Grinding to Become the Master of the Universe

Through this process, he gained a much deeper understanding of the profoundly mysterious power known as Mental Power.

Mental Power is a higher-dimensional form of energy. It directly affects a lifeform’s speed of thought, depth of contemplation, and learning ability. Most directly, it determines the strength and destructive force with which one can use their mind to interfere with reality.

However, it does not directly influence a person’s strength of will or their moral alignment.

It is more like an invisible blade. In the hands of someone with a firm will and a pure heart, it can be used to protect Order and slay evil.

But when wielded by those with a weak will and malicious intent, it only accelerates their own downfall and causes even greater destruction.

Mental Power is a tool. What commands that tool is always a Martial Artist’s unwavering heart.

In absolute silence and focus, time lost all meaning.

Qin Feng was completely immersed in the vast ocean of knowledge within the Canaan Scripture, forgetting day and night, forgetting everything about the outside world.

Spring turned to autumn, and winter to summer.

Two and a half years passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the seclusion chamber, Qin Feng remained in a cross-legged position, like an ancient, unchanging statue.

Deep within his sea of consciousness, in the spiritual space that had once held only two silvery-white droplets, a third was now slowly forming. It was just as brilliant and condensed just as much immense Spiritual Energy.

Its appearance raised the "weight" of his entire sea of consciousness to a new level, and the speed of his thoughts took another leap forward.

The three Spiritual Power Drops, like three newborn stars, orbited each other on a mysterious trajectory in the center of his Spiritual World, emitting a soft yet powerful light.

According to the Canaan Scripture, condensing the droplets was considered breaking the first limit. Gathering the droplets to form a "cup" was the second limit.

Qin Feng estimated he would need ten thousand Spiritual Power Drops to even begin forming the cup. He was still an unreachable distance away from breaking the second limit.

These two and a half years of sleepless, arduous cultivation had only given him the most basic, preliminary understanding of the Canaan Scripture’s vast system.

On his personal status panel, a new line of data had quietly appeared.

[Canaan Scripture (Uninitiated)]

[Proficiency: 1/10]

As for the seventh-level killing technique, the Ninefold Blood Spear, he hadn’t even had time to open the first page.

’Time is still too tight.’

Qin Feng slowly opened his eyes, ending his long period of seclusion.

His gaze was even more profound, his aura more restrained.

’But for a Planet-level Strongman, whose lifespan is measured in tens of thousands of years, two and a half years is nothing.’

He stood up and stretched his body, feeling no discouragement.

The path of the Martial Dao was one of patient, grinding effort. This was especially true after reaching the Planet-level, where every tiny bit of progress required a vast amount of time.

He knew he couldn’t continue his seclusion any longer.

The Cosmic Genius Battle was about to begin. It was time to say his final goodbyes to Cannan Star Martial Arts University and his old friends here.

Qin Feng deactivated his seclusion mode and reconnected to the Subspace Network.

Instantly, countless messages flooded his personal terminal like a tide.

His gaze fell directly on his friends list.

Dozens of unread messages were flashing.

His three comrades—Ning Jing, Nissan, and Dragon Jade—had all sent him messages, most of them from over a year ago.

The content was more or less the same: they were asking when he would graduate, whether he had already left Canaan, and hoping they could get together one last time before he left.

And below those messages was another batch of names from the more distant past.

Xiong Yanfu, Shi Potian, Tie Mu...

His first and closest friends had also sent messages.

"Qin Feng, we’re out of seclusion! What level are you at now? Have you already reached Eighth-level or even Ninth-level Martial Artist? Hit us back when you see this, let’s get together!"

The tone of the message was still so familiar.

He carefully replied to every single message, one by one.

-----------------

「Iron Fist Tavern.」

Qin Feng sat alone in a metal booth in the corner, with only a glass of plain water on the table.

He had arrived a little earlier than the appointed time, quietly observing the place, which was filled with power and clamor.

Before long, three powerful and agile figures walked into the tavern together, instantly drawing the eyes of many people around them.

It was Dragon Jade, Nissan, and Ning Jing.

Compared to two and a half years ago, the auras of all three had undergone a qualitative transformation.

Their postures were still ramrod straight, but every step they took seemed to create a faint resonance with the ground beneath them. They were surrounded by an extremely condensed Energy Fluctuation that felt like it was on the verge of overflowing.

This was the signature mark of a Ninth-level Martial Artist, just one step away from igniting their Psychic Core.

"Qin Feng!"

Dragon Jade was the first to spot him, striding over with a hearty laugh. Nissan and Ning Jing followed close behind.

"I thought you’d already left Canaan to go cultivate in some secret star system."

Nissan still had that same stern look, but he couldn’t hide the joy of reunion in his eyes.

"Congratulations, you’ve all reached the ninth level."

Qin Feng stood up, smiling as he looked at the three comrades with whom he had once fought side-by-side.

"Compared to a monster like you, what’s a little progress like ours?"

Ning Jing shook his head and pulled out a chair to sit. "Have a seat. We’re not leaving until we’re drunk tonight. Barkeep, four ’Heart of Lavas’!"