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

Chapter 333 The Strength of a High-Level Expert!

"Immortal level?" Rowan was shocked. In the universe's power system, the Immortal level is second only to the strongest beings in the universe, and each of them possesses world-destroying power.

“That’s right,” Emperor Yan confirmed, “This will be a battle between immortal-level powerhouses. For a wise person like you, observing a battle of this caliber will have a tremendous impact on your understanding.”

Rowan was indeed filled with curiosity about this level of combat. On Earth, the strongest beings he had ever seen were only planetary or stellar-level beings. Immortal-level combat was a realm he had never encountered before.

"Furthermore," Emperor Yan continued enticingly, "if this operation succeeds, you will gain high recognition from the Giant Axe Arena. You might even have the opportunity to access higher-level secrets."

"A higher level of secret?" A hint of curiosity flashed in Rowan's eyes.

"The truth about the universe, the secrets of the strongest," the Flame Emperor said mysteriously, "these are information that only the truly powerful can know."

Rowan pondered for a moment. This was indeed a rare opportunity, not only to witness an immortal-level battle but also to access the deep secrets of the universe. For someone who sought knowledge and truth, this temptation was irresistible.

"What do I need to do?" Rowan finally made his decision.

Emperor Yan smiled with satisfaction: "Very good! Your main task is to assist us in analyzing the enemy's tactical changes and, when necessary, provide countermeasures."

“It doesn’t sound too dangerous,” Rowan breathed a sigh of relief.

"Of course, we won't let you participate in the battle directly," Emperor Yan assured him. "You will observe the battle from a safe command ship using various detection devices."

"When do we leave?" Rowan asked.

“Tomorrow,” Emperor Yan replied, “we need to reach Blue Crystal Star before the enemy makes their move.”

"Tomorrow? So soon?" Rowan was somewhat surprised.

“Time waits for no one,” Emperor Yan explained. “Based on your analysis, the enemy is likely to act within a week. We must prepare in advance.”

“I understand,” Rowan nodded. “Is there anything I need to prepare?”

“No special preparations are needed,” Emperor Yan said. “We will provide you with all the necessary equipment. However, you'd better inform your teammates so they don’t worry.”

“Okay, I’ll explain it to them,” Rowan agreed.

"Then, a special spaceship will come to pick you up at eight o'clock tomorrow morning," Emperor Yan instructed. "Remember, this operation is of a very high level; any related information must not be leaked."

“I understand,” Rowan assured him.

Emperor Yan nodded in satisfaction, then turned to leave. As he reached the door, he suddenly turned back and said, "Rowan, this operation is a turning point for you. If you perform exceptionally well, your status in the Giant Axe Arena will see a significant improvement."

“I will do my best,” Rowan replied.

After Emperor Yan left, Luo Wen re-examined the analytical charts on the wall. Tomorrow, he would leave this safe analytical environment and truly participate in a cosmic-level power struggle.

"An Immortal-level battle," Rowan muttered to himself, "This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

He began tidying up the documents on his desk, preparing to go back and say goodbye to his teammates. Although this mission carried some risks, for Rowan, who yearned to see a wider world, the risks were worthwhile.

Back at his lodgings, Rowan found his three teammates waiting for him in the living room. Upon seeing him return, they immediately surrounded him.

"Brother Luo Wen, how did it go? Did you complete the mission?" Luo Feng asked anxiously.

"It's done, and there was an unexpected development." Rowan sat on the sofa and began to recount his day's experiences to his teammates.

The three were shocked when they heard that Rowan was going to participate in actual combat operations.

"What? You're going to Blue Crystal Star?" Hong said worriedly. "That means facing immortal-level powerhouses!"

“Yes, but I won’t be directly involved in combat,” Rowan explained. “I’ll only provide tactical analysis from the command ship.”

“Even so, it’s still dangerous,” Thor frowned. “In an immortal-level battle, even the aftershocks can be fatal.”

“I understand everyone’s concerns,” Rowan reassured them, “but this is indeed a rare opportunity. Being able to observe battles between immortal-level beings is of great significance to my growth.”

“Furthermore,” Rowan continued, “the Giant Axe Arena will ensure my safety. They won’t send a valuable analyst to his death.”

Hong pondered for a moment, then said, "Since you've made up your mind, we'll support you. But you must be careful; safety comes first."

“Yes, safety is the most important thing,” Thor also expressed his support. “Everything else is secondary.”

"Brother Luo Wen, when are you coming back?" Luo Feng asked with concern.

“It’s uncertain; it might take some time,” Rowan replied. “It depends on how the battle progresses.”

"Then what about our game?" Thor asked.

“You guys keep competing,” Rowan said. “My departure won’t affect your performance. In fact, this experience might teach me a lot of useful things.”

The four continued chatting for a long time until late at night before finally going to rest.

The following morning, a beautifully designed silver spaceship quietly landed on the helipad of the Virtual Universe Corporation headquarters. The spaceship bore the emblem of the Giant Axe Arena, clearly indicating it was there specifically to pick up Rowan.

All three teammates came to see Rowan off. Although it was only a brief separation, everyone felt a little heavy-hearted.

"Brother Luo Wen, take care!" Luo Feng hugged Luo Wen tightly.

“We will miss you,” Thor’s voice choked with emotion.

“Come back soon,” Hong patted Rowan on the shoulder. “The Earth team can’t do without you.”

“I will,” Rowan said goodbye to his teammates. “You all must continue to work hard and let the universe witness the strength of Earth’s martial artists.”

The spaceship's hatch opened, and a young man dressed in a giant axe arena uniform stepped out.

"You must be Mr. Rowan? I'm here to pick you up," the young man said politely.

"Yes, I am Rowan." Rowan picked up his luggage.

"Please follow me, Lord Yan Emperor is already waiting for you on the spaceship." The young man led Rowan to the spaceship. Upon boarding, Rowan saw Emperor Yan Emperor already waiting inside. Today, Emperor Yan Emperor was dressed in a black combat suit, looking even more imposing.

"Are you ready?" Emperor Yan asked.

“Ready,” Rowan replied.

"Very good, let's set off then." Emperor Yan gave the takeoff command.

The spaceship slowly rose into the air and quickly disappeared into the sky of the virtual universe.

The silver spaceship traversed the vast universe like a shooting star streaking across the boundless night sky. The giant axe emblem on its hull gleamed under the starlight, showcasing the formidable prestige of its affiliated faction. This medium-sized warship, named "Skybreaker," was an elite vessel specifically designed for high-level missions by the Giant Axe Arena, boasting not only exceptional speed but also formidable defensive capabilities.

Rowan sat in the spaceship's observation cabin, gazing at the starry sky through the huge, transparent tempered glass window. This was his first real interstellar journey, and the sight before him left him utterly awestruck. Countless stars, like diamonds, were set against black velvet, and occasionally, dazzling nebulae could be seen rolling in the distance, radiating light of various colors.

"How was it? How was your first interstellar trip?" Emperor Yan walked to Luo Wen's side and looked out at the starry sky.

"Stunning, an indescribable shock," Rowan answered honestly. "On Earth, we can only observe these stars through telescopes, but now we can experience the vastness of the universe so closely."

"The universe is indeed vast," Emperor Yan nodded. "Even powerful beings like us are but dust before it. That's why we constantly strive for greater power."

"How long does it take to get from Earth to Blue Crystal Star?" Rowan asked.

"At our current speed, it will take about three days," Emperor Yan replied. "The warp drive of the Skybreaker can reach fifty times the speed of light, which is quite fast in this sector."

"Fifty times the speed of light?" Rowan was somewhat shocked. "That speed is simply unimaginable on Earth."

"This is only of average quality," Emperor Yan smiled. "True top-tier warships can reach speeds hundreds of times faster than light. However, the Voidbreaker excels in stability and stealth, making it suitable for secret missions."

Just as the two were talking, the spaceship's pilot suddenly issued an alarm through the internal communication system.

"Your Majesty, an unusual signal has been detected ahead; it appears to be an unidentified flying object approaching us."

Emperor Yan's expression immediately turned serious: "Display it on the main screen."

The walls inside the observation cabin suddenly lit up, displaying a live feed of the spacecraft's exterior. Ahead of the Breaker, a dozen small black dots could be seen rapidly approaching; their flight paths clearly indicated a deliberate interception.

"Enlarge the image," Emperor Yan commanded.

As the image zoomed in, the true nature of those small black dots became clear. They were over a dozen small warships of varying designs, their hulls painted with all sorts of ferocious patterns—skulls, demons, and various strange symbols. The designs of these ships clearly deviated from the standard practices of any legitimate power, instead exuding an aura of wildness and danger.

“Space pirates,” Emperor Yan said coldly.

"Pirates?" Rowan was somewhat surprised. "Pirates in a place like this?"

"The universe is vast, and there will always be some outlaws who choose this way of life," Emperor Yan explained. "Piracy is especially rampant on some remote shipping lanes."

"But don't they know this is the Giant Axe Arena's spaceship?" Rowan asked, pointing to the markings on the hull.

"They might be newbies, or they might be blinded by greed," Emperor Yan said with a hint of disdain. "There are always some blind fools who think they can challenge authority."

Suddenly, the spaceship's communication system received a signal from the pirate fleet. A gruff voice rang out in the observation cabin, carrying a clear sense of threat.

"Listen up, ship ahead! We are the Black Crow Pirates! Halt immediately and shut down your engines! Hand over all valuables and cargo, and we might spare your lives!"

Upon hearing this threat, Emperor Yan couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle: "The Black Crow Pirates? Never heard of them, just small fry."

"Lord Yan Emperor, should I contact headquarters for support?" the driver asked.

“No need,” Emperor Yan stood up, “I can handle these minor characters on my own.”

"You're going to take action yourself?" Rowan asked, somewhat surprised.

"This will be a good opportunity for you to witness how true powerhouses fight." A glint of excitement flashed in Emperor Yan's eyes. "Although these pirates aren't very strong, they'll still serve as a teaching demonstration."

The pirate fleet clearly had no patience to wait for a reply; shortly after issuing the threat, they launched their attack. A dozen pirate ships opened fire simultaneously, raining down energy projectiles of various colors upon the Skybreaker.

"Activate the protective shield!" the driver shouted.

A pale blue energy barrier immediately appeared on the surface of the Skybreaker, blocking all attacks. However, under such intense attacks, the shield was also trembling violently, clearly under immense pressure.

"These pirates have pretty strong firepower," Rowan observed the battle situation outside.

"They're just numerous; their individual power is quite limited," Emperor Yan commented. "But they are indeed somewhat annoying."

"Your Majesty, the protective shield's energy has dropped to 70%!" the driver reported.

“Enough,” Emperor Yan said, walking toward the exit of the observation cabin. “I’ll go take care of these problems.”

"Wait, you're going out?" Rowan asked in shock. "It's a vacuum outside!"

"For powerhouses of our level, a vacuum environment is not a problem," Emperor Yan explained. "Moreover, only by fighting in space can we unleash our true strength."

After speaking, Emperor Yan stepped out of the observation cabin. A few minutes later, Luo Wen saw one of the spaceship's hatches open, and Emperor Yan's figure appeared in outer space.

To Luo Wen's astonishment, the Flame Emperor moved about normally in the vacuum, completely unaffected. His body was covered with a faint layer of energy light, clearly protected by some kind of law.

"Is this the strength of a high-level expert?" Rowan muttered to himself.

Emperor Yan slowly flew towards the pirate fleet in space. His speed appeared slow, but he was actually approaching his target at an astonishing pace. The pirates had clearly noticed this unexpected "uninvited guest" and immediately turned their cannons to fire at him.

Countless energy projectiles hurtled towards Emperor Yan, but a shocking scene unfolded. The moment these attacks approached Emperor Yan's body, they seemed to encounter an invisible barrier, deviating from their course. Some dissipated directly, while others flew in other directions.

"Spatial laws!" Rowan recognized the ability. "He's manipulating the surrounding space!"

Indeed, Emperor Yan was using the power of spatial laws to create a spatial distortion field around himself. Any attack entering this area would be redirected by the distorted space and fail to hit its target.

(End of this chapter)