"It's not bad," Han Han said.
There was no helping it.
As long as his simulated self planned to enter the Thousand Wave Secret Realm, there was no way he could see an Ice Flower and not take it. And if he took one, Guna would definitely kill him.
What if he didn't absorb it there?
It would make no difference. The simulation didn't give him an omniscient view, so how could he know Guna was watching him?
[Rating: D-99]
(The rating wasn't important, so don't pay too much attention to it. It was only there to prevent the simulation from getting stuck on seclusion and comprehension when he intervened later.)
[Although your law patterns were successfully perfected, you were enslaved by Guna and your cultivation was cut short. Still, this was all for a better future.] [You may choose two of the following options.] [One: Universe Rank, First Order] [Two: Comprehension of the Third Stage of the Wood Domain] [Three: Perfect Comprehension of Rotten Wood Blade] [Four: More than 15 years of combat experience] [Five: Three Grade-A Bloodline Evolution Agents] [Six: One D3-Grade Origin Force Battle Suit, one D9-class War Blade, and one D5-class spaceship] [Seven: 3.2 billion Ganwu Coins] [Eight: One Ice Flower]
First, he ruled out option one, since he planned to simulate again and break through to Star Rank himself. Options four, five, and six could also be ruled out; he could make up for all of them with option seven.
Choose seven and eight, Han Han thought.
Domain comprehension might be more valuable, but Han Han planned to choose it next time. In his next simulation, he wouldn't enter the Thousand Wave Secret Realm to obtain an Ice Flower.
[After the law patterns appeared, Guna was somewhat surprised to learn that you had absorbed an Ice Flower before and had already perfected your law patterns. A sliver of his consciousness entered the Virtual Universe to investigate you. Even for a World Lord, Ice Flowers were not cheap.]
After absorbing this one, his law patterns would be complete. Absorbing any more Ice Flowers after that would be pointless.
As long as he didn't die in the secret realm, the law comprehension he could eventually choose would certainly go beyond the Third-Stage Domain.
Although choosing the basics now would give him a stronger foundation, 3.2 billion Ganwu Coins could pay for multiple public lectures. They might help him achieve even more in the end.
[Rewards have been issued.]
"It's time to visit Nalan. I never expected her to enter the Doomsday Secret Realm at such a young age." Han Han sat cross-legged, connecting his consciousness to the Virtual Universe through his armguard.
Nalan was a valuable connection.
Considering what had happened in the simulation, if Guna hadn't been skilled in soul techniques, his relationship with Nalan might really have helped him escape disaster.
Deep within the Ganwu Dojo in the Virtual Universe...
Miniature islands floated high in the sky. Simple manors had been built on them, each with a fairly spacious grounds. These were the residences of the dojo's core talents.
"Stop!"
As soon as Han Han landed on the island, two Universe Rank guards appeared before him, crossing their spears to bar his way.
"This is private property. You may not approach," one of the guards warned him.
At the same time,
a figure flew out of the manor. When the two guards saw who it was, they hurriedly bowed. "Your Highness Nalan."
"He's my guest." Nalan spoke casually, then turned to Han Han. "Come on. Let's go to the training ground inside."
"Sure." Han Han nodded.
Nalan's island was much larger than the others. Its guards and facilities also looked far superior.
That makes sense.
Even if Nalan can't enter the Doomsday Secret Realm, once the Strongest Tournament ends, she'll be admitted to the Ganwu Secret Realm for training. She's bound to receive special attention, Han Han thought.
He followed Nalan and soon arrived at a plaza.
"With your talent, your Wood Domain must have reached the ninth stage after that public lecture. Why ask me, someone who's only reached the first stage, to discuss it with you?" Han Han asked.
"No particular reason."
Nalan smiled. "I just think you're very different from everyone else. Take those Domain Lords, for instance. They all listened attentively, but they were still afraid. Some even tried to cozy up to World Lord Ponu."
"You're different."
"I could tell you were completely absorbed in the lecture. You didn't look down on Ponu, but you weren't afraid of him, either."
"That meant you heard far more detail than the others and understood it more deeply."
"Mm." Han Han nodded.
He couldn't think of any other reason, but Nalan wasn't wrong. He respected Ponu as a teacher, nothing more.
That didn't mean he could beat Ponu. It was simply that he knew there were Undying after the World Lords, Universe Venerables after the Undying, then Universe Lords, and even True Gods.
It was just a matter of perspective.
"I wanted to ask how the lecture explained the transition from Domain to the threshold of Law," Nalan continued. "In return, I can explain the second stage of the Domain to you in detail."
At the time, he had been on the verge of advancing from the eighth stage of the Domain, so all his thoughts had been focused on that. As a result, he hadn't listened very closely to the later material.
As for attending again...
Aside from not knowing when Ponu would give another lecture, even if it were tomorrow, his free sessions had already run out. He couldn't afford the 10,000 Cosmic Coins for now, either.
"Sure." Han Han nodded.
At the time, he had focused mainly on the second stage. He'd missed a little of the third stage, but he'd taken written notes on everything else.
They weren't as useful as a video, but they still captured forty or fifty percent of the material. The two of them reached an agreement.
Since they were around the same age and weren't far apart in strength, neither felt the need to hold back. Gradually, they grew more familiar with each other.
"Let's talk again another time."
"Of course. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me. But I should warn you: when comprehending a Domain, don't reach too far beyond your level." Nalan's tone turned serious in the second half.
"Don't worry." Han Han smiled.
He hadn't just asked Nalan about the second stage of the Domain; he'd asked her about all nine stages. Of course, that meant Han Han owed her a favor.
After all, they hadn't known each other well to begin with. Han Han had only asked tentatively, but Nalan had been generous and said that he could simply owe her one.
Although he owed her a favor, Han Han thought it was well worth it.
After Han Han left, the figure of a white-haired old man appeared.
"Your Highness."
"Although he is indeed different from the others, he's not worth you going to such lengths," the white-haired old man said to Nalan.
"Don't worry. I trust my judgment."
"And besides, it's only some experience with Domains. It might be precious to others, but it costs me nothing."
Nalan turned to respond. "Besides, haven't you noticed how unusual his insights are? I've attended so many public lectures, and you've even tutored me personally. But in terms of results, one or two sessions with him might be more effective."
The white-haired old man fell silent for a moment, apparently considering Nalan's words. At last, he smiled. "You're right. That does seem to be the case."
Han Han left the Virtual Universe, then made another trip to deposit the Ganwu Coins. Fortunately, the Universe Galaxy Bank was so wealthy that it didn't care about something like that.
"The discussion took ten days."
"Sorting through the notes will probably take me about twenty days. By then, the simulation's cooldown should be over, too."
"Right."
Han Han immediately deleted every coordinate related to Ice Flowers from his Smart Optical Computer, making sure his simulated self wouldn't go to the Thousand Wave Secret Realm again.
"Done!"
Next, Han Han began organizing his notes so that his simulated self could comprehend the Domain more easily.
Before you continue