Swallowed Star: The Sacred Eye of Duplication

Standing before the sixteen ninth-order star-level Huya warriors, Ye Yun felt a shiver run through him, his legs trembling. The difference between star-level and planetary-level beings was immense. This pressure, from the sheer disparity in life levels, was incredibly difficult to withstand.

As he observed the star-level Huya warriors with their bulging muscles, all trying hard to show off, Ye Yun felt a deep sadness. In their faces, he saw the fate of countless humans.

The Huya people were genetically and biologically superior to Earthlings. Upon reaching adulthood, they could enter the planetary level. The more powerful members could reach the star level with ease. As Xinku had said, the Huya tribe had even produced cosmic-level masters.

Generally, a galaxy can only produce one cosmic-level master. Yet, despite this, the Huya people were still enslaved. The cosmic-level warriors were merely higher-level slaves, sold for a higher price, but their essence remained unchanged.

In the universe, only strength matters. If the Huya people could give birth to stronger warriors, domain lords, or even world masters, they could escape their fate of enslavement. Ultimately, power is the foundation of everything.

Ye Yun pushed his sadness aside and surveyed the Huya warriors before him. After a moment, he spoke calmly, "Not bad. What's the price?"

Xinku watched Ye Yun's reaction, knowing a big deal had just been made. His smile brightened, resembling a blooming chrysanthemum, as he replied with enthusiasm, "The market price for a ninth-level star warrior is generally 5 billion Black Dragon Coins each. But since the Huya tribe is so powerful, we have to add 500 million. For a Huya spiritualist, it's 16 billion each!"

Ye Yun thought the price reasonable. After a moment of consideration, he pointed to two of them. "We'll take these two. Keep the price as it is, but I also want fifty planetary ninth-level spiritualists, or I'll take the Huya tribe. Deal?"

Xinku's face darkened, like a pig's liver, and he quickly protested, "Sir, fifty planetary-level ninth-order spiritualists? If I give them all to you, I'll really lose money!"

Ye Yun snorted. "The two Huya warriors I'm buying are worth more than 20 billion Black Dragon Coins. Fifty planetary ninth-level spiritualists are worth less than 10 million. Are you trying to play games with me? If you agree, sign the contract; otherwise, I'll leave!"

Xinku, sensing Ye Yun wasn't joking, quickly masked his frustration with a smile. "Alright, sir. I'll draw up the contract right away."

Once the contract was signed and effective, Ye Yun didn't wait long. Under Xinku's direction, fifty planetary ninth-level Huya spiritualists gathered before him along with the two Huya warriors Ye Yun had chosen.

Simba and the others were busy with equipment, and Ye Yun had been informed that this step was to transfer the control of the slaves. He stood still as they worked, and after about ten minutes, the eyes of the fifty-two Huya people grew dull. Some of the equipment was aimed at Ye Yun, and soon after, the slaves' eyes began to shine once more. As they regained their senses, they bowed to Ye Yun and called out in unison, "Owner!"

With the control authority transferred, Ye Yun received a box from Simba, containing the control terminal chips for the fifty-two slaves. These chips would allow him to control them through his optical computer.

These slaves had advanced biological chips implanted in their brains. The chips retained their memories and mental faculties, but their loyalty to their master was absolute. Any disrespectful thought would be countered by the chip.

The biochip was secure and reliable. Only slaves with domain lord-level strength could resist its effects. As it stood, Ye Yun now held the highest control over these Huya people, making betrayal impossible.

After gaining control, Ye Yun transferred 21.5 billion Black Dragon Coins to Xinku. Ignoring Xinku's request for a virtual universe number, Ye Yun walked out of the slave market.

"In this universe, money is hard to spend," Ye Yun mused. "The 26 billion Black Dragon Coins I just received are almost gone!"

Yet for Ye Yun, money wasn't his primary concern. Given time, he could amass wealth. What truly mattered was improving his strength. After all, wealth was only useful when tied to power. Right now, he was a small planetary figure, relying on his spacecraft and guards to assert dominance. If his true identity were exposed, his possessions would become a target. Ye Yun was keenly aware of this.

Ye Yun was no fool, though. He wouldn't limit himself. If an opportunity to increase his strength came, he'd take it. But for now, his focus was on strengthening himself before the Universe Genius Battle.

After spending a few more days in Qiulong City, Ye Yun decided it was time to leave. He boarded the Black Dragon Mountain-X81 spacecraft, accompanied by the fifty-two slaves, and set off from the beautiful Qiulong Star.

Instead of rushing into the dark universe, Ye Yun kept the spacecraft moving slowly through the stars.

The fifty planetary-level ninth-order Huya warriors were placed in various cabins aboard the spacecraft. Ye Yun and the two stellar-level Huya warriors stayed in the control room.

Ye Yun sat in his chair, glancing at the two Huya warriors with determined faces. "Don't be nervous," he said with a smile. "I'm not a cruel person. You're at the stellar level, and I'm only at the second planetary level. I'll need your guidance in the future, so don't be too restrained."

The two Huya warriors exchanged glances and shook their heads, signaling their reluctance to speak out of turn. Thanks to the biochip, Ye Yun held more importance to them than their own lives. Despite Ye Yun's gentle tone, they dared not act too casually.

Seeing their hesitation, Ye Yun sighed and said, "I won't insist on your original names. You can keep them privately, but from now on, I'll call you A-Long and A-Hu. Is that acceptable?"

A-Long was a spiritual master, and A-Hu was a warrior. Upon hearing the new names, they both bowed their heads in gratitude.

Ye Yun waved his hand, signaling A-Long to speak. "A-Long, tell me about your Huya tribe."

A-Long, a bit surprised by Ye Yun's interest, began, "We, the Huya tribe, live in the Kumei galaxy. Over generations, we've occupied several life planets in this galaxy, which is on the edge of the Black Dragon Mountain star field. It's not governed by the Primary Empire of the Universe, so it's considered unclaimed land.

Originally, we ruled the Kumei galaxy. We thought our tribe would grow stronger. Then, one day, a group of slave trader ships entered our galaxy. That day, our world crumbled. Thousands of our people were captured. The strongest among us couldn't withstand a single attack, which only fueled the slave traders' desire to enslave us. It seemed they saw the Huya tribe as prime merchandise."

Even though this event had happened long before A-Long's birth, the anger in his voice was still palpable. His resentment towards the slave traders was undeniable. Despite the respect he felt for Ye Yun, the hatred ran deep.

A-Long paused, his voice tinged with self-mockery. "It's been five thousand years. We've been slaves for so long that we've earned a reputation in the slave market, and we're sold for a high price. The elders who fought to save us became tools used to control us."

The emotion in A-Long's voice broke through, tears brimming in his eyes, while A-Hu lowered his head in silence.

The atmosphere grew heavy for a moment, but Ye Yun broke the silence. "Enough of the past. We can't change it. What matters now is the future. Think of the Fuyu tribe, the Kouyou tribe, the Duyu tribe, and the Luyou tribe. All were once enslaved, but now look at them. They are some of the strongest tribes, with world masters and even immortals. We can't lose hope. Who's to say what the future holds?"

Ye Yun's words offered hope, and both A-Long and A-Hu looked up, their tears drying. A smile tugged at their lips, their eyes sparkling with newfound resolve.

Ye Yun continued, "A-Long, lead the way. Our next stop is Huya Star in the Kumei galaxy!"

A-Long and A-Hu exchanged a glance, their eyes now filled with an unspoken light, their spirits lifted for the first time in years.

...

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