Mastering the Domain, Re-entering the Universe

August 2061.

The Earth Federation had been fully established, requiring no distraction from Su Zhe. Although Atkin's strength was mediocre and his management skills were not particularly outstanding, he was sufficient for the task; in any case, the former high-level officials of various nations would be responsible for the actual administration.

Su Zhe only needed to focus on elevating his own strength.

Nearly a month had passed since he last left the small island in the Pacific and returned to Yangzhou City to clear his mind.

During this month, Su Zhe had not entered the Decisive Battle Space or the Killing Field, choosing instead to stay at home and chat with his father, Su Yongyi.

Ever since he had obtained the Blacklight Virus, Su Zhe's nerves had been constantly strained, driven by the need to accelerate his pace to keep up with Luo Feng. Now that he had temporarily caught up, he could finally heave a sigh of relief.

Standing atop the highest point in Yangzhou City, Su Zhe looked down at the myriad of lights below. It was the moment the sun was setting, and the city lights were just beginning to flicker on.

Although humanity on Earth had not yet returned to the prosperity seen before the Great Nirvana, with the death of those King-level and Emperor-level monsters, there were clear signs of recovery.

Gazing downward, countless memory fragments and combat insights he had devoured in the past—even insights related to the Conception of Fire—flashed before Su Zhe's mind one by one.

These memories were like ore tossed into a furnace, constantly fusing together before his eyes.

"Fire..."

Su Zhe whispered, extending his palm. Without any deliberate urging, a wisp of black flame, deep as the night, rose from his palm.

A domain is an extension of one's will.

And the heart is inextricably linked to the will.

That cluster of black flame danced in Su Zhe's palm, shifting its form; at times it was like a spirit snake flicking its tongue, at others like a lotus in bloom.

In the end, it slowly condensed into a miniature black kitten, identical in form to the Spirit of Nihility Devouring Flame within his body!

This was not the Nihility Devouring Flame itself, but a flame Su Zhe had created using his own Genetic Origin Energy, yet it carried a trace of the Nihility Devouring Flame's power. The attributes of the Genetic Origin Energy within Su Zhe had long since transformed into the likeness of the Nihility Devouring Flame.

—Perhaps, there was also a portion combined with the Blacklight Virus.

The flame kitten squatted in Su Zhe's palm, tilting its head and watching him quietly.

Although there was no sound, a wondrous connection was established between Su Zhe and this flame creation.

At this very moment!

Su Zhe experienced a flash of inspiration, and a certain invisible barrier within his sea of consciousness shattered with a roar!

Hum—!

With him as the center, an invisible ripple instantly spread outward!

Within a hundred-meter radius, the air suddenly twisted and boiled.

This was not visual distortion caused by high heat, but as if space itself were being enveloped by an invisible, viscous field of black flame!

This is... a domain!

A Domain of Fire!

Unlike the scorching heat and brilliance of ordinary fire domains, Su Zhe's domain carried the unique traits of the Nihility Devouring Flame—the power to devour and annihilate everything.

Within Su Zhe's domain, even light seemed to be devoured; the field of vision became extremely dim, and the surrounding air no longer flowed freely, becoming viscous like ink and carrying a heavy sense of oppression.

Although it was a Domain of Fire, it seemed to possess characteristics of other domains, a result of the devouring trait.

Invisible black flames flickered in and out of existence within the domain, radiating a heart-stopping aura of annihilation.

Residing within his Domain of Fire, Su Zhe's strength was greatly enhanced!

"It's done!"

A flash of brilliance crossed Su Zhe's eyes. The flame kitten in his palm leaped joyfully, merging into his body and fusing with the Spirit of Nihility Devouring Flame.

With the reinforcement of the Nihility Devouring Flame, the Domain of Fire seemed to grow even stronger.

"Congratulations!"

Babata's surprised voice rang out in Su Zhe's mind.

"Mastering a domain at the Planetary Level, Tier 1! And such a unique Domain of Fire at that! Su Zhe, your talent... even in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, you would definitely be among the absolute elite! Haha, there is hope for the revival of my Black Ink Star lineage!"

Babata exclaimed in awe.

There was no need to compare him to those monsters like Hong and Thunder God, who had mastered domains while still at the Planetary Level.

The talent displayed by Luo Feng and Su Zhe alone was already enough to revive the Black Ink Star lineage!

Su Zhe chuckled softly. Revive the Black Ink Star? Perhaps.

Once Su Zhe's strength increased further, helping out with a few small favors would be enough to ensure the revival of the Black Ink Star.

But for now, it was more important to continue improving his strength.

With Su Zhe mastering the Domain of Fire, even though it was only at the first level of the domain, the boost to his combat power was incomparable to practicing secret techniques like the Flowing Fire Blade or Thousand Shadows.

"Babata, how much does a domain enhance combat power?"

Su Zhe asked casually, while simultaneously moving his mind to retract the domain.

He had not encountered anyone possessing a domain in the Decisive Battle Space, and in reality, it went without saying; he had always known domains were powerful, but he had never had a true experience of one.

"A world of difference!" Babata stated decisively. "An ordinary ninth-tier Star Level, if they lack a Domain, probably wouldn't last three moves against you!"

"Even against a third or fourth-tier Star Level who has grasped an ordinary Domain, you have the strength to put up a fight!"

"Your Domain contains the characteristics of devouring and annihilation; it has an extremely strong weakening effect on energy attacks, and it is a nightmare for close-quarters enemies! Combined with your devouring recovery ability... tsk tsk, you are practically an unkillable cockroach!"

Su Zhe nodded. Possessing a Domain at the Planetary Level could be called invincible within that rank; while it wasn't quite as exaggerated at the Star Level, it was still equally formidable.

"Then... it is time to get ready to enter the universe once again."

Su Zhe spoke.

Having mastered a Domain, Su Zhe was nearly invincible among the Star Level, provided he didn't run into any freaks!

"Fine."

Babata nodded. It would follow Su Zhe while on Earth, but once Su Zhe left the planet, it would no longer accompany him, as Su Zhe already had his own intelligent assistant.

Babata decided to go tell Luo Feng about this matter first, and incidentally, give him some motivation.

At this moment, Luo Feng had yet to master the Domain of Metal!

August 11th.

After bidding farewell to Su Yongyi, Su Zhe decided to head into the universe once again.

This time, he would not be returning so quickly after entering the universe.

He would spend at least a few months, perhaps even a year or two, in the universe before returning to Earth.

By that time, Luo Feng might have already gestated his clone.

Su Zhe would also need to return this Black Dragon Spaceship to him after Luo Feng gestated his clone.

"I'm off."

On a small island in the Pacific Ocean, Su Zhe said to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng nodded with a grave expression. Su Zhe mastering a Domain had truly stimulated him; he had watched with his own eyes as Su Zhe stepped up from the Apprentice Level to surpass him, so naturally, he did not want to be left behind.

Watching Su Zhe's spaceship depart, Luo Feng secretly made up his mind to master a Domain as soon as possible!