When Thor heard the news, his mind went blank. For a moment, he wondered if he'd misheard it altogether. The words echoed in his head, unbelievable, impossible even.
That kid Rowan how long had he even been training? And yet his strength had already reached such a terrifying level that even Mohanderson, the Third Elder, had fallen by his hand.
It was absurd.
Across the underground battlefield, Luo Feng stared in disbelief at Rowan. Mohanderson's strength was legendary; though Luo Feng didn't know his full extent, the title of Third Elder alone spoke volumes.
That kind of power shouldn't have been something a newcomer could so casually overcome.
And yet, before his very eyes, Rowan had done just that obliterating Mohanderson in a single move.
Gone. Nothing left but shattered remains.
"Why are you gaping like that? You look ridiculous," Rowan teased, glancing back at Luo Feng's stunned expression.
Luo Feng quickly shut his mouth, embarrassment flooding his face, and rushed to ask what had just happened. Even with his planetary-level perception, he had only seen a flash of golden light before everything ended.
Rowan smirked. "Let's not get into that right now. It's complicated. Just remember this I'm stronger than you, and that's what matters."
He rubbed Luo Feng's head like an older brother messing with a kid. Inside, though, he was practically beaming.
Showing off a little in front of the protagonist of the Swallowed Star universe? That felt better than hitting the jackpot.
Still, there were more important things at hand Babata's inheritance. Rowan began explaining what he knew about the Mu Ya Crystals.
"Luo Feng, this stuff is called Mu Ya Crystal. It's a godsend for planetary-level warriors. A mid-tier general who consumes one can instantly break through to high-tier Warlord rank.
"For those already at planetary level, consuming enough of these will rapidly strengthen the body, refine the mind, and well, let's just say you'll hit your mental limits faster than you ever thought possible."
Rowan's words poured out effortlessly, his tone almost academic. Luo Feng listened, wide-eyed with awe. He had never imagined that the faintly glowing purple fruit in front of him was something so rare and valuable.
A treasure that could directly elevate a warrior's cultivation something that most people would kill for.
No wonder Rowan had insisted on claiming this place. And yet, he hadn't pushed Luo Feng away; he'd chosen to share it with him.
That thought alone filled Luo Feng's chest with warmth. This is what brotherhood is, he thought.
Rowan chuckled inwardly. He's buying it.
In truth, Rowan saw this as an investment. With Luo Feng's freakish potential, he was destined to become a god-level existence one day a walking cheat code of the universe. Having such a powerhouse as a friend would pay off enormously in the future.
And besides, Mu Ya Crystals didn't really benefit Rowan anymore.
With the Mind Stone and Power Stone at his disposal, his cultivation rose faster than any crystal could manage. The Mu Ya Crystals were better used as gifts investments in allies.
Splitting up, Rowan and Luo Feng began collecting as many crystals as they could from the underground caverns. Luo Feng was almost giddy, smiling so wide his face hurt.
Rowan gathered a portion for himself as well not to cultivate, but to reward certain people in his life. A little favor here and there keeps them loyal, he thought with amusement.
But before he could finish his task, the air above him suddenly trembled violently. Lightning flashed and Thor descended from the skies like a streak of electric fury.
"Thor, my senior! To what do I owe the pleasure?" Rowan said innocently, hiding a smirk.
Thor's face was a mix of shock and disbelief. "Wait, you you killed Mohanderson in a single strike?"
"Of course," Rowan replied casually. "I even thought about sparing him, but he was too eager to die."
Thor stared, slack-jawed. The confirmation hit him hard. His face went through several shades shock, frustration, admiration, and maybe even fear.
"Damn it… that means you're stronger than me now, doesn't it?" Thor muttered. "Tell me the truth, kid could you beat me?"
Rowan pretended to think for a moment. "Hmm… maybe. Unless you've awakened your domain."
He didn't say more than that. In truth, even if Thor had a domain, Rowan could crush him. But there was no need to shatter his pride completely.
"Unless I have a domain, huh?" Thor repeated, his eyes suddenly lighting up with determination.
He'd been dabbling with domain comprehension for a while, never taking it seriously. But now? Now his pride demanded it. The gap between them had become unbearable.
Luo Feng was catching up, and Rowan had already surpassed him. Thor couldn't stand being left behind.
Seeing the fire rekindle in Thor's eyes, Rowan nodded in satisfaction. "Good. You'll need that drive."
He went on to explain the properties of the Mu Ya Crystals.
When Thor heard what they could do, his thunderous voice boomed through the cavern. "Mu Ya Crystals?! On Earth?!"
As a veteran of countless cosmic battles, he knew what that meant. These crystals were rare even across the galaxy. If they existed here, it meant this island sat atop an ancient alien civilization.
That also explained the appearance of the Tentacle Emperor it had clearly grown strong by feeding on these crystals.
"Let's split up," Rowan said. "Luo Feng's already searching his area. You take the eastern zone; I'll handle the deeper tunnels."
Without waiting for a reply, Rowan summoned his Sky Piercer Shuttle, disappearing into the darkness. Thor followed soon after, unable to resist the lure of such power.
Meanwhile, across the ocean, Hong the First Elder and founder of the Limit Martial Hall had emerged from seclusion. His strength had soared after merging with the Demon Cloud Vine, and the first thing he heard upon returning was staggering news:
Rowan had killed Mohanderson in one blow.
And not only that he'd taken full control of Mist Island, monopolizing all the Mu Ya Crystals.
Hong couldn't help but laugh bitterly. "I underestimated him again. His strength must be at least at the sixth planetary rank by now."
Still, he was glad he'd encouraged a connection between Rowan and Yao Rao. It had been a smart move. Rowan's monstrous talent was beyond anything Earth had ever seen.
Outside the island, the HR Alliance and other world powers fumed.
"Damn that Rowan! He kicked us all out and took everything for himself!" one leader shouted.
But deep beneath the island, Rowan had already reached something far greater.
His shuttle drilled down, piercing through six thousand meters of rock. "Friday, how deep are we?" he asked.
"Six thousand meters, Boss," his AI replied.
Rowan whistled. "That deep already? And still not there?"
Then, through his mental senses, he felt it an alien structure buried even deeper below.
"There you are," he said softly, eyes gleaming.
He accelerated. The ground split open as he broke through into an enormous underground chamber. Futuristic metallic walls glowed faintly, lined with ancient alien inscriptions.
Rowan stepped out, surveying the place with genuine admiration. "Now this… this is craftsmanship."
On the floor lay a shard of black metal, impossibly sharp an unmistakable fragment of the Meteor Starship. Even the Black God armor couldn't withstand a cut from this.
"So, Babata," Rowan said, smiling faintly, "you've been watching me, huh? Ready to hand over your inheritance?"
His instincts told him he was right. Babata had been monitoring every human on Earth, waiting for a worthy successor.
And now, Rowan had caught his attention.
He passed through the remaining trials easily his power far beyond anything the system could measure.
"Enough hiding," Rowan called out. "Come on out already."
A mechanical hum filled the air. Then a holographic projection flickered to life.
A crimson light swept across him, analyzing his entire being.
"My god," came a metallic, astonished voice. "You've already reached the seventh level of the planetary stage? And your mental strength at star-level one? Incredible. Truly incredible. I've struck gold this time."
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