Chapter 96: Qiu Jia Hou Clan

Time passed, and before they knew it, more than ten days had gone by.

“We’ll reach the vicinity of Yanji Continent in just over an hour!”

Inside the spaceship’s lounge, Captain Xuan Konghou scanned his team members, his voice stern: “Yanji Continent is the most dangerous combat zone within the entire 026th Military Base’s operational range. Though it can’t compare to places like the Star Tower or the Twin Vortex Regions, it’s still teeming with deadly threats—so everyone must remain utterly vigilant during operations!”

“Don’t worry, Captain!” All members of the Xuan Kong team nodded in unison.

At that moment, Xuan Konghou turned to Lu Qing and added seriously: “Lei Bao, you’re new, and this is your first time on Yanji Continent—so you must be extra cautious during operations!”

“You may have an immortal body that cannot die, but that doesn’t mean military-lord immortals pose no threat to you. For instance, some mechanical race military-lord immortals, if armed with powerful mechanical weapons, could potentially kill even a marquis-rank immortal!”

“I understand!” Lu Qing nodded quickly.

He had already researched numerous details about the Outer Battlefield.

If we only consider the four peak races…

The insect race has the fewest warriors, but each one is terrifying. With sufficient resources, even a sovereign-level insect empress can threaten a king-rank immortal; a non-royal insect empress at the immortal level is even more fearsome—since insect empresses must achieve king-rank law comprehension to break through to immortality, they have no distinction between military-lord and marquis-rank. Every immortal-level insect empress is among the most terrifying entities on the Outer Battlefield.

The mechanical race is famed on the Outer Battlefield for their powerful mechanical weapons. Though such weapons require immense strength to wield, if a mechanical race military-lord immortal wields a terrifying weapon, they can pose a grave threat even to king-rank immortals. Thus, upon encountering a mechanical race warrior, you can never immediately judge their true strength. Of course, any mechanical race warrior’s sensors far surpass those of peers at the same level, making detection of them extremely difficult.

The beast race is renowned on the Outer Battlefield for having the greatest numbers and the strongest individual power. Especially royal and noble beast race members often possess colossal divine bodies; when fighting such opponents, few at the same level can match them. Unless you’re several ranks above them, the moment you encounter one, flee immediately—delaying only worsens your position.

Human race warriors are comparatively ordinary in raw power, merely slightly stronger than peers from other powerful or ordinary races due to humanity’s immense foundational strength. Yet humanity possesses the Virtual Universe, granting unparalleled speed in support and coordinated operations—something even the most technologically advanced mechanical race cannot rival.

Of course, humanity’s greatest strength is its comprehension. At lower levels, the gap with other races may be negligible, but as power grows, the disparity caused by comprehension becomes ever more pronounced.

For example, in the original story, humanity’s two supreme cosmic beings—Yuan Zu and the Giant Axe—were both peerless in their ranks. Yuan Zu even single-handedly dominated the entire Cosmic Sea. Additionally, humanity boasts five five-star cosmic masters: Hun Dun, Hei An, and Peng Gong, along with numerous four-star cosmic masters like Bing Feng, Long Xing, Xu Jin, Huang Jian, and Qing Dong.

At this moment, Xuan Konghou again addressed Lu Qing: “Yanji Continent is divided into the main continent and floating fragments surrounding it. You’ve already studied the star map, I assume—the main continent’s diameter reaches 1.8 light-years. It teems with warriors; nearly every squad is led by a marquis-rank immortal, and some even have king-rank immortals. It’s extremely dangerous!”

“The fragments floating around the main continent are called ‘fragments’ only in comparison to the whole continent—yet even the smallest is millions of kilometers across, and the largest spans tens of trillions of kilometers. As a result, these land fragments harbor countless alien warriors.”

“Our Xuan Kong team usually operates on the main continent, but since Lei Bao has just joined us, we need a few battles to synchronize our coordination—so this time we’ll head to Island No. 9527, commonly known as ‘Lonewolf Island.’”

“According to intelligence from other factions, Lonewolf Island hosts roughly a hundred marquis-rank immortals and one king-rank immortal. For our team, it’s a relatively safe training ground. Once we’ve fought a few times and our coordination improves, we can move to the main continent without haste.”

“I understand, Captain!” Lu Qing nodded quickly.

Every squad needs time to integrate new members. Even when I was a sovereign, I went through this—let alone an elite divine squad like this.

That’s precisely why the Xuan Kong team decided to temporarily train on Lonewolf Island before heading to the main continent.

“I’m looking forward to seeing your strength, Lei Bao!” murmured the spirit-witch of the Chi Mei race, “Meng Yan,” her purple eyes glinting with quiet anticipation.

For her, the stronger the team, the safer their ventures on the Outer Battlefield.

“I’d also like to see how powerful a marquis-rank beginner with a trillion military credits really is.”

The giant elephant chuckled: “Can he rival Ironblood Marquis?”

At that moment, all other members of the Xuan Kong team turned their gazes toward Lu Qing—some skeptical, some curious, some expectant.

Lu Qing merely smiled faintly, paying it no mind.

…

Half a day later, the spaceship finally performed cosmic transit, re-entering the Original Universe—clearly arriving in the region of Lonewolf Island.

Since returning from Dark Universe requires complete stillness, there was no need to search for cosmic transit points as when entering it.

“Stay alert. Don’t let your guard down!”

As soon as the spaceship re-entered the Original Universe, Captain Xuan Konghou warned: “We’ve reached Lonewolf Island. Enemy attacks could come at any moment—combat could erupt anytime!”

“Don’t worry, Captain!” laughed the Yan Poro warrior, the giant elephant. “My battle blade is thirsty for alien blood!”

Meanwhile, Deputy Captain Ironblood Marquis walked up to Lu Qing and smiled: “Lei Bao, don’t be nervous. We’ve all been new recruits. If trouble arises, we’ll all help you through it.”

Lu Qing nodded with a smile.

He felt no tension at all—only excitement and anticipation.

“Finally, I can fight without restraint!” Lu Qing thought inwardly.

Now he finally understood why so many immortal spirits in the transport division, despite knowing they might perish on the Outer Battlefield, still applied to join.

Compared to the thrill of the Outer Battlefield, transport division work was unbearably dull.

Lu Qing had only worked in transport for over a million years—let alone those who had served for tens or even hundreds of millions.

Fortunately, Lu Qing now possessed the ability to create avatars. While his main body endured tedious duties, his second avatar could freely hone himself on the Outer Battlefield.

…

Next, the Xuan Kong team boarded their spaceship and sped through the void, avoiding floating obstacles whenever possible.

“Lonewolf Island’s maximum diameter is five trillion kilometers—it naturally hides countless enemies!”

Xuan Konghou smiled: “We just need to fly above the island and use our sensors to scan the surroundings—we’ll surely find suitable targets.”

“Captain’s sensor cost five trillion military credits to acquire—extremely valuable. Even many peak marquis-rank immortals hesitate to spend so much on a sensor!”

Shadow chuckled: “That’s why Captain’s sensor gives us a huge advantage—we often detect enemies before they even notice us!”

Hearing this, Lu Qing nodded slightly.

Any warrior venturing onto the Outer Battlefield can exchange accumulated military credits for various treasures.

Generally, one hundred thousand military credits can be exchanged for one hundun unit.

Xuan Konghou’s sensor cost five trillion military credits—equivalent to five million hundun units, enough to match the entire fortune of a beginner marquis-rank immortal.

Of course, warriors who dare venture onto the Outer Battlefield are wealthy, yet five million hundun units remain highly valuable.

In the original story, Luo Feng paid ten million hundun units to a king-rank peak warrior for a teleportation service.

“While we scan for aliens, if their sensors are also valuable, they might detect ours too.”

Xuan Konghou smiled: “But most alien warriors are poor—they likely can’t afford expensive sensors, so they only react after we strike.”

Hearing this, Lu Qing nodded slightly.

A good sensor truly grants the advantage of initiative.

If your sensor is inferior to the enemy’s, you’re at a disadvantage—you might not even locate them, forced into passive defense.

Of course, merely scanning without attacking makes it hard to discern an enemy’s true strength. So even if you detect an alien, you might still step on a landmine.

The spaceship advanced at sub-light speed, while Xuan Konghou’s sensor continuously probed the surroundings.

…

Five days later…

“Captain, combat fluctuations detected forty million kilometers ahead!” said the icy-faced “Leng Xin.”

“Oh?”

At Leng Xin’s warning, everyone turned to the void screen.

“It’s insect-race warriors fighting mechanical-race warriors!”

Xuan Konghou quickly said: “The mechanical-race high military-lord immortal seems on the verge of collapse—likely about to self-destruct. That mechanical-race marquis-rank immortal is quite strong—possibly even reached high marquis-rank!”

“Captain, should we go take a look?” asked Deputy Captain Ironblood Marquis.

“No,” Xuan Konghou shook his head. “By the time we arrive, the battle will be over. And that insect-race marquis-rank warrior isn’t someone to mess with. Let’s not invite trouble.”

Hearing this, the Xuan Kong team immediately abandoned the target and resumed searching for other alien warriors.

Until two months later, the Xuan Kong team finally found a suitable target.

“Captain, target located!”

Jing Tao Marquis grinned: “Over thirty million kilometers away, three immortal spirit signatures, plus over ten sovereigns.”

“Three immortals? Easy pickings!” Shadow eagerly said.

“Still, we should be cautious,” said the cold-faced Leng Xin seriously. “Any immortal daring to roam Yanji Continent likely has hidden cards.”

Cold Heart, with a cold expression, said seriously: "Those Immortals who dare to roam the Yanji Continent usually have confidence in themselves—perhaps they even have some hidden cards!"

The giant elephant growled: “Even if one’s a marquis-rank, they’re no real threat to us! After so long without combat, I’m about to burst! Captain, let’s move!”

“Then strike!” Xuan Konghou gave the order, sealing the fate of the alien squad.

With the Xuan Kong team’s strength, defeating three immortals and over ten sovereigns was certain.

Soon, the spaceship turned sharply, heading toward the alien squad’s location.

Moments later, Lu Qing and the others arrived within a million kilometers of the enemy.

“Slow the ship. Stop temporarily.”

“The sensor has captured the exact appearance of this target. Here are all their members—study them carefully!”

Xuan Konghou waved his hand, and a new screen appeared mid-air, displaying over a dozen images, each with detailed data: height, skin tone, etc.

The images showed both men and women—visually distinct, yet clearly from the same race.

These aliens’ bodies were entirely composed of rock, their shapes resembling turtles, with grotesque heads bearing blood-red eyes and thick armor covering their frames.

“It’s the Qiu Jia Hou race from the beast race!” Ironblood Marquis grinned.

As a core member of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance, he naturally had access to detailed alien data.

He quickly explained to the team: “The Qiu Jia Hou race has slightly superior defense compared to peers at the same level, but lacks flexibility—a typical rock-type alien with clear strengths and weaknesses.”

Soon, Ironblood Marquis smiled and introduced to everyone: "The Qiujiashou Clan has slightly superior defense compared to peers of the same level, but lacks flexibility—making them a rock-type alien race with very clear strengths and weaknesses!"

Xuan Konghou ordered swiftly: “We move stealthily. Try not to alert them—if they flee immediately, wiping them out will be difficult.”

“Understood!” Lu Qing and the others replied in unison.

Immediately, the Xuan Kong team quietly left the spaceship.

After Xuan Konghou casually dismissed the vessel, Lu Qing and the others swiftly flew toward the Qiu Jia Hou warriors.

After the Xuan Kong Marquis casually retrieved the spaceship, Lu Qingshan and the others swiftly flew toward the direction of the Qiujiashou Clan’s experts.

Meanwhile, inside a cavern within a vast mountain range stood an ancient palace.

Xuan Konghou’s sensor far surpassed the Qiu Jia Hou warriors’ equipment—so as Lu Qing’s team approached, the aliens remained oblivious, still celebrating together.

“Brothers, let’s toast to Third Brother’s successful breakthrough into immortality!”

Brothers, let us all congratulate Third Brother on his successful breakthrough into Immortality!

One of the Qiujiahou clan’s immortals raised his cup and proposed a toast: “Back then, over a hundred of us brothers came to this Outer Battlefield to carve our names—today, ninety-two have fallen, but three of us have broken through to become true Immortal Deities. This is absolutely worth celebrating!”

“That’s right! The enemies who wiped out our tribe had only three Immortal Deities!”

Another Qiujiahou clan immortal added: “If just one more of our brothers breaks through to immortality, we can return home and seek revenge—we’ll make them pay in blood for every drop they spilled!”

“Blood for blood!”

“Blood for blood!”

All the Qiujiahou clan immortals shouted in fierce excitement.

“Too bad our elder brother has fallen!”

The Qiujiahou clan immortal with the strongest aura waved for silence, then spoke gravely: “Our elder brother led us through the Crimson Blood Tribe’s pursuit, brought us to this Outer Battlefield brimming with fortune, and ultimately gave his life shielding us from the might of the Mechanical Clan’s elites. We must never forget him!”

“Don’t worry, Seventh Brother!”

The first to speak, the Qiujiahou clan immortal, replied at once: “We’ll all remember our elder brother! Once we return home and build a new tribe, we’ll enshrine him in the Sacred Hall so every member knows the debt we owe him!”

“Good!”

The Qiujiahou clan immortal with the mightiest aura declared: “We’ll rest here for half a month, then resume our hunt for new prey!”

“Yes!” The other Qiujiahou clan members responded in unison.

…

In the void, Lu Qingshan’s group had drawn within one hundred thousand kilometers of the Qiujiahou clan’s warriors.

Such a distance was but a blink to Immortal Deities.

“Stop!” Captain Xuan Kong Hou transmitted his voice directly.

Everyone halted, hovering motionless in midair.

Fortunately, their detectors shielded them from the Qiujiahou clan’s scans, so there was no risk of detection.

“Don’t rush!”

Xuan Kong Hou smiled as he transmitted: “I judge these enemies are weak. Let Lei Bao handle this battle—it’ll let us see his strength. What do you think?”

“Captain, there are three Immortal Deities on the other side!”

The Yanbolo clan giant, Xiang, spoke quickly: “Together, they can easily hold off a Marquis-level Immortal. If they scatter and flee, we won’t be able to annihilate them all!”

“That’s easily solved.”

Xuan Kong Hou smiled: “The rest of us can spread out in all directions to guard against escape before Lei Bao strikes—they won’t get away.”

“I agree!” Tie Xue Hou nodded first.

“I agree too!”

“I’m fine with it!”

The members of Xuan Kong’s squad voiced their support.

Xuan Kong Hou’s gaze turned swiftly to Lu Qingshan: “Lei Bao, what do you say?”

“I’m fine with it,” Lu Qingshan nodded promptly.

He truly wanted to know how far his current strength could carry him in a true life-or-death battle!

The plan was set. Xuan Kong’s squad moved swiftly.

First, Xuan Kong Hou and the others dispersed to all four directions to block escape routes; then Lu Qingshan shot forward like a streak of light toward the Qiujiahou clan warriors.

In flight, Zi Lei Jian appeared instantly in Lu Qingshan’s hand.

“Go!”

With a casual flick, a brilliant violet sword beam lanced toward the Qiujiahou clan warriors.

(End of Chapter)