First Deep Exchange with the Universe

Within Shen Mu's Primal Nucleus.

The void space that once contained only energy and soul had completely transformed, giving rise to a lake over 2000 meters in diameter.

At the center of the lake, a vortex about a meter in diameter was slowly spinning, like a bottomless abyss devouring the surrounding waters. At the deepest point of the vortex, the soul's origin light cluster emitted a faint, clear glow.

"Roar!"

A clear dragon's roar echoed within the lake as Shen Mu's Azure Dragon Avatar directly appeared in his Inner World.

With the Inner World created, Shen Mu could finally carry his avatars with him, just like Luo Feng.

Splash!

Sounds of flowing water arose as dense water-elemental energy converged on the Azure Dragon Avatar.

As the Inner World opened up, the Azure Dragon Avatar also began to change. Its form and scales were rapidly adjusting, and the tips of its dragon horns had completely transformed into a crystalline ice-blue, as if carved from frost.

Countless faint blue, intricate patterns spread out from its dragon horns, covering its entire body.

"Roar!"

A sense of exhilaration from life's evolution filled the Azure Dragon Avatar, causing it to instinctively let out joyful dragon roars.

The transformation lasted only about two to three minutes, during which the East Sea Azure Dragon seemed to undergo a metamorphosis.

Not only had its appearance changed slightly, but its once ferocious and savage aura had receded, replaced by a majestic presence akin to an abyss or the sea, making it more similar to the True Dragons of myth and legend.

"Domain, activate!"

A hazy, water-blue halo spread out, faintly forming the phantom image of a watery expanse.

Hum!

The ice-blue dragon horns glowed faintly, causing the countless complex Secret Patterns on its body to light up.

As Shen Mu calmed his mind, he could vaguely sense his domain, as it operated, resonating with a peculiar fluctuation.

This fluctuation permeated the space of the entire universe, immeasurably vast and grand.

However, in Shen Mu's perception, this fluctuation was incredibly blurry, like falling into a sea of smoke, seeing flowers through mist.

This was the fluctuation of the Water Source Law, one of the ten fundamental laws of the universe.

"Ordinary humans would need at least an eight- or even nine-level domain to vaguely perceive the law's fluctuations."

"Even human elites with Cosmic-Level or Domain Lord-Level bloodlines need three to five levels of domain to sense law fluctuations. Peak bloodlines, however, only need one level."

Relying on his peak bloodline-level talent for laws, Shen Mu directly touched that profound and mysterious law fluctuation. Although comprehending it would require considerable effort, he could at least begin to grasp it.

"Good, the next goal is to comprehend the domain and the laws, striving to grasp a wisp of the law's mystery as soon as possible."

From that day on, Shen Mu's Azure Dragon Avatar never appeared in the outside world again. It remained constantly within the Inner World, perceiving the fluctuations of the Water Source Law.

Guided by this vague yet vast fluctuation, it began to integrate its understanding of water and tides, attempting to comprehend some true ultimate principles.

Shen Mu already possessed a deep understanding of water and tides. Unlike Luo Feng in the original work, who forcefully acquired a domain without any comprehension of Gold, Shen Mu wasn't starting from scratch.

However, Shen Mu couldn't detect the law fluctuations before, like a headless fly. Comprehending the mysteries of the laws was practically a pipe dream.

But now, with the vague law fluctuations as a guide, Shen Mu entered a state of accumulated strength bursting forth. He integrated his understanding of water and tides, gaining new insights every day.

In the blink of an eye, time had advanced to January 13, 2060.

According to the original trajectory of Destiny, this was the day Hong and Thunder God were supposed to jointly battle the Golden Horned Beast. However, due to the appearance of Shen Mu, the butterfly, Destiny had changed.

"Shen Mu, Shen Mu! The Black Dragon Mountain Spaceship is repaired, we can head to the universe!"

Half a year ago, after the Golden Horned Beast incident concluded, Babata had begun to worry.

Resources were running low. Shen Mu's Mu Ya Crystals had been used to feed the now-deceased beast, leaving no extra resources for cultivation. Luo Feng, who had body-snatched the Golden Horned Beast, also needed to consume vast amounts of metal to evolve.

At that time, Babata had conceived the idea of heading to the universe, intending to build a spaceship.

Then Shen Mu had subtly hinted, for example, mentioning that the ancient civilization ruin from the 12th was a massive crashed spaceship, and if it could be repaired, it would save a lot of trouble.

"Okay, I'll notify Brother Hong. We'll set off for the universe in a couple of days."

Luo Feng had not yet gestured his Earthling Avatar, so naturally, he couldn't go.

Hong and Thunder God had joined the Yunmo Star sect half a year ago. For the past six months, Thunder God had been engrossed in the secret transmissions related to the Thunder Domain and hadn't had time to learn the universal language, so only Shen Mu and Hong could depart together.

"No problem!" Babata gave Shen Mu an OK gesture.

Shen Mu dialed Hong's communication channel. Two seconds later, Hong's holographic projection appeared.

"Ah Mu, why are you calling me so suddenly? Don't tell me you've broken through to Domain Triple Level?"

Hong looked at Shen Mu with a faint smile in his eyes.

Shen Mu's progress had been incredibly rapid over the past six months. He had reached Domain Double Level four months ago and was now touching the threshold of Domain Triple Level.

Such terrifying progress made Babata exclaim it was unscientific.

"Not yet, but it's close. This time, I'm here to deliver some good news to Brother Hong: the spaceship is repaired, and we can head to the universe."

Upon hearing this, Hong's face showed a thoughtful expression, and he said, "Heading to the universe? Should we prepare more? After all, we're still only Planet-Level, which is nothing in the universe."

The next moment, Babata's figure appeared, hands on hips, saying, "Hmph, Hong, you don't trust the great Lord Babata? I've already prepared everything."

"As for identity, you and Shen Mu both have Domains, so disguising yourselves as elite members of a major power isn't a problem."

"As for strength, with the Quicksilver Guards, all attacks below Cosmic-Level are immune, and they're also a symbol of status. Even Cosmic-Level beings wouldn't dare attack us casually."

As Babata finished speaking, Hong nodded slightly.

"Alright then, I can't miss this chance to step into the universe. I'll go explain things to the second brother first. After we enter the universe, we'll still need him to guard Earth."

Two days later, in outer space beyond Earth.

Inside the Black Dragon Mountain X81 spaceship, Shen Mu and Hong observed the entire starry sky through a perfect external view simulation.

Suddenly, the spaceship's intelligent voice sounded.

"The spaceship will reach light speed in 12 seconds. 10, 9, 8..."

"Get ready, the spaceship is about to enter the Dark Universe. You might feel some discomfort," Babata said excitedly.

Outside, the Black Dragon Mountain spaceship, which had already turned into a black streak of light, suddenly blurred.

The next moment, the space around the spaceship changed, and it vanished from the cosmic starscape.

The Dark Universe is different from the Original Universe. Traveling 1 light-year in the Dark Universe and then returning to the Original Universe would place you 10.08 million light-years away.

In the Original Universe, matter cannot exceed light speed. Once light speed is reached, it directly triggers a universe jump into the Dark Universe.

However, in the Dark Universe, there's no speed limit. As long as the spaceship's performance is good enough, it can fly as fast as you want.

Babata looked at Shen Mu and Hong and said, "With our spaceship's speed, it will take less than 10 days to reach Qiulong Star. We'll go register our Black Dragon Mountain Empire nationality there first and obtain citizenship."

Shen Mu nodded slightly. Babata might not know more about the universe than he did.

As for Hong, after discovering this, he had also received instructions from Babata, knowing the primary objective of this cosmic journey.

Ten days later, in the blink of an eye.

The spaceship crossed 320,000 light-years and arrived at Qiulong Star, located in the Small Magellanic Cloud.

Through the spaceship's external view simulation, Shen Mu and Hong gazed down at the life-bearing planet. The atmosphere was filled with colorful currents, making it look incredibly magnificent and brilliant.

On the outskirts of the planet's atmosphere, there was a massive artificial star ring, which served as the docking port for spaceships arriving at Qiulong Star.

"Qiulong Star, here we come!" Babata shouted excitedly, then controlled the spaceship, slowly descending according to the guidance signal.