Luo Feng's Choice

After learning Earth's secret, Luo Feng understood clearly that Earth was a cradle painstakingly crafted by powerful alien beings, of immeasurable value, and absolutely beyond his control.

It was like a treasure valued by two deities, yet obtained by a child. For the child, it wouldn't be a blessing, but a disaster! Deities wouldn't care if a child died. To behemoths like the Giant Axe Martial Arena and the Virtual Universe Company, Luo Feng was less than an ant.

“Just wait,” Luo Feng thought.

***

However, the high-level negotiations between the Virtual Universe Company and the Giant Axe Martial Arena were incredibly swift. Just three hours after Luo Feng finished speaking with his elder brothers—

In the Virtual Universe, at Luo Feng's manor in the Yuxiang Mountain Primal Secret Region, two guests arrived.

“Luo Feng!”

A clear voice echoed directly throughout the entire manor. The voice reached everyone's ears within the manor, and Luo Feng, who was in his study, immediately flew out, landing in the manor.

“Hmm?” Luo Feng looked up into the distance, startled. “Jiujian Venerable!”

High above Yuxiang Mountain, two figures were strolling and chatting, one of them wearing an azure battle robe with purple scales on his head—it was indeed Jiujian Venerable. Walking alongside Jiujian Venerable in the void was a slender woman in ancient, fiery-red battle armor, her face veiled, revealing only a pair of emerald green eyes.

They descended from the void, landing instantly in the manor.

“This woman can walk side-by-side with Jiujian Venerable; she must also be a Venerable,” Luo Feng mused inwardly.

“Greetings, Venerables.”

Luo Feng bowed respectfully.

Jiujian Venerable and the emerald-eyed woman scrutinized Luo Feng. The emerald-eyed woman chuckled, “So this is Luo Feng. His luck is truly extraordinary, to possess a territory like Earth, such a unique domain.”

“Haha…” Jiujian Venerable also laughed, then his gaze fell upon Luo Feng. “Luo Feng, let's discuss this inside the hall.”

“Yes, Venerable.”

Luo Feng respectfully followed the two Venerables into the living room on the first floor.

***

The door closed with a thud.

Although the living room on the first floor was far smaller than a grand temple hall, it was still quite spacious. Jiujian Venerable and the emerald-eyed woman sat down casually, while Luo Feng stood to one side.

“No need to be nervous.” The emerald-eyed woman's voice was like the melodious chirping of a hundred birds, pleasant to the ear. “I'm here on behalf of the Virtual Universe Company to discuss matters concerning Earth with you.”

“Here it comes,” Luo Feng thought, his heart tightening.

He listened obediently, not daring to speak carelessly. He knew he was the fish, and the Virtual Universe Company was the cleaver!

“The Ganwu Universe Nation is under the control of our Virtual Universe Company. The entire universe nation belongs to the Virtual Universe Company. Logically, with a single command from the company, your ownership of Earth could be revoked,” the emerald-eyed woman stated calmly.

Luo Feng continued to listen obediently.

“However, the Virtual Universe Company has decided to proceed through official channels.” The emerald-eyed woman flipped her hand, and a document appeared. “Take a look. This is a contract document formulated by the Virtual Universe Company regarding some transactions for Earth. There are two transaction plans; you may choose either one.”

“Yes,” Luo Feng respectfully accepted it.

In his heart, he sighed…

A contract formulated by a behemoth like the Virtual Universe Company, offering him two choices, had a clear underlying meaning… Luo Feng only had these two options, and he *must* make a transaction!

This was absolute power!

Yet, everyone considered it natural, because this matter was handled by the ‘Virtual Universe Company,’ one of humanity's two most powerful forces. Naturally, it seemed perfectly reasonable. Moreover, they were even giving Luo Feng a choice and engaging in a transaction with him… which was already quite benevolent.

“Of the two plans, the first one offers you greater benefits. You decide which one to choose,” the emerald-eyed woman said.

Luo Feng lowered his head and began to read the document.

The document's content wasn't complicated, mainly outlining the two plans.

Plan A: Luo Feng sells Earth to the Virtual Universe Company, and the Virtual Universe Company will be responsible for all matters concerning Earth! Of course, Luo Feng had once promised an Undying Venerable an island, and the Virtual Universe Company would fulfill this promise on his behalf.

By selling Earth, Luo Feng would receive a massive fortune of 200 billion Mixed Yuan Units.

While 200 billion Mixed Yuan Units was an enormous sum, any Universe Venerable could easily produce this wealth. In fact, compared to Earth's intrinsic value, this colossal sum of 200 billion Mixed Yuan Units was actually very small. However, the Virtual Universe Company's willingness to give Luo Feng this much was still quite generous.

Furthermore, for Luo Feng's safety, it was impossible to give him the full amount at once.

Such a massive asset would drive almost all Undying Beings insane, and there would definitely be Undying Beings willing to take risks to target Luo Feng and seize this immense wealth.

So—

The distribution plan was as follows:

Domain Lord level: Luo Feng receives 20 million Mixed Yuan Units.

Sector Lord level: Luo Feng receives 200 million Mixed Yuan Units.

Undying level: Luo Feng receives the remaining 199.78 billion Mixed Yuan Units.

According to the explanation in the plan, this was for Luo Feng's safety. While 200 million Mixed Yuan Units was a lot for a ‘Primal Secret Region Sector Lord member,’ it was still manageable.

***

Plan B, on the other hand, considered Luo Feng's previous insistence to the Giant Axe Martial Arena that Earth was his homeland and his unwillingness to sell it. Thus, a compromise plan was devised.

The content stated that Earth's humans could still reside on the landmasses. However, Earth's land area totaled nearly 150 million square kilometers, while its ocean area was 360 million square kilometers. The ocean area was much larger than the land area. Earth's humans would live on the land, while all ocean areas, including the airspace above them, would belong to the Virtual Universe Company. The Virtual Universe Company would construct ‘Floating Cities’ and other structures above the ocean areas.

They also promised—

No Floating Cities would be built above the landmasses.

Clearly, with this plan, the Virtual Universe Company was making a concession, allowing Earthlings to remain in their homeland, but building a large number of Floating Cities over the oceans… and promising that alien residents of these Floating Cities would absolutely not disturb Earthlings' lives. They also promised to invest vast resources in nurturing Earthlings.

The transaction value for this plan was significantly lower; Luo Feng would receive a maximum of 50 billion Mixed Yuan Units, only a quarter of the previous plan.

The distribution plan was as follows:

Domain Lord level: Luo Feng receives 5 million Mixed Yuan Units.

Sector Lord level: Luo Feng receives 50 million Mixed Yuan Units.

Undying level: Luo Feng receives the remaining 49.945 billion Mixed Yuan Units.

***

The living room was silent.

Jiujian Venerable and the emerald-eyed woman waited quietly, while Luo Feng looked down at the document. Finally, Luo Feng looked up.

“Finished reading?” the emerald-eyed woman asked Luo Feng.

“Mm,” Luo Feng nodded.

These two plans seemed somewhat unfair. The first offered 200 billion Mixed Yuan Units, while the second only offered 50 billion Mixed Yuan Units, and both were to be paid in three installments! But Luo Feng knew very well… regarding his ownership of Earth, the Virtual Universe Company could simply issue a document and directly revoke it, leaving him with nothing. Even the Yanzhu King, when making an offer, had only quoted a maximum of 1 billion Mixed Yuan Units.

Clearly, in the eyes of these high-level beings…

Luo Feng was just a lucky young man.

To be given any benefits at all was already a sign of the high-level beings' benevolence. When the Virtual Universe Company made a move, even a drop in the ocean from them was still an immense sum.

Two plans.

Luo Feng was quite satisfied with the second plan, in particular. At least Earthlings wouldn't have to change their current lives. The Virtual Universe Company would only build some Floating Cities above the oceans and promised not to affect Earthlings' lives. Without any backing, receiving such generous terms was quite good.

“Which one will you choose?” the emerald-eyed woman looked at Luo Feng. “You must choose one of them.”

“The second one,” Luo Feng said.

“The second one?”

The emerald-eyed woman and Jiujian Venerable both showed a hint of surprise, exchanging glances.

The emerald-eyed woman smiled, her voice melodious and pleasant. “Are you sure you've thought this through? The first plan offers 200 billion, the second only 50 billion… that's a difference of 150 billion Mixed Yuan Units. Even Universe Venerables would feel the sting of losing such wealth. Are you just going to casually give it up? Wouldn't your compatriots still live if they left Earth?”

“Do you want to change your choice?” the emerald-eyed woman looked at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng shook his head, softly saying, “My homeland, unless there is absolutely no other way, I am unwilling to let countless compatriots leave it.”

The emerald-eyed woman and Jiujian Venerable both showed a hint of appreciation in their eyes. The universe was filled with powerful beings, and on the long and dangerous path of cultivation, many would resort to any means for treasures and other gains. 150 billion Mixed Yuan Units, if used to purchase treasures, could acquire many precious items, enough to drive countless Undying Beings mad.

Yet, for his homeland, he would give it up?

Most powerful beings would admire Luo Feng's choice.

Admiration aside… many powerful beings would probably still choose the first plan, as only a minority valued their homeland to such an extent.

“This is the contract.”

“Under the notarization of the Virtual Universe system, once this contract is signed, it must be executed.” The emerald-eyed woman flipped her hand and produced another document, which was the contract itself.

The emerald-eyed woman signed first, then handed it to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng also solemnly signed his name.

***

In the living room.

Luo Feng sat alone. Jiujian Venerable and the emerald-eyed woman had already left.

“Luo Feng!” Babata exclaimed excitedly. “The Cosmic River Bank has sent an email notification! Your balance has increased by 5 million Mixed Yuan Units! The first installment of the contract money has arrived; their speed is truly impressive.”

“Oh,” Luo Feng said, half-reclining on the sofa, holding a glass of amber-colored strong liquor.

“What's wrong?” Babata, standing on Luo Feng's shoulder, asked curiously, noticing that Luo Feng seemed a bit weary.

“Nothing,” Luo Feng said softly. “I just feel my own weakness!”

“Weakness?” Babata blinked.

“Leaving aside the Giant Axe Martial Arena and the Virtual Universe Company, even against the Blazing Fire Venerable, Jiujian Venerable, or even the Yanzhu King… I have no power to resist,” Luo Feng said softly, then gulped down the strong liquor in his glass.

“There's nothing wrong with being weak, but being content with weakness is wrong!” Babata exclaimed. “Even the great Giant Axe Founder or the Virtual Universe Company's Founder, these peak existences in the universe, which one of them didn't rise step by step from weakness, eventually becoming an existence standing at the pinnacle of the billions of races in the universe?”

Luo Feng's eyes burst forth with an intense yearning, a fervor capable of melting glaciers: “A tree that fills the arms grows from a tiny sprout; a nine-story tower rises from a mound of earth; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Babata, you're right. All I need to do is steadfastly move forward, step by step, until I become a supreme existence traversing the cosmos.”