Chapter 130: Leaving Earth

On Earth, in the Jiangnan Base City of the Huaxia Nation, atop a remote mountain seldom visited by humans, stood an ancient-style palace shrouded in swirling mist. From afar, it appeared like a scene from a celestial realm.

Within a towering pavilion that pierced the clouds, Luo Yuan and Jiang Fang gazed down upon the rivers and mountains below.

“How long will this journey take?” Jiang Fang leaned into Luo Yuan’s embrace, ignoring the restless hands that wandered.

“Three years each way, with thirty years spent in the initial universe. Converted to our original universe’s time, that’s a century,” Luo Yuan replied reluctantly.

“Hm?” Feeling a sudden tension, Luo Yuan looked down at Jiang Fang nestled against him. She wore a thin dress, clutching him tightly, her eyes filled with reluctance.

“Come now, don’t be sad. We can meet often in the virtual universe. Its network simulates reality perfectly—it’s no different from meeting in person. By the way, I took the metal plate you found,” Luo Yuan gently stroked her back.

...

They spoke at length, recalling every detail from their acquaintance to their time together. They even took flight from the mountaintop, traveling across many parts of Earth.

They visited Egypt to see the pyramids, marveled at the ancient Great Wall, explored desolate cities scarred by time, and strolled through the streets of the elite training camp.

...

September 18, 2071.

Luo Yuan and Luo Feng, Earth’s pinnacle warriors, boarded a starship and departed from Earth. Their departure would last a very long time, and when they returned, the world would be utterly changed.

...

The planet Bailan Star.

An ancient starship, shaped like a blackened battle sword, slowly descended from the high skies.

“Third brother, we must leave now,” Luo Feng said.

“Mm.”

Luo Yuan glanced once toward Earth’s direction, then flew with Luo Feng toward the ancient-looking starship in the distance.

This vessel measured approximately 600 meters in length, 100 meters in width, and nearly 100 meters in thickness. Its battle sword form emanated a faint air of antiquity, as if it had existed for eons.

Cold wind blew, snowflakes drifted.

Amid the snowfall, the two approached the ancient starship.

From the forward hatch emerged a group of people. Leading them was a gaunt elder with a hooked nose, nearly identical in appearance to an Earth human. He wore black battle armor, had sharp short hair, and a smiling face marked by an icy emblem on his forehead.

His aura subtly commanded the heavens and earth, revealing that he was a Realm Lord recognized by the cosmic primal law.

“Shawu, we greet Your Highnesses!” the gaunt elder bowed slightly.

“Greetings, Your Highnesses!”

Behind him, a group of domain lords and cosmic-level figures respectfully saluted Luo Yuan and Luo Feng.

“Your Highness?” Luo Feng looked puzzled.

“There’s much you two do not yet know,” the gaunt elder smiled. “Let us board. It will take three years to reach the Universal Headquarters of Virtual Universe Company. We cannot waste time. Initially, two ships were to be sent, but since you two were in the same place, we came together. To ensure your safety, an Immortal Spirit will escort us from the ship’s upper deck.”

“An Immortal Spirit as escort?” Both Luo Yuan and Luo Feng were taken aback. They had felt no trace of such a presence—perhaps their strength was still too limited. They had to admit, the Virtual Universe Company was formidable indeed.

Amid respectful escorts, Luo Yuan and Luo Feng boarded the F-class starship. Inside, the ship was spacious. The ‘guard’ section of the battle sword was the main power compartment, with other rooms occupying much of the lower deck.

At this moment, they stood in an opulent hall on the upper deck measuring 300 meters long and 60 meters wide. Plush sofas, fine wine, and rare spirit fruits were already arranged, while beautiful maids awaited orders nearby.

“Please be seated, Your Highnesses,” the gaunt elder smiled.

Luo Yuan and Luo Feng sat facing him.

“This place is impressive,” Luo Yuan nodded as he observed the hall. “This F-class starship is forged entirely from Guiyan Stone Mother—truly a treasure!”

“Your insight honors me, Luo Yuan Your Highness,” the gaunt elder smiled more broadly. “This is the F6-grade Guiyan Stone Mother, its edges sharpened and reinforced with primal laws. It is incredibly sharp. At high velocity, it could pierce through a planet completely without much reduction in speed.”

Luo Yuan nodded; these details had already been conveyed by his intelligent assistant.

“Mr. Shawu, why do you address us as ‘Your Highness’?” Luo Feng asked with a hint of confusion.

“It seems Luo Feng Your Highness has many questions,” the gaunt elder smiled. “Let me introduce myself. I am Shawu, a Realm Lord within the ‘Apocalypse Secret Realm’ at the core level of Virtual Universe Company.

“Our core members are scarce. There are three main paths to join: first, through genius or warrior battles selecting the universe’s elite talents; second, from outstanding internal cultivation within the company; third, a few Realm Lords are admitted.

“Ordinary Realm Lords rarely have hope of reaching Immortality, and many lack recognition by primal laws. The company cannot afford to value or recruit them—there are simply too many Realm Lords.

“Only true elites and strong warriors become core members. As for the title ‘Your Highness’... among the company’s four major secret realms at the core level, the Apocalypse Secret Realm is the outermost. Core members of this realm must address members of the three inner secret realms below Immortal rank as ‘Your Highness.’

“Additionally, ordinary subordinates outside the core must also address core members below Immortal rank as ‘Your Highness.’”

“I see,” Luo Yuan and Luo Feng nodded, sensing the noble aura in the title.

In the cosmos, “Your Highness” generally refers to princes or royal heirs. Clearly, the Virtual Universe Company’s core members below Immortal rank are akin to princes, entrusted with hopes of becoming superpowers. Their status far surpasses many princes of cosmic nations, many of whom have no hope of ever ascending the throne.

“Your Highnesses, please come with me into the Virtual Universe,” the gaunt elder smiled. “I will take you to the company’s virtual headquarters.”

“Oh?” Luo Yuan and Luo Feng’s eyes brightened.

The starship had already entered the Dark Universe, accelerating to nearly twenty times the speed of light, then maintained this velocity as it journeyed onward.

Luo Yuan entered the ship’s most luxurious lounge, then allowed his consciousness to enter the virtual universe network.

Now that Luo Yuan and Luo Feng were core members, their virtual assistants automatically gained the ability to teleport them directly to a special plane within the virtual universe upon entry.

“Teleport!”

Whoosh!

The two vanished from the Nine-Star Bay community on Black Dragon Island.

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