Ganwu Imperial City.
"Someone's flying?!"
"My god, someone actually dares to fly over the Imperial City?!"
"What's so surprising? Haven't you noticed that the giant at the front is the Thirteenth Divine General?"
This ancient Imperial City had inexplicably grown lively today. Countless residents looked up at the sky, discussing what sort of people would dare to fly over Ganwu Imperial City.
The no-fly laws in Ganwu Imperial City were far stricter than those on Qiongyu Star.
Most Army Lord Immortals, such as the Divine Lord of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, wouldn't dare fly here at all. Even among the Three Hundred Kings and Marquises, only a few were authorized to fly into the Imperial City.
Whoosh!
Zhang Dong and his group soon flew straight into the palace complex and entered its most imposing main hall. The guards weren't qualified to go inside, so they dutifully waited outside.
Only Zhang Dong, the Thirteenth Divine General, and Gao Li were qualified to meet the Ganwu Kingdom Master.
"Greetings, Kingdom Master!"
"Greetings, Kingdom Master!"
All three greeted him respectfully. Gao Li bowed low and performed a formal salute, while Zhang Dong and the Thirteenth Divine General merely inclined their heads to show respect.
At the far end of the hall, a figure of unparalleled splendor sat upon a massive throne.
He wore a purple-gold robe, and his eyes seemed to contain an entire universe. The imposing presence of one long accustomed to high office radiated from him, stirring an urge to submit from the depths of their hearts.
This was the Ganwu Kingdom Master.
A being who had established a Universe Country and ruled countless living beings for billions of years.
"Rise." The Ganwu Kingdom Master spoke evenly, betraying no emotion. As soon as the words left his mouth, an inexplicable force lifted Gao Li firmly to his feet.
"Thank you, Kingdom Master." Gao Li was secretly astonished. Though he worked for the Virtual Universe Company, his superior was only a King-level Immortal, and he had rarely interacted with Cosmic Venerables.
He had once served as the captain of the guard for a prince of the Primordial Realm and had visited a few Universe Countries.
But what Universe Country Lord would meet with a little Domain Lord? Zhang Dong clearly had an extraordinary amount of influence. Gao Li realized he needed to be even more attentive and firmly attach himself to Zhang Dong.
"How did such a genius fail the Genius Battle and end up in my Ganwu Secret Realm?"
The Ganwu Kingdom Master studied Zhang Dong intently.
To become a disciple of the Dark Marquis Lord at the Cosmic Level was an opportunity even many Cosmic Venerables could only dream of.
Zhang Dong spoke first. "Kingdom Master, I heard from my teacher that you specifically allowed me to stay on Imperial Capital Star and prepared a palace for me. I'm truly grateful."
"There's no need to be so polite." The Ganwu Kingdom Master's manner toward Zhang Dong grew much warmer, even somewhat benevolent, as though he were treating a junior of his own. "You're a genius who came out of my Ganwu Secret Realm. It's only right."
Only right?
So many geniuses had come out of the Ganwu Secret Realm, and quite a few had joined the Virtual Universe Company. The Ganwu Kingdom Master probably couldn't even remember most of their names.
The Thirteenth Divine General was secretly amazed. The Ganwu Kingdom Master was being remarkably courteous.
"You may leave. I have a few things to discuss with Zhang Dong privately." The Ganwu Kingdom Master waved a hand, indicating that the Thirteenth Divine General and Gao Li should leave first.
Some matters involved secrets and weren't suitable to discuss in front of two Immortal Gods.
"Understood."
The Thirteenth Divine General and Gao Li saluted before withdrawing, then waited outside the hall.
The news that Zhang Dong had become a disciple of a Universe Master was still a secret. It would only be made public once he had sufficient strength.
"No one knows the true circumstances of your situation. But the more mysterious you seem to the Alien Races, the greater a threat they'll consider you." The Ganwu Kingdom Master spoke plainly. "So you should still be cautious. I'll feel more at ease if you stay on Imperial Capital Star when you're not carrying out a mission."
The Ganwu Kingdom Master himself rarely stayed on Imperial Capital Star.
He had returned and stayed for a while specifically for Zhang Dong. A genius like him wouldn't remain at the Domain Lord stage for long—at most, several tens of thousands of years before advancing to Realm Lord.
Zhang Dong thanked him. "You've gone to a lot of trouble, Kingdom Master. I'm deeply grateful."
The great peak races constantly assassinated one another's geniuses. The more exceptional a genius was, the more likely they were to be singled out.
Ke Di had been killed in a meticulously planned attack. Even reversing time and space hadn't been enough to bring him back.
News about Zhang Dong had already reached the various Alien Races. He didn't yet know that he had taken the top spot on the Zerg, Demon Race, and Mechanical Race assassination lists, replacing all the other geniuses.
All three of the Great Peak Races had ranked him number one.
If they got the chance, they might even send a King-level Immortal to eliminate Zhang Dong. But they would have to enslave his soul; otherwise, he could be revived by reversing time and space.
The Three Great Peak Races wouldn't act without a high degree of certainty.
"If you have any questions about your cultivation, you can come to me anytime." The Ganwu Kingdom Master had already decided that Zhang Dong was the most promising investment he had encountered in all his countless years.
He didn't ask for much. If Zhang Dong eventually became a Cosmic Overlord, he could give him some Supreme Treasure points so he could repay the treasures he owed his friend. As for what he owed the Human Race, there was no rush. An unpaid debt was still an unpaid debt.
The Human Race was a great power with deep pockets. Why would they hold it against him?
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with the Ganwu Kingdom Master, Zhang Dong saluted and took his leave.
In the small garden outside the hall, besides Gao Li and the Thirteenth Divine General, three other figures stood, their mighty Immortal Divine Power rolling off them.
The two at the front were both wolf-like, while the third was a bald man in a blue robe.
As soon as Zhang Dong emerged, the three hurried over with smiles. "Zhang Dong, why didn't you let us know you were coming to the Ganwu Universe Country?"
Clearly, these three were the current leaders of the Virtual Universe Company's branch.
All three positions were held by Marquis-level Immortals. Their terms weren't unlimited; after a period of time, they had to rotate out.
These positions involved enormous interests, with far too many complications behind the scenes.
The Thirteenth Divine General spoke up. "Let me introduce you: Marquis Huajin, Marquis Tianchong, and Marquis Heiyun."
"Hello." Zhang Dong had little to say to the three leaders and got straight to the point. "I'm not interested in your affairs. Let's just stay out of each other's way."
Whatever Zhang Dong wanted to do in the Ganwu Universe Country, he didn't need the three men's favor.
As for the petty corruption behind the three leaders, Zhang Dong couldn't be bothered to deal with it. As Luo Feng had said, clear water had no fish.
Anyone who could become a branch leader—how clean could their hands really be?
In Zhang Dong's view, dirty hands were a minor matter. The most hateful thing was sitting in that position and doing nothing.
"Why so blunt?"
Marquis Tianchong, the bald man, frowned slightly, but immediately put on a smile. "What are you talking about? We came especially to welcome you and hoped to host a feast in your honor."
"That's right, Zhang Dong. You're an unparalleled genius. We've admired you for a long time," Marquis Heiyun, the wolf-like man, chimed in.
"There's no need." Zhang Dong waved them off.
In terms of strength, he completely outclassed these three leaders. He also had the Dark Marquis Lord and the Ganwu Kingdom Master backing him. Why waste time on them? As long as they didn't interfere with each other, that was enough.
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