For Star Level elite students whose domains had reached no higher than the sixth layer, cultivating the Secret Method was difficult.
Over the past two-plus years, not to mention cultivating to the Secret Method's second layer, many hadn't even gotten started.
Among those few who had started, like Hailei, they hadn't comprehended even one-tenth of the first layer's profundities.
Compared to Paris right before their eyes, they keenly felt the enormous gap.
"Paris, who only joined the Qianwu Dojo Headquarters' elite students ten years ago, has such terrifying comprehension—he'll likely claim a spot in this Secret Realm Qualification Battle."
"He's aloof and friendless. Who would have thought he's actually the first person to successfully cultivate Teacher Lu's Secret Method?"
"Teacher said in the email that the first student to successfully cultivate the Secret Method would get a surprise—I wonder what kind of surprise Teacher means."
"I don't know..."
...
Ignoring the students buzzing below, Lu Qingshan nodded at the solitary, aloof figure standing opposite him.
"Paris, you did well. After class, come to my place."
Lu Qingshan said calmly.
"Yes, Teacher."
Paris, wrapped in a black robe that revealed only his eyes, bowed to Lu Qingshan, then slowly went down.
Lu Qingshan looked to the other students again and said, "Although you missed out on the first-place reward, the Secret Method is still very useful—at least it will help you greatly in the Dojo Elite Student Ranking Competition and the Secret Realm Qualification Match."
"Later, if I get the chance, I'll test other students' progress in cultivating the Secret Method. If the results satisfy me, there will still be extra rewards."
Hearing Lu Qingshan say this, the students who had already cultivated the Secret Method to the first layer felt confidence rise again. Although they missed out this time, there were still opportunities in the future.
Below, Lei Ming sat cross-legged in the center of the crowd, a look of disappointment on his face.
He had cultivated this Secret Method created by Teacher without slackening over the past two years, yet now he was still just short of breaking through to the second layer. He had thought victory was within reach, never expecting someone else to take the lead.
"Teacher, I've disappointed you. Next time… next time, I will definitely be the first one."
Taking a deep breath, Lei Ming adjusted his mindset and continued listening as Teacher guided other students in cultivation.
...
A few hours later, Lu Qingshan finished the public lecture and brought Paris back to the manor with him.
Lu Qingshan told Butler Luo Er, "Prepare some food first," then looked at the black-robed youth behind him.
"Paris, you're from the Blade Edge Clan, right?"
"Yes, Teacher. I come from the Blade Edge Clan."
Paris answered candidly.
As he spoke, he took off his usual disguised black robe, revealing his true appearance.
The Blade Edge Clan were human, but looked very different from most humans: their skin was blue-green, their faces covered in scale armor as if wearing a blue-green helmet, and on their bald foreheads grew a slightly curved horn.
Paris wasn't the first Blade Edge Clan member Lu Qingshan had encountered. As far back as 90,000 years ago, when Lu Qingshan fought in the Giant Axe Life-and-Death Battle, there had been a powerful Blade Edge Clan enemy.
That Blade Edge Clan member was incredibly strong; by Lu Qingshan's strength at the time, he was almost impossible to defeat. Fortunately, that Blade Edge Clan member had been severely injured in the previous battle, and Lu Qingshan used the speed advantage of his Light Domain to fight him, eventually resolving the opponent.
Before that, that Blade Edge Clan member had helped him deal with another terrifying opponent.
In that Giant Axe Life-and-Death Battle, Lu Qingshan earned the title of Giant Axe Martial Arts Practitioner, but he knew himself that his success was due more to luck.
The Blade Edge Clan were born warriors, bloodthirsty and warlike, worshipping the strong… They even broke the record for the strongest when their homeworld first contacted the universe. According to legend, when the Blade Edge Clan first encountered cosmic civilization countless years ago, Domain Master-level powerhouses had already been born on their homeworld.
Lu Qingshan silently mourned in his heart for the first expedition team to reach the Blade Edge Clan homeworld.
If nothing unexpected happened, they had probably already reincarnated hundreds of times.
Now Blade Edge Clan warriors were spread across the universe, some fighting on the Outer Domain Battlefield, and there were Undying-level existences among the clan.
"Paris, you got started with the second layer of Thunderlight Flash in just two and a half years, producing an Illusion Body. You're quite a talented genius."
"I once said that whoever could first cultivate Thunderlight Flash to the second layer, I would give them a surprise."
Pausing, Lu Qingshan continued.
"Paris, are you willing to be my direct disciple?"
Paris's bloodthirsty eyes were filled with shock.
He never expected that Teacher Lu's surprise would be taking the first student to break through to the second layer as a disciple.
Lu Qingshan smiled faintly and continued, "I know your Blade Edge Clan has many powerhouses. I can guarantee that no matter who it is, the resources they provide cannot compare with mine. Moreover, my law comprehension has already surpassed most World Masters. I only need to accumulate origin force to easily break through to the World Master realm."
Paris took a deep breath and chose to be honest: "Teacher, I have long had no place to stay in the Blade Edge Clan. The reason I hesitated was fear of bringing trouble to Teacher."
Paris explained the whole story.
It turned out that when Paris was in the clan, he had a conflict with a descendant of an important figure. That descendant secretly had his parents killed.
Paris guessed it was that person's doing, and used the twin blades in his hands to cut the other party into minced meat.
Paris was after all a genius. With help from other clansmen, he fled his hometown and joined Qianwu Dojo.
Lu Qingshan shook his head. "It's nothing more than killing a descendant of an Undying family of the Blade Edge Clan—it doesn't count for anything. Under my training, you'll soon be able to join the Qianwu Secret Realm. As long as you become a Secret Realm genius, not to mention a little Undying descendant, that Undying himself wouldn't dare to casually act against you even in person…"
"As for me… you don't need to worry either. Before long, I'll be able to break through to World Master. The Blade Edge Clan would have to go crazy to act against a Three-Leaf Qianwu Practitioner. Moreover, without the power to protect myself, I won't leave Qianwu Dojo."
Having heard Lu Qingshan say this, how could Paris still hesitate? With a thud, he knelt on the ground.
"Disciple Paris pays his respects to Teacher."
Lu Qingshan laughed heartily. "Good. Paris, from now on you are my second direct disciple, Lu Qingshan's."
Saying this, he took out a secret manual.
"Thunderlight Flash—you already have the second-layer manual, which is enough for now. I also have a copy of Thunderclap Nine Blades here. Take it back and practice well. Your initiation gift for becoming my disciple, I will deliver to you in one year."
Paris respectfully received the manual.
"Go now. Cultivate well. If you have any problems, email me anytime. When I have time, I will personally guide you."
Chapter 26