Bloelyn tilted her head slightly, clearly not understanding what Rowan meant by calling someone "old man."
Yao Rao and Vinnea also wore strange expressions.
Hong and Rowan Feng could only smile wryly.
Given Rowan's personality, none of them were surprised that he would say something like that.
"As it happens," the Black Dragon Mountain Emperor said calmly, "I came this time to speak with you about something important."
From the expressions around him, he could vaguely tell that Rowan's form of address was not exactly respectful. Still, he did not take it to heart.
Instead, Rowan smiled and said casually, "We're in the middle of a gathering. Why don't you join us and try some Earth cuisine?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Rowan openly invited the ruler of the Black Dragon Mountain Star Domain to share a meal with them.
The Black Dragon Mountain Emperor did not refuse.
He was in an excellent mood, and he had already noticed that Earth was an exceptionally beautiful planet. Whether it was ecological balance, mineral richness, or overall environmental quality, it was close to flawless.
After the great rebirth period, the scars humanity had once inflicted on Earth had long since faded. Decades of recovery, coupled with environmental purification and biological restructuring, had restored the planet to conditions rivaling ancient eras of natural abundance.
Oxygen density, mineral reserves, biodiversity, and energy responsiveness were all top-tier by cosmic standards.
"Come, try this. It's an Earth spirit called Erguotou," Rowan said, pouring a cup of clear liquor and handing it to the Emperor.
The Black Dragon Mountain Emperor did not rush to explain his purpose. He accepted the cup, took a sip, and paused.
The drink had no spiritual energy, yet its flavor was sharp, warm, and surprisingly rich.
"Excellent wine," he said with a nod.
Earth now had over three hundred planetary-level cultivators. With the support of Rowan, Hong, Thunder God, and Rowan Feng, vast quantities of resources had been invested into humanity's development.
As a result, human advancement had accelerated dramatically.
Although Earth had only a few hundred planetary-level warriors, most had already reached the fifth or sixth tier. At that level, ordinary monsters no longer posed any threat.
To prepare for humanity's expansion into the wider universe, Earth's five major nations jointly agreed to restructure the monster ecosystem.
According to detection systems, there were over seven thousand eight hundred king-class monsters worldwide. To stabilize the balance, the planetary-level warriors swept across the globe.
Nearly all king-class monsters were eradicated.
Only one hundred were deliberately preserved, reserved as trial targets for future generations.
With monsters no longer dominating the land, humanity reclaimed vast territories. Fossil fuels and deforestation were no longer necessary for energy production.
Earth's resources finally began to heal.
Once land was recovered, large-scale agriculture followed. Extinct crops found fertile soil again, and monster remains proved to be unparalleled fertilizer.
Monster-derived nutrients were extraordinarily potent.
Over five years, cultivated farmland expanded to tens of millions of acres.
Food production soared, prices dropped, and even ordinary citizens could live comfortably.
With material needs met, people turned toward enjoying life.
Luxury foods and fine wines that once seemed unattainable returned to daily life. Technological advancement had shortened crop cycles drastically. What once took years could now be harvested in months, sometimes even weeks.
The quality of grain grown from monster-enhanced soil surpassed previous standards many times over.
As the banquet continued, the Black Dragon Mountain Emperor gradually blended in. At first, the others were reserved, after all, he was an emperor.
But as time passed, they realized he was far more approachable than expected.
When Bloelyn introduced Yao Rao and Vinnea, the Emperor smiled warmly.
He then presented each of them with a gift.
Upon opening the boxes, both women were stunned.
Inside were fourth-tier Origin Energy weapons, a large quantity of Bloodvine, various cultivation resources, and two Gene Evolution Serums.
These serums could elevate a human's genetic lineage to mid-tier bloodline quality.
The Black Dragon Mountain royal family already possessed mid-tier bloodlines, making the serum useless to them. It could not be sold, but it could be gifted.
The two vials had sat in his spatial ring for a long time. Now, they had found their purpose.
Yao Rao and Vinnea both understood the value of what they received and expressed sincere gratitude.
They had gained immensely from this encounter.
Only when the banquet neared its end did the Black Dragon Mountain Emperor finally reveal his true purpose.
"Rowan, Hong, Thunder God, Rowan Feng. I am here under the command of the ruler of the Qianwu Universe Nation, to deliver a message."
The ruler of the Qianwu Universe Nation?
Hong and Thunder God were visibly shocked.
Babata quickly explained that most individuals capable of ruling a universe nation were at least Universe Venerators.
Universe Venerators.
The words alone sent a chill through the room.
Such beings could annihilate entire star regions with a single gesture.
None of them had expected the Virtual Universe Genius Battle to attract the attention of someone at that level.
"The Qianwu Universe Nation ruler has stated that if any of you reach the top one hundred in the final rankings, you will receive a personal gift. In addition, one of you may choose to become his direct disciple."
The moment those words fell, Hong and Thunder God were no longer calm.
A Universe Venerator was far beyond immortals.
Rowan, however, rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
The Qianwu ruler was a high-tier Universe Venerator with self-created secret techniques. When burning divine power at full output, he could contend with a Universe Overlord. He could not kill such an opponent, but escaping was well within his capability.
Among Universe Venerators, his overall strength ranked solidly in the upper-middle tier.
As a teacher, he was certainly qualified.
Moreover, his cultivation leaned toward the Time Law. Among the group, only Hong had potential in that direction, as the evolution of the Light Law ultimately led to Time.
Still, both Hong and Thunder God would have even better choices later.
Rowan found himself undecided.
As for the promised gift, it would certainly be no lesser than something usable by immortals.
In the original timeline, the Qianwu ruler had not gifted anything at all. He had merely allowed the Black Dragon Mountain Emperor to grant the Milky Way to Rowan.
Now, with so many geniuses emerging at once, several of them likely entering the top hundred, even the Qianwu ruler had been tempted.
That was why he made this offer.
Otherwise, given his personality, he would not have given a single item.
"Your Majesty," Rowan said respectfully, "we will take time to consider the matter of discipleship. As for the competition, even without additional incentives, we will push ourselves to the absolute limit and strive for the highest ranking possible."
Earth was not yet completely secure.
The sense of responsibility to protect their home still burned within Hong and Thunder God.
Even without any orders, they would give everything they had.
Their value had already begun to show, but the arena stage was where they would truly shine.
Each of them still had trump cards they had not revealed.
After seeing the Emperor off, the group held a private discussion.
Naturally, the topic was the Qianwu ruler's invitation.
"Big brother, what do you think?" Thunder God asked, unable to decide.
Hong was the group's natural strategist.
After some thought, he spoke calmly. "I don't know enough about the Qianwu ruler to give a definitive answer. I'll follow my own judgment. I won't become his disciple. After achieving a strong ranking, I intend to join the Great Axe Martial Arena."
He had researched both the Virtual Universe Company and the Great Axe Martial Arena.
The Virtual Universe Company focused on nurturing newcomers, offering stability and lower mortality.
The Great Axe Martial Arena followed brutal elimination. Endless trials, secret realms, and deadly battles were the norm.
It was far more dangerous, but those who survived were forged into true powerhouses.
Hong loved risk.
From the World Within Worlds to the Nirvana era, he had always grown strongest in the face of danger.
"I support you," Rowan said. "You're better suited there."
"I want to go too," Thunder God said with a grin.
Hong looked at him helplessly. "Why you?"
"I like the feeling of fighting on the edge of life and death. I walk the Path of Destruction. The deeper my blade intent grows, the more I realize this is my road."
Everyone understood.
"Then it's settled," Rowan said. "We decline the offer for now. But if gifts come, we accept them. Meanwhile, we aim for even higher rankings."
The others nodded.
Far away, in a hidden corner of the universe, eight black-robed immortals gathered.
Their overflowing energy distorted space itself.
"These preliminary results are impressive," said a silver-robed man, his voice cold and metallic. "Unexpected talents have emerged."
The immortals nodded in agreement.
"A promising batch," one muttered. "And this is only the beginning."