January 1, 2058.
After bidding farewell to his family, Han Jue embarked on another journey into the universe.
This time, he traveled without slave guards, seeking greater challenges and authentic combat experience that would forge him into a true cosmic warrior rather than a sheltered genius.
A conical spacecraft, entirely white and constructed from D3-grade metal, glided steadily through the dark expanse of space. The vessel's sleek form cut through the void with practiced efficiency, its advanced engines propelling it toward distant stars at speeds that would have been incomprehensible to pre-spacefaring civilizations.
In the control room, Han Jue sat cross-legged on the floor, his breathing steady and controlled as he meditated on the fundamental Origins of Water and Space that permeated the cosmos around him. Through his Six Eyes, he could perceive the subtle interplay of spatial laws even within the spacecraft's confines, though his comprehension remained incomplete, each observation brought new insights that would eventually crystallize into genuine understanding.
"Our first stop is Huangyang Star," Rimuru's cheerful voice interrupted his meditation. "We're going there to collect supplies."
After Han Jue's promotion to Stellar level, Rimuru had purchased the highest-grade nutrient solution available on the open market, E-grade nutrient solution, which was supposedly capable of directly creating a Universe-level warrior if consumed in sufficient quantities. The astronomical cost had barely made a dent in the resources inherited from the Lord of the Ice Wasteland, though Rimuru had grumbled about the inefficiency of using such expensive materials for "mere" Stellar-level advancement.
"In one year, the First Bank of the Universe will hold an auction for all customers with three-star accounts and above in the Qianwu Universe Nation," Rimuru continued, his holographic form materializing beside Han Jue with obvious excitement. "We should attend and see if there's anything worth purchasing. Sometimes rare treasures appear at these events, artifacts that can't be found through normal channels."
"Let's not talk about auctions right now," Han Jue said, opening his eyes to regard his AI companion with an amused expression. "Rimuru, guess what new ability I gained upon reaching Stellar level?"
Rimuru's holographic form froze mid-gesture, his digital eyes transforming into perfect circles of confusion.
"What?" The AI's voice carried genuine bewilderment. "What ability?"
(╹ω╹?)
Han Jue closed his eyes again, organizing his thoughts. It had taken two full days after his promotion to Stellar level before he finally understood the complete scope of his enhanced capabilities.
First, there was the increase in genetic multipliers. The improvement wasn't dramatic, rising from three times baseline human genetics to five times. This meant Han Jue could theoretically advance naturally all the way to Universe level without requiring external resources or special techniques, but in practical terms, the benefit was negligible.
Who would actually be stuck at Universe level when the cosmos offered so many methods of advancement?
Han Jue saw this enhancement as merely a prelude to his Six Eyes' true mutation, a bonus effect accompanying something far more profound.
Second, and this time genuinely extraordinary, was the Six Eyes' new capability.
Innate Secret Technique: Analysis!
The ability to analyze the very essence of laws themselves!
The Six Eyes had always possessed the ability to directly observe the fundamental Origins of Water and Space within the universe. By traveling to the Initial Universe for cultivation, practitioners could observe the operation of universal laws with their naked eyes, a significant advantage over those who had to rely on comprehension aids and meditation alone.
It was a valuable gift initially, but after entering the Initial Universe for cultivation, the advantage became less pronounced since everyone there gained access to similar observation opportunities.
Relying solely on that ability to observe laws, combined with the Six Eyes' enhanced talent for comprehension, Han Jue was confident he could compete for the top ten positions in the Genius Battle.
But was that enough?
Absolutely not.
Han Jue's goal had never been merely placing well in the Genius Battle. To become a genius like Ke Di, who appeared only once in a million epochs, or even stronger, someone like the future Luo Feng, that was his true ambition!
Before possessing the Innate Secret Technique: Analysis, pursuing such a goal would have been impossible despite his advantages.
But now...
The Six Eyes possessed the ability to analyze the essence of laws themselves. This was equivalent to Han Jue advancing from being able to see the laws operating to actually understanding what he observed!
The resulting improvement was absolutely enormous, instantly elevating Han Jue's talent by several qualitative levels.
"Hiss!" Rimuru gasped, his holographic form flickering with shock. "The lower-level fundamental Origins can be divided into seventy-two essences, while the higher-level Origins of Time and Space have one hundred and eight essences each. With this ability, doesn't it mean you're guaranteed to reach Immortality? Even... perhaps genuine hope of becoming a great being like a Universe Lord?"
Rimuru's voice carried undisguised astonishment. "Such an incredible ability is simply..."
"Han Jue, this ability of yours must never be known to anyone else!" Rimuru's tone became deadly serious, his usual playfulness vanishing entirely. "You must swear absolute secrecy regarding this matter!"
"Yes." Han Jue, recognizing the gravity of the situation, nodded solemnly.
Humanity wasn't the sole dominant force in the universe. If he displayed exceptionally rare talent, it would undoubtedly attract assassination attempts from alien races who viewed emerging human geniuses as future threats to be eliminated before they could reach their full potential.
Even Ke Di, the prodigy who appeared only once in a million epochs and the direct disciple of the Chaos City Lord himself, had perished at the hands of alien assassins despite seemingly comprehensive protection.
If the Six Eyes brought no further abilities beyond what they'd already demonstrated, the mere fact that Han Jue could analyze the essence of laws was enough to place him on multiple alien hit lists.
Not to mention the high probability of him eventually becoming a Universe Lord in the future, such potential was sufficient justification for alien races to dispatch Immortal-level assassins specifically to eliminate him before he could mature.
"Unfortunately, this ability isn't as invincible as it might initially seem," Han Jue lamented, his expression becoming thoughtful. "With my current strength, I can't maintain the Analysis state for extended periods, so it's not as immediately helpful as I'd hoped."
The mental strain of activating the Innate Secret Technique proved overwhelming when sustained beyond brief intervals. His consciousness could only handle analyzing law essences for minutes at a time before requiring recovery periods.
"To fully unleash the power of this innate secret technique, I'm afraid I'll have to reach Universe level at minimum, possibly even Domain Master level before it becomes truly practical for extended cultivation sessions." Han Jue shook his head ruefully.
"You're still underselling yourself," Rimuru complained, his holographic form adopting an exaggerated expression of exasperation.
"This ability is already incredibly powerful even with its limitations!"
"I was originally worried about whether you could even qualify for the Virtual Universe Company's core membership," Rimuru admitted. "After learning about your special bloodline ability, I'm no longer worried. I'm actually looking forward to discovering exactly how far you'll eventually progress!"
"Don't worry," Han Jue smiled confidently. "Rimuru, in the future, you'll be beside me, standing at my side as we explore the highest reaches of power."
The Mechanoids possessed a treasure called the 'Heart of Evolution,' which could transform intelligent life into true living beings with souls and physical forms. If Han Jue ever got the chance, he would acquire one for Rimuru, allowing his companion to transcend the limitations of artificial intelligence and experience existence as a genuine entity.
"Woo, Han Jue..." Rimuru was visibly touched, his holographic form wavering slightly with emotion.
o(TヘTo)
In terms of emotional bonds, when the Lord of the Ice Wasteland was alive, Rimuru had been just an ordinary AI intelligence with no real emotions or self-awareness whatsoever. Those capabilities developed only after gaining sentience, and the single year spent with Han Jue had forged a deeper connection than centuries serving his previous master.
What's more, Han Jue had given Rimuru a name!
The Lord of the Ice Wasteland had never bothered with such a gesture, which was almost equivalent to acknowledging Rimuru as a true individual worthy of identity. It could be said that Han Jue was Rimuru's real master in every way that mattered.
Lord of the Ice Wasteland? Sorry, but that relationship paled in comparison.
"Okay, okay." Han Jue felt slightly amused by Rimuru's emotional display and gently redirected the conversation. "Let's talk about the secret realm. What kind of environment is this Dry Sea Secret Realm?"
Rimuru composed himself, his expression returning to something more professional as he accessed the relevant information.
"That secret realm is called the Dry Sea Secret Realm," Rimuru began, his tone shifting to that of an experienced instructor. "It's only open to those below Universe level. The entry requirement is between Ninth Stellar Level and Planetary level, anything outside that range triggers automatic ejection by the realm's defensive systems. It's controlled by the First Bank of the Universe, and only the bank's customers can purchase entry tickets."
"The Dry Sea Secret Realm is located within the Qianwu Universe Nation. From Huangyang Star, at this spacecraft's maximum speed, the journey would take over two months to reach, which provides an excellent opportunity for absorbing nutrient solution along the way."
"The Dry Sea Secret Realm primarily produces three natural resources," Rimuru continued, his holographic form gesturing as if lecturing at an academy. "First, Dry Sea Ore, whose hardness is comparable to D-grade metal despite forming naturally. Second, Dry Sea Water Droplets, which slightly enhance the perception of the fundamental Origin of Water. Third, Dry Sea Crystal Source, which when properly consumed allows one to directly comprehend the Artistic Conception of Water and even grasp the Domain of Water if sufficient quantities are absorbed."
"In addition, the Dry Sea Secret Realm is home to a large population of sea beasts, whose strength ranges from Planetary level to Universe level. Their bodies naturally produce a magical substance called Sea Beast Gel, which can dramatically hone the physique of a Stellar-level warrior, capable of granting physical fitness comparable to that of a First-level Universe-level warrior."
"I originally thought all these resources would be tremendously useful for you," Rimuru said somewhat sheepishly. "But now it seems they're less valuable than I initially calculated. The Sea Beast Gel remains worthwhile, certainly, but the other materials..."
Unconsciously, Rimuru had begun addressing Han Jue as "master" again, his earlier emotional vulnerability breaking down the professional distance he usually maintained.
Han Jue didn't bother correcting the form of address, simply nodding slightly in acknowledgment.
"It's fine. It's still an excellent opportunity to hone my combat experience against diverse opponents," Han Jue said thoughtfully. "That Sea Beast Gel will definitely prove useful. More importantly, the Dry Sea Secret Realm's unique environment might be ideal for comprehending the fundamental Origin of Water through direct observation."
The Dry Sea Secret Realm cycled between two distinct phases, the Underground Sea and the Sky Sea, alternating every six months and producing different resources in each configuration.
During the Underground Sea phase, the seawater sank deep into the earth, accumulating in vast subterranean caverns and producing Dry Sea Water Droplets through mysterious alchemical processes.
In the Sky Sea phase, the seawater rose to high altitudes through inexplicable gravitational manipulation, forming massive aerial oceans while revealing the Dry Sea floor where Dry Sea Ore could be harvested.
Sea beasts and Dry Sea Crystal Source could be found in both phases, adapting to whichever environment currently dominated the realm.
The Dry Sea Secret Realm, with its unique cyclic environment, had attracted countless practitioners who cultivated the fundamental Origin of Water. The dramatic transitions between the Underground Sea and Sky Sea phases revealed operating principles of both the Origin of Water and offered insights into the fundamental Origin of Space through the gravitational anomalies involved.
Every hundred years, the water in the Dry Sea dried up completely, an event that took ten full years to complete before the waters gradually returned. This dramatic phenomenon was the origin of the realm's name.
Several days later, the white conical spacecraft emerged from the Dark Universe's spatial turbulence and materialized in normal space near Huangyang Star.
"Master, we've arrived at Huangyang Star," Rimuru announced, his holographic form gesturing toward the viewing screen where the planet appeared as a brilliant blue-green sphere.
Han Jue disembarked from the spacecraft, his feet touching solid ground for the first time in days. A uniformed employee from the Virtual Universe Company approached immediately, professionally delivering several sealed containers containing E-grade nutrient capsules and nutrient solution.
With these resources, Han Jue could advance steadily to Ninth Stellar Level within a year, though his plans called for considerably faster progress through actual combat experience rather than merely absorbing nutrients in isolation.
"We must first travel to Qiongling Star in the Qianwu Universe Nation," Rimuru explained as they returned to the spacecraft. "From there, we'll board an official transport vessel operated by the First Bank of the Universe. That's the only authorized method of entering the Dry Sea Secret Realm, personal spacecraft aren't permitted access."
"Let's go." Han Jue nodded, settling back into his meditation position as the spacecraft's engines hummed to life.
The cosmos stretched endlessly before him, filled with dangers and opportunities in equal measure. The path to true power demanded courage, skill, and unwavering determination.
He possessed all three in abundance.
Time to prove it.