"His talent… doesn't seem to be top-tier, but his comprehension and tenacity… are indeed good," he muttered to himself, his eyes holding a hint of scrutiny and interest.
"To still insist on this path even after Jin Lan and Nine Swords advised him to give up, he has some character." To an existence like him, he had seen countless geniuses, but what he cared more about was character and will.
A ripple appeared in the heart of this majestic existence. He had cultivated for endless years and was a very ancient existence among the entire human race, having long stood at the peak.
However, the step to becoming a Universe Master remained like an uncrossable chasm, and long periods of secluded cultivation still failed to bridge it.
"Perhaps… I should try a different approach, adjust my state of mind?" A thought quietly arose, and his gaze once again fell upon Qing Yu's information.
"Take a disciple? It has been a very, very long time since I last had that thought. This little fellow…" A faint, almost imperceptible curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"Fine! I'll give this little fellow a chance. Let's see if he can seize it…" he murmured to himself.
Days later, in Primordial Chaos City, in front of a special palace constructed entirely of black ice crystals.
Qing Yu's figure appeared at the palace entrance.
The palace gate was wide open, revealing an extremely spacious square inside. At this moment, many figures were already sitting cross-legged. Judging from their aura, most were Sector Lords, World Masters, and there were even a few Immortals! The total number of people was several hundred.
"This is the place," Qing Yu thought to himself.
Whispers from other cultivators came from nearby:
"Hurry and go in, today is the day Snow Prison King lectures again!"
"I heard he's going to explain the first three diagrams of the universe chaos tablet this time, what a rare opportunity!"
"I hope to gain something…"
Qing Yu stepped into the square, found a spot, and sat down. His arrival drew some attention, as his Universe Rank aura was quite noticeable in the crowd.
Someone recognized him and whispered:
"Huh? Why is there a Universe Rank here?"
"I know, that's Qing Yu, the first place winner of this year's Virtual Universe Corporation genius battle. He should have passed the third level of the Tongtian Bridge and is qualified to attend the Grandmaster's lecture."
"How long has it been?! I remember they only entered Primordial Chaos City five years ago!"
"We really can't compare to these geniuses!"
Qing Yu ignored the surrounding discussions, closed his eyes to rest, and quietly waited for the lecture to begin.
As soon as the time came.
Buzz—!
An icy, vast, and utterly powerful pressure, as if capable of freezing time and space, suddenly descended! The entire square instantly became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard!
A figure silently appeared on the high platform at the very front of the square. He wore black battle armor, his face as stern as ten-thousand-year-old profound ice, and his gaze swept over everyone without a trace of emotion. It was Snow Prison King!
Behind him, two of his three disciples stood respectfully.
"Today, I will explain the first three diagrams of the universe chaos tablet!" Snow Prison King's voice was flat and emotionless.
He wasted no time with unnecessary words and began directly. He raised his hand and pointed into the void, and complex three-dimensional patterns composed of countless law secret lines instantly formed and evolved!
"This is the first diagram, the operation of fundamental laws… Many people fall into a misconception… It should be like this…"
Hundreds of cultivators in the square, regardless of their realm, all held their breath and listened intently. Snow Prison King was indeed a Grandmaster, breaking down the three diagrams into digestible parts and explaining them very clearly.
Each person's accumulation, comprehension, and understanding differed, leading to different interpretations. Some frowned, deep in thought; others showed ecstatic expressions, as if they had grasped a crucial point.
Qing Yu was even more focused, his gaze fixed on the evolving secret lines. He had just comprehended the second "ripple diagram," and now, listening to Snow Prison King's explanation, the previously obscure and difficult parts became clear, further solidifying his intention to become a disciple.
Three days later, Snow Prison King stopped, his voice still flat as he said:
"That will be all for today."
"Thank you, Teacher!" Hundreds of cultivators in the square all respectfully bowed.
After bowing, everyone began to exit in an orderly fashion. Just then, Qing Yu moved.
He took a deep breath and strode to the foot of the high platform, stopping about ten steps from Snow Prison King.
Following the rules of Primordial Chaos City, he bowed deeply to Snow Prison King!
"Disciple Qing Yu, humbly requests Teacher to accept me as your disciple!" Qing Yu's voice was clear, steady, and filled with utmost sincerity, echoing throughout the entire square.
The crowd, who had been preparing to leave, all stopped in their tracks! Hundreds of gazes simultaneously focused on Qing Yu!
Everyone knew how strict Snow Prison King was in accepting disciples, and they also knew that Qing Yu was the first place winner of the genius battle, a genius who had passed the third level of the Cosmic Sky Bridge in five years! His request to become a disciple naturally attracted attention.
On the high platform, Snow Prison King's gaze finally fell upon Qing Yu.
A brief silence, as if time had frozen.
Snow Prison King slowly spoke, his voice flat and emotionless, yet carrying an undeniable authority:
"I have no plans to accept disciples in the near future."
A rejection!
Qing Yu maintained his bowing posture, his body stiffening slightly.
Although Marquis Tianyi had told him not to feel too much pressure, and he himself had mentally prepared, it was impossible not to feel a sense of loss at being rejected now.
Qing Yu struggled to maintain a calm expression, slowly straightening up.
The square was very quiet, no one mocked him. Those who could come here to listen to the lecture were not fools. Qing Yu's displayed potential was clear for all to see, and his future achievements were likely to far surpass theirs.
Snow Prison King's rejection was merely due to his overly strict personal selection criteria; no one would mock a genius for being rejected by Snow Prison King.
More of the gazes held a hint of sympathy and regret.
"Qing Yu understands!" Qing Yu looked up, meeting Snow Prison King's icy gaze.
He bowed slightly again, then silently turned and calmly left the square.
In the Virtual Universe, Qing Yu went straight back to his No. 114 manor.
Marquis Tianyi's figure appeared beside Qing Yu almost instantly. He looked at Qing Yu's calm, unruffled face, but deep in his eyes, there was a hint of imperceptible tension and concern.
"How was it?" Marquis Tianyi's voice was a bit lower than usual, his gaze fixed on Qing Yu.
"Snow Prison King…?"
Qing Yu shook his head slightly, his movement very small, but the meaning was already very clear.
A clear flicker of disappointment crossed Marquis Tianyi's eyes, which he quickly suppressed, transforming into a soft sigh.
He stepped forward, patted Qing Yu's shoulder, his tone comforting.
"Don't take it to heart. Snow Prison King's temperament is like that, and his standards are extremely high; it's not your fault."
"Moreover, a genius's growth doesn't necessarily require a Grandmaster as a teacher. You have already proven your talent and potential, and the road ahead is still vast. With me as your teacher, guiding you in the early stages is more than enough. When you are older…"
Marquis Tianyi's words of comfort were not yet finished—
"Beep! Master, a 'Special Attention' email from the Virtual Universe core system has been received, marked as top priority!"