Just as Qing Yu felt he was about to reach his limit, the vast and terrifying pressure suddenly receded like a tide.
"Hoo... hoo..." Qing Yu's body swayed, but he forced himself to stand firm and bowed respectfully.
"Qing Yu greets Lord of Eclipse Palace Master!"
"Not bad! Your will is comparable to a World Lord Rank. For a Universe Rank Stage One to possess such will is quite rare." A hint of satisfaction flashed in the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's eyes, which seemed to encompass the universe.
"Qing Yu, are you willing to become my disciple?" Immediately after, the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's voice rang out again.
"This disciple is willing!" Qing Yu looked directly into those supreme eyes and responded decisively, then kowtowed to the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master on the stone platform.
"Disciple Qing Yu, greets Teacher!"
The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master looked at Qing Yu with satisfaction.
"Mm."
The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's voice remained calm, yet it carried a sense of timelessness and transcendence that seemed to pierce through space and time.
"Over countless years, I have witnessed the rise and fall of innumerable geniuses. When it comes to taking disciples, talent is no longer important to me; character and will are paramount."
He paused slightly, his eyes, which encompassed the universe, fell upon Qing Yu, carrying a hint of expectation.
"Throughout the long years until now, including you, I have only truly taken four disciples under my direct tutelage."
"Because I will wholeheartedly guide every disciple. As long as they can meet my requirements, I will provide the best resources and the best opportunities!"
The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's gaze refocused on Qing Yu.
"Qing Yu, you are my fourth disciple. I will naturally treat you equally. This time, you passing the Tongtian Bridge's seventh level before leaving Primordial Chaos City is your first qualified answer sheet, and I have prepared a reward for you."
"The specific items, I have already sent to your smart assistant. You can check them yourself later."
'The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's reward must be extraordinary!' Qing Yu suppressed his excitement and respectfully said, "Thank you, Teacher, for your generous gift! This disciple will surely cherish it!"
The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master nodded slightly and continued:
"Furthermore, if you encounter any problems in your future cultivation, think about them yourself first. If you truly cannot understand them, you may come to the Lord of Eclipse Palace on this day every year to seek my personal guidance on difficulties."
Qing Yu's heart rate accelerated again, and he responded with utmost solemnity: "Yes! This disciple will certainly ponder deeply and cherish every opportunity!"
The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's gaze fell upon Qing Yu: "I am already aware of Marquis Tianyi exchanging the 'world heart' for you."
Qing Yu's heart stirred slightly, and he waited for what was to come.
"Although this item can allow you to communicate with the origin land in advance and has special effects, its danger is not something a mere Marquis can fully comprehend."
The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's voice was calm, yet carried a hint of warning.
"Before reaching World Lord Rank, rashly entering the origin land of the universe will cause your consciousness to be suppressed by the World Power. Unless your will reaches World Lord Rank, it will even damage your soul!"
"Marquis Tianyi's action, though well-intentioned, was limited by his knowledge and was truly reckless, almost harming you."
'So that's how it is!' Qing Yu suddenly realized, then a wry smile appeared on his face.
'No wonder... no wonder every time my consciousness withdrew from the origin land of the universe, my head would ache terribly. I didn't realize it was because my consciousness was being suppressed by the World Power.'
Qing Yu instantly made a decision. 'I won't let Teacher Tian Yi know about this!'
'Teacher exchanged the world heart for me, already having given his all and holding infinite hope. If he knew how dangerous the world heart actually was, almost harming me... with Teacher's personality, he would probably fall into endless self-reproach and regret!'
Qing Yu's eyes became clear and firm again, and he looked at the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master with undeniable sincerity:
"Teacher is wise. Teacher Tian Yi devoted himself entirely to this disciple, giving his all. This disciple is deeply grateful for his kindness. Even if there had been an unforeseen event at that time, this disciple would never have harbored any resentment!"
"Mm." The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master seemed quite approving of Qing Yu's character in upholding his teacher's kindness and discerning right from wrong.
"It is very good that you can think this way. It is also precisely because your will is astonishing, resisting the impact of that World Power, not only without harm but even gaining something, that this is where I truly value you."
The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's voice suddenly became stern, and an invisible pressure enveloped the entire Lord of Eclipse Palace:
"The reward has been given to you, and as your teacher, I also have requirements for your future cultivation!"
Qing Yu's expression became serious, his back straightened, and he was fully attentive:
"Please instruct me, Teacher!"
"Within the next three thousand years—I want you to achieve two goals." He extended two fingers, his voice as cold and majestic as the laws of the universe.
"First, pass the Cosmic Sky Bridge's twelfth level!"
"Second, pass the Universe Rank Primitive Heavenly Mountain!"
The Tongtian Bridge's twelfth level! That's equivalent to an immortal Lord's comprehension of laws! The Universe Rank Primitive Heavenly Mountain, the Virtual Universe never intended for anyone to pass it, unless you're a genius that appears once every ten million eras!
Such stringent requirements were enough to suffocate any genius!
But Qing Yu's eyes, far from showing fear or retreat, instead ignited with an even more fervent and resolute flame! Pressure is also motivation! To be given such a request by the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master was itself a form of recognition and expectation!
"This disciple will certainly give his all!" Qing Yu's voice was decisive!
Looking at the indomitable fighting spirit in Qing Yu's eyes, the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's face, shrouded in mist, seemed to show a fleeting hint of satisfaction.
"If you can achieve these two within three millennia..." The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's voice paused slightly.
...Your teacher will personally act and prepare a 'great opportunity' for you!" The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master's voice carried an undeniable weight.
"The faster you achieve your goals, the more satisfied your teacher will be, and the more precious this opportunity will be!"
Immense pressure and unparalleled temptation descended simultaneously!
"This disciple will certainly not fail Teacher's expectations! I will definitely achieve the goals as soon as possible!" Qing Yu said decisively.
"Good." The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master calmly uttered a single word, as if drawing a conclusion to this master-disciple dialogue.
"Go now, make good use of these last two years. Once you leave the Primal Universe, you won't have the opportunity to comprehend the chaos tablet."
"Yes! This disciple takes his leave! Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance!" Qing Yu kowtowed deeply again.
Qing Yu returned to Manor 114, and Marquis Tianyi immediately walked over, his face filled with unconcealed excitement and concern:
"Qing Yu! How was it? Did the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master... did he take you as a disciple? Quickly tell your teacher!"
"This disciple has already become a disciple of the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master! Teacher Tian Shi also bestowed rewards upon this disciple. Teacher, please see." Qing Yu opened the email sent by the Lord of Eclipse Palace Master.
Marquis Tianyi's gaze quickly scanned the first item on the reward list.
"The first six volumes of 'Chaotic True Understanding'! That's worth a billion points! Good! Excellent!" He praised excitedly, repeatedly.
"The Lord of Eclipse Palace Master has already considered your cultivation after you leave the Primal Universe. This 'Chaotic True Understanding' corresponds precisely to the universe chaos tablet. Each volume corresponds to one illustration, and the first six volumes correspond to the first six illustrations!"
"Once you go to the Primal Secret Realm, although you won't be able to comprehend the chaos tablet, comprehending this 'Chaotic True Understanding' will still have one-tenth of the effect!"