Swallowing the Stars: 100x Return for Teaching Apprentices

Chapter 17 Hope for Escape, One Year

Before the banquet hosted by the Ortega family patriarch had even ended, Hugo, a direct descendant of the family, had already boarded the departing spaceship with his subordinates.

After more than half a month of dark space travel, the C9-class alloy spaceship carrying everyone slowly landed in front of the Thunderstorm Star Castle.
"Old Wu, and Qi Yuan, come with me."

Hugo gave his instructions and then went straight back to the castle.

"Yes, Master."

Qi Yuan and Lao Wu exchanged a glance and quickly followed behind.

In the castle hall, Hugo lay sprawled unceremoniously on his ornate chair inlaid with precious jewels.

After taking out a bottle of Ziyun Fruit Wine and gulping down several large mouthfuls, he finally sat up and addressed Qi Yuan and the other man:

"According to the rules of the Ortega family, all family members must pass the 'Apprentice Mercenary Examination' of the Cosmic Mercenary Alliance after breaking through to the Stellar level."

"I originally had ten years to prepare, but thanks to that damned Adona's meddling, that time has been shortened to one year!"

As he spoke, Hu Ge slammed the bottle he was holding heavily on the table, panting heavily through his nose.

After a long while, he looked up again and addressed Qi Yuan and Old Wu:

"The assessment of trainee mercenaries in the universe shall be conducted entirely within the 'World Lord World'."

"In that world of the realm master, one must not only deal with the risks inherent in the world itself, but also be wary of ambushes from other assessment members. The mortality rate for each assessment is extremely high!"

"Old Wu!"

He looked at Old Wu and said solemnly, "I will take all my personal guards of the seventh rank or above at the assessment one year from now."

"During this period, the resources allocated to all stellar-level seventh-tier and above guards will be tripled to allow them to maximize their strength!"

"Yes, Master!"

Old Wu responded earnestly.

"Ah."

Hu Ge nodded and turned his gaze to Qi Yuan.

"Qi Yuan, keep a close eye on Mine No. 5 for me. Make sure to increase the production of Thunder Crystal as much as possible. I'm extremely short of money right now!"

As Hu Ge spoke, he sighed, sounding somewhat indignant.
"It's a pity that I only controlled Thunderstorm Star for a short time. If I had ten years, the income from Thunderstorm Star would have been enough for me to directly purchase a batch of ninth-tier stellar-level slaves!"

Qi Yuan had perked up instantly the moment Hu Ge first mentioned the trainee mercenary assessment.

A strange world ruled by a realm master, a dangerous environment fraught with danger, and countless competitors with ulterior motives. Isn't this the perfect opportunity to escape?
If I don't seize this opportunity, I don't know how long I'll be stuck on Thunderstorm Star!

Upon hearing Hu Ge mention him, Qi Yuan quickly adopted a 'loyal' expression, as if he were sharing the burden for his master.

"Master, may I go with you to the assessment one year from now? I have received many favors from you and would like to do my part to help you!"

"you?"

Upon hearing his words, Hu Ge was slightly taken aback, then a slightly gratified smile appeared on his face.

"Your intentions are good, but your level of understanding is still too low."

He hesitated for a moment, but did not dampen his subordinates' enthusiasm.

"In that case, if you can break through to the sixth level of the Stellar level before we set off, I will allow you to go with me."

Although his words seemed to leave room for maneuver, they actually implied a refusal.

From the fourth to the sixth rank of the Stellar level, normal cultivation would take at least several decades, or even hundreds of years. Even for a genius, with ample resources, it would still take at least several years.

After all, the body's absorption of energy and evolution is not something that can be achieved overnight. During the process, the body also needs to rest appropriately, and it also needs to focus on improving its soul power and control over its power, etc.

Otherwise, trying to become an expert too quickly will inevitably lead to a weak foundation, which will seriously affect future advancement.

Qi Yuan's ability to break through two levels in half a year was somewhat due to the culmination of his accumulated experience.

In Hugo's view, advancing from the fourth rank of the stellar class to the sixth rank within a year was almost impossible.

"Don't worry, there will be plenty of opportunities to use you in the future. Your task now is to seize the time to improve your skills!"

Hu Ge smiled and encouraged him, "By the way, I promised to help you find a suitable combat technique, and I've successfully achieved my goal this time."

"I will send you the secret technique once you enter the virtual universe."

"Understood, thank you, Master!"

Qi Yuan feigned surprise and thanked him profusely.

As for what Hu Ge said about breaking through to the sixth level of the stellar class within a year, he didn't take it too seriously.

With the system in place, he was somewhat confident in fulfilling this requirement.

The most important thing for him now is to improve his strength as much as possible.

That way, when the opportunity comes, he will have a better chance of escaping!
"Thank you for your support, Seventh Prince. Rest assured, as long as I am here, our lineage will always be loyal to you!"

On the distant planet Lanka, Adona's smile vanished as he watched the small warship carrying the Seventh Prince slowly disappear from sight.

"By getting in touch with the Seventh Prince, many things have indeed become much less difficult to accomplish!"

"Hmph, poor little Hugo, you're probably worrying about the trial mission right now, huh? Let me give you a little surprise."

A wisp of his consciousness connected to the virtual universe, quickly establishing communication with someone—

"Kikuro, contact the Blood Blade Organization."

"Lightning Strike: The power of the domain is compressed infinitely, concentrating into a single, perfectly condensed strike, thus unleashing the full power of the entire domain."

"There's also the technique of using a domain to enhance movement speed. It's amazing how it can be used like this! Ingenious, truly ingenious!"

In a virtual universe, in a temporarily rented residential room.

Qi Yuan, dressed in a simple gray robe, was engrossed in reading a huge book that was nearly half a meter long, a foot wide, and almost as thick as a palm.

This was a combat technique that Hugo had specifically requested from the patriarch of the Ortega family.

The secret technique is called "Lightning Light," which not only records a powerful killing move that uses the lightning domain to unleash an attack, but also includes some unique techniques that apply the domain to movement and defense.

If "Nine Luminaries Heavenly Blade" is about how to deeply explore the power of the physical body...

So "Lightning" is a secret manual specifically designed to explain how to utilize the power of a domain.

The Nine Luminaries Heavenly Blade can only increase the amplitude of his power; how to use it specifically requires the assistance of corresponding combat techniques.

"Lightning Strike" is a combat technique in itself. If mastered, it can significantly enhance one's combat power!

"Amazing, incredibly amazing! If I could master this 'Lightning Strike' technique, my strength would probably increase several times over!"

"We really have to thank Hu Ge this time; it seems he put in a lot of effort!"

Qi Yuan continued to peruse the text, quickly becoming completely immersed in comprehending the secret technique of "Thunder Light".
(End of this chapter)