Chapter 247: Imperial Chief! Generous Rewards! Ten Thousand Races Battlefield Universe

Chapter 247: Empire's Chief! Bountiful Rewards! Myriad Races Battlefield Cosmic Will!

Space lost its inherent extensibility, and time seemed folded into a singularity.

The grand plaza, which had borne the dreams and disappointments of five trillion prodigies, appeared once more.

Light flickered, and one hundred and twenty figures materialized out of thin air, standing silently at the plaza's center.

They were the final survivors, the victors who had crossed a millennium of blood and fire.

Each one exuded a condensed, tangible aura of slaughter and energy fluctuations as deep as the ocean—the majesty of the galactic level, a life stratum transcending planets and stars.

Dead silence.

Absolute dead silence enveloped the entire plaza.

The trillions of eliminated contestants, who had been transported here earlier and waited long, now uttered not a single sound.

Their gazes, like billions of surging star rivers, spanned vast distances, all converging on the foremost figure among those one hundred and twenty—a young man with a straight posture, holding a star-devouring spear, his face calm.

Qin Feng.

That name, over the past millennium, had already become a legend.

And now, he returned as the ultimate victor, his name prefixed with an unparalleled glory that could shake countless martial artists—Empire's Chief!

Awe, shock, envy, jealousy, admiration... an endless torrent of complex emotions interwove and fermented within the crowd.

Qin Feng stood still, feeling the overwhelming will that nearly crushed the space around him.

His heart was as calm as a still well; a millennium of slaughter had tempered his will into unbreakable steel.

The joy of victory did not cloud his mind; he simply accepted all this calmly, accepting the glory he had earned with blood and sweat.

At that moment, light began to gather in the deep cosmic void above the plaza.

It was not any known form of energy, but a pure, conceptual "existence."

A figure slowly coalesced within the light, seemingly shrouded in an eternal white radiance. No matter how the crowd exerted their mental strength or used secret eye techniques, they could not discern any feature of his face.

He seemed not of this world, yet omnipresent.

He was the supreme arbiter of this Cosmic Prodigy Battle—the Nine Spirit King.

A voice sounded not through the air, nor through mental fluctuations, but directly in the depths of every being's soul.

That voice was majestic, vast, devoid of any emotion, like the proclamation of cosmic law.

"This Cosmic Prodigy Battle is concluded."

With these simple words, the curtain fell on this cruel feast that had lasted a millennium.

"Those outside the top hundred receive no additional rewards. Those within the top hundred, please check the reward details on your subspace terminal."

"The top three, follow me to the designated reward location."

As the voice fell, a suppressed commotion erupted from the crowd.

Among the most anguished were the twenty-odd prodigies among the final one hundred and twenty who ranked outside the top hundred in points.

They too had fought bloodily to the last moment, broken through to the coveted galactic level, yet lost the final reward symbolizing supreme glory by a hair's breadth in points.

Their faces were etched with reluctance and disappointment, but under the majesty of this king-level powerhouse, they dared not voice any objection.

"All of you, disperse. Your respective war groups have made subsequent arrangements for you. Contact your private domain affiliations on your own."

The Nine Spirit King seemed to wave his hand casually, a gesture that appeared effortless yet carried an unyielding will.

With that, his figure transformed into a streak of light surpassing the speed of light, darting toward some direction in the depths of the cosmos without any hesitation.

Qin Feng, Caesar, and another third-place finisher named Robetan, a burly man with a resolute face, exchanged glances and, without hesitation, turned into three streaks of light, closely following the direction where the Nine Spirit King had vanished.

With their departure, the invisible pressure on the plaza dissipated.

The surviving prodigies opened their personal terminals, their faces either joyful or sorrowful. After brief exchanges or silence, flashes of subspace teleportation light appeared, and they began to leave the plaza that had witnessed the turning point of their fates.

Their battle was over, but the journey of the Empire's Chief had just begun.

The cosmic scenery receded rapidly in Qin Feng's perception, turning into blurred ribbons of light.

The Nine Spirit King's speed was so astonishing that had he not deliberately slowed down, he could have reached any corner of human territory with a single thought.

About half an hour later, the streak of light ahead abruptly stopped, and a magnificent architectural complex beyond imagination appeared before the three.

It was a colossal city suspended in the vacuum of space.

Its foundation was not a planet or any celestial body, but constructed from countless profound arrays and giant alloy structures shimmering with runes, floating in the void.

The city's style exuded a sense of power and order. Countless warships of various sizes shuttled through it, and powerful auras flickered faintly within.

The most striking feature was the hundreds of enormous teleportation gates at the city's center, emitting intense spatial fluctuations.

"This place is called Teleport City."

The Nine Spirit King's voice echoed in their hearts. "From here, you can directly reach various frontline outposts established by humanity in the Myriad Races Battlefield. Within the battlefield, teleportation between different outposts is also possible."

"Although humanity cannot freely use subspace teleportation within the Myriad Races Battlefield, travel between the homeland and battlefield outposts, as well as transfers between outposts, can be achieved."

Qin Feng and Caesar exchanged glances, seeing understanding in each other's eyes.

This was the empire's foundation. Even in the chaotic, space-twisting Myriad Races Battlefield, humanity had established an efficient transport system with its powerful technology and martial arts.

They followed the Nine Spirit King, passing through the busy spaceport, and eventually entered a massive building of a completely different style.

This building was steeped in a strong Gothic atmosphere and solemn, sacred religious overtones.

Its towering spires seemed to pierce the cosmic dome, and the huge stained-glass windows depicted epic murals of human sages and emperors in battle.

Walking through it, a heavy sense of history and sanctity washed over them, inspiring involuntary awe.

Finally, the Nine Spirit King led them into a boundless martial arts chamber that seemed to contain its own world.

"You three, come one by one."

The Nine Spirit King sat cross-legged on a cushion at the chamber's center, speaking calmly. "First, Robetan."

Robetan, ranked third, took a deep breath, bowed respectfully to the Nine Spirit King, then stepped into a deeper independent space within the chamber. A light curtain descended, sealing off the inside and outside.

Qin Feng and Caesar were left in the waiting area outside.

The space was silent, with only the light of distant stars filtering through the stained glass, casting mottled shadows.

"Caesar,"

Qin Feng broke the silence first, his voice directly reaching Caesar's mind through mental power. "In your personal terminal, have you seen the specific reward for second place?"

Caesar responded with mental power as well: "No. It should be the same as your situation.

There's only one option prompt in the terminal, concerning the choice of future path—whether to join a powerful war group or to venture into the Myriad Races Battlefield as a lone wanderer."

"I'm the same."

Qin Feng confirmed. "It seems the final reward is closely tied to the choice we make."

"Exactly."

A confident smile curved at the corner of Caesar's mouth. "That makes sense. Different paths require vastly different resources and support.

The empire intends to grant the most suitable rewards based on our temperament and future plans."

He paused, then continued his analysis. "Choosing a war band is undoubtedly the safer path.

The Ultramarines, the Blood Angels, the Black Hole Legion... these are the pillars of the Empire. Joining them means being guided by experienced veterans, allowing you to transform from a 'prodigy' into a qualified 'warrior' as quickly as possible.

The contribution point exchange system within a war band is highly refined—effort yields reward, step by step, steady and solid.

Most importantly, war bands offer additional, exclusive training resources for top talents like us, resources not open to the public."

"And choosing to venture alone into the myriad-race battlefield,"

Caesar's tone carried a hint of excitement, "is an entirely different prospect. We can freely enjoy all the public resource points and opportunities the human race has marked on the battlefield, but the Empire's official mission system will be closed to us.

To earn contribution points, we can only rely on surrendering spoils of war, with no additional resource allocation from any war band.

The former is stable—a broad avenue for the Empire to cultivate its backbone forces;

the latter balances risk and opportunity, placing greater emphasis on personal talent, strength, and luck—a narrow bridge leading to higher ceilings."

Caesar's analysis was clear, laying out the pros and cons distinctly.

He looked at Qin Feng, a glint of amusement in his golden eyes. "Which one will you choose?"

"I will choose to venture alone."

Qin Feng's answer came without a moment's hesitation.

His voice was calm and resolute.

"Haha, I knew it."

Caesar laughed heartily. "Me too. The safe path isn't for us. Greater risks deserve the greater rewards we seek. Besides, it concerns the Black Hole level..."

"Mm."

Qin Feng gave a slight nod, saying no more.

Between the two, no excessive words were needed; a tacit understanding had long formed, rooted in shared ambition and strength.

He slowly closed his eyes, sinking his mind into his body, and began silently circulating the *Canaan Sutra*, using this brief tranquility to solidify his newly broken-through Galactic-level cultivation.

Yet, the moment his mind settled, a vague sense of unease quietly surfaced.

The blue page he had suppressed deep within his sea of consciousness seemed to sense his cultivation and began to stir restlessly.

Fragments of bizarre knowledge, like an inescapable haunting melody, echoed incessantly in his mind.

They were cultivation methods more twisted, more profound, and seemingly more efficient than the *Canaan Sutra*, carrying a fatal allure, disrupting his focus on his own martial path.

Qin Feng's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He felt this thing was a massive hidden danger.

Just then, the light screen ahead rose, and Robetan walked out with a calm expression.

He glanced at Caesar, signaling him to enter, then stepped aside, closing his eyes to rest in silence, just like Qin Feng.

"My turn."

Caesar smiled at Qin Feng, adjusted his armor, and strode in with confident steps.

Qin Feng gave a slight nod, watching him disappear behind the light screen, then once again sank his mind into the struggle against the blue page.

Another hour passed.

The light screen rose again, and Caesar emerged, an irrepressible smile on his face—clearly, he had gained much.

He made a "please" gesture toward Qin Feng.

Qin Feng rose, took a deep breath to suppress the turmoil in his sea of consciousness, and stepped into the isolated space bathed in light.

At the core of the martial chamber, Nine-Soul King still sat cross-legged on that cushion.

Qin Feng extended his spiritual power, but it vanished like a stone dropped into the sea, unable to glimpse even a fraction of his true form.

He felt as if he faced not a physical entity, but a collection of concepts, a walking embodiment of laws in the world.

"Qin Feng."

Nine-Soul King's voice rang directly in his heart.

"Do you choose to venture alone into the myriad-race battlefield, or remain with your mother war band, the Ultramarines?"

He repeated the analysis Caesar had made, in a more official, more concise manner.

"The former allows you to freely enjoy all the public opportunities the human race has accumulated over eons in the myriad-race battlefield, but the Empire's mission system will be closed to you. This path has an extremely high ceiling, but it also places greater emphasis on your personal talent and strength.

The latter is more stable—under the protection and planning of a war band, you can grow step by step into a pillar of the Empire."

Having spoken, Nine-Soul King quietly watched Qin Feng, awaiting his final decision.

Qin Feng did not hesitate.

His teacher, Devourer King, had already pointed the way for this choice.

More importantly, his own heart drove him toward the harder, broader path.

The Empire had too many powerful beings trapped at the Black Hole level for millions of years, unable to advance an inch.

To break the norm, one must walk an unconventional road.

Venturing alone into the myriad-race battlefield required top-tier strength—undoubtedly a form of selection, a path reserved for prodigies.

"I choose to venture alone into the myriad-race battlefield."

Qin Feng's voice was steady and forceful, each word representing his unshakable resolve.

"Good."

Nine-Soul King's tone seemed to carry a hint of approval.

He gave a slight nod and said, "In that case, the rewards befitting the Empire's Champion are now granted to you.

This is the Empire's Champion Medal."

As the words fell, a dazzling golden light shot from Nine-Soul King's hand, instantly plunging into Qin Feng's brow.

Qin Feng felt a warm and resilient power merge into his soul's origin, forming an immensely powerful protective seal.

"This medal can shield you once from a fatal secret technique below the Domain Lord level."

Qin Feng's heart trembled—this was practically an extra life!

The spiritual secret techniques of Black Hole-level experts were bizarre and unpredictable, hard to guard against. With this medal, he undoubtedly gained a crucial trump card for future battles.

"This is the Tianyan Alloy Power Armor."

Nine-Soul King spoke again. A mass of silver liquid metal materialized out of thin air, flowing and deforming in his palm, eventually taking shape as a sleek, black power armor brimming with a sense of power and beauty.

The metal's surface seemed to shimmer with flowing galaxies, exuding an immortal aura.

"This armor is forged from Tianyan alloy, Devourer Star Beast materials, and numerous cosmic treasures.

It can grow and self-repair by devouring other alloys.

You can even fully refine it, merging it into your flesh and soul, making it a part of your body. Currently, this power armor is at the Galactic level."

The armor transformed into a streak of light, precisely flying into Qin Feng's subspace storage unit.

"This is the Teleportation Beacon."

A complex beacon the size of a pigeon's egg, composed of countless crystal facets, materialized.

Its internal spatial structure layered upon layer, as if containing a miniature universe.

"With this beacon, you can teleport directly from any teleportation city within the human domain to any activated human stronghold in the Myriad Races Battlefield.

Each use will deplete its energy, requiring vast resources to recharge before it can be used again."

"This is the Crimson Gold Wings."

The final reward appeared—a pair of crimson-gold wings of light, formed from pure energy and threads of law.

They hovered silently, the space around them subtly warping from their mere presence.

"Black Hole-tier equipment, with seventy-two seals. Once refined, it will greatly enhance your traversal speed in the vacuum of the cosmos, making you unmatched in both pursuit and escape."

As Nine Spirit King spoke, the beacon and wings flew one after another into Qin Feng's storage unit.

Having bestowed these conventional rewards, Nine Spirit King did not end there.

A hint of inexplicable amusement crept into his tone.

"Beyond these, there is one more reward—the most important and most special—which you have actually already obtained."

"Hm?"

Qin Feng was taken aback, then his mind raced, and an incredible thought surfaced.

He hesitated before speaking: "You mean... that book page?"

"Correct."

Nine Spirit King's confirmation validated Qin Feng's conjecture.

"For human powerhouses, dealing with Chaos is like courting a tiger for its skin."

Nine Spirit King's voice grew profound. "Chaos is both a potent poison and a healing medicine.

If you can steadfastly hold to your faith and martial path, you can exploit the 'beneficial' side of the Chaos gods to achieve your goals;

But if your resolve wavers even slightly, you will instantly plunge into an abyss of eternal ruin."

"The Empire's high echelons have granted high recognition to your will and determination.

Thus, they have tacitly allowed this 'reward' to fall into your hands.

It is both a gift and a more severe trial."

"The boundless knowledge contained within that page will help you progress by leaps and bounds during the Black Hole tier, far surpassing your peers.

At critical moments, it can also become a supreme life-saving weapon.

But at the same time, it will ceaselessly bring you endless temptations and whispers.

How you use it rests entirely on a single thought of yours."

Hearing this, Qin Feng finally understood.

So the Tzeentchian page was the most dangerous and most powerful reward in this Cosmic Genius Tournament.

"As for the details of cultivation beyond the Galaxy tier and matters concerning the Cosmic Will in the Myriad Races Battlefield, your teacher, Devourer King, will personally instruct you. I shall not elaborate here."

Nine Spirit King's voice returned to its usual calm.

"However, I also have a personal gift for you."

He shifted the topic. "I have a self-created secret art called the *Nine Spirit Origin Diagram*, which resides within this Enlightenment Stele.

You may take it back and study it thoroughly, consider it an extra trump card.

This secret art ranks among the top-tier Black Hole-tier techniques."

With that, Nine Spirit King waved his hand lightly, and a pitch-black stele—smooth, devoid of any markings, yet seeming to devour all light—materialized out of thin air and silently vanished into Qin Feng's storage unit.

"Go now."

Nine Spirit King's voice carried a hint of farewell.

"Make thorough preparations before setting off for the Myriad Races Battlefield.

From the moment you step out of here, you are no longer a sheltered genius in a greenhouse.

Slaughter, warfare, betrayal, glory... these will become the main themes of your martial path ahead. Be prepared."

"Understood."

A surge of heroic spirit welled up in Qin Feng's heart. He bowed deeply to Nine Spirit King.

Then, straightening his back, he turned and left the martial chamber.

Qin Feng emerged from the Gothic-style grand edifice; the light around him seemed to soften as his emotions settled.

The heavy door of the martial chamber closed slowly behind him, sealing off the aura of the unfathomable Nine Spirit King.

Outside, in the empty corridor, a single figure stood silently. Golden hair shimmered under the light cast from the vaulted ceiling—it was Caesar.

The third-place prodigy, Robetan, was nowhere to be seen.

Presumably, after receiving his rewards, he had left directly to prepare for the road ahead.

On this narrow path to the pinnacle of martial arts, everyone was a hurried traveler; a moment's pause could mean being overtaken by those behind.

Seeing Qin Feng emerge, Caesar's face broke into his usual confident and hearty smile. He stepped forward and, without ceremony, lightly punched Qin Feng on the shoulder.

"It seems your gains far exceed mine and Robetan's."

There was no trace of jealousy in Caesar's golden eyes, only pure curiosity and the concern of a comrade-in-arms.

Qin Feng nodded, not hiding the truth: "Indeed. Lord Nine Spirit King additionally bestowed a Black Hole-tier secret art—an unexpected bonus."

He did not mention the more crucial "blue page," which was a tacit understanding between him and the Empire's high echelons—an iceberg hidden beneath the surface.

"That's good."

Caesar's smile widened. "The stronger you become, the less boring it will be when we meet at the summit." He paused, then shifted the topic directly: "What are your plans next? You must have decided on the two options Nine Spirit King gave you."

"I chose to venture into the Myriad Races Battlefield alone."

Qin Feng's answer came without hesitation, his gaze clear and resolute. "I'll first contact my teacher, make some preparations, and then set off directly."

"Great minds think alike."

Caesar let out a hearty laugh that echoed through the empty corridor. "I plan to do the same. A safe road may be smooth, but the scenery along the way can never compare to the wonders seen from the edge of a cliff."

He looked at Qin Feng with keen interest. "Speaking of which, your teacher is Devourer King, right?"

"Indeed."

Qin Feng nodded.

"What a coincidence."

A flicker of surprise and amusement crossed Caesar's eyes. "My teacher is Saint Feather King, an old friend of Devourer King for many years.

Who would have thought that our mentors share such a deep connection."

"Ha ha ha—"

Qin Feng couldn't help but laugh as well.

This vast universe sometimes feels so small.

Two rivals who fought side by side on the highest stage, both enemies and friends, now find that their mentors were old acquaintances.

This strange twist of fate has subtly drawn them closer.

"Let's go,"

Caesar suggested. "This isn't the place for a detailed talk. There are a few good taverns in this teleport city.

Let's find a spot, have a good drink, and discuss what comes next.

I have some intelligence on the Myriad Races Battlefield that might be useful to you."

"Alright,"

Qin Feng agreed readily.

With a flicker, their figures transformed into two elusive streaks of light, vanishing instantly at the end of the corridor.

Teleport City, a magnificent city suspended in the void of space, was one of the most crucial transit hubs connecting human territory to the Myriad Races Battlefield.

Countless powerful warriors moved through it; planetary-level experts were as common as grains of sand, stellar-level ones were not rare, and occasionally one could sense the fleeting, heart-stopping presence of a black hole-level powerhouse.

Qin Feng and Caesar chose a tavern on the city's edge, overlooking the boundless sea of stars below.

They found a seat by the window, gazing out at the deep cosmos where massive interstellar warships occasionally drifted by like colossal beasts, casting shadows that blotted out the sky.

"The Myriad Races Battlefield is more complex than I imagined,"

Caesar said, sipping the energy wine in his cup. "It's not a fixed region but a vast battlefield where rules are chaotic and time and space intertwine.

There are countless cosmic secret realms, ruins left by ancient civilizations, naturally formed resource-rich lands, and, of course, endless war and death."

He looked at Qin Feng, his expression turning serious. "Since we've chosen to venture alone, we'll face the battlefield's most primal and brutal side.

Without a war group as backup or an empire's mission system to guide us, every move we make must rely on our own judgment."

"That's exactly what I seek,"

Qin Feng said, his tone calm but carrying an undeniable strength.

"I figured,"

Caesar smiled. "But there's some information you need to know beforehand. For instance, the Nine Spirit King must have mentioned the term 'Cosmic Will' to you, right?"

Qin Feng nodded.

The Nine Spirit King had indeed brought up the term but hadn't explained it in depth, only saying that the Devouring King would teach him.

Caesar said solemnly, "I only know a little about it myself, from occasional mentions by my teacher, the Holy Feather King.

Simply put, you can think of the entire known universe as a grand 'game' governed by the 'Cosmic Will.'

Our great Human Emperor, with his supreme power, has forcibly carved out a 'private domain' or 'safe zone' for humanity within the framework of this 'game.'"

"Within the empire's borders, we follow the rules set by the Emperor and the high command.

For example, joining war groups, exchanging contribution points for resources, carrying out empire-issued missions... This system is stable and efficient, continuously producing qualified warriors.

But at the same time, it cuts us off from direct contact with the primal 'Cosmic Will.'"

"Once we choose to roam the Myriad Races Battlefield alone, leaving the war group's fold, it's like stepping out of the empire's 'private domain' into the 'public area' governed by the 'Cosmic Will.'

There, we'll have the chance to directly encounter the 'Cosmic Will.'"

Qin Feng listened quietly. Caesar's description matched his own vague conjectures.

"What does it mean to encounter the Cosmic Will?" he asked.

"It means infinite variables and opportunities,"

Caesar said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "According to my teacher, the Cosmic Will issues 'missions' in various forms.

These missions can be random, like suddenly summoning you to an unknown secret realm;

or time-limited 'events,' such as a certain region periodically birthing a rare cosmic treasure, drawing warriors from all races to compete;

or even orchestrating 'cosmic catastrophes' that affect countless galaxies, like the awakening of an ancient slumbering race or a massive invasion by some evil god's forces..."

"Completing these missions issued by the Cosmic Will yields unimaginable rewards.

These rewards could be the inheritance of a lost civilization, a cosmic artifact capable of defying fate, or even the primal power to elevate one's life essence.

This is the fundamental reason why the wars on the Myriad Races Battlefield are so fierce and unending.

Because there, at any moment, a myth of rising to the heavens or a tragedy of a fallen powerhouse can unfold."

Qin Feng's mind was profoundly shaken. These words unveiled a corner of a world far grander and more magnificent than he had ever seen.

They talked for a long time. Caesar unreservedly shared with Qin Feng many secrets of the Myriad Races Battlefield—the traits of the top races, famous danger zones, and common types of cosmic treasures.

Half an hour later, Caesar stood up and raised his glass.

"Alright, Qin Feng, I should be going too.

After a thousand years away, I need to go home and see my family.

After that, I'll quickly master a ninth-level killing technique and then head to the Myriad Races Battlefield."

His golden eyes locked onto Qin Feng, burning with fierce battle intent and anticipation. "Let's meet at the highest peak!"

Qin Feng also stood and clinked glasses with him. The energy wine in their cups rippled, producing a crisp ring.

"Alright! At the highest peak!"

They exchanged a glance and burst into hearty laughter.

The surrounding warriors had already been drawn by the commotion, and many recognized these two extraordinary prodigies who had just shone brilliantly in the Cosmic Genius Tournament.

When the cry of "Empire's Chief!" rang out, Qin Feng and Caesar's figures had already dissolved like bubbles, vanishing from the tavern, leaving behind a room full of shock and murmurs.

Through subspace teleportation, crossing an immeasurable distance, when Qin Feng opened his eyes again, the familiar yet slightly unfamiliar blue planet was already floating before him.

Dawnstar.

Qin Feng's figure appeared silently outside Dawnstar's atmosphere, then slowly descended, finally landing on the familiar streets of the Silver Gull Community.

Everything around him was both familiar and strange.

Many of the old neighborhoods nearby had been demolished, replaced by grander, more futuristic new buildings.

Only the Silver Gull Community where his home stood seemed forgotten by time, preserving its original appearance from over a thousand years ago.

Qin Feng understood that this wasn't neglect but deliberate preservation. And this preservation was because of him.

He passed by the Limit Martial Arts Hall, the building where he had shed countless drops of sweat and laid the foundation of his martial path.

He didn't stop, only glancing at it, a ripple stirring in his heart, before heading straight home.

Pushing open the door that hadn't been touched by his hand for a millennium, a breath mixed with dust and memories rushed toward him.

The furnishings inside remained unchanged, spotless, clearly maintained by someone regularly.

But the warmth and vitality of "home" had long since dissipated with his father's departure.

Qin Feng walked slowly to the sofa and sat down, his body sinking into the soft cushions.

He closed his eyes, and in a daze, he could almost still see his father bustling about in the kitchen wearing an apron, and hear his nagging, repetitive admonitions.

A thousand years of time, on the scale of the universe, is but a snap of the fingers, yet for the life of a mortal, it is an endless cycle that cannot be crossed.

Just then, a gentle yet seductive voice abruptly echoed deep within his mind, like the most persuasive of mentors.

“Qin Feng.”

It was that blue page, the voice of Tzeentch.

“In truth, if your knowledge is vast enough, you could completely resurrect the dead.”

“You must understand, any living being is merely composed of two parts: the spirit and the soul, and the physical body.

Your father, in the Empire, died a natural death. Though his flesh has perished, his soul does not simply dissipate into nothingness.

His soul will return to the supreme Golden Throne, under the protection of the great Emperor, to be sent into reincarnation, reborn as a new generation of humanity.”

“As long as your power is strong enough, as long as your mastery of the knowledge of the soul is profound enough, you can precisely retrieve that wisp of your father’s soul from beneath the Emperor’s Golden Throne.

At that point, reshaping a perfect body for him would be but a trivial task.”

These words, like the whispers of a demon, pierced precisely into the softest, most vulnerable part of Qin Feng’s heart at this moment.

Yet, Qin Feng merely listened quietly, his expression unchanged.

When the voice fell, he didn’t even bother to organize words in his mind; he simply replied with the purest, most direct spiritual thought.

“You’re an idiot, aren’t you?”

Simple, direct, even a bit crude.

This response caused the page, which had been faintly trembling in his sea of consciousness and emitting a deep blue light, to freeze instantly.

That persuasive aura vanished without a trace, replaced by an incredulous shock.

Qin Feng slowly opened his eyes, a cold smirk curling at the corner of his mouth.

After hearing the Nine Spirit King’s account, the relationship between him and this strange artifact had undergone a fundamental transformation.

Would humanity directly hand a Chaos page to a prodigy and watch them be corrupted?

Impossible.

This Chaos page might be dangerous, but Qin Feng was capable of facing it, so he no longer feared it as much. This irreverence, in fact, could resist the temptations of Chaos.

To him, this page was no longer a threat to be feared, but a vast database containing immense knowledge that he could freely utilize.

A tool—no matter how powerful its former master, no matter how tempting the knowledge it contained—was ultimately just a tool.

Trying to tempt the master of a tool?

How laughable.

Stung by Qin Feng’s blunt mental rebuke, the Tzeentch page seemed to realize its current standing. It trembled slightly, retracted all its aura, and fell into complete silence, daring not to speak further.

Qin Feng paid it no more heed.

He leaned back on the sofa, quietly calming his turbulent emotions.

After a moment, he sat up straight and opened the subspace network on his personal terminal.

He intended to contact his mentor, the Devourer King.

However, as soon as the terminal interface opened, a series of application notifications popped up.

Most of the spam and unimportant friend requests had already been automatically filtered by “Hammer.”

Only a few, deemed highest priority, flashed with conspicuous light.

Among them, one applicant’s name felt somewhat unfamiliar to him, yet carried an inexplicable authority.

Applicant: Fire Lich Hou.

The note contained only a single line: “Qin Feng, I am your senior brother.”

Qin Feng’s heart stirred. Without hesitation, he immediately accepted.

Almost the instant he accepted, the other party sent a holographic projection communication request.

Qin Feng confirmed again, and the next moment, a burly, blazing figure clearly materialized in the living room before him.

It was a man clad in dark red streamlined power armor, with molten light flowing at the joints.

He wore no helmet, revealing a mane of fiery red hair like burning flames. In his eyes, two unquenchable infernos seemed to blaze. Just gazing at him, one could feel an overwhelming wave of heat capable of scorching mountains and boiling seas.

[Fire Lich Hou]: Qin Feng, I am the senior disciple under the Devourer King.

His voice was deep and powerful, matching his fiery appearance.

[Qin Feng]: Greetings, Senior Brother.

Qin Feng stood up, bowed slightly to the projection, his demeanor respectful.

[Fire Lich Hou]: No need for formalities. The master is currently in a critical seclusion and cannot contact you personally.

Before entering seclusion, he specifically instructed me to guide you after the Universal Genius Battle ends and inform you of subsequent matters.

He studied Qin Feng, a hint of approval flickering in his flame-filled eyes.

[Fire Lich Hou]: First, congratulations on securing the title of Imperial Champion this term.

Very impressive. This achievement alone will leave a bold mark in the Empire’s history.

Back in my day, I only managed second place.

[Qin Feng]: Senior Brother flatters me.

[Fire Lich Hou]: Enough small talk. Let’s get down to business.

Fire Lich Hou’s expression grew serious, and Qin Feng immediately focused, listening intently.

[Fire Lich Hou]: Under the master’s tutelage, including you, there are seven direct disciples.

You are our youngest junior brother, ranked seventh.

As for your other senior brothers and sisters, aside from me, they are either wandering deep in the myriad-race battlefield or in seclusion.

You will have the chance to meet them one by one in the future.

He extended a finger, at the tip of which danced a condensed, solid flame.

[Fire Lich Hou]: First, regarding your destination.

Since you chose to venture alone, when you first go to the myriad-race battlefield, you must select a designated teleportation outpost.

That outpost is called: Devourer Universe City. It is the place where the master personally presides, and the headquarters of our lineage.

Qin Feng silently memorized the name.

[Fire Lich Hou]: Second, regarding the matter you care most about—the Universal Will.

That kid Caesar should have mentioned it to you already.

His understanding is largely correct.

“It will present the ‘opportunities’ and ‘challenges’ of this universe to you in various forms.

Random quests, limited-time events, universal major events… these are all means by which it screens, tempers, or eliminates the strong.”

Complete the trials it sets before you, and you shall reap rewards beyond imagination.

This is also why, in theory, the growth ceiling of any martial artist who chooses to walk alone is higher than that of those in battle groups.

Of course, after reaching the Black Hole level, battle group martial artists also begin to come into contact with the Cosmic Will.

[Fire Qilin Marquis]: Third point: Cosmic Curiosities.

You should have encountered this concept during the tournament—those hidden items are akin to Cosmic Curiosities, possessing miraculous effects.

True Cosmic Curiosities are wondrous objects forged by cosmic laws through sheer serendipity.

They are exceedingly rare, yet each one harbors terrifying abilities that defy reason and can even overturn the very order of things.

On the Myriad Races Battlefield, a single powerful Cosmic Curiosity can alter the course of a campaign or even decide the life or death of a top-tier expert.

He paused, allowing Qin Feng time to digest, then continued.

[Fire Qilin Marquis]: Fourth point, and the most crucial, concerns your future path of cultivation.

"You are now at the Galactic level. The goal at this stage is clear: continuously increase the 'quantity' of your indestructible spiritual projection, then through accumulation of quantity, enhance its 'density,' ultimately compressing it infinitely into a 'singularity' capable of leveraging the rules of reality.

This step requires no further elaboration from me—just proceed step by step."

"Once you successfully condense the singularity, you will step into the Black Hole level.

From this moment on, the true trial begins. At the Black Hole level, the core lies in absorbing boundless 'knowledge' and, using it as a foundation, forging a 'path' that is uniquely your own.

This path may be an ultimate understanding of some law, the creation of an unprecedented supreme secret art, or the extrapolation of some martial philosophy to its extreme... The form is not fixed, but the core is singular: your 'path' must be recognized by the Cosmic Will."

"The moment your 'path' gains the Cosmic Will's recognition, you will ascend in a single bound, rising to become a Domain Lord-level powerhouse!"

"So-called Domain Lords are the masters of a domain!

Within the Human Empire, every Domain Lord is a supreme being governing an entire star sector;

Within battle groups, every Domain Lord is a War Marshal commanding an entire legion!

From this moment on, you truly step into the ranks of the cosmos's top experts."

"Beyond the Domain Lord level, the path begins to diverge.

Whether it be becoming a Marquis, a King, an Emperor, or even a Saint... the essence is the same: through the endless knowledge you have acquired, you continuously strengthen and perfect the 'path' you have forged from a thousand different angles.

The broader and deeper your 'path,' the greater your strength.

When your power reaches a certain critical point and gains higher recognition from the Cosmic Will, you will receive a corresponding title.

This is the cultivation path after the Domain Lord level."

Listening to Fire Qilin Marquis's detailed explanation, Qin Feng's mind suddenly cleared.

He finally understood why his master had said that the martial path truly begins at the Domain Lord level.

Because from the Domain Lord level onward, a martial artist's cultivation breaks free from step-by-step realm advancement and enters the grand stage of creating and expanding one's own 'Dao.'

This also deepened his understanding of the value and danger of that "blue page."

The boundless knowledge it contained was precisely the foundation necessary for a Black Hole-level expert to forge their own path.

[Fire Qilin Marquis]: Lastly, about the Nine-Level Killing Art.

The master's Nine-Level Killing Art does not fully resonate with you.

Therefore, you may choose the Nine-Level Killing Art most suited to you from the Empire's martial arts repository. Once you have made your choice, inform me, and I will use my authority to purchase the inheritance stele for you directly.

"The Nine-Level Killing Art is ultimately just a transitional phase.

Its power is far inferior to the bizarre and unpredictable Black Hole-level secret arts, and it is also far simpler.

You only need to master it as a conventional means of dealing with enemies; do not invest too much effort. Just quickly advance to the Black Hole level and then begin learning secret arts."

"Once you successfully advance to the Black Hole level and condense your own eternal singularity, the master will then pass on his true legacy to you."

Having said everything, Fire Qilin Marquis fixed his flame-burning eyes on Qin Feng and spoke slowly: "Little junior brother, that is all I have to say.

Prepare yourself well. We will be waiting for you in the Devouring Heaven Cosmic City."

As his voice faded, his holographic projection turned into sparks of fire and dissipated into the air.

The living room fell silent once more.

Qin Feng stood still, digesting the vast information he had just received.

The path ahead was now laid out before him with perfect clarity.

The Myriad Races Battlefield, the Cosmic Will, Cosmic Curiosities.

And the supreme path leading to Domain Lord and King...

(End of chapter)