Hades Domain patiently explained the distinctions between the internal and external members of the Virtual Universe Company. Becoming an internal member was a privilege: not only would one receive a free Bloodline Purification Agent, but a steady stream of high-quality cultivation resources would arrive every month. The trade-off, however, was significant. Internal members were bound by strict corporate regulations, their freedom limited, and they were expected to accept the Company's missions. Refusal would result in penalties that no sane cultivator wished to provoke.
External members lived a far more liberated life. Although they could not receive the Purification Agent for free, they were allowed to purchase it at the exclusive price of one hundred million Black Dragon Coins. They also retained the freedom to join organizations like the Mercenary Alliance, without facing restrictions from the Company. Missions assigned to external members were optional; they could choose whether to accept them or not without fear of punishment.
"We'll join as external members," Rowan decided calmly, his tone firm. "We're used to living free. We don't want any unnecessary constraints. And we can afford the Purification Agents."
The others nodded in unanimous agreement. Freedom mattered to them far more than structured benefits, and they needed time to cultivate, not to run errands for a corporation. None of them had the slightest interest in selling their lives to fulfill corporate missions.
"Excellent," Hades Domain said, clearly pleased. "Since you've made your decision, I'll report it immediately. As for the price of the Purification Agents, I'll cover it myself. Consider it an investment. I'll also prepare one hundred billion in cultivation resources for each of you. This is my personal contribution."
Hades Domain was a man who understood investment. He saw in Rowan and the others the unmistakable glow of future greatness. A hundred billion Black Dragon Coins per person was nothing compared to the favor he might earn from them one day.
He even asked them whether they preferred the value in direct funds or resources. Hong and Thor chose resources, trusting that anything personally selected by Hades Domain would be of the highest quality. Rowan and Luo Feng, however, requested the money transferred to their personal accounts. For Rowan, a hundred billion was practically meaningless. For Luo Feng, however, it was still useful, especially for purchasing the metals he needed to devour.
"We won't forget this kindness," Rowan said sincerely. He knew the gesture was a means to win their goodwill, an investment for the future. He could see the calculation behind it, but he could also see the sincerity. For that, he accepted the favor.
Hades Domain's smile widened. Rowan's understanding made everything significantly easier.
Three days later, the Virtual Universe Company's starship arrived, delivering four vials of Bloodline Purification Agents and four crates of cultivation resources worth one hundred billion each.
On White Orchid Star, the group stepped forward to retrieve their items.
"This is incredible. With these resources, I can push myself all the way to Star Level Nine." Thor's eyes sparkled as he examined the wealth before him. His previous funds had nearly run dry after months of intense cultivation, and this windfall arrived right on time.
Babata hovered excitedly over a floating crate of fiery-red fruits. "Bloodvine. Real Bloodvine. The Virtual Universe Company lives up to its reputation."
Rowan had never seen Bloodvine before. The crimson glow was more vibrant than any Wood Crystal. Curious, he asked Babata what made them special.
Babata was eager to explain. Each fruit contained a tremendous amount of pure energy, equivalent to forty or even fifty Wood Crystals, yet far easier for human warriors to absorb. Wood Crystals were best suited for plant-type lifeforms, but Bloodvine was cultivated specifically for human cultivation.
It was no wonder the fruits were so expensive. Only internal members could purchase them at a discount.
Rowan nodded with satisfaction. "Then let's push ourselves to at least Star Level Seven before we attempt the Universe Apprentice Mercenary assessment."
He and Babata had already introduced the benefits to Luo Feng and the others. Earth was still weak in the eyes of the universe. Even with Star Level strength, they held little influence. But once they became apprentice mercenaries, other organizations would hesitate to provoke them, knowing the Company stood behind them.
Thus began nearly five months of uninterrupted cultivation.
Rowan, however, did not raise his strength. He needed to suppress it and focus entirely on comprehending the laws. He returned to the Crescent Moon District and used the Dimensional Ring to travel back to the Marvel universe.
On a desolate planet, Rowan handed his Shadow Clan avatar a Tier-3 Force Shield and a Tier-3 Warrior Blade. Armor was unnecessary. As energy-based beings similar to the Kosha Clan, their bodies could liquefy, rendering armor ineffective. Instead, Rowan equipped the avatar with a Black God Set, whose exceptional flexibility allowed it to adhere to the body even in liquid form.
With his current strength at Star Level Nine and his ninety-ninefold explosion power, his Shadow Avatar could overwhelm most ordinary Universe Level warriors with ease.
"We're switching. I'll cultivate here. You return to the Devouring World to comprehend the Law of Time."
"Understood."
The exchange complete, Rowan returned to the Marvel universe and headed for Earth.
He hadn't seen his sister or Natasha in months, and he wondered how they were doing.
As for his avatar, it returned to the Devouring World, where the laws of the universe were far clearer than the fragmented laws of the Marvel world. Even with the Time Stone, Rowan had struggled; at best, the stone accelerated the speed of perception. The Marvel universe simply did not possess the complete structure of the Time Law.
Only in the Devouring World could he truly comprehend its essence.
…
Back in the Devouring World, within the Crescent Moon District, Rowan's Shadow Avatar arrived and immediately felt the clarity of the law. Time flowed around him like a river he could almost touch. The sensation was intoxicating.
He sat down, crossing his legs, and let himself sink into the law's embrace.
Meanwhile, in the Marvel universe, Rowan used the Space Stone to teleport into Earth's orbit.
"Oh, three Star Level auras?" he murmured, mildly surprised. Then he descended toward the coast where his villa stood.
He had barely begun flying when an engine howl echoed in the distance, followed by a streak of metal approaching rapidly.
"Long time no see, you bastard. Where have you been?" The armored figure of Tony Stark stopped beside him.
Rowan blinked. "Has it really been that long?"
"You disappeared for months," Tony complained. "I tried contacting you over and over. You vanished without a trace."
"I was cultivating. What did you need from me?"
Tony crossed his arms. "What do you think? You promised to give me Grade Ten Krol Metal. I've been waiting."
Rowan winced as memory returned. His strength had skyrocketed, leaving earthbound materials all but useless to him. He had tossed Krol Industries into Helen Zhao's hands and barely thought about it since.
"Oh, that. Here."
He lifted a finger. A triangular slit tore open the air, and dozens of massive starship wreckage pieces dropped from the dimensional tear.
Tony nearly screamed.
"What the hell is that!"
He grabbed one of the metal slabs, but the instant he did, the weight dragged him downward like an anchor.
"Why is this so heavy? Jarvis, full thrust!"
Every thruster on his suit roared at maximum power, slowing his fall.
Rowan caught the slab effortlessly with one hand.
"This isn't Krol Metal. It's Uru Metal. A cosmic B2 grade metal. This piece looks like a ton, but it weighs over thirty."
Tony's voice cracked. "You lifted that… with one hand?"
Rowan shrugged. "I can lift over a hundred thousand tons with one hand. This is nothing."
Tony stared, horrified. Months had passed, and somehow Rowan had become even more terrifying.
"And… uh… where exactly did you pull all that metal from?"
"Dimensional storage. You cut out a portion of space and keep it inside a tiny container."
Tony froze. His scientific worldview shattered.
"Alright, I'm heading home," Rowan said, collecting the wreckage.
He asked Tony whether anything significant had happened during his absence. Tony replied, "Nothing major. Some idiots got hold of a Super Soldier Serum knockoff and caused trouble. They tried to attack Krol Industries. Didn't end well for them."
Rowan wasn't concerned. His company's security forces were all at least War General level. Unless someone like Thanos walked through the door, the company was impenetrable.
Soon, Rowan returned to his coastal villa, dropping the Uru metal beside Tony's house. The combined weight of the wreckage nearly crushed the ground, so he moved it farther away.
Just as he stepped inside his home, two sonic booms tore across the sky. Before the sound even reached him, two figures appeared in front of him.
"Rowan. Rowan!"
Natasha and Wanda rushed toward him.