Swallowing the Stars: Ten Thousand Times Return for Taking on Disciples

Chapter 3 Borrowing Treasures, Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng

After leaving the underground cave, Lu San led five geniuses to the Royal Treasury of Maple Leaf Star.

According to the rules, after arriving on Maple Leaf Star, in addition to receiving guidance from powerful beings in the universe, they can also choose a secret technique from the royal treasury.

Along the way, the identities of several geniuses quietly changed.

"Brother Lei Ming, congratulations on becoming a disciple of the Ancestor in one step. Please take good care of me in the future on Maple Leaf Star." A wiry young man spoke first, his tone full of warm flattery.

“Yes, Brother Lei Ming,” a pretty young girl next to her said with a charming smile, “If I ever have any questions in the future, I hope you will be kind enough to give me some guidance.”

“Brother Lei Ming,” another richly dressed young man leaned closer and whispered, “My family’s ‘Five Elements Merchant Guild’ ships pass through Jiao Lei Star on a fixed route every year. If your family has any needs, just give the order, and the entire guild will do its utmost to fulfill them.”

Lei Ming wore a slightly awkward smile as he agreed to everything. He did not become arrogant because of his sudden change in status; instead, he was filled with a sense of unreality and bewilderment.

After the initial surprise came a heavy burden of pressure. He feared he couldn't handle this unexpected opportunity and would disappoint his ancestor's expectations.

"Alright, we've arrived at the Royal Treasury."

Lu San's calm voice interrupted everyone's thoughts.

A towering structure, forged entirely from dark star metal, stood before them, its body flowing with visible energy patterns and radiating a chilling aura.

"The four of you, take these tokens and enter the first level to make your selections." Lu San handed four jade talismans engraved with maple leaf emblems to the four geniuses, his tone solemn. "Remember, you only have one chance. Every secret manual in the Treasure Pavilion embodies the hard work and cultivation secrets of your predecessors. Be sure to choose a cultivation method that suits your own nature; this is related to your future potential."

He turned to Lei Ming, a hint of barely perceptible expectation in his eyes: "Lei Ming, come with me to the third level. The ancestor has already given instructions. Your goal for this trip is clear—the 'Nine Thunder Blades' is a legacy that the ancestor obtained when he was adventuring in the stars, and it is also a cultivation technique that the ancestor practiced in his early years."

"Yes, sir!" Lei Ming's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly bowed in response.

Deep inside the cave.

After seeing Lu San and the others off, Lu Qingshan moved his mind slightly and instantly connected to the virtual universe network, his figure appearing in a vast and boundless "killing field" space.

“Simulated target: ID XY9527, second-tier domain lord, combat style: close combat type.”

boom!
A phantom energy figure radiating a powerful domain lord-level aura materialized before Lu Qingshan. Lu Qingshan stood with his hands behind his back, and an invisible domain suddenly unfolded around him. It was not a single beam of light or lightning, but a fusion of both, a constantly evolving and ever-renewing domain of light and lightning.

The phantom of the domain lord crashed violently into the domain space, its movements momentarily sluggish, as if it had sunk into an incredibly viscous cosmic quagmire.

The raging beams of light intertwined and clashed with leaping lightning snakes, relentlessly eroding and disintegrating the energy body of the Domain Lord's phantom. In less than a hundred breaths, the Domain Lord's phantom, like a burst bubble, completely dissipated and vanished with a "pop."

"call……"

Lu Qingshan's figure withdrew from the virtual universe, his consciousness returned to his physical body in the underground cave, and a glint of light flashed in his eyes.

"A mere piece of insignificant guidance and feedback has allowed my lightning domain to directly advance to the ninth level of perfection!"

"Now, both the Light and Lightning domains have reached the peak of the ninth level, and their integration is even closer, increasing their power several times over."

Yes.

As a giant axe warrior, Lu Qingshan's strength is far beyond what ordinary universe-level warriors can match.

The reason he couldn't break through to the Domain Lord level was never the influence of the domain, but rather the damage to his physical foundation, which prevented him from condensing a singularity within his body.

Over the years, he has made many attempts. In his early years, he cultivated the field of light. After realizing that he could not break through, he then cultivated the field of lightning, hoping to break through with the help of a special environment, but he failed again.

With the power of the combined light and lightning domains, he was able to fight against ordinary domain lords in his early years, even though he was only at the ninth level of the universe.

This is why he was able to create a primary universe nation.

In many star systems surrounding the Maple Leaf Empire, Lu Qingshan's strength was already considered that of an ordinary domain lord.

"Unfortunately, even though the lightning domain has been upgraded to the ninth level, the chances of breaking through are still slim."

Lu Qingshan knew his body well and dared not easily attempt to break through.

"If I can repair my foundation, breaking through to the Domain Lord level will be a natural outcome."

Lu Qingshan quickly came up with a solution.

He bestowed upon his disciple Lei Ming a treasure to repair his foundation and enhance his strength, while he himself would receive a hundredfold return. Repairing his foundation should not be difficult.

After receiving the first rebate, Lu Qingshan gained some common knowledge about the system. For example, only geniuses recognized by the system can receive rebates for taking on apprentices. Others can take on apprentices and teach, but they will not receive any rebates, only minor improvements. However, if they teach publicly, quantitative changes can lead to qualitative changes, and they can also gain something.

Secondly, the treasures bestowed upon disciples must meet their current needs and be helpful to them. If an ordinary person is given a fifth-tier primal force weapon, they will be unable to use it and will not receive any rebates.

Third, third-rate geniuses can receive a rebate once a year.

Thoughts raced through his mind, and a clear plan took shape in Lu Qingshan's heart.

Several months later, at the Silver Blue Empire's Imperial Palace.

Inside the magnificent hall, hundreds of musicians played soothing melodies, while Lu Qingshan sat and talked with a middle-aged man dressed in a magnificent imperial robe and wearing a crown adorned with stars.

This person is none other than Ive, the current emperor of the Silver Blue Empire, a powerful domain lord-level being.

"Brother Qingshan!" Ive smiled broadly and personally poured Lu Qingshan a cup of fine wine. "Five thousand years ago, we parted at the 'Deadly Nebula,' and time has flown by. Now that we meet again, you are even more radiant than before."

Lu Qingshan smiled and raised his glass: "Your Majesty Yiwei, you are too kind. If it weren't for Your Majesty's breakthrough in the face of battle and your ability to turn the tide, we would probably have perished in that treacherous secret realm and turned into cosmic dust."

"Hahaha!" Iwe laughed loudly, "Brother, you are mistaken. If it weren't for you protecting me and shielding me from the attacks of the strange beasts in the secret realm, how could I have broken through in peace? I will remember this kindness!"

"Your Majesty's kindness is appreciated." Lu Qingshan put down his wine cup, his expression turning serious as he looked directly at Yiwei. "To be honest, I have come here today with a request."

Ive's smile remained unchanged: "Oh? Brother, please speak freely. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly not refuse."

Lu Qingshan didn't beat around the bush and said directly, "I want to purchase the Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng treasured in His Majesty's treasury."

"Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng?" Ive frowned almost imperceptibly, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest made of star jade. "Brother, this item is one of the most precious treasures inherited by my Silver Blue Empire, concerning the very foundation of the nation... This matter of trade cannot be decided by me alone; it must be discussed with the Royal Elder Council."

This reaction was within Lu Qingshan's expectations. Although the two had a relationship, they were not close enough for Lu to ask for an ancestral treasure before Lu could even exchange a single word with the other.

He didn't say much, but simply raised his hand, and a virtual contract projection flashing with the unique emblem of the Cosmic Galaxy Bank appeared in the air between the two of them.

"Your Majesty, please take a look," Lu Qingshan's voice was calm yet powerful, "This is an asset mortgage certificate issued by the Cosmic Galaxy Bank. I am willing to use all administrative planets, resource planets, and their associated rights within the entire territory of the Maple Leaf Empire, excluding Maple Leaf Star itself, as collateral in exchange for the Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng. After the transaction is completed, I will definitely repay Your Majesty 2500 billion cosmic coins within a hundred years."

Ive's gaze swept quickly over the contract projection, and he had already made up his mind.

While the Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng is indeed precious, it can be purchased at some auctions or through special channels. Its market value is around 2000 billion cosmic coins, with little fluctuation. Lu Qingshan's offer of 2500 billion is equivalent to a direct premium of 500 billion.

Moreover, a hundred-year period is but a fleeting moment in the long lifespan of a domain lord. With the vast territory of the Maple Leaf Empire and the contract with the Cosmic Star River Bank as collateral, the risk of this transaction is almost zero.

The solemnity on his face instantly turned into a smile, and he waved his hand: "Haha! Brother, you are indeed meticulous in your work, good! This Nine-Leaf Spirit Ginseng, I, the Emperor, will lend it to you. I'll take care of things with the Elders' Council!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty." Lu Qingshan raised his cup in gratitude.

"Guards! Begin the banquet! Today, I, the Emperor, will drink until we're both drunk!" Yiwei ordered enthusiastically.

A grand royal banquet then commenced, with high-ranking officials of the Silver Blue Empire, as well as several distinguished princes and princesses in attendance. Fine wines and delicacies were served in abundance, and flattery and compliments filled the air, demonstrating Lu Qingshan's utmost respect.

The banquet lasted for seven days, finally ending only after Lu Qingshan politely declined.

Ive kept his word and quickly retrieved the Nine-Leaf Ginseng.

The ginseng is crystal clear like jade, with nine emerald green leaves that exude a rich life force and are shaped like a human.

The moment the jade box was opened a crack, an indescribable, refreshing life force wafted out. Lu Qingshan only inhaled a wisp, yet felt a faint but distinct tremor within his body.

"Good baby!"

Lu Qingshan was certain that the treasure was genuine and that he could give it to his disciple.

These rare and precious treasures, which can repair the foundation and enhance aptitude, are not subject to any restrictions on being given away.

After receiving the treasure, Lu Qingshan solemnly thanked Yi Wei and took his leave.

A moment later, a sleek, deep blue spaceship bearing the emblem of the Maple Leaf Empire tore through the gravitational pull of the Imperial Capital Star and plunged into the vast sea of ​​stars as a streak of light.

However, the spaceship did not set a route to return to Maple Leaf Star.

Instead, they set their sights on a specific coordinate at the far edge of the Milky Way.

(End of this chapter)