The Sector Lord Meeting

Virtual Universe.

The sky was azure, pure and flawless. Clouds and mist permeated the surroundings. In this misty void, a massive, dozens-of-meters-in-diameter rock round table floated, its surface marked with mottled patterns. Around the floating rock table, stone chairs of the same material hovered.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

Figure after figure appeared out of thin air in the void. Among them were Jiang Tianchen, Anmengzi, and Basiha. Each selected a stone chair and sat down.

“I represent Three Axe Mountain,” Jiang Tianchen said indifferently, seated in his stone chair.

“I represent Ice Sea Divine Kingdom,” a woman with nearly transparent long hair, clad in a snow-white robe, smiled faintly.

“I represent Heilong Mountain,” a nearly four-meter-tall Sector Lord, whose face was covered in scales with only a pair of blood-red eyes visible, rumbled.

...

Twelve figures.

They represented four organizations, two holy lands, and sixteen great families. The sixteen great families sent only one general representative, while the four organizations and two holy lands collectively sent 11 Sector Lords.

“Then, let the meeting begin,” the scaled giant from Heilong Mountain rumbled.

“The entrance to the Thunder World is currently guarded by Qiniya, the special envoy of the Universe Mercenary Alliance, Ganwu Branch, prohibiting any non-Star-level adventurers from entering,” Jiang Tianchen’s voice echoed in the void.

“What is this Qiniya’s background?” a gentle voice came from the female Sector Lord of Ice Sea Divine Kingdom.

“Her teacher is the commander of the Third Legion of the Ganwu Universe Nation,” Jiang Tianchen stated. “The Third Commander dotes on her greatly.”

“The Third Commander?”

The other 11 Sector Lords were all somewhat startled.

“Precisely. So, forcing our way in is impossible,” Jiang Tianchen’s gaze swept over the other Sector Lords. “Therefore, I believe… there’s only one solution: arrange for a large group of Ninth-tier Star-level adventurers to enter the Thunder World under the pretext of participating in the probationary mercenary assessment.”

“A good plan!”

“Indeed.”

Jiang Tianchen’s words prompted the assembled Sector Lords to nod in agreement.

“If anyone has other opinions, please speak,” Jiang Tianchen said.

“With Qiniya guarding the entrance, who would dare openly defy the Alliance regulations?” the scaled giant chuckled deeply. “Alright, Brother Jiang, let’s proceed as you suggested! We’ll arrange for a large number of Ninth-tier Star-levels to go in.”

“How many will each family arrange?”

“How will the numbers be determined?”

Immediately, the 12 Sector Lords began a heated debate. Naturally, the more personnel dispatched, the greater the advantage in competing for treasures. The main contention was actually between the four organizations and the two holy lands!

“For the sixteen families, each can dispatch a maximum of 10,000 Star-level adventurers.”

“For the four organizations, each can dispatch a maximum of 200,000 Star-level adventurers.”

“For the two holy lands, each can dispatch a maximum of 500,000 Star-level adventurers.”

...

The outcome of this pinnacle meeting within the Heilong Mountain Starfield quickly led to an internal allocation of quotas among the four organizations and two holy lands. Each organization also had Sector Lords, Domain Lords, and Universe-level individuals, and the number of slots they could obtain naturally varied according to their strength and status.

...

Canglan Star.

Under the joint blockade by the two holy lands, four organizations, and sixteen families, all other Star-level adventurers were prohibited from entering the Thunder World.

“Wow, so many people flying over.”

“A dense, dark mass, how many could there be?”

At the Universe Mercenary Alliance outpost, some adventurers watched the sky in shock. A colossal warship hovered overhead, and simultaneously, large groups of warriors in dark gray battle suits flew directly downwards, completely obscuring the sky. Moments later, they streamed towards the entrance of the Thunder World—that villa.

“What’s going on?” Qiniya, clad in a bright silver battle suit, demanded.

“My lady, we are all Star-level adventurers, and we have all accepted the probationary cosmic mercenary assessment mission,” the leading Star-level warrior of the team respectfully stated.

“All here for the probationary mercenary assessment?” Qiniya was astonished, looking at the queue before her.

This long queue, stretching like a dragon, already reached into the sky.

How many people could there be?

However, when Qiniya conducted a wide-range scan, this dragon-like queue was indeed entirely composed of Star-level adventurers, and all had accepted the probationary mercenary assessment mission.

...

In the villa garden.

Anmengzi, Basiha, and Jiang Tianchen watched as this team swiftly entered the Thunder World.

“Anmengzi, you’re quite fast,” Basiha remarked, looking at Anmengzi.

“Exactly 10,000 Ninth-tier Star-levels,” Anmengzi grinned. “Gentlemen, I’ve gotten a head start.”

...

Even Nuolanshan could mobilize 10,000 Ninth-tier Star-levels, let alone a Sector Lord! For them, finding 10,000 Ninth-tier Star-levels was as easy as breathing! For instance, Anmengzi alone commanded three star systems in his territory, not to mention the many who sought to become his disciples.

...

From then on, team after team arrived above Canglan Star.

All were Star-level adventurers, and almost all were Ninth-tier Star-levels! They came in squads of dozens, teams of thousands, and even massive contingents of tens of thousands. Team after team of Ninth-tier Star-levels streamed into the Thunder World! Meanwhile, many adventurers who had originally planned to take the probationary mercenary assessment were intercepted.

On Canglan Star, at the Universe Mercenary Alliance outpost, inside a nearby tavern.

Mingyu and Shao Donglai, two Domain Lords, were seated there. The entire tavern was filled with Domain Lords and Universe-level individuals! Ordinary adventurers wouldn’t dare enter. Just then, a man in a dark green battle suit, with pointed ears and a sinister aura, walked in. His gaze swept around, first spotting Mingyu and Shao Donglai.

“Lord Mingyu, Lord Donglai.”

“Nuolanshan, you’ve brought your forces too,” Mingyu and Shao Donglai both nodded. They were Domain Lords, but Nuolanshan, after all, held the ‘Giant Axe Warrior Title.’ They themselves hadn’t managed to obtain that title when they were Universe-level. Thus, they held a degree of respect for Nuolanshan.

“Just a small contingent,” Nuolanshan chuckled. “They’re all outside.”

Mingyu and Shao Donglai glanced outside.

Outside the window, in an open space, a team in uniform battle suits was queuing.

“That’s quite a few, 200 people,” Mingyu praised. “Some Universe-level individuals only received 50 slots, others only 100.”

A team of 200 Ninth-tier Star-levels from the Nuolanshan family walked towards the villa, entering in an orderly fashion.

These 200 individuals were handpicked by Nuolanshan from his family and the Nuolanshan Guard, all possessing considerable combat strength among Ninth-tier Star-levels.

“Just trying our luck,” Nuolanshan smiled faintly.

“Alright, you may go,” Mingyu said calmly.

“Yes,” Nuolanshan bowed, then walked to a corner of the tavern and sat with two familiar Universe-level individuals. The entire tavern had a group of Universe-levels and several Domain Lords, all waiting for the Ninth-tier Star-level adventurers from various organizations and forces to emerge after some time.

At a window-side table in the tavern, Mingyu and Shao Donglai conversed.

“So many people have gone in,” Shao Donglai sighed.

“The two holy lands, four organizations, and sixteen families combined make for nearly 2 million Star-level adventurers!” Mingyu also sighed. “Look, the Star-level adventurers waiting to enter the Thunder World outside have already formed a long queue, stretching into the sky.”

“Indeed.”

Shao Donglai looked out the window.

A vast, dark mass, like a black cloud, obscured the sky!

“You and I both sent 1,000 people in, I wonder what they’ll manage to get,” Shao Donglai shook his head.

“Star-levels fly slowly, and there are fierce beasts to contend with. Even if they rely on sheer numbers and dare to charge, it would still take seven or eight days to reach the Wind Thunder Canyon!” Mingyu shook his head. “Therefore, those who had the time advantage and were already in the Thunder World earlier are the most likely to obtain the treasures of the World within a World.”

Shao Donglai nodded, then asked, “How many under your command were already in the Thunder World from the start?”

“None. You know Three Axe Mountain doesn’t cultivate young talents,” Mingyu shook his head, then suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up. “Ah, that’s right, I once recruited three young individuals. I persuaded them to undertake cosmic adventures. At the time, they seemed quite interested, and if they were to venture out, they would very likely participate in the probationary mercenary assessment.”

“Three young individuals?” Shao Donglai asked in surprise.

“Yes, Lord Manluo asked me to keep an eye on them: three individuals named Luo Feng, Hong, and Lei Shen,” Mingyu revealed a slight smile. “I’ll contact them.”

“Luo Feng, Hong, and Lei Shen?” Shao Donglai murmured. “They caught Lord Manluo’s attention?”

...

Within the World within a World, it was night.

It was already the eighth day within the World within a World. In a grassy plain, the ground trembled slightly, then with a 'boom,' five figures flew out consecutively.

“I haven’t rested for eight days, I’m really tired. Why haven’t those cosmic powerhouses arrived yet?” Lei Shen exclaimed.

“You’re complaining even after getting a good deal,” Hong chuckled.

“It is tiring, but it’s a satisfying kind of exhaustion,” Luo Feng said, feeling very pleased. Lei Shen nodded repeatedly, “Exactly, satisfying! Mining cosmic crystals is truly satisfying. To think that on Earth, they’re valued at ‘2.1 billion Ganwu coins,’ and we’ve already mined… approximately 96,000 cubic meters of cosmic crystals, which is nearly 300 billion Ganwu coins. You could say we’ve mined hundreds of Earths’ worth!”

“That’s an interesting comparison,” Luo Feng laughed heartily.

96,000 cubic meters of cosmic crystals. Valued at 300 billion Ganwu coins!

A colossal sum.

Even for Universe-level powerhouses, it was a significant fortune. It must be said, excavating a world was indeed a very gratifying experience.

“Hmm?” Luo Feng paused.

“What’s wrong?” Hong and Lei Shen looked at him.

“Hold on, I’m going to the Virtual Universe Network,” Luo Feng said, then closed his eyes.

...

Heilong Mountain Island, Nine Star Bay.

Luo Feng appeared out of thin air in front of his house and immediately saw Xu Xin sitting nearby, checking some information.

“Luo Feng?” Xu Xin stood up in surprise. “You haven’t been on the Virtual Universe Network these past few days.”

“I’ve been very busy these past few days. Time is wealth, time is strength. These days, not a single moment could be wasted,” Luo Feng chuckled. His words made Xu Xin curious. “What do you mean? Not a single moment could be wasted these past few days? Where have you been?”

“I’ll tell you later.” Luo Feng’s thoughts stirred, and a screen appeared before him, showing a communication request.

It was a communication request from Mingyu, the external steward of the Virtual Universe Company’s Martial Department, Heilong Mountain Branch.

“Beep.”

Luo Feng accepted the communication.

“Lord Mingyu,” Luo Feng smiled, looking at Mingyu.

“Luo Feng, let me ask you, are you currently in the ‘World within a World’ of the Thunder World?”