Eighty-Two: Wang Luo's Courtship

When Su Wan returned home, she learned that Gangzi had already been released. Jiang Mochen had even created the illusion before the old man and Su Chen that she was away on a business trip, so both believed Su Wan’s long absence was due to work. In short, everything remained calm and undisturbed.

On the official opening day of Su Wan’s factory, many people came to attend. Even the old man could scarcely believe that his granddaughter had managed to make so many connections in such a short span of time. Su Wan was generous and bold.

---Content unrelated to this book follows---

Those monsters who witnessed Yang Wu flying were, of course, easily silenced by him. After breaking through to the planetary level, Yang Wu had no particular goal for the time being and decided to stay on the Australian continent, continually hunting monsters. After all, cultivation was immensely valuable and never obsolete.

On January 8th, 2057, in the midst of his relentless monster-hunting, Yang Wu suddenly received an email.

“Yang Wu, please arrive at the Extreme Martial Hall Global Headquarters in Hongning Base City before 6 p.m. on January 10th. At that time, many war gods will gather and proceed together to ‘Ancient Civilization Ruins No. 9.’ Please note the following three points:
1. As the least dangerous of the ‘Ancient Civilization Ruins,’ Ruins No. 9 is the only place where the ‘Black God Set’ can be obtained. The casualty rate for a war god entering is about 72%, with only a 28% success rate. Before choosing whether to enter, consider carefully—once inside, there is no turning back.
2. Each person has only one chance to enter ‘Ancient Civilization Ruins No. 9.’
3. Warriors entering the ruins are forbidden from using special defensive gear such as the Black God Set. Only battle suits manufactured on Earth are permitted.

Extreme Martial Hall,
January 8th, 2057.”

“I didn’t expect Hong to gather a group to enter with me,” Yang Wu murmured, shaking his head slightly. “Perhaps it’s just for appearances, but it doesn’t really matter.”

Yang Wu had already mentally prepared himself. Ruins No. 9, along with the world’s top three dead zones and certain other relics, were among the few places he had yet to explore. Of these, Ruins No. 9 was relatively less dangerous. Moreover, he was now at the planetary level—not just any planetary level, but one far beyond the ordinary.

He narrowed his eyes in thought. “I wonder if my brain region width has reached 18 yet.” A brain region width of 18 was the threshold for opening the special passage in Ruins No. 9. To put it in perspective, in his previous life, an ordinary person’s brain region width was around 5, and even someone like Einstein only reached 13. The difference of a single point was monumental.

Currently, compared to his original self, Yang Wu’s comprehension had increased a hundredfold, especially with the boost from his tripled genetic level. Still, he wasn’t sure exactly what his current brain region width was.

“If I enter Ruins No. 9 for the standard assessment, I’m very confident,” Yang Wu mused, his brow furrowing. “But I worry I might trigger a special assessment, like Luo Feng did.” Of course, with two million units of black iron level cultivation as his foundation, even if he entered the elite channel, he was not without hope.

The advantage: the ‘elite channel’ was unlike the generic A-type or B-type channels—it might bring unexpected rewards. The downside: experience from predecessors would be useless here. As a warrior, Luo Feng’s experience as a ‘spiritual master’ in the elite channel was not applicable.

“For the first time in five thousand years, no one knows what will happen inside this elite channel,” he reflected. The elite passage for warriors in Ruins No. 9 was a complete mystery to him. One had to know both themselves and their enemy to be victorious, and recklessly charging into these ancient ruins was likely a death sentence.

“But this is one of the few opportunities I have before venturing into the universe,” Yang Wu sighed with a shake of his head. Since entering the world of Swallowed Star, his mentality had subtly shifted.

...

Inside the towering ship’s structure, Yang Wu was escorted to a spacious lounge with dozens of seats. Six people were already there, and from their looks, Yang Wu immediately judged that none were from Huaxia. At the planetary level, if Yang Wu didn’t reveal his strength, ordinary people really couldn’t tell he’d surpassed the level of a war god.

Soon, the eighth and final member arrived. All the war gods chosen by the Extreme Martial Hall for the Ruins No. 9 mission were now present. Since the rules forbade ancient civilization protective gear such as the Black God Set, only Earth-made gear was allowed inside Ruins No. 9. Weapons from ancient civilizations, however, were permitted, so Yang Wu unbound his Black God Set, which had already recognized him as its master. The process was simple—he just forced out the blood he’d used to claim it.

He also had SS-level weapons and combat suits, so he wasn’t in much danger.

“Everyone, please follow me.”

Under the guidance of a man in loose red robes, Yang Wu and the eight war gods from around the globe entered a meditation chamber crafted entirely from a strange, purple wood. This wood not only emitted a peculiar fragrance but also provided a profound sense of calm and mental focus.

A man in black stood in the chamber, his back to the group. Once they had all entered, he turned to face them, his gaze sweeping over the assembly. When his eyes landed on Yang Wu, Hong’s expression sharpened, barely able to conceal his inner shock.

“Such talent,” Hong thought, filled with both astonishment and admiration for Yang Wu’s current achievements. He had always believed Yang Wu had the potential to reach the planetary level, but had never expected him to break through so quickly. He had even given Yang Wu a bit of help at one point, but this far exceeded his expectations.

Yang Wu’s breakthrough was a major event—he should be properly celebrated and become the sixth inspector of the Extreme Martial Hall. Of course, that would be arranged after Yang Wu returned from Ruins No. 9.

“Ruins No. 9 is the least dangerous among the civilization relics, but the casualty rate is still very high,” Hong addressed them. “If any of you have regrets and wish to withdraw, now is the time to speak. Once you enter, it will be too late for second thoughts.”

No one spoke.

“Very well,” the man in black said coolly. “Yaoruo, come in.”

With a flash, a blurred figure appeared outside the door—a mysterious woman in a black robe and golden mask, long black hair cascading over her shoulders.

“You eight will soon set out for Ruins No. 9, with Yaoruo leading the team,” the black-clad man ordered.

“Yes, sir,” everyone responded.

“Yang Wu, stay. The rest may leave,” the man instructed.

Soon, only Yang Wu and Hong remained in the chamber.

“Yang Wu, your talent and comprehension are exceptional—no less than my own. Still, I didn’t expect you to reach the planetary level already. Only a few months ago, when I last saw you, your basic physical attributes were only those of an ordinary war god. And now, after so short a time, you’ve broken through again and again, reaching the planetary level.”

He smiled. “Oh—and perhaps you don’t know, but on Earth, surpassing the war god level is what we call planetary-level warriors.”