Chapter Seventy-Seven: Slay Them All

“Ninth rank of Universe level? It doesn’t matter. Their elite squad won’t arrive for another three years. By the time we’ve completed the Cosmic Trainee Mercenary Assessment, we’ll have nothing to fear from them,” Luo Yuan said calmly.

“Uh, after the Trainee Mercenary Assessment we won’t be afraid of them?” Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God all looked puzzled.

“You’ll understand when the time comes.” Luo Yuan offered no further explanation; he couldn’t very well tell them that he could foresee the future, or that he stood to make a fortune during the assessment.

“We trust you. But what about that spaceship hovering in Earth’s orbit, and the people inside?” Luo Feng asked.

Luo Yuan considered and then sneered, “Since they’ve come, we’ll wipe them out. We’ll proceed according to protocol. But the ship itself, we’ll keep it. Babata can invade the ship’s system and take control.”

“Meng Yi!” Luo Yuan called.

Whoosh—

Suddenly, a figure clad head to toe in black force armor appeared at Luo Yuan’s side, dropped to one knee, and said respectfully, “Master!”

“Take fifty of the ninth rank Stellar Guards and eliminate those people outside Earth’s atmosphere. While you’re at it, use my spatial ring to bring the ship back undamaged,” Luo Yuan instructed, removing the ring from his finger and handing it to Meng Yi.

“At your command!” Meng Yi accepted the ring and vanished in a flash.

“Third Brother truly acts the part of Earth’s lord now!” Luo Feng exclaimed in admiration, and both Hong and Thunder God smiled.

“Ha, you’re starting to tease me now? In time, you’ll all have these things too,” Luo Yuan replied with a laugh.

…

In the vast starry expanse of the solar system, aboard a silver-gray disc-shaped spaceship, Captain Buro Noranshan was preparing to retreat with his men.

“Beep, beep, beep—”

“Captain, bad news, we’re surrounded!” the ship’s AI, Atuka, urgently reported.

“Heh, who would dare oppose the Noranshan family?” Buro Noranshan shouted angrily.

“Captain, they’ve come from that planet called Earth. About fifty of them, all ninth rank Stellar level, all clad in black force armor!” Atuka responded.

“What? Fifty at ninth rank Stellar? What do we do? We can’t fight that!” Buro Noranshan said, panic rising.

“Captain, announce we’re from the Noranshan family—they’ll have to show some respect and let us go,” reminded an elderly Stellar level crew member.

“Yes, yes! Atuka, activate the projection—I want to speak!” Buro Noranshan barked.

Buzz—

The AI Atuka activated the ship’s projection, and a massive image of Buro Noranshan appeared above the vessel.

“Ahem, everyone, I am Buro Noranshan, a member of the Noranshan family of the Caro Empire. I am merely passing through. Please allow us to depart, or else my family will dispatch a fleet to punish you!” Buro Noranshan’s face was arrogant, but inside he quaked with fear, hoping to bluff his way through with his family’s reputation.

After a moment, Meng Yi, in black battle armor, stepped forward. A surge of formidable mental force swept outward so that every person present instantly understood his intent.

“To the members of the Noranshan family of the Caro Empire: According to the Black Dragon Mountain Empire’s Constitution, Chapter 12, Articles 61, 62, and 63—entering a planet without the administrator’s permission is considered piracy! Your family, knowing this planet has a lord, intruded regardless. By the order of our lord, you are condemned as star pirates and shall be exterminated! This is your only notice.”

With a wave of Meng Yi’s hand, the fifty ninth rank Stellar Guards sprang into action, giving no chance for pleas. Among them, psychic masters wielded their immense mental power, prying open the ship’s hatches and dragging out the crew, executing them on the spot. The bodies were collected and brought back to Earth for fertilizer, to avoid polluting the skies. The process was smooth and simple; none on Earth ever knew invaders had come from the stars.

…

In a palace atop a mist-shrouded mountain in the Jiangnan Base City of Huaxia.

Whoosh—

Meng Yi appeared, dropped to one knee, and reported, “Master, the invaders have all been eliminated!” He respectfully returned the spatial ring.

“Well done. You may go,” Luo Yuan said, sipping his tea with composure.

In the next moment, Meng Yi’s figure faded and vanished.

“Luo Feng, catch—this ship inside the ring is yours. When you’ve finished moving it, return the ring to me,” Luo Yuan said, tossing the ring to Luo Feng.

“This… I feel a bit embarrassed!” Luo Feng said, rubbing the ring and smiling.

“We’re brothers, there’s no need for courtesy. We’ll soon be heading for the Cosmic Trainee Mercenary Assessment, so keep it for future use,” Luo Yuan said carelessly.

Hearing this, Luo Feng made no further protest.

“By the way, when do you plan to set out for the Trainee Mercenary Assessment?” Luo Yuan asked the three.

“The sooner the better!” Thunder God couldn’t help but say. “But first, let’s check the virtual universe network and see what we need to watch out for in this assessment.”

…

In the virtual universe, at Nine Star Bay on Black Dragon Mountain Island, in an ancient-style palace.

Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God sat together around an open-air stone table, screens hovering before them, displaying a flood of information and reminders about the Cosmic Trainee Mercenary Assessment.

“The assessment is always held inside the ‘World of Realms’?” Luo Feng read the notes, frowning.

Inside the World of Realms, besides the inherent dangers, the greatest threat comes from other participants? Robbery and ambush are common, and others may snatch the assessment items you’ve obtained?”

“If you’re a newcomer at the second or third rank of Stellar level, it’s best to team up with those at the eighth or ninth rank! That way, if you’re robbed, at least you have a chance to resist or escape.”

“Whatever you do, don’t go in as a group of first or second rank Stellar level newcomers. Even if you get lucky and obtain the assessment item, someone will steal it from you.”

…

After reading the notes, Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God exchanged helpless looks.

“So the real danger comes from the other participants,” Thunder God said, shaking his head.

“The human heart is the most unpredictable,” Hong said gravely.

“It’s fine. I’m already ninth rank Stellar level. We’ll take ten of our own ninth rank Stellar slaves with us—safer that way,” Luo Yuan said with a smile.

These ninth rank Stellar slaves had each been taught basic secret techniques from the Inkmoth star lineage by Luo Yuan. Since they were slaves, there was no fear of betrayal, so even Babata had no objection.

“Then we don’t need to form a team with strangers,” Hong and Thunder God said, smiling as well.

P.S. Dear readers, please support with rewards, monthly votes, and favorites—thank you!