Chapter 169: The First Leap of the Moyun Vine

This was a pyramid-shaped spacecraft, at the peak of Tier E, standing 1,200 meters tall. The bottom 800 meters consisted entirely of the propulsion system, boasting terrifying offensive and defensive capabilities.

"Little Fatty, check the status of the spacecraft!" Qin Ming issued the command.

"Understood, Master!" Little Fatty replied.

"Master, the energy shield is intact and can withstand attacks up to level E9. An attack at the level of E9 is capable of killing a World Lord. Combined with the spacecraft's own metal defense, even an undying mighty being would find it difficult to breach for a time!"

"This is the pinnacle of alloy spacecraft. Above Tier E lies Tier F, but because Tier F is forged entirely from pure, single metals, it is exorbitantly expensive and extremely rare, while its performance is no superior to this vessel. Out in the vast universe, this is a top-tier spacecraft."

"Undying mighty beings can reach the speed of light and travel through dark space. Starships are merely their chariots, chosen for status rather than raw utility. To such towering figures, a spacecraft is virtually optional."

"Of course, as for whether there are even higher tiers, my knowledge is limited."

"Master, the propulsion system is also completely undamaged!"

"All capabilities, such as instantaneous acceleration and evasion, function without any flaws!"

"Good heavens, Master, as expected of an Automaton ship, the technology is terrifyingly advanced, and the weapon configurations are luxurious to the extreme. I am certain that the original owner of this spacecraft, that undying mighty being, must have been unimaginably wealthy, having installed three Star-Destroying Main Cannons and nine level-E3 laser cannons on it."

"The Star-Destroying Main Cannons are weapons capable of obliterating celestial bodies with a single shot, while the level-E3 laser cannons can snipe World Lords; once targeted, there is no escape from death."

"Master, this spacecraft even possesses self-repair capabilities!"

"Overall, it is pristine and indistinguishable from brand new, with its energy reserves completely full!"

"Master, if an undying mighty being were to lay eyes on this vessel, they would likely try to seize it by force. Its value is simply too immense!"

"A standard Tier E spacecraft belonging to an ordinary World Lord is worth about one Hunyuan unit—that is, one trillion universe coins. An E-tier spacecraft used by an undying being is typically worth several hundred Hunyuan units, whereas this one could easily reach a value of two thousand Hunyuan units!"

"Master, we have truly struck gold this time!"

Little Fatty was ecstatic.

Having merged with the Tier E super optical brain, it had absorbed a vast amount of information, expanding its database by more than a hundred millionfold. Its crystal-clear understanding of universal affairs was what allowed it to make such a precise evaluation.

"I have no intention of selling it!" Qin Ming laughed. "With this spacecraft, as long as I don't run into an undying being, preserving my life will be hardly an issue!"

"Surviving will definitely not be a problem!" Little Fatty chimed in. "Master, the height of your spatial ring exceeds two thousand meters, which is more than enough to store it. Adding the Emperor Qin to the inventory will be no trouble at all."

Qin Ming smiled.

Back in the day, Babata had bestowed Hong-Ling's true inheritance upon Luo Feng while personally guiding him. For reasons unknown, as a form of compensation to Qin Ming, Babata had provided him with such a colossal spatial ring.

Now, it proved to be nothing short of perfect.

"Master, this pyramid spacecraft is now yours. Would you like to bestow a new name upon it?" Little Fatty inquired.

"The first one was named the Emperor Qin, and this one..." Qin Ming hesitated, then suddenly smiled. "Let's call it the Golden Peak!"

"The Golden Peak?" Little Fatty was surprised.

It was becoming increasingly human-like by the day.

After Qin Ming stored the spacecraft into his spatial ring, a massive void was left behind, causing the ocean waters to rush inward and trigger towering tidal waves.

Paying no heed to it, he boarded a fighter jet and returned to the airspace above the Qin family estate. After resting briefly, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and returned to the Great Vast World.

Entering the Yuchuan Manor, he pushed open the gates of the True Illusion Realm and stepped into the stone courtyard, where Xiao Qing and Xiao Qian greeted him with joyous cheers.

In the courtyard, beside the well, over the lake, within the forest, across the mountain ridges, and amidst the grassy fields, the most primal games of joy and play unfolded.

One day on the ground meant ten years in the heavens.

After indulging his carefree leisure, he sat cross-legged upon the Enlightenment Platform, meditating on the wondrous laws and domain principles of another world.

As for the Great Vast World, he went out to take a look, finding it abnormally peaceful, and simply let it be.

One year in the Great Vast World was merely three or four days in the Devouring World.

Ten days later, in the Devouring World, high above the estate.

Qin Ming's consciousness returned as he opened his eyes, a smile gracing his face.

"Master!" Little Fatty immediately popped out. "I tried calling you three days ago, but since you wouldn't wake up, I chose not to disturb you."

"Well done. In the future, if you cannot wake me, pay no attention and do not let anyone approach me, understand?"

"Understood, Master!"

"Is there something the matter?"

"Luo Feng is trying to contact you!"

"Luo Feng? Connect with him!"

"Yes, Master!"

The Virtual Universe was omnipresent, making communication naturally effortless.

Before long, a projection appeared, displaying none other than Luo Feng!

"Qin Ming, what have you been up to? I couldn't get ahold of you for three whole days! If Little Fatty hadn't assured me you were fine, we would have already started heading back!" Luo Feng asked eagerly.

"I'm fine!" Qin Ming chuckled. "Is everything settled?"

"Naturally!" Luo Feng replied. "It was quite simple to begin with, and with us throwing money around aggressively, it took us only half a day to complete all the paperwork. From this day forward, our Earth falls under the sovereign rule of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, protected by their laws, and I have officially become the Lord of Earth. Little Ming, you must address me as Lord Governor from now on, got it?"

"Look at you getting all full of yourself!" Qin Ming laughed. "Did you buy any slaves?"

"Universe-level slaves are genuinely expensive. If not for a financial tycoon like you, selling Earth wouldn't even be enough to afford them!" Luo Feng said. "I bought three at level nine of the Universe level and reinforced their control with soul seals. This tier carries a certain degree of risk; once they break through to the Domain Lord level, they can shake off the control of their slave chips. I had to exercise even deeper control over them so that even if they break through, they will still serve us. I bought six at the Universe level eight, and thirty-six at Universe level one. Is that enough?"

"More than enough, any more would be useless anyway!" Qin Ming asked. "When are you coming back?"

Universe-level slaves were the strongest thralls that could be controlled via slave chips. Anything beyond the Universe level could not be directly controlled, though dominion could still be established through secret arts.

"I'm planning to buy some metals for cultivation and a few other items. Big Brother and Second Brother are doing the same, but we'll be heading back in two or three days at most!"

"Travel safely."

After chatting for a brief moment, he closed the screen.

After all, they weren't lovers, so there was no need for lingering sentimentality.

On that day, the Universe Star River Bank sent an invitation letter: the once-every-three-years Ganwu Auction would be held that evening.

"An auction?"

Qin Ming had no intention of missing it.

This auction was held once every three years, and only clients with a three-star rating at the Universe Star River Bank and the First Universe Bank were qualified to receive an invitation.

A three-star client was required to possess a net worth of at least ten Hunyuan units—simply holding it at some point sufficed, though if the wealth were spent and failed to reach ten Hunyuan units again within a specified period, the star rating would be demoted.

Those capable of accumulating such wealth were basically at the World Lord level.

"Of course I'm going!"

Qin Ming did not hesitate.

That very day, he entered the Virtual Universe and teleported directly to the venue. At the auction, he witnessed a massive gathering of World Lord-level powerhouses for the first time, numbering over 1.3 million.

This was a terrifying figure, yet placed within the entire Ganwu Universe Kingdom, it amounted to very little.

Naturally, the auction featured numerous rare treasures, some of which even included entire star systems and star domains up for bidding. Their value was astronomically high, leaving Qin Ming with nothing to do but stare in envy given his current wealth!

Ultimately, he only purchased two items. One was the Life Fruit, of which he bought ten directly, each averaging two trillion universe coins—equivalent to two Hunyuan units. This single purchase consumed a full fifth of his fortune. The other was the Lanke Fruit, an excellent resource for nurturing spirit plants, far superior to Wood Spirit Buds and exceptionally suited for the Cloud-touching Vine. Comparatively speaking, it was far cheaper.

Back on the planet White Orchid, Qin Ming received the two items, alongside nutrient pods ordered for his family. Infused with corresponding nutrient fluids, these pods could elevate human physical fitness all the way to the Universe level.

All things considered, Qin Ming was left with 70 Hunyuan units of wealth.

Returning to Earth, he pulled out the nutrient pods and explained their function, leaving Qin Yichen, Luo Xia, and his younger sister Lulu utterly dumbfounded.

"Just this gadget, lying inside can elevate physical fitness to the Universe level?" Qin Yichen scratched his head repeatedly. "How am I supposed to believe that?"

"Dad, do you know how expensive this thing is?" Qin Ming smiled.

"How expensive?" Lulu asked curiously. "Isn't it just a beat-up nutrient pod? Raise someone to the Universe level? I don't believe it! It's not like we've never entered the Virtual Universe; we're not hicks anymore. The Universe level—those are genuine titans! If you pledge allegiance to the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, they directly reward you with a living planet!"

"Little Ming, this is truly unbelievable!" Luo Xia hesitated. She trusted her son, but this defied common sense far too much.

The Universe level? Did such beings even exist on Earth?

As long as they lay inside and spent a vast amount of time, they could step-by-step advance to the Planetary level, the Stellar level, and ultimately the Universe level?

No matter how she heard it, it sounded entirely unreliable!

Qin Ming gave a bitter laugh, then, with a thought in his mind, directly transferred a massive sum of money to his parents' accounts.

"One hundred billion?" Luo Xia shrieked.

"Universe coins?" Qin Yichen's eyes bulged.

"Big brother, I believe it! I totally believe it!" Lulu stared at the figures on her parents' accounts, her large eyes flashing with golden light. "Heehee, I'm going to be a Universe-level powerhouse! When that happens, I'll be the undisputed queen of Earth!"

"As long as you're happy." Qin Ming shrugged. Glancing at his parents, who were still trapped in shock, he smiled, flew outside, headed up to the airspace above Antarctica, and released the Cloud-touching Vine.

"Little Bai, it's your turn!"

Qin Ming tossed a Life Fruit forward.

Yiyi, yiyi...!

Little Bai immediately caught it, integrating the fruit into its body. Tendrils gently brushed against Qin Ming's arm before it flew off into the distance to begin its evolution.