Chapter 238: Trivial Matters, Gifted Treasures

After seeing off Zifeng Zunzhe and Wufang Zunzhe, Lu Qingshan quickly sent emails to Lu Hongwen, Huo Gesi, and many other children and disciples.

Since becoming a Cosmic Venerable, he now directly possessed a plane space within the Virtual Universe, and the palace on the mid-slope of Thunder Island also needed caretakers.

With so many trivial matters, it was natural to summon Lu Hongwen, Huo Gesi, and others.

Moreover, this time Lu Qingshan's notice wasn't just for Lu Hongwen and Huo Gesi—it also included other children and disciples who had already crossed into the Immortal Deity realm.

It must be said, breaking through from a Domain Lord to the Immortal Deity realm was an extremely difficult feat.

Over the past tens of millions of years, the Lu family had produced a few mediocre Domain Lord geniuses.

Although Lu Qingshan no longer expended staggering costs to help his family's younger generations as he once had for Lu Hongwen and others, he had still prepared some resources.

Such as sending them to train in the Chaos City, or arranging suitable mentors to guide them…

Yet even so, the Lu family had still not produced another Immortal Deity to this day.

Of course, this was also related to Lu Qingshan's own cultivation time being too short.

Tens of millions of years might seem long, but to ancient families with endless lineages, it was utterly insignificant.

On the other side, after receiving Lu Qingshan's email, Lu Hongwen, Huo Gesi, and others quickly arrived at Lu Qingshan's estate.

The first to arrive was Huo Gesi.

In fact, ever since Jinjiao Clan elder Klimans had met him, Huo Gesi had been waiting for Lu Qingshan's email.

Because he knew clearly that everything he had gained came mostly from his teacher, Lu Qingshan.

Without Lu Qingshan's existence, he wouldn't have even had the chance to be individually received by a Cosmic Venerable, let alone the opportunity to visit the Jinjiao Clan.

So the moment he received Lu Qingshan's email, he immediately rushed to Lu Qingshan's newly built estate.

"Disciple congratulates Teacher on breaking through to become a Cosmic Venerable!" As soon as Huo Gesi appeared in Lu Qingshan's estate, he bowed deeply to the ground.

"Enough, rise."

Lu Qingshan waved his hand, signaling Huo Gesi to stand, then smiled and said: "I heard Lord Heifeng sent you to the Jinjiao Clan?"

"Yes, Teacher!"

Huo Gesi quickly replied: "Disciple is currently still within the Jinjiao Clan's sacred grounds!"

"Oh?"

Lu Qingshan immediately became interested: "I heard from a friend in the Jinjiao Clan that they built a Sacred Stele Tower inside their sacred grounds—did you see it?"

"I saw it!"

Huo Gesi quickly said: "Because of Teacher's influence, I received considerable favors during my visit to the Jinjiao Clan!"

"Especially after Teacher's breakthrough to Cosmic Venerable, Elder Klimans—who attended your banquet long ago—personally received me and even bestowed some treasures!"

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan felt deeply moved.

When he first visited the Jinjiao Clan, he had been only a Low-Rank Marquis Immortal, but back then, Elder Klimans had seemed immensely powerful to him.

Even a single piece of advice from that man had helped him smoothly ascend to High-Rank Marquis Realm.

Now, after tens of millions of years had passed, he himself had successfully broken through to the Cosmic Venerable realm, his strength surpassing Elder Klimans by a notch.

"But disciple understands clearly that Elder Klimans bestowed those treasures solely because of Teacher!"

As Lu Qingshan reflected, Huo Gesi quickly added: "Disciple feared Teacher might owe Klimans a favor, so I did not accept those treasures!"

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan felt deeply pleased.

It must be said, his eye for selecting disciples was still excellent.

Though Huo Gesi's strength wasn't great, his character and integrity were beyond reproach, and his respect for his Teacher was absolute.

"If future powerful beings of the Jinjiao Clan offer you gifts, you may accept them without hesitation!"

Lu Qingshan quickly said: "My relationship with Elder Klimans is quite close; as for favors, they're trivial matters!"

"Disciple understands!" Huo Gesi nodded quickly.

While Lu Qingshan was instructing Huo Gesi, Lu Hongwen, Lu Hongyuan, Fifth Disciple Ai Na, and Lu Qingshan's newly accepted disciple Strech also arrived one after another at his estate.

Upon learning Lu Qingshan had become a Cosmic Venerable, they were all deeply shaken.

After paying their respects, Seventh Daughter Lu Wenxuan directly asked: "Father, now that you've become a Cosmic Venerable, can you establish a Cosmic Nation like other Cosmic Lords?"

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan felt somewhat exasperated.

Establishing territory was a major event for the entire Human Clan—how could a newly broken-through Cosmic Venerable like him possibly accomplish it?

But then again!

The Human Clan currently had only 1003 Cosmic Nations, still five short of the 1008 in the original timeline.

That meant the Human Clan would eventually need to establish at least five more Cosmic Nations—including Elder Gan Wu Cosmic Nation, where Luo Feng resided.

"When the Human Clan next expands its territory, I could serve as the Lord of one of the new Cosmic Nations!"

Lu Qingshan thought silently: "At that time, whether developing the family or cultivating geniuses, I'd have certain advantages."

"Besides, I have my clones—I won't be unable to train outside even if I'm stationed in a Cosmic Nation!"

Previously, Lei Guang Laozu of the Lei Guang Hai region had suggested to Lu Hongwen that the Lei Guang Hai region be handed over to the Lu family.

But after Lu Hongwen reported it to Lu Qingshan, Lu Qingshan ultimately rejected Lei Guang Laozu's proposal.

First, when he was still a Domain Lord, the Lei Guang Hai royal family had treated him well—even giving him Karina in marriage;

Second, the Lei Guang Hai region was too small for the Lu family; there was no need to take on a royal clan's title.

Now that the chance to establish a Cosmic Nation had arisen, Lu Qingshan was deeply tempted.

But since the Human Clan hadn't yet begun expanding territory, he could only suppress this idea for now.

"Establishing a Cosmic Nation isn't as simple as you think."

Lu Qingshan waved his hand: "Enough, let's not talk about that now!"

"I called you here mainly because, after my breakthrough to Cosmic Venerable, I now possess a plane space within the Virtual Universe—you can now relocate the entire family there."

"Also, my residence needs caretakers—after returning to the family, select some of the most outstanding younger generations to come here."

"Hongwen, I'm entrusting this matter to you!"

"Yes, Father!" Lu Hongwen nodded quickly.

"And…"

Lu Qingshan continued, "Since I've just broken through to the Venerable Realm, I must also organize another banquet! Huo Gesi, you'll handle this!"

"But this banquet will differ from previous ones. Recently, the banquet hosted by Sovereign Beihai was arranged by the Lion Dance King—go consult him. I'll speak to Sovereign Beihai for you!"

"Yes, Master!" Huo Gesi nodded swiftly.

After giving instructions to all his children and disciples, Lu Qingshan turned to his young disciple Stritch: "Stritch, how is your cultivation progressing in the Zushen Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Stritch's face wore a look of helplessness.

He had once been among the upper-middle tier of human cultivators—not the top genius, but certainly respectable.

Yet after joining the Zushen Sect, he realized his talent meant nothing among its hundreds of millions of Beast God inheritors.

"I can barely rank in the lower tier among Third-Level Inheritors!"

Stritch sighed, "I lost all my Honor Points in duels, and after waiting an entire eon, I finally earned back just one."

"Fortunately, Venerable Jiufeng, due to your influence, has treated me kindly—so no one in the Zushen Sect dares trouble me."

"That's good."

Lu Qingshan nodded slightly, then added, "The path of cultivation is never smooth. Your talent is still strong. Keep cultivating—your strength will surely rise. Perhaps one day you'll even break through to the Cosmic Venerable Realm!"

"I understand!" Stritch nodded quickly.

After giving final instructions to his many children and disciples, Lu Qingshan waved his hand, dismissing them.

…

Time passed swiftly, and in the blink of an eye, three more days had gone by.

On this day, Lu Qingshan's second body finally arrived at his mansion in the Chaos City via Lord Heifeng's cosmic spacecraft.

After his second body arrived, Lu Qingshan quickly retrieved the many treasures he had obtained from the Human Clan's treasure vault.

Though he now possessed abundant resources, he had no intention of upgrading both his main body and second body simultaneously.

Thus, when exchanging for treasures to enhance his life gene layer, he had specifically chosen them for his second body, whose life gene layer had already reached twentyfold—saving precious resources.

Soon…

Hum!

Lu Qingshan immediately unleashed a Venerable divine force, fully enveloping the treasures before him meant to enhance his life gene layer.

As time passed, these treasures gradually merged into his Venerable divine force, elevating his life gene layer.

Once all treasures had fully integrated into his body, his life gene layer rose smoothly to fifty times that of an ordinary cosmic lifeform.

"Now my base strength has reached five hundred million times the power of a Domain Lord!"

Feeling the transformation of his life gene layer, Lu Qingshan thought inwardly: "Even compared to some Cosmic Overlords, I'm not far behind!"

"Too bad my understanding of cosmic laws and combat techniques are still weak—so my true strength remains limited."

After a brief sigh, Lu Qingshan quickly replaced all his treasures.

Looking at the Purple Thunder Skywing Sword and the Thunder Dragon Heaven Armor he had taken off, Lu Qingshan felt deep emotion.

He remembered how hard he'd worked to win the Purple Thunder Skywing Sword at the Hong Alliance City auction—even falling into massive debt to Zunzhe Qingping afterward.

The Thunder Dragon Heaven Armor had been gifted to him by Venerable Yao Guang.

After a moment's thought, Lu Qingshan erased the divine imprint he had left on the Thunder Dragon Heaven Armor, then stepped out of his mansion.

…

In the mansion of Lei Huanwang in the Chaos City…

"Younger brother!"

"Younger Brother Qingshan!"

"Younger Brother has come!"

As Lu Qingshan walked through the mansion, the Marquis-level senior disciples who trained under Lei Huanwang greeted him with stiff formality.

In truth, had Lei Huanwang not perished and had Lu Qingshan not once guided these seniors, they likely wouldn't even dare call him "younger brother" now.

After all, the gap between them and Lu Qingshan, now a Cosmic Venerable, was immense.

Not just them—even Senior Eighteen, Qinglin Wang, now treated Lu Qingshan with great restraint.

Only Jidian Wang and Tongye Wang, who regularly conversed with Lu Qingshan, still interacted with him normally.

Still, despite their stiffness, Lu Qingshan warmly greeted each senior along the way.

Once Lu Qingshan entered the mansion's reception hall, the seniors erupted in excited whispers on the courtyard.

"Younger Brother Qingshan is incredible! Who'd have thought he'd break through to the Cosmic Venerable Realm so fast!"

"Yes! Master was already close to the Cosmic Venerable Realm, yet he hasn't broken through—while Qingshan did!"

"Actually, it's not surprising. After all, Qingshan's strength already surpassed Master's!"

…

Even as he entered the reception hall, Lu Qingshan still heard the seniors' murmurs.

Though his strength now far exceeded Lei Huanwang's, he would never forget Lei Huanwang's help.

Moreover, had he not joined Lei Huanwang's sect, he would never have met Venerable Yao Guang—or become a disciple of Lord Lord Bingfeng Zhi Zhu.

"Master!"

Upon entering the hall, Lu Qingshan saw Lei Huanwang seated in the main seat.

Seeing Lu Qingshan, Lei Huanwang was clearly surprised.

After all, he and Tongye Wang had just left Lu Qingshan's mansion not long ago—and at this hour, Lu Qingshan should have been busy with matters of his own.

Thinking this, Lei Huanwang took out fine wine and delicacies, smiling as he asked, "Qingshan, why aren't you tending to your own affairs? What brings you here?"

"Of course, I've come to drink your wine, Teacher!"

Lu Qingshan took two steps to the table, sat down, and then said with a smile: "Previously, Teacher and Senior Sister enjoyed a hearty drink at my place; this time I've come, so you cannot be stingy!"

"The wine in my possession cannot compare to that of you, the famous Wan Jie Zunzhe!"

Lei Huanwang teased with a smile: "However, I do have a bottle of wine here, treasured for tens of billions of eras!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lei Huanwang waved his hand and produced a bottle of wine emitting a cold aura, looking like amber.

"This bottle of 'Shan Hai Jie' was purchased by me after I comprehended time suspension and broke through the twentieth layer of the Heavenly Thunder Bridge to the Heavens!"

Lei Huanwang quickly said: "Back then, I was full of pride and spent a hundred billion Hunyuan units to acquire this bottle of Shan Hai Jie, at the same time making a firm resolve to drink this wine again when I entered the Universe Venerable Realm!"

"Unfortunately, countless ages have passed, yet I have never taken that final step!"

"Fortunately, I have taken in a good disciple like you; you have now entered the Universe Venerable Realm, which counts as helping me fulfill half of my dream!"

"Today, you and I, master and disciple, shall share half a bottle of wine; the remaining half will be kept to see if I will ever have the chance to enter the Universe Venerable Realm in the future!"

Having said this, Lei Huanwang, without waiting for Lu Qingshan to stop him, directly opened the wine bottle and filled Lu Qingshan's cup to the brim.

"This..."

Looking at the fine wine in the cup, Lu Qingshan quickly raised his cup and said: "Teacher, you will definitely enter the Universe Venerable Realm!"

"Hahaha, then I shall borrow your auspicious words, Qingshan!"

Lei Huanwang laughed heartily, then lifted his cup and drank it all in one gulp.

Lu Qingshan likewise drank the fine wine in his cup in one gulp, then looked at Lei Huanwang and said: "Teacher, I came to see you today for another matter as well."

"Oh?"

Lei Huanwang immediately became interested, then asked with a smile: "Qingshan, is there something you need your Teacher's help with?"

Lu Qingshan smiled slightly, then waved his hand...

Instantly, an ancient battle armor emitting shocking pressure, entirely purple-gold, with countless secret runes flowing on its surface, appeared in mid-air; it was precisely the Thunder Dragon Shaking Heaven Armor that Lu Qingshan had just erased the divine power seal from.

"Qingshan, this is..."

Lei Huanwang quickly stood up, looking at the precious treasure armor before him with considerable surprise.

"Teacher, this precious treasure armor is of no use to me anymore!"

Lu Qingshan said respectfully: "Moreover, now that I have broken through to the Universe Venerable Realm, I will inevitably provoke some enemies of the Universe Venerable Realm in the future. Teacher, you are my teacher; perhaps my future enemies will target you. At that time, this precious treasure armor could also help you. I hope Teacher will not decline!"

After hearing Lu Qingshan's words, Lei Huanwang fell silent.

What value a precious treasure armor held, he was naturally extremely clear in his heart.

In fact, even if his wealth accumulated over countless ages were combined, it would still be impossible to exchange for a single precious treasure armor!

Yet now, Lu Qingshan had so easily presented a precious treasure armor before him.

However...

"Qingshan!"

After a moment of silence, Lei Huanwang finally spoke: "You should keep this precious treasure armor for yourself!"

"Although I have not entered the Universe Venerable Realm, I do have some understanding of powerful beings at the Universe Venerable level!"

"Perhaps you truly no longer need this precious treasure armor, but you could still use it to exchange for other treasures suitable for yourself!"

"Your intention, I have already accepted!"

Lei Huanwang looked at Lu Qingshan, a smile appearing on his face: "But you have just broken through; there are many places where you need to spend resources. I will not accept this precious treasure!"

"As for the dangers you mentioned, I care even less about them!"

"First, I will cultivate in seclusion within Chaos City for a period of time; second, even if you truly provoke an enemy who kills me, the clan's high authorities will still reverse time and resurrect me!"

After hearing Lei Huanwang's words, Lu Qingshan quickly said: "Teacher, please rest assured; this time I have taken refuge under Master Lord Lord Bingfeng Zhi Zhu, and Master Lord Lord Bingfeng Zhi Zhu has also bestowed numerous resources upon me!"

"This precious treasure armor is merely a drop in the bucket for me; it is of absolutely no importance!"

Speaking to this point, fearing Lei Huanwang might not believe him, Lu Qingshan simply waved his hand and displayed all the precious treasures on his person.

Seeing that Lei Huanwang was about to say something else, Lu Qingshan directly left the Thunder Dragon Shaking Heaven Armor behind, then bowed and said: "Teacher, I have other matters to attend to, so I shall take my leave first!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Qingshan directly stepped forward and vanished before Lei Huanwang.

Watching Lu Qingshan's vanishing figure, Lei Huanwang fell silent once more.

Having cultivated for many years, how could he not know that was Lu Qingshan's excuse?

"My disciple..."

"Sigh!"

Lei Huanwang helplessly sighed, then a wisp of Immortal Divine Power permeated into the interior of the Thunder Dragon Shaking Heaven Armor.

After completing the master-acceptance ritual, Lei Huanwang quickly put on the precious treasure armor, then directly walked toward the residence of Jing Lei Wang not far away.

He had to find an old friend to talk about the 'helplessness' in his heart!

(End of this chapter)