The Venerable's Summons

Luliduo stared at the large screen, her mind somewhat dazed.

Was this the same guy who was always slouching, never standing or sitting properly, grinning cheekily and spouting slick talk at every turn?

Qianshui kept her eyes fixed on the screen, but her mouth chattered incessantly, sending voice transmissions to Luliduo: "How is he so strong?" "Why did he keep hiding this from us?" "Why won't he just admit defeat?" "Ah, he got hit again." "He's in such a mess..."

King Huansha watched the large screen. She sent an email, requesting the Venerable to personally send one to Li Dui. She feared that Li Dui would soon be flooded with emails and might not notice hers.

The King Rank invincible masters of the Giant Axe School stared at the screen, all scheming on how to trick this kid into becoming their disciple.

While everyone's minds were occupied with their own thoughts.

The twelfth-floor Gatekeeper, already burning with rage, bellowed, "Die!"

He had originally thought that using his full strength, this young man would last at most twenty moves.

Who would have guessed he'd dragged it out for nearly two hundred moves? This time, he had finally cornered him with no room to dodge.

Li Dui smiled faintly, his blood-soaked face making the grin look somewhat savage.

He let the axe swing toward his neck, while his long blade slashed out with all his might.

In his dying moment, he caught a glimpse of the Gatekeeper's left palm flying off.

The twelfth floor of the Heavenly Bridge—failed.

Everyone turned their gaze to the resurrection point on the island.

No one else had been challenging the Heavenly Bridge for a while now. Anyone appearing could only be Li Dui.

A figure materialized, and then—nothing more. Li Dui teleported away immediately.

King Huansha was the first to follow, teleporting after him.

The other Immortal-level experts left one after another.

Many spectators in the plaza teleported away as well. Quite a few remained, clustering in groups, chatting animatedly.

"Master, Venerable Meng Yu has sent an email."

"Master, King Huansha has sent an email."

"Master, King Shuiyan has sent an email."

"Master, King Canyue has sent an email."

"Stop, stop, stop. Disable voice prompts." Li Dui gave the order. He had previously set it so that emails from Immortal-level experts or above would trigger a special voice alert, to avoid missing important matters during training.

He first flipped through emails from Hong, Thor, Jie Kui, Gaido, and the others. He replied that he had things to attend to and would catch up later.

Then he opened the group chat with the two young ladies. Oh, so quiet? Not a single word.

Li Dui shook his head with a smile and sent a voice message: "So? How was I today? Handsome or what?"

The two replied instantly, both in text.

Qianshui sent a blood-dripping longsword emoji.

Luliduo sent a speechless symbol.

"Hahaha, I'll leave it here for now. Lots to do. Catch you later."

The two girls naturally knew he was swamped right now. They simply ignored him.

He opened Venerable Meng Yu's email. The content was concise—just four words: "Come see me when done."

Big shot, could you at least give me a teleport gate? Li Dui grumbled internally. He searched for King Huansha's email.

Sure enough, he found a teleport coordinate there. He clicked it and confirmed the teleport.

His vision went dark, then brightened, and there stood King Huansha beside him.

Li Dui bowed slightly and greeted her: "King Huansha."

"Mm, follow me to see the Venerable." King Huansha's tone was quite gentle.

The two walked toward the towering temple not far away.

At the temple entrance, an Immortal guard gestured with a hand: "Please go straight in. The Venerable has been waiting for some time."

Li Dui nodded in acknowledgment. Then he followed King Huansha into the temple.

Deep within the majestic temple, Venerable Meng Yu sat upright on her throne. She slowly opened her eyes only when the two approached.

Li Dui bowed and said, "Greetings, Venerable."

Venerable Meng Yu's expression was impassive, but a hint of satisfaction could be seen in her eyes.

By now, everything that could be investigated had been clarified.

This Li Dui had originally been nothing more than an unremarkable member of the Battle Axe Secret Realm. In Chaos City, he had nearly lost his life. He was merely lucky to be discovered by a Domain Lord Rank little girl from the Virtual Universe Company's Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, who sent him to the Healing Hall to be saved.

None of this was a secret; records could verify it.

The Healing Hall's archives also confirmed that, without timely treatment, his injuries at the time would have been fatal.

Who would have thought that this brush with death would awaken his potential? In just over a hundred years, he had risen to prominence, now only a step away from the benchmark of human geniuses.

The Earth Origin Law acknowledging him is indeed rare, but still acceptable. Certain special encounters or treasures can achieve this. Reaching the ninth level of the Heavenly Bridge with the Origin Law of Space is quite impressive—even more formidable than so-called geniuses who appear once in ten thousand eras.

But combining laws with talent and secret techniques to create a talent for creation is simply absurd. With mere ninth-level Heavenly Bridge law comprehension, he can create a secret technique that easily passes the eleventh level. What's more, his willpower is also formidable.

Venerable Meng Yu looked at that secret technique—immature, extreme, riddled with flaws and irrationalities. Yet it still manages to achieve such overwhelming power. Given time, once his law comprehension improves a little more, this secret technique might truly have the potential to pass the twelfth level of the Heavenly Bridge.

Relying solely on a secret technique to pass the twelfth level of the Heavenly Bridge—even among those benchmark human geniuses, this is a minority. Most rely on supplementary aids or burst methods to get through.

It's a pity there's no sign of any law fusion in him. But then again, if someone his age already showed talent for law fusion, he wouldn't have ended up under my command. Venerable Meng Yu smiled wryly to herself. The way things are now is fine—solid potential for at least a King Rank Immortal. In the future, he might even have a chance to become a Venerable, standing alongside me. That would be a considerable asset.

"Li Dui, you've done well. If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, you may come to me." Venerable Meng Yu's voice was cool, but her words were gentle.

Li Dui breathed a sigh of relief inside. If the Venerable had brought up that matter just now, he wouldn't have been able to refuse. Otherwise, he would have greatly offended her.

"Thank you, Venerable. I actually have a matter right now that I'd like to ask your permission for." Li Dui bowed again and spoke.

King Huansha nodded approvingly from the side. This kid is pretty sharp.

"Speak." Venerable Meng Yu lifted her head slightly, curious to hear what Li Dui had to say.

Li Dui quickly said, "My progress over the past century has been rapid. I've also had some encounters. But I don't know how long this pace can last. If one day my advancement slows, may I come to seek you as my master and receive your teachings at your side?"

When these words were spoken, King Huansha was utterly astonished. What does he mean? Oh, you're progressing fast now and want to go your own way. But if one day you can't advance anymore, you want to come cling to a thigh and become the Venerable's disciple?

She had fully expected Li Dui's request to be about becoming the Venerable's disciple. Who knew he'd pull this move? She couldn't understand it.

Venerable Meng Yu was also slightly puzzled inside. But as a dignified Venerable, why would she bother fussing over such a trivial matter? If not for the fact that this generation's genius tournament fell under her supervision, and Li Dui was originally meant to be under her command, she wouldn't have paid any attention to the rise of some minor genius.

Unless that rising genius's strength had reached a point where even she had to take notice.

This Li Dui was probably too proud and unruly, unwilling to be restrained. Or perhaps he was confident in his extraordinary talent, believing he could become a super powerhouse on his own. Or maybe he carried secrets he feared others would discover.

Regardless, what did it have to do with her?

"Granted." Venerable Meng Yu's expression and tone remained unchanged.