The World Master first reported the news.
He thought about it carefully, then sent out another message.
He then ordered his subordinates not to act rashly and to await the Company's orders.
...
Ganwu Universe Country, Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company Headquarters, top floor of the tallest building.
Venerable Bei Ming and Venerable Bloodwing, who were stationed at the headquarters, simultaneously received a message.
"Hmm?"
Venerable Bei Ming frowned slightly, "The Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch won't let our people pick up the core member affiliated with the Essence Extraction Secret Realm."
"According to the information, that little guy named Erotta, a Universe Level, entered our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's Essence Extraction Secret Realm by signing up for the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition."
Venerable Bloodwing interjected, "And before signing up, he was an internal member of the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch."
"An internal member of a High-level Universe Country's branch? And he came to participate in the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition held by our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company…"
Venerable Bei Ming clicked his tongue lightly, "That's truly outrageous."
"Indeed, it's outrageous."
Venerable Bloodwing sighed softly, "I don't know what the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch was thinking, to actually let that little guy participate in the competition."
"That little guy is Universe Level, so it's understandable if he doesn't know the rules."
"But the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch has many Immortal and three Marquis-level Immortal, all of whom are old-timers who have lived for countless years."
At this point, Venerable Bloodwing also shook his head, "How could they still make such a low-level mistake?"
According to the unspoken understanding between the five Leviathans of Humanity, any internal members or higher from the branches of the various High-level Universe Countries were tacitly marked as belonging to that Giant's force, and generally would not participate in competitions and assessments held by other forces.
Unless that Giant's force indicated that they had given up on that member, allowing them to participate in the competitions and assessments of other Leviathan of Humanitys.
In other words, Erotta was a member of the Huge Axe Dojo, and without permission, he should not have participated in the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition.
But the current problem is that he has already participated in the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition, and has even achieved a good ranking, entering the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, the Essence Extraction Secret Realm.
"According to the information, that little guy's participation in the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition was permitted, so he is already considered one of us."
Venerable Bei Ming chuckled, "The Huge Axe Dojo imprisoning our core member is already a provocation."
"I thought the conflict with the Huge Axe Dojo would happen a bit later, but I didn't expect it to come so quickly."
Venerable Bloodwing interjected, "If the Huge Axe Dojo doesn't release him, we'll have to send someone to bring him back."
"It's not suitable for us Venerables to step forward, and the Lanting Branch is too weak."
Venerable Bei Ming sighed, "We still need to send people from the headquarters, let... Hmm?"
Mid-sentence, he looked surprised, "How did he know?"
"It's normal for him to know, there are Royce Family members in the Lanting Branch."
Venerable Bloodwing tapped the table lightly and replied, "The World Master who went to pick up that little guy is also related to the Royce Family."
"So… I hate nepotism the most!"
Venerable Bei Ming clicked his tongue, leaned back in his chair, and sighed, "This kind of matter is not suitable for him to handle."
"Yes, the conflict must be limited to the King-level Immortal range."
Venerable Bloodwing nodded, "His strength should be Invincible King by now."
"Almost."
Venerable Bei Ming clenched his hand into a fist, then released it, "His treasure configuration is better than many High-level Venerables, probably worth 2-3 Heavy Treasure points."
"I'll notify him not to act rashly," Venerable Bloodwing said.
The five Leviathans of Humanity have a strong unspoken understanding, or rather, the high-level officials uniformly acquiesce to the struggles at the Immortal level.
In the eyes of these Universe Venerable high-level officials, some struggles are beneficial to the race, even if a Genius perishes in them, it is worth it.
However, these struggles are limited to the Immortal level; Universe Venerable-level powerhouses generally do not participate.
"Since he wants to intervene, then let him handle it."
Venerable Bei Ming said softly, "Even if a Universe Venerable from the Huge Axe Dojo descends, they'll have to give him some Face."
With that said, the two Venerables no longer concerned themselves with the matter, only needing to await the final outcome.
...
Ganwu Universe Country, Molten Rock Star Field, Molten Rock Secret Realm.
This once dilapidated small Secret Realm, comparable in area to a galaxy, has changed its appearance after multiple transformations.
Both the density of Universe energy and the living environment far surpass what they once were, and it is quite prosperous.
On a vast continent with a diameter exceeding 1 light-year, there are numerous estates, each occupying a considerable area, and the owners of these estates are all World Masters.
In the center of the continent, there is a massive mountain range, up to a million kilometers high, with palace complexes built upon it, serving as residences for Immortal-level powerhouses.
Inside a side hall of a palace complex.
Locke, once known as 'Blood Sword' in the virtual game Hunting World, sat quietly in a chair reading a book.
Beside him, a beautiful and serene woman was pouring wine for him.
However, somewhat strangely, the woman had no life aura.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Locke stopped flipping through the book in his hand, closed it with a "snap," and stood up, saying, "Lisa, a mission has come up, I need to go out for a bit."
"Be careful."
The woman named Lisa stood up, handed the wine glass in her hand to Locke, and said softly, "I'll wait for you to come back."
"Don't worry, I have an Immortal body!"
Locke took the wine glass, tilted his head back, and drank it all, then placed the glass on the table, saying, "Wait for me to come back."
As his voice fell, he transformed into a stream of light and flew out of the palace.
Not long after leaving the palace, Locke heard a Divine Power transmission.
"Locke."
he saw an stream of light flying from not far away, transforming into the appearance of a young man.
"Shi Ou, you also received a mission?" Locke asked curiously.
"Yes, I need to go to the Lan Ting Universe Country."
The young man named Shi Ou had the Royce Family's distinctive vertical pupils, and a strong Divine Power pressure emanated from him.
"Then let's go see Teacher together."
Locke nodded slightly and flew towards the mountaintop with Shi Ou.
And at the top of the mountain was a palace radiating brilliant light, almost illuminating the entire continent!
...
Lan Ting Universe Country, Panhai Star.
This is a azure blue planet, surrounded by more than a dozen defensive satellites. Over 90% of the planet's surface is covered by ocean, with the remaining less than 10% being islands of varying sizes.
The Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's Lan Ting Universe Country Branch is established on this planet, though most of its buildings are in the air.
On Panhai Star's largest island, there is a rather peculiar circular building, with faintly glowing rings inside, serving as a spatial passage connecting to the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company Headquarters.
The three persons in charge of the Lanting Branch were currently waiting in front of the spatial passage.
Boom!
Suddenly, the faintly glowing ring showed rather intense spatial fluctuations, and a strong light bloomed from its center.
The next moment, more than ten figures walked out from within the glowing ring.
The one leading them was Locke.
He was clad in dark red armor, carried a blood-colored greatsword on his back, and exuded a rather powerful Divine Power pressure.
To his left was Shi Ou, a young man with vertical pupils, and to his right was King Han Mountain, a white-maned wolf-man in white armor, emitting a cold aura.
"King Blood Sword."
"Marquis Bēi Kū."
"King Han Mountain."
The three persons in charge of the Lanting Branch, seeing the three Immortal walking at the very front, quickly bowed respectfully.
The vertical-pupiled youth, Shi Ou, asked, "Have you placed any Divine Power tokens near Guhe Star, where the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch is located?"
"Replying to Marquis Bēi Kū, I have placed a Divine Power token."
One of the persons in charge quickly said, "However, it's a bit far from Guhe Star, estimated to take two days to arrive."
"Two days… that's enough."
Locke said indifferently, "Let's go outside together, and you can use your Divine Kingdom to teleport us there."
"Yes."
That person in charge nodded quickly.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Nearly twenty streams of light flew out from the spatial passage building, reaching the azure, vast sea surface.
Soon.
A dazzling light lit up, enveloping everyone, then vanished without a trace along with spatial fluctuations.
...
Two days later.
Lan Ting Universe Country, Guhe Star.
A G-level spaceship arrived from the dark Star Domain, reaching the defensive satellites of Guhe Star, and stopped next to the f-class spaceship that had arrived two days earlier.
The arrival of this G-level spaceship immediately attracted the attention of the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch on Guhe Star.
Top floor of the tallest building on Guhe Star.
"An unknown G-level spaceship has arrived?"
Marquis Chiye, clad in crimson scales, received the news and couldn't help but say in surprise, "Could it be that the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company has come to snatch someone?!"
"A G-level spaceship, it seems a King-level Immortal has arrived."
Marquis Yin Mo, clad in black scale armor, his voice slightly hoarse, "Hehe, it truly has the posture of snatching someone."
"If you don't want to hand the person over, then report this matter to the higher-ups."
Marquis Chi Yu said softly, "Let headquarters dispatch a King-level Immortal, and at the same time, we will step forward to stall the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's King-level Immortal."
"Let's do that."
Marquis Yin Mo laughed strangely, "I'd like to see how many Immortal Kings the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company has sent."
"Go!"
Marquis Chiye was the first to stand up, pushing the door open and striding out, with Marquis Chi Yu and Marquis Yin Mo following behind him.
...
Outside Guhe Star, in the cosmic Star Domain.
The f-class spaceship that had arrived two days earlier had its hatch open with a "hiss."
Led by a World Master, a group of Domain Lords streamed out of the hatch and stopped not far from the G-level spaceship's hatch.
Hiss!
The G-level spaceship's hatch opened.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
More than ten streams of light flew out, landing beside the G-level spaceship, each exuding Immortal Divine Power pressure.
Then.
Locke, Shi Ou, and King Han Mountain flew out from the hatch, each exuding a 'powerful' Divine Power pressure, making the greeting World Masters and Domain Lords quickly bow respectfully.
"Greetings, King Blood Sword, King Han Mountain, Marquis Bēi Kū."
The World Masters and Domain Lords bowed in the Star Domain, transmitting their voices with World Power and Origin Energy.
"You all return to the spaceship and then move far away from here."
Shi Ou looked at the planet surrounded by defensive satellites and said softly, "What happens next is not something you can not participate in."
"Yes."
The World Masters and Domain Lords bowed, then returned to the f-class spaceship and maneuvered it away from Guhe Star.
"The people from the Huge Axe Dojo should be arriving soon," the white-maned wolf-man King Han Mountain said.
He and Marquis White Thunder Mullie were of the same race; even though he was much stronger, his status couldn't compare to Mullie's.
"It just depends on whether the Huge Axe Dojo will hand over the person."
Shi Ou transmitted his voice, "If they don't, then the nature of this changes…"
"It's best not to reach that point."
King Han Mountain nodded slightly, his gaze falling on the blood-colored greatsword on Locke's back, "Otherwise, we'll have to trouble King Blood Sword to make a move."
He looked at the King-level Immortal, who was countless years younger than himself, feeling very envious.
"Having a good teacher really makes a difference," King Han Mountain thought to himself. "When he was Universe Level, he hadn't even comprehended a Domain, yet now he can become a Pinnacle stage King-level Immortal, and he even has a Heavy Treasure weapon!"
"It's best not to make a move."
Locke said softly, "Let's first see what the Huge Axe Dojo's attitude is."
...
The three waited for a while, then saw three streams of light flying out from Guhe Star.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
Not long after.
The three streams of light flew to the edge of the planet's defensive net and stopped, still within the defensive net, clearly wary of Locke and the others' strength.
Although the two sides were tens of thousands of kilometers apart, they could clearly sense each other's life aura.
"It's King Blood Sword!"
Marquis Chi Yu transmitted, "I didn't expect him to come."
"King Blood Sword has Cultivated for tens of millions of years. Although he hasn't comprehended any Space-Time Profoundness, he can still rank as Pinnacle stage King-Level by relying on secret techniques, amplification, and treasures."
Marquis Yin Mo's expression was solemn, "It is said that he possesses a treasure used by a Universe Venerable, which is his reliance for being able to rank as Pinnacle stage King-Level."
"So, that King Blood Sword is quite troublesome."
Marquis Chiye said in a deep voice, "However, he shouldn't be able to break through Guhe Star's planetary defensive net."
"He definitely can't break through it."
Marquis Yin Mo said, then changed the subject, "But against a single satellite, with the valuable treasures on him, he might be able to…"
"Then let's stall them first."
Marquis Chiye heard this and had no choice but to say, "The higher-ups are sending people over immediately."
...
While the three Giants of the Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch were conversing.
After a brief discussion, Locke's trio decided that he, King Blood Sword, would handle the negotiation.
"Marquis Chiye, Marquis Yin Mo, Marquis Chi Yu."
So, Locke flew out of the group and transmitted with Divine Power, "Our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's core member, shouldn't you hand him over?"
"King Blood Sword."
Marquis Chiye stepped forward and transmitted, "That Erotta is an internal member of our Huge Axe Dojo's Lanting Branch, not someone from your Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
"According to the unspoken rules of the various Giants, when you agreed to Erotta participating in the Universe Equipment Medicine Competition, he no longer belonged to your Huge Axe Dojo."
Locke said in a deep voice, "What… you don't want to release him?!"
"I've already said it, he is a member of our Huge Axe Dojo!"
Marquis Chiye retorted without showing weakness, "Impossible to release him!"
As his voice fell, the atmosphere immediately became tense.
Marquis Chi Yu listened to their transmissions, feeling quite helpless.
Just now, Marquis Chiye had said to stall for time, but he immediately started arguing with the other party. What kind of stalling was that!
...
Boom!
Seeing that Marquis Chiye and the others had no intention of handing over the person, Locke didn't waste any more words.
He directly reached out, drew the blood-colored greatsword from his back, and ignited his Divine Power, his aura and pressure abruptly surging, causing the space to vibrate slightly.
Immediately after!
He transformed into a blood-colored stream of light, cutting through the dark Universe, and charged towards the nearest satellite!
Marquis Chiye and the others dared to confront him, relying on the satellite defensive net.
Then he would break through the satellite defensive net…
Let's see how arrogant they can be then!