For just a moment. Another powerhouse appeared atop the mountain peak: Zuo Shan Ke.

“Summoned me? Care for a drink?” Zuo Shan Ke strolled forward.

The Progenitor stood at the cliff's edge, pointing into the distance: “Look at your disciple.” “Luo Feng?” Zuo Shan Ke walked to the edge, following the direction of the Progenitor’s finger. He instantly spotted Luo Feng near a rock face far away.

Observing closely, surprise lit up his face, followed by a burst of laughter. “Old Beast God, in the path of the Eight Great Beast Gods, no one in the vast universe can match you!

But today, my disciple is using the Metal Beast God’s Eight Great Secret Pattern diagrams to create this set of secret techniques…” Are you convinced you lost?” “We haven’t even fought yet, how can you say I lost,” the Progenitor replied. “Still arguing.” Zuo Shan Ke shook his head.

The Progenitor dropped the subject, sighing instead. “Your disciple is indeed formidable.

Although creating this secret technique this time has an element of luck, to reach this level in the Secret Pattern school in just 180 million years without any guidance! His mastery of the secret patterns is incredibly high, especially having comprehended the heart of a Metal Beast God, which makes understanding the Eight Great Metal Beast God Secret Pattern diagrams much easier.

Creating a Universe Venerate-level secret technique would be effortless for him. If he put his mind to it, he could even forge an Ultimate Secret Technique for a Universe Master.” A true Universe Master would typically spend endless eons developing a single Ultimate Secret Technique for their level.

In a sense… Even if the Secret Pattern school excels at creating techniques, it still speaks volumes about Luo Feng’s achievement in this style. Even if he hasn't reached Universe Master level, he is at least a High Universe Venerate level in this domain.

“The Beast God Heart?” Zuo Shan Ke showed a flicker of delight, then laughed heartily. “An unexpected bonus!

A complete surprise!” “He is the Golden Horned Beast; a descendant of the Beast Gods. His inherited bloodline grants him a natural affinity for the Metal Beast God.

Coupled with years of studying those Eight Great Secret Pattern diagrams, this allowed him to perceive the Beast God Heart,” the Progenitor sighed. “Calling it luck is one thing, but calculated, it really isn't pure chance.” “Hahahaha…” Zuo Shan Ke’s laughter echoed.

“Look how smug you are,” the Progenitor shook his head helplessly. It was no wonder Zuo Shan Ke was beaming.

Mastery in secret techniques offers significant insight into the comprehension of Laws. For Luo Feng, reaching Universe Master wouldn’t present a high barrier.

Especially with a Beast God Heart, his path along the Beast God Dao is much smoother! At the very least, one of the greatest hurdles between Universe Master and Universe Master—the Beast God Heart—is now resolved.

While ascending to Universe Master will still be incredibly difficult, his chances have grown significantly. Zuo Shan Ke glanced at the Progenitor, secretly pleased.

If only you knew… My disciple already possessed a top-tier innate secret technique. Because he had the guidance of the ultimate template—the Secret Pattern diagrams—he could research the Secret Pattern school so much better.

Still, achieving insight into the Beast God Heart and forging that supreme innate secret technique within 180 million years was still an unexpected leap. Zuo Shan Ke looked down.

Near the rock face in the distance. The colossal secret pattern carvings emanating a pressure comparable to three sets of Universe Master Ultimate Secret Techniques.

“It’s done.” “It’s actually a Universe Master Ultimate Secret Technique.” Luo Feng stood before the rock face for a long time, staring at the scene, still finding it unbelievably surreal. “After cultivating for 180 million years, I actually succeeded.” He was confident about the Universe Master Ultimate Secret Technique.

But the Universe Master Ultimate Secret Technique… that was truly an extraordinary burst of ability driven by luck! “Progenitor!” Luo Feng abruptly looked up at the sky, his voice vast, resounding across heaven and earth.

“I challenge you.” The Progenitor, clad in white robes in the distance, flew over and landed on the ground, smiling at Luo Feng. “Challenging me?” “Yes.” Luo Feng felt a surge of anticipation.

Even if he lost, he could continue researching and attempting this, since victory over the Progenitor within the Old Ten Thousand Epochs counted as success. “With what weapon?” Luo Feng asked.

“You use your hands, and I shall use this human body as well. How about that?” The Progenitor slightly raised his right hand.

His divine body was merely a projection. “Hands?” Luo Feng was momentarily stunned.

Using hands as weapons? “You have comprehended the Beast God Heart; surely your hands can serve as weapons?” the Progenitor countered.

Luo Feng started. Memories from his millennium of slumber rushed back.

The Beast Gods soaring through the cosmos… their claws, tails, horns, and antlers all contained the Dao of the Beast Gods. Even when manipulating psychic weapons, it was akin to treating the weapon as some incarnation of a Beast God.

At that moment, Luo Feng felt the vast gulf between close combat and psychic weapons disappear. The secret technique he created felt like it could be easily applied to melee combat, and just as easily to psychic weapons.

“Martial Artist path, Psychic Master path—they are the same… the same…” Luo Feng felt a wave of realization. “Since you have comprehended the Beast God Heart, you should grasp this point,” the Progenitor chuckled.

“If you hadn't comprehended the Beast God Heart, you would need to focus solely on either the Martial Artist path or the Psychic Master path… Mixing the two paths interferes with comprehending the Beast God Heart. Furthermore, Beast Gods naturally use their divine bodies to fight, so the Martial Artist path is generally better suited for grasping the Beast God Heart and ultimately becoming a true Beast God.” Luo Feng nodded.

Hadn’t City Lord of Chaos also advised this? To persist on the Martial Artist path!

But… For these 180 million years, he had set aside both his Martial Artist and Psychic Master practices, focusing entirely on the Secret Pattern school. Through deep accumulation, he had unknowingly grasped the Beast God Heart.

“Do you still require a weapon?” the Progenitor pressed. “If a Beast God can use its hooves and claws, then naturally, I can use my hands,” Luo Feng smiled.

“Begin,” the Progenitor stood waiting at a distance. Luo Feng readied himself, staring across, deciding to use his Demon Slaughter race clone for the battle.

Since the Progenitor would also suppress his divine body to the same level, the choice of body made no difference. Boom!

The surface of Luo Feng’s divine body instantly erupted with flowing secret patterns. The entire figure transformed into a dazzling golden light, rushing toward the Progenitor.

In that instant, Luo Feng felt as if he were the Beast God from his millennium of slumber, roaring as he lunged at an opponent. A simple pounce from a Beast God contained the Dao of the Beast God.

And Luo Feng’s pounce… contained that Universe Master Ultimate Secret Technique. The lunge was fierce beyond measure, terrifyingly fast.

Simply by the might of the Universe Master Ultimate Secret Technique alone… Luo Feng moved faster than when using the Wu Star Wings! “Fall!” Luo Feng instantly arrived before the Progenitor, his right hand morphing into a claw.

Countless minute secret patterns flowed and merged on his fingertip, instantly transforming into a blinding golden light as he lunged to grasp the Progenitor. “Peng!” The Progenitor extended a hand slightly.

When the two forces collided, the Progenitor floated back gently, though his speed in retreating was extremely fast despite the casual appearance. “Hahahaha…” Luo Feng felt an immense exhilaration, feeling completely merged with the Beast God from his ancient, sleeping memories.

The pounce! The tearing claw!

The leg transforming into a whip-like tail… Luo Feng was entirely immersed in golden light, with faint roars of beasts echoing around him. Fast!

Razor-sharp! Golden claw shadows flashed everywhere, and the Progenitor was completely suppressed.

Although he resisted repeatedly, as Luo Feng became more proficient, he truly began to resemble a living Beast God. “Peng!” His finger became a sharp horn.

Roar! It pierced straight through the Progenitor’s chest.

The Progenitor looked down, smiled, and nodded, then stepped back as his divine body returned to normal. “You won.” Luo Feng, still enveloped in golden light, was somewhat stunned, frozen… Had he really defeated the Progenitor?

Although the power was limited to the same divine body level, and he could only unleash peak Universe Master secret techniques, this was still the Progenitor! The feeling of defeating him was truly, truly unreal.

“Thank you, Progenitor,” Luo Feng said respectfully. From beginning to end, the Progenitor had focused heavily on defense, allowing Luo Feng to grow stronger throughout the fight, fully experiencing the fighting style of a Beast God.

“No need to thank me,” the Progenitor shook his head and laughed. “I employed the strongest defensive measures from the peak Universe Master secret techniques, and still failed to hold you off.

If I had engaged you offensively from the start, perhaps I could have won once. But I trust that even if you challenged me several more times, you would still win.

Since that is the case, there’s no need to delay.” Luo Feng was filled with even greater awe. Recalling the immense benefits gained in the Beast God Realm over these 180 million years.

The Beast God Heart was an unexpected harvest. The Secret Pattern school was an entirely new path, possessing an Ultimate Secret Technique for the Universe Master level.

“Hahahaha…” A loud burst of laughter sounded as a figure flew down from high above. Zuo Shan Ke looked down at Luo Feng.

In 180 million years, his disciple had truly been reborn! 180 million years ago, Luo Feng’s cultivation time was too short, his foundation too weak.

He could only stand among the powerful by relying on the sturdy divine body, massive divine body volume, and the Tribulation Armor forged by the Nine Tribulations Secret Codex. But those were just the physical foundations.

While his foundation was incredibly strong, his understanding of Laws and mastery of secret techniques were far too weak. Now, he had reached an extremely high plateau, stronger than many Universe Masters.

“His accumulation is immensely solid now.” “He is ready to unleash his potential. I believe my disciple can now proceed smoothly all the way to Universe Master level.

Only crossing the threshold into Universe Master might prove difficult.” Zuo Shan Ke was highly satisfied. The development of Emperor Yan had ultimately disappointed him, so he poured all his resources into nurturing these three disciples.

His third disciple had not let him down. The laughter drew the attention of Luo Feng and the Progenitor, who both looked up.

“Teacher?” Luo Feng was startled when he saw the figure descending. “Zuo Shan Ke,” the Progenitor smiled.

“Don’t be too proud. Your disciple is capable, yes, but don't forget—he possesses a Golden Horned Beast clone.

His soul has long since fused perfectly with his divine body, making it impossible to discern whether he is human or a Golden Horned Beast. If I claim he is a Golden Horned Beast, who could argue otherwise?” “That’s a matter for your Star Beast Alliance and the Human Race faction.

It doesn’t concern me. Whether my disciple belongs to the Human Race, the Star Beast Alliance, or stands independently, I have no objection.” Zuo Shan Ke landed.

Luo Feng rushed forward respectfully. “Your disciple pays his respects to Teacher.” “Mhm,” Zuo Shan Ke smiled, nodded, then looked at the Progenitor.

“Don’t forget… the wager!”