Chapter 541: Branch Under Attack

After Chu Yang and Long Na arrived in the Wilderness Cosmos Nation, they did not go directly to the Virtual Cosmos Company branch.

After entering the Wilderness Cosmos Nation's sector, Zan Duo controlled the ship to halt in outer space over Manka Star.

"Master, is your friend here?" Long Na asked, looking at Manka Star, puzzled.

Chu Yang did not answer directly, merely gave a faint smile, a hint in it that Long Na could not read.

"Come to see an old friend."

Chu Yang's true purpose this trip was Wu Ka, the genius Domain Lord who had once crossed paths with him millennia ago in the Primeval Secret Realm.

Logically, given Wu Ka's talent, he should already be a Realm Lord, yet the Chaos City Lord says he remains at the Domain Lord rank, which piques Chu Yang's interest.

He vaguely feels that Wu Ka's stagnation may be linked to the threat of the insect matriarch.

On Manka Star, when Chu Yang and Long Na found Wu Ka, he was sitting alone on a cliff edge, staring blankly into the distance.

"Wu Ka, long time no see," Chu Yang's voice broke the silence.

Wu Ka spun around sharply; upon seeing Chu Yang, he was first stunned, then a complex emotion flickered in his eyes—surprise, and... fear? Chu Yang's current status is far beyond what he first encountered, and his power now rivals that of this nation's ruler.

"His Highness Chu Yang... how did you... arrive?" Wu Ka's voice was hoarse, his spirit clearly waned. Chu Yang walked to Wu Ka's side, sat down, and examined him closely.

Wu Ka's complexion was pallid, his gaze unfocused, a faint scent of decay emanated from him, a stark contrast to the spirited youth of millennia ago.

"Why have you turned into this ghostly state?" Chu Yang asked bluntly.

Wu Ka gave a wry smile, his eyes filled with helplessness and pain.

"It's a long story... I was infected by the insect matriarch's mental toxin, and for years it has tormented me, preventing any breakthrough..."

"My father and others have seen it, as have some strong figures from the Virtual Cosmos Company, but the cure's condition is too harsh—at least a priceless treasure must be offered!"

Chu Yang frowned, reached out, and placed his hand on Wu Ka's shoulder.

A pure life energy surged into Wu Ka's body, swiftly dispelling the toxin within him.

This energy did not come from the Prime Universe; it was obtained by Chu Yang from the Super God World, and it works wonders against this mental toxin.

"What... what is this?" Wu Ka felt a warm current spread through his body, his spirit invigorated.

Wu Ka could hardly believe it; a problem that had plagued him for centuries was solved like this? He stared blankly, feeling the surging power inside, like a desert finally receiving rain, brimming with vitality.

Even the realm that had been suppressed for centuries suddenly loosened! Wu Ka was originally a Ninth‑Tier Domain Lord, but the toxin had blocked his progress; now, with its release, signs of breakthrough appear. If he now cultivates diligently for a while to fill the void, he can surely ascend to the Realm Lord level in one stroke!

"I... I feel much better! The toxin... really gone?"

Wu Ka's voice trembled, tinged with incredulous delight.

Chu Yang withdrew his hand, smiled lightly: "It's cured; such a little toxin is no trouble for me."

His tone carried a hint of arrogance, as if it were a trivial task.

Wu Ka rose excitedly, bowed deeply to Chu Yang: "Lord Chu Yang, I cannot thank you enough! I, Wu Ka, will forever cherish this grace. Should you ever summon me, I will plunge into fire and water without hesitation!"

"Just a minor matter, no need to overthink it."

Chu Yang withdrew his hand, gave no explanation, and continued: "Now we can discuss the insect matriarch's matter, shall we?"

Wu Ka inhaled deeply, gathered his thoughts, and spoke slowly.

It turned out that, a thousand years ago, Wu Ka was ordered to guard the Virtual Cosmos Company branch in the Wilderness Cosmos Nation.

By chance, he discovered an insect soldier hidden in a spatial interlayer, just as he was about to report it.

The insect soldier noticed him; although guards were nearby and the soldier was heavily wounded, it bore a grudge and implanted the mental toxin.

After that, Wu Ka fell into a slump.

Chu Yang also knows that over the years the insect matriarch has been secretly gathering strength, preparing revenge against the Virtual Cosmos Company.

Wu Ka simply had bad luck, being wounded by a Realm Lord‑rank insect warrior.

"The insect matriarch's retaliation should commence soon!"

Wu Ka's tone carried a hint of urgency; evidently he also knows this is an Immortal‑grade insect matriarch.

"The Virtual Cosmos Company branch is in imminent danger!!"

"Rest assured, now that I'm here, I won't let it succeed!"

Chu Yang listened, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Long Na, Wu Ka, stay on Manka Star for now; I'm going to the branch."

Long Na, uneasy, said, "Master, you go alone? That's too dangerous!"

Chu Yang smiled, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

After leaving Manka Star, Chu Yang went alone to the Virtual Cosmos Company branch.

He already had a preliminary plan: using the purchased insect warrior bodies to set a trap, lure the Wilderness Cosmos Nation's insect matriarch into the open, and annihilate her in one blow.

The Virtual Cosmos Company branch appeared calm on the surface, yet Chu Yang keenly sensed something amiss.

A faint scent of blood lingered in the air, a peculiar odor only insects emit.

Swish! Tak's figure flashed into view.

Tak knelt on one knee, respectfully saying, "Master."

Chu Yang gave a slight nod, "How's the situation?"

Tak rose, his expression grim: "Within the branch and several key locations of the nation, countless insect warriors are hidden, the lowest being Realm Lord rank, and many Immortal‑grade ones also lurk, ready to strike at any moment."

Chu Yang sneered, "Seems the insect matriarch is determined to exact revenge; she really does hold me in high regard."

"Master, shall I eliminate them all now?" a murderous glint flashed in Tak's eyes.

Chu Yang waved his hand, "No rush; since we're here, let's have some fun with them."

He paused, then continued: "You control dozens of Immortal‑grade slaves, right? They've been able to infiltrate human territories for so long without detection, surely they've also enslaved many lower‑rank servants to facilitate their actions!"

"Get some Universe‑grade slaves from those Immortals, alive, the more the better."

Tak, though a bit puzzled, obeyed the order.

Chu Yang looked up at the sky, murmuring, "I hope this insect matriarch doesn't disappoint me."

Soon, Ta Ke returned with a huge batch of slaves, about three thousand! These slaves came from various races, each trembling, their eyes filled with fear.

Chu Yang ignored the slaves' fear, waved his hand, and ushered them all into the Divine Realm.

"Ta Ke, stay here and keep an eye on the branch at all times; if the Insect Race launches an attack, inform me immediately," Chu Yang ordered.

"Yes, master." Chu Yang's figure flashed, and he vanished on the spot.

Within the Divine Realm, Chu Yang watched the trembling slaves, a cold smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

He produced a pile of purchased Insect Race Warrior bodies, all of which were Realm‑Master level and Immortal level, which he had prepared earlier specifically to confront the Insect Race Mother Empress.

Chu Yang implanted these bodies into the slaves; the slaves already possessed physiques far beyond ordinary humans, and after merging with fragments of the Insect Race Warrior bodies, their strength increased dramatically.

They also gained some traits of the Insect Race Warriors, such as powerful regenerative ability and resistance to mental attacks.

Chu Yang looked at the modified slaves and nodded in satisfaction.

"Go, my warriors, go give that Insect Race Mother Empress a surprise."

Chu Yang released these slaves from the Divine Realm, letting them infiltrate the Virtual Universe Company branch.

On the surface these slaves seemed no different from ordinary ones, but in fact they had become Chu Yang's puppets, ready to obey his commands at any time.

Chu Yang did not directly control the slaves; instead he let them move freely, blend into the branch as much as possible, and await the appearance of the Insect Race Mother Empress.

…

Inside the Virtual Universe Company branch, the atmosphere felt especially oppressive.

Everyone could sense an uneasy aura lingering in the air, like the calm before a storm.

A man in a black uniform sat in the office, his brows knit; he was the chief of the Barbaric Universe Nation branch of Virtual Universe Company, Ke Lai Er.

Ke Lai Er rubbed his temples irritably; the damned oppressive feeling had persisted for several days, and ever since the esteemed Ta Ke under Chu Yang caused a stir, he sensed something was off.

Although headquarters repeatedly assured that strong agents had been dispatched to covertly protect the branch, a lingering gloom remained in his mind.

"Dong dong dong."

The knocking sounded, and Ke Lai Er shouted impatiently, "Come in!"

A shapely woman entered respectfully, "Sir Ke Lai Er, Prince Wu Ka has arrived!"

"Wu Ka?" Ke Lai Er was startled, then seemed to recall something, "Let him in!"

A moment later, a plainly dressed young man entered; Ke Lai Er recognized him at a glance—Wu Ka, the genius who had once been famed in the Primeval Secret Realm millennia ago, now…

"Prince Wu Ka, what wind brings you here? Huh? You've recovered?" Ke Lai Er said in surprise.

Ke Lai Er also knew the toxin in Wu Ka's body; to cure it would cost at least one priceless treasure, and not even his father, the king, could necessarily afford that price.

Wu Ka's father was merely an Immortal‑level army commander; Wu Ka, after all, is a core member of Virtual Universe Company and may soon break through Immortality, so if there were a way, he shouldn't have to suffer the toxin for so long!

"I was lucky to meet a benefactor; he cured me!" Wu Ka shook his head, unwilling to continue the topic, and instead said, "The Insect Race Mother Empress is about to attack this branch!"

Wu Ka's tone was low, tinged with an unmistakable fear, "I feel it; it's nearby…"

He paused, a flash of pain crossing his eyes, "The toxin in my body has been removed, but the fear it imposed is etched deep in my soul…"

Ke Lai Er inhaled a cold breath; Wu Ka's words undeniably confirmed his unease.

He sprang to his feet, pacing back and forth, anxiously shouting, "Damn it! What the hell are those guys at headquarters up to! Didn't they say they'd sent strong agents to protect the branch? Where are they?!"

An Immortal‑level Insect Race Mother Empress, whose strength rivals the King‑Sealed Invincible, while the branch's highest combat power is only Marquis Peak; how could they match her! Wu Ka shook his head, his gaze hollow, "I don't know… perhaps they've already…"

At that moment, a harsh alarm blared, and the entire branch shook violently.

"It's coming!" Ke Lai Er's face turned ashen; he couldn't think of anything else, grabbed Wu Ka's arm and shouted, "Quick! Leave here first!"

However, before they could take a step, the office doors were shattered into fragments by a massive force.

A massive Insect Race Warrior appeared at the doorway, its body sheathed in a thick carapace that glimmered metallically, a pair of crimson compound eyes fixed on Ke Lai Er and Wu Ka, and it let out a chilling roar.

The Warrior was unmistakably King‑Sealed Immortal‑level! Ke Lai Er's complexion changed dramatically; he knew he was no match for the creature.

He shoved Wu Ka aside and roared, "Run!"

At the same time, the primal force within him surged wildly, forming a blinding flash that he slammed at the Insect Race Warrior.

"Boom!"

A deafening blast; Ke Lai Er's attack left only a shallow mark on the Warrior's carapace.

The Warrior's counterattack surged like a mountain of waves, instantly blasting Ke Lai Er away, slamming him heavily against the wall, his fate unknown.

Wu Ka, seeing this, closed his eyes in despair.

He knew, everything was over…

However, the expected death did not come.

He slowly opened his eyes and saw a familiar figure blocking his view.

Chu Yang!

Chu Yang's mouth curled into a cold smile as he stared at the Immortal‑level Insect Race Warrior before him, his eyes showing no fear, only mockery.

"With your kind of trash, you dare to run wild on my Human Race's territory?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Chu Yang's figure vanished on the spot.

In the next instant, he appeared behind the Warrior and unleashed a punch.

"Bang!"

A muffled thud; the Warrior's massive body shot out like a cannonball, tearing a huge hole in the wall.

Chu Yang ignored the Warrior and turned to look outward.

By now, the entire branch was in chaos, filled with the sounds of fighting and screams everywhere.

Chu Yang's modified slaves also emerged, engaging the Warrior in fierce combat.

Although the slaves' power had risen greatly, they still struggled against the numerous Warriors.

Chu Yang's goal was to let the Insect Race Mother Empress witness his slave‑modification methods and pique her interest.

As a Soul Master, if she could obtain Chu Yang's techniques, she would easily create more 'Human Race' elites.

Modified slaves are not a match for the Insect Tribe warriors.

Chu Yang's brows twitched slightly.

He didn't expect the Insect Tribe matriarch to be so insane, to actually send so many immortal‑level Insect Tribe warriors to besiege this outpost.

This is a completely suicidal act!

It seems I still underestimated its vengeful heart. (End of chapter)