The Crackling Sky Zone is a renowned resource territory located within the Falling Star Region of the Emerald Bay Domain.
All year round, the entire Crackling Sky Zone is engulfed in violent lightning storms, with much of its surface resembling a raging sea of electricity.
In such extreme conditions, even Nine Stars Warriors cannot endure for extended periods without adequate supplies.
Yet it is precisely this hostile environment that gave rise to an exceptionally rare resource called the Skybolt Crystal Mine.
Skybolt Crystals mined from this site are highly valuable, as they can be used to forge Core Weapons or fused with other metals to create D-grade alloys, making them one of the most sought-after ores in the Emerald Bay Domain.
Because of its abundant Skybolt Crystals deposits, a single Crackling Sky Zone is worth as much as a dozen zones of equal scale.
Such staggering wealth would be irresistible even to Earthen Soul Realm elites.
Yet despite the zone's location being publicly known, no Earthen Soul Realm powerhouse dares to make a move against it.
The reason is because, standing behind the Crackling Sky Zone's owner is the formidable Voltis Family.
---
Inside the spacecraft cabin, where a group of Raivorn Tribe slaves were being held, Cedric was practicing cultivation using the technique inherited from the original body's memories.
Threads of cosmic energy steadily flowed into him, undergoing repeated refinement until they transformed into pure energy.
Still, in Cedric's eyes, the pace of this refinement was painfully slow.
After completing another circulation cycle, he could only pause for the time being.
"The cultivation method the previous owner used is far too basic, and without any supporting resources, progress is hopelessly sluggish. At this pace, reaching the Awakening Realm alone could take decades, or perhaps even a century."
There was simply no alternative.
The Secluded Zone of the Thunder Region, where the original owner had lived, had yet to connect with the outer world. The cultivation methods he relied on were passed down for generations. It was a very basic cultivation technique.
Legend had it that once a member of the Raivorn Tribe awakened their bloodline, a cultivation technique perfectly matched to that bloodline would automatically emerge from within, and it would be extraordinarily powerful.
Sadly, no one had ever managed to awaken such a bloodline.
Worse still, after leaving the Secluded Zone, the bloodline of the mythical beast Raion would soon fade away on its own. This phenomenon had occurred countless times before and was one of the main reasons the tribe's people never left the Secluded Zone.
Now, without access to a more comprehensive cultivation technique, it was uncertain whether Cedric could even reach the peak of the Awakening Realm before his lifespan ran out.
"I have to find a way to acquire a more complete and powerful cultivation technique."
---
On the Crackling Sky Zone, the silver-gray spacecraft that had been traveling through the Emerald Bay Domain for over half a month finally pierced the layers of endless thunderclouds and descended slowly onto the land.
Soon after, within the grand hall of a castle lavishly adorned beyond compare, Cedric at last came face to face with the "Master" who had purchased him.
The buyer was a young man clad in an ornate robe. His face was slightly plump, and his figure was slightly on the chubby side. Aside from a single dark-red horn, nearly half a foot long, protruding from his forehead, his build and features were otherwise very similar to those of humans.
This master's cultivation, however, was not particularly high. Cedric can see that this person was only an Eight Stars Warrior.
In contrast, the four guards in black armor standing behind him radiated profound auras, each exuding an oppressive presence that made Cedric feel intense pressure.
Not daring to look for long, Cedric glanced briefly at the young man before quickly lowering his gaze and bowing respectfully.
"What is your name?" The young man asked.
"Cedric Veyra," Cedric replied carefully.
"Oh? Your name is Cedric?"
The young man seated on the throne seemed momentarily taken aback. He muttered under his breath in an odd tone, "Damn it… that name sounds way too much like that old fellow's."
Noticing the sudden shift in the young man's expression, Cedric feared he had unknowingly said something wrong, and a wave of unease rose in his chest.
Fortunately, the young man's face returned to normal in the very next moment.
He studied Cedric, then nodded with a smile that appeared deliberately mature.
"Haha, I've heard you managed to reach the Nine Stars Realm with no guidance and no resources, using nothing but a very basic cultivation technique. That suggests your talent isn't bad at all."
Hearing the young man's words, Cedric immediately responded with deference, "Thank you, Master, for your kind words."
No matter what, Cedric's current status was that of a slave, and he had to behave accordingly. After all, he didn't want to raise any suspicion in his "Master's" heart.
"Mmm."
The young man let out a soft hum, then gestured toward a slender, middle-aged man dressed in black robes. This middle-aged man had faint scales on his cheeks. He also came from a different race.
"From this point on, you'll be assigned to my personal guard team. Go with Old Blue later. He'll provide you with the guard unit's exclusive battle armor and cultivation techniques."
"Battle armor? Cultivation techniques? What incredible luck!"
Cedric felt a rush of excitement the moment he heard this.
He had just been worrying about the lack of a powerful cultivation method, and now help had arrived exactly when he needed it most.
This youthful-looking "Master" was surprisingly thoughtful, resolving his greatest concern right away.
"Thank you, Master!" Cedric quickly displayed a look of gratitude.
"There's no need to worry. As long as you follow me, you'll never be short of resources that can help you grow stronger," the young man said with clear pride. "I value subordinates with potential. Even if they're slaves, as long as they have talent, I won't be stingy when it comes to investing in their cultivation."
"Of course," the young man's tone changed as he added, "besides serving as my personal guard, you also have an important responsibility. While cultivating, you must also manage your people and ensure they work diligently to mine the Skybolt Crystals. As long as the output meets my expectations, your rewards will be more than sufficient."
"If any of your tribesmen advance to the Nine Stars, they too may join the personal guard and receive the same treatment as the other guards."
Though he was against it, Cedric still tried to show his loyalty, saying, "Master, please be assured. I'll definitely work hard and lead my people to mine Skybolt Crystals with all their heart!"
"Mmm." The single-horned young man nodded with satisfaction. "You may go now. Follow Old Blue's instructions from here on."
Lastly, he added, "And remember this. My name is Julian Voltis. I'm a member of the Voltis Family, which is also the ruling family of the entire Emerald Bay Domain. I heard your tribe never came in contact with the outside world, so you must lack a lot of knowledge and basic information. You can ask Old Blue and learn more about my family and Domains. Since you are my personal guard now, you must have at least basic information so that you can do a few things for me."
"I understand, master," Cedric nodded in agreement.