Ganwu Dojo...
At the training grounds, a one-horned man in a deep purple robe stood among several elite Star Rank Nine disciples, who were practicing their respective secret techniques.
One-Leaf Ganwu Member—Liusha!
With the strength of a Universe Rank Nine, even the lord of Cui'en Planet had to show him respect.
"You're here."
Liusha looked toward the entrance, where Han Han was striding toward him.
"Teacher."
Han Han bowed before continuing, "I've had some new insights lately, so I thought I'd come and ask you to help me hone my skills. Please give me your guidance."
"Of course, of course."
Liusha waved a hand, signaling the Star Rank Nine disciples to leave and clear the training ground.
As it happened, Han Han had originally been searching for lessons on the Rotten Wood Blade at the Ganwu Dojo in the Virtual Universe. He never expected the instructor to be Liusha, who was on Cui'en Planet.
After a few visits, Han Han had shamelessly started seeking guidance from Liusha at the real-world Ganwu Dojo.
Originally, he hadn't been qualified.
But the Wood Domain naturally aided his understanding of secret techniques like the Rotten Wood Blade. Once he displayed his talent, he naturally caught Liusha's attention.
The two stood facing each other on the training ground, each holding a standard War Blade.
"Who's that young man? How does he keep getting personal instruction from Lord Liusha?"
One of the young men who had been sent away sounded displeased. He was the son of Cui'en Planet's ruler and was used to being treated with the utmost deference.
"We couldn't find anything. His imperial identity was only registered recently, and he has no registered homeworld."
"Maybe he has powerful connections?"
"How would you know?"
"I'm guessing. Lord Liusha only gives us a few casual pointers, and we can't even ask him questions ourselves. But look at him now—Lord Liusha is smiling."
The young masters chatted among themselves.
Meanwhile, a defensive barrier rose around the training ground, both preventing accidents and ensuring the privacy of the two fighters.
"Come on," Liusha said casually.
He was a Universe Rank Nine. If he had to take a fight against a Planetary Rank Nine seriously, he might as well kill himself.
"Here I come!"
Han Han sprang into motion. With each step, it was as though rotten trees took shape beneath his feet. As he closed the distance, he seemed to merge with them.
Boom!
His blade fell like a rotten tree crashing down.
Han Han had mastered the first layer long ago, allowing him to unleash six times the strength of a Planetary Rank Nine.
"Not bad."
Liusha offered a brief assessment and easily deflected the strike with his War Blade. "You've mastered the first layer of the Rotten Wood Blade very well."
Crack!
The rotten wood snapped apart.
But at that very moment, a flash of blade light appeared behind Liusha's right shoulder. His eyes narrowed, and he hurriedly swung his War Blade toward it.
He had swung instinctively. Although he hadn't used Origin Force, the difference in their strength was simply too great.
The War Blade was knocked flying, and countless cracks spread across its blade. At that point, the slightest touch would shatter it completely.
"You...!"
Liusha froze for a moment. Then, as he realized what had happened, delight filled his face. "A Domain! The Wood Domain! You actually comprehended the Wood Domain!"
"I have you to thank for that, Teacher," Han Han said with a smile.
"I never taught you the Domain." Liusha walked toward Han Han and continued, "I've watched you improve. You've advanced from the basics to the level of intent incredibly quickly. I thought you might comprehend a Domain once you reached the Star Rank, but I never expected you to surprise me like this."
He had never heard of anyone comprehending a Domain at the Planetary Rank.
"Come with me."
Liusha grew serious. He lowered the training ground's barrier and headed toward the deepest part of the Ganwu Dojo.
Han Han knew that his information would have to be reported.
He had decided to reveal the Wood Domain only after careful consideration.
For one thing, he had no interest in taking revenge on the slave traders. Once he truly grew powerful, wiping them out would take no more than a word.
For another, revealing his Domain had its benefits.
Joining the core of the Ganwu Dojo didn't conflict with taking part in the Genius Tournament or the Strongest Tournament to enter the core of one of the five great powers.
The Ganwu Dojo selected talents for the Ganwu Secret Realm, while the Ganwu Secret Realm selected talents for each edition of the Genius Tournament and the Strongest Tournament.
It was a path that left him room to advance or retreat.
Besides, great powers like these didn't force anyone to join. Most people joined of their own free will.
In the end, one more person made little difference, and neither did one less.
The core area of the Ganwu Dojo...
Liusha brought Han Han to an elegant room that was clearly meant to receive important guests.
"I've already reported your situation to the Dojo. They're sending a Two-Leaf Ganwu Envoy to speak with you. Come with me into the Virtual Universe," Liusha told Han Han.
Han Han nodded and connected his consciousness to the Virtual Universe.
Soon, the two of them were transported to the Ganwu Dojo on another continent. Even at a glance, it looked far more magnificent.
They entered and stopped outside a room.
"Lord Meng Lan is waiting inside. Go on in. I can't take part in your conversation—that's the rule." Liusha gestured for Han Han to enter, then reminded him, "Whatever happens, remember to be respectful."
Han Han indicated that he understood.
Two-Leaf Ganwu Envoys were generally Domain Lords, and they were Domain Lord Nine. The Universe Rank and Domain Lord Rank were separated by a major divide, and the difference in status between them was enormous.
Inside the room, the first things he saw were two cushions woven from white threads.
They were made of Spirit-Calming Silk. A single cushion was worth at least several hundred thousand Cosmic Coins, though it cost far less in the Virtual Universe than in reality.
An old man in a white robe sat on one of them.
"You're Han Han?"
Meng Lan smiled at him. "To comprehend a Domain at the Planetary Rank—you truly are a genius among geniuses. What do you think of the Ganwu Dojo?"
"It's very good," Han Han replied.
"I mean, what do you think about joining the core? With your talent, there's a very good chance you could enter the Ganwu Secret Realm for cultivation. It's the true sacred ground of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom." Meng Lan continued.
"What would happen if I didn't join the core?" Han Han asked.
"Nothing in particular."
Meng Lan gestured for Han Han to sit on the other cushion. "As the only force in the Ganwu Universe Kingdom permitted to teach openly, the Ganwu Dojo would never resort to forcing people to buy or sell."
"Besides..."
"You're already a student of the Ganwu Dojo. Even if you don't join the core, the Dojo will still direct some resources your way, just far, far fewer than you'd receive as a core member."
"For example, the Bloodline Evolution Agent."
Meng Lan waved his hand, and a holographic screen appeared between them. It displayed a systematic ranking of the bloodlines of the various human groups.
"Bloodline is like a foundation. A powerful bloodline usually makes it easier to break through. Which tier are you?"
"Tier Eight," Han Han replied.
The Qianye Star People reached the Apprentice Rank as soon as they became adults. Among the many human groups, their bloodline ranked in the eighth tier, which was at least considerably better than that of Earthlings.
"Tier Eight?" Meng Lan looked somewhat surprised.
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