Lecture

Ice Plains Divine Realm, courtyard No. 721, Bing character.

Inside the cultivation chamber, Qin Zhao sat cross-legged, a thick earthen-yellow glow swirling around him. Pure Earth-style cosmic energy was drawn from the Earth Source Crystal in his hand, flowing ceaselessly into his body. After circulating through a complex cycle, it transformed into pure Genetic Origin Energy. Some of it was also absorbed by the Earth Godhead deep within his consciousness core, nourishing the Divine Body of his Earth God Clone.

This crude method of using cosmic energy was common among low-level factions and was considered a waste of resources. More advanced factions often used methods such as a Pool of Life or Nutrient Solution to help users build up their energy reserves. These were not only convenient but also avoided any waste.

Objectively speaking, the cultivation environment in the Ice Plains Divine Realm was indeed quite good. In particular, the Mysterious Yellow Earth Region contained far more stored Earth-style cosmic energy than the outside world! As a result, in just a few days, Qin Zhao had gone from newly reaching Planet Level to the third stage of Planet Level.

However, a rise in strength due solely to accumulating Origin Force was meaningless in the Glacier Sacred Land. This was especially true in the competition for the Core Layer, where a simple accumulation of Origin Force was only the most basic requirement. The true gap between geniuses and ordinary people lay in their insights into domains and laws!

One day, the Identity Token Qin Zhao wore vibrated faintly, and a message entered his mind: "Law Transmission Pavilion course notice: Tomorrow at the hour of Chen, Domain Lord-level powerhouse 'Yan Que' will lecture at the Thick Earth Hall of the Law Transmission Pavilion on <The Deep Connection Between Earth Domain and the Threshold of Law>. The course costs 10 points."

"A public lecture by a Domain Lord-level powerhouse!" Qin Zhao's eyes lit up. Domain Lord-level corresponded to the Highgod level in the Coiling Dragon world. Their knowledge and understanding of the laws far surpassed that of ordinary Universe Level and Star Level cultivators. Though he had his Earth God Clone and the system, listening to a powerhouse's explanations and comparing them with his own studies was still a shortcut to rapid progress.

The Law Transmission Pavilion in the Ice Plains Divine Realm stood in the heart of the settlement. It was slightly smaller than the Ice Plains Hall, but its aura was more ancient and profound. The colossal building housed numerous halls, each devoted to a different aspect of the laws.

At the hour of Chen the next day, Qin Zhao arrived at the Thick Earth Hall on time. Its vast interior seemed like a world unto itself. A huge circular platform stood in the center, surrounded by thousands of meditation cushions arranged in fan-shaped tiers. Nearly a thousand people were already seated. Most were Star Level, a few were Universe Level, and there were hardly any Planet Level cultivators—fewer than ten, including Qin Zhao. Every student who had arrived early had a sharp, formidable aura. Many had the faint fluctuations of a domain field around them; clearly, they were all talented elites of the Ice Plains Divine Realm with considerable aptitude in the Law of Earth.

Qin Zhao found a seat near the back and waited quietly. Soon, a pressure as weighty as billions of miles of earth descended without warning, and the entire Thick Earth Hall fell silent. A towering figure clad in dark yellow armor appeared soundlessly on the central platform.

His features were rugged, and whenever his eyes opened or closed, mountains and rivers seemed to rise and fall within them. He was none other than the Domain Lord-level powerhouse, Yan Que. Without a word of preamble, he swept his gaze over the students and began. His voice was deep and powerful, and every word seemed to carry the Pulse of the Earth, striking at everyone's mind.

"Today, I'll lecture on <The Deep Connection Between Earth Domain and the Threshold of Law>." Domain Lord Yan Que's voice boomed. "You all know that a domain is merely the surface of a law, an initial manifestation of the power of the Laws of the Universe Origin. But how do you glimpse the true face of a law through that 'surface' and cross its threshold?"

"A domain is about 'drawing upon' and 'controlling' the energy of a region of the world. The threshold of law means that you've begun to understand and make rudimentary use of the most fundamental rules that make up this world and this energy!" Domain Lord Yan Que raised his right hand. A ball of earthen-yellow light appeared above his palm. At first, it resembled a miniature domain, but soon its internal structure became clear. It was as if one could see countless tiny particles of Earth energy, following some mysterious pattern as they joined together, arranged themselves, and vibrated.

"Look closely!" Domain Lord Yan Que called out. "This is the most common Earth Domain, onefold! Its energy structure is loose and its rules vague. It can only exert pressure and produce simple energy impacts."

Before his words had faded, the structure within the ball of light in his palm suddenly changed. The energy particles formed a more complex, orderly arrangement, as if building a solid framework. Its aura rose several levels at once, radiating an indestructible quality and a sense of bearing all things.

"This is an Earth Domain cultivated to the ninth layer, beginning to touch the Law Essence of Earth Element! Its stability and power are worlds apart from those of a onefold domain!"

Qin Zhao focused completely, extending his soul perception to its limit. Domain Lord Yan Que's demonstration did not directly reveal the mysteries of the law. Instead, he worked backward from how power manifested in the Swallowed Star system, analyzing the changes in its underlying rules. This was much like Qin Zhao's direct insights into the mysteries of Earth Element and Pulse of the Earth through his Earth God Clone, yet it also gave him inspiration from another angle.

"Every time a domain advances by one layer, it reflects a deeper understanding and use of some aspect of the Law of Earth. Reaching the peak of the Ninefold Domain means your understanding of 'earth' has reached a critical point." Domain Lord Yan Que continued, "At that point, you no longer need to simply expand your domain's range and power. Instead, you must sense, analyze, and understand the tiniest, most fundamental 'fragments of rules' that support your domain!"

"For example, 'weight' is one manifestation of the Law of Earth. Its essence may involve the rules of 'gravity' and 'mass.' 'Hardness' involves the rules of 'structure' and 'bonding.' 'Bearing' involves the rules of 'force transmission' and 'balance'... When you begin to understand and make rudimentary use of these most fundamental rules, rather than merely using the energy itself, you can be said to have touched the threshold of law!"

Domain Lord Yan Que explained things clearly and accessibly. He not only laid out the principles but also shared examples of how he had broken through bottlenecks at Star Level and Universe Level, as well as common misconceptions and ways to overcome them. He even demonstrated several techniques on the spot, showing how minute adjustments to a domain's structure could heighten one's sensitivity to a particular rule.

For Qin Zhao, who had already formed an Earth God Clone and fully comprehended the Law Essence of Earth Element, many of these ideas clicked as soon as he heard them. He could even extrapolate from them. He now understood more clearly that the "domain-law" path of the Swallowed Star system and the study of "mysteries" in the Coiling Dragon system both ultimately led to the Laws of the Universe Origin; they simply described them differently and emphasized different aspects. What Domain Lord Yan Que had explained was how the essential mystery of Earth Element could gradually manifest and deepen through the form of a domain.

And when Domain Lord Yan Que discussed rules such as "force transmission," "waves," and "resonance," his explanations also greatly inspired Qin Zhao in his newly begun study of the mystery of Pulse of the Earth. He could clearly feel that his understanding of Pulse of the Earth had improved considerably! The panel before him reflected this progress with perfect timing.

[Name: Qin Zhao]

[Talent: Earth Element (superior) Water-style (high)...(below high omitted)]

[Achievements: Saint Realm, Lowgod, Erudite, Praise of a Paragon, Faced a Highgod]

[Secret Technique: 128 Martial Arts Secret Techniques (complete)]

[Insights: Earth Element Laws (Earth Element 100%, Pulse of the Earth 25%, Gravity Space 1%)]

[Items: None]

[Buffs: Comprehension +30%, Soul Resistance +10%]