Following behind the man in black, Hong, and the white robed monk, Thunder God, Luo Feng calmly kept pace.
“These two are the strongest people on Earth.”
Looking at their backs, Luo Feng regarded them as the goals he wished to surpass.
In only a few decades, one had reached the seventh stage of the planetary level, while the other, although only at the sixth stage, was recognised as invincible among planetary level fighters. Their cultivation speed far surpassed everyone else on Earth.
Whoosh.
The metal door along the passage opened. The three entered, and the door closed behind them.
They continued forward and soon arrived at an open rooftop terrace.
Hong and Thunder God both took their seats.
Hong glanced at Luo Feng.
“Sit.”
“Yes, Dojo Master.”
Luo Feng sat to one side, his back perfectly straight.
“Lad, tell me in detail how you managed to kill Li Yao with just the Soaring Heaven Shuttle.”
Thunder God smiled warmly, appearing very approachable.
“Back then, your Dojo Master and I discovered the Soaring Heaven Shuttle. We studied it for a long time. Although we knew this spirit force weapon was extremely powerful, we never figured out how to use it.”
Luo Feng’s heart skipped a beat.
The bald crystal man had once told him that both Hong and Thunder God had inherited legacies from other ancient civilisations. Naturally, they knew how powerful spirit force weapons were.
However, the Soaring Heaven Shuttle was one of Yunmo Planet’s exclusive spirit force weapons, and its methods of use were top secret. Anyone else who obtained it would have no idea how to use it.
“What should I do?”
“The secrets of the Soaring Heaven manual absolutely cannot be revealed. According to the manual, teaching it even to members within Yunmo Planet without permission carried a sentence of sixty years of penal labour. Teaching it to outsiders meant immediate execution. That bald crystal man is monitoring the entire Earth. The moment I reveal anything, he’ll know. He might even fire a laser and kill me on the spot.”
Luo Feng did not dare take even the slightest risk.
Hong and Thunder God exchanged a glance.
“Is there a difficulty?”
Hong looked at Luo Feng.
“I was thinking about how to explain it.”
Luo Feng took a deep breath.
“I believe you both have already guessed that Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9 is controlled by an intelligent system.”
Hong and Thunder God both nodded.
After countless war gods had entered the ruins over the years, it was easy to notice how highly programmed everything was. Naturally, they had concluded that an intelligent computer system controlled the ruins.
“As I mentioned before, because my brain domain was unusually broad, I received a special trial within Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9. I also faced several life and death crises. During that process, I received some guidance from a controller among spiritual readers. That was where I learned two methods of using the Soaring Heaven Shuttle, one for attack and one for defence.”
“I remained inside for one year and three months before finally completing the mission.”
“I also obtained a cultivation manual for controllers among spiritual readers.”
“However, I always had the feeling that Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9 was like a teacher selecting disciples, while deliberately hiding much of its knowledge.”
Luo Feng sighed.
Hong and Thunder God both nodded slightly.
“That’s perfectly normal.”
Hong smiled faintly.
“Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9 is one of the few ruins on Earth that still functions properly. As far as we know, it exists purely to select disciples. However, it clearly favours spiritual readers.”
“You can tell just by comparing the death rates of spiritual readers and martial artists.”
Luo Feng froze.
That was right.
Before entering, Hong had said that although some advanced war god level spiritual readers had failed the trials, none had died.
In contrast, the death rate among war god martial artists had been extremely high.
Clearly, Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9 favoured spiritual readers and was far from impartial in its selection process.
“So I believe the organisation behind Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9 places great importance on spiritual readers,” Hong said.
Luo Feng silently applauded.
From what he had learned, Hu Yanbo, the master of Yunmo Planet, had created numerous spirit force weapons. Anyone capable of creating such weapons must have been an extraordinary existence among spiritual readers.
To use even the third form of the Soaring Heaven Shuttle required at least a universe level spiritual reader.
To create a weapon that even universe level experts needed tremendous effort to master…
Hu Yanbo’s strength had probably surpassed the universe level altogether.
Since the master of Yunmo Planet had achieved such extraordinary accomplishments among spiritual readers, it was hardly surprising that he specifically selected spiritual reader disciples.
“Since that organisation values spiritual readers, and Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9 is merely an introductory selection trial, why would it teach too much?”
Hong shook his head before looking at Luo Feng.
“On Earth, there is only one councillor level spiritual reader, the Fourth Speaker, East. However, his talent is nowhere near yours. Besides, his ambition is too great. I don’t like him.”
“You can already control sixteen throwing weapons. You should be able to break through soon, shouldn’t you?”
Hong looked at Luo Feng.
“East can control at most fourteen.”
“I believe so. Recently I’ve had the feeling that I could break through at any moment.”
Luo Feng answered honestly.
“Good.”
Hong and Thunder God both nodded.
Among everyone on Earth, Hong and Thunder God knew the most about the universe.
Most of Earth’s ancient ruins had been discovered by these two strongest individuals.
Compared with them, Luo Feng’s knowledge was still far inferior.
The more Hong and Thunder God understood about the vast universe, the less they dared relax.
“Continue working hard.”
Hong offered a few words of encouragement.
“Dojo Master, you mentioned the monster emperors earlier.”
Luo Feng immediately asked.
“What exactly are these monster emperors?”
Hong and Thunder God exchanged another glance.
Hong answered seriously.
“You’ve only recently entered the circle of councillors, so this isn’t really a great secret.”
“Whether human or monster, breaking through the war god or lord level doesn’t mean their strength stops increasing.”
“Among human councillors, some are stronger than others. Thunder God and I, in particular, are far beyond the rest.”
“The same applies to monsters.”
“Among king level monsters, some are stronger than others, though the differences are generally only several fold.”
“However, the oceans cover several times more area than the land, with countless monsters inhabiting them. There are also enormous numbers of king level monsters.”
“So naturally, truly terrifying monsters have emerged.”
“We call these two monsters the monster emperors.”
“Each possesses astonishing strength.”
“Other than Thunder God and myself, anyone else on Earth who encounters either of them is certain to die.”
Hong spoke without the slightest hesitation.
Luo Feng was deeply shocked.
Such terrifying monsters actually existed?
Thinking about it carefully, however, it made perfect sense.
The higher one’s status, the more one knew.
Ordinary fighters knew nothing about treasures such as the spirits of plants and trees.
If news of the monster emperors became public, it would only plunge human society into even greater panic.
Only by letting the councillors know that monsters capable of killing them instantly existed would they continue striving desperately without becoming complacent.
“Remember this.”
Hong spoke solemnly.
“Councillor level is merely the beginning, not the end.”
“Never become complacent.”
“I understand.”
Luo Feng nodded.
He naturally understood.
The so called councillor level was properly known as the planetary level.
He also knew that the planetary level was divided into nine stages, and that the two Dojo Masters were at the sixth and seventh stages respectively.
“Mmm.”
Hong pondered briefly.
“The appointment of the sixth inspector of the Extreme Dojo will be announced publicly across the world.”
“We need to choose an important date.”
“I think the first, fifth, or eighteenth of January would all be suitable.”
“Pick one.”
“The appointment ceremony?”
Luo Feng thought for a moment before smiling.
“The first of January is New Year’s Day. That doesn’t seem quite right.”
“Let’s choose the fifth.”
“Very well.”
Hong nodded.
“That’s all. Go back and enjoy the banquet.”
“Yes.”
Luo Feng acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Only Hong and Thunder God remained on the rooftop terrace.
“Hong, I have the feeling that the youngster is hiding something.”
Thunder God smiled as he looked at Hong.
“Everyone has secrets.”
Hong replied seriously.
“Some secrets aren’t even shared with family.”
“Is there any need to force him?”
“What truly worries me is that one day Earth will inevitably be discovered by certain nations or forces in the universe.”
“When that happens, humanity may be exterminated, enslaved, sold as slaves, or, if we’re fortunate, survive.”
“It’s impossible to say.”
“So we must reach the stellar level as soon as possible.”
“Only then will we have the power to protect Earth.”
“Mmm.”
Thunder God nodded slightly.
The two strongest beings on Earth…
What concerned them most was the fate of humanity itself.
They understood better than anyone how insignificant Earth was within the boundless universe.
Humanity was merely an indigenous civilisation living on this tiny planet.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Someone knocked at the door.
“Come in.”
Hong spoke, and the door opened automatically.
His personal guard, Yaorao, stepped onto the rooftop terrace and bowed respectfully.
“Dojo Master, we’ve just received news. There have been unusual developments on Mist Island.”
“You’ll understand after watching the video.”
“Mist Island?”
Thunder God looked surprised.
“Hong, isn’t that where you obtained the Moyun Vine?”
“Play it.”
Hong instructed.
Mingyue Residential District.
That evening, Luo Feng’s family sat together having dinner.
“Dad, Mum, I’m going out tonight to deal with something.”
“It should take about five or six days.”
Holding his rice bowl, Luo Feng picked up a piece of scrambled egg.
“Five or six days?”
His father, Luo Hongguo, who sat in a wheelchair, his mother, Gong Xinlan, and his younger brother, Luo Hua, were all startled.
“You’ve only been back for two days. Why are you leaving again?”
Gong Xinlan could not help asking.
“It isn’t dangerous, is it?”
“Our son has important business.”
Luo Hongguo interrupted.
“Stop interrupting him.”
“I’m only worried about Xiaofeng.”
Gong Xinlan immediately protested.
“Alright, Dad, Mum.”
Luo Feng quickly reassured them.
“There isn’t any danger this time.”
“I just have an important matter to take care of.”
“I’ll be back in five or six days.”
Only then did the family relax slightly.
After all, Luo Feng had only recently returned after disappearing for one year and three months.
Late that night.
Standing upon the Soaring Heaven Shuttle, Luo Feng quietly left home before silently boarding the king level intelligent fighter beneath the cover of darkness.
Inside the intelligent fighter.
The seat had been lowered flat until it resembled the floor.
Luo Feng sat cross legged upon it.
“Don’t worry. Be good. I’ll call you then.”
Luo Feng ended his conversation with Xu Xin.
“Number One, from now until I come out, do not allow anyone to disturb me.”
Luo Feng gave the order.
Everything had been prepared.
He had informed both his family and Xu Xin.
His appointment as inspector would take place on the fifth of January.
There were still several days left, more than enough time for him to break through to the planetary level.
“Ninety Nine Tempering Spirit.”
Luo Feng took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Within his mind, he quickly reviewed all eighty one steps of the technique.
“No problems.”
“Then…”
“Let’s begin.”
Luo Feng’s breathing gradually became steady, and his heartbeat slowed.
Within the boundless sea of consciousness, the previously tranquil spiritual force, already resembling a flowing galaxy, suddenly surged violently.
Rumble.
The immense spiritual force suddenly began spinning, accelerating faster and faster.