Arrival

Consciousness returned to reality as Qin Zhao slowly sat up from the Consciousness Access Pod in the core zone of the Outer Space Relic. The cold touch of metal stood in stark contrast to the bustling clamor of the Virtual Universe Network. Beside him, the crystalline, bald-headed being K-77 flickered with a calm white light in his eyes.

"Congratulations, Qin Zhao. Supervisor Snow has transferred one million Noah Coins to my subsidiary account through the highest authority, with a message urging you to make good use of the Killing Field," K-77's electronic voice was steady and flat.

"One million Noah Coins?" Qin Zhao raised an eyebrow slightly. Snow's generosity exceeded his expectations. A million Noah Coins was no small sum—enough for him to engage in prolonged, high-intensity training in the Killing Field. It seemed the talent he had displayed had indeed made the other party value him highly.

"The database has been updated with detailed information on the Killing Field. You may consult it at any time," K-77 added.

Qin Zhao nodded, suppressing the urge to immediately experience the Killing Field. The priority now was to return to the Flame Meteor Empire, inform Mu Han of his acceptance into the Glacier Sacred Land and the change in planetary ownership, and arrange the subsequent matters.

"K-77, keep the communication channel open. If there's any news from the Sacred Land, notify me immediately."

"Understood."

Without further delay, Qin Zhao moved, transforming into a streak of light as he swiftly left the Outer Space Relic, speeding toward the imperial capital of the Flame Meteor Empire. With his Earth God Clone, his mastery over earth-based power had become far more adept, and his flight speed far surpassed that of an ordinary Planet Level martial artist. In just half a day, he arrived above the imperial capital of the Flame Meteor Empire.

He did not conceal his aura. The pressure of a Planet Level powerhouse, coupled with the heavy resonance that seemed to echo with the earth itself, immediately alerted the experts within the capital.

A fiery red streak of light shot up from deep within the imperial palace—it was Mu Han. Sensing that Qin Zhao's aura seemed even deeper and more restrained than before, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes as he approached, saying, "Qin Zhao, are you preparing to head to the relic?" His tone carried a faint, barely noticeable hint of anticipation.

"Senior Mu Han, I've already been to that relic! I have important matters to discuss with you!" Qin Zhao's expression was serious.

"Already been?!" Mu Han's eyes lit up with a trace of delight. He immediately nodded, and the two flew together to a heavily guarded quiet chamber deep within the capital.

After setting up a primal force soundproof barrier, Mu Han asked eagerly, "Qin Zhao, how did things go at the Outer Space Relic? You're here to see me now, so you must have gained something from within the relic, right?"

Qin Zhao didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly, "Senior Mu Han, I have passed the trials of the Outer Space Relic, successfully made contact with the cosmic civilization forces, and joined a talent cultivation organization called the 'Glacier Sacred Land.'"

"What?! You... you succeeded?!" Mu Han's entire body trembled violently as he abruptly stood up from his seat, his face filled with an almost unbelievable ecstasy, his voice trembling with excitement. A hundred years after Liu Yuan's departure, their Flame Meteor Planet had finally reestablished contact with the universe!

"Yes, Senior. And," Qin Zhao paused, dropping another bombshell, "A Domain Lord supervisor from the Glacier Sacred Land, Lord Snow, has transferred the ownership of our Flame Meteor Planet to me through the Virtual Universe Network."

"A Domain Lord? And he transferred the ownership of Flame Meteor Planet... to you?" Mu Han was stunned again. This news was even more shocking to his understanding than the previous one.

The ownership of an entire planet, given away so casually? Although he wasn't entirely clear on the value of planetary transactions in the universe, he could imagine just how astronomically high the value of a planet's ownership was! And the fact that a Domain Lord powerhouse had directly gifted the ownership of Flame Meteor Planet to Qin Zhao—the implications behind this made his heart race.

"This means that, from the perspective of cosmic law, Flame Meteor Planet now belongs to me personally," Qin Zhao explained calmly. "But this isn't about control—it's a form of protection. With legal ownership, the Glacier Sacred Land's reception ship can arrive legitimately, and our Flame Meteor civilization can use this as a foundation to formally apply for civilization registration with the cosmic nation governing this star sector, truly integrating into the human race of the universe."

Mu Han, after all, was a Planet Level Nine powerhouse. He quickly calmed down from the shock, took a deep breath, and looked at Qin Zhao with blazing eyes: "I understand! Qin Zhao, this is tremendous news! On behalf of the Flame Meteor Empire—no, on behalf of everyone on Flame Meteor Planet—I thank you!" He bowed deeply to Qin Zhao.

He knew that without Qin Zhao, Flame Meteor Planet would have struggled in ignorance for who knows how many more years, perhaps even facing invasion by interstellar colonists on some unknown day! At that point, the entire race might have been enslaved!

"Senior, there's no need for this," Qin Zhao said, supporting Mu Han. "I am also a member of Flame Meteor Planet; it's only right that I do my best. Lord Snow has left a communication code, and I've already contacted the Glacier Sacred Land's reception department through the relic's AI. In about 30 Cosmic Days, the Sacred Land's reception ship will arrive at Flame Meteor Planet."

"30 Cosmic Days..." Mu Han murmured, quickly converting it to Flame Meteor Planet time. "Less than two months! Good! Excellent! What preparations do we need to make?"

"No special preparations are needed," Qin Zhao shook his head. "When the reception ship arrives, it might cause some commotion, so you just need to be ready, Senior. As for the specifics of civilization registration, I'll communicate with you after I arrive at the Sacred Land and understand the details. For now, we just wait."

"I understand!" Mu Han nodded heavily, his face brimming with irrepressible excitement and hope. "Qin Zhao, go ahead without worry! Flame Meteor Planet—I'll hold the fort! I only hope you can carve out a place for yourself in the universe. That way, our Flame Meteor Planet will have someone to rely on in the cosmos!"

As the former strongest expert on Flame Meteor Planet, Mu Han had the most understanding of the situation, so the pressure of contacting the universe had almost entirely fallen on his shoulders. Now, with a peerless genius like Qin Zhao rising abruptly, it was a great relief for him.

In the days that followed, Qin Zhao spent most of his time in the imperial capital. On one hand, he stabilized his newly broken-through cultivation, familiarizing himself with the power of his Earth God Clone and the threshold of the Law of Earth. On the other hand, he used K-77's account to enter the "Killing Field" within the Virtual Universe Network for practical combat training.

The Killing Field lived up to its reputation. He could freely set opponents of any race, strength, domain level, or even secret art school, engaging in life-or-death battles. Although combat in the Virtual Universe Network couldn't compare to real fights, it greatly enriched Qin Zhao's combat experience and adaptability.

And the one million Noah Coins Snow had given him were more than enough for a Planet Level One like him to spend freely for a long time...

Time slipped away quietly amid training and waiting. Aside from occasionally entering the Killing Field in the Virtual Universe Network through K-77 to hone his combat skills, Qin Zhao immersed most of his mind in deeper insights into the Law of Earth Origin. With his Earth God Clone, his affinity for the Law of Earth far exceeded that of ordinary people. Even just sitting in meditation, his progress was considerable.

On approximately the 55th Flame Meteor Day since Qin Zhao's return to the imperial capital, the sky was, as usual, bathed in the blazing light of the star. But accompanying that light, an invisible, vast pressure descended without warning, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattering the peace of the Flame Meteor Empire!

Inside the training chamber, Qin Zhao, who had been deeply immersed in comprehending the laws, was immediately jolted awake by this pressure: "Finally here, huh?"