February 9, 2059.
Sand Sea Villa.
In the courtyard.
Zhang Gui wielded his spear, flames coiling around its shaft. Each thrust sent a fire dragon dancing through the air.
"I still can't comprehend a domain." He sounded a little frustrated.
"You're already doing very well. You've mastered force. Next, you need to condense it, and..." Dongguan extended a finger and traced patterns in the air, revealing some of the underlying mysteries.
"Why is comprehending a domain at the Planetary Grade so hard? Hong and Thunder God both did it, didn't they? Why can't I?" Zhang Gui was indignant.
"Then break through to the star level first. Comprehending a domain at the Planetary Grade is difficult. I fell a little short back then too. I only mastered mine after gaining an insight at the moment I broke through to the star level," Dongguan reassured him.
"It's not that I don't want to break through. It's just that every time, I feel like I'm about to get there, only to fall a tiny bit short." Zhang Gui was dejected.
During the decisive battle against the monsters, the strength he displayed had shocked the world.
He was at planetary level nine. Though he had no domain and had yet to perfect his combat intent, his powerful base strength put him above Luo Feng, second only to Hong, Thunder God, and Dongguan.
However, with the monsters' threat gone, the War God Palace was no longer so important. At most, it was a place to socialize, while the War Gods and Councilors served their own countries or organizations.
Thus, the Speaker positions remained unchanged: Hong was still the First Speaker, Thunder God the Second Speaker, Dongguan the Third Speaker, Mohanderson the Fourth Speaker, and Ister the Fifth Speaker...
Although Zhang Gui and Luo Feng were stronger than Mohanderson and Ister, they remained Councilors.
Of course, now that the monster crisis had been resolved, the War God Palace was nothing more than a high-end social venue.
"By the way, how much longer does Luo Feng need?" Zhang Gui suddenly asked.
After arriving at Sand Sea Villa, Luo Feng had chosen to undergo Possession of the Golden-Horned Behemoth.
With the help of Hu Yanbo's Inheritance Soul Seal, he had naturally succeeded.
However, familiarizing himself with the Golden-Horned Behemoth's body and gestating his Earthling Clone would take some time.
Sand Sea Villa was spacious enough, and the Golden-Horned Behemoth was still at the Planetary Grade, so Luo Feng had stayed there for the time being.
Luo Feng and Babata had even argued over the clone.
Luo Feng wanted to use the genes of his own body to gestate his clone, while Babata wanted him to obtain Dongguan's genes as the material.
The dispute had even been brought before Dongguan.
Dongguan said either choice was fine. He could certainly spare some bodily material-a strand of hair.
Although members of the Qiong Luo Race reached the star level upon adulthood and possessed a third-class bloodline in the universe, aside from their innate Spirit Eye talent, their gene multiplier was only one, the same as Earthlings.
Only humans with second-class bloodlines had an innate gene multiplier of two, and those with first-class bloodlines had a multiplier of three. The Golden-Horned Behemoth, meanwhile, started at ten.
But Babata still could not sway Luo Feng. After all, the final decision was his.
Luo Feng had used his own body to gestate the clone. The process was still underway, making it inconvenient for him to go out.
"I don't know. Ask him yourself," Dongguan said.
He really did not know. In the original story, the Golden-Horned Behemoth had been at the star level, and it had taken over a year. Whether being at the Planetary Grade now would shorten the process, he had no idea.
Light gathered on Dongguan's shoulder, forming Qiong.
"Master, the Qiongluo Ship has been partially repaired and can fly. However, it still cannot exceed the speed of light or enter the Dark Universe. That will require another year."
"We can go into space?" Dongguan stood up, pleasantly surprised.
"The spatial ratio between the Dark Universe and normal cosmic space is one to 10.081 million. Without entering the Dark Universe, it can hardly be called interstellar travel," Qiong reminded him.
"Then don't call it that. Taking a trip into space would still be nice. Besides, wasn't there a recorded route that doesn't require entering the Dark Universe?" Dongguan asked with a smile.
"You mean that one? But the spatial rift vanished long ago after we emerged from the spatial turbulence. There would be little point in going," Qiong said.
"We should still take a look," Dongguan replied.
He meant the route by which the pregnant Domain Lord Xia Lan had piloted the Qiongluo Ship to Earth.
That route was not far from Earth. It did not even reach a neighboring star system, lying only about half a light-year away.
If they entered the Dark Universe, they could emerge again in under two seconds.
But the dark space around Earth was covered by Hu Yanbo's secret technique. To reach that place, the ship could only travel slowly through the Primal Universe without entering the Dark Universe.
"Father, can we go into space now?" Zhang Gui asked excitedly after hearing Qiong and Dongguan's conversation.
"Didn't I just say it? Without entering the Dark Universe, it hardly counts as venturing into the universe. I just want to take a look at the route your grandmother took when she came to Earth," Dongguan said.
"That still counts as going into space."
Dongguan fell silent for a few seconds before saying, "If you want to go into space, once you break through to the star level, you can naturally do so with your own body."
"So you don't want to take me." Zhang Gui caught his meaning.
"This trip doesn't really serve any practical purpose. I just want to look for traces of the past. If you want to venture into the universe, wait until next time."
Zhang Gui still wanted to go, but he knew he could not change his father's decision.
"It'll be a short trip. I should be back in a little over a year. But I won't leave right away. I'll make all the arrangements first."
Dongguan was a little worried about Nolan Mountain's arrival. Even setting aside whether he might arrive early, if Nolan Mountain arrived on schedule but Dongguan was delayed, wouldn't that still be troublesome?
The Golden-Horned Behemoth hid behind a building, listening to their conversation.
"Babata, was I wrong to refuse to give Dongguan the method for returning to Earth from the Dark Universe?"
Within the Virtual Space, Luo Feng still took on his original appearance as he spoke with Babata.
"Honestly, Dongguan has treated you very well, and Earth too. But you can never let your guard down completely. You wouldn't be wrong to give it to him, and you aren't wrong to withhold it either," Babata said noncommittally.
"Besides, it's not really a problem. He has a spaceship, and I can assemble one for you in a few years too. If he can't wait and ventures into the universe early, just arrange a way to contact each other and meet again on the Virtual Universe Network."
"Once you break through to the star level, claim the assets in your teacher's first account, buy Earth, and become the Earth Lord, giving him the method for finding Earth through the Dark Universe won't have much impact."
"Then let's do that." Luo Feng still decided against handing over the coordinates.
Luo Feng had never lacked a spirit of adventure or the will to fight, but he would never gamble with his family or Earth. Throughout his life in the original timeline, the only time he had done so was when the five major powers forced him to surrender half of Earth's ownership.
"Luo Feng," Dongguan suddenly called.
The Golden-Horned Behemoth flew into the courtyard and spoke. "What is it? If it's about Earth's coordinates, that's not open for discussion."
He meant that anything other than Earth's coordinates could be discussed.
However, aside from the assets in the accounts, most of Hu Yanbo's inheritance was under Babata's control. And since his teacher had forbidden him from passing it on, he naturally would not do so.
Beyond those matters, Luo Feng felt there was little else to discuss.
"I'm planning to make a trip into space soon. You heard us just now, right?"
"Yes." The Golden-Horned Behemoth nodded. He had been right there earlier. Given his size, it was only natural that he had been noticed.
"If everything goes smoothly, I'll return to Earth in a year. If it doesn't, I might enter the Dark Universe once the spaceship is repaired. In that case, I'll contact you through the Virtual Universe Network and come back with you."
"All right." Luo Feng considered that request acceptable.
"Also, you previously traded wood bud crystals to Earth's various countries for spaceship wreckage, right? Are you planning to have Babata build a spaceship?"
"Yes." It was fairly obvious. Others might not have realized it, but Dongguan would certainly have guessed.
The existence of wood bud crystals had already stirred some people's greed. Problems had only been prevented by Luo Feng's strength, his relationship with Dongguan and Zhang Gui, and the order Hong and Thunder God worked together to maintain.
"Actually, there's an almost intact spaceship in Ruins No. 12-the Black Dragon Mountain X81 Spaceship. But its AI seems to have a self-destruct program. Qiong only recently became an intelligent life and can't crack it yet. Besides, I don't particularly need it, so I've left it alone. If you want a spaceship, that one will certainly be better than something pieced together."
"Ruins No. 12. Got it. Babata says the system can be cracked," Luo Feng said.
Without knowing about the self-destruct program, Babata would have been careless. With only thirty seconds, flooding the system with data would have been the only option. But with advance warning and preparation, Babata could naturally crack it by devising a countermeasure beforehand.
Compared to Qiong, Babata was a seasoned veteran who had become an intelligent life long ago.
One could say Babata did not understand cultivation, gave reckless instructions, or was careless, but there was no denying that wealth of experience.
Aside from minor missteps, such as the one that had cost Luo Feng a little just after the Genius Battle ended, Babata could be considered Luo Feng's veteran mentor.
"While I'm away from Earth, help me look after Zhang Yu and Zhang Gui."
"All right."
"I've left some things with Zhang Yu. If you urgently need anything, you can ask her for them. They should be of some help out in the universe. I've also left a Nutrient Pod in the villa, along with nutrient solution. Once your Earthling Clone has finished gestating, you can use them to improve its strength."
"Thank you."
"That's settled, then. There are still some things I need to discuss with Hong and Thunder God. Also, let me remind you of something: Earth is special. To beings at different levels, it seems to hold different attractions, but they'll all take action. From the Machine Race spaceship in No. 1 Ruins to the Zerg Mother Nest in No. 31 Ruins, there are things that tempt immortals and those below them. Higher-level beings might have different reasons for intervening."
"Higher-level beings-even above immortals-would want Earth too?" Luo Feng was puzzled. He did not even know the names of such cultivation realms yet.
"Fully comprehending one lower law-Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, or Wind, Thunder, and Light-allows you to become an immortal. But there are two other laws: time and space, the two upper laws. What happens if you fully comprehend them? What if you comprehend them all?" Dongguan left it at that.
He suddenly looked up at the sky, as though he could see a gigantic Savage Strongman staring down at them.
That was the future-a future almost certain to come once Hong displayed his talent and Luo Feng rose to prominence.
In reality, the sky held only blue, clouds, and the sun.
Their conversation ended.
Afterward, Dongguan went to Hongning Base City and met Hong inside the spaceship building at the Limitless Martial Arts Hall's headquarters. Thunder God happened to be there too.
"Hong, Thunder God."
The hall on the upper floor was Hong's residence.
Unless Hong summoned them, others generally did not come here.
"Dongguan." Dressed in black, Hong remained as cold and imposing as ever.
"Dongguan." Thunder God smiled, his gaze sincere and natural.
"I came today to discuss a few things with you." Dongguan sat down cross-legged.
Hong and Thunder God sat down too. They exchanged a glance before turning to Dongguan.
"What is it?"
"You must have some guesses about my origins and those few months when I disappeared."
Both men nodded.
Hong spoke. "They're connected to the universe."
"Correct. Strictly speaking, although I was born and raised on Earth, my bloodline isn't exactly the same as that of Earth's current humans." As he spoke, Dongguan removed his forehead guard.
The vertical line between his brows opened, revealing an eye.
Hong's and Thunder God's pupils contracted. They nearly drew their weapons from their Space Rings.
Hong had reached domain second layer, Thunder God domain first layer, and Dongguan was also at domain first layer. But Dongguan was at the star level and had advanced to star level two during this time. Neither man was his match.
"What are you trying to tell us?"
"There are many traces of the universe on Earth, and a few visitors from it too. In No. 31 Ruins, there's one-a world lord level Zerg Mother Nest."
"World Lord?" Thunder God exclaimed, then rubbed his forehead. "What realm is that?"
The inheritances he and Hong had obtained only described realms up to the universe level. They had marveled at the combat power of universe level beings, but knew nothing of the realms beyond.
"You've comprehended domains, and above domains are laws. Above the universe level is the domain lord level. You must comprehend a domain to break through. In a sense, you've already obtained your passes to the domain lord level. That's something worth celebrating."
"And World Lords?" Thunder God asked stiffly.
"Laws are what you must comprehend to ultimately become an immortal. Between domains and laws, however, there's another stage of comprehension called a world. A World Lord is someone who has comprehended a world, a realm above Domain Lord. If that Zerg Mother Nest awakens, it will be a catastrophe for the entire Milky Way Galaxy, perhaps spreading even farther. Do you understand now?"
"To think there's something that dangerous on Earth."
Among the Ancient Civilization Ruins, the three death zones-No. 1, No. 12, and No. 31-might all have seemed hopelessly dangerous, but they were actually very different.
Ruins No. 12 was merely the spaceship of an important figure from the Silver Blue Empire. Earth's level was simply too low to crack its systems.
The member of the Machine Race in No. 1 Ruins had already died. As long as no one entered, there was no danger. Universe level beings, or even star level ones, could explore it to some extent.
No. 31 Ruins contained a living Zerg Mother Nest. Even an actual World Lord, if weak enough, would still be doomed upon awakening her.
Moreover, Earth also held something like the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual, which defied the laws governing the universe.
"Visitors from the universe aren't all friendly. In fact, most harbor malicious intentions," Dongguan said as Thunder God and Hong listened.
"My circumstances are special. My original race was destroyed, and I was born and raised on Earth. The values I grew up with were all tied to Huaxia, which is why I bear goodwill toward it. Earth is my home now too."
That was what Dongguan said, and all he could say.
There was another factor: he was a transmigrator. Even if this Earth was not his original one, his sense of belonging was innate. But he could not say that. This world had powerful beings who could observe the past, and Earth was almost certain to come under their scrutiny.
"I'm preparing to venture into the universe, and sooner or later, you'll have contact with it too. So I want to leave something behind for my home."
Hong remained as calm as ever, while delight appeared on Thunder God's face.
"Ultimately, this universe is ruled by the strong. Cultivators can reach heights beyond your imagination. Right now, aside from a few exceptional factors, you two are the strongest people on Earth. So I think it would be best to leave some things with you. You can then distribute them among the various countries at your discretion, in your own names."
Those exceptional factors included Dongguan himself, Luo Feng, and the Zerg Mother Nest.
That was what he said, but considering Hong's and Thunder God's leanings, along with Dongguan's own roots in Huaxia, they would almost certainly favor Huaxia.
Still, if he handed things directly to the various countries-even Huaxia-there would be internal power struggles and competition for benefits. The details needed careful consideration.
Dongguan could not be bothered to handle such matters. Hong and Thunder God, on the other hand, had been dealing with them for decades and had extensive experience.
"These are Nutrient Pods and nutrient solution, along with some other resources. These are secret techniques, both for martial artists and Psychics. You can cultivate them yourselves and teach them to others in the future. There's also technological knowledge, a continuation of what I gave you before. You can choose an appropriate time to pass it on..."
Dongguan handed over quite a few things, though naturally he left out anything with obvious identifying traits, such as Divine Plant Essence.
He planned to return in a year, but still felt he should make the best arrangements he could.
Hong and Thunder God were stunned.
All their years of excavating the Ancient Civilization Ruins had yielded less than this single handover.
"Also, regarding Ruins No. 32, although I dealt with most of it, there are some loose ends. If you get the chance, take care of them," Dongguan instructed at the end.
"All right," Hong and Thunder God promised.
"Finally, one more thing. If you venture into the universe someday, when registering your place of origin, it would be best not for all of you to put down Earth without thinking."
"Why?" Thunder God asked bluntly. Hong hesitated a moment and did not speak, but he too looked at Dongguan in confusion.
"Anyone who comprehends a domain at the Planetary Grade is considered a genius even in the universe. Several appearing in the same era would draw too much attention even within a single galaxy, let alone on one primitive planet."
Both men fell into thought.
Although having several powerful individuals emerge from one planet would give it better protection, it would also attract unusual attention.
People were curious by nature, whether weak or strong.
They would have to weigh their choices themselves.
Dongguan did not want to obstruct anyone's cultivation path, but he still needed to warn them of the danger. As for the details, those could wait until they entered the universe.
The likelihood of someone someday "seeing" what happened on Earth was far too high.
"That's all I have to say. Tread carefully, and cherish what you have."
After leaving Hongning Base City, Dongguan returned to Sand Sea Villa.
Luo Feng was still practicing controlling the Golden-Horned Behemoth's body, while Zhang Gui and Zhang Yu waited in the courtyard.
"Are you leaving right away?" Zhang Yu asked.
"Of course. Now that the spaceship has been repaired, it's time to venture into the universe."
"Didn't you say it wasn't fully repaired?"
"This time, I plan to first take a look at the route I came by. If nothing unexpected happens, I'll return in a little over a year. Then I'll take you into the universe too."
Zhang Gui and Zhang Yu had both reached the Planetary Level and were eligible to register as Universe Citizens.
"Then I'll wait," Zhang Yu said.
"I'll wait too," Zhang Gui added.
"Then I'm off. Oh, and keep what I gave you earlier safe. Follow my instructions, and only take it out if you're truly in trouble."
"All right, I understand." Zhang Yu nodded.
A silver-white, saucer-shaped spaceship burst out from underground, and a boarding passage drew Dongguan inside.
Then the ship climbed, turned into a streak of light, and shot out of Earth's atmosphere.
"Come back safely." Zhang Yu, Zhang Gui, and Luo Feng, who was moving about in the Golden-Horned Behemoth's body, gazed up at the sky.
As he left Earth, Dongguan gazed at the azure planet, never imagining that a very long time would pass before he returned.
Before you continue