Thunder World

On Canglan Star, Luo Feng's spaceship had just arrived when a tractor beam guided it to the planet's docking bay. “Now we'll have to fly.” “It won't take long; at our speed, we'll be there in minutes.” Luo Feng smiled as he and the other four flew towards a bustling metropolis in the distance—Thunder City. Thunder City wasn't originally called that; it was only later that a world created by a Sector Lord was discovered within what became Thunder City. This Sector Lord's world became famous for its thunder, earning it the name 'Thunder World'. Consequently, the city was also referred to as 'Thunder City' by people from other planets. “We've arrived at Thunder City.” Luo Feng and the four others descended. Hovercars were ubiquitous in the city, and some individuals were flying under their own power. “The Universe Mercenary Alliance outpost is about 30 kilometers that way.” Lei Shen looked down at the map displayed on his auxiliary optical computer, then pointed roughly northeast, corresponding to the planet's magnetic field. Immediately, Luo Feng and the four others quickly headed towards the Universe Mercenary Alliance outpost… The Sector Lord's world was located within the outpost itself. The Mercenary Alliance outpost was also built only after the Sector Lord's world was discovered. … Luo Feng and the four others entered the Universe Mercenary Alliance outpost. “Head this way. The heavily guarded villa ahead is the Thunder World.” A staff member at the outpost pointed into the distance. The area around it was incredibly open, yet the lone villa was surrounded by numerous guards. “Thunder World?” “A villa?” Everyone stared at the villa. The staff member grinned, chuckling, “The 'Sector Lord' who built the Thunder World back then might have been living in seclusion in Thunder City, bought a villa, and built the Thunder World within it. From the outside, who could tell that this villa contains a world far vaster than the entire Canglan Star? However, countless years have passed, and all the other villas around it have long since turned to ruins.” “Oh?” Luo Feng nodded, then smiled and thanked him, “Thank you.” “Let's go.” Luo Feng, Hong, Lei Shen, and the other two walked directly towards the distant villa. The villa was heavily guarded. Suddenly— The guards quickly parted, forming a path. A man with a 'One-Star Mercenary' badge on his chest walked out, looking up at the sky. The surrounding guards stood respectfully beside him, indicating that this universe mercenary was some kind of leader here. “What's happening?” Luo Feng was a little surprised. “Look, a spaceship is coming in the sky.” Lei Shen pointed upwards. The five of them, along with many others who had come to the 'Universe Mercenary Alliance outpost,' looked up. A spaceship, appearing almost in a flash from a distant point, stopped directly above the outpost, hovering motionless. Whoosh! The hatch opened! Then, more than twenty young men and women, seemingly from various races, descended directly. “Lord Jiaya.” The universe mercenary immediately stepped forward. Among the twenty-odd young men and women who descended, there was an exceptionally handsome man in purple combat attire. He wore a Two-Star Mercenary badge on his chest: “I'm just bringing some of my subordinates here for the 'Apprentice Mercenary Assessment.' There's no need for you, as the leader, to personally greet me.” “Lord Jiaya saved my life back then. How could I not come out when you arrive?” The universe mercenary chuckled, then looked at the group of young men and women around them. “These are the new recruits from the Black Cloud Society. Hmm, they all look promising!” “Haha, there are indeed a few good prospects among this batch of newcomers.” The purple-clad man smiled and nodded. Immediately, the purple-clad man's gaze swept over the group of young people, and he declared, “I won't elaborate on the dangers of the Universe Apprentice Mercenary Assessment. I only hope… that I'll see you all again next time at the Black Cloud Society. Now, hurry and enter the Sector Lord's world.” “Yes, Chief Instructor.” The group of young people respectfully acknowledged the command. They then naturally split into four squads. Each squad had individuals at Star-level Second and Third Tier, as well as Star-level Eighth and Ninth Tier. The four squads quickly entered the villa one after another. The villa was only so large… yet, with over twenty people entering, it was as if they were stepping into a bottomless pit. … The purple-clad man stood there, exuding an aura that made ordinary people feel a natural sense of dread, like encountering a venomous snake. Luo Feng, Hong, Lei Shen, and the other two remained in the distant crowd, not daring to approach at this moment. “Black Cloud Society? They mentioned the Black Cloud Society, what is it?” Some discussions arose from the surrounding crowd. “What is the Black Cloud Society?” Luo Feng also looked at Hong and Lei Shen. “Don't know.” “Master, we don't know either.” Aogu and Tienan River both shook their heads. Suddenly, the chatter nearby caught the attention of Luo Feng and his companions: “This Black Cloud Society is one of the four major organizations of our Black Dragon Mountain Empire. Our Black Dragon Mountain Empire governs the entire Black Dragon Mountain Starfield, with vast territories spanning over eight thousand star systems! The strongest forces in the entire empire are, of course, the two great Holy Lands, followed by the four major organizations and the sixteen great families.” “What are the two great Holy Lands?” “You don't even know that?” “The two great Holy Lands are 'Heilong Mountain' and 'Ice Sea Divine Kingdom.' It's said that both Holy Lands were founded by 'Immortals,' and each commands numerous Sector Lords.” “Each of the sixteen great families has at least one 'Sector Lord.' A Sector Lord possesses the power to destroy worlds and create their own domains. Of course, either of the two great Holy Lands could easily wipe out all sixteen great families.” “If Heilong Mountain, Ice Sea Divine Kingdom, and the sixteen great families are considered official, then the four major organizations are civilian organizations… With a legacy spanning tens of millions of years, some of the ancient elders of these four organizations have even entered the Ganwu Universe Nation.” … The nearby discussion captivated Luo Feng and the other four. So, this was the power structure of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire: two great Holy Lands, four major organizations, and sixteen great families. “Luo Feng, this is information regarding the distribution of power in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.” Babata's voice echoed in Luo Feng's mind. Immediately, a large amount of textual data appeared on the screen of Luo Feng's arm guard. As Luo Feng looked down to read it, he simultaneously sent the information to Hong, Lei Shen, Aogu, and Tienan River. Upon closer inspection, Luo Feng was astonished. The foundation of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire lay in the two great Holy Lands: 'Heilong Mountain' and 'Ice Sea Divine Kingdom.' They represented the strongest official power! In the civilian sector, there were the four major organizations. Their influence spanned thousands of star systems, and each organization boasted a group of powerful Sector Lords! In terms of power, they were absolutely not to be underestimated. Furthermore, the backgrounds of the four major organizations were connected to some highly influential and powerful individuals within the Ganwu Universe Nation. Therefore, while the four major organizations might not have the same strict hierarchy as the two great Holy Lands, their peak combat strength was nearly on par. “What? Nuolanshan is part of 'Hundred Tiger Tower,' one of the four major organizations?” Luo Feng's heart jolted. The information Babata provided included a brief introduction to Nuolanshan's involvement with Hundred Tiger Tower. After reading it, Luo Feng breathed a sigh of relief. “Good thing he's just a low-level member of Hundred Tiger Tower, with no real power.” … The four major organizations could absolutely stir up a storm of blood and chaos in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. If the Nuolanshan family was a single drop of water, any one of the four major organizations was an endless, surging ocean! Because of their formidable peak combat strength and deep backgrounds, the Black Dragon Mountain Empire could only tacitly acknowledge the existence of these four organizations. “Nuolanshan has such a powerful background?” Lei Shen was very surprised, and at the same time, his primal energy formed a soundproof barrier around them. “He's just a low-level member of Hundred Tiger Tower, not high-ranking.” Hong said. Indeed, a Universe-level Ninth Tier warrior in Hundred Tiger Tower, one of the four major organizations, would be considered low-level. “Three Axe Mountain, Hundred Tiger Tower, Black Cloud Society, North Dragon City. In the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, they all wield immense power.” Luo Feng also felt a sense of longing. If one day he could hold a high position in such an organization, a single command could turn a family like Nuolanshan's into ruins, and thousands of life planets would surrender. “Longing for what? Nonsense!” “Strength is the most important thing! Once you have Master's power, a single word from you could make the entire Black Dragon Mountain Empire tremble in fear!” Babata exclaimed. “What 'Holy Lands'? Master had nine Immortal servants under his command!” Luo Feng smiled. Before the Yunmo Star Master, the Black Dragon Mountain Empire would have to bow its head, but to Luo Feng… this Black Dragon Mountain Empire was still a colossal entity. … “We are here to participate in the Universe Apprentice Mercenary Assessment.” Luo Feng and the four others stood before the villa. “Beep!” A signal scanned Luo Feng and the four others. The group of guards heard the signal and then nodded: “You may enter!” Clearly, Luo Feng and his companions' identification signals had been approved. A spacious garden. In the garden stood an ordinary three-story villa. At its entrance, two cold-faced women in black stood guard. One of them looked at Luo Feng and his companions and stated solemnly, “Five adventurers, I trust you understand the dangers of the Sector Lord's world you are about to enter! If you regret it now, you can still withdraw!” “No need, please open the door.” Luo Feng said. Creak! One of the black-clad women directly pushed open the villa's main door: “The Sector Lord's world is on the second floor of the villa.” Luo Feng and the four others filed in, entered the hall, and then ascended the stairs to the second floor. The other rooms on the second floor appeared normal, but at the entrance of one room stood a woman with purple patterns on her face. When she saw Luo Feng and his companions, she directly pulled open the door, and immediately, a stream of light spilled out from within. “This is—” Luo Feng and the four others watched, holding their breath. The stream of light, like shimmering foam, made it impossible for Luo Feng and the others to see inside the room. “Go in, and you'll be in the Thunder World.” The woman said coldly. “Understood.” Luo Feng, Hong, Lei Shen, Aogu, and Tienan River exchanged glances, then everyone extended their hands, holding onto one another. This was because if they didn't hold hands, they would be scattered to different locations upon entering the Thunder World. “Thunder World!” “Let's go in.” Tienan River was the first to step into the stream of light, followed by Lei Shen, Luo Feng, Hong, and finally Aogu. Without a sound. The five vanished completely into the stream of light. “Click!” The woman at the door closed it once more.