"Master…"
"From today on, call me Brother Luo, not Master. Now, give orders to the others continue searching for the dimension ores in this realm, but avoid interfering with my team. Also, do not touch the people from Three Axes Mountain."
Luo gently lifted Princess Brynna's chin, giving her the instructions. She nodded obediently, fully understanding what needed to be done. At the same time, Luo retracted the Magic Cloud Vines, drawing them back around him.
Brynna's gaze was filled with a strange, lingering affection as she murmured "Brother Luo" and reluctantly piloted her ship away from the chaotic battlefield.
Luo squinted, a faint smile tugging at his lips, then opened his communicator. There was Babata, sprawled casually with her legs draped across his shoulders, teasingly remarking, "I really have to hand it to you. One whole day and night of work here, and who knows how many powers outside are eyeing you hungrily?"
Following Babata's gesture, Luo's eyes scanned the surrounding area. Five factions had gathered nearby, each with squads of roughly a thousand warriors. The Hundred Tigers Guild, the Northern Dragon City, and the Black Cloud Society all regarded Luo with wary, strange expressions.
It quickly became apparent to Luo that the Hundred Tigers Guild and the Black Cloud Society had each produced a cosmic-level warrior, and Three Axes Mountain had also birthed one. Meanwhile, the Royal Martial Corps, realizing Princess Brynna had departed, immediately followed her lead.
A cosmic-level warrior from the Hundred Tigers Guild detached from their unit and flew toward Luo. From Three Axes Mountain, another cosmic warrior emerged but was blocked by Luo's outstretched hand.
The cosmic warrior approached, his eyes filled with disdain. "Did you kill Nataro's squad?" he asked, his tone sharp with accusation.
"Nataro? I'm sorry, I've killed far too many nameless fools to keep track. I don't know which one you mean. Why?" Luo answered bluntly, meeting the warrior's gaze without flinching.
The cosmic warrior's anger erupted instantly, a terrifying aura pressing down on Luo. Surrounding warriors craned their necks to witness how Luo would respond, expecting him to be crushed.
Luo only laughed, unfazed by the oppressive aura. He tilted his head slightly and said, "I'll give you a choice. Leave all your valuables and dimension ores, and I spare your life. Refuse, and the alternative is death and I'll take everything you own."
Red light flickered in Luo's eyes as his murderous intent radiated outward. Though his aura was no match for the cosmic-level warrior, his fearless, relentless energy made the other man's pupils constrict.
This single human had defeated eight thousand soldiers of the Royal Martial Corps, forcing them into retreat. His power was, in a way, more terrifying than cosmic crystals themselves.
The warrior, realizing the gravity of his situation, reluctantly surrendered, handing over his space ring and all dimension ores. His squad of a thousand followed him, leaving with eyes full of resentment.
Luo paid them no mind. His goal was simple: acquire all dimension ores and treasures. He then roared, challenging anyone present: "If anyone here dares defy me, come forward! I'm right here waiting!"
The Magic Cloud Vines exploded outward, enveloping a thirty-kilometer radius in a stunning display. Only the Three Axes Mountain warriors stayed briefly, showing their respect before bowing and leaving. The others fled in terror, unwilling to challenge someone who had single-handedly defeated eight thousand troops.
With the immediate threat gone, Luo contacted his team, including Luo Feng, who had similarly decimated enemy squads en route, collecting over ten million dimension ores and a staggering amount of cosmic crystals enough to leave the entire realm of the dimension almost completely mined.
Babata excitedly reported, "You've collected twenty-one thousand eight hundred fifty-one space rings and twenty-nine million nine hundred eighty-seven thousand two hundred seventy-two dimension ores! The loot from killing and taking is the fastest way to riches!"
"Cosmic crystals?" Luo asked.
"Four hundred billion cubic units! Converted, that's forty trillion cosmic credits. One master's realm holds this much wealth!" Babata gushed.
Luo realized the true scale of their haul. In terms of the high-grade unit of measurement Unified Units he now possessed forty, already surpassing most realm lords. With Luo Feng's haul included, they could reach sixty Unified Units, more than enough to buy the legendary Starfang Void Blade.
"Babata, with my current wealth, can I purchase the Starfang Void Blade?" Luo asked eagerly.
"Absolutely, with plenty left over. At an auction in the Oil Empire, the final bid for one was only 2.3 Unified Units 23 trillion cosmic credits."
Luo grinned. He had more than enough wealth now and didn't need to collect further. Continuing might draw the attention of other factions, even Three Axes Mountain, putting him at risk.
After securing consensus with his team, Luo sent instructions to Hong and the Thunder God, ensuring they would consolidate their dimension ores, exchange them, and exit the realm safely without drawing further attention.
As they returned to the castle, nearby faction members instinctively gave them space, acknowledging the small squad's immense influence. Reita of Three Axes Mountain approached, awed. "Brother, I have to admit, you alone held off eighty thousand attackers unscathed. You are incredible!"
"Just luck," Luo replied casually, unbothered by Reita's admiration.
Meanwhile, Princess Brynna, aboard her ship after escaping, saw her fleeing soldiers return. Three leading figures knelt before her, trembling. "Your Highness, forgive us…"
They had assumed she would be killed by Luo but were shocked to find her unharmed. They also noticed her space ring was gone, clearly taken by Luo under duress. Fear filled their hearts; gathering dimension ores had been no small effort.
Brynna wasted no time. Taking up a C2-level laser rifle, she executed swift justice. The three leading deserters were reduced to ashes, leaving her subordinates terrified. Brynna commanded them to continue gathering dimension ores, avoiding any conflict with Three Axes Mountain.
Thus, her new round of merciless collection began.
Three days later, Luo Feng and the others arrived at the castle. They handed over all their accumulated laser stones to Luo, who then entered the castle to meet Master Wu.
"You've made quite the commotion, little one!" Master Wu said, laughing, recounting everything Luo had accomplished.
"No choice. In this survival-of-the-fittest world, one must be ruthless to stand firm," Luo replied matter-of-factly.
Master Wu laughed heartily. "Speak, what treasures do you wish to exchange?"
Luo carefully selected items, choosing mainly weapons. Master Wu, the previous realm lord, had been extraordinarily fortunate, possessing over a hundred weapons alone. Luo redeemed sixty-one of them, bringing his personal arsenal close to seventy weapons. Combined with other treasures, he claimed 171 of 312 valuable items, leaving the rest for the ongoing battles among other factions.
Master Wu grew impatient. "Why aren't you choosing the Thunder Secret Technique?"
Luo simply shook his head, focused on his own acquisitions.