Seven days later.
A ship bearing the Maple Leaf emblem tore through the atmosphere and descended directly onto an exclusive landing pad on Qionglong Star.
The sudden arrival stunned the crowds queuing above the spaceport, waiting for entry.
Inside a ten-thousand-meter-long starship freighter.
Holding fine wine in one hand and a beautiful attendant in the other, Molisen had been leisurely taking in the scenery of Qionglong Star when he suddenly widened his eyes.
"Who is that person? By what right does his ship fly straight into Qionglong Star?"
As a prince of the Kalo Empire—an empire of elementary civilization—Molisen was on this trip to escort a batch of energy to Qionglong Star for sale. The Kalo Empire had partner shops on Qionglong Star, and the goods could be handed over upon arrival at port. It was supposed to be an easy assignment.
On the way, his teacher had seriously instructed him on some rules and common knowledge of Qionglong Star, but now, before the starship had even landed, a rule-breaking person appeared before his eyes.
"The owner of that ship... is probably not simple." Behind him, an old man with white whiskers exclaimed in admiration, "Young Master Molisen, on your first visit to Qionglong Star, you've encountered such an expert—your luck is truly extraordinary."
"Could he be a Cosmic Level Expert, an existence on the same level as our empire's general?" Prince Molisen asked curiously.
The old man slowly shook his head. "Qionglong Star is far more prosperous than our imperial capital, and its owner is a powerful Domain Master. How could an ordinary Cosmic Level Expert dare to act recklessly here?"
"Then..." Molisen set down his wine cup, looking surprised and doubtful. "Not a Cosmic Level Expert, but a Domain Master?"
One had to know that throughout the Kalo Empire, there was only one Domain Master—the current emperor.
"Hard to say." The old man kept his eyes fixed on the ship. "However... Young Master, did you notice the Maple Leaf emblem on the ship? It is the unique emblem of the Maple Leaf Empire. Although this ship is a custom model, its class is C6 or above... it is very likely that legendary figure of the Maple Leaf Empire."
"You mean... that legendary Giant Axe Martial Arts Practitioner?" Prince Molisen's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Exactly! It is rumored that his strength can rival a Domain Master, and he has close ties with the owner of Qionglong Star. If it is really him, then ignoring the rules makes sense." The old man said firmly.
Molisen was filled with surprise and joy. "I never expected to have the fortune to meet such a legendary expert. Unfortunately, for someone like him, even as a prince of one country, I'm afraid I'd hardly have a chance to get close."
...
On one side of the ship, the cabin door slid open silently.
A group of staff dressed in gray Qionglong Star uniforms had already lined up to welcome them. The leader was unexpectedly a Star Level Ninth Stage Spirit Master.
Waiting for Lu Qingshan to disembark, everyone bowed in unison, their movements uniform: "Greetings, Sir!"
"No need for formalities, go about your business." Lu Qingshan waved casually. Qionglong Star was his wife Catherine's family home; he had visited many times and was already very familiar with it.
Dismissing the crowd, Lu Qingshan brought his disciple Lei Ming and strolled toward the majestic city ahead.
Lei Ming, visiting Qionglong Star for the first time, looked around curiously. Compared with the scene before him, Maple Leaf Star, which he had originally considered the most prosperous, instantly paled in comparison.
"Qionglong Star has a special status; its commercial prosperity far exceeds the imperial capitals of many Elementary Universe Nations." Lu Qingshan explained briefly, then asked, "Do you have an account with the Universe Star River Bank?"
"A bank account?" Lei Ming scratched his head. "I only have accounts with Jiaolei Bank and Maple Leaf First Bank."
He had naturally heard of the Universe Star River Bank; it had branches on Maple Leaf Star, but the account opening threshold was outrageously high, requiring one hundred million Black Dragon Coins.
He had only been apprenticed to his teacher for three years, observed his duties, and declined all gifts. Some of his savings were gifts he received when he returned home last time.
Of course, he wasn't truly poor. Just the three origin force weapons bestowed by his teacher were worth no less than a hundred billion Black Dragon Coins. However, even if you gave him ten guts, he wouldn't dare sell the treasures his teacher had just given him.
Lu Qingshan chuckled lightly. "Give me your Maple Leaf bank account number. I'll transfer ten billion Black Dragon Coins to you first. Later, you can open an account at the Universe Star River Bank. Once you leave the Maple Leaf Empire, your Maple Leaf bank account won't be as useful."
"Teacher, ten billion Black Dragon Coins... too much! You're giving me so much money, I don't even know how to spend it." Lei Ming looked uneasy.
"Blockhead! Does spending money require someone to teach you?" Lu Qingshan laughed and scolded. "Besides, this money isn't all for you. Am I, your teacher, supposed to pay for all the food and drink along the way?"
Lei Ming then understood. "Student understands!"
Lu Qingshan had his intelligent assistant Nerses complete the transfer. Soon, the two arrived beneath the city wall.
On the towering city wall, a huge silver dragon sculpture was coiled, lifelike, as if it might soar into the sky at any moment.
Upon entering the city, the prosperity was even greater. The streets were surging with people, with all sorts of appearances: beast ears, catgirls, three-eyed beings, even lizard-like demi-humans... Compared to them, Lei Ming's small horns on his head seemed ordinary instead.
Lei Ming was looking around when suddenly a cat-eared girl threw him a seductive glance. He immediately blushed and hurriedly lowered his head, not daring to look around anymore.
"Qionglong Star is very safe. With your strength, you need not worry. The Universe Star River Bank branch is not far ahead. Go open an account yourself, then wander around the city at will. Before I leave, I will contact you." Lu Qingshan had other matters, so he sent Lei Ming to act alone. This trip was also meant for tempering; perhaps the effect would be better if he wasn't by his side.
Lei Ming nodded in agreement and walked toward the Universe Star River Bank.
Lu Qingshan's figure flickered slightly, and in the next moment he appeared at the entrance of a shop named "Qibao Shop."
"Welcome to Qibao Shop." A beautiful girl shop assistant in a uniform, possessing only Planet Level strength, respectfully saluted and then led him inside. "May I ask what Sir needs? Our shop has a complete range of goods..."
"Call your boss. You can't decide on the item I want to trade." Lu Qingshan interrupted her gently.
"Yes! Sir, please wait." The shop assistant dared not be negligent in the slightest and quickly ran upstairs. Soon, a slightly chubby old man hurried downstairs.
His gaze swept over Lu Qingshan. First he was startled, then he adopted an expression of extreme humility and alarm, stepping forward quickly. "I didn't know Mr. Lu was honored to visit; I failed to welcome you from afar, please forgive me, please forgive me!"
The beautiful shop assistant beside him witnessed the boss being so humble. Her eyes widened in shock, and her gaze toward Lu Qingshan instantly filled with fervor and curiosity.
Their boss was a prominent figure on Qionglong Star. Who on earth was this guest?
Lu Qingshan waved his hand to indicate it was nothing. Qibao Shop had been established here for many years; recognizing him was not surprising.
"I've come to sell a piece of Origin Force Armor." He got straight to the point.
Never mind that he had just given his disciple ten billion; Lu Qingshan himself was an out-and-out poor man.
His previous breakthrough had almost exhausted the Cosmic Currency and Qianwu Coins on his person, leaving only some Black Dragon Coins and Maple Leaf Coins with low purchasing power. One purpose of coming to Qionglong Star this time was to repay old debts, so he could only sell a piece of equipment.
"Mr. Lu, please come with me to the conference room to discuss in detail." The old man's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly led the way, inviting Lu Qingshan into an elegant reception room on the second floor and personally serving fragrant tea.
"I don't know what item Mr. Lu intends to sell?" The old man said eagerly.
Lu Qingshan flipped his hand, and a piece of armor with flowing electric light and extraordinary momentum appeared on the table.
"This is...!" The old man saw the armor and sucked in a breath of cold air. "Fourth-Grade Supreme, Thunderlight Armor!"
Armor-class equipment was inherently far more valuable than weapons of the same grade. The preciousness of a Fourth-Grade Supreme armor was immeasurable. The old man's aged fingers trembled as he carefully caressed the surface of the armor, as if touching a rare treasure of the world.
"Mr. Lu, this armor... I offer four hundred and ninety trillion Qianwu Coins!" The old man named an astronomical price. Qibao Shop had many branches; relying solely on the Qionglong Star branch, his cash flow was utterly unable to swallow this treasure.
"I want Cosmic Currency." Lu Qingshan said flatly.
He needed to repay debts, so naturally he had to collect Cosmic Currency. He couldn't borrow Cosmic Currency to repay Qianwu Coins.
The old man pondered briefly. "If paying in Cosmic Currency... my shop can offer one hundred and twenty billion Cosmic Currency."
According to the official exchange rate, this price was slightly lower. But in large transactions, Cosmic Currency was easy to exchange for Qianwu Coins, while the reverse was more difficult. This quote was already quite fair.
Lu Qingshan thought for a moment, then nodded. "One hundred and twenty billion Cosmic Currency, plus another five trillion Qianwu Coins."
"Deal!" The old man agreed without hesitation, immediately accepting.
Chapter 8