Ren scratched his head in confusion. He had only just transmigrated; who could possibly want to see him? He glanced at Ming Wang, who sat in solitary regality upon the high throne, but he didn't dare speak. He figured he'd find out within a day or two anyway.
Besides, Ren thought, staying by Ming Wang's side might be a chance to learn how to cultivate Energy (Yi Neng Liang).
Having been in this world for nearly a day, Ren realized that "conviction" wasn't something he could just figure out on a whim. Instead of chasing idealistic powers, he needed to focus on surviving these few days, then work hard for the next hundred thousand years to become a Nebula Formpowerhouse and truly master his own fate.
Before long, a green Xuanwu Starship arrived. Miao Tiaojun (Little Fatty) arrived with the Super Ultra Warriors. Ren followed Ming Wang out and saw the legendary team: the blue-haired Long Jian, the golden-haired powerhouse Tai Lei, the purple-haired Ye Lingyun, and their captain, Miao Tiaojun.
Curiously, Xuan Yizi, who was supposed to be there, was nowhere to be found. But Ren didn't have time to dwell on that—he noticed Long Jian's eyes were fixed on him, and even Tai Lei and Ye Lingyun were looking at him strangely.
What's going on? Did a future version of me do something? Ren felt a surge of panic, fearing they might just punch him into oblivion right then and there.
However, the team's morale was low. Even Long Jian, who had asked for Ren, didn't say a word. Miao Tiaojun stood stiffly before Ming Wang, shouting to his teammates: "Long Jian, go! I'll hold them back!"
Since the trio had lost their Energy Locks and couldn't arm themselves, the Fatty's tactical assessment was correct. But no one moved. Stripped of their conviction, they were like dried fish—lost and hollow. Even if they were killed now, they wouldn't utter a word of protest.
Ming Wang spoke: "Long Jian, do you remember our wager?"
Long Jian froze as the memory surfaced. If the Dragon Tribe truly fell to infighting, he would join the Underworld. Without a word, Long Jian walked past the Fatty and took his place behind Ming Wang. The Fatty was speechless. Then Ye Lingyun, already a protector, joined them. Finally, Tai Lei followed suit, stating his mission was complete.
In an instant, the Super Ultra Team had defected.
Miao Tiaojun stared at them, jaw dropped. His hard-earned team was gone. But being the Fatty, he quickly adjusted: "Fine. Stay here for now. I'll go find Ah Fei and come back for you." He piloted the ship away, vowing to bring them back to the fold.
Once the ship vanished, Ming Wang turned: "Long Jian, the person you sought is here." He spared Ren a glance and left.
Only the three warriors and Ren remained. Ren broke the silence: "Why were you looking for me? We don't even know each other."
"We don't," Long Jian replied. "But someone asked us to bring you a message."
"A message?"
"Yes. He told us to tell you: fighting techniques are secondary. Finding your own conviction is the top priority."
With that, they walked to a secluded corner to resume their self-reflection. Ren frowned. He suspected this was indeed a message from a future self; no one else would say such a thing to him.
Conviction, huh? Right now, my conviction is to stay alive. As for later... getting stronger?
Before he could ponder further, the logistics department called: "Get over here and prepare rations! We march tomorrow!"
"Coming!" Ren ran off, eager to stay in the Underworld's good graces. Logistics was the perfect place to "develop in the shadows" (Gou) without dying on the front lines. As for conviction? He had a hundred thousand years to figure that out.
The Great War arrived. Ming Wang, knowing he couldn't defeat the Snow Queen, utilized her policy of "Love and Mercy." He agreed to be sealed in the Xuanming Coffin on the condition that the Wolf Tribe be spared. Once sealed, a trap—the Xuanming Black Hole—swallowed the White Tiger elders and the Snow Queen's forces.
Ren, being part of the Underworld camp, was safe. As the black hole vanished, he let out a long-held breath. Finally, I can cultivate in peace for a hundred thousand years.
Two years passed. Ren had grown and spent his time moving crates in logistics, but he felt it was time to make a move. He sought out Lion King.
"I should ask for a systematic cultivation manual instead of fumbling in the dark. My physical stats are okay—I can smash a two-meter rock now—but I need to see if I'm fit to be a warrior."
He entered Lion King's tent. Since Ming Wang was sealed, Lion King had been cultivating relentlessly.
"Lion King! Ren is here to pay his respects!"
Lion King opened his eyes as the golden aura subsided. He smiled. He had been observing Ren; after all, the Super Ultra Warriors had specifically asked for him. Two days ago, he detected that Ren's Energy had reached 0.1 Black Holes—far beyond a regular soldier.
"Sit," Lion King said. "I was actually going to call for you."
"For me?"
"Yes. In two years, your Energy reached 0.1 Black Holes. If you weren't so young, you'd be a squad leader already."
Ren's eyes sparkled. "Thank you! I actually came here today to request to become a combatant."
"Good!" Lion King decided on the spot. "I'll give you a ten-man squad. Until the next cycle begins, your mission is to grow stronger. When the Parallel Universes connect again, we will take all seven!"
Ren received the cultivation method, but he wasn't as happy as he expected. The method was essentially meditation; at this rate, it would take ten thousand years to gain another 0.1 Black Holes. Too slow.
One night, after a day of training, he closed his eyes and entered the dark space in his mind. This 'gold finger' of mine is useless. Two years and it's still just a pitch-black void. I can't even store things in it.
Decades passed.
"Solar Flare!" "Demon Lament!"
A red and a green energy ball collided, vaporizing a mountain peak. Ren retreated, his golden armor vanishing. On the other side, Long Ying stood her ground, looking coldly at him. "You lost."
Ren didn't argue. Long Ying was at 0.4 Black Holes, while he was at 0.3. He stood up, clutching his chest, and bowed to Lion King. "I lost."
Lion King patted his shoulder. "To reach this level through self-cultivation is incredible. But as a warrior, you must find your conviction soon, or you will remain stagnant."
Ren smiled bitterly. He had reached the level of a high-ranking officer, but he had failed to win the right to govern the Second Parallel Universe in the duel against Long Ying.
Conviction! Ren thought, punching the ground in frustration. Only protagonists master that easily.Hu Linfei could jump tenfold in energy just by getting angry. Ren had only experienced one surge—when he first arrived and his will to live was at its peak. Since then, he had hit a plateau.
He lay on his bed and entered the black space again. This time, he stayed for a week.
In the darkness, a figure appeared—a teenager in shinobi attire. Ninja Ren. "Who are you?" Super Ultra Ren tensed, wary of the stranger.
"I am you," Ninja Ren said. "Don't bother with a long explanation. Bump fists with me, and you'll know everything."
Before Super Ultra Ren could move, another figure appeared wearing pink shorts and a green shirt, looking like Patrick Star. "Scientist Ren," Ninja Ren remarked, "you're dressing more flamboyantly every day."
"A man has to have some flair!" Scientist Ren laughed. He looked at the newcomer in the golden bodysuit. "New brother? Did you bump fists yet?"
Super Ultra Ren frowned. "Who are you people? What is this space?"
One relevant follow-up question: Should Super Ultra Ren bump fists immediately to share his hundred thousand years of potential with the others, or should he test their strength first to ensure they are actually versions of himself?