Chapter Sixty-Nine: The Invitation from the Virtual Universe Corporation

“Lead the way.” Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God rose to their feet.

“Certainly.”

The staff member led the way, quickly guiding them up a spiral staircase to the second floor. The first floor was an immense, grand hall, while the second floor resembled a tranquil and beautiful labyrinth. Within the maze were meditation rooms, frequented by many Universe-level powerhouses, Domain Lords, and even lofty Sector Lords.

In the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, Sector Lords stood at the pinnacle of martial might. But in daily life, they mostly resided within the virtual universe’s Qianwu Continent, not on Black Dragon Mountain Island. After all, there were exceedingly few Sector Lords within the empire’s borders, and even fewer who could meet often in the virtual universe. Naturally, they preferred to gather on the Qianwu Continent, where true powerhouses thronged.

“This is the room,” the staff member said with a smile, stopping before a door and knocking lightly.

“Come in,” rumbled a deep voice.

The door swung open.

With a respectful bow, the staff member said, “Sir, I have brought the four guests as requested.” Then he withdrew, leaving Luo Yuan and the others to take in the man standing before them—a towering, powerfully built figure, his entire body a steely blue-black, as though forged from iron.

“Please, all of you, come in,” the burly man invited.

None of the four hesitated; they entered the meditation room without fear.

As they stepped inside, the room seemed to brighten. Their eyes were drawn to the man’s breastplate, where a medal gleamed—a pattern depicting two planets floating above a surging sea of blood.

A Universe Two-Star Mercenary! To even qualify for the Two-Star assessment, one had to possess Domain Lord strength at minimum. Thus, every Universe Two-Star Mercenary was at least a Domain Lord—some perhaps even Sector Lords.

“Greetings, sir,”

After exchanging glances, the four offered him a measure of respectful deference.

Respecting the strong was a universal etiquette across the cosmos.

“I have been observing you for over a month now,” the burly man said with a hint of a smile. “Since entering the Slaughter Arena, you have come every day for training, never missing a single day. Am I right?”

The four were taken aback. This man, at least a Domain Lord, had been watching them for over a month? Luo Yuan was skeptical.

“However, what puzzles me is why you remain in the Slaughter Arena day after day. Occasional visits are useful, but staying there long-term is a waste of time!” The man’s gaze was puzzled.

“A waste of time?” Luo Feng frowned.

“Have your teachers never told you that the fastest path to evolution, the quickest way to improve, is to train on the edge of life and death? At the brink of mortality, one finds great terror, but also boundless motivation,” the burly man countered in confusion.

“The strong—especially those at the Universe, Domain Lord, and Sector Lord levels, not to mention the legendary immortals—over ninety-nine percent of them join the Universe Mercenary Alliance and engage in life-and-death adventures,” he said solemnly.

Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God exchanged glances. They had long understood this principle, but with their current strength still too weak, they did not dare to wander the universe recklessly. All they could do was assume a modest, eager-to-learn demeanor.

“Here, look at this chart. It divides the human bloodlines into ten ranks. Take a look and see where you stand. Perhaps I can help you avoid many detours on your path of evolution,” the man said, gesturing to the screen as a table appeared.

They focused on the chart.

Humanity in the universe was vast beyond measure, with millions of races, but roughly classified into these ten ranks.

Human bloodline, first rank: Reaches Domain Lord upon adulthood—first rank.

Human bloodline, second rank: Reaches Universe level upon adulthood—second rank.

…

Third and fourth ranks: Reach Star level upon adulthood.

Fifth and sixth ranks: Reach Planetary level upon adulthood.

Seventh and eighth ranks: Reach Apprentice level upon adulthood.

Ninth and tenth ranks: Do not even qualify upon adulthood, though based on cultivation talent and the probability of producing powerhouses, these are divided into ninth and tenth ranks.

“What is your racial bloodline rank?” the burly man asked.

“Ninth rank,” Luo Yuan replied.

“I admire you,” the burly man said. “And I congratulate you, as well.”

“Congratulate us?” The four were puzzled.

“Yes. With such a low bloodline, breaking through and evolving is far more difficult than it is for those of higher ranks! But, conversely… if you use an evolution agent to improve your bloodline, it is easier for you to enhance your base potential,” he explained.

“Evolution agent? Bloodline evolution agent?” The four were startled—they had only recently discussed how to raise Earthlings’ bloodline rank.

“Well then, sir, since you’ve guided us and presented the evolution agent, could you tell us your true purpose?” Luo Yuan asked flatly.

The man grinned. “You’re a clever one. Very well, I’ll be frank. I am an external steward of the Virtual Universe Company, stationed at the Black Dragon Mountain Branch. You may address me as Mr. Mingyu, or Lord Mingyu, as you wish.

Our company seeks out talented elites across the universe nations, and all four of you qualify as geniuses. I wish to invite you to join us. For our internal members, especially the top elites, we can even provide evolution agents free of charge,” Mingyu enticed.

“We nurture our prospects according to four levels: Special, First, Second, and Third Class—this is just the ranking of our Black Dragon Mountain Branch! The headquarters has even stricter classifications,” Mingyu continued.

“You are exceptional—at Star level, fifth stage, you possess a spatial domain and mastery of laws, and even under suppressed conditions you utterly defeated our Special Class Elite. Therefore, you also qualify as a Special Class Elite,” Mingyu said, looking at Luo Yuan.

“You two,” he added, indicating Luo Feng and Thunder God, “are both Third Class Elites.” Finally, his gaze landed on Hong, his eyes bright. “But you are the most outstanding. At Planetary level, ninth stage, not only do you possess a domain, you have reached the third level of mastery. You qualify as a First Class Elite—a true seed-level candidate.”

Luo Yuan merely smiled; Hong remained calm, while Luo Feng and Thunder God were at a loss for words—they were ranked at the bottom even within the Black Dragon Mountain Branch.

“Luo Feng and Thunder God, if you join, you will each receive a bloodline evolution agent for free. Hong, you will receive an ‘S-grade evolution agent.’ Luo Yuan, you will receive a ‘Super S-grade evolution agent,’” Mingyu concluded. “Are you willing to join our Virtual Universe Company?”

Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God exchanged glances, uncertain how to reply. Luo Yuan, however, was unconcerned. The ‘Super S-grade evolution agent’ meant little to him; as long as he could continue collecting attributes, his strength would keep growing.