Chapter Forty-Three: Return to Devour — Global Headquarters

Previously on the story: In the world of Swallowed Star, Qin Ming obtained his martial artist qualification ahead of schedule. While out hunting, he encountered a tide of mutant rats; his captain Wang Chui and others died one after another, leaving only Niu Piaopiao. Qin Ming fled, was forced into a dark underground river, and there discovered the Spirit of Grass and Wood. Witnessing a battle of unimaginable scale, he ultimately gained the greatest benefit, consuming the Essence of Earth’s Milk, which greatly enhanced his cultivation, and at the same time, he acquired the Spirit of Grass and Wood! On his return, he slew Hou Chong, perfected his Blink Step, and unleashed his true power, astonishing all sides. Envoy Yang Hui arrived, inviting him to join the headquarters of the Extreme Martial Hall and enter the Elite Training Camp.

That was what happened before.

On the morning of July 2nd, Qin Ming opened his eyes.

A single night had passed in the real world, but he had spent fifty days in the Great Hong World, and just before returning, he had slept again.

"Who awakens from the grandest of dreams? Only I know my own heart throughout my life!"

Qin Ming dressed and washed, preparing himself for the day.

In the living room, his mother had already prepared a table full of dishes; even his younger sister, Qin Lulu, had woken early to wait for him.

“Brother, are you really going to be gone that long?” Qin Lulu, for once, showed her reluctance. “If someone bullies me, who’ll stand up for me?”

“No one dares to bully you now!” Qin Ming ruffled her hair, smiling. “If you miss me, just video call. If anyone dares trouble you, I’ll come right back and teach them a lesson they’ll never forget!”

“Don’t spoil her!” Luo Xia quickly interjected. “Eat up now. Have more of what you like. Who knows if you’ll get used to the food over there?”

“He’s grown up; he’ll take care of himself,” Qin Yicheng chimed in.

“Grown up? Xiao Ming has barely left home a few times!”

Their chatter warmed Qin Ming’s heart.

After breakfast, as Qin Ming stepped outside the villa, he found a group of people waiting for him.

Zhou Jing, Wu Tong, Wang Lang, as well as neighbors from all around, had come to see him off.

They were already aware of Qin Ming’s feats. At eighteen, a high-level warlord— even if he didn’t join the Elite Training Camp, he would be one of the most prominent figures in the community. Just look at Zhuge Tao from the Jiangnan General Assembly, who wielded great power, yet his strength was only that of a high-level warlord.

They all knew that the next time they saw Qin Ming, he would likely have become a War God.

As for whether he could achieve that? No one doubted it.

“Brother Wang, I hope I’ll see you at headquarters,” Qin Ming said to Wang Lang after the farewells.

“I’ll do my best!” Wang Lang nodded seriously.

Soon, Special Envoy Yang Hui and his group arrived.

“Xiao Ming, once you’re over there, eat well, wear warm clothes. If you feel wronged, just come home!” Luo Xia’s instructions seemed trivial, but no one around laughed.

A mother’s worry as her son journeys far— such is the way of the world, through all the ages.

“Slay more monsters!” Qin Yicheng patted Qin Ming on the shoulder.

“Brother, don’t forget my pocket money!” Qin Lulu called out, reluctant to part.

“Mom, take care of your health; Dad, when I return I’ll bring you the Water of Life; Lulu, don’t worry, your first allowance will be no less than a million!” Qin Ming promised, then boarded the aircraft and departed.

The high-altitude fighter jet vanished almost instantly, leaving no trace.

“Will Xiao Ming adapt over there? They say it’s full of the world’s elite,” Luo Xia’s eyes reddened.

“Our son is second to none— don’t worry,” Qin Yicheng reassured her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

High above, the jet flew at over a thousand meters per second, almost invisible to the naked eye.

Onboard, aside from Special Envoy Yang Hui and Qin Ming, there was no one else.

The jet was piloted by an AI.

Such a craft was worth over two hundred billion.

“Qin Ming, do you know how precious a place in the Elite Training Camp is?” Without waiting for a reply, Yang Hui continued, “The Elite Training Camp is also called the War God Preparatory Camp. Once admitted, ninety percent of students reach War God level. Each slot is worth a fortune— worldwide, even the greatest families and conglomerates must spend hundreds of billions for a single spot, and places are limited!”

“Of course, for true geniuses, it’s not a problem. Like you— eighteen years old, high-level warlord, Ninefold Thunder Blade cultivated to the fourth stage, and your footwork is at the perfect level! Unbelievable! Headquarters has specially recruited you, without even needing to test you!”

Yang Hui was full of praise.

He himself was deeply astonished. Physical strength could be enhanced with rare treasures, but this youth had neither the family background nor the fortune to obtain them.

What was truly remarkable was his understanding of the Ninefold Thunder Blade— in just half a month, he had reached the fourth stage. It was almost unimaginable.

That technique had been created by Thor, the world’s second strongest, and was among the most difficult and most formidable forms of attack.

“No need to be tested? That’s a relief!” Qin Ming laughed.

“For a genius like you, those tests would be a waste!” Yang Hui said. “At global headquarters, you’ll be with the most gifted talents on Earth, have the best teachers, the most advanced training facilities, and even treasures excavated from ancient ruins. It’s recognized as the best training camp in the world!”

“Your teachers will instruct you one-on-one. At minimum, they’re mid-level War Gods, and some are Inspectors, stronger even than War Gods.”

“Even the world’s top power, ‘Hong’, sometimes gives guidance!”

“Thor, the world’s second strongest, is also invited to teach!”

“And of course, there are other experts beyond War God level!”

“These people, beyond War God, rule the world’s fate— they’re called Senators, and in our Martial Hall, Inspectors!”

“You’ve made it this far before even entering the Elite Training Camp. With the right cultivation, who knows how far you’ll go?”

“Even I can only imagine— and I look forward to it immensely!”

Yang Hui’s admiration was endless.

A monstrous genius like this— through history, only a handful could compare.

“Uncle Yang, am I really that outstanding?” Qin Ming asked innocently.

Yang Hui nodded. “Not just outstanding— exceptionally so.”

Qin Ming scratched his head and smiled. “In that case, I won’t need to feel inferior when I arrive.”

Yang Hui laughed. “If you felt inferior, there’d be only a handful in the world who’d have any confidence left!”

“Uncle Yang, is there anything I should be mindful of when I get there?”

“Just one thing: refuse all invitations from other factions. Wait until you’ve truly grown before making any decisions. Don’t sell yourself short now— it’s not worth it!”

“I’ll remember that, Uncle Yang!”

“And show off your talent as much as you can. The more gifted you are, the better the treatment and the more resources you’ll receive. The top ten in the camp get resources that even I envy!”

“Uncle Yang, you’re a War God— can you really be envious?”

“Heh! You probably don’t know— those top ten students, each one has strength no less than a War God. Some might even defeat me. It’s a place full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!”

“So powerful?” Qin Ming drew a sharp breath; even his heart pounded violently.

Of course, just how shocked he actually was, only he knew.

Soon, the jet arrived at headquarters.

Before he could disembark, Qin Ming received a call.

“Is this Qin Ming? This is Wei Wen!”

“Old Wei, it’s me. What brings you to call?”

“I’ll keep it brief. Luo Feng got in a fight yesterday and was taken to the police station. Do you have any connections who can get him out? You know his family’s got no influence. I can’t help here either, so I thought of you. If he’s not released soon, I’m worried for him.”

“He was arrested? Old Wei, did you know Luo Feng has already passed the quasi-warrior assessment?”

“Really?”

“Of course!”

“That’s a relief. At least he won’t be in too much trouble.”

“Don’t worry! I’m out of town and can’t get back, but I’ll send a warrior to get him out myself. No need to worry!”

“You can send a warrior?”

“When you see Luo Feng, you’ll understand. For me now, this is a piece of cake. Old Wei, if you ever need anything, just mention my name. No one will dare trouble you!”

After hanging up, Qin Ming showed a peculiar expression.

“A quasi-warrior arrested? Should I ask Uncle Yang to fly the jet over?” Yang Hui, who had overheard, asked.

“Fly the jet?” If Luo Feng saw that, to rescue him, a jet and a War God came in person— would he be shocked? Would that win his admiration and eternal gratitude?

Qin Ming’s heart was moved.