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

Chapter 499 sealed off all escape routes.

"It's nothing, don't mention it," Rowan waved his hand. "We're all Earthlings; it's only right to help each other when we meet on the street."

He looked around at the Starship's damaged compartments: "Your ship is badly damaged and probably can't continue its journey. Here's what we'll do: you come with me to the base on Dark Star and wait for a rescue ship there."

"Okay! I'll follow your instructions!" Chen Yuanshan nodded repeatedly.

Rowan stepped out of the Starship and flew back to his golden spaceship. Moments later, a beam of light shot out from the golden spaceship, enveloping the Starship and slowly dragging it toward the Dark Star.

In the command center of the Starship, everyone gathered around the window, looking at the golden spaceship.

"Captain," Wang Haitao said in a low voice, "is that Rowan... really from Earth? How can he possess such power? He just single-handedly destroyed fifteen pirate ships; it's simply... simply a myth!"

“I don’t know either,” Chen Yuanshan shook his head, “but anyway, he saved us. Without him, we would already be slaves to the pirates.”

"Does this virtual universe company he mentioned really exist?" Li Wan asked. "If it could really send us back to Earth, that would be wonderful."

"I hope it's true," Chen Yuanshan sighed. "In any case, we can only trust him now."

Two hours later, the Starship was towed to the surface of the Dark Star.

From space, Dark Star appears as a grayish-brown planet, its surface covered with mountains and canyons, looking desolate and mysterious. But as they approached, they discovered that the planet was not uninhabited.

On a plain, stands a massive base. The base's architecture is futuristic and spectacular, with towering towers, spacious plazas, and densely packed spaceship docking areas, all demonstrating an advanced level of technology.

"This is Virtual Universe Corporation's base on Dark Star," Rowan's voice came through the communication channel. "Your spaceship is parked here. I'll contact the company to send someone to pick you up."

The Starship slowly landed in the base's docking area. The hatch opened, and Chen Yuanshan and his crew stepped out.

This was their first time setting foot on the land of an alien planet.

The gravity on Dark Star is slightly stronger than on Earth, and a faint smell of sulfur permeates the air. The sky is gray, without the sun, except for a distant, dark red star that emits a faint glow.

“What a strange place…” Li Wan murmured.

“This is the edge of the universe, the environment is inherently harsh,” Rowan walked over, “but the base has a complete life support system, you won’t have any problems living here.”

He led Chen Yuanshan and others into the base.

The interior of the base was even more spectacular than the exterior. Spacious corridors, bright lights, and a variety of high-tech equipment were dazzling. Many people were coming and going in the corridors, some wearing armor similar to Rowan's, and others wearing ordinary uniforms, but without exception, they all exuded a fierce and confident aura.

"Are all these people martial artists?" Wang Haitao asked in a low voice.

“Most of them are,” Rowan said. “Dark Star is the advanced training base of Virtual Universe Company; those who come here are all martial artists at the stellar level or above.”

"Stellar-level?" Chen Yuanshan asked, puzzled.

"The ranking of martial artists," Rowan explained, "is divided from lowest to highest into planetary level, stellar level, domain lord level, world lord level, immortal level... Each level is further divided into nine tiers. I am currently at the seventh tier of the stellar level, which is considered top-tier on Earth, but in the entire universe, I can only be considered average."

"A seventh-tier stellar-level being can destroy fifteen spaceships single-handedly?" Wang Haitao exclaimed in surprise. "Then how strong would a domain lord or world lord be?"

"A Domain Lord-level expert can destroy a planet," Rowan said calmly. "A World Lord-level expert can destroy a star system. As for the Immortal level... those are beings beyond life and death."

Everyone gasped.

Destroying planets? Destroying star systems? Such power seems straight out of mythology!

"Are there such powerful individuals on Earth?" Chen Yuanshan asked.

"The strongest martial artist on Earth is only at the peak of the ninth rank of the Stellar level," Luo Wen said, "still one step away from the Domain Lord level. However, Earth is, after all, a small planet on the edge of the universe with limited resources, so it's already quite remarkable that it can produce a ninth-rank Stellar level expert."

"I see..." Chen Yuanshan said thoughtfully.

He suddenly remembered something: "Mr. Luo, since you are from Earth, why are you here? And... why do you possess such great power?"

Rowan smiled. "That's a long story. Simply put, I'm a member of the Virtual Universe Company, and I'm here on Dark Star on a training mission. As for my power… I'm a student of Blood King Luo, one of the strongest beings in the universe, and he taught me a great deal."

"Blood King?" Chen Yuanshan was completely unfamiliar with this name.

“A legendary figure in the universe,” Rowan said, “it’s normal that you don’t know him. Communication between Earth and the universe is still very limited, and the average person’s understanding of the universe is almost zero.”

As they spoke, they arrived at the base's reception center. Luo Wen arranged for Chen Yuanshan and the others to rest there, and then contacted the China branch of Virtual Universe Company to explain the situation.

“Okay, I understand,” a voice came from the other end of the communication channel. “We will send a transport ship, which should arrive in about three days. Rowan, you continue with your training mission. We will take good care of these Earthlings.”

“This is troublesome,” Rowan said. “Also, their ship was severely damaged during the wormhole teleportation. Could you send someone to repair it? Even if it can't be repaired, at least don't let it be scrapped.”

"No problem, I'll arrange for technicians to go over."

After hanging up the call, Luo Wen returned to the reception center and told Chen Yuanshan about the situation.

“A spaceship will come to pick you up in three days,” Rowan said. “You’ll rest at the base for the next three days. There’s a canteen, dormitories, and a medical center there; you can go there for anything you need.”

"Thank you so much!" Chen Yuanshan excitedly grasped Luo Wen's hand. "Mr. Luo, we will never forget your great kindness!"

“You’re welcome,” Rowan waved his hand. “We’re all compatriots, it’s only right.”

“Mr. Luo,” Wang Haitao suddenly asked, “you just said you came here on a training mission. What kind of mission is it? Is it dangerous?”

“Hunting monsters,” Rowan said, “the Dark Star is home to a large number of stellar-level monsters, and even a small number of domain lord-level demonic beasts. For me, this is a great opportunity to hone my skills.”

"A Domain Lord-level demonic beast?" Chen Yuanshan gasped. "The kind of being capable of destroying planets? You...you're not afraid?"

"Afraid?" Luo Wen laughed. "A martial artist's training is inherently about tempering themselves between life and death. If you're afraid of death, you're not worthy of being a martial artist."

He stood up and walked towards the door: "You all get some rest. I have a mission to carry out. The transport ship will come to pick you up in three days."

"Mr. Luo," Chen Yuanshan suddenly called out, "Wait a minute!"

Rowan turned around: "What's wrong?"

Chen Yuanshan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Mr. Luo, I have a request. I... can I go with you to see how you fight?"

"You?" Rowan was somewhat surprised.

“I know this request is presumptuous,” Chen Yuanshan said, “but I am an astronaut, and I have dreamed of exploring the universe since I was a child. Everything I have encountered today has completely overturned my understanding of the universe. I want… I want to see with my own eyes what the real universe is like, and how the truly strong fight.” Luo Wen looked at Chen Yuanshan, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"Aren't you afraid of dying?"

"I'm afraid," Chen Yuanshan said frankly, "but some things are more important than death."

Rowan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, come with me. However, you can only watch from a distance; you can't approach the battlefield. My battles are not something ordinary people can withstand."

"Understood! Thank you, Mr. Luo!" Chen Yuanshan was overjoyed.

"Captain!" Wang Haitao said hurriedly, "You can't go! It's too dangerous!"

“Old Wang, you stay here and take care of everyone,” Chen Yuanshan said. “I’m just going to check on things; I’ll be right back.”

After saying that, he followed Rowan out of the reception center.

Luo Wen led Chen Yuanshan to the docking area and boarded the golden spaceship. The interior of the spaceship was not large, but it was fully equipped and looked very comfortable.

“Sit tight,” Rowan said. “We’re about to leave.”

The spaceship started up, took off, and flew into the depths of the dark planet.

Chen Yuanshan sat in the passenger seat, watching the scenery rushing past the window. The surface of Dark Star was desolate yet magnificent, with continuous mountain ranges, deep canyons, and dried-up riverbeds, exuding a primitive and wild beauty.

"Where are the monsters on Dark Star mainly located?" Chen Yuanshan asked.

“They’re everywhere,” Rowan said, “but the most concentrated area is the Abyss Canyon, the core of Dark Star, where a large number of high-level monsters gather. My mission this time is to hunt down a ninth-tier stellar-level monster there.”

"Ninth-tier Stellar level?" Chen Yuanshan was shocked. "Isn't that two tiers higher than you? Can you defeat him?"

"It's precisely because you can't beat them that you have to challenge them," Rowan said. "A martial artist's training is about constantly pushing their limits. If you only fight opponents weaker than yourself, you'll never improve."

Chen Yuanshan fell silent. He suddenly understood why Luo Wen possessed such immense power.

This spirit of fearlessness in the face of death and courage to take on challenges is the true path of the strong.

Half an hour later, the spaceship landed on the edge of a cliff.

Below lay a bottomless canyon, dark and endless. Roars echoed from within, shaking the very air.

“Deep Abyss Canyon,” Rowan said, “you stay inside the spaceship and don’t come out. I’ll be right back.”

“Okay,” Chen Yuanshan nodded. “Mr. Luo, be careful.”

Rowan didn't answer. He stepped out of the spaceship, his black armor automatically activating and enveloping his entire body. Then, he leaped into the abyss canyon.

Through the spaceship's observation window, Chen Yuanshan watched Luo Wen's figure disappear into the darkness, feeling both worried and expectant.

He knew that what he was about to witness was a battle he could never have imagined in his life.

At the bottom of the abyss canyon lies a pitch-black world.

Rowan landed on the ground, and the armor's night vision system automatically activated, clearly displaying the surrounding environment before his eyes.

This is a vast underground space, filled with jagged rocks and eerily glowing moss. A foul, pungent odor permeates the air—the scent of a monster.

"Strong energy fluctuations detected," the armor's intelligent system alerted. "Distance three kilometers, energy level determined to be stellar level nine."

“Found you,” Rowan said with a smile. “You’re the one.”

He accelerated towards the direction of the energy fluctuations. Along the way, many first and second-tier stellar-level monsters spotted him, but they didn't even have the courage to approach, keeping their distance from afar. The oppressive aura emanating from Rowan was enough to terrify these low-level monsters.

Soon, Rowan arrived at the front of a huge cave.

Deep within the cave, a pair of blood-red eyes were watching him.

It was a gigantic monster. Its body resembled a centipede, over fifty meters long, and covered in a hard carapace. It had hundreds of legs, each as sharp as a knife. Its head had two enormous tentacles, the tips of which crackled with electricity.

"The Dark Abyss Centipede King," Rowan recognized the monster, "a ninth-tier Stellar-level being, a hegemon of the Dark Star. It really is here."

The Dark Abyss Centipede King sensed Rowan's presence and let out an angry roar. It charged out of its cave, its hundreds of legs digging countless furrows in the ground with astonishing speed.

"Well done!" Rowan drew his long sword and went to meet him.

The Dark Abyss Centipede King's speed is astonishing.

Its massive body, like a black lightning bolt, instantly reached Rowan. Hundreds of sharp legs, like blades, slashed at Rowan simultaneously, each carrying the power to tear through steel.

"So fast!" Rowan's eyes narrowed, and he retreated rapidly.

But the Dark Abyss Centipede King's attack was faster than he had anticipated. Its sharp legs swept in like a storm, blocking almost all escape routes.

"Ding ding ding ding!"

Rowan brandished his longsword, parrying over a dozen attacks in succession. Each collision produced a piercing metallic clang and sparks flew out. The immense impact numbed his arm, and his body involuntarily flew backward.

"A ninth-tier Stellar-level being is indeed formidable," Rowan steadied himself, a hint of seriousness flashing in his eyes. "Just in terms of strength alone, he's far superior to me."

Seeing that its attack had failed, the Dark Abyss Centipede King roared in anger. Its two tentacles suddenly stood up, and the electric light at their tips expanded rapidly, then transformed into two thick bolts of lightning that blasted towards Rowan.

"Lightning attack?" Rowan's pupils contracted.

He spun around quickly, barely dodging the first bolt of lightning. But the second bolt followed closely behind, faster and at a more treacherous angle, striking him directly.

"boom!"

A violent electric current surged through Rowan's body, causing him to tremble uncontrollably. The armor's protective system emitted a piercing alarm, indicating that the energy shield had been depleted by thirty percent.

"Damn it!" Rowan gritted his teeth, enduring the numbness in his body, and swung his sword at the Dark Abyss Centipede King once again.

(End of this chapter)