Chapter 57: Becoming a Disciple

In the Virtual Universe, on Lei Guang Island, inside the villa’s parlor where Lu Qingshan resided.

At this moment, Lu Qingshan was instructing his third son, Lu Hongwen, on matters to note after entering the Initial Universe, when suddenly a voice from the AI lifeform Deep Blue echoed in his mind.

“Master, I’ve received an email—sent through the Virtual Universe Corporation’s internal channel!”

“Oh?” Lu Qingshan’s heart stirred, and he swiftly waved his hand to open the email before him.

Though Lu Hongwen stood right beside Lu Qingshan, due to the Virtual Universe’s permission settings, he could see absolutely no information on the email.

Yet upon noticing Lu Qingshan’s attention shift, Lu Hongwen understood his master had something to attend to, so he naturally remained silent, standing aside in quiet wait—while his physical body in the real world soon boarded a starship heading toward the direction of Tianlei Star.

Meanwhile, Lu Qingshan quickly finished reading the email’s contents…

“Lu Qingshan:

I watched your video of crossing the Illusion Sea. Your comprehension of the laws at the Twelfth Level of the Tongtian Bridge allowed you to pass the Seventeenth Island of the Illusion Sea—your will is truly astonishing.

Such astonishing will makes the illusionist path the absolute best choice for you!

I possess a secret technique perfectly suited to your cultivation; if you master it, you may even be able to soul-enslave a high-rank military lord through illusion.

If you wish to become my disciple, come to my estate and find me!

Illusion Dream King!”

This appeared to be an ordinary disciple-recruitment email, but with the signature at the end, it was anything but ordinary!

Because the signature was Illusion Dream King!

Recall that after joining the Virtual Universe Corporation, Lu Qingshan had researched many powerful figures within its ranks—and Illusion Dream King was undoubtedly one of the most terrifying.

Though she had only passed the Nineteenth Level of the Tongtian Bridge, her soul attacks made even many peak royal-level experts tremble with fear!

Among the many soul slaves publicly known to Illusion Dream King was even an alien peak royal-level expert who possessed teleportation ability!

“Illusion Dream King wants to take me as her disciple?” Lu Qingshan’s heart stirred slightly after reading the email.

Throughout his journey, he had once become a disciple of an ordinary immortal deity within the Yanfeng Sacred Land—but his master had perished on the Outer Battlefield over four million years ago!

Though he now had confidence to continue advancing on the path of strength, becoming a royal-level immortal’s disciple would greatly benefit him, both in terms of background and cultivation.

Yet just as Lu Qingshan pondered whether to accept Illusion Dream King’s offer, he received two more emails and a communication request.

The two emails were similar to Illusion Dream King’s—both offering to take him as a disciple due to his passage of the Seventeenth Island of the Illusion Sea; the communication request came from his disciple Hogs.

“It seems the Illusion Sea’s influence still pales compared to the Tongtian Bridge realm!”

Looking at the three emails, Lu Qingshan couldn’t help sighing: “I passed the Seventeenth Island of the Illusion Sea, and only three royal-level immortals want to take me as a disciple—all illusionists! If I had passed the Seventeenth Level of the Thunder Tongtian Bridge, I’d likely have had cosmic lords vying to take me as their disciple!”

“Moreover, among these three royal-level immortals who sent me emails, the strongest is Illusion Dream King—she comprehends the Time Primordial Law, yet she’s not from the Thunder lineage. Who should I choose as my master?”

In truth, if anyone else received Illusion Dream King’s email, they’d have rushed to become her disciple long ago!

But Lu Qingshan was different!

With the Multiverse Chat Group, he was certain he could advance ever farther on the path of strength!

Though Illusion Dream King was powerful, her cultivation path might not suit Lu Qingshan, so her guidance for him would inevitably be limited.

As for her prized soul techniques—being her own creation—even if Lu Qingshan fully mastered them, he could never replicate their full power.

Therefore, if he had a choice, Lu Qingshan still hoped to become a disciple of a peak royal-level immortal who had passed the Twentieth Level of the Thunder Tongtian Bridge.

“Forget it—for now, I won’t think about this. Maybe other royal-level immortals still want to take me as a disciple. I’ll wait a little longer.”

Lu Qingshan thought inwardly: “First, I’ll meet Hogs—wonder what he wants?”

With that thought, Lu Qingshan quickly gave Lu Hongwen two instructions, then with a mental shift, reappeared in his villa on Lei Ting Island.

As soon as he appeared in the villa, he saw his sixth disciple, Hogs, standing at the entrance.

“Master!” Seeing Lu Qingshan appear, Hogs immediately bowed respectfully.

“Come inside, we’ll talk.”

Lu Qingshan led Hogs into the villa’s parlor, then noticed the fine wine in Hogs’ hand and asked curiously: “Hogs, what’s this…?”

“Master, I’ve come to celebrate your passage of the Twelfth Level of the Tongtian Bridge!”

Hogs hurriedly said: “You didn’t hear? Your achievement—becoming an immortal and passing the Twelfth Level of the Tongtian Bridge within a million years—has spread through our little circle. Many believe you’ll soon become a high-rank military lord, and even become a marquis-level immortal is quite possible!”

“With your strength rising, I naturally take pride, so I brought this bottle of fine wine to celebrate!”

“This…”

Hearing Hogs’ words, Lu Qingshan was momentarily stunned.

He had assumed Hogs had learned of his Illusion Sea feat—but it was merely his Tongtian Bridge achievement.

Yet upon reflection, this was perfectly normal.

After all, in their circle of immortal deities, most were merely military lords, with barely a handful even reaching low-rank marquis level. His sudden passage of the Twelfth Level of the Tongtian Bridge would naturally astonish others.

But since Hogs had come, Lu Qingshan would not refuse his disciple’s thoughtful gesture.

Whoosh!

Lu Qingshan waved his hand, and instantly, an array of delicacies, fruits, and dishes appeared in the parlor: “This is but a minor matter, but since you’ve come, let us, master and disciple, enjoy a fine drink together!”

“Master, let me pour for you!” Hogs stepped forward eagerly to fill Lu Qingshan’s cup.

“Seven-Colored Fruit Wine?”

Lu Qingshan gazed at the bottle radiating seven-colored light in Hogs’ hand and smiled: “Looks like I’ve taken on a fine disciple—this bottle must cost dozens of Huan units!”

Hearing this, Hogs laughed and replied: “As long as Master likes it!”

Though Hogs possessed high-rank military lord strength, he rarely drank such fine wine himself—this time, he bought it temporarily solely to celebrate Lu Qingshan’s breakthrough.

Fortunately, this was the Virtual Universe, where alcohol was far cheaper than in reality.

“Come, drink!”

With cups filled, master and disciple drank and chatted.

“Master!”

Hogs drained his cup, then said: “Now that you’ve passed the Twelfth Level of the Tongtian Bridge, you’re already gaining some fame among the military lord immortals of the Virtual Universe Corporation!”

“So I think you should try becoming a disciple of a marquis-level immortal—then when you encounter cultivation confusion, you’ll have someone to ask. I’ve already gathered data on marquis-level immortals of the Thunder lineage for you—hope it helps!”

With that, Hogs transmitted the data he had compiled to Lu Qingshan.

“Hahaha…”

Seeing his disciple’s thoughtful concern, Lu Qingshan laughed happily: “Don’t worry, your master…”

Before Lu Qingshan finished speaking, a bold voice rang in his ear: “Is Lu Qingshan here?”

Hearing the voice, Lu Qingshan turned his gaze outside the villa and saw a renowned royal-level immortal of the Virtual Universe Corporation—Thunder King!

Immediately, Lu Qingshan led Hogs out of the villa and bowed slightly: “Greetings, Thunder King!”

“Could Thunder King be here to take me as his disciple?” Lu Qingshan wondered inwardly.

“Lu Qingshan!”

Thunder King looked at Lu Qingshan and smiled: “Your comprehension of the laws is somewhat lacking, but your will is excellent. I am a royal-level immortal of the Thunder lineage—would you be willing to become my disciple?”

Thunder King said no more—he had already shown great face by coming personally to recruit such a young cultivator!

Indeed, Lu Qingshan paused only briefly before lowering his head to bow and become his disciple.

Not only had Thunder King passed the Nineteenth Level of the Thunder Tongtian Bridge, but his personal effort to come and recruit him far surpassed the three royal-level immortals who merely sent emails!

“Hahaha!”

Yet just as Lu Qingshan was about to bow, a gentle voice suddenly spoke: “Lei Kesi, your strength is too weak—you’d only mislead your disciple!”

Hearing this, Lu Qingshan was startled.

Lei Kesi was Thunder King’s real name—now that he had grown stronger, few called him by it anymore.

And Thunder King’s power was terrifying—how could anyone say his strength would mislead disciples?

Yet Thunder King showed no anger upon hearing this—he turned to face a handsome fox-man approaching Lu Qingshan’s villa and bowed respectfully: “Master, why are you here too?”

Lu Qingshan also turned to look—the man stood over two meters tall, draped in a purple robe covered in intricate secret patterns, with a purple longsword strapped to his back. He was one of the masters of the Thunder lineage who publicly taught in the Chaos City—Lei Huanwang!

“Lei Kesi!”

Lei Huanwang soon reached the group and smiled at Thunder King: “What, can you come, but not your master?”

“Besides, if I hadn’t come, wouldn’t your junior brother be lost?”

With that, Lei Huanwang turned to Lu Qingshan: “Youngster, when you were in the Chaos City, you attended my public lectures, didn’t you? I remember you had Dein deliver me a small gift before you left—quite thoughtful. Would you be willing to become my disciple?”

Hearing Lei Huanwang wished to take him as a disciple, Lu Qingshan’s heart stirred.

Recall that during his cultivation in the Chaos City, he frequently attended public lectures by Thunder lineage masters—Lei Huanwang was one of them.

Yet his talent was limited—he could not become a disciple of any master, and even when leaving the Chaos City, he could only entrust the masters’ disciples to deliver his gift.

Yet now, over a million years later, a supreme being on the verge of cosmic lord status wanted to take him as a disciple!

On the other side, Thunder King, seeing his master Lei Huanwang wished to take Lu Qingshan as a disciple, naturally withdrew his offer.

Instead, seeing Lu Qingshan hesitate to bow, he spoke up: “Lu Qingshan, Master is one of the closest royal-level immortals in the Thunder lineage to reaching cosmic lord status. With his guidance, mastering immortality and becoming a marquis-level immortal will be far easier than struggling alone!”

Thunder King dared not say Lu Qingshan might become a royal-level immortal himself—among Lei Huanwang’s many disciples, including himself, only three had reached royal-level status.

Hearing Thunder King’s words, Lu Qingshan snapped back to reality and immediately knelt before Lei Huanwang, bowing deeply: “I humbly beg Master to accept me as your disciple!”

“Good!”

Lei Huanwang looked at Lu Qingshan kneeling before him, his heart filled with emotion.

In truth, even if Lu Qingshan’s will rivaled that of a royal-level immortal, it meant little to Lei Huanwang—he had no need to come personally to recruit him!

But earlier, while in the Chaos City, he had briefly considered taking a Thunder lineage cosmic-level prodigy as a disciple—only for that prodigy to choose another master, Jing Lei Wang. At that moment, he received an email from the Illusion Sea’s administrator.

At first, Lei Huanwang had merely glanced at Lu Qingshan’s file—but when he discovered Lu Qingshan had prepared a gift for him before leaving the Chaos City, he decided to take him as a disciple.

Though Lu Qingshan’s will was indeed impressive, what Lei Huanwang valued most was his respect for his teachers!

“Rise,” Lei Huanwang smiled.

Lu Qingshan quickly stood.

"Since I began cultivating, I have taken only forty-two disciples under my wing, eleven of whom have perished! Of the remaining thirty-one, three are Immortal Kings, eighteen are Immortal Marquises, and the rest are all High Military Lords!"

Lei Huanwang said seriously: "Lu Qingshan, from today onward, you are my forty-third direct disciple. I hope you will walk ever farther on the path of the strong!"

"Your disciple will surely strive!" Lu Qingshan quickly nodded.

At that moment, Ji Dianwang also congratulated Lu Qingshan: "Young brother, congratulations on becoming our Master’s disciple!"

"I have nothing special to give you, but I’ve just created a secret technique that demands immense willpower—you might as well practice it when you have time!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ji Dianwang waved his hand, and a thick tome appeared before Lu Qingshan.

Lu Qingshan glanced at the tome, then turned to look at Lei Huanwang.

"My disciple, why are you looking at me?"

Lei Huanwang smiled: "Since it’s a gift from your ninth senior brother, take it without hesitation! But I must remind you: the combat technique best suited to you is always the one you create yourself!"

"Your ninth senior brother’s technique may unleash tremendous power in his hands, but in yours, it might lose much of its potency!"

"Your disciple understands!" Lu Qingshan quickly nodded.

"Enough. I won’t stay any longer."

Lei Huanwang waved his hand and said: "Once you’ve finished your affairs, come straight to my residence."

"Yes, Master!" Lu Qingshan replied promptly.

Hearing Lu Qingshan’s response, Lei Huanwang turned and left at once.

Seeing Lei Huanwang depart, Ji Dianwang also bid Lu Qingshan farewell and left.

At the entrance to Lu Qingshan’s residence, only Lu Qingshan, holding the tome, and the stunned Huo Gesi remained.

After Lei Huanwang and Ji Dianwang left, Huo Gesi, regaining his senses, still could not believe what he had just witnessed.

Good heavens!

Those were Ji Dianwang and Lei Huanwang!

In the past, Huo Gesi could at most encounter such supreme experts at public lectures or grand banquets.

Yet now, these very experts were competing to take his teacher, Lu Qingshan, as their disciple?

Keep in mind that even his second teacher, who came after Lu Qingshan, was merely a peak Marquis-level Immortal!

"Teacher, what on earth is going on?" Huo Gesi couldn’t help asking.

"Actually, I meant to tell you this earlier..."

Lu Qingshan smiled: "Earlier, I not only passed the twelfth level of the Heavenly Thunder Bridge, but also conquered the seventeenth island of the Illusion Sea—so my Master took me as his disciple."

"You conquered the seventeenth island of the Illusion Sea?" Hearing Lu Qingshan’s explanation, Huo Gesi was even more stunned.

After becoming an Immortal, advancing in law comprehension, willpower, or secret techniques became excruciatingly difficult—otherwise, he wouldn’t have been stuck at the fourteenth level of both the Bridge and the Illusion Sea!

Yet now, Lu Qingshan had not only passed the twelfth level of the Bridge, but also conquered the seventeenth island of the Illusion Sea—how could this not shock him?

"Enough!"

Lu Qingshan said quickly: "Huo Gesi, I must go to Master Lei Huanwang now. Next time we have the chance, let’s drink heartily together, teacher and disciple!"

"Teacher, your matters are urgent!"

Huo Gesi hurriedly said: "Now that you’ve become a disciple of Lord Lei Huanwang, your future achievements will be limitless!"

"Then I’ll take your good words as an omen!" Lu Qingshan replied with a smile, then swiftly headed toward Lei Huanwang’s residence.

Watching Lu Qingshan’s retreating figure, Huo Gesi felt joy in his heart.

"My teacher truly deserves the title! After lying dormant for nearly ten million years, one moment of brilliance shines so brightly!"

After his joy, Huo Gesi silently resolved: "From now on, I must cultivate even harder!"

Chapter Two will come later

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(End of Chapter)