Explosive News

"Everyone, there's no need to take things this far. Our General Tong of Imperial Sea Pavilion has always been on good terms with Governor Lieyang."

The lean man from Imperial Sea Pavilion spoke with a grave expression.

"On good terms? How come I never knew my father was on good terms with your General Tong?"

Among the group opposite them, the silver-robed young man who appeared to be the weakest, only Universe Level One, smiled teasingly.

"Heh, aren't you people from Imperial Sea Pavilion usually quite arrogant? You barely even respect official imperial orders. What, now you want to claim connections?"

The lean man from Imperial Sea Pavilion's expression shifted repeatedly. In the end, he forced out an exceptionally ugly smile.

"Young Master, you must be joking. Imperial Sea Pavilion belongs to the Eternal Empire, so naturally we follow the Empire's officials. How could we disobey orders?"

"Oh? Since that's the case, then in the name of the Eternal Empire's First Prince and Governor Lieyang's Manor, I order you to immediately hand over everything you obtained here!"

The silver-robed young man, whose true identity was the young master of Governor Lieyang's Manor, looked over with a smile, his gaze carrying a mocking gleam.

"Since this Secret Realm ruin appeared within imperial territory, all gains within naturally belong to the Empire's officials first. What do you think? That sounds perfectly reasonable, doesn't it?"

"And you people as well. As citizens of the Empire, surely you understand such a simple principle?"

The silver-robed young man continued, looking toward Qi Yuan and the others with an exceedingly magnanimous expression. "Don't worry. Once you hand over your gains, it'll count as merit for assisting the Empire's officials in exploring the Secret Realm ruin. After we get out, I'll report to the Imperial Administration and apply for Excellence Medals for you!"

"..."

Since these people had appeared, Qi Yuan had remained silent. However, he had secretly urged the Metal Life, 'Bumblebee,' to swiftly search through the ruins below for any possible 'treasures.'

After hearing the silver-robed young man's speech, he could not help rolling his eyes inwardly.

What a guy. He sure knew how to talk. Being this outstanding, were you trying to get into grad school?

He assessed the lineup across from him, silently weighing things in his heart.

"One Universe Level Six, two Universe Level Four. It might be a little troublesome if I don't unleash the power of my domain."

Qi Yuan's true realm was now Universe Level One, but after his life level had risen, his total energy far exceeded that of others at the same level. It was roughly comparable to a Universe Level Two.

Combined with the boosts from his domain and Laws, dealing with the people before him should not have been a problem.

Still, unless absolutely necessary, he did not want to reveal too many of his methods.

Besides, after Bumblebee's desperate, frenzied sweep, there probably was not much of real value left in the surrounding ruins. It would be better to withdraw while he could.

If it came to fleeing alone, he was confident that no one present, including that Universe Level Six expert, could hinder him in the slightest.

However, just as he was secretly considering a retreat plan, the silver-robed young man from Governor Lieyang's Manor, who had been incomparably domineering until then, had his expression shift slightly.

After giving Qi Yuan and the others one reluctant glance, the silver-robed young man and his group unexpectedly said nothing at all. They simply turned and sped away into the distance.

"..."

"W-what does that mean? They're just leaving?"

Only after their figures completely vanished beyond the edge of their vision did Qi Yuan and the others snap back to their senses in confusion.

Immediately afterward, the lean man from Imperial Sea Pavilion and the seductive Universe Level Two woman also seemed to receive some news in succession.

After exchanging a brief glance, the two rose at the same time in perfect tacit understanding and hurried in the direction the silver-robed young man and his group had gone.

Behind the seductive woman, another Universe Level Two man followed close behind.

In the blink of an eye, Qi Yuan was the only person left standing alone in the air above the once somewhat lively ruins.

"W-what's going on? Why did everyone suddenly leave?"

Qi Yuan stared dumbfoundedly in the direction they had gone.

"No, where are you all going? You veteran drivers, take me with you! I haven't even gotten in the car yet!"

His gaze flickered repeatedly before he quickly called out in his heart.

"Xiao Ai!"

At once, an exceptionally crisp little girl's voice rang out in his mind—

"I'm here!"

Within a library-like virtual space on the Virtual Universe Network, a cute girl wearing a silver-white futuristic outfit, with short red hair and antenna headphones, looked up.

"Master, what task do you have for me?"

"Help me search for the latest news about Secret Realm ruins in the Eternal Empire!" Qi Yuan ordered swiftly.

Xiao Ai was a newborn Intelligent Lifeform Qi Yuan had obtained through the Return System not long ago.

Since she was still in a newborn state, Qi Yuan had left her to roam freely in the Virtual Universe most of the time, allowing her to continuously gather all kinds of data to improve her database and intelligence.

"Received. Beginning search."

Upon receiving Qi Yuan's command, Xiao Ai, in the form of the cute girl within the library, lightly waved her fingers.

Immediately, books began flying over from the countless surrounding shelves.

"Master, I have found the latest information regarding Secret Realm ruins in the Eternal Empire—"

"At the T732, Y8372 Coordinates reference point of the Secret Realm ruin, a large number of spatial rifts that have yet to close were discovered. Various precious items occasionally drift out from within them."

"Ten minutes ago, Kanqi, a Universe Level Seven expert from the Eternal Empire's officials, was fortunate enough to obtain a corpse that drifted out of a spatial rift. It is suspected to be the remains of a fallen Immortal God!"

"What? The remains of an Immortal God?!"

Qi Yuan's eyes widened instantly upon hearing this!

An Immortal God was an incomparably powerful existence that had undergone the final transformation of life itself, becoming truly eternal and undying!

Such beings could break through the speed of light with their physical bodies alone, and with a single strike, they could easily destroy a planet.

Even the Eternal Empire's imperial family had to treat an Immortal God with utmost courtesy.

After all, even in the entire imperial family, only two ordinary Immortals were still alive.

If an Immortal God truly went berserk, it was entirely possible for them to overturn the entire Eternal Empire!

And now, the remains of an Immortal God had actually appeared in this Secret Realm ruin!

One had to know that even the remains of an Immortal God could fetch an unimaginable sky-high price in the universe, not to mention any storage devices, weapons, Battle Armor, and other items that might be on the body.

That was absolutely something that would make every powerhouse in the entire Eternal Empire green with envy!

"Master, breaking news!"

Just as Qi Yuan was still immersed in shock, Xiao Ai, in the form of the cute Red-Haired Girl, suddenly spoke again.

"Just one minute ago, Kanqi was killed by a Universe Level Nine powerhouse concealing their identity, and the suspected Immortal God's corpse was taken!"

"At present, a large number of Universe Level powerhouses have Gathered at the Coordinates reference point above. A massive melee may be about to erupt!"