In a world of deep blue, Yunmiao, dressed in white and as ethereal as a fairy, glanced at Bafen's message, then promptly put it out of her mind. It was only the Fifth Layer of the Sky Bridge; it wasn't worth her concern.
Inside the Virtual Universe Company's Original Secret Realm, Xiusite stared at the message before him, his face dark with disbelief. "Gulanxiu actually passed the Fifth Layer! How is that possible?"
The Initial Universe and the real universe had different time flow rates. Thirty years had passed since he left the Initial Universe. During those years, he had completed a cultivation mission and gained some opportunities, but even so, he wasn't confident he could pass the Fifth Layer of the Sky Bridge.
Gulanxiu had entered Chaos City later than him and taken longer to pass the Third Layer. Now, before his own cultivation in Chaos City had even ended, Gulanxiu had already surpassed him. How could that not shock him?
His expression darkened as he said, "There's no need to worry about Gulanxiu. He's from the Axe Fighting Arena, after all. No matter how strong he gets, he can't threaten me. What I need to worry about is the Secret Realm Qualification Battle a hundred years from now. The Original Secret Realm currently has four Cosmic Level members. Aside from Yunmiao and me, the other two are both at the Seventh Layer. Unless I go all out, I'll almost certainly be relegated to the Primordial Secret Realm. Without access to the Original Secret Realm's resources, it'll be hard to climb back up."
"Those cultivation missions must be hiding some huge secrets. Should I take a chance?"
As he spoke, he turned his gaze to the Desperate Level Missions, thinking that he might as well risk it for a shot at a better life.
Bafen hadn't sent the message only to the two of them. He had also sent it to all the Cosmic Level core members of the Axe Fighting Arena.
The geniuses in the Fourth Secret Realm were only mildly surprised that a newcomer to the Core Layer had passed the Fifth Layer, and they soon stopped caring.
After all, Gulanxiu was a fellow member of the Fourth Secret Realm, so there was no conflict of interest between them. The ones who should be worried were the geniuses in the Third and Second Secret Realms. Gulanxiu might not yet be a match for the veteran geniuses in those realms, but he had shown considerable potential. Once he grew stronger, he would inevitably challenge someone ranked above him.
The lower-ranked geniuses in the Second and Third Secret Realms also felt a sense of urgency. If Gulanxiu challenged and defeated them, they would be relegated to the Fourth Secret Realm, and it would be difficult to climb back up.
After all, challengers only issued a challenge when they were confident on both fronts. The geniuses within a given Secret Realm weren't that far apart in strength, and those ranked higher got to choose their opponents. That made it much harder for those ranked lower to challenge their way up than for those ranked higher to defend their positions.
And if Gulanxiu decided to challenge someone, he would surely target the lower-ranked geniuses in his own Secret Realm. With the rewards being the same, one always went after the weaker opponent.
As for the three Cosmic Level members of the Axe Secret Realm, they didn't think much of Gulanxiu. Each of them had their own trump cards, which was how they had secured their places in the Axe Secret Realm. In their eyes, Gulanxiu would be foolish to challenge them anytime soon.
Gulanxiu had no idea of the stir he had caused by passing the Fifth Layer of the Sky Bridge. Even if he had known, he wouldn't have cared. He had only passed the Fifth Layer by taking advantage of a loophole; based on his true strength, he was merely in the lower middle ranks of the Fourth Secret Realm.
With only a few days left before he had to leave Chaos City, Gulanxiu planned to study the Chaos Tablet once more. After leaving Chaos City, he wouldn't return until he advanced to Domain Lord.
After saying goodbye to Barbarian Hammer King, Gulanxiu went to the City Lord's Mansion once more to study the Chaos Tablet.
He had now comprehended every variation of the First Axe, so this time he skipped straight to the Second Axe.
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye. Gulanxiu left the City Lord's Mansion, a little reluctant to go, and returned to Barbarian Hammer King's residence.
Barbarian Hammer King said to him, "Gulanxiu! You've now spent thirty years cultivating in Chaos City, and you'll be leaving soon. I've seen how hard you've worked all these years, and your progress has just about met my expectations. As promised, I'm giving you a gift!"
As he spoke, he handed Gulanxiu a World Ring.
Gulanxiu quickly replied, "Thank you, Teacher!"
He didn't stand on ceremony with Barbarian Hammer King. Taking the ring, he swept it with his consciousness and discovered a golden dragon inside. Judging by its aura, it seemed to be at the Domain Lord level.
Gulanxiu asked, puzzled, "Teacher, what is this?"
Barbarian Hammer King smiled. "This is a Metal Lifeform auxiliary lifeform called Heavy Metal Stym. Once you make it recognize you as its master, it'll form armor that protects your whole body. Of course, although it takes the form of armor, it won't provide much defense."
After a pause, Barbarian Hammer King continued, "Its real purpose is to give you the offensive power of its level. For example, it's currently at Domain Lord Ninth Stage, so when you wear it, you'll have the combat strength of a Domain Lord at the Ninth Stage. And as long as it has enough resources, it can keep advancing. In theory, its foundation allows it to reach the level of a Marquis-level Immortal, or ten thousand times World Lord Power. Once you wear it, its aura will also conceal your own. Even if you're at the Cosmic Level, others will think you're a Domain Lord."
Gulanxiu's eyes lit up. "It's that powerful? Are there any limits? Can it keep advancing?"
Barbarian Hammer King smiled and shook his head. "Of course there are limits. It can't fool a Universe Venerable. And although it can advance, a Marquis-level Immortal is its limit. The resources it would take to advance it that far are worth more than my entire fortune. Almost no Marquis Immortal could afford that. Those who can afford it don't care for the small boost in power it offers, so over time, this thing became more of a liability than an asset."
Gulanxiu nodded and asked, "Teacher, how do I make it recognize me as its master?"
Barbarian Hammer King smiled. "Just drip some blood on it. Metal Lifeforms are still living beings, but they have practically no intelligence, so the method of making one recognize you as its master is simple."
After hearing Barbarian Hammer King's explanation, Gulanxiu immediately checked the price of Heavy Metal Stym in the Virtual Universe.
When he saw that it cost five million points, his heart gave a jolt.
He hadn't expected the thing to be so expensive. That price was practically the entire fortune of a Marquis Immortal.
Barbarian Hammer King smiled. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up and try it!"
Gulanxiu shook his head. "Teacher, this is far too valuable!"
Barbarian Hammer King shook his head. "You're my only disciple, so naturally I should give you the best cultivation resources. Don't overthink it. The price means nothing to me. The real expense will be upgrading it later. At most, I can provide the resources to upgrade it to Peak World Lord. Anything beyond that, you'll have to work for yourself."
After hearing Barbarian Hammer King's words, Gulanxiu stopped holding back. He dripped his blood onto it to make it recognize him as its master, and silently vowed that if he ever became a powerful figure, he would repay his teacher properly.
Before you continue