"Uh."
The official's tone faltered. With an apologetic expression, he said,"If Mr. Jiang Li wishes to purchase this planet, you must first submit an application, then wait for approval from various departments of the Empire Headquarters, and finally confirm the data before we can officially complete the transaction."
"Of course, if Mr. Jiang Li knows someone high up in the Empire, the whole thing could be done in under an hour."
The official showed a thin smile."There's also… another method. Mr. Jiang Li could simply pay a little extra to smooth things over."
Jiang Li understood.
These people clearly saw how wealthy he appeared and wanted to take advantage, squeeze out some profit while they could.
He did have money—But that didn't mean he was willing to be taken for a fool.
"Looks like I'll have to trouble you."
Jiang Li turned his gaze toward Abusica, saying something that left the imperial officials completely baffled.
"No trouble at all."
Abusica's eyes sharpened, and an invisible spatial barrier instantly separated Jiang Li from the surroundings.
Then—
A faint curl of his lips, and a terrifying trace of Immortal aura surged outward. Even that tiny wisp was enough to make every staff member in the Empire Office tremble from the soul outward, their bodies collapsing to their knees uncontrollably.
The aura flared—then vanished as quickly as it came.
Streams of light rushed in.
"Scarlett, Commander of the Blue-Silver Empire's Second Legion, greets the Immortal Lord!"
A burly man with long blue hair and a blue battle robe appeared inside the office, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the ground.
"Im—Immortal Lord…"
All the staff stared with wide eyes, kneeling and trembling violently. Even swallowing air felt difficult.
Heavens.
We actually tried to fleece… an Immortal?We really must've gone insane.
You had to know—the ruler of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire was only an Immortal too!
"Looks like the Blue-Silver Empire's ruler doesn't have much courage…"
Abusica said indifferently. Then he turned toward Jiang Li."Your Highness, do you need me to 'invite' him?"
Your Highness?!
An Immortal was calling a mere Star-Level warrior Your Highness?!Just how terrifying must this Star-Level's background be?!
Those two simple words made several timid staff members faint on the spot.
"No need."
Jiang Li looked at the fainted workers and shook his head slightly."Everyone, I only want to purchase 'Earth'. That shouldn't be difficult, right?"
"N–not difficult…"
The official's breathing trembled, his lips shaking."A-at most one day… and the transaction can be completed."
"Good. I'll return tomorrow."
Jiang Li smiled lightly and strolled out of the Empire Office.
Inside a nearby restaurant, Jiang Li and the others sampled a simple spread of cosmic cuisine.
"The transaction will take a day. Perfect time to visit the slave market."
Jiang Li suggested.
After settling Earth's affairs, he might need to head to the Heng Earth System for a while.
Although Abusica could construct Divine Nation teleportation for him, the price was far too steep for Jiang Li's current level.
He couldn't exactly sell that "little trinket" gifted by Venerable Wanshan either.
The best method was to purchase some slaves to guard Earth. Once the Genius Battle began, Jiang Li believed Hong, Thor, and Luo Feng would shine just as brilliantly as anyone.
"Jiang Li-dianxia."
As Jiang Li stepped out of the restaurant, Commander Scarlett—the one who had rushed over earlier—was already waiting at the door.
Seeing Jiang Li, he immediately bowed respectfully."I have been ordered by the Emperor to await Your Highness here. If Your Highness needs anything on Blue-Silver Star, please command me."
"That's the Empire's Second Legion Commander… calling himself 'this humble one'?!"
"A big figure!"
"They must be young masters of some massive clan, out traveling."
"Don't speculate! Do you want death to fall on your head?"
Many people in and outside the restaurant stiffened, secretly shocked.
"Just wait nearby."
Having Scarlett follow them too closely would only attract unnecessary attention.
Leaving that simple instruction, Jiang Li and the group flew leisurely toward the Blue-Silver Star Slave Market.
Blue-Silver Star — Slave Market
Its area spanned over a thousand kilometers—almost as large as Base City Hongning.
But this city-like place sold only one kind of product:
Slaves.
"This here is a Kadi Dwarf. Dumb as rocks, but great for mining. Best choice for barren planets. Apprentice Level Five and below, only 10 Black Dragon Coins! Buy more and we'll throw in a dwarf girl!"
"Minhu Fox-Folk! Perfect household maids! Planet-Level and below, only 200 Black Dragon Coins!"
"Tiero Men! Strong bodies, Apprentice Level Nine! Massive clearance—only 20 Black Dragon Coins!"
The endless shouting echoed through the translation software into Luo Feng, Hong, and Thor's ears, making all of them feel strangely uncomfortable.
"Apprentice Level Nine… that's a High-Level Wargod, and it's only worth 20 Black Dragon Coins?"
Thor's mouth twitched.
They had just spent 5000 Black Dragon Coins on a single meal at the restaurant.
Did that mean… they ate the equivalent of 250 High-Level Wargods in one sitting?!
"These should mostly be natives from unclaimed planets."
Hong's expression darkened as he spoke in a low voice.
One could easily imagine: if Earth had fallen into the Nolan Mountain Family's hands, the fate of humanity on Earth would be no better than this.
"A Spiritual Force Master?"
When they reached a wide plaza, Luo Feng—also a Spiritual Force Master—instantly reacted. He looked toward a distant stall, and his expression froze stiff."A Planet-Level One Spiritual Force Master… priced at 5000 Black Dragon Coins?"
"Luo Feng, looks like you're worth about one meal."
Thor teased, but his own expression also twisted awkwardly.
"Mora-Maya Tribe! Planet-Level Nine Warrior clearance sale—only 5000 Black Dragon Coins!"
Hearing the translation, Hong and Thor exchanged bitter smiles.
So they weren't worth much either.
"These slaves basically have no room for advancement. That's why they're cheap."
Jiang Li explained when he noticed the three looking pale."But if they were Star-Level? The price would rise ten-thousand-fold—hundreds of thousands of times even."
In the vast universe, Apprentice Levels were almost worthless—at best suitable for being servants.
Planet-Level warriors could barely be considered low-tier fighters.
Star-Level was different. The leap of life itself created a threshold; even on border planets, they could serve as valuable bodyguards.
As for Universe-Level… those were regional overlords. Even large planets rarely saw such slaves.
"No Universe-Level slaves? Then let's look at Star-Level Nine."
After circling the entire market and finding no Universe-Level slaves, Jiang Li made his decision.
In the end, he purchased twenty Star-Level Nine Elf-Descendant warriors, each costing 5 billion Black Dragon Coins.
"Entire planet generations as slaves?"
"Once they break through to Planet-Level they get a 'Bio-Chip' implanted?"
A "Bio-Chip" was a control implant that fused with the brain. Once embedded, the slave's loyalty to the master became absolute.
Calling them slaves was generous.They were puppets.
After learning the origins and control methods of such slaves, Luo Feng, Hong, and Thor grew increasingly grim, their eyes increasingly resolute.
The universe had beauty—
But it also had cruelty—Cruelty laid bare like this slave market.
"If it weren't for Jiang-ge… I might've ended up here too. Price tag: 5000, huh?"
Luo Feng mocked himself inside, though his heart trembled uncontrollably.
The same thought sprouted in Hong and Thor's hearts.
The universe was vast. Danger lurked everywhere. Even their shared teacher—an extremely powerful expert—had fallen.
No one could guarantee Jiang Li wouldn't face danger.
Become stronger.
We must become stronger.
The burden of Earth could not rest on Jiang Li alone.
In that moment, a seed of fearless resolve sprouted within all three.
With the Blue-Silver Empire's Emperor "helping," Jiang Li completed the planet purchase smoothly.
From this moment on—He was the legitimate Lord of Earth.
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