In his estate on the Virtual Universe's Axe Fighting Arena plane, Gulanxiu was asking Barbarian Hammer King about the various questions he'd had during his cultivation over the years.
Since he had completely mastered the Second Axe of the Giant Axe Chaos Tablet, Gulanxiu was now studying the key points of the Third Axe. However, when he'd studied the Chaos Tablet before, he'd only viewed the First and Second Axes, not the Third. Now, he could only study the Third Axe on his own through the three manuals, so his progress was much slower and he had many questions.
When enough questions had built up, Gulanxiu would ask Barbarian Hammer King for guidance. After all, Barbarian Hammer King had to cultivate as well, and Gulanxiu couldn't go to him every time he had a question.
Barbarian Hammer King patiently answered Gulanxiu's questions, demonstrating the Third Axe as he helped him grasp its mysteries. Before long, a whole day had passed!
Gulanxiu's consciousness immersed itself in the Virtual Universe, sensing the many mysteries of the Third Axe. After an unknown amount of time, he finally emerged from his cultivation and said to Barbarian Hammer King, "Thank you for clearing up my doubts, Teacher! I'll take my leave now!"
Barbarian Hammer King smiled. "There's no need for that between master and disciple. Don't rush off. I have something to discuss with you!"
Gulanxiu asked in confusion, "What is it, Teacher?"
Barbarian Hammer King smiled. "I've noticed that your cultivation has been progressing very quickly lately—faster than when you were in Chaos City. You've been cultivating on Bloodfall Continent all these years, so it seems you've had a fortuitous encounter."
Gulanxiu paused briefly, then nodded. "Yes, Teacher! I did have a special opportunity that improved my talent!"
Barbarian Hammer King nodded. "You've been on Bloodfall Continent for a hundred years now. It's about time you came back. There's no need to stubbornly pursue becoming a Black Warrior. You could still become one later, once your cultivation improves, even after you return to the outside world!"
As far as Barbarian Hammer King could tell, Gulanxiu had been on Bloodfall Continent for a hundred years and had said he'd had a fortuitous encounter, so he was most likely a Blood Warrior by now. Since he still hadn't left the continent, he was probably striving to become a Black Warrior.
Although Barbarian Hammer King couldn't understand why becoming a Blood Warrior had improved Gulanxiu so much, he didn't ask. After all, every genius had opportunities unique to them, and he was no exception.
When he was young, Barbarian Hammer King had also gone to Bloodfall Continent to temper himself, and he'd become a Blood Warrior there. Naturally, he knew about the Ancient God Ruins and understood how dangerous they were. He didn't want his only disciple to meet his end there, which was why he'd offered his warning!
Gulanxiu shook his head. "Thank you for the warning, Teacher! But I have my reasons, so I can't leave Bloodfall Continent just yet."
Barbarian Hammer King didn't press him. He knew Gulanxiu was strong-willed, and there was no point in trying to persuade him further. He nodded. "Then be careful. When you come back this time, I recommend taking another dangerous mission nearby. It'll benefit you considerably!"
Gulanxiu nodded to show he understood. He knew that, constrained by the unspoken rules, Barbarian Hammer King couldn't speak plainly in the Virtual Universe. But he'd already made his meaning clear: Bloodfall Continent was in the Virtual Universe Company's Primordial Secret Realm, and there was another dangerous mission in the Primordial Secret Realm—the Dragon Tower Star Dragon Hunting Mission. That was most likely the dangerous mission nearby that Barbarian Hammer King meant.
Barbarian Hammer King suddenly laughed. "Forget it! To hell with those stupid rules. Having to speak in riddles is driving me crazy! I mean the Dragon Tower Star mission. Your willpower is strong enough that you passed the Fourteenth Layer of the Illusion Sea, so the Dragon Tower Star mission is the best fit for you."
Gulanxiu laughed in spite of himself. He hadn't expected his teacher to spell it out even after he'd already guessed. But it suited Barbarian Hammer King's character: rough, bold, and not one to fuss over details!
After a pause, Barbarian Hammer King continued, "I thought your performance in the Illusion Sea would surely attract the attention of those Venerables. Then, when they took you as a disciple, they'd naturally recommend the same thing. But you haven't received any messages from the Venerables inviting you to become their disciple all these years. I put some effort into looking into it, and found out your performance had drawn the attention of a certain supreme being."
At this, Barbarian Hammer King looked envious. "Since that supreme being has taken an interest in you, no Venerable would dare compete with him to take you as a disciple. And that supreme being may want to observe you a little longer, which is why you haven't received a message. Since no one else has told you any of this, I'll tell you myself! You'd better perform well. This is an enormous opportunity!"
Barbarian Hammer King's words cleared up a doubt that had been troubling Gulanxiu for a long time. In the original story, when Hong passed the Twentieth Layer of the Illusion Sea, Giant Axe immediately took him as a disciple. Although Gulanxiu's performance at the Fourteenth Layer was nowhere near Hong's, it should still have attracted the attention of some Venerables.
Yet he hadn't received a single message from any Venerable all these years. Now, after Barbarian Hammer King's explanation, Gulanxiu understood: someone even more powerful had taken an interest in him. He just didn't know whether it was a Universe Overlord or a lofty Universe Master.
At this thought, Gulanxiu quickly asked, "Teacher! Who is this supreme being you mentioned?"
Barbarian Hammer King hurriedly cut him off. "Don't ask. I won't say anything more. You'll find out when he takes you as a disciple. If you fail his test and don't become his disciple, knowing who he is will only give you something to worry about! All right, go back. Be careful when you're out on missions, and don't act recklessly!"
Gulanxiu nodded quickly. "Yes, Teacher! I understand. What should I watch out for on the Dragon Tower Star mission?"
Barbarian Hammer King smiled. "Don't ask. I won't tell you. Sending you to Dragon Tower Star today is already an exception. I'm only pointing you toward the mission. If I told you about the conditions and dangers there, that would be too much of an unfair advantage. Besides, the hidden mission on Dragon Tower Star is obvious. You'll know as soon as you get there! Remember, staying alive comes first. If it's too much for you, don't take unnecessary risks. If you lose an opportunity, so be it. Nothing matters more than staying alive!"
Gulanxiu smiled. Barbarian Hammer King seemed to have said nothing, but in fact he'd told him a great deal. First, he'd said that the hidden mission on Dragon Tower Star was obvious, which meant Gulanxiu was supposed to complete the hidden mission, not the ordinary Dragon Hunting Mission.
Then he'd said not to take risks if it proved too difficult, clearly indicating that the hidden mission on Dragon Tower Star was dangerous and might be a challenge for Gulanxiu at his current strength.
To be honest, Barbarian Hammer King had said plenty. So Gulanxiu didn't ask anything else. He bowed to Barbarian Hammer King, then left the Virtual Universe.
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