Lin Mo fell silent for a moment, as though recalling something, or perhaps weighing his words.
A moment later, that weary voice, still carrying a certain ancient majesty, slowly rang out:
"The universe is vast, with countless civilizations. The traditions governing masters and disciples may take different forms.
"But at their core, they are far weightier than your planet's elementary civilization understands.
"And far more sacred."
At this point, Lin Mo's tone turned serious:
"On the path of a true powerhouse, once the bond between master and disciple is established, their karmic ties become intertwined.
"Among many powerful races and factions, the bond between master and disciple
"sometimes even surpasses that of blood relatives and life-and-death partners.
"A master imparts everything he knows, guides the way forward, and protects his disciple as he grows.
"A disciple honors his master and his teachings, and carries on his will."
Lin Mo paused, his voice turning cold:
"If a disciple betrays his sect and turns against his master and forebears, or commits ungrateful acts that harm the sect's interests,
"his punishment will be a hundred times more severe.
"At best, he will be shunned by his own kind.
"At worst, he will be killed outright by someone stronger!"
Luo Feng was shaken. The relationship between master and disciple in the universe was so close.
And the punishment for betraying one's master was so harsh!
It gave him a deeper understanding of the weight carried by the word "master."
At the same time, Luo Feng became even more certain.
Since Lin Mo had taken him as a disciple, he surely would not treat him poorly.
"I will take your teachings to heart, Master!"
Luo Feng responded solemnly. Then the light of anticipation in his eyes grew brighter.
He could not help speaking up again, with the eagerness peculiar to the young:
"Master, now that I have become your disciple,
"are there any resources I can have? Or guidance in a secret technique?"
He imagined how wondrous the treasures a powerhouse like Lin Mo might casually bestow would be.
But Lin Mo's answer was like a bucket of cold water, dousing the enthusiasm that had just flared up in him.
"Resources? Secret techniques?"
Lin Mo's voice sounded even wearier, with a faint trace of helplessness.
"It is too early to speak of such things.
"You know my current condition.
"I am merely a remnant soul, attached to your sea of consciousness.
"I have no resources. As for secret techniques, I can create them outright.
"But clearing your meridians earlier consumed most of my soul.
"Now I must fall into slumber to stabilize my remnant soul. We can speak of this after I wake."
Lin Mo's voice grew fainter and more indistinct, as though it might fade away at any moment.
On learning that Lin Mo was about to fall asleep, Luo Feng was at once somewhat stunned and panicked.
Master's going to sleep already?
What about after that?
What am I supposed to do? Who can I turn to if I run into problems?
Master!
He called out hurriedly in his mind.
How long will you sleep? How should I cultivate afterward?
What should I do if I have questions?
He had a bellyful of questions, about the details of cultivation and the direction he should take in the future.
"How long? A few days at the shortest, a few weeks at the longest."
Lin Mo's voice was barely audible now, thick with weariness.
"As for you, simply do as you see fit.
"Cultivation, fighting, living-they are all part of your own path.
"Besides, on this life-bearing planet, where the highest level is Planetary Level,
"your Apprentice Level Fifth Stage strength is enough to protect yourself. Do not rely on me for everything."
But, Master, I...
Luo Feng still wanted to ask more.
"Remember, in the end, a powerhouse must walk his own path."
With those words, Lin Mo fell completely into slumber.
No matter how Luo Feng called out in his mind, there was no response.
His master really had fallen asleep.
Luo Feng sat on the bed in a daze, at a loss for a moment.
In the wake of his wild joy came a vast emptiness and uncertainty.
He took several deep breaths, forcing himself to calm down.
His gaze swept over the room, and everything he saw reminded him
that what had just happened had not been his imagination.
Luo Feng's mind began to drift back over their earlier conversation.
First was the relationship between master and disciple.
That meant that from the moment he had kowtowed,
he and the mysterious Star Sea King had been bound together.
If one prospered, both prospered; if one suffered, both suffered.
It was a tremendous opportunity, but also a weighty responsibility.
He could not bear the price of betrayal, nor had he ever considered it.
Second was Lin Mo's own value.
Although his master now had to sleep just to stabilize his remnant soul,
the information he had casually revealed was already astonishing enough.
Even though only a remnant of his soul remained, his breadth of vision, his knowledge,
and his understanding of the nature of power were absolutely beyond the reach of Earth's civilization.
Even a secret technique he created on a whim, if brought to Earth,
would surely surpass divine-level secret techniques like the Nine-Layered Thunder Blade and World Annihilation!
At that thought, the slight disappointment Luo Feng had felt at not receiving resources immediately
was instantly replaced by immense anticipation.
Lastly, and most shocking to Luo Feng's understanding at this moment,
were the few fragments Lin Mo had inadvertently revealed about levels of strength.
Apprentice Level Fifth Stage? Planetary Level?
Luo Feng's mind raced, trying to match these unfamiliar terms to the Earth martial artist system he knew.
"I'm an Intermediate War General now, and Master said that corresponds to Apprentice Level Fifth Stage."
Luo Feng muttered to himself, a thoughtful light flickering in his eyes.
"Apprentice Level sounds just like a trainee.
"So, above Apprentice Level is Planetary Level?
"Does that mean the strongest people on Earth, Hong and Thunder God, are Planetary Level?"
Luo Feng continued reasoning it out, growing more alarmed the more he thought.
Then Earth's overall combat strength is far too weak!
Apprentice Level-the name alone makes it sound like something not worth mentioning.
Planetary Level sounds a little better than Apprentice Level,
but it doesn't feel all that strong either.
And what sort of realm is the Invincible King that Master said he was?
How many levels above Planetary Level is it?
The vastness of the universe, glimpsed through just those few simple terms, filled Luo Feng with fear.
He suddenly felt that what he had once understood as strength
was nothing more than ants and dust before the true universe.
"If I'd known, I should have asked Master about the exact divisions of strength in the universe from the start."
Luo Feng patted his forehead, somewhat annoyed.
He had been so caught up in his excitement and in asking about recovering his strength that he had completely overlooked this basic information.
But there was no use regretting it now.
His master was already asleep, for a few days at the shortest and a few weeks at the longest.
During that time, he would have to rely on himself.
Determination returned to Luo Feng's eyes.
His confusion and emptiness gradually faded, replaced by a clear understanding and a sense of urgency.
Luo Feng stood and looked around the small hotel room.
It had witnessed his despair, and it had witnessed his rebirth.
But now it was time to leave.
"First, I'll go home and put Mom, Dad, and A Hua at ease."
Luo Feng made his decision.
"Then I'll go to the martial arts hall and test my exact strength. I have to keep my status as a martial artist.
"Finally, I'll wait for Master to wake up."
With that thought, Luo Feng pushed open the door and strode out.