Deep beneath the Australian continent, inside the underground base of Ruin No. 9, a facility jointly constructed by Earth's various powers operated with quiet efficiency.
The base represented humanity's collective effort, the five major nations, the two martial arts schools, and the HR Alliance all maintained equal access rights. Personnel from every faction worked alongside each other, united by their shared purpose of exploring ancient civilization technology.
Han Jue materialized at the entrance, his enhanced perception immediately detecting a familiar presence nearby. His eyes locked onto a figure that looked remarkably different from when they'd last met, disheveled, bearded, with clothes that had seen far better days.
"Luo Feng!" Han Jue called out with an amused smile.
"Han Jue!"
Luo Feng's expression flickered through several emotions simultaneously, relief, excitement, and something that looked suspiciously like murderous intent. He took half a step forward, his body language suggesting he wanted nothing more than to launch himself at the young warrior standing before him.
And then beat him senseless.
It had been over a year since Han Jue had "suggested" he enter Ruin No. 9, a gentle recommendation that had somehow resulted in Luo Feng being trapped underground for fifteen months of intensive, brutal, nearly non-stop training! The bald crystal being, Babata, as he'd learned the AI was called, had driven him relentlessly, forcing him through trial after trial with barely any rest.
All so he could complete his missions and finally see his family again.
When he thought about it, genuine irritation surged through him.
"Don't worry," Han Jue said quickly, noting the dangerous glint in Luo Feng's eyes. He gestured toward a nearby staff member. "Go take a shower first."
The base personnel immediately recognized Earth's Third Speaker, there wasn't a soul on the planet who wouldn't know Han Jue's face by now. The worker snapped to attention and hurried off to prepare facilities, grateful for clear instructions from someone of such exalted status.
Luo Feng didn't object to the suggestion, well aware that his current appearance wasn't exactly presentable. He followed the staff member without complaint, though his expression promised future retribution.
Forty minutes later, freshly cleaned and dressed in new clothes provided by the base, Luo Feng returned to find Han Jue waiting patiently in one of the facility's meeting rooms.
"So, how was it?" Han Jue asked with genuine curiosity once they were seated. "What were your gains?"
"I completed several life-or-death trials and obtained some rewards," Luo Feng replied, his tone carefully neutral. "All Spirit Reader equipment, naturally."
He couldn't mention Hu Yan Bo or the Meteorite Star inheritance, Babata had been adamant about maintaining absolute secrecy. The fewer people who knew Earth's true status and the ancient ruins' real purpose, the safer everyone would be.
"Wait a moment," Luo Feng suddenly froze mid-sentence, his eyes widening as enhanced perception swept over his companion. "You're Stellar level?"
Shock resonated through his voice. Hadn't Babata assured him that Earth's strongest warriors were Planetary level? How had a Stellar-level powerhouse suddenly appeared? And one he personally knew, no less?
Han Jue smiled but offered no verbal explanation, his silence speaking volumes.
Through his neural connection with Rimuru, sophisticated data manipulation had already obscured any obvious trails leading back to the Ice Wasteland inheritance. The AI companion's technological sophistication far exceeded anything Babata could easily detect, at least without raising immediate suspicions about why he was investigating a fellow Earth warrior so thoroughly.
Coincidentally, Han Jue had achieved his breakthrough to Stellar level just the day before Luo Feng's departure from the ruins. Without time to purchase more advanced nutrition cabins or make other preparations, he'd simply accepted the timing as fortunate.
With Luo Feng's return, Han Jue could finally embark on his next journey, traveling into the universe to hone his abilities through genuine life-or-death adventures in cosmic secret realms.
Before reaching Stellar level, Rimuru had already identified an ideal training location, a secret cosmic realm accessible to Stellar-level warriors. The facility was controlled by the First Bank of the Universe and required purchasing entry tickets, but the training effects surpassed those of ordinary Realm Master worlds. The resources available within justified any expense.
"Let's go!" Han Jue stood abruptly, gesturing for Luo Feng to follow. "I'll take you home first. Your girlfriend's been waiting patiently. Then we can discuss your cultivation path properly."
He grasped Luo Feng's shoulder, and the two vanished in a blur of speed.
The remaining base personnel exchanged glances, immediately sending encrypted messages to their respective factions. Hong and Thunder God would certainly want to know about these developments.
The two legendary warriors had already been planning to ask Han Jue about advancing to Stellar level. Learning of his breakthrough and Luo Feng's return meant they could address multiple matters simultaneously at the Luo family residence.
Jiangnan Base City, Yangzhou City District, the Luo family home.
"Brother?" Luo Hua's voice carried equal parts surprise and joy as his gaze fell on the figure standing in the doorway.
"Xiao Hua?" Luo Feng exclaimed, genuine shock coloring his response. "Wait, you can stand?"
"It's thanks to Brother Han," Luo Hua explained, his smile brilliant with gratitude. "You've been gone over a year. During Chinese New Year, Brother Han gave me, our parents, and Xu Xin each a Spirit of Plants and Trees. Now I can not only stand and walk, I'm a Beast General-level warrior!"
The younger Luo brother flexed his arms theatrically, showing off muscles that had developed through months of intensive training.
Luo Feng felt warmth flooding through his chest, about to respond when a familiar voice cut through the air.
"Luo Feng!"
That charming voice, the one he'd dreamed about countless times during his imprisonment underground, froze him in place. He turned slowly, almost afraid this was another cruel illusion conjured by exhaustion.
But no. There she stood, exactly as beautiful as his memories.
"Xu Xin?" His voice cracked slightly with emotion.
"Go ahead," Han Jue said with an encouraging push, propelling Luo Feng forward. He and Luo Hua retreated to a respectful distance, watching the reunion with obvious amusement.
"There are quite a few spectators," Thunder God's voice announced his arrival, Hong materializing beside him moments later.
"Luo Feng?" Hong registered surprise, his enhanced perception immediately noting the dramatic changes in the young Spirit Reader. "Impressive progress."
"Indeed," Han Jue confirmed with a slight nod. "Didn't I mention before that there's an undiscovered inheritance site on Earth? That particular ruin requires a Spirit Reader to access its full potential. Luo Feng was the most talented psychic warrior I could find."
"His natural abilities are exceptional," Hong agreed after a moment's observation.
"That's wonderful," Thunder God said, though his tone carried a note of wistfulness.
Han Jue glanced at the legendary warrior, uncertain whether Thunder God envied the inheritance itself or Luo Feng's obviously happy family situation. As far as Han Jue knew, Thunder God's relationship with his daughter remained strained, a source of considerable personal pain despite his public achievements.
Soon enough, Luo Hongguo emerged from the house, his weathered face transforming with delight upon seeing such distinguished guests. He immediately insisted everyone come inside for a proper meal.
The Luo residence was spacious, fortunately so, given the number of people now gathered within its walls. In order to properly entertain so many important visitors, Luo Hongguo and his wife Gong Xinlan prepared an elaborate spread of home-cooked dishes, working together with obvious pride.
The food might not have qualified as haute cuisine by cosmic standards, but everyone ate with genuine appreciation. Sometimes the simplest meals, shared with good company, carried more value than the finest delicacies consumed in isolation.
After the meal concluded and pleasantries were exchanged, the guests gradually departed. Luo Hua returned to his training regimen. Luo Feng escorted Xu Xin back to her residence, the two making plans to meet again that evening.
Finally, the four warriors found themselves alone with space to speak freely.
Inside Han Jue's D3-class spacecraft, the conversation turned immediately to matters of cultivation.
"Master Hong, Master Lei!" Luo Feng straightened nervously, acutely aware of the vast gulf separating his current strength from these legendary figures.
Both Hong and Thunder God had reached Planetary Level Nine, the absolute peak before Stellar advancement. Facing two warriors whose reputations had been established before his birth, Luo Feng felt somewhat intimidated despite his own considerable achievements.
"Relax," Hong said gently, his tone carrying none of the intimidation his reputation might suggest. "We've just shared a meal together. There's no need for excessive formality."
Hong harbored genuine fondness for Luo Feng, who'd emerged from the Extreme Martial Arts School and demonstrated remarkable talent. Besides, breaking bread together created bonds that transcended mere professional relationships.
Thunder God studied Han Jue intently. "Shall we take Luo Feng directly to find the inheritance site now?"
"Yes," Han Jue confirmed with a slight nod. "After Luo Feng completes his inheritance, I'll likely journey into the universe for extended training. You two should wait until you've broken through to Stellar level before venturing out yourselves."
Stellar level, while not particularly distinguished by cosmic standards, represented the minimum threshold for meaningful participation in universal affairs.
Without access to rare cosmic resources, it would have taken Hong and Thunder God countless additional years to reach Planetary Level Nine through conventional cultivation alone.
Of course, with Han Jue's substantial financial support, their breakthrough to Stellar level would come far sooner, possibly within months rather than decades.
"Breaking through to Stellar level is genuinely difficult," Thunder God complained, his frustration evident. He'd been dreaming about becoming a space mercenary for quite some time.
"That's exactly what you said when you were struggling to comprehend your Domain," Hong reminded him with gentle amusement.
"Don't I already understand Domains now?" Thunder God argued with supreme confidence, his chest puffing slightly.
"Wait, what's a Domain? What's a space mercenary?" Luo Feng interjected cautiously, confusion written plainly across his features.
He felt as though he'd been imprisoned underground while the entire world transformed around him. Why were there suddenly so many unfamiliar terms flying around?
The three older warriors laughed simultaneously, having momentarily forgotten that Luo Feng remained ignorant of these matters.
"Someone will explain everything to you shortly," Han Jue assured him.
"We're here. Right here," Han Jue announced as Rimuru brought the spacecraft to a gentle halt.
The viewscreen displayed their location: the Australian continent, specifically, Kirishima!
"Is this where the Moyu Vine came from?" Hong asked with obvious surprise.
Just as in the original timeline, Babata had strategically distributed numerous Moyu Vine seedlings across Kirishima, creating various plant life spirits that would naturally attract attention from Earth's warrior community.
Students from the Extreme Martial Arts School's elite training camp had discovered the location first, and Hong had naturally acquired one of the cosmic-grade Moyu Vines, an achievement that had made Thunder God envious for weeks afterward.
"The inheritance is located here?" Thunder God asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Yes," Han Jue confirmed with a slight nod, gesturing toward the fog-shrouded island below. "The ruins lie beneath Kirishima's surface."