Chapter 1638: I

"This is the charm of perfect genes."

Xu Jingming was slightly intoxicated by the power he now possessed.

Compared to before, when he couldn't kill a Single-Life Stage One deity no matter what he tried.

The gap was simply too vast.

"Once I break through to the Single-Life Stage in the future, my strength will be even greater!"

Xu Jingming's heart brimmed with anticipation, yet his hands moved swiftly.

A chain of lightning shot out, binding the sleeping Ares into a tight bundle.

He then raised his hand, and the chain dragged Ares before him.

"Target apprehended."

He spoke calmly to Vera's recording device.

Immediately, his spiritual force swept over, stripping the World Ring from Ares's body.

Only then did he turn to Riche, who had been staring in stunned silence.

"Please handle the handover procedures for me."

Riche finally snapped out of his daze.

He looked at Xu Jingming's still calm, serene face, then at the pitifully battered Ares.

He swallowed hard, his throat tightening.

"Your Highness, rest assured—I'll handle it immediately!"

His voice trembled, his mind filled with only one thought.

What kind of monster is this Highness?!

Can a Cosmic Apex even crush a Single-Life Stage Three powerhouse?

"Little brother, your Thunder Blade Realm's power is even stronger than I imagined."

Lin Qianxue had somehow arrived beside him.

Her fair, delicate face carried a smile.

"I spent ten billion military merits on it—of course it's powerful."

Xu Jingming replied casually.

He forcibly erased Ares's spiritual imprint from the World Ring.

After imprinting his own spiritual signature, a space instantly appeared within his perception.

The space was not large—only one square kilometer.

But the sight before him made him pause slightly.

The entire space was not filled with clutter, as he had imagined.

Instead, it was meticulously arranged into a lush garden.

Lush vegetation blanketed the ground, flowers of countless hues blooming in competition.

Trees cast dense shade, vines twined around everything, and the air seemed permeated with a faint, refreshing herbal fragrance—calm and beautiful.

"I didn't think Ares liked tending flowers?" Xu Jingming was surprised.

A traitor who had fled for a thousand years and stolen classified star maps.

Yet he kept such a paradise within his personal space?

But soon, he sensed something unusual.

The shapes, colors, and even the faint energy signatures of these plants differed utterly from ordinary flora.

A faint aura shimmered along the leaves.

Natural patterns glimmered within the petals; fine energy cycled slowly through the tree trunks.

"These… are all rare herbs and exotic flowers?" Xu Jingming's heart stirred.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Qianxue, noticing his unusual expression, asked softly.

Xu Jingming did not answer immediately.

Instead, he focused his mind and brought Lin Qianxue directly into the interior of the World Ring.

Their figures appeared in the center of the garden.

Beneath their feet lay soft, moist soil, surrounded by dense vegetation.

"What is this?" Lin Qianxue initially didn't comprehend, only feeling the garden was exceptionally refined.

But when she focused her senses and perceived the pure Yuan energy radiating from the plants.

Her pale golden eyes widened sharply, and she whispered in astonishment:

"All of these are rare herbs and exotic flowers?!"

"That's right!"

Xu Jingming's eyes gleamed with sharp light, his spiritual force sweeping like a net across the entire space:

"Judging by their appearance, their ranks must all be high!

And…"

His gaze settled on the tree at the garden's center—about ten meters tall, its entire body glowing white as jade.

The trunk shimmered with a gentle radiance; six fist-sized fruits hung among its branches.

Shaped like flat peaches but marked with golden-red patterns, they emitted a refreshing, soul-soothing fragrance.

Merely breathing in made his internal Yuan energy stir faintly.

"This tree's rank must reach SS level," Xu Jingming said gravely.

"This?!"

On Lin Qianxue's exquisitely beautiful face, shock was plain to see:

"Aris, a traitor, was hiding something this valuable!"

"If these rare flowers and herbs were auctioned in the outside world, they'd fetch a fortune!"

But then she frowned in confusion:

"But that doesn't make sense.

The World Ring is an isolated space.

Though it can store living things, it cannot naturally generate Yuan energy.

These rare flowers and herbs require absorption of celestial Yuan energy or special elements to survive.

How could they grow so lush here?"

Ordinary plants need only soil, light, and water to survive.

But rare flowers and herbs are different.

They are essentially a variant form of energy life, with extremely demanding growth conditions.

Without continuous energy supply,

even if transplanted into the World Ring, they would wither rapidly.

Xu Jingming nodded as well, crouched down, and pinched a handful of soil between his fingers.

The soil was deep black, fine in texture, warm to the touch, as if imbued with some kind of vitality.

Even more peculiar was that when he infused a thread of Yuan energy into the soil,

the black earth faintly glowed, and intricate energy patterns flickered briefly before vanishing.

"This soil seems unusual."

Xu Jingming mused.

At that moment, Vera, the succubus little girl's soul, floated out from his consciousness sea.

She stared wide-eyed at the soil in Xu Jingming's hand and exclaimed:

"Black Earth! These are all Black Earth?!"

"What is Black Earth?"

Xu Jingming looked at her in confusion.

Lin Qianxue's face also showed curiosity.

Vera swept her gaze across the garden and explained with awe:

"Black Earth is a rare, special soil found only in the universe.

Born deep within the cores of ancient stars, it evolves over hundreds of millions of years through energy cultivation.

Its greatest trait is its ability to slowly generate its own terrestrial Yuan energy and lock it in, preventing dissipation.

When rare flowers and herbs are planted on Black Earth, even without external Yuan energy input,

they can sustain growth using the soil's own energy—and even accelerate maturation!

Moreover, Black Earth can simulate the elemental environments suited to different plants.

No matter what kind of rare flower or herb, it can survive!"

She grew more excited, gesturing with her small hands:

"Black Earth is an SS1-class special resource—extremely precious!

In the outside world, even a kilogram of Black Earth can sell for a fortune!

And it's not just expensive—it's unavailable!

Usually, only ancient factions specializing in spirit plant cultivation possess a small amount."

Vera floated higher, surveying the entire garden, her voice filled with awe:

"And here? There's a full square kilometer of Black Earth!

At least half a meter thick!

You've hit the jackpot!!"

Hearing this, Xu Jingming was also stunned.

SS1-class resources are already rare.

This entire square kilometer of Black Earth before him? Its value was incalculable!

This was no longer merely wealth.

It was a treasure trove capable of endlessly cultivating high-grade rare flowers and herbs!

"Little brother, your luck is insane!"

Lin Qianxue couldn't help whispering in awe.

"No, this isn't my luck.

It's the opportunity Colt, that old dog, handed me himself!"

Xu Jingming smiled.

If Colt knew Xu Jingming had not only captured Aris

but also acquired this treasure trove, he'd probably be enraged to death!