Chapter 118

Chapter 118: The Expected Invitation

"No need for me to intervene," Qin Mu murmured with a satisfied smile in the Virtual Universe.

The battle had been costly for Earth, but they had successfully repelled the pirate attack. The Skyfire Crows, though formidable, were only at Star Level 6, and their numbers—limited to 10,000—were insufficient to capture the pirate leader. With more crows, the pirate leader wouldn't have escaped.

"What a bold move, equipping slaves with third-tier force armor and spirit weapons," Qin Mu mused, impressed by the ingenuity of Earth's team.

Upon closer inspection, Qin Mu realized that they had gone far beyond simply purchasing equipment for the Black Meng Clan slaves. They had devised a secret contract, a revolutionary approach that redefined the slaves' status. Under this contract, the slaves were no longer legally considered slaves—since Earth did not recognize slavery—but they were required to work for Earth until they repaid their "debt."

Yes, debt.

The cost of purchasing them was treated as a debt they had to repay. After calculations, a Star-level expert would need to work for 3,000 years to earn their freedom and become a recognized minority within Earth, joining the larger collective. For Star-level beings, whose natural lifespan exceeded 10,000 years, 3,000 years was a small price to pay. Moreover, their children would be born free, not as slaves. If they earned enough merit, they could even gain freedom earlier or request that Earth purchase and bring their families to Earth.

When this news reached the slaves, they were ecstatic. The possibility of freedom, something they had long given up on, was now within reach. Though their biochips ensured absolute loyalty, their consciousness remained intact, and they yearned for freedom. The announcement spurred them to work with unprecedented zeal.

One such example was a Planetary Level 9 Spirit Master from the Mengbei Clan, skilled in mechanics. After solving several critical technical challenges for Earth, he earned enough merit to request that his wife and children be brought to Earth. The joy he felt upon reuniting with his family was indescribable. For the first time since becoming a slave, he felt respected—not as a slave, but as a scientist and a warrior. This newfound dignity and the hope of freedom drove him to work even harder.

This success story became a beacon of hope for the other slaves, igniting a fire within them. Even those without specialized skills, like the Black Meng Clan warriors, saw the pirate attack as an opportunity to earn merit. To them, the pirates were walking rewards.

"I underestimated their ingenuity," Qin Mu admitted, his expression a mix of amusement and admiration. The person who came up with this idea was a genius.

Ordinary slaves, while obedient, were little more than puppets, following orders without passion. But with this contract, the slaves were now motivated to work tirelessly of their own accord. Even after gaining freedom, they would remain part of Earth, albeit as paid employees. In truth, most wouldn't leave even if given the choice. Outside Earth, they would still be slaves, their biochips ensuring their loyalty. Only in Earth could they truly be free.

This approach allowed Earth to rapidly grow its strength while fostering a group of fiercely loyal experts. Once freed, these former slaves would become staunch supporters of Earth's development. However, this strategy was not without risks. If word leaked to the wider universe, it could provoke hostility from powerful factions that relied on slavery.

"But for now, it seems I don't need to worry," Qin Mu thought. If Earth's leadership could handle the situation, he could focus on his own growth. As a precaution, he had used the bug queen's nest's incubation function to create several Universe-level units. These were his last resort, to be deployed only in emergencies.

With his mind at ease, Qin Mu left the Killing Field and entered the Killing Hall. There, he found Lei Shen sitting in a corner, sipping tea.

"Qin Mu, you're here too!" Lei Shen greeted him warmly, offering a cup of tea.

The two chatted casually. Unlike Qin Mu, Lei Shen was a regular at the Killing Hall. Recently, he had been studying the Yun Mo martial arts legacy while attending lectures at the Ganwu Dojo in the Virtual Universe. His progress had been remarkable.

"I'm planning to venture into the universe soon," Lei Shen said, taking a sip of tea. "You were right—only through life-and-death trials can one truly evolve. In the Killing Space, I improved rapidly at first, but now my progress has slowed."

Qin Mu nodded. "The universe is full of dangers. You'll need to prepare thoroughly."

Unlike Lei Shen, Qin Mu didn't need to risk his life to grow stronger. With the Swarm, his power increased naturally. But for Lei Shen, staying on Earth would mean stagnation at the Planetary level.

As they talked, Hong emerged from the Killing Space, his black combat suit exuding confidence.

"What are you two discussing?" Hong asked, joining them.

"Lei Shen's planning to explore the universe and take the Universe Trainee Mercenary Exam," Qin Mu explained.

Hong's eyes lit up. "I've been thinking the same. How about we go together?"

The two had been close friends since the Great Nirvana Period, and their thoughts often aligned.

"That sounds perfect! Let's conquer the universe together!" Lei Shen said, glancing at Qin Mu with an unspoken invitation.

"I might join a bit later," Qin Mu replied. For now, venturing into the universe didn't hold much appeal for him. He wondered if Lei Shen and Hong would still encounter the World of Thunder, a pivotal location in the original timeline where they had gained significant resources and Lei Shen had obtained an inheritance. But the World within a World wouldn't open for a few more years. He couldn't very well tell them to wait.

"Fair enough. Just let us know when you're ready!" Lei Shen said cheerfully, changing the subject. "By the way, have you heard about the two newcomers? I fought a swordsman today and got crushed!"

"Same here! There's also a female dual-blade warrior I couldn't beat," Hong added, laughing.

"You seem oddly happy about losing," Qin Mu remarked, though he was intrigued. The fact that both Hong and Lei Shen had encountered such formidable opponents suggested that the Virtual Universe Company might have taken notice of them. Should he also test his skills in the Battle Space? Unlike Hong and Lei Shen, Qin Mu had only recently started visiting the Killing Field, having spent most of his time studying secret techniques.

"Of course I'm happy! Losing helps me identify my weaknesses and improve," Hong said, sipping his tea.

"That's so like you," Qin Mu said with a smile. Hong had been invincible on Earth for so long that only Qin Mu could challenge him. If he remained unchallenged in the universe, it would be boring.

As they chatted, a Killing Field staff member approached them—a lean man with a sharp nose.

"Excuse me, gentlemen. A private room host upstairs has requested your presence," the staff member said politely.

"A private room host?" Qin Mu exchanged glances with Hong and Lei Shen. Private rooms in the Killing Field were expensive and typically reserved for Universe-level experts or higher.

While Hong and Lei Shen looked puzzled, Qin Mu had a hunch. The Virtual Universe Company had likely noticed Hong and Lei Shen's potential—and perhaps his own, even though he hadn't yet showcased his abilities in the Battle Space.

"Lead the way," Qin Mu said, standing up with Hong and Lei Shen.

*****

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