"This Human Race genius is truly remarkable..."
Deep within the main hall of the Elders' Palace.
The Elder Kuxin, looked at the scene in the Heart-Tempering Tower, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
The white-haired, withered old man sighed softly, " The Kedi of yesteryear, the Lu Qingshan of today... the Human Race truly deserves to be called a pinnacle race, producing talents in every generation. Only by firmly following behind the Human Race can our Banyanwood Race ensure its long-term survival!"
"Teacher, your judgment is truly excellent."
The Venerable Kuxin said with admiration.
When Lu Qingshan first entered the Heart-Tempering Tower, his teacher, now the greatest being of the Banyanwood Race, had already indicated that the Human Race genius's will must be extraordinary, perhaps even surpassing that of their Banyanwood Race's most outstanding genius in terms of willpower Rong Xin.
His conjecture has now been proven true.
"This is just speculation. Human Race rarely send a genius from Primal Secret Region to retrieve the Heart of Banyanwood, but this time they sent Lu Qingshan. It reminds me of that former Kedi..."
The old man spoke calmly.
Upon hearing this, Venerable Kuxin said, "Perhaps the Human Race also intends to use Lu Qingshan to intimidate us, their subordinate races."
"No need to guess, no need to guess, and I dare not guess."
The white-haired old man looked at the figure in green robes in the Heart-Tempering Tower, and couldn't help but recall the greatest being of the Banyanwood Race.
He raised his hand.
A seemingly Pingping wooden knife made from plant material appeared in his hand.
"You've put in Kuxin. That Human Race genius might be able to pass the 18th level of the Heart-Tempering Tower. Place this treasure in the prize pool on the 18th level and give it to that Human Race genius."
The Elder Kuxin glanced at the wooden sword and exclaimed in surprise, "Teacher... this is..."
"It's just a weapon made from the branches of an Ancient Banyanwood Tree; it's not even True Treasure, and it's useless to me now."
The white-haired, withered old man spoke softly.
After putting down the wooden sword, he disappeared.
"Teacher!"
Venerable Kuxin stared at the wooden sword, lost in thought for a long time. As his teacher's only Venerable, he naturally knew that this Banyan Wood Divine Blade was his teacher's most beloved treasure.
Although he wasn't a True Treasure, he held a higher place in the teacher's heart than True Treasure.
This was a gift personally given to the teacher by the great Universe Master of the Banyanwood Race. At that time, the teacher was merely a minor figure at the World Lord Level.
This Wonder sword, crafted from Ancient Banyanwood Tree, is not True Treasure, but its power surpasses that of ordinary True Treasure weapons. Even a mere World Lord can unleash its full potential.
That great Universe Master was his grandmaster...
After its demise, the teacher, following the deceased's last wish, immediately abandoned the vast territory of the Banyanwood Race and sought refuge with the Human Race in this Ten Thousand Trees Secret Region.
When the Grandmaster presented this Banyan Wood Divine Blade to the Master, he stated that the Master was, besides himself, the most promising genius in the entire Banyanwood Race to break through to the realm of the Universe Master.
Now, Endless years have passed.
The teacher still couldn't take that step, yet today, he gifted this Banyan Wood Divine Blade to that Human Race genius. Could it be...? Venerable Kuxin looked at the scene inside the Heart-Tempering Tower again, and an unbelievable thought flashed through his mind.
Does the teacher believe that this Human Race genius... possesses even a sliver of potential to become the Universe Master?!
The Heart-Tempering Tower has eighteen floors.
As a bright light appeared, Lu Qingshan awoke from the illusion... Sure enough, after thousands of years of tempering, my will is now comparable to that of King-level Immortal. Moreover, I have been constructing the Thousand-Thread Soul Refinement Refining Reincarnation World, making my resistance to illusions far superior to others.
I never expected to clear the Heart-Tempering Tower by accident.
A slight smile involuntarily appeared on Lu Qingshan's lips.
This record.
Perhaps it wasn't as shocking as Kedi suppressing all the geniuses of the Banyanwood Race, but it was still enough for the geniuses of the Banyanwood Race to catch up for hundreds of millions of years.
As long as the Heart-Tempering Tower exists here.
His name, Lu Qingshan, will forever remain an insurmountable mountain towering over the head of the Banyanwood Race's genius.
"Adding some pressure is good. The Banyanwood Race has been peaceful for hundreds of millions of years, and most of the geniuses within the clan lack ambition. Not even one dares to challenge me directly. Rong Zheng even tried to test me with such a crude method. How can this be allowed? Lying down is not advisable. If all the hundreds of millions of vassal races lie down, how can the Human Race become stronger?"
"I wonder what reward Marquis Qingmu mentioned?"
After passing through the 18th floor of the Heart-Tempering Tower, Lu Qingshan's figure was not teleported out.
A golden treasure chest floated slowly towards him.
"The Golden Legend?"
Lu Qingshan knew this was a reward from the 18th floor of the Heart-Tempering Tower. Since Marquis Qingmu had stated that he was qualified, he could naturally claim the reward.
He opened the box and took a look.
Upon discovering that it was just an Pingping wooden knife, if it weren't for the countless Law Secret Patterns shimmering on it, Lu Qingshan would have thought it was just a toy carved from rotten wood.
This knife!
Lu Qingshan held it in his hand.
Then, a wisp of spiritual power imprinted itself on the blade, instantly completing the ritual of recognizing its master, and the information about the wooden blade appeared in his consciousness.
" The Banyan Wood Divine Blade... Forged from the branches of Ancient Banyanwood Tree, it can be used once its secret patterns are understood; it's comparable to True Treasure!"
Little information was left about the founder who forged this knife, but he recognized the words "comparable to True Treasure."
True Treasure??
He came to the Banyanwood Race to run an errand, but was invited to challenge the Heart-Tempering Tower and unexpectedly obtained a True Treasure.
No, not just True Treasure, but something comparable to True Treasure... Even so, it's priceless among Human Race, let alone among the Banyanwood Race.
Just as Lu Qingshan hesitated...
A figure appeared on the 18th floor of the Heart-Tempering Tower.
He wore a long white robe, and the mark of a leaf between his eyebrows was striking. What was most memorable was his bitter expression.
"Greetings, Elder."
Lu Qingshan bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.
This being had just appeared, yet he couldn't sense a single fluctuation from it. Whether it was the Time Law or the Law of Space, the other party must have fully mastered a Higher Law. Otherwise, even if King Rank, they couldn't have remained so silent and undetected.
"I am Elder Kuxin of the Banyanwood Race. Although this treasure is precious, please accept it."
Hearing this, Lu Qingshan stopped hesitating and put away the Banyan Wood Blade.
"Thank you for the gift, Qingshan is deeply grateful."
The appearance of this Elder Kuxin made Lu Qingshan realize that this Banyan Wood Divine Blade, which was True Treasure, was probably not originally a reward from the Heart-Tempering Tower. Perhaps it was a gift that this Elder Kuxin had specially placed here for him.
To give such a True Treasure as a gift—that's incredibly generous!
Lu Qingshan's impression of the Banyanwood Race improved significantly in an instant.
Seeing Lu Qingshan accept the gift, Elder Kuxin smiled slightly, " Qingshan, it will be a few days before the Heart of Banyanwood matures. Why don't you go and see our clan's Sacred Stele? It's a legacy left behind by our clan 'Universe Master; it might be of some help to you."
"Thank you, Qingshan had the same idea."
During his previous conversation with Marquis Qingmu, Lu Qingshan learned that the Banyanwood Race possessed a Sacred Stele.
It is still the legacy left behind by the Universe Master the Banyanwood Race.
Lu Qingshan guessed that it must have some similarities to the Chaos Stele, so he had planned to visit it anyway.
"Then let me take you there."
As they spoke, the two figures disappeared from the Heart-Tempering Tower.
Heart-Tempering Tower.
When the light on the 18th floor came on, all the geniuses of the Banyanwood Race were stunned.
The Human Race genius actually... cleared their Heart-Tempering Tower, leaving most of the geniuses who were still on the ninth or tenth floor in disbelief.
" Marquis Qingmu, has this level been cleared?"
Rong Yang asked in a low voice.
He noticed that Marquis Qingmu's expression was extremely serious.
"Hmm!" Marquis Qingmu nodded. "Clearing the 18th floor means that His Highness at least possesses the will to King-level Immortal. As for which level of King Rank he is, that's beyond what the Heart-Tempering Tower can test."
That's the scary part.
Their Heart-Tempering Tower has been cleared, but that Human Race prince may not have reached his limit.
" Marquis Qingmu, why hasn't Prince Qingshan come out yet?"
Rong Yang asked curiously.
"Um?"
Marquis Qingmu checked the message he received, then looked surprised. "Prince Qingshan has already left with Elder Kuxin. Everyone, you may disperse now. If you wish to challenge the Heart-Tempering Tower, you may enter now."
Once this was said...
Everyone was astonished.
Unexpectedly, even Elder Kuxin was alarmed. However, considering the terrifying achievements of that Human Race genius, everyone felt it made more sense. Back then, when Rong Xin broke through the 15th floor of the Heart-Tempering Tower, Elder Kuxin came out and took her as his disciple.
This Human Race genius cleared the game in one go!
I'll give it a try.
Rong Zheng strode into the Heart-Tempering Tower. He appeared on the Thirteen, but was kicked out a moment later.
It turns out that the Heart-Tempering Tower has not changed; it is exactly the same as before, and the difficulty has not been reduced.
Those geniuses of the Banyanwood Race who shared Rong Zheng's ideas were all kicked out one by one.
Lu Qingshan was unaware of what was happening at the Heart-Tempering Tower. At this moment, he and Elder Kuxin arrived in front of a huge stone tablet.
The stone tablet was as white as jade, and it was enormous, estimated to be several thousand meters high and several hundred meters wide... It was densely covered with various Law Secret Patterns of different sizes.
" The Sacred Stele of the Banyanwood Race records the fundamental laws of Wood Origin Law, Wind Origin Law, Time Origin Law, Space Origin Law..." Elder Kuxin explained, "Your Highness can selectively study them according to your needs."
"Let's first examine the Time Origin Law!"
Lu Qingshan's gaze skipped over the Lower Law and jumped directly to the top-level Time Origin Law.
Under his gaze, those Law Secret Patterns seemed to transform into giant banyan trees, their branches and leaves changing into countless branches of law.
Time Stagnation... Time Imprisonment... Time Freezing...
These are the branching structures below the point where Time Stop.
Lu Qingshan discovered that, compared to the Chaos Stele, the Law Secret Patterns recorded on the Banyanwood Race's Sacred Stele were more intuitive and clear... Of course, this doesn't mean it's better than the Chaos Stele, but rather that it's easier for beginners to learn, while the Chaos Stele has a higher threshold and greater potential!
The Beginning Universe Chaos Stele was not built to make it easier for geniuses to get started, but to prepare for the cultivation of top geniuses.
Ten thousand King-level Immortal cannot compare to the power of a single Universe Venerable.
And a hundred Universe Venerable are no match for a single Universe Master.
Unlike the Banyanwood Race, humans have a large population and Virtual Universe to filter and sift through the sands of time, with the aim of cultivating top-tier powerhouses.
Take, for example, the geniuses from the secret realms of the Virtual Universe Company. If they had been properly nurtured into Immortal, the probability of success would have been quite high. So why did 90% of them perish?
That's because ordinary Immortal are not the target of the Virtual Universe Company. The geniuses who can enter the Core Secret Realm are cultivated to at least the level of being granted the titles of Marquis or King Rank.
However, for the Banyanwood Race, Ordinary Immortal is already enough to form the foundation of their race.
An ordinary genius of the Banyanwood Race only has seven days to comprehend, but Lu Qingshan directly spent three months comprehending.
" Time Imprisonment, so that's how it is..."
A slight smile appeared on Lu Qingshan's face.
After three months of comprehension, coupled with Luo's accumulated experience over the years, he finally grasped the second branch structure within the Time Stop: Time Imprisonment!
If he were to break through to Immortal at this moment and condense Law Divine Body using the Time Law, he would probably immediately possess the basic strength of Initial King.
"The 18-story Heavenly Bridge seems to be passable now. If I pass the 18-story Heavenly Bridge now and obtain permanent residency in Chaos City, will I be exempt from the life-or-death trial for World Lord Level?"
Lu Qingshan smiled slightly and looked at the Sacred Stele again.
This is the advantage of staying at the World Lord Level —a thousand times faster speed of Law Comprehension allows him to so clearly comprehend the Sacred Stele.
If one were to break through to Immortal, relying solely on the disciple's accumulated experience, it would likely take a very long time to absorb that accumulated experience... How could one so easily reach the Law Comprehension of the 18th level of the Heavenly Bridge!
(End of this chapter)