"You are now the master's registered disciple. These precious secret techniques—you can learn all of them!"
"Also, you'll need to make time to study the universal language of the cosmos with me."
At those words—
Jiang Li's expression showed a hint of helplessness.
He never would have thought that even as a dignified Ninth Rank Planet-level being, the number one powerhouse on Earth, he still couldn't escape the fate of having to study!
Still, he understood—if he wanted to travel the universe, it was impossible to rely forever on translation software.
"All right. You can take your time studying these texts later."
Babata spread his five fingers and gave a wave. In the next instant, both he and Jiang Li exited the private virtual space and returned to the magnificent, semicircular metal hall.
"Jiang Li, this is Doy!"
Babata flew to hover above the six immortal corpses and pointed toward the female immortal in the purple battle suit, about four meters tall with two soft horns on her head. "Her corpse—and the others—are the true priceless treasures."
"Mm."
Jiang Li nodded slightly.
The significance of an immortal's body was akin to that of a monster's body to humanity.
A research team could dissect and analyze the structure of these immortal corpses to deduce all kinds of mysterious runes or genetic combinations.
"But if you dare to bring an immortal's corpse out now, you're just asking for death!"
Babata glared viciously at Doy's body. "Keep them stored away for now. Deal with them when you can."
"As for your second senior brother—if one day you really reach that unimaginable realm…"
Looking at the golden skeleton, a trace of pleading flickered across Babata's pale face. "Could you… bring him back to life?"
It was true that the Lords of the Universe could reverse time and revive those who had died in the past. But such an act defied the very laws of the cosmos, and the backlash would be immense.
Babata knew that well.
So his tone was low—almost like a supplication.
"All right."
Jiang Li was always one to distinguish gratitude and grudges clearly. He agreed readily to Babata's request.
Besides—
Was the Lord of the Universe even his true goal?To resurrect a Domain Lord-level being, a Lord of the Universe could certainly manage that. But to revive an ordinary mortal—only one who had reached the level of defying the laws themselves could make it possible.
After speaking, Jiang Li willed his power, and a vast surge of psychic force enveloped the six immortal corpses, storing them all within his space ring.
Then he rose lightly into the air and flew out of the Meteor Ink Starship.
Sixteen thousand five hundred meters underground—
Jiang Li hovered above a crimson triangular spacecraft. Babata sat cross-legged, floating by his shoulder, one leg crossed over the other.
"This Meteor Ink Starship is too badly damaged. It can't take off anymore." Babata shook his head helplessly. "That immortal was terrifying—his attack completely destroyed the internal systems. Even the ship's self-repair functions can't fix it. So I can only leave with you."
He pointed at the bracelet-like object that had fused into Jiang Li's arm. "From now on, I'll stay stored in there."
"Oh, right—take out your crimson longsword."
A spark lit up in Babata's eyes.
Jiang Li stretched out his hand into the air, and Zhuxian (Executioner of Immortals) appeared in his grip. In the dark underground world, the blood-red gleam of Zhuxian shone all the brighter—its glow seemed to seize the soul itself.
Along the sword's body, strange and eerie runes ran from hilt to tip. Even with Babata's immense knowledge, he couldn't comprehend their meaning.
"Try it."
Babata clearly hadn't given up on studying Zhuxian. He pointed to the edge of the Meteor Ink Starship. "Use brute force!"
At that—
Jiang Li shook his head faintly, then swung Zhuxian in a sharp arc.
Clang!
The sword tip struck the ship's hull, bursting a shower of sparks. A deep gouge appeared along the line where Zhuxian had passed—
—but the blade itself remained completely unmarked.
Seeing this, Babata's pupils contracted sharply. A flash of realization crossed his eyes.
Jiang Li also drew a slow breath. The Meteor Ink Starship's hull was unimaginably hard—even that terrifying immortal had only managed to crack one corner of it. Yet before Zhuxian, it yielded like tofu ground under a whetstone.
No wonder that even among emperor-level beasts, Hong had to bombard them repeatedly to kill one—while Jiang Li could slay the same with a single strike.
"Jiang Li, I'm really starting to have confidence in you now!"
Babata suddenly bared his fangs in a grin, gave Jiang Li a smile—and then his entire form dissolved like a bubble before his eyes.
The next instant—
The ground below roared and trembled. The massive Meteor Ink Starship before him vanished into thin air.
Its disappearance left a huge void underground, sending countless layers of rock and gravel collapsing inward.
Jiang Li swung Zhuxian, unleashing a flood of crimson light that carved a passage upward. His figure shot through it and soared toward the surface.
"Based on the direction the Meteor Ink Starship crashed, you should head south."
Babata's voice echoed in his mind.
Jiang Li wasn't surprised. From what he knew, intelligent AIs in the universe could communicate directly with their owner's consciousness.
And Babata, as a living intelligence, possessed abilities far beyond any ordinary AI.
"Hm?"
As soon as the Meteor Ink Starship vanished, Jiang Li's communicator lit up.
"Hey, Jiang Li! Where the hell did you run off to? Why did your signal disappear?"
Thor's voice came from the device. "Don't tell me you found an ancient civilization's ruins?"
Jiang Li froze for a moment, mind rapidly working on how to respond.
"Doesn't matter whether you say yes or no—they won't find it anyway." Babata's confident voice echoed inside his head.
"Never mind, don't bother answering."
Before Jiang Li could reply, Thor's voice continued: "As long as you're safe. Last night the whole sea region went crazy—Hong and I went back first. You take care of yourself."
Once Thor confirmed Jiang Li's safety, he didn't press about the supposed ruins any further.
After ending the call, Jiang Li spread his psychic power outward, carving a path toward the surface in the southern direction Babata had mentioned.
Now that he had once again fused his soul with his clone, his psychic range had expanded to a full twenty thousand square meters, able to penetrate the earth itself.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, a booming noise reached him—along with an extremely fluent string of national curses, unmistakably in the native tongue of Huaxia.
"My psychic sense… seems a little different now."
Jiang Li mused inwardly. He'd been able to distinguish sounds through mental perception before, but never this clearly—each word was as sharp and vivid as hearing it directly.
Following the source, Jiang Li's figure flickered and darted swiftly through the ground.
At the junction of the underground rivers, Li Kan's entire right arm had been shattered, blood and flesh hanging loose. His face was deathly pale as he leaned against the rock wall.
The pain was unbearable, yet he gritted his teeth in silence, refusing to groan, his eyes locked on the two beings floating before him—both beyond the level of War God.
And in front of him stood his sworn brother, "Shadow Blade" Wang Tong.
"Bastard!"
Wang Tong glared at the two transcendent warriors, eyes bloodshot with rage. "Yan Hai! You're a being beyond War God level—and a fellow Hanxia native—how dare you strike at us?"