At the same time—
Inside Jiang Li's sea of consciousness, vast waves of expansion erupted, as if the very cosmos were evolving within him. At the center of that boundless mindscape floated a single stone, emanating a mysterious, primal energy.
What a pity… stuck right at the final stage of Planetary level, ninth tier, Jiang Li sighed inwardly, a touch of lament in his heart.
"I underestimated how difficult the Star level really is."
He lifted his gaze toward Babata—who stood frozen in sheer disbelief—and a faint, confident smile touched his lips. "However…"
"I think…"
"I won't need fifty years."
Babata: "…"
Just a few hours.
From the moment Jiang Li had entered the Yunmo Starship until now—only a few hours had passed. Yet he had soared from Planetary level, third tier, straight to Planetary level, ninth tier!
Even Babata, who had roamed the universe for tens of millions of years alongside his master, Huyan Bo, felt his mind reel as if struck by a cosmic storm.
He must be a member of some apex race who had seized a human body.Or perhaps… he had inherited the legacy of some supreme cosmic powerhouse!Or maybe—
Babata's advanced intellect raced through possibilities, analyzing everything Jiang Li had displayed. In moments, it arrived at a conclusion.
He must be under some restriction that prevented him from formally apprenticing to his master—thus, only able to serve as a named disciple!
It was common, after all. Most cosmic experts had a dozen or more teachers. Only certain eccentric beings forbade their disciples from studying under others.
"Jiang Li!"
After a long silence, Babata finally made his decision. "I can agree to your terms of exchange."
"But…"
"As my master's named disciple, you have a duty—to help my master select a worthy intelligent lifeform to inherit the Yunmo Star legacy!"
"Alright."
The name instantly surfaced in Jiang Li's mind—Luo Feng.
"My master is dead and cannot teach you personally," Babata continued after a pause, "so I shall take his place in passing down the secret arts of the Yunmo Star."
"Don't worry. Though I'm an intelligent lifeform, I was by my master's side from the beginning. I can project videos of how he once instructed his disciples."
"However, as a named disciple, you are not entitled to inherit the Yunmo Star's full legacy."
As he spoke, Babata opened his pale, delicate hand. A streak of silver light shot out toward Jiang Li.
"Take this."
Jiang Li caught it between his fingers—it was a silver ring, similar in design to his wedding band.
"It's nothing special," Babata said with an air of pride, his gaze sweeping over the twin spears—one crimson, one black—slung across Jiang Li's back. "Just a spatial ring for storage."
"Of course," he added, raising his chin slightly, "creating a space ring is no simple feat. In the greater universe, this would count as a luxury item. Simply infuse a trace of your mental power and leave your spiritual imprint—you can use it freely."
Hearing this, Jiang Li fell silent. It wasn't a new concept, but for someone accustomed to lugging around blades and weapons, it was indeed valuable.
He slipped the ring onto his finger. A chill spread through his skin—and then, the ring melded seamlessly into his flesh, vanishing from sight.
With a mere thought, a wisp of his spiritual power flowed into it.
The ring responded instantly, as if it had become an extension of his own body. As his mind moved, Zhuxian—his divine weapon—flashed once and vanished into the storage space.
"Don't underestimate it," Babata lectured, full of pride. "This ring contains an actual fragment of the universe's space, severed and sealed within the artifact. Even most cosmic experts couldn't do that!"
Jiang Li nodded slightly. "Mm."
"Even cosmic-level experts!" Babata's crimson eyes widened in protest at Jiang Li's calm reaction.
"I know," Jiang Li replied, glancing at him with mild helplessness. "But your master was an Undying, so it's only natural he could do it."
"That's more like it!"
Babata turned, his gaze falling on the crystal coffin behind them. He grew silent, emotions welling in his voice after a long pause.
"Boss… from today onward, I'll be following your named disciple."
"Don't worry. I'll make sure he trains diligently. I hope… someday… I can see you again."
Jiang Li's rapid progress had rekindled a faint spark of hope within Babata.
Of course, he knew it was little more than a dream. But even a dream was better than endless silence. At least now… there was a glimmer of possibility.
Facing Huyan Bo, lying motionless within the crystal coffin, Jiang Li bowed deeply—paying his respects to a true powerhouse.
Moments later, Babata's pale fingers flicked in the air. A soft clicking echoed as the crystal coffin slowly sank, disappearing once more beneath the alloyed floor—sealed away again.
"Let's go up."
With the coffin secured, Babata wasted no time, flying swiftly back to the circular main hall.
Jiang Li followed, stopping beside a golden skeleton.
"This was my master's second personal disciple—his most talented one," Babata said softly, eyes fixed on the bones. "He was a World Lord level expert. Even hiding within the ship, he was killed by the shockwave of an Undying's attack."
"Jiang Li, I tell you this so you understand—no matter how gifted you are, until you reach Undying, you must be cautious."
"Only when you step into Undying do you truly have the right to roam the universe."
Jiang Li said nothing, but he understood. Even as an Undying, one could still perish if careless. The safest path was to always keep one's power hidden.
"Of course," Babata went on proudly, "this ship—the Yunmo Star—was crafted through my master's immense divine power. No one below the Undying level could possibly break through its defenses."
"When the ship crashed into this planet, a fragment broke off. Later, we can go look for it."
"Now," Babata continued, "let's talk about the legacy my master left for his personal disciples."
"You might want to change your mind after hearing this…"
"And if you do, I'll allow it."
"The Muya Crystal you found at the hatch—that was one of the items."
"The Muya Crystal is a precious resource for cultivation, beast-taming, and nurturing plant life. Its uses are vast!"
He continued excitedly, "A single Muya Crystal can help an apprentice-level being of eighth or ninth tier break through to the Planetary level in no time!"
"If I hadn't confirmed you still had the Muya Crystals you found, I would've suspected you ate one to reach the ninth tier so quickly!"
"There are plenty of them—and since you're a named disciple, I can give you some."
"Alright." Jiang Li nodded calmly.
"Good. You can use the Muya Crystals for cultivation. As for Planetary-level defense gear—the Black God Set—you already have one, so you don't need another."
Babata rested his chin on one hand, thinking. "I have only one Moyun Vine seedling left. That's reserved for my master's personal disciple."
"Don't underestimate the Moyun Vine. My master survived several deadly encounters thanks to it. Unfortunately, his final opponent was too powerful… even the vine perished with him."
"If you agreed to become my master's personal disciple, I'd give it to you."
"Fed with Muya Crystals, it could grow to the Star level."
He arched a brow at Jiang Li, clearly waiting for him to reconsider.
"Only Star level?" Jiang Li shook his head slightly. "I cultivate too fast. I don't need it."
Babata: "!!!"
At that moment, Babata felt a strong urge to hit someone.
But the truth was undeniable. Whether or not Jiang Li could reach the Domain Lord level remained uncertain—but reaching the Star level was already guaranteed.
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