From the Metropolis to the Strongest in the Cosmos

At that moment, within the Yangyuan Empire, the Yangyuan Emperor watched the video before him with a grave expression.

Li Yang, the genius his Yangyuan Empire had failed to recruit, had reached such a level in a mere five years after joining the Human Race’s Eternal Saint Hall. His rate of progress even rivaled that of Lan Yu, the peerless prodigy who appeared only once every few billion years!

’It seems my previous decision to grant Li Yang one million contribution points was entirely correct,’ the Yangyuan Emperor thought to himself.

Because of what happened with Sword Mark, he had subconsciously felt that giving Li Yang some contribution points would likely be beneficial in the future.

Now, it was proven that this decision was entirely correct.

’Rivaling Lan Yu, a peerless genius who appears only once every few billion years... such Talent...’

Thinking of Li Yang’s Talent, the Yangyuan Emperor’s thoughts turned to the Yuanlan Clan, and his eyes grew cold.

It was all the Yuanlan Clan’s fault. His anger had previously subsided, but with Li Yang’s sudden rise, it flared up all over again.

’If only Li Yang... had been recruited by the Yangyuan Empire back then.’

’The way things are going, Li Yang might just grow to the Emperor Level, just like Sword Mark, whom he had also failed to recruit.’

’If that really happened, he, the Yangyuan Emperor, would be a laughingstock for who knows how long.’

...

Unaware that he had attracted the attention of numerous Emperors of the Human Race, Li Yang logged out of the Virtual World and headed for the inheritance grounds.

Over the past five-plus years, he had accumulated a host of unresolved questions regarding his Space Law and Thunder Law, and he planned to resolve them in the Inheritance Hall.

He hadn’t gotten far when Virtual Assistant No. 6 appeared. ”Master,” it said urgently, ”thirteen messages have arrived. Thirteen powerful Deities wish to take you as their disciple.”

”Oh, thirteen?” Li Yang’s interest was piqued.

He casually opened one of the messages.

”I, Golden Sun Sect Master, am willing to accept you, Li Yang, as my personal disciple. I, Jin Yang, have fully mastered the three laws of Space, Thunder, and Fire Element. I am an adept teacher, having personally trained two powerful Deities. Li Yang, I have watched the video of your battle in the ladder-space on the Path of Deities. I will create attacks specifically suited for you, helping you to comprehend the Space, Thunder, and Fire Element Laws more quickly. Furthermore, I will bestow upon you an extremely precious treasure that will allow you to break through and become a Lord of the Starry Sky and a World Lord with greater speed...”

A long wall of text appeared, leaving Li Yang stunned as he read it.

Previously, when the Flame Wave Sect Master, Sect Master Lie Yuan, and the others wanted to take him as a disciple, they had only sent a brief sentence. Yet this Golden Sun Sect Master had written a whole speech, which clearly showed how much he valued him.

’Haha, Li Yang, this is the benefit of having great Talent. Once your Talent is strong enough, you see? Even these powerful Deities use a lot more words when they talk to you,’ Soul Ink laughed in his mind.

’It’s no wonder. Even cultivators like Long Zhan and Mute were accepted as disciples by powerful Deities, and Li Yang’s Talent has now reached a level that rivals Lan Yu!’

’Talent like that could even attract an Emperor to take him as a disciple!’

Indeed, some Emperors were tempted by Li Yang. However, a quick investigation would reveal that the Blade Slaughter Sect Master had been guiding him for the past few years, so they wouldn’t go so far as to poach him directly.

The powerful Deities who were now trying to recruit Li Yang were unaware of this. Seeing that Li Yang had no official master and that the Emperors weren’t making a move, they had sent their messages directly.

He opened another message. It was more of the same.

Li Yang said directly, ”No. 6, reject them all.”

He thought for a moment, then said, ”I’ll go and formally become a disciple first, and then head to the inheritance grounds.”

’Given the current situation, it’s clear many powerful Deities want to take me as their disciple. The longer I drag this out, the more of them will likely show up.’

’Li Yang, have you decided? You’re going to take Blade Slaughter as your master?’ Soul Ink inquired.

He added calmly, ’With the Talent you’re displaying, if you don’t choose Blade Slaughter, an Emperor-level powerhouse will certainly come to recruit you.’

At this point, some Emperors definitely had their eyes on Li Yang.

Who wouldn’t value a peerless genius that only appeared once every few billion years?

Those Emperors knew that Blade Slaughter had been guiding Li Yang, which was why they hadn’t made an appearance.

If Li Yang were to show he was unwilling to become Blade Slaughter’s disciple, those Emperors would likely descend swiftly to claim him.

”Yes, I’ve decided,” Li Yang nodded without a trace of hesitation.

’If the Blade Slaughter Sect Master hadn’t guided me in learning the various Yuan Wu attacks, my progress wouldn’t have been this fast. Besides, Blade Slaughter has been conscientiously guiding me all these years.’

’I, Li Yang, am not the kind of person who would abandon the Blade Slaughter Sect Master just for the chance to study under an Emperor.’

Seeing Li Yang’s expression, Soul Ink said nothing.

He had known Li Yang long enough to understand his character. Li Yang was someone who remembered and repaid kindness. Therefore, as long as he provided Li Yang with enough help, Li Yang would surely resurrect him in the future.

’Honestly, for you right now, there isn’t much difference between taking someone at the Blade Slaughter Sect Master’s level as your master and taking an Emperor,’ Soul Ink said calmly.

’Even a peerless talent like Mixed Void might one day find his progress halted at the powerful Divine Realm.’

’For you, who is only at the Longevity Realm and still incredibly weak, the Blade Slaughter Sect Master—who has mastered five laws—can easily guide you. The results won’t be much different from what an Emperor-level powerhouse could provide.’

’And Blade Slaughter is, without a doubt, the powerful Deity closest to the Emperor level.’

Li Yang smiled and said, ”I know.”

As he spoke, he sent a message to the Blade Slaughter Sect Master.

...

「Inside the Flame Wave Palace」

Several Deities were still in the middle of a discussion.

”Blade Slaughter, I’ve heard that some Deities have already sent messages to Li Yang, wanting to take him as their disciple.”

”It’s not just Deities. Emperors might be tempted as well.”

The Deities all looked at Blade Slaughter and said with a laugh, ”You’d better watch out. Don’t let your disciple run off at the last second, or you’ll end up a laughingstock just like us.”

They had passed on Li Yang before, and other Deities had already come by specifically to mock them for it.

”Haha, it wouldn’t matter if he left. With Talent like Li Yang’s, an Emperor-level powerhouse would obviously be a better teacher for him than I am,” the Blade Slaughter Sect Master said with a laugh.

Although he very much wanted Li Yang to become his disciple, he wouldn’t be too concerned if Li Yang chose an Emperor as his master instead.

As they were speaking, his wristband suddenly chimed.

He glanced at it and smiled. ”Looks like this disciple of mine isn’t getting away. Li Yang is on his way to formally acknowledge me as his master.”

”Oh, Li Yang is coming to take you as his master?”

”Blade Slaughter, congratulations on gaining such a fine disciple.”

Hearing this, the Flame Wave Sect Master, Sect Master Lie Yuan, and the others all offered their congratulations.

They couldn’t help but admire Li Yang’s integrity. After displaying such immense Talent, he had the opportunity to study under an Emperor, yet he chose to come to Blade Slaughter without a moment’s hesitation, a clear testament to his character.