Chapter 121: Finally meeting his master

The path leading toward the Imperial Palace was unlike any road Victor had ever seen. It was carved entirely from translucent emerald crystal, each tile containing countless tiny runes that pulsed with life. With every step they took, flowers of pure energy bloomed beneath their feet before dissolving into golden particles.

On both sides stood rows of ancient trees whose trunks were larger than mountains.

Their branches stretched into the heavens, supporting miniature worlds upon their leaves.

Victor could sense terrifying life force radiating from each tree.

Any one of them was probably older than entire civilizations.

"..."

He couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

The foundation of a Supreme Race truly wasn’t something an ordinary civilization could compare with.

Vladimir suddenly came to a stop before a narrow stone pathway that led deeper into the World Tree Palace. The atmosphere here was noticeably different from the bustling imperial grounds outside. The air was tranquil, carrying the faint fragrance of countless exotic flowers, while an invisible sense of majesty lingered over the quiet garden ahead.

Victor looked around in confusion when he noticed that everyone had stopped moving.

"Aren’t we going any farther?"

Vladimir smiled faintly before shaking his head.

"We don’t have permission to walk beyond this point. From here onward, you must continue alone."

The other True Disciples nodded in agreement. Sofia stepped forward with a gentle smile and explained, "Only when Master personally summons us are we allowed to pass through this place Otherwise, none of us can cross this Barrier."

Victor frowned slightly as he looked ahead. The path appeared completely ordinary, with nothing obstructing it.

"Barrier?" he asked. "What barrier?"

Vladimir looked at him in surprise before extending his hand toward the seemingly empty space ahead. The moment his palm reached a certain point, invisible ripples spread through the air like water struck by a stone. His hand stopped abruptly, unable to advance even another inch.

Victor’s eyes widened.

There really was something there.

He carefully examined the area where the ripples had appeared, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn’t detect anything unusual.

"Am I too weak to perceive it?"he wondered. "Perhaps my cultivation is still too low."

Anastasia immediately shook her head.

"That isn’t possible. Even I can clearly see the barrier, and children born within the empire can perceive it as well. Cultivation has nothing to do with it."

Victor’s brows furrowed even deeper.

"That’s... strange."

Before anyone could say another word, an ancient voice suddenly echoed directly inside Victor’s mind.

"There is no need to trouble yourself over it."

"I have already granted you complete authority over this place. You may enter or leave whenever you wish without requiring my permission."

"To you, this barrier simply does not exist."

An ancient voice entered his head.

For some reason, Victor could clearly sense the happiness hidden beneath the calm tone, as though he was genuinely delighted by something.

Suppressing his curiosity, Victor cupped his fists toward everyone present.

"Senior Brothers, Senior Sisters, I’ll take my leave."

Vladimir nodded with a warm smile.

"Go ahead. Master has been waiting for you."

Taking a deep breath, Victor stepped forward without hesitation. He walked directly through the place where the invisible barrier stood. As expected, nothing stopped him. It was as though the obstacle had never existed in the first place, and before long, his figure disappeared into the peaceful garden beyond.

After Victor vanished from sight, Sofia turned toward Vladimir with a puzzled expression.

"What do you think happened, Senior Brother?"

Vladimir could only smile bitterly as he folded his hands behind his back.

"If you ask me, then whom should I ask? Master’s thoughts have always been beyond our understanding."

The others exchanged helpless smiles. Although they had followed the Progenitor for countless years, none of them could claim to truly understand the old man.

Meanwhile, Victor continued walking alone along the stone path. The deeper he ventured into the garden, the richer the floral fragrance became. Every breath he took seemed to nourish his body, filling him with an indescribable sense of vitality.

"What a wonderful fragrance," Victor murmured unconsciously.

The ancient voice sounded once again, this time carrying a trace of unmistakable pride.

"Right? I personally gathered those flowers from every corner of the cosmos. It took me several million years to complete this garden."

Victor smiled awkwardly.

"Master... where are you?"

Instead of answering, the magnificent wooden doors before him slowly opened with a deep rumble. Sunlight streamed through the entrance, revealing an unexpectedly simple courtyard. Beneath an ancient tree sat an old man dressed in plain white robes, leisurely pouring tea into two porcelain cups as though he had been expecting an old friend rather than a newly accepted disciple.

The moment Victor saw him, all distracting thoughts disappeared.

Without the slightest hesitation, he stepped forward and respectfully knelt on one knee.

"Greetings, Master."

"My name is Victor Walker."

The old man placed the teapot down and looked at Victor with kind, curious eyes. Although there wasn’t the slightest trace of an aura around him, Victor felt as though he was facing the entire universe itself. It wasn’t pressure or intimidation. Instead, it was an indescribable feeling, as if every law of existence revolved naturally around this seemingly ordinary old man.

A gentle smile appeared on the Progenitor’s face.

"Well, I’ve already confirmed your identity, so there’s no need for another introduction. What I am curious about is something else." He picked up his own teacup and took a leisurely sip before continuing. "You entered the God Realm, didn’t you? Then why did you return? The Heavenly Demons possess resources greater than us."

Victor smiled faintly after hearing the question. He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he accepted the teacup that had somehow appeared before him, took a small sip, and savored the refreshing taste before looking at the old man.

"Master," he said calmly, "a poor father is still better than a rich uncle."

For a brief moment, the entire courtyard became silent.

Then, the old man’s eyes widened slightly before an uncontrollable burst of laughter echoed throughout the garden.

"Hahahahaha!"

His hearty laughter continued for a long while, startling countless birds resting among the ancient trees. Even outside the invisible barrier, Vladimir and the other True Disciples looked toward the garden in surprise. None of them could remember the last time they had heard their Master laugh so freely.

After calming himself, the old man wiped the corner of his eye with a smile.

"Good."

"Very good."

"I have lived for millions of years, yet this is the first time someone has answered me like that." He nodded in satisfaction before gesturing toward the empty seat opposite him. "Come, sit down. Let’s have a proper conversation."

Victor respectfully took his seat. He lifted the teacup once more and drank another mouthful. The instant the tea entered his body, an astonishing warmth spread through every part of him. His exhausted soul relaxed completely, while every cell in his body became incomparably active.

The old man observed everything with interest before finally asking the question that had been bothering him ever since Nova informed him.

"Tell me honestly, Victor." His expression turned unusually serious. "How did you cultivate the Eternal Body Cultivation Technique to the Seventh Layer in merely a few days?"