Chapter 897: Inner Disciples

Footsteps resonated.

The vast interior of the villa, immense beyond measure, was comparable in land area to countless planets. They, tiny in comparison, had to walk for a long time.

At this point, only a few of them remained.

There was the imperial faction, led by Natashar and Miori, and the extraordinary faction, led by Mansha, daughter of the fallen Swordsman Gulsra.

Dozens of them walked across this land.

“Indeed, the immense land within this villa is also situated in a higher-dimensional space-time. This is truly bizarre; the scope of the land is incredibly vast.”

“It's unimaginable that a Cosmic Dao Attainer could achieve this…”

“And what we just experienced, was that a parallel universe?”

“Were we, their disciples, sent into a parallel universe for trials and aptitude tests? What an incredibly vast and invincible power; it's simply unbelievable!”

“Yes, we feel that our soul cultivation has received an incredible boost. This is truly happening!”

“The Cosmic Garden! Renimansga!”

They whispered to themselves, filled with awe and trepidation.

This was an unimaginable opportunity; it simply depended on whether they could survive and endure.

“You should know that such a great being wouldn't have much free time to see you. To Him, you are like little ants after a meal, merely exchanging greetings before He continues to sip His tea…” Medusa continued as they walked. “Furthermore, the disasters your civilizations and planets are currently facing are insignificant to such a great being… Even I can only occasionally be granted an audience with an ancient being of this level. We are creatures of two different dimensions.”

Everyone around them nodded repeatedly.

They naturally knew that Outer Disciples were chosen through competitions in the Garden, while Inner Disciples could be anyone who was a deity or had passed the Garden's trials.

It was said that at its peak, there were tens of millions of Inner Disciples.

However, Inner Disciples could not access the core; their turnover rate was too fast, and some Inner Disciples might never even meet a being of this level in their entire lives.

The truly powerful ones were the True Disciples!

True Disciples were the ones Renimansga truly valued.

They were super-geniuses, found only among billions of beings across countless civilizations at that time. The True Disciples managed and taught tens of millions of Inner Disciples.

Moreover, in the most ancient era, the first and second True Disciples were Ninth-tier Dao Attainers who transcended cosmic laws, while the other disciples were at least Ninth-tier Path powerhouses with heaven-defying combat abilities.

It was a truly magnificent ancient spectacle.

One must understand that for a being of this level, a mere fresco on a corridor wall could house an entire civilization, living, reproducing, and thriving within it.

“Don't speak unnecessarily. Don't say anything at all. If His Majesty doesn't initiate conversation, simply bow and then leave,” Medusa instructed.

“We will remember that!” they replied quickly.

At this point, Medusa continued, “I know what you wish to ask His Majesty Renimansga: why He doesn't bother with the Tathagata Pillar God virus outside, or the ‘Divine-Demon Qi Cultivator Mall’ that arrived in pursuit of the Pillar God… daring to act presumptuously on His Majesty's territory…”

The crowd remained silent.

Clearly, Medusa had seen right through their thoughts.

“Indeed, the other party's origin is terrifying. His Majesty Renimansga knew them over a hundred thousand years ago… Currently, both sides are clashing, and His Majesty, as a neutral party, will not intervene,” Medusa warned.

What!?

Hearing this, they were filled with dread, suppressing their cries of alarm.

During the ancient Cosmic Garden era, an ancient being like Renimansga already knew them?

Over a hundred thousand years…

What a terrifying lifespan.

Could it be that the claim of the Pillar God possessing eternal life is truly real, not a lie at all?!

They had harbored a sliver of doubt before, but now they fully believed it. The terrifying taboo disease of the Tathagata Pillar God originated from an incredibly formidable source—a dreadful entity that countless Dao Attainer civilizations across all heavens and universes feared.

The Thirteenth Prince looked horrified and exchanged glances with Natashar beside him.

In that Divine-Demon Alchemy, many powerful cosmic cultivation methods had been evaluated against their civilization's methods and were highly disparaged, rated as ‘country bumpkin cosmic civilizations.’

Remote backwater.

Never seen the cosmic center.

These and other slightly insulting terms had made them quite indignant at the time.

Now, it seemed their Tyr Empire might indeed be a backwater civilization, far from the cosmic center. They never imagined such terrifying knowledge existed in the core regions of the universe…

“You must fight for your own people. His Majesty may not interfere… but He also won't act on your behalf. You must rely on what you have learned yourselves.” Medusa said as she led them to the second floor, about to open a door.

Thump, thump, thump.

Just then, the door to an adjacent room suddenly opened.

A towering little girl, shrouded in a hazy black mist, her proportions suggesting she was only about four or five years old, emerged from the doorway. She had a waterfall of springy curly hair and was tall and slender, with a flower adorning her head. She looked at the super-tiny ants on the ground with curiosity and asked, “Sister, are you going to see Father?”

Medusa looked up at the girl, who soared high into the clouds, and nodded.

The little girl beamed. “Then I’ll come too!”

In fact, she had grown rapidly after absorbing the energy from those who died in the Outer Disciple trials. Although her cultivation level wasn't high, her physical size was indeed expanding quickly.

However, she had never rushed to disturb her father or proactively entered his study. Now, accompanying Medusa seemed like a good opportunity.

Come along?

The hearts of those nearby tightened considerably.

Another tiny giant lived in this cosmic villa—Renimansga's daughter?

Given her immense size, there was naturally no doubt. However, the entire Cosmic Garden had become even more mysterious. Had such an ancient being already spawned offspring?

Natashar's face was flushed with excitement.

The Thirteenth Prince, standing nearby, eyed her coldly. “Don't get any wild ideas. I know you, you fanatical evil-doer, you're probably eager to grovel at their feet…”

Natashar ignored him.

Beings of this level undoubtedly needed to be appeased first.

The door clicked open.

The ancient, desolate study exuded an elegant European charm. Sunlight streamed through the villa's windows, passing beyond the curtains to illuminate the floor, turning the carpet a golden hue.

Before a desk, a hazy giant slowly opened his eyes. “Are these the Inner Disciples of this generation?”

Medusa nodded and bowed respectfully. “Everything was kept simple, and though the process was swift, the chosen candidates possess excellent aptitude and impeccable character. They are all good prospects.”

Beside them, the little girl, Tietoushi, hesitated for a moment, then went around the desk. “Father…”

Xu Zhi stiffened slightly, then held the little girl on his lap and chuckled. “Indeed, they are all very good. Their emitted soul spirituality is perfect and flawless. Perhaps some have the potential to become True Disciples.”

The people below were filled with pleasant surprise, lining up in a row.