In the blink of an eye, ten thousand years had passed.
"Lion King, our fleet is fully prepared. Once the Seven Parallel Universes converge, we will immediately begin searching for the energy of the Xuanming Key!" Silver Lion reported.
Ten thousand years had gone by, yet time had left no mark on them—such was the benefit of overwhelming power. Through these millennia of development, the Wolf Tribe soldiers were fully armed. In terms of combat prowess, even the Snow Queen's White Tiger Legion was no match for the current Wolf Tribe fleet.
Lion King's gaze swept across his surroundings, landing on Ren. "Ren, come with me to the First Parallel Universe. Together, we will bring back the Xuanming Key."
Ren nodded, smiling. "I am at your disposal, Lion King."
After ten thousand years, Ren's Energy (Yi Neng Liang) had reached 2.0 Black Holes. Within the Seven Universes, he was already an absolute powerhouse. However, Ren himself was dissatisfied. Ten thousand years and his Energy had only increased by 1.5 Black Holes? This was completely different from what he had envisioned.
Do I really lack the potential to be a top-tier powerhouse? No! My other selves are strong; I can't be the failure! I must have overlooked something. My thoughts aren't pure enough, and that's why my strength has plateaued!
Ren followed Lion King onto the starship. Moments later, Silver Lion announced, "The Seven Parallel Universes have connected!"
"Departure! To the First Parallel Universe!"
With a flash of white light, they arrived. A planet bathed in sunlight appeared before Ren's eyes. Earth, it's been a long time, he thought.
Lion King was also watching Earth; beautiful things always draw the eye. Furthermore, Hu Linfei's Energy Lock was still with Lion King; he intended to find the boy and return it.
Soon, Silver Lion and Gold Lion located Tian Yu's energy signature. Lion King followed behind them, remaining in the shadows until Xuan Yizi appeared. Only then did Lion King return the Energy Lock to Hu Linfei—allowing the boy to promptly pummel his subordinates.
Watching this from the ship, Ren was speechless. Did he really have to return it right now? Couldn't he wait just a little longer?
Of course, despite his internal gags, Ren's hands were steady. Once Lion King returned, Ren immediately ordered his subordinates to activate the ship's jump drive, leaping through universes to return to the Fifth Parallel Universe.
At the site of the Xuanming Coffin, Ye Lingyun, Whale Shark King, and Long Ying were already waiting. The group stood around the coffin, erupting their respective Energies. Lion King placed the box containing the Xuanming Key atop the seal. Under the concentrated bombardment of their power, the box shattered, revealing the golden key.
"Xuanming Coffin, OPEN!"
BOOM!
Black Energy surged from the coffin, and a spectral figure manifested before them. The group dropped to one knee in unison. "Welcome back, Underworld King (Ming Wang)!"
Ming Wang nodded slightly. "Go. Do what you must. Help me unify the Seven Parallel Universes!"
Long Ying, Whale Shark King, and Ye Lingyun vanished into streaks of light. Ren hesitated for a moment, then erupted his own Energy, heading for the Seventh Parallel Universe.
The Sixth Universe was the home of the Baboo Tribe, which Ming Wang seemed to have little interest in. The Seventh, however, was the stronghold of the White Tiger Tribe. Ren wanted to see the situation there for himself.
Emerging from the wormhole, Ren found himself in a land of lush mountains, clear waters, and fragrant flowers. "This place is fantastic!" A bright smile broke across his face. Compared to the desolation of the Fifth Universe, this was paradise.
"Actually, the First Universe was nice too. Decided! I'm going to spend this time touring the universes!"
Over the next two days, Ren played the tourist on the White Tiger home world. During this time, news arrived of the deaths of Long Ying and Whale Shark King. He felt nothing; they would meet again in the next cycle anyway.
To his surprise, his Energy began to climb rapidly. In just two days, it jumped to 2.5 Black Holes. A realization dawned on him.
"I see. I vowed to be a 'Carefree King,' but then I spent a hundred thousand years cooped up in the Fifth Universe cultivating. Forget being 'carefree,' I didn't even find a wife. It's a wonder my Energy grew at all."
Having cleared his mind, Ren stood atop a snowy peak, letting the wind and frost hammer his body. "From this day forward, I am the Carefree King, Ren!"
His Energy ignited. The accumulation of a hundred thousand years finally exploded. Within a few breaths, he reached the 4.0 Black Hole level!
Whoosh—
He exhaled a cloud of turbid air. Feeling the surge of power, he laughed toward the heavens. "Hahaha! Good! Four Black Holes! By the next cycle, I'll be even stronger. In another cycle or two, I'll hit ten Black Holes and leap out of this reincarnation entirely!"
By his estimation, Hu Linfei was close to breaking the cycle with three Black Holes; with four, Ren was more than ready.
Suddenly, his wrist communicator chirped. "Ren, Ming Wang is about to fully awaken. Return to the Fifth Parallel Universe immediately."
Ren didn't hesitate, transforming into a streak of golden light and vanishing from the Seventh Universe.
Fifth Parallel Universe.
Of the five original protectors, only three remained. Scorpion King (Long Ying) and Whale Shark King had been killed by the Super Ultra Team. Shortly after Ren returned, Hu Linfei and his team arrived, led by Ye Lingyun under Ming Wang's orders.
Meeting them again, Ren found himself on the opposite side once more. The Super Ultra Warriors were immediately pinned to the ground by the Underworld's unique gravitational pull. The more they resisted, the heavier the pressure became.
The only one unaffected was Ming Wang's daughter, Tian Yu. She felt a strange sense of homecoming, her Energy swelling to 0.8 Black Holes.
Looking at her struggling friends, Tian Yu spoke gently: "Hu Linfei, relax. The more you fight it, the more it crushes you. Only by letting go can you find freedom."
The team followed her advice, and the pressure vanished. A few seconds later, Hu Linfei stood up, glaring at the dark palace. "Ming Wang! The Super Ultra Team is here!"
The sky had cleared, the rain had stopped, and Hu Linfei felt like a hero again. He led the charge into the palace. Inside, the spectral image of Ming Wang sat upon the throne, silently waiting.
The final confrontation of the cycle is beginning! Should Ren step forward to challenge the Super Ultra Team himself to test his new 4.0 Black Hole power, or should he stay by Ming Wang's side to witness the philosophical debate that decides the fate of the universes?