Chapter 5 -- Approved
At the very top level of the massive headquarters spacecraft, a long, silent corridor stretched forward like a steel artery.
Special Envoy Wang and the manager from Limit Home walked side by side, their footsteps echoing faintly against the smooth floor. At the end of the corridor stood a sealed metal door, guarded by a black-clad attendant whose posture was as straight as a drawn blade.
"I wish to see the Head Curator," Special Envoy Wang said calmly.
"I will report immediately."The attendant bowed deeply, then turned and entered the sealed chamber.
Less than a minute later, the door opened again.
"The Head Curator has agreed to see you. Please follow me."
The interior of the secret chamber was unexpectedly simple.
There were no decorations, no luxuries—only a few meditation cushions arranged neatly on the floor. The space was wide and empty, yet it carried a pressure that made breathing subtly heavier.
At the center sat a young man in a black training robe.
He appeared to be in his twenties, nearly one-point-nine meters tall, with a crew cut and an ordinary, calm expression. Yet the moment one focused on him, the illusion shattered.
His presence was like a peerless spear thrust straight toward the heavens.
The surrounding space seemed distorted, as if heaven and earth revolved around him alone.
This was Hong—the strongest human on Earth, the man who had comprehended the legendary Light Domain.
"Head Curator," Special Envoy Wang and the manager bowed in unison.
Hong opened his eyes slowly. "What is it?"
The manager immediately stepped forward and reported everything in detail—from the uploaded techniques to Bai Yue's background, leaving nothing out.
"…An orphan, awakened as a martial artist only half a year ago?" Hong's brows lifted slightly. "Young people these days are truly extraordinary."
Seven original techniques. Half a year of cultivation.Even Hong silently questioned whether he himself could have done the same under identical conditions.
"Upon receiving the recommendation from Jiangnan Base City," Special Envoy Wang added, "we arranged for Yang Hui to conduct an assessment. He is scheduled to depart within two days."
By then, Hong had already opened one of the uploaded techniques—Iron Block.
As the creator of his own martial path, he grasped its essence almost instantly. Subtle changes rippled through the muscles of his body. Within moments, the first and second layers were fully formed.
"…Exquisite," Hong said, not sparing his praise.
He continued browsing the remaining techniques, testing them one by one.
"Contact him immediately," Hong said. "I want to know his thoughts."
"Yes, Head Curator."
At that moment, Bai Yue had just finished purchasing secret manuals and was preparing to continue cultivating when his communicator vibrated.
He answered without hesitation.
"Hello, Mr. Bai Yue. This is a staff member from Limit Home. May I confirm—did you upload seven martial arts techniques earlier today?"
"Yes."
"All seven have passed review. We're confirming whether they should all be listed for sale."
Bai Yue paused briefly before replying. "The body-refining manual will be donated to the Dojo of Limits and taught free of charge to all martial arts academy students. The remaining six will be sold normally."
The decision was deliberate.
As an orphan, Bai Yue had benefited from social support. The body-refining manual had the greatest impact on those without access to gene-based cultivation—precisely the group least able to afford expensive techniques.
On the other end, silence followed.
Hong, Special Envoy Wang, and the manager all exchanged glances.
"Mr. Bai," Special Envoy Wang said solemnly, "on behalf of the Dojo of Limits, I thank you. With your contribution, humanity will nurture more martial artists. One day, we will reclaim the lands stolen by monsters."
"I merely did what I should," Bai Yue replied sincerely. "Compared to the heroes who died during the Great Nirvana Era, this is insignificant."
His tone carried no affectation—only genuine respect.
"Your merits will not be forgotten," Special Envoy Wang said firmly.
"As for the remaining six techniques," the manager added, "their prices will be evaluated by specialists. You will receive the results shortly."
The call ended.
Hong leaned back slightly. "An interesting young man."
"People with such a heart are rare," Special Envoy Wang sighed.
"Waive all commission on his techniques," Hong said decisively. "When he arrives, allow him to choose any set of secret manuals. Prepare a portion of dragon blood. Have Yang Hui pick him up tomorrow—I want to see him personally."
The assessment was not even mentioned.
In Hong's eyes, it was already a formality.
"Yes, Head Curator."
Bai Yue remained unaware that Hong himself had taken notice.
What surprised him instead was the speed—less than two hours from upload to approval.
He did not dwell on it and returned to cultivation. The secret manuals he had purchased would take some time to arrive anyway.
At four in the afternoon, the villa's doorbell rang.
Several Limit Home staff members delivered a large reinforced box. After identity verification, the manuals were officially handed over.
Bai Yue immediately carried the box upstairs.
After briefly reviewing the contents, he chose to start with Nine Heavy Thunder Blade.
As one of Earth's two ultimate secret manuals, it contained force-exertion principles very different from World Annihilation.
After an hour of repeated study, he picked up a training saber.
Cultivation began.
Thanks to his prior experience, progress was smooth. He immersed himself completely.
By nine in the evening, the first layer was mastered.
The second layer soon followed.
Inside the training room, several afterimages appeared as Bai Yue swung his saber. The blade flashed like lightning, his body moving as one with the strike.
The afterimages merged.
Bai Yue stood still, saber already sheathed.
The second layer was complete.
Each strike now carried two layers of hidden force, each amplifying the original power by 0.7 times—2.8 times total output.
Many principles overlapped with World Annihilation, allowing rapid assimilation.
"If I absorb all these force techniques," Bai Yue thought, "I can push World Annihilation further… or even create something truly my own."
This was not arrogance.
Even after mastering World Annihilation, he always sensed a gap—an incompleteness between body, will, and technique. Perfect replication was impossible. Only through countless refinements might he one day approach its original artistic intent.
For now, however, his stomach growled loudly.
"…Food first."
He put the saber away and headed for the kitchen.