No. 3

According to the original text, Hu Yanbo walked alone throughout his life, never joining any major power, relying entirely on his own talent and opportunities to grope forward.

Even so, he still reached the strength of barely a Marquis-level Immortal.

This talent was truly astonishing.

Qin Ming mused to himself: If Hu Yanbo had joined peak powers like the Virtual Universe Company or the Giant Axe Dojo back then, receiving systematic training and ample resources, with his talent and temperament, becoming a King-level Immortal would have been the bare minimum, and there might even have been a sliver of a chance to break through to the Universe Venerable rank.

This wasn't baseless speculation on his part.

In the future of the original story, after being resurrected, Hu Yanbo ultimately did achieve the Universe Venerable rank with Luo Feng's help.

Although that was in an era where Luo Feng had obtained the inheritance of the Origin Continent and the overall breakthrough probability of the human race had greatly increased, it still indirectly confirmed his potential.

Of course, nothing is absolute; there was another possibility!

If Hu Yanbo had joined a major power early on and gotten caught up in brutal competition and missions, he might have fallen before he could grow, perhaps not even becoming an Immortal.

Thinking this far, Qin Ming quickly pulled his thoughts back. He had no intention of interfering with Hu Yanbo's fate.

Luo Feng's early experiences on Earth, including inheriting the Yunmo Planet legacy, were a crucial part of his rise.

If he rashly changed things, it was hard to say whether the "Galaxy Overlord" who roamed the Universe Ocean would ever be born.

"However..." a thought suddenly sprouted in his mind.

"Earth itself is a good place to go."

According to the original setting, Earth had been specially modified by the reincarnated God King "Mountain Guest." Being there had an excellent promoting effect on mental improvement and breakthroughs in state of mind.

His will had been tempered a lot through the Ancient God Ruins.

But there were still many shortcomings in his state of mind. If he could cultivate in seclusion for a while in Earth's unique environment, he might gain unexpected rewards.

Once this idea was born, it took root like a seed.

"Once the affairs of the Supervision Envoy are initially sorted out, I'll find the right time... maybe I can go to that blue planet in the Solar System." Qin Ming made up his mind.

On the surface, he still calmly dealt with the introductions and pleasantries from the three department heads and other important figures, his expression unchanged, no one able to glimpse the thought of going to that blue planet that had already taken root in his heart.

Besides, even though it was a different world, Earth could still be considered another hometown for him!

The banquet ended, and the guests from all sides dispersed.

Qin Ming didn't linger on Qiongyu Planet. After handling some necessary handovers, he led his guard troops onto the spaceship, preparing to return to Lanfeng Planet in the Quicksand Star System, where his family was based.

Just as Qin Ming set off, on Dawa Planet, an ordinary-looking life planet tens of thousands of light-years away from Qiongyu Planet, deep underground in a highly concealed base.

"Team Leader, the latest intelligence has been transmitted via the Virtual Universe Network's encrypted channel. After 458 layers of relay translation and cosmic coordinate character substitution, the analysis is as follows: Target NO.3 (Qin Ming) recently left Qiongyu Planet with his guard troops on a spaceship, specific destination unknown.

The Intelligence Department's comprehensive data analysis puts the probability of him returning to his hometown 'Lanfeng Planet' at 90%." A bald man in a silver uniform, with a third eye on his forehead, reported respectfully.

"Mm."

Another man in a black uniform, also with a third eye on his bald head, stared coldly at the floating virtual screen in front of him.

On the screen, detailed information about "Qin Ming" was displayed, but many entries were marked with "Insufficient Information" and "Pending Verification."

"Intelligence on NO.3 is still very scarce, yet his value assessment already ranks third on the assassination list.

We must gather sufficiently detailed information and formulate a foolproof plan before we can act.

Within human territory, every move we make comes at a huge cost." The team leader in black said in a deep voice.

"Furthermore..." a cold glint flashed in his eyes.

"Order the '3rd Infiltration Squad' closest to the Quicksand Star System to immediately head to the target's regular planet 'Lanfeng Planet' for covert reconnaissance. Gather as much detail as possible on his family information, planetary defense forces, target's living habits, and everything else. Pay attention to concealment, do not alert the enemy."

"Yes!" The silver-clad, three-eyed bald man immediately accepted the order and turned to transmit the command through a special encrypted channel.

At this moment, Qin Ming, traveling on a spaceship through the Dark Universe, was still unaware of all this. He had already been placed on the key assassination list of hostile alien races to humanity, ranking as high as third!

The journey from Qiongyu Planet to Lanfeng Planet was long. Even with the spaceship flying at 49 times the speed of light in the Dark Universe, it would take a month and a half.

Half a month later.

Above Lanfeng Planet, the main planet the Qin Family had managed for many years, a spaceship evaded the detectors, silently broke through the atmosphere of Lanfeng Planet, and landed soundlessly in a desolate mountain range on the planet's far side.

The hatch opened, and several figures, roughly similar in appearance to the natives of Lanfeng Planet, quickly dispersed, merging like water droplets into the desert, silently infiltrating this seemingly calm planet.

The alien infiltration squad, the 3rd Squad, was in position!

Lanfeng Planet, the Qin Family estate.

The core area of this planet had been built up like an iron bucket.

Every day, large numbers of Star Level and Universe Level guards in uniform conducted tight patrols. Small patrol boats occasionally streaked across the sky, and an invisible detection network covered the main residential areas.

During shift changes and rest, the guards couldn't help but whisper among themselves.

"Have you noticed? Lately, a lot of the masters who were away have come back."

"Yes—even Lord Qin Xue, Lord Qin Lan, and Lord Qin Shou have rushed back from distant star regions. Something major must be happening."

"I heard it's about... that one returning." A guard who seemed better informed lowered his voice.

"That one? Which lord?" Someone didn't catch on right away.

In the Qin Family, those addressed as "Lord" were too numerous to count—spread across both branch and main lines, everywhere.

But some quicker minds, or those with broader information channels among the guards, had already guessed the answer, their faces showing reverence and excitement.

"You mean... Lord Qin Ming?" Someone couldn't help blurting out.

"Shh! Just know it, don't spread it!" The first man quickly stopped him.

"How do you know? Is the information reliable?"

"I was a temporary guard for Young Master Qin Xiao a while back. I overheard him casually mention it to his playmate—said his third uncle was coming back, and he'd never seen him in person, so he was really looking forward to it."

"Young Master Qin Xiao said it? Then it must be true!"

The guards all relaxed at once.

Qin Xiao was Lord Qin Shou's youngest son, only eight years old this year. Because of his excellent cultivation talent, he was highly valued by Qin Shou, so it wasn't strange for him to know some core family news.