Lu Ming didn't hold back in the slightest.
The two of them clinked glasses and drank. He Ya's treasured Star Tear Wine packed quite a punch; after a few pots, even their Domain Lord Level physiques felt pleasantly tipsy.
"Tsk, you old rascal. Your drinking capacity's improved since you broke through to Domain Lord Level!"
He Ya clicked his tongue ruefully as he watched Lu Ming down another cup without changing expression.
"My Star Tear Wine doesn't come cheap. I'm taking a loss letting you drink it today!"
Lu Ming laughed heartily and was about to reply when the intelligent optical computer on He Ya's wrist suddenly gave a soft yet urgent alert.
He Ya glanced down at the message that had popped up on the screen. His brows rose slightly, and a strange expression crossed his face.
Lu Ming drained the rest of the wine in his cup and asked casually, "What is it? From that look on your face, is it good news or trouble?"
He Ya looked up at Lu Ming with a mixture of envy, exasperation, and amusement. He clicked his tongue in wonder. "Tell me, Lu Ming, when you broke through to Domain Lord Level, did you blow all the luck you'd saved up over ninety thousand years in one go? This kind of ridiculous luck is unbelievable!"
Lu Ming stared at him blankly, set down his cup, and asked in confusion, "What luck? Explain yourself."
He Ya turned the screen of his intelligent optical computer toward Lu Ming. A brief encrypted message was displayed: "I just received an urgent transmission from Little San. He's at the edge of the Dark Cloud Star Belt and stumbled across a Miniature Universe Secret Realm! Judging by the energy fluctuations and the stability of the entrance, it looks like an untouched secret realm!"
He lowered his wrist and looked at Lu Ming, his tone tinged with emotion. "Tsk, a Miniature Universe Secret Realm! The risks are unknown, but there could be treasures naturally born in the universe inside, or even ancient legacies! Plenty of Domain Lords and World Lords would kill for a chance like this, and most never find one! And what happens? Little San contacts me the instant he finds it—and of course, you too. The secret realm appeared on the outskirts of your Qing Yang Empire's territory, and you've barely broken through before this good fortune lands in your lap. If that's not ridiculous luck, what is?"
Lu Ming's heart stirred at the news. He knew what a Universe Secret Realm meant.
It was practically synonymous with opportunity and danger.
An unexplored Miniature Universe Secret Realm could be worth far more than the two weapons and pieces of armor he had just sold!
Of course, it might also be worthless. It was like opening a mystery box.
Just then, the cool voice of Lu Ming's Intelligent Life, Azure Bird, rang in his mind. "Master, you have received an encrypted email from 'Domain Lord Carlos.' It has been marked urgent."
Carlos was the "Little San" He Ya had mentioned, a lone Domain Lord who was on good terms with both Lu Ming and He Ya.
Lu Ming and He Ya exchanged a glance, and each saw the same thought in the other's eyes.
Sure enough.
He Ya laughed. "See? Speak of the devil. So, Old Lu, interested in exploring this secret realm together? Little San can be slippery, but he's reliable when it comes to things like this."
A gleam flashed in Lu Ming's eyes. He'd been wondering where to look for precious items to use for the sacrifice, and now this secret realm had practically landed right on his doorstep!
"Of course I'm interested."
Lu Ming's lips curved into a smile.
"I've been in seclusion for so many years that my bones are about to rust. It's time to stretch my legs."
"Haha, good! I'll reply to Little San right away. Count us both in!"
He Ya was clearly excited.
"Looks like you made the right call coming to Horned Dragon Planet this time! Come on, let's discuss the details at my place. Little San should have sent over the preliminary survey data by now."
They set down their cups and vanished in a flash, leaving Lu Ming's palace for the Planet Lord's estate.
They arrived in a private chamber deep inside He Ya's estate, which was even more magnificent and luxurious than Lu Ming's.
He Ya activated his optical computer and projected the encrypted data Carlos had sent.
There wasn't much: mainly a few video clips and an analysis of the energy spectrum.
The footage showed a desolate asteroid belt. Deep within it, space rippled with unnatural distortions, and a shimmering entrance about a hundred meters across appeared and disappeared like a pool of water.
The energy spectrum showed that the entrance emitted chaotic yet vibrant fluctuations of Cosmic Force, consistent with the characteristics of a newly formed Miniature Universe Secret Realm.
"Judging by this energy level, the secret realm's inner space shouldn't be too large. I'd guess it's about the size of a star system."
He Ya analyzed.
"The energy is relatively mild, so at first glance, the danger level shouldn't be too high. But no one can say what's inside without going in."
Carlos mentioned in his message that he had discovered the secret realm by pure chance. He had been tracking a group of Star Pirates when he wandered into the area and noticed the spatial anomaly.
After a preliminary survey, he confirmed that the entrance was stable for now. He immediately kept the discovery quiet and informed only a few trusted old friends, including Lu Ming and He Ya, as well as two other Domain Lords he often worked with.
"Besides us, Little San also invited Man Ji and Shadow Shuttle," He Ya added.
"They're both old friends we know well. They're capable, too, and understand the rules."
Lu Ming nodded. He knew Man Ji and Shadow Shuttle as well: one was a powerful Domain Lord, while the other was a ninth-tier Universe Level expert skilled at stealth and reconnaissance. With Carlos, Lu Ming, and He Ya, the temporary team was reasonably well balanced.
"We shouldn't waste any time."
Lu Ming looked at the projected entrance to the secret realm and spoke decisively.
"We should set out immediately."
He Ya wholeheartedly agreed. "Exactly. A Universe Secret Realm appearing is like a bonfire lit in a dark forest. We've concealed it for now, but if the energy fluctuations keep spreading, it'll be hard to hide from powerful scanners or experts passing by. We need to get in and claim whatever benefits we can before anyone else finds it!"
When exploring the universe, the window of opportunity often closed in the blink of an eye.
If word of the secret realm got out and attracted World Lords or even some major powers, the Domain Lords would be lucky to get so much as a taste.
"I'm ready to leave whenever you are," He Ya said, looking at Lu Ming.
"Same here," Lu Ming replied succinctly.
He had just sold his treasures.
He had plenty of money on hand, but hadn't had time to exchange it for resources.
But there was no time now, and he was confident in his current strength.
It would be more than enough for this mission!
"Good! I'll contact Little San, Man Ji, and Shadow Shuttle right away. We'll meet up at Ash Planet on the outskirts of the Dark Cloud Star Belt!"
He Ya was decisive and quickly sent out messages through his intelligent optical computer.
Before long, the others had all replied that they had received the messages and would head to the meeting point as soon as they could.
"Let's go, Old Lu!"
He Ya stood up, his eyes glinting with excitement.
"Let's see what we find this time!"
Lu Ming stood as well. His face remained calm, but he too felt a flicker of excitement inside.
It was only natural to feel eager for his first mission after breaking through to Domain Lord Level.
The two streaks of light shot out of the Planet Lord's estate and flew straight into the space beyond Horned Dragon Planet.
He Ya's ship was a sleek, silver-gray D6-class vessel called the Silver Shuttle. Its speed was a notch higher than Lu Ming's Azure Bird.
"Come aboard my ship. It's faster," He Ya offered.
Lu Ming didn't hesitate. He put away his Azure Bird and boarded the Silver Shuttle with He Ya.
Vmmm—
The Silver Shuttle's engines rumbled low as it accelerated to light speed in an instant, slipping into the Dark Universe and racing toward the Dark Cloud Star Belt.