Kevin's words were naturally a joke.
How great were Immortals?
Even the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, which occupied the entire Black Dragon Mountain Starfield—a powerful medium-level civilization nation—had only the Black Dragon God Lord as a single Immortal presiding over it.
Immortals were already an entirely different form of life. They transcended the mundane, were immortal and undying, and even the life-span rules of the primordial universe could not constrain them.
Even in the Universe Genius War held once every five thousand years, cosmic-level geniuses who fought their way into the top thousand to enter the core levels of the Virtual Universe Company or the Giant Axe Fighting Arena mostly perished on the road to Immortality.
"Father, do you know anyone at the Qianwu Dojo on Qionglong Star?" Lu Qingshan asked.
Kevin smiled and answered, "The Qianwu Dojo on Qionglong Star has three One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioners, all regulars at the City Lord's Residence. The strongest among them is Mo Li, a Cosmic Level Ninth Stage. In terms of strength, he's about the same as you were before. If he went to participate in the Giant Axe Life-and-Death Battle, earning the title of Giant Axe Martial Arts Practitioner would not be difficult."
Not all strong warriors wished to participate in the Giant Axe Life-and-Death Battle.
Those thousand battles were too dangerous; even with the strength of past champions, who could guarantee they wouldn't encounter a more heaven-defying opponent?
Those who participated in the Giant Axe Life-and-Death Battle were either cultivation maniacs, who would stop at nothing to improve their strength and for whom even the Killing Field could not satisfy their needs—or people like Lu Qingshan before, who staked everything on a gamble for their own freedom.
"Mo Li has been in office for over a thousand years, and we're on good terms," Kevin continued. "I'll take you directly to the Qianwu Dojo later. With his recommendation, your chances of joining are very good."
"No time like the present. Let's go straight there. I've never been to the Qianwu Dojo before."
"Heh, let's go."
...
Half an hour later, Lu Qingshan and Kevin arrived at the Qianwu Dojo on Qionglong Star.
The dojo covered a vast area, almost like a small city.
Above the main gate, the four characters "Qianwu Dojo" radiated an awe-inspiring presence. Gilded leaf decorations surrounded it, luxurious yet elegant.
Not far away, three enormous purple-robed statues stood towering.
The statues were two men and one woman, with different appearances. The golden leaves on their chests displayed their identities.
One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioners, cosmic-level experts of the Qianwu Dojo.
"Are these three the ones in charge of the dojo?" Lu Qingshan asked.
"Mm."
Kevin's tone carried a bit of pride.
"The administrators dispatched by the Qianwu Dojo to various places rotate every five thousand years. To display their status and to set goals for the students, their statues are placed in the most prominent locations.
The Qianwu Dojo on Qionglong Star is the largest among the surrounding thousands of star systems, with three One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioners stationed there. Other Qianwu Dojos in the imperial capitals of elementary civilization nations usually only have one or two."
Such arrangements highlighted the special status of the Qionglong Star Qianwu Dojo.
Lu Qingshan understood. It was like the university from his previous life—other dojos were ordinary schools, while the Qionglong Star dojo was a prestigious university.
"So the quality of the students here is also top-tier among the thousands of star systems?"
Lu Qingshan's eyes held a hint of anticipation.
He hadn't forgotten his original intention: joining a major power would first give him a fearsome identity and background, and second, make it easier to find geniuses recognized by the System.
Both were important.
He didn't want to end up like Hu Yanbo, becoming ennobled Immortals yet still hunted, meeting the fate of having both life and dao extinguished.
"You can understand it that way." Kevin's voice hadn't faded before his gaze turned to the distance.
A purple-robed man was flying through the air.
His arrival attracted not only Lu Qingshan and Kevin but also many Planet Level and Star Level students training in the dojo, who turned to look and curiously discussed among themselves.
"It's Instructor Mo Li! What is he doing here?"
"I heard Instructor Mo Li is the strongest of the three instructors. Is it true?"
"Of course it's true! Teacher Qian Xue admitted it herself in an open class."
"When did Teacher Qian Xue ever hold an open class? How come I didn't know?"
"You were on home leave that day."
"Damn it! I actually missed something so important!"
Amidst the crowd's discussion, Mo Li had landed in front of Kevin and Lu Qingshan.
"City Lord Kevin graces us with your presence; why not notify me in advance so I could go out to welcome you?" Mo Li deliberately lowered his posture. Although he was strong among the One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioners, before Kevin, a senior Domain Master, his strength was still insufficient.
"This time, I need to trouble you, Mo Li," Kevin said, pointing to Lu Qingshan at his side. "This is my son-in-law, Lu Qingshan—the Giant Axe Martial Arts Practitioner from the Maple Leaf Empire. You should know of him."
Mo Li had long noticed Lu Qingshan, but he had only recently arrived on Qionglong Star and had never met him before.
Sensing Lu Qingshan's unhidden Domain Master aura, Mo Li was shocked in his heart.
This legendary Giant Axe Martial Arts Practitioner had actually broken through to the Domain Master realm!
"Greetings, Lord Lu Qingshan."
"Mr. Mo Li is too courteous. My father-in-law has spoken highly of you, and indeed you are extraordinary upon meeting today." Lu Qingshan returned the salute with clasped hands.
"Mr. Lu flatters me. There are many eyes and ears here; please move to my office for a detailed discussion?"
"Very well."
Lu Qingshan had originally wanted to look at the students present for any promising seedlings, but Mo Li arrived too quickly, so he could only go discuss business first.
A moment later, the three arrived at a spacious office. The office spanned several thousand square units, with an office area and a cultivation area inside.
The other two One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioners of the Qianwu Dojo also hurried over upon hearing the news—one man and one woman—curiously looking at Lu Qingshan.
With the three of them present, Lu Qingshan explained his idea.
"Mr. Lu means he wants to join the Qianwu Dojo?" Mo Li's tone carried some excitement.
"Exactly," Lu Qingshan smiled and nodded. "After breaking through to Domain Master, I want to find a quiet place to cultivate in seclusion. The Qianwu Dojo is a good choice; I just don't know if I have this honor?"
Hearing Lu Qingshan say this, Mo Li couldn't hide his excitement. "Mr. Lu is a cosmic-level Giant Axe Martial Arts Practitioner, the founder of the Maple Leaf Empire, with a clean background, and a native-born citizen of my Qianwu Universe Kingdom. Joining the dojo is absolutely no problem."
Before taking office, they had investigated the various forces on Qionglong Star and had long known of Lu Qingshan's strength. Now with the owner of Qionglong Star vouching for him, it was naturally certain.
"However..." Mo Li hesitated slightly. "If Mr. Lu were still cosmic level, applying to become a One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioner, I would have ninety-nine percent confidence. But you have already advanced to Domain Master; joining the dojo would make you a Two-Leaf Qianwu Practitioner... This exceeds my authority and requires an upward application, passing a special examination before you can officially join."
Afraid Lu Qingshan might change his mind, he hurriedly added, "Of course, even if the examination is not passed, Mr. Lu can first become a One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioner, then apply for the promotion examination to Two-Leaf after his strength improves in the future."
"Mr. Lu, the Two-Leaf Qianwu Practitioner examination is only held once every hundred years," Qian Xue, the other One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioner standing beside them, reminded him. "Why not first join with the identity of a One-Leaf Qianwu Practitioner, then apply for the promotion examination after your strength stabilizes?"
Mo Li and Qian Xue's suggestions were both reasonable. After all, inviting a clean-background Domain Master powerhouse to join the dojo would also earn them a generous amount of points.
Lu Qingshan returned the salute with a smile. "Let's try the examination first. A hundred years is but a moment to a Domain Master. Even if I fail this time, it doesn't matter."
Mo Li nodded. "Good. Then we three will immediately submit a joint application. Mr. Lu, please do not leave Qionglong Star recently. Once the application is submitted, the examiner will arrive soon."
"Many thanks to all of you!" Lu Qingshan thanked them again with clasped hands.
Kevin stood up with a smile. "Tonight I'm hosting a banquet at the City Lord's Residence to express my gratitude. Would you do me the honor..."
"Lord Kevin has invited us; we will definitely attend on time!"
Mo Li and the other two responded in unison.
Chapter 10