Chapter 962: The Trial Has Officially Begun (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Lin Qi looked at the blue screen, where the message sent by Master Lei Zun was displayed.

He immediately contacted the sender.

Moments later, Master Lei Zun’s stern face appeared on the opposite side.

“Lin Qi, prepare yourself.”

“In about three days, Master Kongming will come to visit.”

“Your trial is about to begin.”

Lin Qi’s expression turned serious as he said:

“I understand.”

After closing the screen, Lin Qi exhaled slowly.

“It’s finally coming!”

Master Kongming arrived later than he expected.

But it was still fine—less than a hundred years had passed.

If the trial had waited several centuries, it would have been too late.

Better to come sooner, so he could adjust his cultivation based on the trial’s demands.

But whether he came now or later wouldn’t change his cultivation.

The end result would be the same.

…

Two days later

“Shhh!”

A tall figure appeared at the entrance of Tianhai Residence.

As the metal gate slid open silently, Lin Qi, clad in a black robe, looked toward the visitor.

The man wore a dark green robe, his features handsome, with silver eyes like diamonds, appearing with a gentle breeze.

Vibrant life energy radiated from him.

He was none other than Master Kongming, the Sixth Cosmic Realm, whom Lin Qi had met once before.

He was also a disciple of Deep Space Academy’s head.

“Member Lin Qi, we meet again.”

Master Kongming greeted him, his voice clear and full, soothing like spring wind.

Lin Qi smiled and said: “Master Kongming, welcome.”

He invited Master Kongming inside—this was only the second time a Cosmic Sovereign had been hosted at Tianhai Residence.

As Master Kongming entered the estate, his gaze fell instantly on Xiangtian, the Star-Devouring Beast, sleeping curled in the garden. He sighed:

“Lin Qi, you’re fortunate.”

“To possess a pet with such talent.”

“It has great potential to reach Sovereign level.”

“Even a Sovereign would be deeply tempted.”

Then he saw the Void Tree, now grown to three meters tall with a trunk twenty centimeters thick.

“Many members of our Tai Chu Holy Land cultivate Void Trees.”

“But very few succeed in bringing them to full maturity.”

“The nourishment required is immense.”

“Your Void Tree is thriving exceptionally well—if paired with rare celestial treasures, it might grow even faster.”

“If you become my junior brother, I will give you a gift.”

Lin Qi smiled: “Then I’ll be waiting for your gift, Senior.”

Master Kongming chuckled: “You seem very confident.”

“You believe you can pass the trial and become my junior brother?”

The two entered the villa and sat on soft sofas.

Xiao Chan, draped in blue, brought in freshly brewed hot tea.

She poured a cup for Master Kongming.

“Senior, please try our Blue Star beverage—tea!” Lin Qi offered the cup.

Master Kongming gazed at the steaming tea; a rich, fragrant aroma filled the air.

He lifted it and took a small sip.

“Excellent!”

“A unique flavor—I’ve tasted similar drinks, but none match the depth of your tea leaves.”

“I’ve heard many core members of the Holy Land have grown fond of tea.”

Lin Qi smiled and took a sip himself:

“If you like it, take a few jin back with you—I have several varieties with different flavors.”

Master Kongming laughed: “Then I won’t refuse.”

He took another sip of tea, then his expression turned serious:

“Member Lin Qi, you already know why I’ve come today.”

“I’ll cut to the point.”

“According to the rules of our Tai Chu Holy Land, which have spread to other Supreme factions,”

“a rule established by our Holy Land’s master, every Legendary Genius,”

“has the chance to become a disciple of a Supreme Being.”

“Each Supreme Being has their own trial, varying in difficulty.”

“My master, Deep Space Academy’s head, has the most difficult trial among all Supremes.”

“In nearly a million years, only ten Legendary Geniuses from our Tai Chu Holy Land have attempted the trial—only Yan Zun passed.”

Lin Qi’s expression grew solemn:

“I understand.”

Master Kongming set down his teacup and said seriously:

“Good, Member Lin Qi!”

“I formally notify you: your trial has begun.”

“No—your trial began the moment you were born.”

“Within five thousand years, you must complete the trial’s requirements.”

“Based on your cultivation time, you have trained for 1,125 years.”

“You now have only 3,875 years left to complete all trials.”

Lin Qi frowned—so the clock started at birth.

And he had less than four thousand years left.

Even if he didn’t meet it, the time still felt incredibly long.

After all, he felt a thousand years was already an eternity.

Yet only one out of ten Legendary Geniuses passed—clearly, the difficulty was immense.

Master Kongming continued:

“The trial consists of multiple stages—you must complete one before moving to the next.”

“All stages must be completed within the time limit.”

“If you fail any single stage, you cannot proceed to the next.”

“The first trial is the Dream Bridge.”

Lin Qi said: “Dream Bridge?”

Master Kongming nodded:

“Yes—the Dream Bridge.”

“The Dream Bridge tests a genius’s mental will.”

“Ordinary geniuses who pass ninety stages prove they can break through to the Sixth Cosmic Realm.”

“But as a Legendary Genius, your goal is higher.”

“You must complete all one hundred stages of the Dream Bridge within the time limit to pass.”

Lin Qi’s expression shifted slightly—he remembered that among all Sixth Cosmic Realm beings, few had passed the Dream Bridge.

Perhaps none at all.

“This isn’t an easy trial.”

“Many Legendary Geniuses are trapped at this stage.”

“Many possess top-tier talent and face little hardship on their cultivation path.”

“Their willpower is their weakness.”

“But because they have strong spiritual power and insight into cosmic laws, they can pass many Dream Bridge stages without great willpower.”

“But from stage ninety onward, spiritual power and cosmic law insight diminish drastically—willpower becomes paramount.”

“Many Legendary Geniuses spend thousands of years honing their will.”

“Only barely pass—and then realize they’ve run out of time.”

"I remind you that the average time to cross the Dream Bridge is 2,000 years."

"Member Lin Qi, you must push harder."

"When you successfully pass the trial of the Dream Bridge, I will return to you with the next trial's content."

As he finished speaking, the empty teacup before Lord Kongming was refilled.

He sipped the last of his tea and said:

"Push on, Lin Qi. Your willpower has always been strong."

"I think you might take less time."

With that, he rose to his feet and said:

"Enough. Thank you for your hospitality."

"I won't disturb you further."

"Every moment from now on is crucial."

Lin Qi also stood and said, "Thank you, Elder, for your guidance."

Then the blue-clad Xiao Chan handed a jar of tea to Lord Kongming, who accepted it with a smile after Lin Qi saw him to the door.

"Shhh!"

He transformed into a stream of ink-green light and shot into the sky.

As Lin Qi watched him vanish, a screen immediately appeared before him.

【Member Lin Qi, you have officially begun the Supreme Being's trial. You have 3,875 years remaining.】

【Countdown has officially begun!】

【The first trial is to pass the Dream Bridge. Member Lin Qi, good luck!】

…

Lin Qi stared at the displayed message and nodded silently.

The trial had officially begun!

He thought: he was currently at the 81st level of the Dream Bridge and needed to clear 20 more levels to pass.

But that had been long ago.