After the ceremony ended,
Inside the giant spaceship structure that served as the Global Headquarters of the Extreme Dojo, Hong, dressed in black, walked through a metallic corridor with Luo Feng following slightly behind him.
Click!
A metal door slid open automatically. After Hong and Luo Feng passed through, it closed behind them.
“Luo Feng, when you first saw the headquarters of the Extreme Dojo, did you ever wonder whether this giant spaceship was a real spacecraft or just built to look like one?” Hong asked.
Luo Feng paused briefly before replying, “I did wonder about it, but only a little.”
“I’m telling you now, this is a genuine interstellar spacecraft,” Hong said.
“A real one?”
Luo Feng could not help looking around the corridor in surprise. Meanwhile, Hong had already entered a sealed room, and Luo Feng followed him inside.
The room contained only a large display screen.
“This is a damaged interstellar battleship.” Hong’s expression remained calm. “When I found it, it was already beyond repair and could no longer return to space. Even so, this empty shell has defensive capabilities far beyond any structure in Earth’s base cities.”
“After I became powerful enough, I excavated it from underground.”
“I made this interstellar battleship the headquarters of the Extreme Dojo. Even a laser cannon cannot penetrate it.”
Hong pointed at the display. It immediately lit up, revealing the vastness of outer space.
“The universe is far from as simple as many ordinary people on Earth imagine.”
“Humanity can be incredibly arrogant at times.”
“We still have not discovered countless species of animals and plants even on land. There are even more unknown species in the oceans. In other words, we have not even fully understood Earth itself. Yet there are people who confidently declare that intelligent life exists nowhere else in the universe, that humanity is the only intelligent species. Don’t you think that’s ridiculous?”
Hong looked at Luo Feng.
Luo Feng nodded slightly.
It really was.
In ancient times, people believed the Earth was flat. Only later did they discover it was round.
People once believed the Earth was the centre of the universe and that the Sun revolved around it.
Only later did they realise the Earth revolved around the Sun.
Humanity always believed it had mastered everything after understanding just a small part of reality.
Only much later did it discover how completely wrong those beliefs had been.
Without even understanding many of Earth’s own species and natural laws, people used a handful of superficial theories to conclude that humanity was the only intelligent civilisation in the Milky Way, or even beyond.
“That kind of thinking is extremely arbitrary.”
“And laughable.”
“There are still huge portions of the oceans humanity has never explored.”
“The universe is countless times larger than the oceans. Billions upon billions of times larger. Far more than that. How could humans confined to Earth possibly determine what exists in the infinite universe? Isn’t that just like the frog at the bottom of a well believing the sky is only as large as the well’s opening?”
Hong shook his head.
“The civilisations and races of the universe are unimaginably complex and mysterious.”
“Luo Feng, if you want to know the true ranking system for martial artists and Spirit Readers, watch the screen.”
Hong pointed towards it.
The display immediately presented the complete ranking system.
Apprentice Level.
Planetary Level.
Stellar Level.
Universe Level.
Each realm contained nine stages.
The accompanying footage demonstrated the power possessed by Planetary Level, Stellar Level, and even Universe Level experts.
“My goodness…”
Luo Feng was completely stunned.
The Crystal Man had already told him how terrifying Universe Level experts were, but seeing actual footage was an entirely different experience.
“An entire city… reduced to ashes just like that?”
“A meteor?”
“What is that? A white dwarf?”
Luo Feng stared in astonishment at a blazing white star shown in the recording.
The footage showed two immensely powerful martial artists descending onto its surface and fighting one another.
The accompanying text explained that the star was a white dwarf whose surface gravity was three hundred million times stronger than Earth’s.
Three hundred million times Earth’s gravity.
Inside the gravity chamber of the ancient civilisation ruins at the Elite Training Camp, Luo Feng had only ever experienced one thousand times Earth’s gravity.
The difference between one thousand and three hundred million was beyond imagination.
Three hundred million was not merely a number.
Under such terrifying gravity, even atoms should be crushed.
According to Earth’s scientific understanding, it should have been impossible for humans to survive, let alone fight, on a white dwarf.
“Fighting on a white dwarf.”
“Incredible, isn’t it?” Hong said calmly. “But how could Earth’s science possibly uncover the true mysteries of the human body? Could they imagine that a tiny planet exists within the human body? That it generates a magnetic field? That someone weighing only a few hundred kilograms could unleash thousands or even tens of thousands of tonnes of force with a single punch? Does any of that fit Earth’s so called science?”
The deeper one studied,
The more one realised one’s own ignorance.
Luo Feng completely agreed.
This single video had shaken him to his core.
No matter how much the Crystal Man had explained, it could never compare with actually witnessing it.
“This is the only recording of a Universe Level battle that I have ever obtained.”
Hong gazed at the footage, longing visible in his eyes.
“Universe Level experts can cross the cosmos using only their physical bodies. They can fight interstellar battleships head on. They can survive on white dwarfs. A single Universe Level expert could wipe out all of humanity on Earth as effortlessly as eating a meal.”
“Planetary Level experts barely earn a living in the universe. At best, they become bodyguards or hired fighters.”
“Only Stellar Level experts truly count as important figures.”
“As for Universe Level experts, they are genuine overlords. Join almost any cosmic nation, and they can be granted numerous planetary territories while ruling over hundreds of billions of subjects.”
Although Hong’s voice remained calm, Luo Feng could detect the faintest trace of excitement.
Hong turned to look at him.
Luo Feng was staring intently at the screen.
One day…
Would he also be able to fight under gravity three hundred million times stronger than Earth’s?
Still, according to the Crystal Man, only one Universe Level expert was born among countless planets.
“Luo Feng,” Hong said in a low voice.
“Curator,” Luo Feng replied.
“Your brain domain is exceptionally broad. Although I have no means of measuring it precisely, your experience in Ancient Civilisation Ruin No. 9 already proves it.”
Hong continued quietly.
“Your talent as a Spirit Reader might not be extraordinary in the vast universe, but on Earth, your Spirit Reader talent is unquestionably the greatest.”
Hong fixed his eyes on Luo Feng.
“Lei Shen and I possess the greatest martial talent. We are the two strongest people on Earth. Since your Spirit Reader talent ranks first on Earth, I hope you never become complacent. Never allow the achievements you’ve gained here to make you arrogant.”
“In the endless universe, we Earthlings are merely natives living on a single planet.”
“The future standing of Earth depends on our efforts.”
“And perhaps the future fate of humanity itself depends on us.”
Hong looked directly into Luo Feng’s eyes.
Luo Feng nodded firmly.
“I understand, Curator.”
At that moment, Luo Feng finally understood why Hong and Lei Shen, despite already standing far above everyone else, continued to improve without relaxing for even a moment.
That same day,
Hong brought Luo Feng aboard their respective intelligent fighter aircraft and flew towards Mist Island on the Australian continent.
Although Luo Feng had already received information from Liu Yan regarding his relatives, his father’s health had not yet recovered enough for such a distant journey.
If his parents learned about those relatives now, they would never be willing to wait.
So Luo Feng decided to keep the information to himself for the time being.
His family had already waited over twenty years.
Waiting another six months would make little difference.
…
A crimson triangular fighter flew in front.
A dark blue triangular fighter followed behind.
Hong, Lei Shen, and Luo Feng were all inside the crimson aircraft.
“We’ve arrived at Mist Island,” Hong said.
The three dimensional virtual projection inside the cabin clearly displayed the landscape below.
Luo Feng looked down at the enormous lake spanning nearly a hundred miles.
Around it were countless flying saucer aircraft, triangular fighters, and newly constructed military bases.
He was startled.
“Curator… this is Mist Island?”
“Of course it is,” Hong nodded.
“But… but…”
Luo Feng stared at the virtual projection in astonishment.
The mist covering the lake had vanished.
Even the island at the centre of the lake had disappeared.
Nothing remained except a vast expanse of open water.
No mist.
No central island.
Was this really the Mist Island he had visited before?
“The coordinates are correct.”
After checking the coordinates on his communications watch, Luo Feng became even more shocked.
“After I removed the vine lifeform from Mist Island, all the mist disappeared,” Hong explained.
“As for the island itself, it was destroyed during a major battle not long ago. At least its surface was destroyed. Everything deeper now lies submerged beneath the lake.”
“An entire island destroyed?”
Luo Feng was inwardly astonished.
What kind of battle could erase an island spanning more than ten miles?
Surely it had to be at least on the level of that vine lifeform.
“Luo Feng.”
Lei Shen, dressed in white, pointed towards the endless lake.
“This lake is extremely unusual. It contains vast numbers of aquatic monsters. Their numbers are enormous, and they are incredibly powerful. More importantly, there is a terrifying monster with thirteen long tentacles. It is the third Beast Emperor ever discovered on Earth.”
“A Beast Emperor?”
Luo Feng could hardly believe it.
He had once ventured dangerously close to that lake, nearly losing his life.
If a Beast Emperor stronger than a King Level monster had been there all along, he would never have survived.
“Mist Island is extraordinary.”
Hong’s expression became serious.
“Such a tiny island produced countless plant spirits. It even gave birth to a terrifying vine lifeform. Beyond that, the density of monster leaders in these waters exceeds even that of the oceans, and there is also a Beast Emperor.”
“The vine lifeform, the numerous plant spirits, and the Beast Emperor all appeared here.”
“Nearly every major force on Earth believes this place hides an incredible treasure.”
“The previous ancient civilisation ruins never produced anything this extraordinary.”
“This discovery could shake the entire world.”
Hong pointed towards the numerous aircraft and bases surrounding the lake in the virtual projection.
“Look. Those flying saucers, those bases. They belong to the five great nations, the major base city organisations, and many Council Level experts.”
“There are even more than twenty laser cannons deployed around Mist Island.”
Hong looked at Luo Feng.
Luo Feng was clearly surprised.
More than twenty laser cannons capable of killing King Level monsters had been assembled here?
“Whoever obtains the treasure will depend entirely on luck,” Hong said. “If you’re not interested, you can leave. If you are interested, you may stay near Mist Island. I don’t have room to accommodate you, so return to your own intelligent fighter.”
“Understood.”
Luo Feng nodded and walked towards the exit.
“Remember, if you encounter that Beast Emperor, don’t fight it directly. Use your flying speed to escape,” Hong reminded him.
Luo Feng stepped out of the aircraft.
…
Landing in the endless wilderness, Luo Feng looked across the vast lake stretching to the horizon.
Compared to more than a year ago, everything had changed dramatically.
The famous mist had completely disappeared.
“Mist Island… what secret are you hiding that has attracted the attention of every major power on Earth?”
After sighing softly, Luo Feng turned towards his dark blue intelligent fighter.
“With Hong and Lei Shen both here, even if there really is an extraordinary treasure, my chances of obtaining it are practically zero. I’d rather watch from the sidelines while mastering the second layer of the first form of the Soaring Sky Shuttle.”
Luo Feng was not greedy.
Knowing one’s limits was important.
The five great nations, every major base city, the two strongest experts on Earth, and even a Beast Emperor were all gathered here.
What right did Luo Feng have to compete for the treasure?