A Century of Maturation

Universe Mercenary Alliance, Ganwu Country branch.

A burly, imposing man looked at the data before him and grinned. "Cosmic Level killing a Domain Lord? Interesting. If this kid joins the Mercenary Alliance, he'd be a fine prospect."

Universe First Bank, Ganwu Country branch.

An elegant middle-aged woman finished reading the intelligence report, gave a faint smile, and casually set it aside. "Good potential, but we'll need to see more. The bank doesn't lack geniuses—what it lacks are those who survive to the end."

Beyond the five major powers, other factions had also taken notice of Qian Yu.

Take the Ganwu Universe Country, for instance.

There was no helping it. A Cosmic Level killing a Domain Lord was far too rare.

The key was that Qian Yu was too high-profile. Every time he fought, he didn't bother to hide it, and clear video footage was circulated. Anyone with enough eyesight and strength could tell he was no ordinary person.

Fire Phoenix Organization headquarters.

Pan Xi sat in the main seat, his face dark enough to drip water.

On the light screen before him, the same footage of Qian Yu slaying a Domain Lord First Stage played.

He had already watched it three times.

Each time, his expression grew uglier.

"Domain Lord First Stage... killed in two strikes..."

Pan Xi muttered to himself, a flicker of wariness in his eyes.

If he were to face that Domain Lord First Stage, he could crush him easily too, but he was after all a Realm Lord, a full major realm above. As for Qian Yu? Cosmic Level Third Stage.

A Cosmic Level Third Stage killing a Domain Lord First Stage was a completely different concept from him, a Realm Lord, killing a Domain Lord First Stage.

"This kid... his growth speed is too fast."

Pan Xi stood up and paced back and forth inside the hall.

A few years ago, when Qian Yu first attacked a Fire Phoenix stronghold, he hadn't taken it seriously at all.

A Cosmic Level First Stage escaped slave—what waves could he stir up?

In three years, thirty-seven strongholds had been destroyed, with losses exceeding three hundred billion Ganwu Coins.

He had issued a five-trillion bounty, hoping to have the entire Cui Lang Starfield's experts hunt Qian Yu down.

And this was the result!

That Domain Lord First Stage fool couldn't even last two strikes.

"At this rate, it won't be long before that kid comes looking for me."

Pan Xi stopped in his tracks, a chill flashing in his eyes.

He was a Realm Lord, guarded by two Realm Lord-level plant lifeforms. In theory, he shouldn't need to fear a Cosmic Level brat.

But Qian Yu's growth speed was simply too fast.

Fast enough to make him uneasy.

"No, I can't let him keep growing."

He paced back and forth in the hall, his footsteps echoing in the empty chamber. Sending Domain Lords was no longer a sure bet.

Cosmic Level Third Stage killing a Domain Lord First Stage in two strikes.

What did that mean?

It meant that ordinary Domain Lords were no different from ants before him.

Even sending a Domain Lord Fifth Stage or Domain Lord Seventh Stage might not guarantee a clean kill.

What if that kid had some hidden trick? What if he flipped the script again...

Pan Xi stopped, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.

"I need a Realm Lord."

"Only a Realm Lord making a move is the safest bet."

His gaze fell on the frozen image on the light screen—Qian Yu standing with his blade, his expression calm, as if slaying a Domain Lord was just a trivial matter done on a whim.

That face, those calm eyes, stirred a long-forgotten chill in Pan Xi's heart.

He hadn't felt this way in many years.

As the leader of the Fire Phoenix Organization, as one of the true overlords of the Cui Lang Starfield, he had seen too many geniuses and killed too many geniuses.

Those so-called favored children of heaven were nothing but corpses before him.

But Qian Yu was different.

This former slave, once traded like goods and whipped at will, had grown in just over a decade to a point that made him uneasy.

If he were given enough time...

Pan Xi dared not think further.

"I can't wait any longer."

He spun around, killing intent blazing in his eyes.

"Pass down the order: everyone is to spare no effort in searching for traces of Qian Yu. Once found, report immediately. Do not alert the enemy."

A figure emerged from the shadows, kneeling respectfully below.

"As you command, my lord."

"And one more thing."

Pan Xi paused, his voice dark and heavy.

"Tell them I will act personally this time."

The figure froze, lifting his head with a flicker of shock in his eyes.

"My lord, you will act personally?"

"What, is there a problem?"

"N-no, none at all!"

The figure quickly bowed his head.

"This subordinate will see to it at once!"

The figure vanished.

Pan Xi turned back, gazing at the starry sky beyond the window, a cold curve tugging at his lips.

"Qian Yu..."

"The next time you appear will be your death."

Deep in the starry void.

Qian Yu's spacecraft was sailing through the dark universe.

He idly browsed the virtual universe.

This battle had indeed drawn the attention of the entire cosmos, and many factions had taken notice of him. But so what? He still had no intention of lying low.

After a moment, he closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into that mysterious space.

Within his inner space, the Primordial Dao Tree stood silently as ever.

But compared to a dozen years ago, it had completely transformed—one hundred thousand meters!

The Primordial Dao Tree had reached a staggering height of one hundred thousand meters!

Its trunk was as thick as a small planet, its canopy spreading tens of thousands of kilometers, countless branches drooping down, each leaf shimmering with profound patterns of law.

The colossal tree was rooted firmly in that mysterious space, like a pillar holding up the entire universe.

Every second, vast amounts of energy were drawn from the Primordial Universe, pouring into the Primordial Dao Tree.

Qian Yu floated before the Primordial Dao Tree, gazing at this ever more magnificent giant, his heart utterly calm.

This was his true foundation.

What did it matter if his physical body died?

As long as the Primordial Dao Tree remained, he could be reborn.

And the place of rebirth was exactly where he had last died—he had tested this before. It meant that even if someone could kill him, they could never truly destroy him.

"Unless they find the Primordial Dao Tree."

Qian Yu's lips curled slightly.

But the space where the Primordial Dao Tree resided was beyond even the perception of the Primordial Universe. How could anyone else possibly find it?

His gaze shifted upward, landing on a certain spot in the tree's canopy.

There, a verdant fruit hung silently.

Compared to before, it had grown a bit larger, now the size of a fist.

"Still gestating..."

According to his perception, this fruit would need at least another hundred years to fully ripen.

"A hundred years from now, what will you bring me?"

Qian Yu stared at the fruit for a long time before finally withdrawing his gaze.

His consciousness exited the mysterious space and returned to his physical body.

Qian Yu opened his eyes.

"Not a single hair."

"In!"

"Adjust the course. Find a remote planet."

One Feather blinked in surprise. "Master, aren't we heading to the next stronghold?"

Qian Yu shook his head.

"This time, I stirred up quite a mess. Lay low for a while."

"Besides, the cultivation resources I grabbed this time are enough to last me for a while. Find a place to go into seclusion and train."

One Feather quickly nodded. "Yes, Master!"

He pulled up the star chart and began searching for a suitable planet.

Qian Yu knew that after this, more and more eyes would be fixed on him.

But so what? He didn't need to keep a low profile, nor did he care to. After all, no one could truly kill him. If they had the guts, they could go take down the Primordial Dao Tree.

If they could even find it, that is.