Joining the Hong Alliance

Across the Outer-Domain Battlefield, the powerhouses of the human camp and its many allied races spoke of "Flame Edge" with awe and excitement.

The opposing camps, meanwhile, were shrouded in gloom. They regarded "Flame Edge" as a thorn in their side, yet could do nothing about him.

Such dazzling achievements and such formidable strength had already surpassed the scope of ordinary King-Level beings.

According to the customs of the Human Race and even the Hong Alliance, when an Immortal God displayed terrifying power capable of intimidating an entire region, he would gain recognition from the countless races of the universe and be granted a unique King-Level title!

This title was an affirmation of his strength and a symbol of his illustrious reputation!

Virtual Universe, Thunder Island, the place where the upper echelons convened.

A simple deliberation concerning "Flame Edge's" King-Level title was underway.

"Within a hundred years, he has slain thirty-two King-Level beings of other races, including two King-Level Limits... Such achievements have been rare on the Outer-Domain Battlefield for nearly ten thousand eras."

"His blade techniques burn stars and boil seas, with blazing flames spanning the heavens. They contain absolute Fire-Space Law, so that should be the core."

"Although his codename, 'Flame Edge,' has already spread far and wide, it is insufficient to display his invincible bearing. Looking at his battle recordings, whenever his blade emerged, the starry sky was scorched apart and all things became empty... Why not call him—Burning Sky King!"

"Burning Sky King?"

"Burning the starry sky to ash, splitting the firmament with his blade... Good! The name is fitting!"

"Agreed!"

"Then it is decided."

There were no objections.

At Lu Ming's level of strength, his King-Level title was practically bound to his achievements and fighting style. It came into being naturally.

"Burning Sky King! What an overbearing title!"

"Burn the starry sky away—it truly lives up to its name!"

"From now on, if we encounter Burning Sky King, we must keep our distance!"

The humans and their allied races rejoiced, their morale soaring.

The Monster Race, Machine Race, and other hostile camps, however, all placed "Burning Sky King" on their highest-danger lists, and the bounty on him soared once more.

Inside the cultivation chamber of the Azure Kite Spaceship.

Lu Ming slowly opened his eyes, ending his brief cultivation session.

On the screen before him, aside from the battle results, were several hundred emails marked unread. The ones at the very top were unexpectedly from the "Hong Alliance."

"An invitation from the Hong Alliance?"

Lu Ming swept his gaze over the email subject lines, his expression calm.

As early as a century ago, when he had first revealed his brilliance and killed Tear-Chaser King and four other Monster Race King-Level beings, the Hong Alliance had already passed its resolution internally.

It was simply that over the past century, he had either been locked in fierce combat or deeply immersed in enlightenment, leaving him no time to enter the Virtual Universe and deal with such trivial matters.

"They are inviting me to join the Hong Alliance? They want to meet me in the Virtual Universe?"

Lu Ming murmured softly, a flash of understanding passing through his eyes.

He understood the Hong Alliance's rules. Once one's strength reached the King-Level, especially after displaying Invincible King-Level power like his, the Hong Alliance would inevitably send an invitation.

It was just that...

"I seem not to have a fixed residence in the Virtual Universe."

Lu Ming shook his head slightly. After obtaining an identity in the Ganwu Universe Kingdom under the name "Flame Edge," he had entered the Outer-Domain Battlefield directly. Over all these years, apart from necessary training at Virtual Universe cultivation grounds, he had hardly purchased any property in the Virtual Universe.

If the Hong Alliance envoys wished to pay him a visit only to discover that he did not even have a "door," that would be rather awkward.

"Fine, then I'll buy a place."

With a thought from Lu Ming, his consciousness connected to the Virtual Universe network.

With his current wealth, buying a residence in the Virtual Universe was effortless.

Before long, he selected an ancient yet majestic palace complex in a scenic and secluded area of Ganwu Continent as his residence in the Virtual Universe.

"Reply to the Hong Alliance with my address."

Lu Ming spoke to Azure Kite.

Not long after the email was sent, a notification from the Virtual Universe System arrived—guests had come calling and were already outside the palace gates.

Lu Ming smiled faintly, rose to his feet, and walked out through the grand doors of the divine palace.

Outside stood nine figures.

They came in various forms—some human, others from different races—but without exception, powerful immortal pressure radiated from their bodies. They were all King-Level beings!

As they looked at Lu Ming, there was curiosity and appraisal in their eyes, but even more than that, an equal and friendly attitude.

"Everyone, welcome."

Lu Ming greeted them with a smile, his voice mild.

"Come inside my palace so we may speak in detail."

"Haha, Burning Sky King, pardon the disturbance."

The leader, a burly human man in crimson armor with flame patterns on his forehead, laughed heartily. His smile was open and bright, carrying a scorching aura that naturally inspired goodwill.

"We have been looking forward to this for a long time!"

Led by Lu Ming, this envoy team sent by the Hong Alliance entered the divine palace and arrived in a luxurious reception hall that had already been prepared.

An exquisite banquet had been laid out in the hall. Delicacies and energy nectar gave off enticing glimmers and fragrances.

"Please, have a seat."

Lu Ming invited them as the host.

Every member of this Hong Alliance group was a King-Level powerhouse who roamed the universe, yet they all remained courteous before Lu Ming.

After all, Lu Ming's achievements over the past century were simply too terrifying. He was publicly acknowledged as "nearly Invincible King-Level," and both his strength and status surpassed theirs.

Once the nine envoys had taken their seats, Lu Ming sat in the seat of honor as well and smiled. "I still do not know who you all are."

The crimson-armored burly man at the head of the group smiled as he introduced himself. "I am a human, Flame Melt King!"

His aura was scorching, faintly resonating with Lu Ming's Burning Sky flames.

The other eight envoys introduced themselves one after another.

"Human, Ice Scale King."

"Human, Thousand Feather King."

"Red Rock King."

"Phantom Silver King."

Of the nine envoys, three were human, while the other six came from other powerful races within the Hong Alliance. All of them were King-Level Immortals.

As their representative, Flame Melt King looked at Lu Ming, his expression becoming more solemn. "Burning Sky King, you presumably already know why we have come. The Hong Alliance is an alliance led by the Human Race and formed together with many powerful races of the universe. Its purpose is mutual unity and aid, to resist foreign enemies together. The alliance will never force any powerhouse to join, but once one does, he must abide by the alliance covenant and may not betray it. Burning Sky King, are you willing to join?"

Naturally, Lu Ming would not refuse this invitation. He had long understood that nearly all the top powerhouses of the Human Race and its many allied races were members of the Hong Alliance.

Joining the Hong Alliance would not only grant him access to higher-level information and channels for trading treasures, but also allow him to meet nearly every King-Level Immortal of the Human Race, and even Universe Venerables. This would be immensely beneficial to his future development.

"I am willing to join the Hong Alliance."

Lu Ming nodded.

"Good!"

The smile on Flame Melt King's face grew broader.

Almost the instant Lu Ming's words fell—

"Ding!"

Endless starlight suddenly gathered in the air above the reception hall, condensing into an incomparably dazzling star that symbolized honor and responsibility.

The star slowly rotated, radiating an ancient and vast aura. Then it gradually shrank, turning into a streak of flowing light that imprinted itself directly onto the cuff of the robe worn by Lu Ming's virtual body, revealing a miniature star insignia.

At the same time—

"Boom!"

A majestic, immense pressure that made the soul tremble descended out of thin air.