"All of us in America are also willing to exchange treasures of great value!"
"And so are we!"
Representatives from various nations and powerful factions began shouting one after another, their voices rising in the virtual meeting space. Each of them hoped to obtain Muya Crystals those mysterious stones capable of elevating a mid-level War God straight to the Planetary Rank.
The temptation was immense. A single being beyond the War God level could serve as the pillar of a nation or an entire organization. The more Planetary-level powerhouses a country possessed, the stronger its position on the world stage. That was the reason so many had sent their envoys and even beasts under their control to seek out Rowan.
Every piece of the Muya Crystal from Mist Island had already fallen into the hands of Rowan and Luo Feng. After their departure, countless forces had swarmed the island, searching every inch. They found nothing not a single shard.
Then came a rumor, spreading like wildfire: Rowan was said to possess nearly thirty Muya Crystals. Thirty! The thought alone made even the most disciplined of nations restless. True or not, none could afford to ignore such news.
They all came with the same goal to trade, bargain, or even beg for the crystals that could create more Planetary-level warriors.
But Rowan's answer was cold and absolute.
"Not for sale."
He cast a sharp glance at his subordinate, the Beast, his tone edged with quiet threat. "And if you ever make that kind of offer again, I'll make sure you regret it."
The Beast lowered its head in shame, not daring to argue. Everyone present knew Rowan's strength had long surpassed his own. He could kill a Planetary warrior like Mohandson with a single strike. There was no question who was superior.
Just as Rowan was about to log out of the meeting, a calm voice interrupted him.
"Excuse me," said a man who stepped forward from the crowd. "May I have a private word?"
It was Jia Yi.
The room quieted. The other delegates exchanged mocking looks, whispering among themselves.
"Foolish move," one muttered. "Rowan won't even sell to the U.S. or Russia. Does that man think he's special?"
They all knew why Rowan refused. Even if every nation pooled together their treasures, it might not amount to the worth of a single Muya Crystal. It wasn't about greed; it was about power.
Jia Yi stood firm despite the whispers. His expression was grave, his brows drawn tight. He didn't know whether Rowan would listen but for the future of his country, he had to try.
Everyone waited for Rowan to dismiss him with scorn.
But instead, Rowan gave a faint smile. "Come find me."
With that, he logged off.
Three simple words sent shockwaves through the gathered leaders.
"What?" someone gasped. "He agreed?"
"He refused us all but he said yes to him?!" a Russian Planetary warrior growled, his eyes flashing with fury. "Is he mocking us?"
The European envoy, Ist, clenched his jaw, the polite façade gone from his face. He had traveled across the world to secure cooperation, only to be humiliated.
But no one dared act on their anger. Not a single one. They all knew Rowan's power terrifying, absolute, on par with the world's strongest elders. To challenge him would be suicide.
Jia Yi, meanwhile, logged off with his heart pounding. Without wasting a moment, he boarded a military aircraft and sped toward Rowan's residence in the Mingyue District.
When he arrived, he entered Rowan's home respectfully. Despite being much older, he bowed slightly. "Mr. Rowan."
Rowan gestured toward the seat opposite him. "Sit down, Chief Jia. I already know why you've come. Inside these cases," he said, nodding to two metal boxes on the table, "are twenty Muya Crystals."
Rowan's companion, Li Mu, opened them. Instantly, the room filled with a faint golden fragrance. Jia Yi froze, his eyes widening in disbelief as he stared at the twenty radiant crystals nestled within.
Twenty! That was enough to raise twenty War Gods into Planetary-level powerhouses. The sheer weight of that realization made his breath catch. His chest tightened, his hands trembled slightly as he tried to keep his composure.
"Mr. Rowan," he began, voice unsteady. "Please, name your price. Whatever conditions you ask, the military will "
Rowan raised a hand, silencing him. His voice was calm but resolute.
"Chief Jia, take them. I don't need anything in return. As a son of Earth, this is the least I can do for our people. Use these crystals wisely give them to those who are honest and upright, those who can truly protect humanity."
Jia Yi blinked, speechless. For a moment, he thought he'd misheard.
Twenty Muya Crystals… for free?
Ten minutes later, he was back aboard his aircraft, the two heavy cases beside him. Even as the engines roared beneath him, he could hardly believe it was real.
It felt like a dream.
While humanity reeled from the impact of the Muya Crystal's discovery, far beneath the waves, another event of cosmic significance was unfolding.
The fallen meteorite the one that had crashed into the ocean days ago wasn't a rock at all. It was an egg.
And now, it was hatching.
The young Golden-Horned Beast had already devoured its entire shell, its body shimmering with faint golden scales. It had grown rapidly, its energy surging to the sixth stage of the Planetary Rank.
Driven by an insatiable hunger, the creature turned its gaze toward the sea monsters around it. The ocean trembled as a new wave of slaughter began blood, foam, and thunder filling the deep abyss.
Meanwhile, in the military's underground base, Jia Yi had returned. The human leadership was astonished and deeply moved when they learned that Rowan had donated the crystals selflessly, without demanding a single thing in return.
Still, Jia Yi kept the full truth hidden. Publicly, he reported that they had received only two Muya Crystals. It was a necessary precaution too much power drew too much attention.
Those two crystals were soon given to two of the army's most gifted War Gods. Within just four days, both broke through to the Planetary Rank.
The news spread like wildfire, stirring envy and awe across every nation.
At the Hong Ning Base, Hong, Thor, and Luo Feng gathered together.
Luo Feng had obtained more than a hundred Muya Crystals during the Mist Island expedition. Generously, he handed five of them to Hong, while keeping some for his own advancement. Thor, too, had earned six crystals from his battles in the island's depths.
"Rowan's a real tyrant," Thor said with a grin, scratching his head. "Didn't even let anyone else near the island. Sometimes I can't decide if I should thank him or curse him."
Hong chuckled. "Rowan's nature is straightforward but not malicious. He has the heart of a warrior. Anyone would covet the Muya Crystals. He's still young far too young to have power that surpasses even Mohandson's. But the stronger he becomes, the better it is for all of us."
He paused, then added softly, "If I had been the one in his place, I might've shared the chance more widely. Humanity needs collective strength, not solitary heroes."
Luo Feng listened quietly, his expression unreadable.
He knew something they didn't Rowan had already reached the Star Level. Both as a warrior and as a psychic, his power had long surpassed Hong's. But Rowan hadn't told anyone. Luo Feng could only assume there was a reason.
From within Luo Feng's mind, the artificial intelligence Babata let out an annoyed sigh. "Hmph! What a bunch of frogs in a well! Rowan's already inherited the legacy of the Ink Star. He's been gone for days, and it's driving me crazy!"
Babata muttered on, but Luo Feng only smiled wryly.
Rowan might be eccentric, but his talent was terrifying. Still, among humans, Hong's gift remained unmatched. To comprehend the Field at the Planetary stage was unheard of, even in the vast Qianwu Empire.
Thor, too, was no ordinary man his Ninefold Thunder Blade technique could amplify his strength sevenfold, a feat most warriors could only dream of.
And now, with the Muya Crystals spreading through humanity, the age of rapid evolution had begun.
Days later, Luo Feng received a transmission from Rowan.
"Come find me. I'm in the desert. Bring Babata."
Without hesitation, Luo Feng packed his things, boarded his new fighter, and sped across the sands.
When he arrived, Rowan was already waiting. Babata floated out, crossing its arms. "Hmph! Took you long enough! Do you know how boring it's been without my systems online?"
Rowan sighed. "Relax. I'm here now." He grabbed Babata by the back of its holographic projection, ignoring its indignant yelps.
"You dare manhandle me?! I'm the great Babata, supreme intelligence of the Ink Star! You can't just hey, put me down!"
Rowan rolled his eyes and turned to Luo Feng. "Focus on your training. The Ink Star legacy is your greatest opportunity. I'll have Babata set up an auxiliary system to help you."
Luo Feng bowed his head. "Thank you, Rowan."
Rowan gave him a brief nod, then stepped onto his Sky-Sliding Disc and vanished into the horizon.
Luo Feng watched him go, his fists clenched tight, his eyes burning with determination.
"Rowan," he whispered, "one day, I'll be strong enough to stand beside you not behind you. That's my promise."
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