"There's actually another level 13 martial arts expert on the spaceship?"
Zi Yanxin was both astonished and delighted. Wu Tian and Pablo, both level 13, also seemed somewhat surprised. Everyone was waiting for Haiji Dao to confirm. But he nodded slightly and then quickly shook his head.
"He is indeed on the spaceship." Haiji Dao said calmly, "But not level 13."
Not level 13.
"Hiss—"
Many people's expressions shifted slightly, and Zi Yanxin's expression became even more excited, her voice even trembling slightly.
"Could it be... a level 14 expert?!"
Not level 13, yet able to help the Star Spirit Flower resolve its current predicament... only a level 14 expert could have done that! This also explained why Wu Tian and Pablo, both level 13, hadn't detected this person's presence. Only a level 14 figure could possibly evade the mental detection of a level 13. The news revealed by Haiji Dao and Anon Turing instantly boosted the morale of everyone in the combat readiness hall.
Who would have thought that the Star Spirit Flower spacecraft was hiding a Level 14 martial arts grandmaster—a true titan of the cosmos! That was someone they would almost never have the chance to encounter under normal circumstances. Instantly, everyone's spirits lifted.
Even Wu Tian and Pablo had a glint of anticipation in their eyes. But what surprised everyone was... Haiji Dao's next words left them all stunned.
"Not level 14."
He shook his head, explaining, "Only level 12, but..."
He paused and then earnestly added, word by word, "Very strong. Extremely strong."
-
"Boom!"
After ascending to level 13, Lu Sheng's Mutated Clone faced no rivals on this blood-red carpet-like continent, plowing through obstacles like a bulldozer. Wherever it passed, eight massive tentacles and countless smaller tendrils ruthlessly snatched scattered level 11 and level 12 beasts, tossing them into its maw to be chewed, swallowed, and digested.
Sheng resided at the very core of the black giant clam. Legless, he appeared seating upon this black, bizarre, and sinister throne, imbued with a certain grotesque beauty. He watched as one after another of these formidable beasts were snatched by the tentacles and hurled into the massive maw beneath him, which functioned like a meat grinder.
Within his body, the number of Mutated Immortal Cells, already reaching one hundred million, began to surge rapidly once more.
"This cultivation method is truly too fast..." Sheng couldn't help but marvel.
The ascension of the beasts of the Dark Side Universe had almost no barriers—as long as energy was abundant, they could grow stronger at an astonishing pace. The power of his Mutated Clone was like a snowball rolling downhill, growing larger and faster with every turn.
Sheng even began to wonder. At this rate, might this seed he had casually planted one day grow into a towering tree capable of shielding his main body from wind and rain, becoming his deepest, most powerful hidden trump card?
He was lost in thought, but suddenly his expression shifted slightly. He sensed something amiss with his main body. The consciousness lingering within his physical body was calling him back.
"Is it time?"
Lu Sheng blinked. He didn't dwell on it. Since the Mutated Clone had successfully ascended, his continued presence here held little meaning. He could let it follow its instincts from now on. Thus, he gathered his mental energy and withdrew his soul consciousness, ending the remote connection with his clone.
"Whooshh"
His consciousness traveled countless light-years in an instant. Lu Sheng awoke once more within his original body.
-
"Hmm, my own body still feel the most comfortable..."
Lu Sheng stood up, slightly twisting his neck and limbs. The long-lost familiarity brought him peace. He then began to assess the situation. The room's quantum computer displayed a visit from Anon Turing.
He would come to see him every so often, but it was usually just a one-time attempt. When he received no response, knowing Lu Sheng was in seclusion, he would always tactfully leave. This persistent attempt was a first.
Lu Sheng thought for a moment, then used the quantum computer to open the door.
"Sorry to disturb you, Lu Sheng."
Anon Turing's figure appeared in Sheng's field of vision, his first words being an apology. But the next second, his expression quickly turned serious, and he said in a low voice, "The Star Spirit Flower... something's happened."
Sheng's expression shifted, and his mental energy rapidly expanded. The scene outside the Star Spirit Flower spaceship was immediately clear to him. His expression changed slightly. He stood up and asked Anon Turing, "What happened?"
"It's like this..." Anon Turing quickly recounted the whole story.
Sheng listened quietly, remained silent for a moment, and then spoke, "So, you want me to cooperate and help the Star Spirit Flower spaceship break through the pirates' encirclement?"
"Yes."
Anon Turing nodded, then, observing his expression, cautiously said, "Lord Haiji Dao said that this is also helping ourselves. If we let it go unchecked, losing the Star Spirit Flower, an Immortal-class spaceship, will significantly delay our expected arrival time at the Hunting Bow. Moreover, If we help the spacecraft escape this predicament, the Star Spirit Flower crew and our group of travelers to the Hunting Bow will receive substantial rewards."
"Alright, I understand." Sheng waved his hand, interrupting Anon, and calmly added, "Lead the way."
Anon breathed a sigh of relief, nodded, and said, "Okay."
Sheng didn't mind taking action. He didn't care about rewards or anything like that. But he cared about the fact that it would delay their arrival. Moreover. Five level 13 individuals
"Stuck in my room for so long, my bones are practically rusting. It's time to stretch them out..." Lu Sheng silently murmured to himself.
"Level 12?"
Zi Yanxin's expression of surprise and excitement froze on her face. The people in the war preparation hall were also stunned. Then their expressions gradually became strange. If it weren't for the fact that Haiji Dao was a level 13 martial arts expert, someone below would probably have already scoffed and refuted him without any courtesy. But some people still raised doubts.
"Are you kidding me? Level 12?!"
"How strong can a level 12 be?"
The blue-haired girl, Zoe, muttered in dissatisfaction. "What kind of solution is this?"
"Zoe!" Pablo coldly rebuked her.
Zoe pouted and retorted, "Father, I didn't say anything wrong."
Zoe herself was a top-tier genius among level 12 individuals. She understood the limits of level 12 combat power better than anyone else. She also understood the gap between level 12 and level 13. Perhaps there are exist geniuses in the starry sky who can ignore this gap. But... there are five Level 13 individuals outside. The Star Spirit Flower still cannot change the final outcome of the battle.
Zi Yanxin's expression also turned somewhat grim. The feeling of seeing hope only to have it quickly dashed made her feel like she had been played. If the other party hadn't been Haiji Dao, Zi Yanxin would probably have already had him dragged out, her face ashen with fury.
Even so, Zi Yanxin couldn't help but speak up: "Lord Haiji Dao, please don't joke."
"I'm not joking." Haiji Dao replied calmly, offering no further explanation.
Wu Tian, standing nearby, seemed to twitch his lips, but remained silent, only giving Zi Yanxin a look. She gritted her teeth, shook her head, and walked over. The two began discussing something. The people in the battle preparation hall had completely shaken off their previous elation, their expressions returning to tension and urgency.
Some were talking rapidly, while others were constantly sending messages through communicators. Pablo and Zoe, father and daughter, were also communicating with each other using mental energy; one had a serious expression, while the other frowned occasionally.
In the vast hall, everyone was preparing for their future. Even when Anon Turing arrived with Lu Sheng, many people merely glanced at them before quickly turning away to continue with their own affairs.
Zi Yanxin still held a sliver of hope. But upon seeing Lu Sheng's figure, that last hope was utterly shattered. Her face revealed undisguised deep disappointment. She turned her face away, refusing to look again.
The blue-haired girl, Zoe, stared at Lu Sheng for a while, then muttered under her breath, "I thought he was someone important."
Pablo glared at her, and she finally looked away.
Lu Sheng took in the reactions of everyone in the hall, but his face remained expressionless.
Haiji Dao approached him, saying, "You've arrived."
Lu Sheng nodded slightly, saying nothing, but simply looking up at the view of the spaceship's exterior displayed on the walls of the hall.
He, Haiji Dao, and Anon Turing had reverted to being a separate little group. No one paid them any attention. Similarly, they ignored everyone else.
-
End of chapter #609 / shared by dhoo