This was the main star of a vast universe country. It was no less impressive than the enormous continents in the universe, which were often measured in light-years.
The star was called Meteor Star. It was the center of the Meteor Universe Kingdom and the site of the Meteor Sacred Land.
Meteor Star was incredibly prosperous, and countless powerful factions from the Meteor Universe Kingdom had branches there.
Naturally, it was no place for the weak. Star Level warriors were a dime a dozen, Universe Level and Domain Lord Level warriors were everywhere, and only World Lord Level warriors could make a name for themselves.
Only Immortal Gods held any real influence here, because this was the Meteor Universe Kingdom.
The Meteor Universe Kingdom was an incredibly ancient realm, founded by the great Meteor Venerable. Among the 1,008 Universe Countries of the peak Cosmic Human race, it ranked near the top.
Meteor Venerable was immensely powerful. He was a mighty warrior who had lived for an unknown number of years.
Rumor had it that he was stronger than most Universe Venerables. He was a great Universe Overlord, and even among Universe Overlords, he was considered powerful.
Naturally, the Meteor Universe Kingdom he had founded was no weakling. It was far mightier than the Universe Country founded by a certain Universe Venerable's chief lackey.
The core of the Meteor Universe Kingdom was controlled by Meteor Venerable's descendants. He rarely appeared in person, and his descendants with exceptional governing talent usually handled affairs.
The Meteor Sacred Land, meanwhile, was the cradle where the Meteor Universe Kingdom cultivated its outstanding young talents, and it held an important place in the kingdom.
Three powerful Immortal Gods were usually responsible for training the Sacred Land's students. Today, an order from the great Meteor Kingdom Lord had made the three take special notice.
At the command of these three Immortals, the entire Meteor Sacred Land sprang into action like a gigantic machine.
Rows of guards stood in formation. Every one of them was a Domain Lord, and the three Immortal Gods stood at the very front.
The World Lord instructors surrounding the ranks had also come at the summons. At that moment, a World Lord who had comprehended the Law of Thunder sent a telepathic message to his companion.
"Is some important person coming today? Judging by this reception, they must be someone extraordinary.
Even ordinary princes don't get a welcome like this, with all three lords appearing in person."
His companion had a head of fiery red hair. He was, unmistakably, a member of the Desolate God Clan. Hearing the message, he pondered for a moment, then replied telepathically.
"It might have something to do with the upcoming Universe-Level Warrior Tournament!"
He hesitated to tell his companion outright. He had heard from a clanmate he was close to that one of their clan's talented youngsters would be entering the Universe-Level Warrior Tournament through the Meteor Universe Kingdom. But that clanmate had an unusual status, so he didn't feel comfortable telling his companion.
"They're here!"
Just then, the World Lord who had sent the first message spoke again. Three figures came into view.
The trio strode down a path formed of light and shadow. Each step carried them hundreds of meters, and in moments they would reach the formation.
There were two men and one woman. The men were handsome, the woman beautiful, and their three heads of scarlet hair blazed like flames.
The youth in the middle had delicate features and carried a long spear on his back, yet he wore a scholar's robe. An air of quiet elegance surrounded him.
The youth on the left had a huge wine gourd strapped to his waist and wore a black, backless training outfit. His features were somewhat rugged, and he occasionally swallowed a mouthful of wine as he walked.
On the far right was a young woman in a pure white dress. She had a slender waist and a curvaceous figure, and her beautiful face was alluring. Her scarlet hair made her even more captivating, while her expressive eyes lent her a lively charm.
The three walked side by side, instantly drawing countless gazes from everyone present.
"I haven't seen these princes and princesses before. Shouldn't the aura of their laws make them recognizable?"
A World Lord watching from the sidelines couldn't help commenting. He wasn't part of the inner circle, only an Outer Member, so he knew nothing about the ties between the Meteor Universe Kingdom and the Desolate God Clan.
At last, Huang Wuye and the other two reached the three Immortal Gods.
Feeling the powerful aura radiating from the Immortal Gods, Huang Wuye smiled. So Immortal Gods weren't quite as far beyond his reach as he'd thought.
Compared to the first time he'd encountered an Immortal God, he had grown much stronger. At the very least, their aura alone could no longer shake him.
"I presume you three are the guests from Desolate God Mountain?" asked one of the three Immortals, the one standing at the front.
As a trusted aide of the Meteor Kingdom Lord, he had followed him for countless years.
The three Immortal Gods naturally knew where the Meteor Kingdom Lord came from. They would never slight the three Universe Level youngsters he had specifically instructed them to welcome.
"Greetings, Marquis Fire Spirit. Thank you for giving us such a warm reception."
Huang Wuye had done his research beforehand. He had already learned the identities of the three Immortal Gods currently overseeing the affairs of the Meteor Sacred Land.
Marquis Fire Spirit was a powerful Marquis Immortal at the peak of his rank, even nearing the level of a King-level Immortal. He was a fire deity and the one in charge among the three Immortals.
"Haha, Your Highness, there's no need to thank us. It's our duty. I presume you're Prince Wu Ye?"
Looking at Huang Wuye's somewhat familiar face, Marquis Fire Spirit ventured a guess.
"That's right. I'm Huang Wuye, son of Huang Tian. I assume you've met my father, Marquis Fire Spirit."
Huang Wuye wasn't surprised. He had no doubt that Marquis Fire Spirit had met Huang Tian; after all, the latter was one of the Meteor Kingdom Lord's closest confidants.
He did indeed have a special connection to the Meteor Universe Kingdom—or, more precisely, to the Meteor Kingdom Lord.
Huang Tian and the Meteor Kingdom Lord were master and disciple, which made the lord Huang Wuye's grandmaster.
That meant Huang Wuye could be considered a young master of the Meteor Universe Kingdom. After all, a master-disciple bond could be even closer than a father-son bond.
When Huang Wuye confirmed it with a nod, Marquis Fire Spirit grew even more cordial. He laughed heartily.
"Like father, like son! It seems I'll be benefiting from your presence this time."
"Haha, you flatter me, Marquis Fire Spirit. I'll do my best," Huang Wuye replied with a smile, humbly.
After a warm exchange, Marquis Fire Spirit arranged a place for Huang Wuye to stay.
"Your Highness, I hope you make a name for yourself in the Universe-Level Warrior Tournament. And remember to make time to visit the lord. We'll take our leave now."
"Take care, Marquis Fire Spirit." Huang Wuye nodded, then bade him farewell.
He turned back and chatted with Huang Xue and the other youth for a while before heading off to rest.
Huang Wuye returned to the courtyard Marquis Fire Spirit had arranged for him. It was spacious, with plenty of training facilities, hills, and water features. It was fully equipped.
After looking around the courtyard, Huang Wuye was quite pleased.
"Now I just have to wait for the Universe-Level Warrior Tournament to begin."
Time flew by, and soon it was the day the Strongest Battle opened.
Far away, on Giant Wood Planet, a vast mountain range stretched into the distance. A figure that blotted out the sky stood suspended before it, towering as if to rival the heavens.
His colossal form was as tall as the mountains, which rose hundreds of thousands of meters into the sky.
It was none other than Huang Wuye's Gluttonous Golden Ape clone, Night Emperor. The clone had now reached the ninth rank of Universe Level. He had grown taller once again, from nearly a hundred kilometers to several hundred kilometers. His towering figure reached into the clouds; if he stood still, he looked like a mountain.
"My main body has already set out on its journey. I should finish this mission on Giant Wood Planet soon, and find the second clone on this planet while I'm at it."
As Night Emperor spoke, his body rapidly shrank. In the blink of an eye, he was only a hundred meters tall, and his face now bore some resemblance to Huang Wuye's true form.
"Hmm, this body-shifting method works incredibly well with the Phantom Spirit Armor. I can shrink my body this much.
"Luckily, my Life Analysis secret technique isn't picky. It doesn't require a flesh-and-blood lifeform; energy lifeforms' genetic material works too.
"That's how I managed to analyze the Demon-Slaying Clan's transformation technique. Otherwise, the Phantom Spirit Armor alone wouldn't have been enough.
"Though this body can only exert one percent of its full strength right now, that's enough.
"Well then, I'll start with the God-Fall Mountain Range!"
Night Emperor's clone then turned into a streak of light and darted into the vast mountain range, like a drop of water merging into the sea.
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