Chapter 498: The Shock of the Human Clan

In the Virtual Universe, atop Thunder Island's peak.

Within the Ice Peak Temple, shrouded in endless chaotic currents, Lu Qingshan's figure suddenly appeared out of thin air.

"Teacher!"

As soon as Lu Qingshan appeared, he bowed deeply and called out toward the temple's depths.

Immediately, a figure with flowing white hair stepped forth from the chaotic currents—it was Lu Qingshan's teacher, Master Bingfeng.

"Hah! Qingshan, you've finally arrived!"

Master Bingfeng quickly greeted him: "Come, sit down!"

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan sat beside Master Bingfeng on one of the thrones lining the great hall, and Master Bingfeng promptly waved his hand, summoning fine wines and delicacies.

"Teacher!"

Lu Qingshan immediately asked: "Did you summon me here for some reason?"

"Mm."

Master Bingfeng nodded slightly, then raised his cup to invite Lu Qingshan to drink, continuing: "I received word that you fought a great battle against the Primordial Star Beast Ancestor within the Purple Sun Realm of the Cosmic Sea—and you escaped unscathed. Is this true?"

"Yes."

Lu Qingshan quickly drained his cup, then nodded: "I was acting alongside Lord Haoshan and Lord Qingsang of the Sanshan Alliance when we encountered Lord Jinjiao, Lord Huisuo, and Lord Tunyu of the Star Beast Alliance!"

"During the struggle for the supreme treasure, Tunyu and the others were no match for us, so they called upon the Primordial Star Beast Ancestor."

"The Primordial Star Beast Ancestor's power is indeed immense, but I had many protective measures at my disposal, and that's how I ultimately escaped unharmed."

"The Primordial Star Beast Ancestor wields a supreme treasure—his power is naturally extraordinary!"

After hearing Lu Qingshan's account, Master Bingfeng spoke quickly: "You escaped his grasp, and several powerful beings witnessed it. Through their word, many in the Cosmic Sea now know of this. Naturally, this includes our Human Clan's strongest."

"All these powerful beings believe you escaped only because you obtained a supreme treasure. Our Human Clan's elders think the same."

"You know well that Founder Axe has never possessed a supreme treasure. Once our clan's elders learned this news, many will surely urge you to donate the supreme treasure to the clan—for Founder Axe to wield."

Upon hearing Master Bingfeng's words, Lu Qingshan felt no great surprise.

After all, a supreme treasure is of immense importance to any clan, especially a peak clan possessing the strongest beings in the universe.

The function of a supreme treasure in the hands of a Cosmic Lord differs vastly from that in the hands of a Cosmic Strongest.

In truth, not just him—even if any other Cosmic Lord of the Human Clan obtained a supreme treasure, others—including Lu Qingshan himself—would hold the same thoughts.

Unfortunately, his escape from the Primordial Star Beast Ancestor had nothing to do with any supreme treasure.

Even as Lu Qingshan's mind raced with thoughts, Master Bingfeng spoke again.

"Qingshan!"

Master Bingfeng quickly said: "You need not worry too much. The other elders of our Human Clan may merely entertain such thoughts."

"That supreme treasure was obtained solely by you. If you refuse, no one will force you to surrender it."

"But on another note…"

Master Bingfeng's voice grew somber: "You know our Human Clan's situation has not been good lately."

"Of the nine supreme factions in the Primordial Universe, five possess supreme treasures—but our Human Clan does not."

"And recently, Founder Axe was ambushed by two Star Beast Cosmic Strongests. But had Founder Axe possessed a supreme treasure, they would never have dared plot against him!"

"This is why I summoned you here, Qingshan…"

"Teacher!"

Before Master Bingfeng could finish, Lu Qingshan interrupted: "I did not obtain any supreme treasure. My escape from the Primordial Star Beast Ancestor was due solely to a breakthrough in my own power!"

"What?"

Upon hearing Lu Qingshan's words, Master Bingfeng froze completely, his face filled with disbelief.

This was not because he was easily startled—but because Lu Qingshan's claim utterly defied comprehension.

Master Bingfeng did not doubt Lu Qingshan was lying!

He knew full well the power of the Primordial Star Beast Ancestor wielding a supreme treasure—so he could not fathom what kind of power breakthrough could enable escape from such a being.

"Teacher!"

Seeing Master Bingfeng's stunned expression, Lu Qingshan spoke again: "This matter is complicated. Let me convene a Supreme Meeting and explain everything to everyone."

With that, Lu Qingshan immediately sent a mail to initiate the Axe Meeting to all the Human Clan's powerful beings—including Founder Axe.

In the Human Clan, only Founder Axe had previously held the authority to initiate an Axe Meeting.

Even Hun Dun Chengzhu, if he wished to initiate one, had to first consult with Founder Axe.

But since Lu Qingshan donated the many supreme treasures he obtained from the Fire Void Beast God 'Fen Kong' to the clan's treasury, his authority and status within the Human Clan became second only to Founder Axe's—and he naturally gained the right to initiate an Axe Meeting.

Yet, he had never encountered any major event, so he had never convened one.

But now, besides explaining his power breakthrough to the clan's elders, he also wished to discuss another major matter—hence his decision to summon the Axe Meeting.

…

After Lu Qingshan sent the mail, the other Human Clan elders quickly received the notice.

"A mail from Wanjie?"

At that moment, Founder Axe was with Xu Jin Zhi Zhu. Upon receiving the mail, he paused in surprise.

"Wanjie is calling a Supreme Meeting—is it because of the supreme treasure?"

After reading the mail's contents, Founder Axe turned to Xu Jin Zhi Zhu: "Xu Jin, did you send a mail to Wanjie?"

"No."

Xu Jin Zhi Zhu, having read the mail, shook his head: "Master Axe, if I wanted to contact Wanjie, I'd speak with you first."

"I think Wanjie is initiating this Supreme Meeting on his own—perhaps to donate the supreme treasure to the clan."

"Perhaps."

Founder Axe quickly replied: "But this matter ultimately depends on Wanjie's own will."

"Alright, let's go now!"

On the other side, the other human clan's powerful figures also behaved much like the Founder of the Great Axe.

As members of the human clan, they certainly hoped Lu Qingshan would hand the Supreme Artifact over to the Founder of the Great Axe, so the human clan's strength could grow even greater.

But this Supreme Artifact was obtained solely by Lu Qingshan, and Lu Qingshan's own strength was barely sufficient to possess a Supreme Artifact, so after putting themselves in his place, they realized they had no grounds to demand he surrender the treasure—what if the roles were reversed next time?

But no matter what they thought inside, they rushed to the Great Axe Temple the moment they received the message.

……

In the Virtual Universe, within a special dimension.

In endless darkness, tiny stars shimmered, and a simple temple floated suspended in the void.

In the hall of this temple, a long stone table stood on the open ground, with stone chairs arranged at the main seat and along both sides.

Hu! Hu! Hu!

One by one, towering figures appeared within the temple, taking their seats on the stone chairs.

The human clan's many powerful figures had not yet all arrived; those who came first naturally gathered to chat.

Although they knew the reason for this highest council meeting, not one of them discussed it—instead, they spoke of other matters.

Such as their gains in the Cosmic Sea, or newly created secret arts…

Just then…

Hua! Hua!

Two figures appeared almost simultaneously: Lu Qingshan and his master, Master Bingfeng Zhi.

"Wanjie!"

"Wanjie!"

"Bingfeng!"

Upon seeing Lu Qingshan and his master appear, the human clan's powerful figures all greeted them.