Hong and Thunder God departed to register with the Qianwu Universe Dojo, their figures disappearing into the crowded aerial traffic lanes of Qiulong City. Han Jue didn't accompany them, instead, he assigned one of the Silverium Guards to ensure their safety while he handled other pressing matters.
His next destination was considerably less pleasant than a martial arts academy.
The slave market operated openly on Qionglong Star, a grim reminder that the universe's prosperity came with darker realities. Han Jue felt his jaw tighten as he entered the facility, but pragmatism demanded he set aside his distaste. Earth needed protection, and these individuals, however they'd arrived at this fate, could provide that security.
After extensive negotiation and considerable expense, Han Jue acquired one thousand Stellar Level Nine Spirit Readers, one thousand Stellar Level Nine warriors, and an additional ten thousand Planetary Level Nine combatants of both types. The total cost was staggering, but the investment would establish Earth's defensive infrastructure for decades to come.
These forces would be stationed throughout Earth's territories, not particularly powerful by universal standards, but more than sufficient to deter opportunistic threats and provide early warning of genuine dangers. Han Jue had originally intended to purchase Universe-level slaves for even greater security, but such valuable assets simply weren't available on Qionglong Star's market.
I'd probably need to travel to the Black Dragon Mountain Empire's capital or the Qianwu Universe Nation's central worlds to find warriors of that caliber, Han Jue mused as he finalized the transactions. Another item for the future agenda.
Before leaving the commercial district, Han Jue made one final purchase, Huangyang Star, an unremarkable planet located in the Milky Way Galaxy. The world had once been a productive mining operation before its B-grade metal deposits were exhausted and it was abandoned to the elements. Now it would serve a new purpose as a waypoint between Earth and the wider universe, a buffer zone where visitors could be screened before being granted access to humanity's homeworld.
By the time these arrangements were complete, Hong and Thunder God had returned from the Qianwu Universe Dojo, their expressions carrying equal parts excitement and intimidation.
"After registering, you can access the Qianwu Universe Dojo's facilities through the Virtual Universe network and begin your training immediately," Han Jue said, noting their somewhat dazed expressions with amusement. "How was it?"
"The Qianwu Universe Dojo truly deserves its reputation as the only 'martial arts academy' spanning the entire Qianwu Universe Nation," Thunder God said, his voice filled with genuine awe. "The students training there are formidable, many at levels we've only recently achieved ourselves. There are even Universe-level instructors offering guidance to qualified disciples."
His tone shifted to something more rueful. "It was... humbling."
"Now you understand how weak you actually are, correct?" Han Jue said with deliberate provocation, his smile widening.
"You brat!" Thunder God glared with exaggerated outrage, though his helplessness was evident. What could he possibly do against someone who'd already surpassed him so completely?
"Master, you'd better not let my uncle surpass you," Han Jue warned, his tone carrying genuine concern beneath the teasing. "He keeps saying he wants to give you a proper beating once he catches up."
With Han Jue's assistance and the considerable resources recovered from the Bronze City, Han Hechang was making remarkable progress. Combined with his already exceptional talent and decades of accumulated experience, the elder warrior had already reached Planetary Level Two and showed no signs of slowing his advancement.
"Hmph, that Han Hechang..." Thunder God spoke dismissively, but Han Jue noticed the flicker of genuine concern crossing his features.
Could he really catch up to me? Thunder God wondered, alarm bells ringing in his consciousness. The prospect was both motivating and somewhat terrifying.
He resolved silently to enter intensive seclusion upon returning to Earth, refusing to emerge until he'd achieved his Domain breakthrough. Pride alone demanded nothing less.
"Let's go purchase some spacecraft," Han Jue announced, already plotting their route through the city's commercial sectors.
"Spacecraft?" Thunder God blinked with momentary confusion.
"You'll both need personal vessels for your future cosmic adventures," Han Jue explained patiently. "You can't expect me to ferry you around indefinitely, can you? Independence requires appropriate equipment."
"That makes sense," Hong agreed, nodding thoughtfully.
The highest-grade spacecraft available for civilian purchase on Qionglong Star were D-class vessels, respectable machines, though hardly extraordinary by universal standards.
Hong and Thunder God each ordered C9-class spacecraft, reliable mid-tier vessels with decent speed and acceptable defensive capabilities. Han Jue, meanwhile, purchased a D3-class spacecraft for his personal use, practically the finest available on this world, though considerably more expensive than his companions' selections.
He also acquired a D1-class passenger transport vessel, a massive cargo hauler designed for moving large quantities of personnel or materials across interstellar distances.
The passenger transport would ferry the newly acquired slaves to Earth and handle future bulk purchases. The slaves themselves would pilot it under Rimuru's remote supervision, while Han Jue traveled in the superior comfort and speed of his D3-class personal craft.
With all transactions finalized and departure authorizations secured, the three warriors officially embarked on their return journey to Earth.
Before heading directly home, Han Jue made one detour to Huangyang Star.
Hong and Thunder God followed separately, Rimuru having provided them with precise Dark Universe coordinates that would allow direct navigation to Earth's concealed location whenever necessary. The knowledge was a privilege granted to only the most trusted individuals, revealing Earth's position to the wrong parties could prove catastrophic.
Huangyang Star was a desolate mineral world located in the Milky Way Galaxy, approximately twenty-one thousand light-years from Earth's system. The planet still produced small quantities of B-grade metal from its depleted veins, though hardly enough to justify maintaining commercial operations. After being abandoned by its previous corporate owners, Han Jue had acquired it for a relative pittance.
The world's environment was hostile, thin atmosphere, extreme temperatures, violent geological activity, but for Planetary-level warriors, such conditions posed minimal challenges. It would serve its purpose admirably.
After several days of waiting in a temporary camp established on Huangyang Star's barren surface, a massive spacecraft bearing the Virtual Universe Company's distinctive logo finally materialized in orbit, descending with impressive precision.
A red-skinned employee emerged from the vessel's cargo bay, standing over three meters tall with two prominent horns curving from his forehead, marking him as one of the Karon species common throughout this sector. He pulled out a sophisticated scanning instrument, its sensors sweeping over Han Jue with methodical thoroughness.
"Identity confirmed. Transaction authorized," the employee announced in Universal Language, his deep voice carrying professional efficiency. He gestured, and automated cargo systems began offloading several large reinforced containers onto the rocky ground.
"Honored customer, thank you for your patronage of the Virtual Universe Company," the employee said, bowing slightly in respectful acknowledgment before returning to his vessel.
Han Jue nodded his acknowledgment, storing the containers in his World Ring's vast storage space with practiced ease. The transaction completed, the Virtual Universe Company ship lifted off smoothly, rapidly accelerating beyond the atmosphere and vanishing in a flash of light as it entered the Dark Universe.
"Let's go," Han Jue ordered, his anticipation building. "Time to return to Earth."
"Yes!" Rimuru's holographic form appeared beside him, practically bouncing with excitement as he interfaced with the D3-class spacecraft's control systems.
The vessel rose majestically, its powerful engines creating localized atmospheric disturbances as it broke free of Huangyang Star's gravity well. Within minutes, they'd reached sufficient altitude to safely transition, space itself seeming to fold around them as the ship entered the Dark Universe and accelerated toward the coordinates corresponding to Earth's hidden location.
In the spacecraft's primary control room, Han Jue placed the newly delivered containers on the deck plating, curiosity burning through him.
Rimuru had ordered three specific items through the Virtual Universe Company's premium purchasing service. Han Jue knew one was the nutrition cabin, but the other two remained mysteries, Rimuru having kept their nature deliberately secret with obvious mischievous intent.
"Open them quickly!" Rimuru urged, his holographic form quivering with barely contained excitement. "I want to see your reaction!"
Han Jue chuckled and opened the first container with systematic precision.
Inside rested three D-grade nutrition cabins, sleek metallic pods accompanied by thousands of liters of specialized nutrient solution stored in crystalline suspension tanks. The sophisticated medical technology represented humanity's accumulated knowledge of biological enhancement, refined over millions of years of cosmic civilization.
This equipment could elevate a Planetary Level One warrior or Spirit Reader directly to Planetary Level Nine in a single extended treatment session, an extraordinary shortcut that would normally require years or decades of cultivation to achieve through conventional methods.
Of course, the price reflected its value. While primarily designed to repair catastrophic injuries sustained by Domain Master-level warriors, it served admirably as an advancement tool for those willing to pay its astronomical cost. Even more sophisticated models existed, E-grade nutrition cabins that could repair damage to Realm Master-level physiology, though their prices entered truly stratospheric territory.
Because Han Jue's genetic level was triple rather than the standard baseline, Rimuru had purchased three complete sets. Even though Han Jue currently stood at Planetary Level Four, the additional capacity would ensure complete optimization without waste.
"Pop!"
Han Jue opened the second container, and his breath caught.
"What...?"
Inside the reinforced case lay a deep blue longsword of extraordinary craftsmanship. Its shape bore some resemblance to the Ice Wasteland Sword his inherited legacy had provided, though this blade was slightly longer, its proportions somehow more perfect, as if designed by someone who understood the fundamental geometry of cutting on an almost metaphysical level.
The blade's surface was covered in mysterious engravings, geometric patterns that seemed to shift and flow when observed directly, as if the metal itself contained dimensions beyond normal three-dimensional space. Han Jue knelt and reached out tentatively, his fingers brushing the weapon's surface.
An extreme chill radiated from the metal, yet it carried no discomfort, only a sense of absolute sharpness that seemed to penetrate beyond physical matter into something deeper. The blade felt alive somehow, aware, as if it had been waiting for him specifically.
"Well?" Rimuru's voice carried obvious smugness, his holographic form practically preening. "Go ahead, tell me how amazing I am!"
His expression shifted to something resembling a proud cat demanding acknowledgment, complete with what Han Jue could only describe as cute sparkles somehow manifesting around his digital manifestation.
~(￣▽￣～)(～￣▽￣)～
"This is a fifth-rank Force weapon of superior grade," Rimuru announced with undisguised satisfaction. "In terms of pure value, it rivals even the complete set of Soaring Shuttle's Nine Divine Weapons when used together by a skilled Spirit Reader!"
He paused for dramatic effect before continuing. "Weapons of this caliber are usually only available at major auction houses, sold to the highest bidder after intense competitive bidding. However, four-star account holders receive certain privileges, including first access to newly acquired inventory. When I saw this particular blade come available, I purchased it immediately for you."
His holographic form gestured toward the container. "There's also fifth-rank Force armor included in the set, stored in the compartment beneath. Check the lower section."
"Rimuru..." Han Jue felt genuine surprise and gratitude flooding through him. He hadn't expected such an extraordinary gift. "Thank you."
"This sword is named Cloud Sea Dragon Hunter," Rimuru continued, his tone shifting to something more educational. "It's a Force weapon that incorporates both the fundamental Origins of Water and Space into its design, featuring triple-law secret patterns etched into its structure by a master craftsman."
He paused, ensuring Han Jue was absorbing the significance. "Mastering just the first level of these patterns is difficult even for Universe-level warriors. Once you achieve it, you'll be truly invincible among Universe-level combatants, capable of challenging even weaker Domain Masters in direct combat. The effect is roughly equivalent to mastering the third level of the Nine Divine Weapons."
"Mastering the second level, something typically only Domain Masters can achieve, will make you virtually invincible among Domain Master-level opponents, capable of challenging even weaker Realm Masters despite the vast gulf in cultivation. You would genuinely deserve the title of invincible at the Domain Master level. This is equivalent to mastering the sixth level of the Nine Divine Weapons."
"Mastering the third level is roughly equivalent to mastering the eighth level of the Nine Divine Weapons, a feat only Realm Masters typically accomplish. It unleashes the sword's complete potential, making you invincible among Realm Master-level warriors. While it may seem slightly weaker than fully mastering all Nine Divine Weapons, once you reach this level of understanding, you'll also be able to properly wield the Lord of the Ice Wasteland's Ice Wasteland Sword at its full potential."
Rimuru's excitement became palpable through their mental connection. "Han Jue, if you can master even the first level before the Genius Battle begins in ten years, you'll absolutely secure first place in the entire competition. No one will be able to match you."
He paused, his tone becoming more realistic. "Of course, that's somewhat unrealistic given the timeline, true mastery requires decades of dedicated study even for exceptional talents. But even if you only comprehend a portion of the first level's secrets, it will be sufficient to secure an excellent placement in the Genius Battle and guarantee your acceptance into the Virtual Universe Company's core membership."
Han Jue nodded slowly, his mind already racing through the implications and possibilities. Rimuru had been planning his developmental path with remarkable thoroughness, anticipating needs and arranging resources with the foresight of an experienced mentor. He was fortunate to have such dedicated guidance.
He lifted the longsword named Cloud Sea Dragon Hunter, feeling its perfect weight distribution. The secret patterns carved into its surface contained profound mysteries of universal law. Through his Six Eyes' enhanced perception, Han Jue could see how the blade almost merged with the surrounding fabric of space itself, the water-attributed energy in the air seeming to resonate with its presence.
Of course, this phenomenon occurred because his comprehension remained insufficient. The weapon's true nature still lay beyond his current understanding.
When I grow strong enough, Han Jue thought with quiet determination, when I've mastered the secrets hidden in these patterns, I'll no longer perceive it this way. I'll understand it completely.
He carefully returned Cloud Sea Dragon Hunter to its case, already planning his first training session with the magnificent weapon. The path ahead had just become clearer, and considerably more exciting.