Chapter 1514: The Frost Crown Master

In the virtual universe, atop Mount Tianfeng, the private palace of the Frost Crown Dominator.

After Xu Jingming sent his request to Master Frost Crown, he was teleported here.

"Master."

Xu Jingming bowed respectfully to the exquisite figure upon the Wang Zuo and reported:

"I have broken through to the Cosmic Stage."

"Oh?"

The Frost Crown Dominator's cold voice rang out, tinged with curiosity:

"Did the Spirit Queen agree to exchange the Eternal Core under the terms I proposed?"

"No, there were some complications along the way, but the final outcome was good."

Xu Jingming briefly recounted the events of his journey among the Elves.

Upon hearing that Xu Jingming had obtained the Eternal Core without paying any price and broken through to the Cosmic Stage while forming a Dual Life Core,

the Frost Crown Dominator visibly froze.

Then—

"Ha."

She let out a soft laugh.

The sound was clear and melodious, like ice crystals splashing from colliding glaciers, echoing through the silent hall.

A deeper smile spread across her exquisite face, and rare delight flickered in her silver-blue eyes.

"Interesting."

The Frost Crown Dominator laughed aloud, "That woman, Lin Ge, could never have dreamed her clan's priceless Eternal Core would be given away so freely."

Xu Jingming dared not speak a word.

After all, this was a matter between two Supreme Dominators.

"Excellent. You've saved me a top-grade Life Seed and a favor."

The Frost Crown Dominator looked at Xu Jingming, her gaze filled with approval: "You broke through using a mutated Eternal Core,

and formed a Dual Life Core—your fortune is such that even I am somewhat envious."

"Master, you know about the Dual Life Core?" Xu Jingming's heart stirred slightly.

"The universe is vast, filled with wonders beyond counting."

The Frost Crown Dominator nodded slightly. "The Dual Life Core has appeared several times in our human history—each case belonged to an unparalleled prodigy.

"The Life Core is the foundation of cultivation; an extra Life Core means an extra layer of primordial foundation, and your future potential is limitless."

She paused, then asked: "What about the Life Core secret arts? A Dual Life Core should have spawned two secret arts."

"Yes."

Xu Jingming replied truthfully: "One is an offensive secret art—'Shattered Star Lei Mao'—its power approaches T1-level combat technique.

The other is a survival secret art—'Sheng Sheng Bu Xi.'

It greatly enhances recovery speed, allows the formation of an 'Immortal Seed,' and enables rebirth after death."

The Frost Crown Dominator's silver-blue eyes widened slightly.

A rare look of surprise appeared on her coldly beautiful face.

"A rebirth survival technique at the Cosmic Stage?"

She murmured softly, her crimson lips curving into a deeper smile: "Excellent—'Sheng Sheng Bu Xi.'

Your fortune ranks among the very top in all our human elite prodigies."

After a pause, she continued:

"Now that you've broken through to the Cosmic Stage, what are your plans?"

"I was just about to ask for your advice, Master. I wish to train in the Outer Battlefield—what do you suggest?"

Xu Jingming asked.

"The Outer Battlefield?"

The Frost Crown Dominator's elegant brows furrowed slightly. "You know that the Cosmic Stage is merely the entry ticket to the Outer Battlefield.

You've only just broken through—why are you so eager to go there?"

A Cosmic Stage cultivator at twenty-nine!

And with a Dual Life Core!

Such terrifying insight and power—no one would believe it if they heard!

The Frost Crown Dominator truly did not want Xu Jingming stepping into that bloody battlefield so soon.

In her plan, even if he went, it should be only after reaching the Immortal Stage.

"Master, I believe training between life and death will accelerate my breakthrough."

Xu Jingming replied.

The hall fell silent for an instant.

The Frost Crown Dominator did not answer immediately, only gazing at him quietly.

The silver-blue light in her eyes shifted for a long while before she finally spoke softly:

"If you did not have 'Sheng Sheng Bu Xi' as a survival technique, I would never permit you to go.

Since you possess a rebirth secret art, you may venture out.

But you must pay special attention to one thing:

Soul enslavement."

The Frost Crown Dominator fell silent.

Xu Jingming's body hair stood on end, cold sweat instantly soaking his back.

Soul enslavement!

He had completely forgotten about this!

As a former master of soul arts, he naturally understood the horror of soul enslavement.

Even now, on Blue Star, many Starlight-rank beings he had enslaved remained eternally loyal and reverent toward him.

"On the Outer Battlefield, there are no shortage of alien powerhouses skilled in soul arts."

The Beast Clan possesses the 'Soul Seal' technique; the Mechanical Clan uses 'Consciousness Overwrite'; the Insect Clan excels in 'Mind Shackles.'

Once ensnared by soul enslavement, your consciousness, memories, and will become utterly enslaved puppets.

At that point, even if you possess countless survival techniques,

no matter how many times you reincarnate, you are merely adding another body to be controlled by your enslaver."

The Frost Crown Sovereign's voice was cold and clear: "Soul enslavement is a fate worse than death."

"The teacher is right."

Xu Jingming took a deep breath, suppressing the tremor in his heart, "This student was careless.

If that's the case, then I'll remain here at the Academy until my strength is sufficient."

The Frost Crown Sovereign regarded him, a hint of approval appearing on her icy, beautiful face.

To suddenly gain immense power yet quickly regain composure, not being blinded by it—

this kind of temperament is rarer than talent.

"Though soul enslavement is terrifying, it is not entirely undefeatable," said the Frost Crown Sovereign.

Xu Jingming froze.

"If you truly wish to go to the Outer Battlefield,

come to me before you depart.

I will give you an SSS1-level soul defense artifact.

With this item protecting you, unless a Sovereign personally strikes,

soul enslavement techniques of Cosmic-rank or Eternal-rank beings cannot shake your core consciousness."

As the Frost Crown Sovereign finished speaking, Xu Jingming's eyes instantly lit up.

An SSS1-level soul artifact!

This was the highest-tier equipment in the universe!

Such a treasure, even an Eternal-rank divine being would beg for.

"Thank you, teacher!" Xu Jingming hurriedly bowed.

The Frost Crown Sovereign gave a slight nod: "The Outer Battlefield is perilous, yet it is the finest place to forge powerhouses."

With your reincarnation ability and soul armor protecting you, you are ready to venture there.

But remember: equipment is merely an external aid; what truly protects you is always caution and strength."

"This student understands," Xu Jingming replied solemnly.

"Go now. Prepare well. Come to me for the artifact before you depart for the Outer Battlefield."

The Frost Crown Sovereign waved her hand; her figure slowly faded, vanishing atop the Ice Jade Wang Zuo.

Xu Jingming bowed again, and his consciousness severed the link.

The Virtual Universe disconnected; his real-world senses sharpened once more.

Xu Jingming removed the neural helmet and exhaled deeply.

The palace lights glowed softly; outside the window stretched the eternal emerald sky-curtain of the Elf Clan's holy city.

He sat on the edge of the bed, reflecting on his conversation with the Frost Crown Sovereign, his heart filled with profound emotion.

"Indeed, it's better to have a teacher!"

An SSS1-level soul artifact!

If he relied solely on himself, he might not even gain access until reaching high Eternal rank.

But with a teacher, he received it outright—saving him countless efforts.