Heavenly Bridge

After cultivating in seclusion within Chaos City for a period of time, Qin Ming felt it was time to challenge the "Heavenly Bridge."

He had made a point of looking into it—perhaps it was a matter of fortune, but the overall talent of his generation seemed rather ordinary compared to the "Golden Generation" of Luo Feng's future cohort.

To say nothing else, just looking at the time it took to clear the first level of the Heavenly Bridge revealed the gap.

In Luo Feng's generation, Bolan, Rong Jun, Luo Feng, and others had cleared the first level not long after entering Chaos City, with Bolan even breaking through several levels in quick succession, causing a stir.

As for Qin Ming's generation, as far as he knew, no one had cleared the Heavenly Bridge in the past year.

Even Ailuos, hailed as the "Light God" and who had entered the Primal Secret Realm alongside him, was still in the stage of exploring the Chaos Stele and consolidating his insights.

It wasn't until a year after entering Chaos City that members of Qin Ming's generation began to successfully clear the first level one after another.

This wasn't due to a lack of effort, but rather a fundamental gap in talent and foundation.

Luo Feng's generation had a higher overall level; those ranked in the top ten, and even some eliminated by top ten contestants, would have the strength to contend for first place in Qin Ming's generation.

"Perfect timing. I'll test the insights I've gained over these years, and also... earn some points I deserve." Qin Ming's mind was calm and undisturbed.

These past few years in Chaos City, Qin Ming had seemed tranquil on the surface, but through his clone in the Jin World, his progress in law comprehension—especially in fused laws—had far exceeded what anyone could imagine.

Logging into the Virtual Universe, Qin Ming appeared in the manor belonging to the Primal Secret Realm members on Rain Phase Mountain.

"Your Highness!"

A group of servants and guards quickly bowed in greeting.

Although Qin Ming had never visited his own territorial manor in the Primal Universe, the servants stationed at the Rain Phase Mountain manor in the Virtual Universe had long since come to know him.

Qin Ming gave a slight nod and instructed, "Xiaoye, apply for my entry into the Heavenly Bridge."

"Yes, Master!" The intelligent lifeform "Xiaoye" responded immediately.

This was a more advanced intelligent lifeform Qin Ming had obtained after joining the Virtual Universe Company, named after the "Heye Tribe" of the Jin World—a kind of memorial.

Soon, a majestic voice resounded directly in Qin Ming's mind: "Identity confirmed, Qin Ming. You have permanently obtained the qualification to enter the Heavenly Bridge. We hope you strive hard and reach the end of the Heavenly Bridge. Beginning teleportation now!"

Whoosh!

Qin Ming's figure vanished from the manor instantly.

Within the Virtual Universe, a special dimensional space.

Before him lay an endless ocean, its waves surging violently. In the center of the ocean was a beautiful island.

At the edge of the island, fifty-two harbors were distributed, each extending a long bridge that stretched out of sight, winding toward the sky as if to connect to the end of the universe, hovering over the entire ocean.

Qin Ming appeared directly in the central square of the island.

"Qin Ming?!"

In the square, several geniuses preparing to challenge the Heavenly Bridge were startled to see Qin Ming suddenly appear, their faces showing surprise.

Since the Trial Tower of the Genius Tournament, Qin Ming had seemed to vanish, never appearing in public again.

They never expected to see him here!

They immediately realized what was happening—Qin Ming had come to challenge the Heavenly Bridge!

Almost instinctively, a few of them used their virtual assistants to send the news to other geniuses they knew.

"Qin Ming has appeared! In the Heavenly Bridge dimension!"

"He's going to challenge the Heavenly Bridge!"

The news spread like a stone thrown into a calm lake, rapidly rippling through the current generation of geniuses in the Virtual Universe Company.

The Heaven and Earth District, the End Times District, the Primordial Beginning District, and even the Primal District all "exploded" with the news.

"What? Qin Ming is going to challenge the Heavenly Bridge?"

"Hurry and go see! How many levels can that monster clear?"

"Let's go, let's go! Meet at the Heavenly Bridge dimension!"

Geniuses who were cultivating or resting all set aside what they were doing, logged into the Virtual Universe, and rushed to the Heavenly Bridge dimension.

Ruoxi naturally received the message from her friends as well.

"Qin Ming is challenging the Heavenly Bridge?" Her heart stirred. Without hesitation, she immediately stopped her cultivation and connected her consciousness to the Virtual Universe.

She wanted to see for herself just how far this "peer" of hers, who had already left her and everyone else far behind, had progressed.

Qin Ming walked to the edge of the square, where a strange lifeform with four ears but no nose stood.

He was about to speak, but the other spoke first.

"Hello, Qin Ming. I am the Guardian of the Heavenly Bridge dimension. You may call me 'Guardian' Bafen."

"Greetings, Guardian." Qin Ming bowed respectfully. He understood well that anyone tasked with guarding such an important place, even if they appeared ordinary, possessed unfathomable strength.

"This is your first time here, so let me explain." Guardian Bafen nodded.

"This Heavenly Bridge dimension was created for the fifty-two Chaos Steles of Chaos City. Because our human race of the universe has spent billions of years comprehending the fifty-two Chaos Steles, fifty-two schools of thought have formed within Chaos City." Guardian Bafen's tone carried a hint of emotion.

"For example, since you chose the 'Heavenly Ruins Chaos Stele,' you naturally belong to the 'Heavenly Ruins' school. Even when comprehending the same Chaos Stele, insights vary in depth. Only those with strong comprehension will be granted another opportunity by Chaos City to study the Chaos Stele."

"Of course," Guardian Bafen shifted the topic, looking at Qin Ming with a knowing smile, "that's a matter for later."

"You're different."

These words stunned the other geniuses who had arrived nearby and were eavesdropping.

Qin Ming is different? What does that mean?

Qin Ming smiled faintly. He naturally understood what the Guardian meant.

The other party was referring to the fifty comprehension opportunities directly gifted by his master, Chaos City Lord.

One comprehension session lasted seven days. Fifty sessions—a full three hundred and fifty days!

As for the other geniuses, they initially only had one free opportunity. To obtain more, they either had to arduously challenge the Heavenly Ruins Bridge or complete other grueling tasks, earning only a handful of chances.

This was the vast gap brought by having a top-tier master.

Resources and opportunities had drawn a chasm from the very start.

However, for Qin Ming, going to observe the Chaos Stele was more about "going through the motions"—verification and reference.

The true core insights always lay in the Jin World.

He didn't say much, only addressing the Guardian Bafen: "Guardian, I wish to challenge the Heavenly Ruins Bridge."

"Good." Guardian Bafen said no more.

"That way is the entrance to the Heavenly Ruins Bridge. I wish you success."

Hearing this, Qin Ming instantly turned into a blur, flying directly toward a bridge that stretched to the end of the heavens in the distance. From far away, he could see a stone stele in front of the bridge, inscribed with the words "Heavenly Ruins."

"So this is the Heavenly Ruins Bridge?" Qin Ming didn't hesitate and chose to enter the Heavenly Ruins Bridge.