He Ya

Even Helian Qing felt his heart rate accelerate as he spoke that number.

1.5 trillion Cosmic Coins!

Many ordinary Sector Lords probably didn't even possess that much in total net worth.

"Our bank can purchase it directly based on the system's valuation. Of course, the price might be slightly lower than the final hammer price at an auction, but the advantage is that the funds are credited immediately, without the need to wait or pay high auction commissions."

Helian Qing offered his proposal.

"The other option is to consign it to a large-scale auction held by our bank. The final transaction price is expected to be 10% to 30% higher, but it requires waiting for the auction cycle, and we must charge a 5% commission."

Lu Ming barely hesitated, saying directly, "Let's go with your valuation and purchase it directly. Handle it as soon as possible."

Consignment? That was too much of a waste of time. What he lacked right now wasn't that extra ten-plus percent premium, but getting his hands on the funds as quickly as possible. Time was more important to him than that small price difference.

Helian Qing felt a surge of joy and immediately replied, "Understood! I will arrange it at once. As long as everything is confirmed, the funds can be transferred into your account within ten minutes at the earliest!"

If this deal went through, his performance review for this year would definitely be completed well beyond his quota!

Treating Lu Ming as both a "God of Wealth" and a newly promoted Domain Lord, he naturally had to provide the highest level of service.

Soon, the system verification was completed without error.

In the end, the two treasures were valued: Tide's Blessing battle armor at 120 billion Cosmic Coins; Crimson Flame Sky-Splitting Blade at 1.5 trillion Cosmic Coins. Total: 1.62 trillion Cosmic Coins!

When he saw the long string of numbers instantly appear in his personal account, even with Lu Ming's current state of mind, he felt a slight ripple of emotion.

With this massive sum, the previous loan of a hundred billion suddenly became insignificant.

"Manager Helian, while you're at it, please settle that loan I took out earlier."

Lu Ming said casually.

"Very well, Lord Lu Ming, I will handle that for you immediately!"

Helian Qing's attitude was incredibly respectful.

A moment later, all the procedures were completed.

Lu Ming also successfully became a two-star user of the Cosmic Galaxy Bank.

Standing up, Helian Qing personally escorted him outside the bank's main entrance.

"Lord Lu Ming, if you have any needs in the future, don't hesitate to come find me, Helian Qing! Our Cosmic Galaxy Bank will certainly provide you with the highest quality service!"

Helian Qing bowed and said.

Lu Ming nodded, his figure moved, and he transformed into a streak of light that shot into the sky, disappearing into the horizon of Qiu Long City.

Watching the direction where Lu Ming had vanished, Helian Qing let out a long breath, his face filled with excitement.

"A Domain Lord... and a Domain Lord with such deep pockets at that!"

Lu Ming had just returned to his palace on Horned Dragon Planet and hadn't even had a chance to sit down when a gentle voice, tinged with a hint of playfulness, echoed through the grand hall.

"You come to my turf and don't even come to greet me first? Lu Ming, you fellow, have you forgotten who the master of this place is?"

Lu Ming turned around, a smile appearing on his face.

"He Ya, you old guy, your information network is still as sharp as ever."

The person who arrived was dressed in simple gray casual clothes. He had a tall stature and a scholarly, refined appearance, looking like a middle-aged academic. However, the occasional flash of sharp light in his deep eyes revealed that he was by no means as gentle as he appeared on the surface.

He was none other than the planet lord of Horned Dragon Planet, a powerhouse who had been immersed in the Domain Lord realm for hundreds of thousands of years—He Ya.

The two had known each other for tens of thousands of years and had braved cosmic secret realms together many times; they shared a bond forged in life-and-death situations.

"I was just about to come bother you for a few drinks after finishing my business."

Lu Ming walked forward with a smile.

He Ya laughed heartily and habitually patted Lu Ming on the shoulder, but as his palm landed, his smile faltered slightly, and a look of incredulous shock flashed in his eyes.

He scrutinized Lu Ming from head to toe, as if seeing him for the first time.

"You..."

He Ya's voice carried a hint of uncertainty.

"The aura on you... the shackles of the Universe level... you broke through?! A Domain Lord?!"

Lu Ming looked at his old friend's shocked expression, feeling a sense of emotion himself, and nodded: "Yes, I was lucky enough to succeed."

"Hahahaha! Good! Good! Good!"

He Ya was stunned for a moment, then burst into a hearty laugh, patting Lu Ming's shoulder forcefully again.

"I knew it! You old dog have a tough life; you wouldn't give in so easily! Ninety thousand years... you finally took this step! That's wonderful!"

He was genuinely happy for Lu Ming.

He knew deeply how difficult Lu Ming's journey had been—fighting his way out of the Slave Arena, building a family, only to be trapped at the threshold of the Domain Lord realm for tens of thousands of years with his lifespan nearing its end.

Now that he had broken through in one stroke, the sea was wide and the sky was vast; how could one not be overjoyed?

The two arrived inside the hall and sat down, where He Ya familiarly produced his prized Star Tear Wine and poured a glass for Lu Ming.

"Tell me, what exactly happened? I recall your last letter mentioned that the ninth attempt had little hope of success, so how did you manage it in the blink of an eye? And furthermore..."

He Ya took a sip of wine, his gaze sharp as he studied Lu Ming.

"I feel that this breakthrough of yours is somewhat extraordinary. The vigor of your life force doesn't seem like that of someone who has just entered the first level of the Domain Lord realm."

Lu Ming had already prepared his explanation and said nonchalantly, "Perhaps it was a case of finding life after being pushed to the brink of death. During that final attempt, I cleared my mind of all distractions and happened to trigger a stroke of fortune, successfully condensing my Life Core. As for the aura... it might be related to a special secret technique I obtained in my early years; the effects after the breakthrough were better than I anticipated."

He could not possibly reveal the secrets of the system and his Hundredfold Gene, as the stakes were far too high.

Upon hearing this, He Ya did not press the matter further; the universe was filled with countless fortuitous encounters, and everyone had their own secrets.

He sighed with emotion, "Regardless, breaking through is a monumental event! With your lifespan surging to a million years, you and I can continue to roam this universe together for a long time to come."

"Indeed."

Lu Ming raised his glass.

"I will surely be troubling you, the local host, quite a bit in the future."

"Haha, feel free to come anytime!"

He Ya downed his drink in a hearty gulp.

"Right, now that you've reached the Domain Lord realm, what are your plans? Do you intend to return to being the ancestor of the Lu Family and enjoy a life of leisure, or do you have other plans?"

Lu Ming set down his glass, his gaze drifting toward the endless starry sky outside the hall as he spoke slowly, "I've spent ninety thousand years in that small pond, and I've had enough of it. Now that I've broken through, I naturally want to go out and see a broader world."

"Are you joining a major power?"

He Ya nodded thoughtfully.

"That is certainly a safe choice. With your strength as a Domain Lord and your background as a Giant Axe Warrior, you should have plenty of options."

He paused, looked at Lu Ming, and said half-jokingly and half-seriously, "Of course, if you don't mind, how about staying on Horned Dragon Planet to help me? I'll give you thirty percent of the planet's revenue! With a newly ascended Domain Lord like you holding the fort, my Horned Dragon Planet would be much more secure."

Lu Ming knew He Ya was extending a sincere invitation, but his ambitions lay elsewhere, and he had no desire to join any major faction, so he shook his head with a smile and declined, "You should save this Horned Dragon Planet for your own lad; I won't get involved. I still want to go and venture into more central regions."

"I knew I wouldn't be able to keep you."

He Ya did not force the issue and laughed.

"Very well, a man's ambition lies in the four corners of the world. If you need any help, such as introductions or the like, just say the word."

"I certainly will."