Virtual Universe, Leiting Island.
At the very peak of the island, thunderclouds rolled endlessly, lightning coiling like silver serpents along the sky.
Whoosh!
Bai Yue appeared out of thin air.
At the edge of the cliff stood Primordial Chaos City Lord, his robes fluttering lightly in the thunderous wind. Although his three true bodies were currently stationed across different regions—one guarding key territories, another battling in the Universe Sea—the body stationed in the Primitive Mystical Region was presently tied up in discussions with the Human Race's Universe Lords. Only a sliver of consciousness had been dispatched here.
Yet even a fragment of his will carried the pressure of eternity.
"Teacher," Bai Yue greeted respectfully.
"Come here," Primordial Chaos City Lord said with a smile, turning slightly.
"Yes."
Bai Yue stepped forward, instinctively remaining half a pace behind. Primordial Chaos City Lord glanced at him and chuckled.
"Stand beside me. Look down."
Bai Yue paused, then complied.
Below them, clouds and airflow churned. Through the gaps in the mist, countless palaces could be vaguely seen, layered one above another along the vast mountain range.
"All Immortal Gods of the Virtual Universe Corporation reside here," Primordial Chaos City Lord said softly. "The countless palaces at the base belong to Undying. The mountain waist of Leiting Island's central range is where Universe Exalts dwell."
His gaze lifted slightly.
"And the palaces at the summit… those belong to Universe Lords. Some exceptionally powerful Universe Overlords are also stationed there."
Bai Yue nodded silently.
A palace at the summit symbolized standing at the apex of the Primordial Universe—among the true rulers of countless races.
"Now that you've stepped into Undying," Primordial Chaos City Lord continued, "you should also choose a residence."
Bai Yue looked over, slightly surprised.
"Although you haven't officially taken action," Primordial Chaos City Lord said calmly, "based on my judgment, you already possess the strength of a Universe Exalt. Choose a location on the mountain waist and establish your palace there."
Mountain waist.
Bai Yue was genuinely startled.
That was treatment reserved for beings like Lord Luo.
"Yes, Teacher," Bai Yue replied after a brief pause.
As for others' opinions? With his current level of law comprehension and an ultimate secret technique already approaching the Universe Overlord threshold, he had little fear of even peak Universe Exalts.
"Every Universe Exalt is allocated an independent plane space as personal territory," Primordial Chaos City Lord added. "That will also be arranged for you."
Bai Yue blinked.
Everything was being prepared according to Universe Exalt standards.
"Universe Exalts are the backbone of the Human Race," Primordial Chaos City Lord said, his tone steady. "They participate in governance and major decisions. Normally, a Universe Exalt automatically qualifies to enter the Human Race's Highest Council."
Then his expression sharpened slightly.
"But you are still only an Undying."
Bai Yue listened attentively.
"The palaces here, the plane space in the Virtual Universe—those are internal matters. As head of the Virtual Universe Corporation, I can decide them."
Primordial Chaos City Lord's gaze deepened.
"But seats in the Highest Council are decided jointly by all major Human factions. My corporation alone cannot grant that."
"Understood," Bai Yue said solemnly.
The Highest Council.
A place only Universe Exalts and above could enter. The core authority governing the Human Race.
"I believe you already have Universe Exalt-level combat power," Primordial Chaos City Lord continued. "But belief alone is not enough."
"You must prove it."
"Only true strength convinces."
"I understand," Bai Yue nodded.
Without accomplishments, words were meaningless.
In the eyes of many, humans were not special lifeforms. Bai Yue's heaven-defying performance as a World Lord had already sparked suspicion—many believed he relied on extraordinary treasures.
Those treasures might allow him to dominate among Undying.
But that did not mean he could contend with Universe Exalts.
A Universe Exalt who had fully grasped Space Law existed on an entirely different plane. Their treasures, secret techniques, and divine bodies were all elevated. Some even possessed genuine treasures—rendering Bai Yue's advantages seemingly less unique.
Undying were soldiers.
Universe Exalts were the backbone.
Universe Overlords and Universe Lords were the pillars.
"Go," Primordial Chaos City Lord said at last. "Choose a place on the mountain waist."
"Yes."
Bai Yue bowed and leapt from the summit, descending like a streak of light.
Primordial Chaos City Lord watched him go, anticipation flickering in his eyes.
He had personally witnessed Bai Yue's breakthrough to Undying. That terrifying descent of the Earth Origin Law was not something an ordinary Undying could trigger.
He was certain.
Bai Yue already possessed the power of a Universe Exalt.
Leiting Island — Central Mountain Range, Mountain Waist
This mountain range was incomparably vast. Along the waist of the range, palace complexes belonging to Universe Exalts stretched endlessly. Each complex spanned tens of thousands—sometimes millions—of kilometers and housed servants, disciples, and subordinates.
Yet against the scale of the mountain itself, even these palaces looked like decorations.
Bai Yue selected a secluded area without much hesitation.
The Virtual Universe responded instantly, constructing a massive palace complex in his preferred architectural style. From that moment on, this region officially became Bai Yue's territory within the Virtual Universe.
Here, he could allow family, friends, disciples, and managers to enter freely.
Because his choice was swift and low-key, it attracted little attention. The Human Race had only around eight thousand Universe Exalts, and even fewer resided permanently within the Virtual Universe Corporation's headquarters.
Encountering one by chance was unlikely.
Once construction was complete, Bai Yue sent notifications only to a few people—Gan Wu Country Lord, Luo Feng, and a handful of others—before leisurely inspecting the palace.
Gan Wu Country Lord replied almost instantly.
Before Luo Feng even responded, Gan Wu Country Lord had already arrived.
That was hardly surprising.
Luo Feng and the others were racing against time to cultivate. Gan Wu Country Lord, however, had been stagnant for endless years. Unless a monumental opportunity appeared, progress was slow—and he had plenty of free time.
Recently, his fortunes had improved, his burdens had eased, and he was active in the Virtual Universe almost daily.
Within a side courtyard of the central hall, the two sat facing each other.
"I knew this day would come," Gan Wu Country Lord said with a sigh, "but I didn't expect it so soon. Your palace is already beside mine."
He laughed, shaking his head.
"Back then, I only invested on a whim. Who would've thought you'd soar like this?"
"Luck played a role," Bai Yue replied modestly. "And Teacher's guidance was indispensable."
Gan Wu Country Lord waved dismissively.
"Don't flatter me. Luck alone doesn't get you here. Which Universe Exalt hasn't had heaven-defying opportunities? With your talent, breaking through to Universe Lord wouldn't surprise me at all."
Bai Yue smiled wryly.
"That's still far away. I've only just stepped into Undying."
"Far or not," Gan Wu Country Lord chuckled, "you'll be busy next."
"Others may respect Primordial Chaos City Lord, but they'll still gossip. Privately, of course."
Bai Yue shrugged.
"They can talk all they want. It's not like they can tear flesh off me."
Gan Wu Country Lord laughed loudly.
"By the way—how's the treasure I gave you? Useful?"
"Extremely," Gan Wu Country Lord said proudly. "Perfect fit."
They chatted for a while before parting.
With mundane matters settled, Bai Yue returned to his cultivation plan.
Next stop—
Zu Shen Mystic Region.
He intended to receive the inheritances of the Eight Great Beast Gods.
Three of his clones had already entered under different racial identities and each received inheritance once. The effect was astonishing.
The Inheritance Land was terrifyingly efficient.
Upon entering the black mist, an irresistible force seized control, forcing one to demonstrate their fusion laws from the most basic level upward—organizing, clarifying, and refining every insight.
For most cultivators, this was invaluable. It reorganized fragmented understanding and strengthened foundations.
For Bai Yue, however, the effect was limited.
With the Dao Fruit body, his comprehension was already perfectly structured—
—but even so, the inheritance still pushed him forward.
Thunder rolled faintly across Leiting Island.
Far from the mountain waist, Bai Yue's path had already extended toward far greater heights.