his head down, but the tension in his back eased a little.

"Just because of one sentence from Luo Feng, you're willing to gamble your future?" Wind-Thunder Venerable leaned forward. "The path of cultivation is like rowing against the current; one step behind means falling behind at every step. Your decision might completely tarnish this talent in the future. Don't you have any complaints?"

Tang Ping looked up without the slightest hesitation. "The patriarch has his reasons for making this decision."

Once, the head of the Luo Feng family, for the sake of his hometown, chose to sacrifice his life despite having a way out. That unwavering resolve, with no turning back, is something I have always admired. He once said something I still remember, "If the roots are gone, where can the leaves drift to?"

He paused, his voice brightening slightly. "As for this future, it's nothing. I'll just wait until I become immortal!"

In the end, Tang Ping was full of confidence.

With his talent, as long as he doesn't die, immortality is just the Qidian.

Wind-Thunder Venerable was somewhat moved.

With her authority, even if someone deliberately concealed it, the desperate situation Earth once faced could not be hidden from her. That kid named Luo Feng could have taken his family to escape to the stars, but he fought to the death for his compatriots whom he didn't even know.

With such a temperament, it's no wonder so many powerful figures bet on him to defeat Bolan and Rong Jun. At least, she likes this kind of "normal" genius who would never stab someone in the back at a crucial moment.

And Tang Ping before them was exactly the same.

Although he may seem honest and even a bit timid, with a hint of youthful impetuosity in his eyes at times, he possesses top-notch talent, acts with composure, and is willing to sacrifice for his hometown. This kind of personality may seem mild-mannered on ordinary days, but when the tribe needs him, his passion will ignite and he will definitely step up.

What interested her even more was that this kid was ridiculously similar to her younger self. The same affinity for Wind-Thunder and thunder, the same composure and fear of death, the same unparalleled talent—the only difference was, well—except for being lecherous.

The strangest thing was that the operating method of his Wind-Thunder Secret Technique was exactly the same as my own unique technique from back then. Could this be some kind of predestined fate?

She hesitated for a moment, then regained her composure as Venerable: "I am Wind-Thunder Venerable. I observe that your talent is quite good, and I intend to accept you as a disciple. Are you willing?"

The Wind-Thunder Venerable?!

Tang Ping looked up abruptly, his eyes wide with unconcealed shock. That was the author of "Wind and Thunder Notes," which he had been studying day and night! His heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled, and he was immediately filled with ecstatic joy.

Only then did he see the Venerable before him clearly: dressed in a black outfit that accentuated her snow-white skin, with dark tassels tied in her hair, she was actually a delicate-looking little girl.

But his World Lord Rank will had long since rendered him unmoved by honor or disgrace. In an instant, he proclaimed loudly, "Ping, I have wandered for half my life, never encountering a renowned master. Master, please accept my bow! From this day forward, I am willing to serve you wholeheartedly, even if it means going through Blade Mountain and water!"

Before he finished speaking, he had already knelt down on both knees and kowtowed three times with a crisp, clean sound, causing tiny cracks to appear in the ground.

Hearing those heartfelt words, and thinking of how this boy had lost both his parents at a young age and was all alone yet still longed for his homeland, a trace of tenderness flashed across Wind-Thunder Venerable's Double Pupils.

With a casual wave of her hand, a gentle force lifted Tang Ping to his feet. She turned around, hands behind her back, and said in a deliberately mature tone, "Get up."

"Yes, Master!" Tang Ping stood up respectfully, his back ramrod straight.

Wind-Thunder Venerable sized him up, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "You've got quite the luck, kid. You're richer than many realm lords. But I'm not a stingy person. Since this is your first time becoming my disciple, tell me, what kind of gift do you want?"

Tang Ping's eyes lit up. He rubbed his hands together, his tone cautious, and said with a fawning smile, "Master, I am usually very cautious. But now I only have this one body. If you ask me to go out on business, it would be too dangerous."

I am unwilling to damage my original body, nor do I wish to possess Alien Race —I wonder if Master could help me find a treasure that can conjure an avatar out of thin air?

Upon hearing this, Wind-Thunder Venerable clenched his small hand with a "crack".

This brat's shamelessness is exactly like mine back then! Back then, when Master asked her what gift she wanted, she blurted out that she wanted Soul Defense Supreme Treasure, which made Master laugh for a long time before finally giving it to her.

This kid is something else, he directly asks for a treasure that can create clones out of thin air. Such a thing is at least comparable in value to a supreme Supreme Treasure! With this, that Ganwu could probably pay off most of his debts.

She finally understood why her master had always looked at her with such a menacing gaze. She now had the urge to pick him up and give him a good beating. But ironically, a million years ago, during a battle for a secret realm, she had just managed to seize a "Thousand Illusion Jade Soul" capable of creating independent clones.

Wind-Thunder Venerable snorted irritably, "Venerable's word is law. Since you've asked, I'll grant your request."

"Really?!" Tang Ping, who had been prepared to haggle, was so overjoyed he could hardly contain his excitement. He quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Master! May you live as long as the heavens, have endless years, and soon transcend the shackles of the laws!"

"Wait, don't be too happy yet." Wind-Thunder Venerable raised his hand to stop him, his tone turning serious. "This treasure is far too precious. Although you are my only disciple now, and I happen to possess this item, you must offer something worthy of its value."

She stared into Tang Ping's eyes and said, word by word, "If you can cultivate the Time Origin Law to a level of understanding comparable to that of Marquis Immortal during the Realm Lord stage, I will give you the Thousand Illusion Jade Soul and formally accept you as my personal disciple."

This condition isn't too difficult, after all, this is the average level of law comprehension among geniuses at the Primal Secret Realm Master level of the Virtual Universe Company.

Tang Ping's eyes lit up, and he said almost without hesitation, "It's a deal!"

He grinned, his eyes crinkling with laughter.

My own master is so magnanimous!

Loyalty!