Chapter Seventy-Three: Lord of the Earth

Ancient memories hidden within the bloodline of the golden-horned behemoth gradually surged into its mind. Its pair of dark golden pupils suddenly gleamed, transforming into a dazzling gold. The mysterious golden markings on its horn, neck, and the scales along its back began to shimmer faintly, radiating visible streaks of gold. The surrounding water seemed to pause for an instant, and even the seabed rocks beneath the enigmatic beast trembled ever so slightly. Energies surged into its body, and after devouring the last of the black eggshell, the golden-horned behemoth coiled at the sea bottom, surveying its surroundings.

It then noticed the fifty or so humans encircling it above the sea. Each exuded an aura that filled it with dread—especially one human clad in a dark golden battle suit, who was observing it with keen interest through thousands of meters of seawater, as if the water posed no barrier at all. From this person, it sensed the threat of death.

A deep, resonant cry rumbled from its throat as it rose in irritation and called out several times toward the surface, seemingly weighing its options. In the end, it could only utter a low, unwilling growl before flicking its tail and streaking through the water with a sharp whistle. It seemed born to traverse the ocean depths effortlessly, needing no air.

“Heh, trying to flee? Get it out of there!” Luo Yuan ordered. Among the slaves, a mental master of the third stellar rank raised his hand, and a powerful force seized the golden-horned beast, now only about sixteen meters long. No matter how the beast thrashed, it was useless; its body was hauled from the sea like a rocket by invisible power. Soon, it hovered motionless before Luo Yuan and the others, unable to move.

Surrounded by these powerful humans, the beast’s eyes showed no bloodlust—only helplessness and fear. Its body trembled, and in those dark golden eyes flickered a desperate longing to live.

“Hahaha, I have to say, this golden-horned cub is actually a bit cute,” Thunder God couldn’t help but laugh.

“If you had seen how savagely it slaughtered Earthlings, you wouldn’t find it cute at all,” Luo Yuan replied coolly. At this, Thunder God scratched his bald head awkwardly.

“So, what do you plan to do with it?” Hong asked calmly.

“Well, I haven’t decided yet. This golden-horned beast is extremely dangerous—given time, it will inevitably reach the realm lord level. Killing it seems a shame. Luo Feng, can your soul brand enslave it?” Luo Yuan turned to ask Luo Feng.

“I’m not sure. My mastery of the soul brand isn’t very advanced; I might fail,” Luo Feng said, somewhat embarrassed.

“No worries. I’ll train this beast a bit first—make it lower its soul defenses so it’ll be easier for you to claim it,” Luo Yuan said with a smile. “Give this creature a proper lesson. Remember, don’t cripple or kill it—do as you please otherwise!” Luo Yuan commanded his fifty or so stellar-level slaves.

“Yes, Master!” the slaves replied in unison, eyes gleaming with excitement and cruelty as they looked at the golden-horned beast. After all, the chance to brutalize a star-beast was something they could brag about for a lifetime.

Sounds of slaps and blows filled the air, interspersed with the beast’s howls and whimpers.

Luo Yuan and his companions stood in midair, watching as the fifty-odd stellar-level slaves beat the golden-horned beast, which could do nothing but endure the punishment. Though its hide was thick and flesh tough, it still howled in pain. Luo Feng and Thunder God turned away, unable to bear the sight. Hong remained expressionless, while Luo Yuan’s lips curled in a faint smile as he collected the properties dropped from the beast.

“Innate World (includes Metal Devourer, power-enhancing secret arts) talent skill +1.”
“Enhanced Talent skill +1.”
“Absolute Space talent skill +1.”
“Metal Law Comprehension talent skill +1.”
“‘Heaven-Rending Earth-Splitting’ (claw technique) skill +1.”
“‘Triple-Shock Universe Traverse’ (flight and escape technique) skill +1.”
…

Luo Yuan collected many of the beast’s skills, yet not the clone skill, since he lacked an internal world. The internal world was an innate organ to the golden-horned beast—something Luo Yuan could not acquire through picking up attributes, and thus, its associated clone skill was also out of reach.

He didn’t mind much; the clone skill was a dispensable trifle to him.

For two whole months, Luo Yuan subjected the golden-horned beast to “loving education” until it finally submitted and let Luo Feng plant the slave mark to claim it.

The group brought the beast back to Jiangnan Base City for a well-earned rest.

A month later, Luo Yuan and his companions arrived at the Black Dragon Mountain Empire’s official offices on Biyan Star.

“Congratulations, Mr. Luo Yuan. From this moment, you are the lord of this planet—Earth. Ah, I should address you as ‘Lord’ now. Congratulations, my lord,” the official said, rising with a smile.

“Thank you,” Luo Yuan replied, smiling in turn, while Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God could scarcely conceal their excitement.

Once the procedures finished, Luo Yuan’s citizenship in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire was updated to reflect his new status as ‘Planetary Lord.’

“Hahaha, old third, from now on you’re our Earth’s lord,” Thunder God laughed heartily.

“Alas, for me, the title only means responsibility. By the way, let’s head to Qiu Long Star again; I want to buy some materials, and perhaps see if I can acquire a few universe-level slaves,” Luo Yuan said calmly.

“Universe-level slaves?” Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God stared in shock.

“No need to be so surprised. I believe that while laws are important, true strength is even more vital. Only with might do we have confidence!” Luo Yuan said with a smile.

The group then hurried to Qiu Long Star.

…

Qiu Long Star, Qiu Long City.

“The skies of this planet are as beautiful as ever,” Luo Yuan sighed as they walked down the street.

The four found a private room at a restaurant and feasted.

Soon after, Luo Yuan initiated a call to the slave manager he’d met when purchasing slaves on Qiu Long Star. True to his mercantile nature, the call was answered within seconds. On his wrist display appeared a lean man with green hair and an effusively warm smile.

“Mr. Luo Yuan, I’m so pleased you contacted me—this is truly exciting!” the green-haired man greeted him enthusiastically.

“Wula,” Luo Yuan said with a smile, “I’m here to ask if your boss can acquire… universe-level slaves.”

“Universe-level slaves?” the green-haired man’s eyes widened.

The highest grade of slave was universe-level. To reduce a universe-level powerhouse to slavery, you first had to capture them alive and implant a biochip while they were completely subdued. Accomplishing that required much more than just superior strength—it demanded coordination on many fronts.

“If you truly want one, it’s possible! We have stock!” The green-haired man fixed his gaze on Luo Yuan. “It all depends on whether Mr. Luo Yuan has enough funds.”

“How much for a first-tier universe-level slave?” Luo Yuan asked.

“They’re priced in trillions of Black Dragon coins. In fact, most such transactions are settled in Qianwu coins,” the green-haired man replied.

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