Hong and Thunder God exchanged a knowing glance, both acutely aware of their advancing years, though by universal standards, they were still considered remarkably young, their potential far from exhausted.
"Domain expansion!" Han Jue declared, his voice carrying across the water with quiet authority.
He paused, a wry smile crossing his features. "Actually, 'Boundless Space'... I can't quite do that yet."
His consciousness merged seamlessly with the surrounding ocean. In an instant, his physical form seemed to dissolve into the water itself, becoming one with the element he commanded. His body transformed into a flowing stream, no, more than that, a blade of liquid given form and purpose, surging toward the Octopus Monster King with devastating momentum.
The Ice Wasteland Sword Technique was profoundly sophisticated, incorporating the Ice Wasteland Realm Master's lifetime understanding of both water and space's fundamental laws. The technique even touched upon the concept of law fusion, though naturally, such advanced applications remained beyond the foundational chapters Rimuru had provided.
Still, even these basics had given Han Jue extraordinary inspiration, opening pathways of understanding he'd only glimpsed before.
Wave, Stacked Waves!
This wasn't a separate sword technique, but rather an advanced application of his Wave move, a refinement that multiplied its destructive power several times over. Layer upon layer of water-based force cascaded together, each building upon the last, finally converging into a single devastating strike.
The principle bore some superficial resemblance to Han Hechang's Water Artistic Conception, that endless continuity his uncle had mastered, yet Han Jue's path diverged completely. Where his uncle's approach emphasized endurance and flow, Han Jue's embodied overwhelming force and unstoppable momentum.
This sword move fully incorporated his Water Domain, making it something far more dangerous than technique alone!
The Octopus King sensed the lethal threat approaching. Its massive tentacles, each as thick as ancient trees, extended with desperate urgency, attempting to intercept Han Jue's advance. The appendages churned the water violently, creating turbulent currents that would have scattered lesser warriors like leaves in a storm.
"AAANG!"
The creature released a piercing shriek that echoed through the depths. Simultaneously, it expelled its venom, a cloud of ink-like toxin that spread through the water like a living darkness, deadly enough to kill War Gods within seconds of exposure.
However,
the Water Domain proved its worth immediately.
The surrounding water responded to Han Jue's will, forming barriers that isolated the venom completely. The currents reversed direction with violent force, transforming into high-pressure jets that drove the poison back toward its source, directly at the Octopus King itself!
"Swish!"
Frost carved through the water in a perfect arc, its blade singing with supernatural cold.
The surrounding seawater instantly crystallized into ice formations that spread outward in geometric patterns, only to be shattered moments later by the Domain-controlled currents, a demonstration of absolute elemental mastery that left no doubt about who commanded this battlefield.
"Ang! Ang! Ang!"
The Octopus King's agonized screams reverberated through the ocean depths as its eight massive tentacles thrashed wildly in pain and desperation. Its enormous head, easily the size of a small mountain, bulged and compressed rhythmically, as if something was tearing it apart from within. Its house-sized eyes, normally cold and calculating, now burned with madness and unbearable suffering.
"CRASH!"
A vertical wound appeared across the monster's colossal head, a perfectly straight slash over ten meters long that split scales, flesh, and bone with surgical precision. White brain matter mixed with crimson blood erupted like a geyser, the thick fluids quickly diluting into the surrounding seawater.
The Octopus Monster King's eight powerful tentacles went limp, drooping uselessly as the creature's massive body began its final descent toward the ocean floor. Sand and sediment billowed upward in massive clouds as tons of dead weight settled into the abyss.
A single strike. An instant kill.
The Octopus Monster King, one of the two supreme Beast Kings that had plagued humanity for decades, that had forced entire civilizations to cower behind walls, had fallen to the newly appointed Third Speaker's blade!
Hong and Thunder God exchanged another glance, this one carrying far more weight than their earlier looks. Thunder God's expression shifted through several emotions before settling on grim determination.
He silently resolved to intensify his training regimen immediately upon returning to land. The gap between them was widening, and pride alone demanded he close it.
With the Octopus Monster King eliminated, the remaining King-level monsters lurking in the surrounding waters posed no meaningful threat to the three Planetary-level warriors. Hong and Thunder God moved with coordinated efficiency, systematically hunting down and dispatching the lesser creatures that had served under the now-deceased tyrant.
The only remaining challenge was the Thunder Dragon King, the second supreme Beast King, which had mysteriously vanished from its known territories.
Han Jue initially suspected it might have formed some alliance with the Golden-Horned Beast, but reconsidered that theory almost immediately upon thinking it through.
The Golden-Horned Beast would only appear when approximately one year old, wouldn't it? If his memories of the original timeline held true, that meant another three or four years at minimum. At this point in time, the legendary creature should still be dormant, just an egg resting in some undiscovered oceanic trench, accumulating power for its future emergence.
They could only conclude the Thunder Dragon King had retreated into hiding. If it had truly secreted itself within one of the countless deep trenches scarring the ocean floor, finding it in such a vast expanse would be nearly impossible without dedicating months to the search, time they couldn't afford to waste.
After brief discussion, the three warriors decided to abandon the hunt and return to land. The King-level monsters there required attention, and humanity's forces would need coordination and leadership during this historic transition period.
The terrestrial monster populations had already suffered devastating losses. The counteroffensive continued to reshape Earth's power structure with each passing hour.
October 8th was destined to become a date that would echo through human history for generations to come.
On this day, the monsters that had terrorized humanity since the Great Nirvana were finally suppressed decisively. After decades of desperate survival, humanity had reclaimed its position as Earth's dominant species at last. One of the two supreme Beast Kings lay dead in the ocean depths, while the Thunder Dragon King had vanished, perhaps permanently.
Although complete monster eradication remained impossible, and the deep ocean territories would continue serving as forbidden zones for the foreseeable future, at least the creatures dwelling on land would no longer dare launch organized assaults on human base cities.
The wilderness areas would transform completely, from deadly no-man's-lands into hunting grounds where human warriors could train, grow stronger, and harvest valuable resources without constant fear of extinction-level threats.
The structure of Earth's three strongest warriors solidified into permanence on this historic day.
Now, Han Jue's name joined Hong and Thunder God in textbooks, praised and celebrated by millions across every surviving base city. His achievements would be studied by children not yet born, his techniques analyzed by warriors for centuries to come.
The three members of the Han family, each having transcended the War God level to reach Planetary status, had become one of Earth's most formidable power centers. Han Hesheng accepted Thunder God's invitation and assumed the position of inspector for the Thunder Dojo, lending his considerable abilities to training the next generation. Han Hechang devoted himself to intensive cultivation, determined to achieve even greater enlightenment and perhaps one day match his nephew's extraordinary progress.
Earth entered an unprecedented era of prosperity and development, humanity finally able to focus on growth rather than mere survival.
November 1st arrived with little fanfare.
Three months had passed since the warrior combat assessment that had first revealed Han Jue's extraordinary talents to the wider world.
"Han Jue, the spaceship repairs are complete, and the three Silverium Guards are fully operational!" Rimuru's voice carried obvious excitement through their mental connection. "Shouldn't we head out into space? There's nothing left for you to learn here!"
Earth was too small, too limited, too constrained by its isolation from the wider universe.
It simply couldn't provide the environment necessary for Han Jue's continued development, not anymore.
"Well, let's depart today then," Han Jue agreed, his consciousness withdrawing from Rimuru's virtual training space.
After over twenty days of intensive cultivation, his Water Domain had reached the second level, matching Hong's current mastery and placing him among Earth's absolute elite in this particular aspect of power.
His genetic energy had also advanced to Planetary Level Five, surpassing everyone on Earth except Hong and Thunder God themselves. Given his rapid rate of progress, even that gap would likely close within months.
Combined with his Water Domain and the Ice Wasteland Sword Technique's devastating potential, Han Jue had become Earth's undisputed strongest warrior in terms of pure combat capability!
Of course, his contributions extended beyond personal power.
Thanks to the secret manuals and techniques Han Jue had shared so generously, both Hong and Thunder God had experienced significant strength increases of their own.
Although Thunder God still hadn't comprehended his own Domain, a source of considerable frustration for the legendary warrior, his Nine-Layer Thunder Blade had undergone dramatic improvements. The refined technique now enhanced his defensive capabilities while multiplying his overall combat effectiveness more than tenfold compared to his previous peak.
While the improved blade art still fell far short of the truly sophisticated secret techniques employed throughout the wider universe, it represented Thunder God's own creation, refined through decades of personal experience and now elevated with knowledge from beyond Earth's boundaries.
Hong's progress was less immediately obvious but no less significant. He'd absorbed insights that deepened his understanding of his Domain considerably, laying groundwork for future breakthroughs. It wouldn't be long before he reached even greater heights of mastery.
"Rimuru, contact Hong and Thunder God," Han Jue instructed as he headed toward the bathroom. "Tell them to come here immediately."
He took a refreshing cold shower, letting the water cascade over his enhanced physiology. Standing before the mirror afterward, he combed his distinctive white hair into place, examining his reflection with clinical detachment.
Pale blue eyes that could see the fundamental operations of space itself. Fair skin unmarred by scars despite countless battles. A sturdy, well-proportioned build honed through relentless training. Combined with features that would be considered handsome by any standard, his appearance had attracted considerable romantic attention since his rise to prominence.
Countless people across Earth's base cities harbored desires to pursue relationships with the young prodigy. Han Jue ignored such advances completely, his focus remaining fixed on cultivation and the challenges awaiting him beyond Earth's atmosphere.
As Han Jue emerged from the bathroom fully dressed, Hong and Thunder God arrived at the Han family manor, their planetary-level speed making the journey nearly instantaneous.
"I wonder what humans from other civilizations look like?" Thunder God mused, barely containing his excitement like a child anticipating a grand adventure. "How sophisticated are the cultures throughout the universe? What technologies have they developed? What martial arts techniques?"
This would be his first time leaving Earth, a prospect both thrilling and slightly intimidating for someone who'd spent his entire existence on this single world.
In comparison, Hong maintained his characteristic composure, though even he couldn't completely suppress the anticipation gleaming in his eyes.
"Second Brother, remember that Planetary-level warriors are nothing special in the wider universe," Hong cautioned, his tone serious despite the informal address. "You'd better exercise appropriate caution. Have you mastered the Universal Language yet?"
"Of course I have," Thunder God replied with obvious pride, his chest puffing slightly.
"Good, so you won't be completely helpless if you're captured by slavers," Hong deadpanned, his expression perfectly neutral.
"Brother Hong!" Thunder God glared with exaggerated outrage, preparing to launch into protest.
"You two can continue this discussion aboard the ship," Han Jue interrupted with a helpless smile, familiar enough with their dynamic to recognize this argument could continue indefinitely if left unchecked. "The journey ahead is long. Save your energy."
High above the Han family manor, space itself seemed to distort as a massive object materialized.
A colossal black, disc-shaped spacecraft appeared in Earth's atmosphere, the Black Dragon Mountain X81, recently repaired and fully operational. Its outer hatch opened with mechanical precision, revealing the sophisticated interior.
The three warriors rose from the ground simultaneously, their figures blurring as they accelerated toward the waiting vessel. Within seconds, they'd crossed the distance and entered the ship's interior. The hatch sealed behind them with a hydraulic hiss, creating an airtight seal.
The Black Dragon spacecraft's engines hummed to life with steadily building power. Moments later, it shot upward with explosive acceleration, rapidly breaking through Earth's atmosphere and heading for the void of outer space beyond.
After the three strongest warriors departed, Earth retained considerable protection. Han Jue had deliberately left behind one of the Silverium Guards, an automated defender possessing Stellar Level Nine combat capabilities, more than sufficient to handle any conceivable threat that might emerge during their absence.
Inside the Black Dragon spacecraft's primary control room, Thunder God examined everything with childlike wonder, his experienced warrior's composure temporarily forgotten in the face of such advanced technology.
Han Jue stood before the main control panel, where Rimuru's holographic form materialized with obvious satisfaction.
"Han Jue, the spacecraft has cleared Earth's gravitational influence," Rimuru reported efficiently. "I've recorded the precise coordinates. We can return directly through the Dark Universe whenever necessary!"
Han Jue nodded his understanding.
Although Earth's location was shielded by Hu Yanbo's sophisticated concealment techniques, making it nearly impossible to find through normal navigation, exiting the protected space posed no restrictions whatsoever. Returning from the outside presented certain challenges, but Rimuru had successfully analyzed Hu Yanbo's security arrays using the advanced equipment aboard the Ice Wasteland spacecraft, obtaining Earth's exact universal coordinates.
It remained uncertain whose understanding of spatial law fundamentals was superior, the Lord of the Ice Wasteland or Hu Yanbo. Both had been Realm Masters of considerable accomplishment, each leaving legacies that would shape their chosen successors' futures for decades to come.
But that comparison mattered less than the journey ahead. Han Jue's gaze fixed on the viewscreen, watching Earth gradually shrink behind them as the Black Dragon accelerated toward whatever awaited them in the vast universe beyond.
The adventure was just beginning.
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