Marquis Flame Abyss

Deep within the blazing stellar core, Jiang Ming and his Fire God clone sat facing each other, observing the myriad fluctuations within the star.

The closer to the core of a star, the greater the pressure. With his previous strength, even with the Stellar Body talent, Jiang Ming could not remain in the innermost region without affecting his cultivation. He could only stay slightly outside the core.

But now, as his comprehension of the laws deepened, the Stellar Body's enhancement of Jiang Ming became increasingly miraculous. In his Stellar Body state, he could now permanently reside within the star's core.

"With the help of the Flame Crystal, the Wheel of Time's time acceleration effect can reach a thousandfold."

Feeling his power and insights surging under the accelerated time flow, Jiang Ming's heart swelled with satisfaction.

"From the Virtual Universe Company's authority, I've found time acceleration treasures that only offer ten to dozens of times acceleration, and they consume resources measured in Chaos Units daily. In comparison, the Wheel of Time's consumption is far, far too small."

When his authority was insufficient, Jiang Ming couldn't even find any information on time acceleration treasures. Even now, with the authority provided by the Virtual Universe Company, he could only find mediocre treasures with at most twenty to thirty times acceleration.

Yet even the lowest-grade time treasure was priced at an astronomical figure Jiang Ming couldn't even dream of. Not to mention buying—even if given to him, he couldn't afford to use it.

These treasures consumed resources so quickly that they would drain Jiang Ming's four hundred Chaos Units in a very short time.

Moreover, all these time acceleration treasures had a fatal flaw: they blurred the user's perception of external laws, severely reducing comprehension efficiency.

But Jiang Ming's Wheel of Time, likely due to being an innate talent, did not blur his perception of external laws. His comprehension of the laws under time acceleration was identical to that in the outside world.

"A single Flame Crystal worth 180 Chaos Units can sustain my thousandfold time acceleration for decades without blurring external laws. If word got out, who knows how many experts would go mad with envy."

With sufficient resources, the Wheel of Time's heaven-defying capabilities made Jiang Ming's heart race with excitement.

A Flame Crystal was formed by an Immortal Expert who had fully comprehended the Flame Origin Law, compressing Stellar Energy and a minuscule amount of Flame Divine Power. Such a crystal, worth 180 Chaos Units, was equivalent to one percent of a star's energy. If detonated directly, it could easily kill a World Lord.

Its energy was also incredibly pure, easily accelerating the Wheel of Time a thousandfold.

"Unfortunately, with my current authority, I can't even find information on Fire God Crystals or Fire God Source Crystals."

Fire God Crystals and Fire God Source Crystals were condensed from extremely pure Flame Divine Power. Even the lowest-grade Fire God Crystal could threaten an Immortal. Such items were absolute strategic resources. Jiang Ming didn't even have the authority to view them, let alone purchase them.

"But for me now, this is more than enough."

Feeling his gradually improving law comprehension, Jiang Ming's mood became excellent.

"Time to set out. Although the treasures in the World within a World are no longer of much use to me, they're still worth several hundred Chaos Units."

Jiang Ming thought to himself.

After selling the 'SSS-grade Bloodline Evolution Potion,' Jiang Ming's wealth had already surpassed the entire treasure trove of the World within a World.

But that was still a treasure worth 200 Chaos Units, which Jiang Ming couldn't ignore yet. Moreover, with his current strength, this treasure could be obtained easily.

With that thought, Jiang Ming connected his consciousness to the Virtual Universe and teleported to a massive manor on the Ganwu Continent.

In the manor stood a woman in a red-black battle armor, tall and slender, with a delicate face and a full, upright figure. Her long, scarlet-red hair cascaded down, exuding the sexy charm of a mature woman.

"Teacher."

Jiang Ming walked into the manor and greeted the woman.

This woman was an Immortal teacher Man Luo had found for him, possessing the strength of a High-level Immortal Military Lord.

"Mm."

Seeing Jiang Ming arrive, Marquis Flame Abyss nodded. She didn't put on any Immortal airs with him, appearing very approachable.

"Teacher, I plan to apply for the Universe Mercenary Assessment. I want to test my strength in actual combat."

After finishing his routine questions about cultivation and receiving answers, Jiang Ming spoke to Marquis Flame Abyss.

Most Immortal Marquises within a Universe Country were only at the peak of Marquis level or High-level Military Lord level. They held the title of Marquis due to being enfeoffed, but their actual strength didn't match a true Marquis.

"Universe Mercenary Assessment? With your strength, it's hardly necessary."

Although Marquis Flame Abyss thought Jiang Ming was wasting his time, she didn't directly dismiss his idea.

"I have a few close friends participating in the Universe Mercenary Assessment. They've made discoveries in that World Lord world. Based on the information they've given me, I speculate there's a World within a World hidden inside."

By now, Luo Feng and the others had been in the Thunder World for some time. It probably wouldn't be long before the World within a World emerged.

"Oh? A World within a World?"

Marquis Flame Abyss showed some interest. A World Lord could generate a world within their body, but creating another world within that Inner World was ten times more difficult.

If there were no true treasures, no World Lord would have spent so much to build this place.

But after Marquis Flame Abyss glanced at the information Jiang Ming sent over, he lost interest.

This Thunder World Lord's strength in life was too weak; even if there were treasures, they wouldn't be too valuable.

"Still, if there is a World within a World, it could serve as a bit of tempering for you."

Although Jiang Ming had only raised a suspicion—the possibility of a World within a World was still uncertain—since Jiang Ming was interested, going along wouldn't hurt.

"Thank you, Teacher."

With Jiang Ming's strength, obtaining the treasures of the World within a World wouldn't be difficult, but getting them was one thing; getting out was another.

Previously, Jiang Ming had planned to rely on Man Luo, but after getting to know this teacher Man Luo had introduced him to over this period, she turned out to be the better choice.

Leaving the Virtual Universe, Jiang Ming took a spaceship and headed toward Canglan Star.

First-time participants in the Universe Mercenary Assessment must register in person before taking the test—that was the basic procedure.

But that only applied to those without any background.

For Jiang Ming, using the Virtual Universe Company's authority, it was easy to get his registration handled.

However, that was limited to registration. To truly become a Universe Mercenary, one had to go through the assessment world.

The entrance to Thunder World was an ordinary-looking villa, but it was heavily guarded.

At that moment, a Silver Spaceship approached through the sky, its hatch opening.

Jiang Ming's figure stepped out.

Seeing Jiang Ming descend from the spaceship, a man wearing a 'One-star Mercenary' badge immediately walked out of the villa to greet him.

"Mm, I'm here for the assessment."

Jiang Ming said to the Universe Mercenary.

"Please follow me."

The Universe Mercenary replied respectfully, then led Jiang Ming toward the villa entrance.

The apprentice mercenaries still waiting in line nearby immediately began to murmur among themselves.