In the deepest chamber of Earth's Eternal Command Citadel, suspended in a spatial stasis field, Hong sat cross-legged beneath a pulsating formation circle—an Array of Eleven Laws. Each rune glowed with the essence of a universal law: gravity, time flow, elemental manipulation, soul binding, and more.
The chamber wasn't designed for war—it was a control room for safeguarding Earth's fate.
One week after Luo Feng's Soul-Forged Trial
The Civilization Evolution System had activated a critical update:
"Formation Mastery Path Unlocked.""Warning: This path can only be deployed by the system itself when Earth is in existential danger. You may study and master all formations for defense and creation."
Hong opened his eyes. His irises now shimmered like fractured starfields, a side effect of mastering elemental control at the World Level without stepping into Star Level—a feat no one else in the universe had achieved.
In front of him hovered a 3D interface: a star map of 2,147 nearby indigenous planets, each inhabited by primitive to semi-advanced civilizations—most ignored or harvested by powerful races.
Lie Shen, now Earth's Supreme Diplomatic Officer, entered with a respectful bow.
"The auction begins in 72 hours, Supreme. Shall I register Earth's bid?"
"Yes," Hong replied. "We'll buy all of them."
"All, Supreme?" Lie Shen blinked. "Even at minimum, that would cost 430 trillion cosmic crystals."
"If our treasury falls short, the system will compensate."
The System pinged:
"Approved. Earth qualifies for Infrastructure Expansion Reward: Tier-V Cosmic Crystal Injection — 500 trillion released."
Lie Shen's eyes widened.
"We're not conquering them," Hong clarified. "We're liberating the bloodline class 9s and 10s. Offer them sanctuary, rights, and purpose. Give them a future."
Over the next three days, Earth purchased all nearby indigenous planets, sparking interest—and paranoia—across galactic auction houses. Rumors spread of a rising force buying planets not for war, but for protection.
"Why protect primitives?"
"Who dares take that many territories without a backer?"
"Earth? Just a backwater. Who's their leader again? …Hong?"
They'd soon learn.
In Formation Zone Omega, protected by over 99 layers of dimensional arrays, Earth's Refuge Quadrant came alive—a region designed to host 10 billion enhanced refugees. Unlike internment camps or empires of the past, this was governed by Law of Purpose and Duty, written and signed by Hong himself:
"Power is Responsibility. Not Privilege.""You are not forced to serve—but you cannot leech. Laziness is death.""Oppression from within or without shall be punished equally—by death.""No entity—god, emperor, or universal lord—shall wield unchecked power in our domains."
Any violation of these laws triggered system enforcement—death upon confirmed abuse, with a planetary-wide live broadcast that demonstrated justice, not fear.
Scene Shift: Formation Council Hall
Weapons Masters, Formation Scholars, and Forgers gathered around Hong. He revealed his new path: Mastery of Forging and Formation.
"We will build the most advanced defensive net in the galaxy. Earth will not rely on alliances or treaties. Our walls will be laws and light."
Lie Shen nodded. "And the genius battle?"
"Let it come," Hong said. "But first... Earth will become a sanctuary—and a warning."
System Notification:
"Planetary Influence: S++""You are now being monitored by the Seven Peak Civilizations.""Deploy system-layered formation when needed."