Swallowing the Stars: The Rise of Emperor Wei

Virtual Universe Company's Universal Headquarters.

Gao Sheng and Ji Qing followed the others out of the exit passage, where they were greeted by a tall man in black armor with scales on his face.

"Lord Yi Zheng!" The two bowed respectfully.

The notice had already stated who would be coming to pick them up.

"Okay, follow me." The tall man led the two through a long, dreamlike passageway into another spaceship docking area.

A moment later, Yi Zhenghou's F-class spaceship took off, carrying two young geniuses, and flew towards their destination.

In the dark universe, the spaceship continuously accelerated, 10 times the speed of light... 20 times the speed of light... finally stopping at 36 times the speed of light as it cruised forward.

In the luxurious hall of the spaceship's control room, servants served wine, and Yi Zhenghou watched the two men with great interest, especially Gao Sheng.

Gao Sheng spent thirty years in Chaos City and finally passed through the seventh level of the Sky Bridge. Many core members of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance already knew about this.

"Our destination is the Realm of Glory," said Yi Zhenghou. "This journey will take a little over four months."

"The Realm of Glory?" Gao Sheng and Ji Qing exchanged a glance.

"Your cultivation in Chaos City has ended. Once you arrive at the Glory Realm, the core members' cultivation life will officially begin," Yi Zhenghou said with a smile.

"You are all one-star mercenaries, so of course you have been to the cosmic secret realms. The Glory Secret Realm is also a kind of cosmic secret realm, but it is not located within the territory of any cosmic kingdom," Yi Zhenghou explained. "It is located between three cosmic kingdoms."

"The Glory Realm, with a maximum area of ​​over 30 million light-years, is a large-scale cosmic secret realm controlled solely by the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance. All core members are assigned residences within the Glory Realm. Core members below the Immortal level reside and cultivate together. Of course, since you are a Brave-level member and a Valiant-level member, your residences are not in the same place."

More than 30 million light-years? Gao Sheng was stunned. That's equivalent to dozens of star systems, isn't it?

Yi Zhenghou smiled and said, "The first principle of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance is freedom, so centralized living is not mandatory. If you do not want to live in the Glory Secret Realm, you can apply to leave and return to your hometown or go elsewhere, it's up to you. However, there are many benefits to cultivating in the Glory Secret Realm, you will know when you arrive."

Gao Sheng and Ji Qing nodded.

"Alright, you'll find out the details when we get there. You can do as you please during your months on the spaceship."

After saying this, Marquis Yizheng got up and went into the main rest cabin.

Only Gao Sheng and Ji Qing remained, staring at each other.

Gao Sheng quickly looked away.

"Gao Sheng, you're really amazing," Ji Qing said.

"What?" Gao Sheng asked, puzzled, and looked at Ji Qing again.

"The seventh level of the Bridge to Heaven, I know that too." Ji Qing looked at Gao Sheng with a complicated expression, it was hard to tell whether it was admiration or envy.

"Uh... I do cultivate faster, but that's only temporary, it's nothing." Gao Sheng said somewhat embarrassedly.

Ji Qing smiled: "You don't need to comfort me, but you're right, even if my cultivation is slower, I'll still keep up with you. Don't let me catch up with you."

"Then you'd better work hard. I'm going to rest." Gao Sheng nodded, then got up and went to his own rest room.

Gao Sheng suddenly didn't want to face Ji Qing because he realized that Ji Qing was a little different.

Ji Qing used to be a pure cultivator who devoted all her energy to cultivation. Even after fighting together on the Kukan Continent for ten years, there was no awkwardness in their interactions. Sometimes, Gao Sheng even forgot that Ji Qing was a woman, and a beautiful one at that.

But ever since he boarded the spaceship in Chaos City, he had noticed something different in Ji Qing's eyes when she looked at him.

He was very familiar with it, something that often appeared in the eyes of Sasana and Nancy.

That was infatuation.

"After a hundred years of cultivation, she's suddenly overcome with romantic feelings? Could it be related to her teacher?" Gao Sheng returned to his cabin, shook his head, and stopped thinking about it.

Ji Qing was still sitting in the lounge, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"What am I thinking? He's Sister Nansi's husband."

"I used to have absolutely no interest in this kind of thing, so why has it changed in recent years...?"

Suddenly, Ji Qing saw the image of the Illusionary Spirit King's purple eyes in her mind, and felt a surge of heat in her body and her face flush.

"Could this be the test my teacher was talking about that I would face?" Ji Qing was upset and got up to walk towards her cabin.

After Ji Qing's figure disappeared, Gao Sheng returned to his assigned cabin and connected to the virtual universe.

In the study, Gao Sheng opened the treasure vault and first searched for the secret techniques recommended by his teacher in the secret technique library.

"Is this the 'Collection of Leaves'?"

"The Leaf Collection": A collection of secret techniques analyzing the wood-based laws, suitable for cultivators of the Mother Ancestor Chaos Stele, as well as other cultivators who cultivate the wood-based laws.

Exchange price: 1800 points. (10% discount for Valiant-level members)

"This price alone is unusual; exchange it."

He was promoted without hesitation.

The exchange price of the secret technique can very accurately indicate its value, a point Gao Sheng had long since had no doubt about.

Next, Xiao Ai turned to "Hymn to the Mother Tree".

"Ode to the Mother Tree": A collection of secret methods for explaining and assisting in the cultivation of the Mother Ancestor Chaos Stele, which can help in understanding the spatial and wood laws of the Mother Ancestor Chaos Stele.

The complete set consists of seven volumes.

The first volume of "Hymn to the Mother Tree" requires 200 points.

The first two volumes of "Hymn to the Mother Tree" require 2000 points.

The first three volumes of "Hymn to the Mother Tree" require 20000 points.

……

The complete seven-volume "Hymn to the Mother Tree" requires 200000000 points.

"Wow, that's amazing, it actually requires 2 million points," Xiao Ai said.

"If the teacher recommends it, it must be extraordinary," Gao Sheng said. "Unfortunately, I can only exchange for the first three volumes..."

Upon promotion, you can directly click to redeem the first three volumes, deducting 20,000 points.

"Logically, I should have been able to exchange for the first two volumes when I was in Chaos City, so why didn't the teacher let me exchange them?" Gao Sheng asked.

Xiao Ai chuckled and said, "Your teacher is focused on getting you to comprehend the Law of Fire. This book is about the Laws of Space and Wood, so of course he won't let you read it."

Indeed, his promotion is obvious.

"I still have points, should I redeem them for anything?"

Xiao Ai asked, "Aren't you going to exchange for those two sword techniques you practiced before?"

Gao Sheng thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Let's leave it for now. As for learning, I can't keep up with these secret techniques right now. As for combat, my teacher's fist techniques are no worse than theirs. We'll talk about it in the future."

After spending 21620 points, Gao Sheng still has 3.6 points.

"It feels so good to have enough points to spend," Gao Sheng thought to himself with a smug smile.

In the study, Gao Sheng continued to look through the redemption list.

What else is needed?

Suddenly, Gao Sheng said, "Xiao Ai, my teacher said that his strongest element is the fire element law. How is that possible? As far as I know, even if you comprehend the basic laws, you're only at the most ordinary level of immortality, the tenth level of the Bridge to Heaven. Even if your secret techniques are strong, it's only at the eleventh level."

Fire King only said that he was the strongest in fire-type magic, but the teacher didn't say why he was the strongest, and Gao Sheng didn't dare to ask either.

"Master, what are the laws?"

"The fundamental laws are the way the universe operates. Understanding these laws allows us to utilize them and strengthen ourselves."

"That's right," Xiao Ai said. "Laws are the operating principles of the universe. However, the operation of the universe is not simple. The law fluctuations you can sense, and the law threads you saw in the initial universe, are only the outermost and most superficial part of the laws."

"The most basic part?" Gao Sheng was taken aback.

Xiao Ai said softly, "In our universe, the Five Elements and other so-called fundamental laws such as lightning, wind, and light are only superficially revealed. Time and space are revealed much more, which is why you feel that the fundamental laws are superficial while space and time are profound."

When Xiao Ai said "our universe," Gao Sheng felt that she was possessed by Lao Tie.

"But, comprehending just one of the fundamental laws only grants immortality. No matter how many you comprehend, you're still immortal. You must comprehend one of the fundamental laws of spacetime to become a cosmic venerable. Doesn't that illustrate the difference between them?" Gao Sheng asked, puzzled.

"This is also a rule, just the rule of this universe," Xiao Ai said with a smile. "The laws you have comprehended are superficial, so of course you can only achieve immortality."

"You mean, the Fire Law my teacher comprehended is very profound, even surpassing the Spatial Law of the 20th floor of the Heavenly Bridge?"

Xiao Ai shook her head. "That's not necessarily true. Even if you comprehend the laws, you still need to use secret techniques to unleash your power. Your teacher's fire laws may be higher than his spatial laws, or they may be slightly lower. It's just that he is more skilled with fire. He uses secret techniques created by combining the fire laws with the spatial laws to unleash his power even more."

Gao Sheng seemed lost in thought.

"However, the rule of this universe is that one can only become a universe master by comprehending one of the laws of time and space. Even if your teacher is stronger in fire than in the complete laws of space, he cannot become a universe master by relying on it," Xiao Ai said, shaking her head.

Gao Sheng thought for a long time.

"No, if the deeper aspects of the laws aren't outwardly manifested, how can they be comprehended?"

Xiao Ai said, "Actually, the parts of the laws that can be outwardly manifested are mostly the same. To fully comprehend this part is what you call 'understanding'. However, every world has some extremely special places where you can sense more laws."

"Of course, such places are practically impossible to find under normal circumstances," Xiao Ai laughed. "Using the word 'law' is inaccurate. The laws of the universe, the deeper, non-manifest part, can be called the Tao!"

"Your teacher must have embarked on the path of fire, and has already studied it very deeply."

"The Dao?" Gao Sheng suddenly realized.

"That's still a long way off for you. You haven't even grasped much of the laws you can see," Xiao Ai said.

"Then how can one comprehend the Dao?" Gao Sheng wanted to get to the bottom of it.

Xiao Ai glanced at him and said, "I don't understand either."

After a while, Xiao Ai said, "To comprehend the 'Dao,' normally one can only do so through secret techniques. When the secret techniques you create clearly exceed the limits achievable by normal laws, it means your comprehension has entered the level of the Dao. Secret techniques are a kind of skill; as the saying goes, 'Skill approaches the Dao, art connects with the divine.' The Dao can only be found within skill... I suspect many powerful immortal gods have entered the Dao through basic laws; it's definitely not just your teacher..."

At this moment, Xiao Ai received a call request.

"Your Highness, I have the secret technique you just purchased..." Eva, the butler of the Valiant District, appeared on the screen.

The concept of "Tao" is indeed distant. Gao Sheng composed himself and flew out of the villa.

Before long, Gao Sheng returned carrying two large boxes, and the study was suddenly filled with many more books.

"This is the Leaf Village Collection?"

The "Leaf Collection" is a normal-sized book, consisting of 128 volumes. Gao Sheng took the first volume.

The grass-green cover features the three large characters "Konoha Collection" below the number "1," but there is no author's signature.

Gao Sheng turned to the first page.

The first part is an explanation. Gao Sheng quickly read it and understood that the 128 volumes of "The Leaf Collection" are divided into 32 volumes that explain the 108 basic mysteries of the laws of wood, and 96 volumes that delve deeper into the laws of wood to achieve complete understanding.

Gao Sheng continued turning the page.

"Wood, above all, is resilient."

Below the eight characters are five fallen leaves, each with a different shape, which faintly form a mysterious pattern.

"This is a knife technique, but it can also be used with a sword..." Gao Sheng understood immediately.

His mind raced, and Gao Sheng experimented with various techniques.

"wrong."

Gao Sheng suddenly woke up.

"I need to cultivate the Law of Wood, but not now. I just finished studying the Chaos Stele and haven't fully digested it yet. I should seize the time to comprehend the Law of Space."

Gao Sheng put the first volume of the Leaf Collection back and took out the first volume of "Hymn to the Mother Tree".

This book is huge and thick, even bigger than the "Hundred Explanations of Fire" by Hōzōō.

Gao Sheng bought the first three volumes, which are three large books, one book per volume.

The dark gold cover features no patterns or designs, only four simple characters in the universal language: "Hymn to the Mother Tree".

As Gao Sheng looked at these four characters, he felt his consciousness being drawn in. In a daze, the scene of evolution in his consciousness when he was comprehending the Mother Ancestor Chaos Stele a few days ago seemed to be replaying.

It took Gao Sheng quite a while to wake up.

"That's great?" Gao Sheng exclaimed in surprise.

In just this short while, it seemed that the memories of comprehending the Chaos Stele had become even more profound.

Quickly turn to the first page.

"Ah! The great tree,"

Your magnificence is embodied in my flesh and blood.

Your profound influence has shaped my soul.

Your growth rings record the vastness of the universe.

Your body shelters me from the wind and rain.

You nourish life with fallen leaves.

... "

Gao Sheng seemed to hear an ancient voice whispering, and was instantly captivated...

After a long while, Gao Sheng slowly woke up, feeling refreshed and invigorated.

"This?" Gao Sheng realized that more than half a day had passed.

"There's no secret technique, and I haven't comprehended any laws. Is this an illusion?" Gao Sheng wondered.

Turn the page again.

This time, there are only a few simple lines of varying thicknesses twisting and intersecting, with some small text below.

Gao Sheng vaguely saw a flying knife crisscrossing through the space.

"Utilizing one of the nine fundamental mysteries of the laws of space, instant assassination is all about speed." Gao Sheng understood immediately; he had completely grasped this mystery.

Gao Sheng turned to the next page.

A small sapling has already grown many branches, and the whole tree is striving to grow upwards.

"This must be a sword technique that combines the laws of wood and space, allowing it to track the opponent no matter how they dodge..."

Gao Sheng racked his brains, but couldn't figure it out after a long time.

"Forget it, I haven't grasped any of the essences of the Law of Wood yet. This move probably won't be something I can understand in a short time. I'd better focus on the pure spatial aspects."

……

Two weeks later, in the virtual space.

A phantom sword slashed through the air, leaving behind a winding trail of sword light.

Whoosh! The small sword flew back and disintegrated into dozens of blades.

"Hahahaha..." Gao Sheng laughed loudly.

"The tenth profound mystery of the laws of space, comprehended in one fell swoop."

"continue."

More than ten days passed.

In the study, Gao Sheng reluctantly closed his book.

"I've basically digested the gains from this study of the Chaos Stele; the rest will be a long and arduous process."