Marvel: The other side of the double-passing door is Devouring the Stars

Chapter 310 A Rare Opportunity!
Thor, lying on another recovery bed, laughed upon hearing this: "A dream? I think it was a nightmare. We almost died at Aster's hands. If Mo Chenhou hadn't arrived in time, we might already be cosmic dust."

“But the gains have been enormous,” Hong said, setting down the data panel, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Especially the two of you. Rowan’s understanding of the Laws of Fire has made a qualitative leap, and Thor’s control over lightning has improved by leaps and bounds. Even I gained a wealth of valuable knowledge from the ruins of that ancient civilization. Even if we canceled all the rewards for this mission, I wouldn’t feel like we’d lost out.”

Rowan nodded, having to admit that Hong was right. His brief stay on Thunder Planet, especially his interaction with the planet's consciousness and his training in the areas where the earth's fire erupted, had indeed given him a completely new understanding of the Laws of Fire. The way he understood and controlled flames at the level of their essential energy was something that might take years or even decades to comprehend through ordinary training.

“By the way,” Thor suddenly sat up, his expression turning serious, “have you received any news? The Third Prince is said to be coming to visit us.”

Luo Wen and Hong exchanged a meaningful glance.

“The medical director just informed me,” Hong confirmed, “that the Third Prince has requested a private meeting with us and is expected to arrive in an hour.”

Rowan frowned. "What's he doing here? The entire mission was practically a disaster. If it weren't for Shadow's abilities and the Empire's strong support, we'd probably be dead at Aster's hands by now."

Thor chuckled coldly. "Probably here to explain and apologize. After all, he's the one who put us in this dangerous situation."

“Don’t jump to conclusions so quickly,” Hong advised. “Based on my understanding of the royal family, they never do anything without a purpose. The Third Prince’s personal visit must have a reason. Let’s wait until he arrives.”

The three chatted for a while longer, mainly discussing their experiences on the Thunder Planet and what they had gained. Recalling that special planet and its planetary consciousness, Rowan still felt an inexplicable sense of closeness. He even felt a little regretful that he hadn't stayed there longer to further enhance his understanding of the Laws of Fire.

Just as they were engaged in a lively discussion, the door to the room suddenly shook slightly, then slid open, and two tall guards in royal guard uniforms stepped in and stood on either side of the door. Immediately afterward, a handsome young man with a noble bearing walked in.

"The three of you, it's been a long time," the young man said with a smile, his voice gentle yet carrying a natural air of authority.

Rowan, Thor, and Hong immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Highness the Third Prince."

Lin Hongze, the third prince of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, is the third son of the current emperor. Although he is ranked low in the line of succession to the throne, his outstanding talent and political acumen make him no less influential within the empire than his two elder brothers. Today, he is dressed in a simple dark blue robe with the royal insignia pinned to his chest, appearing both dignified and approachable.

“Please sit down, no need for formalities,” Lin Hongze waved his hand, gesturing for the three to relax. “I’m visiting you all today in a personal capacity.”

He walked to a chair in the center of the room and sat down, his gaze sweeping over the three men before finally settling on Rowan: "First of all, I want to express my deepest apologies for the danger and inconvenience this mission has caused you all. Things have developed far beyond my expectations."

Rowan stared at the Third Prince, trying to glean more information from his expression: "Does Your Highness know Astor's true purpose?"

Lin Hongze sighed softly and shook his head: "All I know is that he needs a reliable escort team to transport an important item to the planet Brant. He told me it's a rare energy crystal that can be used for the development of new weapons. Considering our cooperative relationship and his contributions to the Empire, I didn't ask for further details."

"So, you had no idea that the stone box contained the remains of an immortal king?" Thor asked directly, his tone tinged with doubt.

Lin Hongze's expression turned serious: "I swear on the honor of the royal family, I truly knew nothing about this. If I had any suspicions, I would never have sent you there. Necromancer transformation is a taboo in the universe; anyone who attempts this method will face the wrath of the entire civilization."

Hong nodded thoughtfully, "I believe Your Highness. Astor meticulously planned all of this, keeping even the intelligence agency in the dark. It's understandable that Your Highness was unaware."

“However,” Rowan added, “we are still very curious as to why His Highness specifically chose the three of us to carry out this mission?”

Lin Hongze's expression shifted slightly, as if he was considering how to phrase his words. Ultimately, he chose to be direct and frank: "To be honest, I have my reasons. Your outstanding performance in the Virtual Universe Company's challenge has caught my attention. Especially this time, you proactively contacted me to find a cure for Luo Feng."

“That was indeed an unexpected opportunity,” Lin Hongze continued, his tone sincere. “I originally intended to use this relatively simple task to give you a chance to showcase your talents, and also to provide you with an opportunity to ‘gild’ your resume. Within the Empire, being able to carry out tasks directly entrusted by the royal family is an honor, paving the way for future development.”

"Gilded?" Thor raised an eyebrow. "Is Your Highness trying to use this mission to win us over to your side?"

Lin Hongze smiled frankly: "To be honest, yes. The empire is rife with factions, and each prince has his own faction and supporters. Having the support of powerful individuals with potential like yours is naturally advantageous to me. But I assure you, this is entirely based on mutual consent; there is absolutely no coercion."

Rowan, Thor, and Hong exchanged a glance, all seeing understanding and relief in each other's eyes. The Third Prince's frankness had actually changed their perspective on the matter.

“Your Highness’s frankness is admirable,” Rowan responded on behalf of the three. “We understand your intentions and will not blame you for it. After all, the mission was indeed something we accepted voluntarily.”

Lin Hongze's expression visibly relaxed: "Thank you for your understanding. As compensation, I have arranged for a reward far exceeding the original amount. Furthermore, the Empire's highest-level medical resources will be fully utilized to heal your injuries. As for the special medicine you mentioned earlier..."

“It’s been delivered,” Hong replied. “We received notification that the medication has been safely delivered to Luo Feng. We are very grateful for that.”

Lin Hongze smiled slightly: "This is our agreement, and naturally we must fulfill it. Besides, Luo Feng is also a challenger with extraordinary potential; his injuries shouldn't be an obstacle on his path forward."

After a brief silence, Thor suddenly asked bluntly, "Your Highness, do you still wish for us to join your side?" Lin Hongze looked at Thor, then turned to Rowan and Hong, his gaze sincere: "Of course, this invitation remains valid. But I think, after this incident, you may need time to consider. I won't force you, nor will I set a deadline. Whatever choice you make in the future, I will respect it."

“Actually,” Rowan began slowly, his tone calm but firm, “the three of us have already reached a consensus on this. We are very grateful for His Highness's appreciation and invitation, but for now, we prefer to maintain our independent status and focus on the challenge and our own cultivation and improvement.”

“Yes,” Hong added, “we believe that joining any faction or camp at this stage may not be beneficial for our long-term development. We hope to maintain greater freedom and room for choice.”

Lin Hongze listened quietly, his face showing no sign of dissatisfaction or disappointment. Instead, he nodded slightly: "I understand and respect your decision. In fact, this attitude of independent thinking and clear self-positioning is one of the reasons I admire you."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the magnificent view of the capital city: "In this universe, what truly matters is not blind loyalty, but cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding. Your choice precisely proves your wisdom and foresight."

Turning around, Lin Hongze's eyes revealed genuine respect: "This will not diminish my support for you. On the contrary, as recognition of your performance in this crisis, I have applied for special access to the Imperial Central Archives for the three of you. It houses a wealth of precious cultivation materials and research findings on the mysteries of the universe, which will undoubtedly be of great benefit to your cultivation."

Rowan, Thor, and Hong were all pleasantly surprised by this unexpected gift. The Imperial Central Archives was the core repository of knowledge for the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, and access was difficult even for ordinary people or high-ranking citizens, let alone for outsiders like them.

“Your Highness’s generosity is deeply appreciated,” Rowan said sincerely. “It is more valuable than any material reward.”

Lin Hongze smiled and waved his hand: "This is not only a reward, but also an investment. I believe you will achieve even greater success in future challenges and win honor for the Empire. Although you have chosen to remain independent for now, I hope you will think of me when you need help."

“Of course,” Thor readily agreed, “if it’s within our capabilities, we will definitely do our best to assist.”

Lin Hongze nodded in satisfaction: "Then, our visit concludes here. You need to rest and recover your strength. I have arranged special accommodations for your stay in the capital, located in the Royal Garden District. The environment is tranquil and suitable for recuperation and cultivation."

After speaking, he took out three exquisite access cards from his pocket: "These are the keys to the residence and high-level passes to the capital, allowing you free access to most areas, including the Central Archives and the Royal Training Grounds."

On behalf of the three, Luo Wen accepted the pass and expressed his gratitude once again.

Before parting, Lin Hongze suddenly remembered something and turned to ask, "By the way, there's something I'm curious about. According to Ying's report, you seemed to have had some special experiences and gains on that lightning planet?"

Luo Wen smiled slightly: "That's true. That planet has a very special energy environment, which is very helpful to our cultivation. In particular, its planetary consciousness has given us a lot of valuable guidance."

A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Hongze's eyes: "Planetary consciousness? That's indeed rare. No wonder Ying emphasized the need to protect the ecological balance of that planet in his report."

“Yes,” Hong said earnestly, “that planet and its consciousness are precious beings in the universe, and I hope the Empire can provide them with appropriate protection and respect.”

Lin Hongze nodded and promised, "I will personally suggest to my father that that planet be designated as a special protected area of ​​the empire, restricting over-exploitation and interference."

This promise brought a sense of relief to all three. Although they had only stayed on that planet for a few days, their communication with its consciousness had forged a special emotional connection between them. Knowing it would be protected filled them with genuine comfort.

Lin Hongze nodded to the three men one last time, then left the room under the escort of the guards. After the door closed, the three men all breathed a sigh of relief, as if some invisible pressure had been lifted.

"It went much more smoothly than I expected," Thor commented. "I thought he'd be upset because we refused to join."

Hong shook his head: "Truly intelligent people know that forced relationships are never sweet. Lin Hongze's ability to rise to the position of Third Prince naturally reflects a different perspective and vision. He values ​​long-term relationships, not short-term gains."

"And granting us access to the Imperial Central Archives is truly a precious gift," Rowan added. "The knowledge and materials stored there will be of immense help to our cultivation."

The three chatted for a while longer, discussing their next plan. They decided that after their injuries were fully healed, they would first explore the Imperial Central Archives to acquire more knowledge and cultivation methods, and then return to the Virtual Universe Company to continue their challenge.

The following morning, all three had largely recovered from their injuries. After being discharged from the medical center, they traveled by royal limousine to the accommodations arranged by Lin Hongze.

Outside the car window, the magnificent scenery of the capital city flashed by. Towering energy towers, a bustling aerial transportation network, and diverse architectural complexes showcasing different interstellar cultural styles. Pedestrians on the streets dressed in various styles, some even not human at all, but life forms of other races. All of this demonstrated the diversity and inclusiveness of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire as an interstellar power.

“It’s truly magnificent,” Thor exclaimed. “I’ve only ever seen the capital in simulations within the virtual universe before; the real thing feels completely different.”

Hong nodded: "The capital is the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire empire, attracting elites from thousands of star systems. Having a place to stay here is indeed a rare opportunity."

The vehicle eventually entered a high-end residential area called "Royal Garden District." The architecture here is more elegant and traditional, with each villa surrounded by meticulously designed gardens and waterways, forming a tranquil and elegant oasis that contrasts sharply with the bustling capital city outside.

(End of this chapter)