Chapter 167: Dream of the Butterfly (Third Watch)

Qin Ming piloted the captured B-class spaceship and, shortly after arriving on the White-Blue Star, received several items sent by Man Luo. Among them were an E-class super light brain, an E-class battle suit, an SSS-grade bloodline enhancement potion, a D-class sky-splitting combat blade, and a D-class spaceship.

“This is quite a generous gift!” Qin Ming exclaimed joyfully, quickly replacing his own light brain and allowing Xiao Pang to integrate into it.

“Xiao Pang, how is it?”

“Master, it’s amazing!” Xiao Pang responded with newfound vitality, resembling a truly intelligent being. Its projected image looked almost human as it leapt and ran about happily. “Master, I can now scan this entire planet in an instant, expanding my previous range by ten thousand times. Plus, I have many other powerful functions, like detecting the cultivation level of border lords—though that can be noticed by the target—but domain lords are no problem, and I can also shield scans and so on!”

“Excellent. The spaceship is yours to control!”

“Don’t worry, Master, leave it to me!” Xiao Pang took control of the D-class ship in an instant. “Master, this ship needs a name!”

“Let’s call it the Qin Emperor,” Qin Ming decided after some thought, recalling a recent gambit that stirred his heart.

The spaceship was shaped like a butterfly, no longer than a hundred meters, yet brimming with formidable technology and power. Qin Ming didn’t examine it closely but stored it directly in his spatial ring.

This spatial ring had been given to him by Babata long ago. Its capacity was immense. He guessed it might have belonged to an immortal strongman, either a disciple of Huyan Bo or someone who perished aboard Babata’s former ship. It was more than enough to hold the Qin Emperor.

After the battle suit recognized its master, Qin Ming donned it immediately.

The D-class combat blade was also stored in the spatial ring.

“An SSS-grade bloodline potion?” Qin Ming mused. Such potions that elevate one’s bloodline were incredibly rare, only major forces like the Virtual Universe could manufacture them. They enhanced bloodline quality, unlocking greater potential, harmonizing more closely with cosmic laws, and accelerating cultivation.

“The bloodline potion should directly elevate the life gene hierarchy, but the enhancement is limited—at most up to tenfold in life gene level,” he reasoned.

He stored it away without using it for the time being.

As for cultivating the Nine Turns Profound Art and reversing bloodlines, Qin Ming wasn’t confident he could reach the second turn.

The White-Blue Star was blanketed in snow this time. His previous visit had been hurried, leaving no time to appreciate its beauty. Now, with leisure, he traveled swiftly over mountains and rivers within a single day.

The planet housed over two billion inhabitants, giving rise to a unique culture. Qin Ming noticed the women here were all tall, fair-skinned, and beautiful.

“Is it because of the climate?” he wondered briefly but dismissed the thought.

After a day of exploration, he deemed it enough.

He summoned the Qin Emperor, climbed aboard, and said, “Xiao Pang, set course for Earth.”

“As you wish, Master!”

Xiao Pang swiftly brought the ship to light speed and entered the Dark Universe.

In just two hours, they arrived back on Earth.

This speed far exceeded that of the Black Dragon ship.

The Qin Emperor hovered invisibly above the castle. Qin Ming did not disembark but said, “Xiao Pang, enter the Virtual Universe.”

“Yes!”

Through mental communication, his consciousness entered the Virtual Universe, a realm even more wondrous than the real world, where distances were compressed.

“Xiao Pang, find a villa next to the Killing Ground and buy it for me!” Qin Ming instructed before heading to the Killing Ground.

Having a residence here meant that in future visits to the Virtual Universe, he could appear directly at home—convenient and fixed.

He did not linger on the housing market and proceeded directly to the Killing Ground.

Inside the hall, in a corner, Man Luo reclined leisurely in a lounge chair.

Qin Ming smiled as he approached and bowed respectfully, “Thank you for your great gift, Senior Uncle!”

“You’ve come, kid!” Man Luo didn’t rise but opened his small eyes with a smile. “When you become successful, don’t forget me!”

“Even if I forget everyone else, I won’t forget you!” Qin Ming said with a nod and summoned a stool to sit on. “I’m planning to visit Master’s Blood Rain Fragrance Pavilion. Do you have any guidance for me?”

“Ask your second senior sister!”

“Master hasn’t formally accepted me as a true disciple yet. Will she guide me?”

“Your second senior sister is cold on the outside but warm within. Be respectful, and you’ll benefit!”

“Thanks, Senior Uncle!”

“Go on, go on!”

“All right!”

Qin Ming left the Killing Ground and made his way to the nearby Star Bay District, where a villa complex stood. After verifying his identity, he walked straight to one of the villas.

This was the villa Xiao Pang had just purchased.

The villa was spacious, three stories tall. Sitting on the living room sofa, Qin Ming said, “Xiao Pang, send messages to Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God. Tell them to come and check the place out.”

“Yes, Master!”

Xiao Pang promptly responded from his shoulder.

Before long, the three arrived together.

“You’re such a slacker!” Thunder God plopped down as he entered. “We’re still traversing the Dark Universe, and you’ve already bought a villa here.”

“Why don’t you earn some money while I work?” Qin Ming joked.

“Enough!” Thunder God surveyed the room. “No wonder this is the Virtual Universe. This house feels like a dream, luxurious beyond compare—something hard to achieve in reality.”

“Indeed, the unreal made real, the real turned into illusion—unimaginable. Big brother, second brother, we should all buy one nearby. That way, we can gather easily!” Luo Feng exclaimed after reflecting, “Traveling the cosmos means we’ll often be apart, but here, we can always come together!”

“Good idea. We have the funds; let’s buy adjacent villas!” Hong agreed.

After chatting a while, Qin Ming said, “Should I introduce you to Man Luo?”

Hong shook his head immediately. “You just became his disciple. Don’t waste his goodwill. We each have our own paths. Even if Thunder God and I fall behind you two in the future, we can ask you for help then.”

“Alright, suit yourselves,” Qin Ming said, not pressing further.

Hong and the others soon returned to the Killing Ground to train.

Qin Ming lingered in the villa, pondering deeply, then instructed, “Xiao Pang, send an application to the Blood Rain Fragrance Pavilion for entry!”

“Yes, Master!”

After two breaths, a portal appeared before him, casting a beam of light that enveloped Qin Ming. Then a cold voice echoed, “Applicant Qin Ming, from Qianwu Continent, Black Dragon Mountain Island, identity confirmed.”

As the voice faded, Qin Ming felt a sudden pull and found himself standing before a pavilion. Looking up, a fine rain fell—blood-red in color, as if the heavens themselves wept crimson tears.

The pavilion was entirely red, adorned with intricate carvings.

The blood rain cloaked the pavilion, evoking a chilling, fatal aura.

Yet in the air lingered a subtle fragrance. Upon inhaling, Qin Ming’s spirit stirred, and he felt his soul sharpen.

Above the main door were four divine characters: Blood Rain Fragrance.

The door opened automatically, and a gentle voice floated out, clear and pure as water dripping into a mountain spring, calming the heart: “Little junior brother, come in.”

Qin Ming straightened his clothes, cupped his hands in salute, and entered.

Inside was a spacious hall. Surrounding the walls were bookshelves laden with myriad volumes—some even emitted faint waves of cosmic law.

Facing the entrance was a lounge chair where a young girl reclined, dressed in pristine white. Her jade-like feet swayed gently.

At first glance, she was exquisite beyond measure—a perfect jade figure. Yet she held a book, engrossed in reading.

“Qin Ming, little junior brother, I am your second senior sister, Meng Die,” the girl said, turning slightly. Her slender eyebrows resembled willow leaves, and her glance sent a shiver through Qin Ming’s spirit.

In an instant, the hall vanished, replaced by a dazzling brilliance. Countless colorful butterflies appeared, fluttering gracefully.

Qin Ming’s eyes blurred, his mind hazy, as if he had become one of these myriad butterflies, spreading his arms to dance freely in the air.

Yet a voice in his mind questioned the reality of this scene. Though uncertain, he found himself unable to resist opening his arms and soaring with them.

His arms trembled as he struggled fiercely, but gradually his resistance waned, and his arms extended fully.

The next moment, everything vanished.

He was back in the hall.

Meng Die, who had only shown her profile before, had now turned fully around, continuing to read her book with serene composure, like a rare orchid in a secluded valley.

Though she said nothing aloud, her voice echoed in his mind: “Little junior brother, well done—very well done. To endure even a fraction of my illusionary power this long is rare within the stellar realm. Among most cosmic-level figures, even their will is weaker than yours.”

“Greetings, second senior sister!” Qin Ming bowed, cold sweat trickling down his back.

He had felt no direct attack, yet nearly succumbed.

This girl was terrifying.

More so because she had used only a fraction of her strength, and he could barely resist.

“The Void Horizon Step manual is on the left, eighth bookshelf, third shelf. You may begin studying it, but do not enter the first shelf or ask me about it,” Meng Die’s melodious voice continued, enchanting yet commanding Qin Ming’s full attention.

“The books on the first shelf are free for you to read.”

“The second shelf is off-limits.”

“The area outside the pavilion is spacious—you may practice there or return to your own place for contemplation.”

“No noise is allowed here!”

With that, Meng Die fell silent, leaving Qin Ming to absorb her instructions.