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

Chapter 508 The Standard Equipment for Martial Artists!

"Heal your injuries first!" Lin Yifeng took out healing potions from his storage space.

"No time...run!"

Without further hesitation, the group helped Leng Feng and flew towards the base.

They ran frantically, not daring to stop for a moment. Only when they left the Shadow Wasteland and reached a relatively safe area did they stop to rest.

Lin Yifeng fed Leng Feng a healing potion and treated his wounds.

"How did you escape?" Shi Lei asked.

“The Nether Python was too big, making it difficult to turn around in the canyon,” Leng Feng said weakly. “I used this to my advantage, constantly maneuvering around it, and finally found an opportunity to escape using Shadow Escape Technique.”

"You're taking too much of a risk," Su Yao scolded. "What if you can't escape?"

“Anyway, someone has to cover the rear,” Leng Feng said, closing his eyes. “I’m the most suitable person.”

Everyone was silent.

Looking at Leng Feng, Luo Wen's impression of him changed.

He had previously thought Leng Feng was hostile towards him and difficult to get along with. But now it seemed that Leng Feng was merely aloof and not good with words, but deep down he was a responsible person. He had taken the initiative to cover the rear twice, and this courage and sense of responsibility were admirable.

“Leng Feng, thank you,” Luo Wen said sincerely.

Leng Feng opened his eyes, glanced at Luo Wen, and nodded slightly without saying anything.

After resting for half an hour, Leng Feng's injuries stabilized. The group continued their journey and finally returned to the base in the evening.

Back at base, everyone gathered in the conference room to tally up the gains from the expedition.

"There are thirty-two Xuanming Flowers in total," Lin Yifeng said. "According to our previous agreement, they will be distributed according to contribution. I believe Luo Wen's contribution was the greatest; he destroyed the formation and blocked the Netherworld Python's attacks multiple times, protecting us. He should receive the largest share."

“I agree,” Shi Lei nodded.

“I agree,” Su Yao said. “Without Luo Wen, I would have died from the Netherworld Python’s attack long ago.”

Leng Feng didn't speak, but he didn't object either.

"Let's distribute them like this," Lin Yifeng said. "Luo Wen gets ten, Shi Lei and I get six each, and Su Yao and Leng Feng get five each. Does anyone have any objections?"

“Wait,” Rowan said, “Leng Feng covered the rear twice; his contribution was no less than mine. He should share the credit as much as I should.”

“Luo Wen…” Leng Feng looked at Luo Wen, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

“I’m telling the truth,” Rowan said. “Without Leng Feng covering our retreat twice, we wouldn’t have been able to successfully harvest the Xuanming Flower, let alone escape unscathed. His contribution should not be underestimated.”

After a moment of silence, everyone nodded in agreement.

“Luo Wen is right,” Lin Yifeng said. “Then let’s redistribute them. Luo Wen and Leng Feng will each have eight, Shi Lei and I will each have six, and Su Yao will have four. How does that sound?”

“Okay,” everyone nodded.

The Xuanming Flowers have been distributed.

Looking at the eight Xuanming Flowers in his hand, Luo Wen was filled with anticipation.

These Xuanming Flowers were crucial to his comprehension of the laws and his breakthrough to the Domain Lord level. Although this expedition was dangerous, the rewards were substantial.

"Everyone, it was a pleasure working together this time," Lin Yifeng said. "If there's an opportunity in the future, I hope we can team up again."

“No problem, no problem,” Shi Lei laughed.

“Definitely,” Su Yao nodded with a smile.

Leng Feng simply nodded without speaking, but the coldness in his eyes had faded considerably.

Everyone said goodbye and returned to their own rooms.

After returning to his room, Luo Wen immediately took out a Xuanming Flower and began to consume it.

The Xuanming Flower melted instantly upon entering his mouth, transforming into a cool energy that flowed through his body. This energy carried a rich aura of dark laws, making Luo Wen feel as if he were immersed in endless darkness.

"This is the aura of the Dark Laws..." Rowan closed his eyes and began to comprehend it.

Time passed by minute by minute.

Luo Wen was so engrossed in his reflections that he completely forgot about everything else.

When he opened his eyes, three whole days had passed.

“I’ve grasped some things,” Rowan murmured. “Although I’m still far from truly mastering the laws of darkness, I’ve already entered the door.”

He stood up and stretched his limbs.

This harvest was even greater than he had imagined. The Xuanming Flower truly lived up to its reputation, its aid in comprehending the laws was remarkable. If he consumed the remaining seven flowers, his understanding of the laws of darkness would undoubtedly reach an even higher level.

“But we can’t rush it,” Rowan thought. “We have to take it slowly, one flower at a time, to fully digest the medicinal effects of each one.”

In the days that followed, Luo Wen devoted himself entirely to cultivation.

He consumed one Xuanming Flower every five days, then used the remaining time to digest its effects and comprehend the laws of darkness. This method of cultivation, though slow, was remarkably effective. With each Xuanming Flower he consumed, his understanding of the laws of darkness deepened.

One month later, all eight Xuanming Flowers were consumed.

Rowan sat cross-legged in the center of the room, surrounded by a faint black aura. This was the overflow of the power of the dark laws within him, indicating that his understanding of the dark laws had reached a certain level.

"I've broken through," Rowan slowly opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his lips.

His cultivation level broke through from the seventh level of the Stellar level to the eighth level of the Stellar level!

This breakthrough came faster than he had anticipated. Normally, at his cultivation pace, it would have taken him at least two or three years to break through to the eighth rank of the Stellar level. But with the help of the Xuanming Flower, coupled with the Starry Sky Technique cultivation method, he completed the breakthrough in just one month. "The Xuanming Flower is truly miraculous," Luo Wen exclaimed, "No wonder so many people are willing to risk their lives to pick it."

He stood up and stretched his limbs. After the breakthrough, he could clearly feel a qualitative leap in his strength. The capacity of his genetic energy had doubled, and his understanding of the laws of darkness had improved from beginner to minor mastery. If he were to encounter an enemy like Balkan, a first-tier domain lord, now, although he still wouldn't be able to defeat him, he could at least hold out longer, and might even have a chance to escape.

“However, the eighth tier of the Stellar level isn’t enough,” Rowan thought. “My goal is the Domain Lord level. Only by breaking through to the Domain Lord level can I truly establish myself in the universe.”

He decided to continue cultivating, striving to break through to the ninth level of the Stellar level in the shortest possible time, and then attempt to reach the Domain Lord level.

However, at that moment, the armor's communication system rang.

"Mr. Rowan, you have an urgent mission notification from the headquarters of Virtual Universe Corporation."

"A mission from headquarters?" Rowan asked, somewhat surprised.

He opened the communication interface, and an encrypted message appeared before his eyes.

"Luo Wen, Stellar-level Eighth Order, disciple of Blood Luo King, official member of the Virtual Universe Company. After review, you have been selected to carry out a special mission. Mission Level: B. Mission Location: Blue Star. Mission Content: Investigate a suspected dormant ancient star beast. Mission Requirements: Conduct the mission in secrecy; do not reveal your identity; do not interfere with the planet's normal development. Mission Reward: Five million cosmic crystals, one 'Enlightenment Pill'. Please report to the designated location within three days."

"Ancient star beast?" Rowan frowned.

Ancient Star Beasts are among the most mysterious beings in the universe. They were born at the dawn of the universe and possess world-destroying power. A fully grown Ancient Star Beast is at least at the Immortal level, and some are even capable of contending with the rulers of the universe.

Of course, most ancient star beasts have died or fallen into slumber over the long years. But occasionally, some slumbering ancient star beasts are discovered. These slumbering star beasts are a huge threat—once they awaken, they could very well destroy an entire galaxy.

“Blue Star…” Rowan checked the information.

Blue Star is a planet located on the edge of the Milky Way galaxy, approximately 300 light-years from Earth. Intelligent life exists on this planet, but its level of civilization is very low, roughly equivalent to Earth's ancient times. According to the Virtual Universe Company's classification, this is a "low-level civilization planet," protected by the company, and its inhabitants are prohibited from interfering at will by warriors from higher civilizations.

"Therefore, the mission requires us to keep our identities hidden and not interfere with the planet's normal development," Rowan understood. "I must disguise myself as a local and conduct a secret investigation."

The Enlightenment Pill is an extremely precious elixir that helps martial artists comprehend the laws of heaven and earth, greatly aiding in breaking through to the Domain Lord level. This pill is extremely rare and expensive on the market; even with money, it's impossible to buy. If one could obtain even one, their chances of breaking through to the Domain Lord level would increase by at least 30%.

“Accept the mission,” Rowan said without hesitation.

He began preparing to depart.

First, he needed to understand the details of Earth. He retrieved information about Earth from the database of the Virtual Universe Company and studied it carefully.

Blue Star is a predominantly water-based planet, with 70% of its surface covered by oceans. The landmasses are mainly concentrated on three continents, known locally as "Eastern Continent," "Western Continent," and "Southern Continent." The intelligent life on the planet is humanoid, resembling humans in appearance, except that they are shorter on average, ranging from about 1.5 to 1.7 meters in height.

The civilization on Earth is at a level comparable to that of the Middle Ages. The inhabitants still use cold weapons, and their society is primarily based on feudal kingdoms. They have their own language, writing system, religion, and culture, but have not yet developed steam engines or electricity.

“Interesting,” Rowan said, looking at the data. “The humans on this planet are probably a branch of extraterrestrial humans. They may have migrated from some advanced civilization planet in ancient times.”

In addition to the basic information, the document also mentions clues about ancient star beasts.

About three hundred years ago, a probe from the Virtual Universe Corporation detected a faint energy fluctuation as it passed by Blue Star. The energy fluctuation originated from the eastern continent of Blue Star, and its characteristics were very similar to those of an ancient star beast. However, due to the extremely weak energy, the probe could not pinpoint its exact location, nor could it determine whether it truly was an ancient star beast.

Recently, the company's new detectors scanned Earth again and found that the energy fluctuations were still present, and even slightly stronger. This alarmed the company—if it really was an ancient alien beast, and was gradually awakening, the consequences would be unimaginable.

"So the company sent me to investigate," Rowan understood, "to confirm whether ancient star beasts really exist, and if so, to find out their location and condition."

This is a dangerous mission. If the ancient star beast truly exists and has begun to awaken, Rowan, a mere eighth-tier stellar-level martial artist, is no match for it. However, the company has clearly considered this, so the mission requirement is "investigation," not "elimination." As long as he can confirm the star beast's existence and location, the mission is considered complete. The real opponents will be higher-level experts sent by the company.

The preparations took two days.

Rowan first learned the language of Earth. This was not difficult for him; stellar-level martial artists have exceptional memory and learning abilities, and he mastered the basic usage of the local language in just a few hours.

Then, he prepared his disguise. He couldn't wear armor, carry obviously high-tech equipment, or use excessive strength. To blend into the local community, he needed to disguise himself as an ordinary traveler.

"Clothes, weapons, currency..." Luo Wen counted the items.

He prepared a set of local-style clothing—a linen robe, leather boots, and a cloak. His weapon was an ordinary longsword, not as powerful as the Centipede Shadow Blade, but more than enough to deal with the local enemies. His currency consisted of gold and silver coins, minted by the company according to Earth's monetary system.

As for the Dark Abyss Armor and the Centipede Shadow Blade, he stored them in his storage space. Storage spaces are standard equipment for martial artists; outsiders cannot see or sense them, so they will not reveal his identity.

"Almost done," Rowan checked it over to make sure everything was perfect.

Three days later, Rowan boarded the spaceship bound for Earth.

This is a small, stealth spaceship capable of entering Earth's atmosphere undetected by the locals. The ship carries only Rowan and an intelligent navigation system.

"Destination: Blue Star, Northern East Continent. Estimated flight time: 48 hours."

The spaceship started up, left the Dark Star, and flew towards the Blue Star.

Two days later, Blue Star appeared in Rowan's field of vision.

From space, Earth is indeed a beautiful planet. Azure oceans, verdant continents, and pristine white clouds make it look like a blue gem set in the dark universe.

“It’s beautiful,” Rowan exclaimed. “It’s somewhat similar to Earth.”

The spaceship entered the atmosphere and, under the cover of night, silently landed in a forest in the northern part of the Eastern Continent.

Rowan stepped out of the spaceship and took a breath of Blue Star air.

“The air is very fresh,” he said. “There’s no pollution at all.”

He activated the spaceship's cloaking device, concealing it deep within the forest. Then, he changed into local clothing, donned a longsword, and headed towards the nearest human settlement.

According to the information, the nearest human town to his landing site is called "Cloudstream Town," located about twenty kilometers east of the forest. At his speed, it would take him about two hours to walk there.

“I need to control my speed,” Rowan reminded himself. “I can’t go too fast, or it will arouse suspicion.”

He deliberately slowed down, mimicking the walking speed of ordinary people.

The forest scenery was beautiful; tall trees provided ample shade, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow. Various unidentified birds chirped in the branches, and occasionally small animals darted through the grass.

(End of this chapter)