"We've arrived, gentlemen," the driver said respectfully as he brought the vehicle to a smooth stop in front of a three-story villa. "This is the residence His Highness the Third Prince has prepared for you. All essential living and training facilities have been fully equipped. If you require anything, you may contact the household service through the internal communication system."
The three of them stepped out of the car and stood before the villa, momentarily stunned.
Though it was not the largest or most extravagant residence in the Royal Garden District, its elegance and refinement were unmistakable. The structure blended classical and modern design seamlessly. Its outer walls were crafted from a rare blue-white crystal that shimmered softly under the sunlight, giving the entire building an almost ethereal presence.
"This is where we're staying for the next few days?" Thor muttered, disbelief written all over his face. "This is more luxurious than every place I've ever lived in combined."
Rowan smiled faintly. "It seems the Third Prince really values us. Still, don't forget why we're here. We're here to grow stronger, not to get lost in comfort."
Using their access cards, they opened the door and stepped inside.
The interior was even more impressive. Every detail, from the polished floors to the ceiling finishes, spoke of impeccable craftsmanship. The furniture and decorations were clearly chosen with care, each piece refined and valuable.
What truly caught their attention, however, was the basement.
A fully equipped training facility lay beneath the villa, complete with advanced cultivation support systems. Some of the devices were so rare that even the Virtual Universe Company seldom made them available.
"This is practically a paradise for cultivators," Hong said in admiration as he examined an energy regulator. "With equipment like this, every day here can be used to its fullest."
They quickly settled in, each choosing a room. As disciplined cultivators, they carried very few personal belongings, mostly essential gear and training materials.
Once everything was in place, the three gathered in the living room to discuss their next steps.
"I suggest we visit the Central Archive first," Rowan said. "We should familiarize ourselves with its resources and structure, then focus on what each of us needs."
Hong nodded. "From what I know, the archive organizes its knowledge by cosmic tiers, from fundamental laws of matter to advanced concepts like space and time. We should understand the overall framework before diving deeper."
Thor cracked his knuckles eagerly. "I want to find advanced research on lightning laws. Ever since that breakthrough on the lightning planet, I can feel there's still a lot more I haven't grasped."
Before they could continue, the villa's communication system lit up.
"Honored guests, a visitor identifying himself as Agent Shadow is requesting entry. Do you grant permission?"
The three exchanged surprised glances.
Shadow had disappeared after the mission ended. They assumed he was busy reporting to the Intelligence Bureau. None of them expected him to show up so soon.
"Let him in," Rowan replied.
Moments later, Shadow appeared at the entrance to the living room. He had changed out of his combat armor and now wore a simple gray uniform, looking more like an ordinary official than a covert agent.
"Good to see you again," Shadow said with a faint smile. "I'm glad to see you've all recovered well."
Rowan gestured for him to sit. "We're glad to see you too. Honestly, we thought you'd still be tied up with reports and follow-ups."
Shadow sat across from them, his expression turning serious. "I came because there's something important you should know. It's about Aster and the Celestial King's core."
All three straightened immediately, their expressions sharpening.
Shadow took a breath. "The good news is that Marquis Mo Chen has successfully subdued Aster. After a fierce battle, the unstable energy structure within him collapsed. His transformation failed."
"Is he dead?" Thor asked bluntly.
Shadow shook his head. "No. But he's no longer the same Aster either. The residual consciousness and power of the Celestial King have merged with him in an unstable way. He's now in a state between lucidity and chaos. The Empire has confined him in a specialized energy prison for monitoring and research."
"And the core?" Rowan asked quietly, remembering the strange presence that had once communicated with him.
"It has been transferred to the Empire's highest-level research facility," Shadow replied. "It will be kept under strict protection and studied with extreme caution. The Marshal has personally forbidden any attempt at necrotic transformation."
Hong leaned forward slightly. "What about the lightning planet?"
A hint of relief appeared on Shadow's face. "Another piece of good news. Based on my recommendation and the Third Prince's support, the Empire has officially designated that planet as a protected zone. All forms of exploitation and interference are prohibited. Only a select few researchers will be allowed limited, non-invasive observation."
The three of them exhaled almost in unison.
The promise they had made to the planet's consciousness had been honored.
"That's not all," Shadow continued, his tone becoming more formal. "The Empire has highly recognized your performance during this incident. In particular, your courage and judgment in the face of an overwhelmingly stronger opponent. As a result, the Marshal has approved the awarding of the title 'Honorary Guardians of the Empire.'"
He opened a small, elegant box, revealing three silver-blue badges that shimmered faintly with energy.
"This is more than a title," Shadow added. "It also grants you various privileges within the Empire."
Rowan, Thor, and Hong were both surprised and honored.
The title of Honorary Guardian was rarely given, especially to outsiders.
"We… don't quite know what to say," Rowan admitted as he accepted the badge, feeling the subtle energy within it. "This honor is far greater than we expected."
Shadow smiled. "You've earned it. And to be honest, this is also the Empire's way of building a stronger connection with you, paving the way for future cooperation."
"At least it's more subtle than direct recruitment," Hong remarked.
Shadow nodded. "Exactly. The Empire understands that people like you value freedom. Offering recognition and convenience without imposing constraints is often more effective."
The three accepted the badges, gratitude mingling with caution. They understood well that behind every gesture lay intention. In such a complex interstellar landscape, clarity and independence were essential.
"What about you?" Rowan asked. "What's next for you?"
"I'll be leaving the central region for a special mission in the border systems," Shadow replied. "I can't disclose the details, but it's related to what we discovered on that planet."
Rowan nodded. "Good luck. And if you ever need help, let us know."
"Thank you," Shadow said as he stood. Then he paused. "One more thing. Someone you know may come looking for you soon."
Thor raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
Shadow gave a faint, knowing smile. "Someone who has just overcome a long-standing problem."
The three exchanged glances.
"Luo Feng?"
Shadow didn't answer directly. "Get some rest. Make good use of this time. The next phase of the competition will be far more difficult. You'll need to be ready."
With that, he nodded and left.
Once he was gone, Thor let out a breath. "That guy is always so mysterious."
"But his warning matters," Hong said thoughtfully. "If Luo Feng has really recovered, that's great news. If the four of us can prepare together, our chances will improve significantly."
Rowan walked to the window, gazing out at the magnificent skyline of the imperial capital.
"Yeah. Having the team back together feels right. But before he arrives, we should make full use of what we have here. Especially access to the Central Archive."
Over the next three days, the trio spent their time immersed in the Empire's Central Archive.
Its scale far exceeded anything they had imagined. It was as vast as a small city, housing knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. From fundamental physical laws to the deepest cosmic mysteries, from ancient combat techniques to cutting-edge energy theories, it contained everything.
Rowan focused on advanced applications of the Fire Laws, particularly integrating his newfound understanding of energy essence into real combat.
Thor dedicated himself to refining his control over lightning, seeking greater precision and efficiency.
Hong explored widely, studying everything from ancient energy systems to modern combat integration, deepening his understanding of the universe as a whole.
On the morning of the fourth day, as they trained in the villa's underground facility, the communication system activated again.
"Honored guests, a visitor identifying himself as Luo Feng is requesting entry. Do you grant permission?"
The three stopped instantly, exchanging smiles.
"Let him in," Rowan said, unable to hide his excitement.
Less than a minute later, a familiar figure appeared at the entrance.
Luo Feng stood there, smiling brightly.
"Brothers!"
He strode forward and pulled Rowan into a tight embrace, patting his back hard.
"I missed you guys!"
Rowan, Thor, and Hong all stepped forward, returning the embrace warmly. The bond forged through battle was not easily broken.
"Looks like the medicine worked," Hong said with a grin as he looked Luo Feng over. "You look much better."
Luo Feng nodded, gratitude clear in his eyes. "Thanks to you risking everything to get it, the fire toxin in my body is finally gone. The doctors said if it had been two weeks later, it would have reached my life core. That would have been the end."
"Seeing you healthy again makes it all worth it," Rowan said sincerely. "Come, sit. We have a lot to talk about."
The four sat down in the lounge area beside the training hall.
"This place is incredible," Luo Feng said, glancing around. "How did you even end up here? It took me quite some effort to track you down. I had to go through the Virtual Universe Company's emergency contact system just to find your location."
Rowan exchanged a look with the others, then briefly recounted their journey. The mission from the Third Prince, meeting Shadow, transporting the stone chest, facing Aster, escaping to the lightning planet, and finally being rescued by the Empire.
Sensitive details were omitted, but the core of the story remained.
Luo Feng listened in stunned silence, his expressions shifting from shock to concern to awe.
"This wasn't a mission. This was a fight for survival," he said. "A King-level relic? A planetary consciousness? These are things we only hear about in legends back on Earth, and you actually experienced them."
"It was dangerous," Thor admitted with a grin, a faint spark of electricity flickering in his palm, "but the rewards were worth it. Especially the training on that planet."
Rowan nodded. "My understanding of the Fire Laws has improved drastically. Controlling flame at the level of its fundamental energy structure is something I never imagined before."
Luo Feng turned to Hong. "What about you?"
Hong smiled. "I gained knowledge from an ancient civilization's ruins. Energy transformation, spatial perception. No dramatic power boost, but it changed how I understand the universe."
Luo Feng's expression grew serious.
"We don't have much time," he said. "Less than two months until the next stage of the competition. We need to plan carefully."
The atmosphere shifted immediately.
All four of them understood.
The road ahead would only grow harder.
And their opponents would only grow stronger.