Chapter 199: Clear Hierarchy

Xiao Dian took a deep breath, his gaze gradually turning sharp. He gently pushed Zhang Cheng's hand away and strode toward the group of green-skinned aliens still mocking them wantonly.

"What did you say?!" Xiao Dian's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable authority, and the surrounding air seemed to solidify.

The group of green-skinned aliens was clearly intimidated by Xiao Dian's aura, their earlier arrogance instantly shrinking several degrees. The lead green-skinned alien stammered, "I, I said… you bunch of country bumpkins…"

"Country bumpkins?" Xiao Dian gave a cold laugh. "I'd say you're the real frogs in the well!"

"What, what do you want to do?!" The lead green-skinned alien grew somewhat panicked, blustering with a fierce exterior but weak within. "Let me tell you, I'm from the Klein Planet Guard Army…"

Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Dian slapped him and sent him flying. He crashed heavily to the ground, vomiting blood.

"Stop!"

Just then, an angry roar came from afar. A burly alien clad in silver armor strode over with a squad of soldiers, menacing and aggressive.

"Guard Commander!" Seeing the newcomer, the green-skinned aliens immediately seemed to have found their backbone. They crowded around him, crying out their grievances.

"What happened?" The Guard Commander swept his gaze over the green-skinned alien beaten to the ground, his brow tightly furrowed.

"Lord Guard Commander, they, they attacked us for no reason…" The lead green-skinned alien pointed at Xiao Dian, lodging his complaint with embellished details.

The Guard Commander followed his finger toward Xiao Dian, a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes. These people were clearly country bumpkins from some remote star system—how dare they cause trouble on his turf? They must have a death wish!

"Who are you people? How dare you run wild on Klein Planet!" the Guard Commander barked.

Seeing this, Zhang Cheng knew he could no longer stay silent. He was just about to explain when he saw Xiao Dian shoot him a glance, signaling him not to intervene.

"What, you want to bully us with numbers?" A cold smirk curled the corner of Xiao Dian's mouth as he surveyed the surrounding guards, who were eyeing them like tigers watching their prey.

Before the Guard Commander could speak, he suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching from the side. He turned to look and saw a stunningly beautiful woman in a long black dress, who had appeared behind them at some unknown time.

"Kelinda!" Zhang Cheng called out in pleasant surprise.

Kelinda gave a slight nod, her gaze sweeping over the guards as she said in an icy tone, "Are you lot courting death?"

As her words fell, a terrifying pressure erupted from her body, instantly engulfing the entire plaza. The guards felt their breathing seize up, as though pinned beneath a great mountain, unable to move.

The Guard Commander's expression changed drastically, his eyes filled with horror. This aura was actually at Stellar Rank peak!

He struggled to raise his head and looked at Kelinda, his voice trembling as he asked, "You, you are…"

"Kelinda Austin," Kelinda said coldly. "Remember this name. The next time I see you bullying the weak, don't blame me for being impolite!"

With that, she paid no further attention to the guards, turned around, walked to Zhang Cheng's side, and said softly, "Let's go."

Zhang Cheng and Xiao Dian exchanged a glance, both seeing the shock in each other's eyes. Kelinda's strength was actually this terrifying!

The three of them continued toward the teleportation array. This time, no one dared to block their way again.

After Kelinda displayed her unfathomable strength, the aliens along the way who had originally been pointing and whispering about Zhang Cheng and the others hastily reined in their contemptuous expressions, replaced by unmasked reverence. They had never imagined that these seemingly unremarkable outsiders actually knew a powerhouse at Stellar Rank peak!

The teleportation array plaza of Klein Planet was dozens of times larger than any plaza on Earth. All manner of bizarrely shaped aliens bustled about, like a cosmic exposition of myriad races. Under Duo Yun's lead, Zhang Cheng and the others arrived before an enormous archway that radiated seven-colored light, within which the flow of spatial power was faintly visible.

"This is the portal to the galactic center," Duo Yun said, pointing at the archway. "Each teleportation consumes a massive amount of energy, so you have to queue up and wait."

Zhang Cheng looked at the long, snaking line before him and couldn't help but marvel at the vastness of the universe and its endless wonders. In the queue, there were lizardmen covered head to toe in metallic scales, giants with three eyes, and energy beings floating in midair, emitting a faint blue glow…

"With this many people, how long until it's our turn?" Xiao Dian looked at the endless line and couldn't help asking.

"Patience, little one," Duo Yun smiled. "Time is the most precious thing in the universe, but wasting time is also a form of cultivation."

Waiting time always felt long. Zhang Cheng observed the surrounding crowd out of sheer boredom when he suddenly noticed, at the front of the queue near the light card checkpoint, several aliens dressed in black uniforms with a golden lightning emblem printed on their chests. These aliens clearly didn't fit in with the rest of the queue. They exuded powerful auras, and the other aliens nearby all kept a respectful distance.

"Lord Duo Yun," Xiao Dian had also noticed those black-clad aliens. He asked in a low voice, "Who are those people? Why don't they have to queue?"

Duo Yun followed Xiao Dian's gaze, his eyes flickering slightly, and said evenly, "They are Adjudicators from other star systems, responsible for maintaining order at the portal…"

"Adjudicators? But…" Xiao Dian seemed to want to ask something more, but Duo Yun waved his hand and cut him off.

"Enough, don't ask so many questions," Duo Yun said, somewhat impatiently. "Just mind your own business."

Xiao Dian still wanted to say something, but he saw Zhang Cheng gently tug at the corner of his clothes, signaling him to stop asking.

"What is it?" Zhang Cheng asked in a low voice.

"Look," Xiao Dian lowered his voice, pointing at those black-clad Adjudicators. "They seem to be looking at us…"

Zhang Cheng followed Xiao Dian's gaze and saw that those black-clad Adjudicators were indeed looking their way, their eyes carrying a trace of scrutiny and… hostility?

The black-clad Adjudicators' gazes were as sharp as blades, sweeping over Zhang Cheng and the others with unmasked scrutiny, as if looking at a flock of lambs awaiting slaughter. Xiao Dian felt uneasy in his heart. He noticed that Duo Yun, unlike how he treated the other Adjudicators, did not step forward to greet them, and instead deliberately avoided their line of sight.

"Lord Duo Yun," Xiao Dian lowered his voice and asked in confusion, "Those Lord Adjudicators… you don't know them? Why don't you go up and say hello?"

Duo Yun's expression remained as usual, only a fleeting, barely perceptible cold glint flashing through his eyes. He said evenly, "The universe is vast and Adjudicators are countless. How could I know every single one?"

"But…" Xiao Dian still wanted to say something, but Duo Yun waved his hand and cut him off.

"Enough, mind your own business and don't talk nonsense." A hint of warning seeped through Duo Yun's voice.

Xiao Dian's confusion deepened, but he dared not ask again and could only obediently shut his mouth. Zhang Cheng observed all this from the side. He keenly noticed Duo Yun's unusual behavior and secretly speculated that the relationship between these black-clad Adjudicators and Duo Yun might not be as simple as it appeared on the surface.

The queue moved slowly forward. Just as Zhang Cheng and the others were about to follow the flow of the crowd, a resonant voice suddenly rang out behind them: "Make way! Make way!"

Everyone turned to look and saw a burly alien clad in silver battle armor striding toward them with long, swift steps. Behind him followed a squad of fully armed soldiers, each and every one menacing and brimming with killing intent.

"It's the Guard Commander!"

"The second-in-command of Klein Planet!"

The surrounding aliens cried out in alarm and voluntarily parted to both sides, clearing a path for the newcomer.

"Guard Commander? Who's that?" Xiao Dian asked with a blank look.

"The military leader of Klein Planet, second in rank only to the Planet Lord," Zhang Cheng explained in a low voice, his gaze fixed steadily on the approaching Guard Commander.

The Guard Commander walked up to Zhang Cheng and the others, his gaze like lightning sweeping over them before finally settling on Duo Yun. He said arrogantly, "You few are in the way. Get to the back!"

Duo Yun frowned slightly and was about to say something, but Zhang Cheng stopped him.

"We'll move right now." Zhang Cheng said, pulling Xiao Dian along as he stepped back. Kelinda also followed behind them without a word.

The Guard Commander gave a cold snort and marched off with his soldiers, leaving the surrounding aliens buzzing with discussion.

The queue continued to move forward. Zhang Cheng and the others followed silently, no one saying a word. Just then, a commotion came from the direction of the portal. Dozens of squads, dressed in uniform attire, came swaggering through another passage…

Dozens of squads, like a surging torrent, dressed in uniform silver-gray uniforms with gleaming "VIP" emblems on their chests, marched proudly through a special passage. Their formation was perfectly aligned, their strides vigorous and powerful, forming a stark contrast with the ordinary queues.

As these VIP squads passed by Zhang Cheng and the others, they made no attempt to hide the contempt in their eyes. Someone even mocked in a low voice, "Look at these country bumpkins—they've probably never seen a portal in their entire lives, have they?"

"Exactly, every one of them looking like a mess, who knows how they sneaked in."

Xiao Dian's face flushed red, and he couldn't help but ask in a low voice, "Lord Duo Yun, who are these people? Why are they so arrogant?"

Duo Yun smiled faintly and explained, "They are VIP users of the Galactic Alliance, enjoying priority passage. Besides VIP, there is also the higher-tier SVIP, and at the very top of the pyramid—Black Gold members. These privileged users are either immensely powerful figures or merchants wealthy enough to rival nations, possessing energy beyond what ordinary people could imagine."

Zhang Cheng nodded thoughtfully after hearing this. He turned to look at Duo Yun and asked tentatively, "Lord Duo Yun, should we also…"

"No need." Duo Yun directly interrupted Zhang Cheng, a trace of disdain in his tone. "Those empty titles are but fleeting clouds; I disdain to pursue them."

Zhang Cheng was about to say more, but was interrupted by an even grander commotion. In the distance, an even larger convoy was slowly approaching—and they were no longer riding simple flying craft, but luxuriously decorated interstellar ships!

The ship was pitch-black all over, its surface inlaid with countless dazzling gemstones that radiated a blinding brilliance under the light of the star. Surrounding the ship, dozens of escort frigates provided protection, their imposing presence inspiring awe and fear.

"It's SVIP!"

"Look, it's the emblem of the Interstellar Consortium!"

Waves of exclamations erupted from the crowd. Everyone, including those previously haughty VIP users, all bowed and paid their respects one after another, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

The garrison commander personally stepped forward to welcome them, his face piled with fawning smiles, nodding and bowing as he said, "Welcome, my lords SVIP, to Klein Star. This humble one has already prepared for you…"

Before he could finish his words, a commanding voice from the ship interrupted him: "Tell those VIPs to get to the side and stop blocking our way!"

The garrison commander's expression changed, and he hastily turned toward the VIP convoys, bellowing sternly, "Didn't you hear? Get out of the way, now!"

Though those VIP users were inwardly dissatisfied, they dared not defy the garrison commander's orders and could only clear the path, seething in silence.

Just then, the enormous black ship slowly descended, the cabin doors opened, and a man wearing a golden robe and a crown… The commotion ahead naturally also drew Zhang Cheng and his companions' attention. They saw an enormous black ship slowly descending, its cabin doors opening, and a man wearing a golden robe and a crown walk out with steady strides. He was tall and handsome, golden hair draped over his shoulders, a pair of sharp blue eyes sweeping across the surrounding crowd, radiating an aura of kingly authority.

"It's the young master of the Interstellar Consortium, Caesar Augustus!"

Someone in the crowd recognized the man's identity, instantly causing a stir. Caesar Augustus, heir to the Interstellar Consortium, possessed a status of supreme nobility—his personal wealth alone was said to be enough to buy several star systems.

Caesar's appearance made the already exceedingly respectful garrison commander even more obsequious. He nodded and bowed his way before Caesar, saying in a fawning tone, "Welcome, Young Master Caesar, to Klein Star. This humble one has already prepared the most luxurious lounge and the most premium service for you…"

Caesar glanced at him coolly, his tone carrying an unquestionable authority: "No need. We are merely passing through here and will leave after a brief stop."

"Yes, yes, yes, this humble one understands." The garrison commander hastily nodded in agreement, not daring to show the slightest negligence.

Caesar paid him no further attention and headed straight toward the portal. Behind him, dozens of guards in black battle armor followed closely, each radiating a powerful aura—they were clearly battle-hardened elite warriors.

Behind Caesar's entourage followed several smaller convoys. Though not as grand as Caesar's, they were all either wealthy or noble, their attire and equipment unmistakably proclaiming their status and position.

One convoy in particular caught Zhang Cheng's attention. This group of about twenty people was not riding flying craft but rather mounted on a type of massive creature—mammoths. These mammoths were covered in thick black hair, their long tusks like two sharp curved blades gleaming with a cold light—clearly not to be trifled with.

And the riders on the mammoths' backs were every one of them fierce and murderous. They wore black leather armor, their faces painted with war paint, wielding all manner of weapons—great axes, war hammers, long spears, and more—each radiating an icy cold gleam.

"That's the convoy from Bloodmoon Star." Xiao Dian lowered his voice and explained to Zhang Cheng, "Bloodmoon Star is a planet famous for its martial prowess. Its inhabitants revere strength and delight in battle. It's said that every person on Bloodmoon Star is a born warrior."

Zhang Cheng nodded, his gaze fixed tightly on that convoy, his heart secretly on guard. He knew that this Battle of the Galaxy would surely be a fierce struggle between dragons and tigers, and these warriors from Bloodmoon Star were absolutely opponents not to be underestimated.

Just then, a brawny man with a full beard, riding a mammoth, came before the garrison commander from within that convoy and said in a gruff voice, "We're the convoy from Bloodmoon Star. Here's our passage permit."

Saying that, he pulled a black metal plate from his chest and tossed it to the garrison commander. The garrison commander took the metal plate, inspected it carefully, and after confirming it was in order, hastily nodded and bowed as he said, "So it's the warriors of Bloodmoon Star—welcome, welcome, please enter…"

Before he could finish his words, suddenly a fierce wind whipped up, sand and stones flying—the atmosphere across the entire teleportation plaza instantly turned tense…