After leaving the cavern, Lu San led the five geniuses to Maple Leaf Star's royal treasury.
According to the rules, after arriving on Maple Leaf Star, they could not only receive guidance from a Universe Level expert, but also select a secret art from the royal treasury.
Along the way, the standing of the young geniuses quietly changed.
"Brother Lei Ming, congratulations on soaring to the heavens in a single step and becoming the ancestor's disciple. Please look out for me on Maple Leaf Star from now on." A lean, muscular youth spoke first, his tone filled with warm flattery.
"That's right, Brother Lei Ming," a pretty young woman beside him said with a charming smile. "If I encounter any difficulties in the future, I hope you won't be stingy with your guidance."
"Brother Lei Ming," another youth in luxurious clothes leaned closer and said quietly, "the merchant ships of my family's Five Yuan Chamber of Commerce pass through Horned Thunder Star on their regular routes every year. If your family needs anything, just say the word. Everyone in the chamber will spare no effort."
Lei Ming wore a slightly awkward smile as he responded to each of them. He had not grown arrogant because of his sudden change in status. Instead, his heart was filled with a dazed sense of unreality.
After the pleasant surprise came a heavy pressure. He feared he could not bear this heaven-sent opportunity and would disappoint the ancestor's expectations.
"All right, we've reached the royal treasury."
Lu San's steady voice interrupted everyone's thoughts.
A towering, majestic structure cast entirely from dark stellar metal rose before them. Energy patterns visible to the naked eye flowed over its surface, radiating heart-pounding fluctuations.
"You four, take these tokens and enter the first floor to make your selections." Lu San handed the four geniuses jade tokens engraved with maple leaf emblems, his tone solemn. "Remember, you only have one chance. Every secret-art manual in the treasury embodies the painstaking efforts and cultivation mysteries of those who came before you. Be sure to choose a technique that suits your own origin. This concerns the upper limit of your future potential."
He turned toward Lei Ming, a trace of barely perceptible expectation in his eyes. "Lei Ming, follow me to the third floor. The ancestor has already given instructions. Your objective this time is clear-the Nine Thunder Blades is a legacy the ancestor acquired during his travels among the stars, and a technique he practiced in his early years."
"Yes, sir!" Lei Ming's heart tightened, and he hurriedly bowed in acknowledgment.
Deep within the cavern.
After seeing Lu San and the others off, Lu Qingshan stirred his thoughts slightly and instantly connected to the Virtual Universe Network. His figure appeared within a vast, boundless Killing Field space.
"Simulation target: designation XY9527, Domain Lord Level 2. Combat style: close-quarters combat."
Boom!
An energy phantom radiating a powerful Domain Lord Level aura took shape before Lu Qingshan. He stood with his hands behind his back as an invisible domain abruptly expanded around him. It was neither light nor lightning alone, but an endlessly renewing fusion domain in which the two intertwined.
The Domain Lord phantom slammed violently into the domain space. Its movements instantly slowed, as though it had sunk into an unbearably viscous cosmic mire.
Violent beams of light intertwined with leaping lightning serpents, continuously eroding and breaking down the Domain Lord phantom's energy body. In fewer than a hundred breaths, the phantom burst like a punctured bubble, vanishing completely with a pop.
"Phew..."
Lu Qingshan's figure withdrew from the Virtual Universe, and his consciousness returned to his physical body in the cavern. A sharp gleam flashed through his eyes.
"The feedback from just one insignificant piece of guidance actually brought my Lightning Domain straight into the perfected ninth stage!"
"Now both my light and lightning domains have reached the peak of the ninth stage. Their fusion is even tighter, and their power has increased severalfold."
Indeed.
As a Giant Axe Warrior, Lu Qingshan possessed strength far beyond that of ordinary Universe Level cultivators.
The reason he could not break through to Domain Lord had never been his domain. Rather, his bodily foundation had been damaged, preventing him from condensing a singularity within his body.
He had made many attempts over the years. In his early days, he had cultivated the Light Domain. After discovering that he could not break through, he had cultivated the Lightning Domain as well, hoping to use a special environment to achieve a breakthrough, but that attempt had likewise failed.
Thanks to the power of his fused light and lightning domains, he had been able to contend with ordinary Domain Lord experts at Universe Level 9 even in his early years.
That was also why he had been able to establish an elementary Universe Country.
In the many galaxies surrounding the Maple Leaf Empire, Lu Qingshan's strength had long been regarded as equivalent to that of an ordinary Domain Lord.
"Unfortunately, even though my Lightning Domain has reached the ninth stage, there's still little hope of breaking through."
Lu Qingshan understood his own body well and did not dare attempt a breakthrough lightly.
"If I can repair my foundation, breaking through to Domain Lord will follow as naturally as water flowing into a channel."
Lu Qingshan soon thought of a solution.
He could bestow a treasure that repaired foundations and increased strength upon his disciple Lei Ming, then receive a hundredfold rebate himself. Repairing his foundation should not be difficult.
Following the first rebate.
Lu Qingshan had gained some basic knowledge about the system. For example, only geniuses acknowledged by the system could provide rebates when taken as disciples. He could take others as disciples and teach them, but there would be no rebates, only tiny improvements. However, if he gave public lectures, quantitative changes could lead to qualitative changes, and he could likewise reap gains.
Second, treasures bestowed upon disciples had to suit their current needs and benefit them. If he bestowed a Tier 5 Force Weapon upon an ordinary person who could not use it at all, he would receive no rebate.
Third, a third-class genius could provide a rebate once a year.
His thoughts raced, and a clear plan took shape in Lu Qingshan's mind.
Several months later, at the Silver Blue Empire's imperial palace.
Within the magnificent hall, hundreds of musicians played soothing music. Lu Qingshan sat opposite a middle-aged man wearing splendid imperial robes and a crown of stars, conversing with him.
This man was Yi Wei, the current emperor of the Silver Blue Empire, a powerful Domain Lord Level existence.
"Brother Qingshan!" Yi Wei smiled heartily and personally poured Lu Qingshan a cup of fine wine. "How time flies since we parted in the Dead Silent Nebula five thousand years ago. Now that we meet again, you look even more impressive than before."
Lu Qingshan smiled and raised his cup. "You're too kind, Your Majesty Yi Wei. Had you not broken through in the midst of battle and turned back the raging tide, our entire group would probably have perished in that treacherous secret realm long ago and become cosmic dust."
"Hahaha!" Yi Wei laughed. "You're mistaken, brother. If you hadn't guarded me back then and kept the secret realm's strange beasts from attacking, how could I have broken through in peace? I have always kept that friendship close to my heart!"
"I appreciate your kindness, Your Majesty." Lu Qingshan set down his wine cup, his expression turning solemn as he looked Yi Wei straight in the eye. "To tell you the truth, I've taken the liberty of visiting because I have a favor to ask."
The smile on Yi Wei's face did not fade. "Oh? Speak freely, brother. As long as it's within my power, I certainly won't refuse."
Lu Qingshan did not beat around the bush. "I'd like to purchase the Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng kept in your treasury, Your Majesty."
"The Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng?" Yi Wei's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, and his fingers gently tapped the armrest fashioned from stellar jade. "Brother, that is one of the treasured heirlooms of our Silver Blue Empire. It concerns the very foundation of the empire... A transaction like this isn't mine alone to decide. I would need to discuss it with the council of imperial elders."
Lu Qingshan had expected this reaction. Though the two were friends, their friendship was not so deep that a single word would make the other man hand over an ancestral treasure.
He said nothing more and merely raised his hand. A projected virtual contract bearing the distinctive emblem of the Universe Galaxy Bank appeared in the air between them.
"Please take a look, Your Majesty." Lu Qingshan's voice was calm and firm. "This is a certificate of asset collateral issued by the Universe Galaxy Bank. I am willing to pledge every administrative planet, resource planet, and their associated rights throughout the Maple Leaf Empire's territory, excluding Maple Leaf Star itself, as collateral in exchange for the Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng. Within a hundred years of completing the transaction, I will repay you 250 billion Universe Coins."
Yi Wei's gaze swept quickly over the projected contract, and he had already made his decision.
Though the Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng was precious, it could still be purchased at certain auctions or through special channels. Its market value was around 200 billion Universe Coins, with little fluctuation. Lu Qingshan's offer of 250 billion amounted to a premium of 50 billion.
Moreover, a hundred years was merely the flick of a finger compared with a Domain Lord's long lifespan. With the Maple Leaf Empire's vast territories and a Universe Galaxy Bank contract as guarantees, the risk of this transaction was practically zero.
His solemn expression instantly turned into a smile, and he waved his broad hand. "Haha! You really do handle things without leaving a single leak, brother. Very well! I'll make the decision and lend you this Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng. I'll take care of the council of elders!"
"Thank you for accommodating me, Your Majesty." Lu Qingshan raised his cup in acknowledgment.
"Attendants! Begin the banquet! Today, Brother Qingshan and I won't leave until we're drunk!" Yi Wei commanded in high spirits.
A grand royal banquet soon began. The Silver Blue Empire's important ministers, along with several princes and princesses of extraordinary bearing, attended to keep them company. Fine wines and rare delicacies flowed without end, and flattering compliments sounded everywhere, showing Lu Qingshan ample respect.
The banquet lasted a full seven days and only ended after Lu Qingshan politely declined further hospitality.
Yi Wei kept his word and soon brought out the Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng.
The spirit ginseng was crystalline as jade throughout, with nine emerald leaves suffused with rich vitality, and was shaped like a human.
The instant a crack opened in the jade box, an indescribably fresh aura of life spread out. Merely inhaling a trace of it, Lu Qingshan felt a faint yet distinct stirring within his body.
"What a treasure!"
Lu Qingshan's heart settled. He confirmed that the treasure was genuine and that it could also be bestowed upon his disciple.
Heavenly treasures of this kind, which repaired foundations and improved aptitude, were not subject to gifting restrictions.
After receiving the treasure, Lu Qingshan solemnly thanked Yi Wei and took his leave.
A short while later, a sleek, deep-blue-green spaceship bearing the Maple Leaf Empire's emblem tore free of Imperial Capital Star's gravitational bonds and became a streak of light plunging into the boundless sea of stars.
However, the ship did not set a course back to Maple Leaf Star.
Instead, it targeted a specific set of coordinates on the edge of the more distant Milky Way Galaxy.
(End of chapter)