One Year Later

The box containing the Cloud Sea Dragon Hunter had two layers.

Gu Ce opened the lower layer of the box and took out a Force Battle Suit that was also dark blue and had the texture of jelly.

As a defensive piece of equipment, the Force Battle Suit's main function was defense. At most, it was better suited to the workings of the Law of Water and Space Laws, so there was nothing particularly worth mentioning.

The Force Battle Suit could also be used together with an Alloy Battle Suit, and the two combined offered even stronger defense.

Gu Ce picked up the battle suit, and it automatically adhered to his body, turning into flowing water that wrapped around him.

With this, he could at least make up for the lack of Cloud-Piercing Vine armor in the early stages. It would be enough to last him all the way to the World Lord Level.

Next came the third box.

"Snap!"

Under Rimuru's expectant gaze, Gu Ce opened the box.

What came into view was a strange piece of black skin, covered in peculiar dark-golden secret patterns.

"A complete piece of Demon Killer Clan skin from the race known as the universe's number one assassination race. It's worth several hundred Hunyuan Units and can be used to comprehend the Origin Laws of Space! It'll be of tremendous help to your upcoming Space Laws cultivation, Gu Ce!" Rimuru said with a smile.

The Demon Killer Clan?

Gu Ce was somewhat stunned.

He had not expected Rimuru's final item to be this.

But it made sense. He had never told Rimuru about the abilities of Six Eyes, only about his Triple Gene Level.

Thinking of that, Gu Ce could not help but laugh bitterly.

He had no use for this thing at all! Its effects might not even be as good as directly using Six Eyes.

Rimuru was an Intelligent Life.

An Intelligent Life would not betray its master.

In the end, Gu Ce decided to tell Rimuru about the abilities of Six Eyes, so that such a misunderstanding would not happen again in the future.

It would also allow Rimuru to better arrange his subsequent cultivation plans.

"(°ー°〃) Huh?"

Rimuru's eyes turned into little circles. It clearly had never considered such a possibility.

Of course, it was not to blame for that.

"Should I return it?" Rimuru asked cautiously.

"Forget it. Keep it." Gu Ce shook his head.

For now, he was not short on a few hundred Hunyuan Units' worth of goods, and he could still make use of it for the time being.

After all, while he could directly observe the Origin Laws of Space in the universe, it was useless if he could not understand them. This Demon Killer Clan skin could more or less help with comprehension.

Besides, Luo Feng might be able to use it later to nurture a clone.

The original owner of this skin had only just reached the Universe Level First Stage, much weaker than the one Luo Feng had used to nurture a clone in the original story. If Luo Feng used it earlier, it should speed up his growth.

"Let's go, back to Earth!"

"Okay! ︿(￣︶￣)︿" Rimuru said happily, wearing a delighted expression.

The spaceship accelerated and plunged into the Dark Universe.

December 1, 2056.

The fourth month after the Warrior Practical Combat Assessment ended.

It was also two days after Gu Ce returned to Earth.

After giving the Azure Wave Marrow and Wood Essence Crystals he had bought to Gu Hechang and Gu Hesheng, Gu Ce finished explaining everything and prepared to enter seclusion for cultivation.

Inside the control room of that D3-Grade Spaceship.

Gu Ce removed his clothes, revealing his well-built body, and lay down inside the Nutrient Pod.

As the mechanism activated, the nutrient fluid quickly covered Gu Ce's body, completely submerging him.

The nutrient fluid enveloped his entire body as the strange substances began seeping through his skin and into his muscles, bones, membranes, internal organs...

His consciousness entered the Virtual Universe!

Because of the special nature of the Virtual Universe, Gu Ce could cultivate secret techniques, train his combat skills, and hone his domain within it, without wasting a single moment.

As for Law Comprehension.

There was no need to do that within the Virtual Universe.

With Six Eyes, Gu Ce could comprehend laws faster in reality.

The Killing Field!

Gu Ce entered it.

"Set the enemy as a Planetary Level Ninth Stage warrior. In terms of secret techniques, have him fully master the Ice Desolation Sword Technique—Basic Chapter," Gu Ce said.

Swish!

A figure resembling Gu Ce appeared across from him.

The difference was that Gu Ce wore a dark-blue Force Battle Suit, while the simulated opponent wore a white battle suit.

"Come on!"

Gu Ce's eyes brimmed with fighting spirit.

The Ice Desolation Sword Technique—Basic Chapter corresponded to secret techniques for the Universe Level and below.

The complete Ice Desolation Sword Technique had seven sword forms. The first three were contained in the Basic Chapter: Condensation, Frost, and Ice Seal, corresponding to the Planetary Level, Stellar Level, and Universe Level respectively.

"First form of the Ice Desolation Sword Technique—Condensation!"

The White-robed Man shouted as he gripped his longsword and charged rapidly at Gu Ce.

Gu Ce's gaze sharpened. He drew the Cloud Sea Dragon Hunting Sword and used Condensation as well, blocking his attack.

"Clang!"

The two sword blades collided, and the White-robed Man clearly held the upper hand!

Gu Ce took a step back, feeling his body heat up.

"Again!"

Gu Ce shouted excitedly.

The White-robed Man said nothing. He tightened his grip on the sword and charged at Gu Ce again.

Three strikes in succession!

The White-robed Man's movements were extremely swift. Though he had no domain, his physical attributes were several times Gu Ce's, because within the Virtual Universe, Gu Ce's current body was that of a Planetary Level Fourth Stage warrior with a single Gene Level.

After three consecutive collisions, Gu Ce found it difficult to keep up and had no choice but to activate his domain.

Water Domain, third level!

Nearly two months had passed since he gained control of the Water Domain. With the talent granted by Six Eyes, Gu Ce had already raised his domain to the third level and had even vaguely touched the threshold of the Law of Water!

Perhaps he could step through the threshold of the Law of Water before breaking through to the Stellar Level.

The overwhelming power of the domain directly suppressed the White-robed Man.

At the Planetary Level, possessing a domain made one nearly invincible!

The White-robed Man struggled, giving Gu Ce a moment to catch his breath, but then he attacked again.

"Second form of the Ice Desolation Sword Technique—Frost!"

Without the enhancement of a domain or laws, this sword technique appeared plain and unadorned.

Yet the power contained within it surprised Gu Ce.

"Boom!"

The White-robed Man was sent flying backward and instantly killed.

Faced with the suppression of the domain, it did not matter how skilled his techniques were.

"I've only barely mastered the first sword form. If I don't deepen my practice of the Ice Desolation Sword Technique, then without relying on the domain, there's a very high chance I won't be able to defeat him," Gu Ce muttered.

"Then from now on, no domain. Only sword techniques!" Gu Ce's eyes narrowed.

According to his own assumptions and Rimuru's explanation.

As long as he mastered the second sword form, he would possess Stellar Level combat power at the Planetary Level!

As for the third form, it was basically impossible for someone at the Planetary Level to learn it. If a Stellar Level warrior could master the third form, he could be called invincible at the Stellar Level and possess the strength to challenge a Universe Level opponent across ranks.

The White-robed Man's figure quickly condensed again and charged at Gu Ce.

"Clang!"

With swords clashing, Gu Ce blocked several strikes before being killed outright once more.

February 4, 2057.

Huaxia's Chinese New Year.

On this day, Gu Ce emerged from the Nutrient Pod and celebrated the New Year with his family.

Hong and Thor came to see him that day. They wanted the people of Earth to gain access to the Virtual Universe.

Gu Ce considered it for a long time before ultimately agreeing.

However, they also agreed that if any problems arose in the future, the two of them would be responsible.

They borrowed several Stellar Level slaves from Gu Ce, then made another trip to Qiulong Star and bought quite a few things.

Gu Ce also granted Gu Hechang and Gu Hesheng permission to connect to the Virtual Universe. With the help of the Azure Wave Marrow and Wood Essence Crystals, their strength grew rapidly, making them second only to Hong and Thor on Earth.

Gu Ce did not forget Luo Feng's family either. He specifically paid them a visit to put their minds at ease.

March 21, 2057.

As the nutrient fluid ran out, Gu Ce successfully advanced to the Planetary Level Ninth Stage.

He also successfully mastered the second form of the Ice Desolation Sword Technique, but he still could not grasp the mysteries of the third form.

After changing the opponent to one who had mastered the second form of the Ice Desolation Sword Technique and possessed a Water Domain, Gu Ce began learning how to combine his domain with sword techniques.

June 1, 2057.

On Children's Day, before the Great Nirvana, Thor naturally mastered a domain.

He proactively challenged Hong and Gu Ce, only to be thoroughly beaten. After Gu Hechang mocked him, he flew into a rage and challenged Gu Hechang in the Virtual Universe. Without using domains, the two actually fought to a draw.

July 20, 2057.

Hong and Thor had both advanced to the Planetary Level Ninth Stage and sought an opportunity to break through to the Stellar Level.

That same day, Thor challenged Gu Hechang again. This time, Gu Hechang was quickly defeated, allowing Thor to become smug once more.

August 11, 2057.

Gu Ce's Water Domain reached the fifth level, and he initially crossed the threshold of the Law of Water.

December 30, 2057.

Gu Ce broke through to the Stellar Level.

December 31, 2057.

On the final day of 2057, Luo Feng finally emerged from Ruins No. 9.

Thanks to Milu Never Gets Lost for the monthly ticket. Sob, my first monthly ticket.

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