A New Journey

Qi Jingshi ordered the 31 slaves to reside within this warehouse, tasking them with moving and guarding the large shipment of cultivation resources that would arrive later.

The Minister of Commerce witnessed the grand scale of Qi Tian and his companions, noting that they chose to employ slaves rather than hiring local workers.

A single Planet-level 9 slave was expensive enough to hire a whole group of Apprentice-level workers for decades.

Just as the minister felt regret over failing to secure jobs for the workers of his own planet, Qi Tian presented him with an even larger business opportunity.

"I see that you also provide modular manors and castles. Give me a few large sets, but change the style."

Upon hearing that Qi Tian wanted to order large modular buildings—and more than one set at that—the minister's regret vanished instantly, his smile growing even wider.

"Mikita, you handle this. I want to set up some dojos on Gold Soul Planet specifically for our clansmen to train in combat."

Mikita nodded and replied, "Understood. I will discuss it with Jingshi and the others later to select suitable architectural styles."

Once everything was settled, Qi Tian and his party officially set off to return to Gold Soul Planet.

Departing from Red Sand Planet, the remaining journey was very short; after only half a day of traveling through the Dark Universe, they arrived at the location of Gold Soul Planet.

"Finally back."

Qi Jingshi and the other two sat before the control console, looking at the azure planet through the exterior simulation, smiles appearing on their faces.

After the group returned to Gold Soul Planet, the entire Gold Soul Clan came to the Sacred Hall to pay homage to Qi Tian.

When Qi Jingshi told the clansmen that Qi Tian had brought them back from the cosmos and secured a massive amount of cultivation resources for the Gold Soul Clan, the clansmen's faith in Qi Tian reached a new height.

After a period of fermentation, this news gradually spread throughout the entirety of Gold Soul Planet.

People in other cities grew even more envious of the Gold Soul clansmen who served the Buddha Lord, becoming even more devoted to the Gold Soul Clan Sacred Hall and Qi Tian himself.

Furthermore, after discussions between Qi Jingshi and the others, Qi Shixuan deliberately proclaimed a "Buddha Edict" while inspecting the various cities.

In the near future, the Buddha Lord would bestow upon them secret cultivation techniques, resources, and weapons, leading everyone on Gold Soul Planet to become stronger.

Meanwhile, within the Gold Soul Clan Sacred Land, Qi Jingshi and his two companions selected individuals with impressive strength and steady temperaments to access the Virtual Universe and learn about the world beyond Gold Soul Planet.

At the same time, they arranged for the elders of the clan to polish the deeds of Buddha Lord Qi Tian—who had led the clan to prosperity and saved them from suffering over the past decades—and promote them as legends.

In the future, the Gold Soul clansmen would take these "legends" to the newly purchased slave planets, leading the slaves to rise while spreading the "legends" of the Buddha Lord among them.

Gold Soul Clan Sacred Hall.

A 2.5-meter-wide golden lotus throne hovered above the altar, with Qi Tian sitting cross-legged upon it, eyes closed, his body radiating brilliant golden light.

Within his sea of consciousness, the gold and red colors were clearly demarcated, and the Lotus Throne Buddha-Demon Statue in the center remained unmoved.

After a period of collecting faith, a small pool of golden liquid had condensed within the golden mist region.

From the time of its gestation until now, over a year had passed, and the speed at which the golden liquid was harvested was several times faster than before.

"A month has passed. I have barely managed to master this Grade 5 Hundred Flowers Bloom, and the D1-grade spaceship customized from the Virtual Universe Company has also arrived at Red Sand Planet."

"It is time to leave Gold Soul Planet and head to the capital planet of the Beihua Empire to officially venture into this vast universe."

He sent a telepathic message for Qi Jingshi and the others to come to the Sacred Hall, arranged all matters, and then had Mikita take him to Red Sand Planet.

Half a day later, Qi Tian and Mikita stood in front of their warehouse, waiting for the arrival of the Virtual Universe Company.

At the same time, outside Red Sand Planet, a dark gray, saucer-shaped spaceship transmitted a signal to the Planet Administration Bureau without waiting for a reply, flying directly to Qi Tian's warehouse.

Qi Tian and Mikita watched the descending ship, which bore the massive Virtual Universe logo on its hull, signifying its identity.

"Whoosh."

The hatch opened, and three men and women in black combat suits flew directly from the hatch, landing before Qi Tian and Mikita.

The leading woman wore black glasses, with the other two following on her sides. As she looked at Qi Tian, a string of data only she could see flashed across her lenses.

"Identity confirmed. Ready for handover."

The woman then waved her hand toward the open space to the side, using her consciousness to control the World Ring on her finger, releasing a spaceship as flat as a sword blade.

The ship was 180 meters long, 80 meters wide, and 30 meters high, equipped with laser cannons on both sides.

Ninety percent of the hull was black, with dark golden patterns printed in certain areas, and a simple golden lotus pattern was imprinted on the underside of the ship.

"Mr. Qi Tian, this is the D1-grade spaceship you customized. Please confirm the delivery."

Qi Tian looked at the brand-new spaceship with satisfaction. Upon hearing the woman's words, a delivery confirmation message popped up on his Smart Optical Computer, and he immediately clicked confirm.

"Thank you," Qi Tian said with a smile to the three of them.

Because the shipment was issued from within the organization, it proved that the Qi Tian before them was also a member of the Virtual Universe Company.

After hearing Qi Tian's thanks, the leading woman wore a professional smile, said "You're welcome," and turned to fly back to the ship.

In just a few seconds, the ship took off, quickly broke through the atmosphere, and disappeared from Qi Tian's sight.

After the people from the Virtual Universe Company departed, Qi Tian turned to look at Mikita.

"I am leaving now; I leave the matter of acquiring life planets to you."

Once Qi Tian finished speaking, Mikita bowed and replied.

"Mikita will certainly complete the task entrusted by the Buddha Lord."

Qi Tian nodded, said nothing more, and turned to operate his Smart Optical Computer to bind his new spaceship before opening the hatch and flying inside.

"Master, welcome aboard. Futu is at your service throughout the journey."

Inside the spaceship's bridge, the image of his smart AI, Futu, appeared on the console screen; it was a little monk with a shaved head.

"Futu, download the star map of the Beihua Empire, set the coordinates to the imperial capital planet of the Beihua Empire, and depart immediately."

"Yes, Master."

Under Futu's control, the spaceship quickly activated, slowly rising from the surface of Red Sand Planet and ascending into the starry sky.

After traveling through space for a period, the spaceship reached the speed of light and instantly vanished, entering the Dark Universe.

"Reporting to Master, the spaceship has entered the Dark Universe. Destination: Beihua Planet. Estimated arrival time: 27 days and 13 hours."

Qi Tian nodded, instructed Futu to pilot the ship autonomously, and then connected his consciousness to the virtual universe, entering Beihua Island.

This time, after logging into the virtual universe, he did not appear on the main street, but within a small manor located in a luxury residential area.

After receiving the funds gifted by Tegages, he had purchased this property in the virtual universe.

He had thought that when Qi Jingshi and the others came over to discuss matters regarding the Gold Soul Clan, they would have a relatively private and convenient place to meet.

"First, I will go find Chi Xin to learn about registering as a space mercenary."