Chapter 501: Investigation

The sea folk can reduce their own kind to slaves; of course, they have even less regard for outsiders—or extraterrestrial beings.

"Planet Azure Blue?"

Fang Xing knew this was a planet of immense importance to the Deep Blue Civilization, with extraordinarily thriving trade.

On a planet heavily guarded by the universe's high-level civilizations, even ordinary Law Lord cultivators would show respect and avoid causing trouble.

"I merely accepted a small favor from the Lord of Yuan Yin Palace, promised to help acquire one Yuan Yin Beast, and then release it after the auction—that was all I intended…"

Fang Xing thought idly.

The "Nine Sources Stellar Body Refinement Secret Art" had helped him considerably.

Without it, his Black Dragon body could never have roamed freely within the Qing Yuan Great Realm.

"Alright, finally, give me ten anonymous 'Net Scales'!"

He stood up and spoke.

Net Scales were terminal devices shaped like scales, capable of connecting to the sea folk's network.

Some with extremely high permissions could even achieve instant face-to-face communication like the Virtual Universe.

"This is simple—consider them a gift from Treasure Pavilion to our esteemed guests."

The female sea folk puppet immediately rose to see him off, folding her hands and placing them at her abdomen in an ancient bow.

Fang Xing stepped out of Treasure Pavilion and entered the colorful bubble: "Let's go… to my villa. I need a few days of proper rest."

…

Meanwhile.

Deep within Treasure Pavilion.

The sea folk youth who had been staring intently at the screen now wore a cold expression as he opened a certain interface: "Mo Ye… I want to know everything about that sea folk."

On the screen, a shadow cloaked in darkness bowed respectfully.

The sea folk youth lowered his head again, gazing at the Gray Source Fruit before him, a flicker of eagerness returning to his face: "The Gray Source Fruit—once swallowed, I can break through to Red Giant level and elevate my status within the family."

This sea folk was named Ji Li Di Lan, belonging to the Di Lan Clan.

The Di Lan Clan was a renowned noble house among the sea folk, with numerous descendants and Law Lord-level elders to back them; the fact he'd been exiled to Green Water Planet proved his low standing.

In such a vast sea folk clan, strength was the only true currency.

Originally, Ji Li had only Stellar-level cultivation—utterly insignificant—but if he ascended to Red Giant level, things would change; at least he could become a mid-level family official.

If he reached Neutron Star level, he might be entrusted with managing a business sector.

If he became a Celestial Law Lord, even becoming clan head would be a mere word away.

But by that realm, he might no longer care for the Di Lan Clan at all.

He did not know this Gray Source Fruit was, in truth, merely a snack of the Creator Lei Ousi—and garbage Fang Xing wouldn't even deign to pick up… which was why he'd simply traded it for some pocket money.

Ji Li swallowed the fruit whole, feeling the transformation of his life-star within his star palace, a hint of joy crossing his face, followed by a pang of regret.

To swallow this fruit, he'd borrowed heavily—and now had to pay interest.

Even worse, those who lent him money were powerful figures; even if he rose to the top of the Di Lan Clan, he could never dare default.

"Hey, is it Alina? Sell my Star Blue spaceship—yes, sell it outright… and liquidate that batch of Senbai Crystals as soon as possible."

He dialed repeatedly, selling everything he could to repay debts and interest, then exhaled a long breath: "Interest calculated by the minute? So exploitative… the rest are manageable—daily interest, I can pay slowly…"

Such was interstellar trade: every second could birth countless billionaires—or plunge someone into ruin.

Drip!

At that moment, Mo Ye's report arrived.

Ji Li grew interested, scanning a few lines: "Unknown sea folk—no entry or exit records. So he crossed the universe on his own? Only transaction records… not simple."

Someone who could produce a Gray Source Fruit must be at least Red Giant level themselves—no need for such a fruit.

And now, crossing the universe alone? He might even be Neutron Star level!

Ji Li Di Lan let out a long breath: "Mo Ye… hold off for now."

After giving the order, he touched the five-colored scale that had appeared on his forehead, thinking to himself: "Five scales—just camouflage? If so, provoking such a powerful being would be the end of me… Besides, my Treasure Pavilion must maintain its reputation; I can't swindle every customer, or no one will do business with me… sigh, this is so hard…"

"Even with my clan's backing, I'm this miserable—how do interstellar wanderers rise at all?"

His back curved like a beast burdened by a mortgage: "I must immediately notify my clan of my cultivation breakthrough and demand better treatment—otherwise, the interest alone will crush me."

…

Inside the rented villa.

Sea folk aesthetics were bizarre: the villa was filled with coral trees as tall as humans, shells, sea snails, and pearl lights the size of fists.

An uninformed visitor might think they'd stepped into the Dragon Palace.

Fang Xing lay on a shell-shaped sofa and immediately felt streams of water rising around him, massaging his body—yet his clothes remained completely dry. "This luxury is quite nice… and the villa is clean enough."

After scanning the area with his willpower, he pulled out an anonymous 'Net Scale' and began surfing the net while lying down.

"I don't need secrets—I'm only looking for public information…"

"For example… 'Famous Figures of the Universe' is quite good…"

"And… 'Cosmic Civilizations Encyclopedia'?"

"Highlights from the Purple Phoenix Star Domain Tournament?"

…

Fang Xing's eyes glinted faintly.

When he last possessed Li Ying, the Great Xia planet hadn't been connected to the cosmic network—so such knowledge simply didn't exist.

"The vast universe has only three peak civilizations—Star Civilization, Insect Civilization, and Alien Beast Civilization… Among them, only Star Civilization is dominated by humans. The Insect Civilization needs no explanation; the Alien Beast Civilization is ruled by pure energy beings and unique cosmic monsters!"

"Beyond them, there are seven hundred and fifty-two advanced civilizations…"

"The rest—middle and primitive civilizations—are countless as cosmic sand, constantly arising and vanishing; countless new civilizations are born daily at the expanding edge of the universe, while countless old ones perish…"

Fang Xing skimmed rapidly, unaware how much time had passed.

Suddenly!

"Found it!"

His expression shifted as he stared at a list: "Star Civilization's Most Wanted?"

The names on the list were either infamous criminals or interstellar pirates.

Each one was a major figure in the real universe.

"Number 97: Lei Ousi Jones D. Fikenado… Charges: repeated plundering and murder of Star Civilization officials…"

With this, a quick search revealed everything about the Creator: "Of course—every Law Lord has a remarkable life story…"

Especially since Great Xia's universe differed from Qing Yuan Great Realm: Star Lords here lived incredibly long lives, nearly matching planetary lifespans—unlike Qing Yuan's Nascent Soul masters, who barely reached ten thousand years.

Law Lords were equally immortal; they died only from accidents, never from old age.

"Lei Ousi was born human, an interstellar wanderer—essentially a lone wolf with no background or friends."

"But he had talent, acquired several legacies, and climbed steadily… until, during a battle for a priceless treasure, he accidentally killed a Star Civilization prince…"

"Though Star Civilization had countless princes, even one represented honor… the result? He gained nothing, and was placed on the Star Civilization's most wanted list. Yet he was tenacious—broke through to Law Lord level during the pursuit, retaliated against Star Civilization several times, and rose steadily in rank…"

Star Civilization was a peak civilization; if directly confronted, even Law Lords would die without a chance.

But Lei Ousi wasn't foolish—he'd never deliberately attack the strong or charge head-on.

He targeted the weak, struck once, then vanished immediately.

He was even suspected of receiving aid from external forces, accelerating his cultivation until he reached the peak of Law Lord level, then entered a death-sealed meditation to break through…

The outcome, Fang Xing already knew.

"The force aiding Lei Ousi must have been hostile to Star Civilization—possibly Insect Civilization, Alien Beast Civilization, or some high-level human factions?"

Though the three peak civilizations competed, internal rivalries were fiercer.

Humans excelled at forming circles; among human civilizations, some shared lasting friendship, others bitter blood feuds.

Fang Xing rubbed his chin, lost in thought: "But clearly, they didn't help him much—Lei Ousi's secret techniques carried severe side effects, ultimately killing him."

Peak civilizations surely had Dao Lords.

But Lei Ousi clearly received no proper guidance.

After all, he was merely an outsider—a pawn.

'Still, as an interstellar wanderer, reaching Law Lord level and nearing Dao Lord status is enough to make countless others envious.'

Fang Xing nodded, storing Lei Ousi's information.

As for Great Xia Civilization?

He couldn't find a single trace.

Fang Xing guessed he'd need to reach Planet Azure Blue, purchase a higher-tier 'Net Scale,' and use Xiao Lan's AI to sift through the ocean of data to find even a hint.

For now?

"Better to check out sea folk online games first… and study their entertainment industry."

"I cultivate to enjoy life, not to become a stone that only cultivates."

Fang Xing immediately entered the game interface, his eyes brightening: "Sea folk games are surprisingly creative."

Cultivation grants power—only so one can live as one pleases.

With the external threat of Lei Ousi eliminated, he could afford to relax a little…

Second chapter later

(End of chapter)