Chapter 686: Imprisonment

King Yanzhu looked at the Zichen Bai Luo Leaf and the E9-class laser gun in Luo Feng’s hands, frowning slightly. Though a figure of his status would not envy such things, he was still astonished by the wealth and capability possessed by this young fellow, who was merely at the Domain Lord Ninth Stage. Purchasing such items was one feat; acquiring them without spending a penny was another.

“You do have a silver tongue,” King Yanzhu chuckled lightly. “I won’t press you further about the Flame God Source Crystal. Let me ask you this: the Sovereign-level soul slave you control—who exactly is he? What is his name? Which cosmic nation and star region does he hail from?”

Luo Feng’s heart jolted.

Trouble.

This was indeed a loophole.

“Many years ago, I purchased a large number of Cosmic-level slaves, one of whom was named Taiwu,” Luo Feng’s mind reacted with a speed worthy of artificial intelligence, instantly determining that any slaves captured during his Cosmic or Domain Lord stages could easily be traced. “He was among the most gifted. King Yanzhu, you should know that back then I was only at the Stellar Lord Ninth Stage, unable to forcefully enslave a Cosmic-level expert. But Cosmic-level slaves would not resist at all, so…”

Luo Feng indeed had many Cosmic-level slaves.

And many had died during several incidents, such as the deaths caused by the “Hive’s toxic gas.”

In any case, events from Earth long ago would be impossible for even the most powerful beings to trace.

“This Taiwu, as a slave with no resources, managed to reach the Cosmic Ninth Stage through sheer grit and crude methods. Later, I passed him a secret technique, and during my time at the Virtual Universe Company, I continuously provided excellent resources to the best of these slaves,” Luo Feng smiled. “Taiwu quickly advanced to the Domain Lord level. As my soul slave, I didn’t want to waste his time, so I elevated him directly from Domain Lord First Stage to Ninth. Then, he was extremely lucky and rapidly ascended to Sovereign level! Naturally, I nurtured him extensively and kept him close by my side, for many tasks are most conveniently carried out by a soul slave.”

King Yanzhu’s brow furrowed as he listened.

Before questioning, he had certainly gathered much information on Luo Feng. However, before Luo Feng’s rise through the “Genius War,” he was merely an ordinary Earth Lord, and Earth was located in the “Void Region,” leaving no intelligence to be found. Furthermore, the lower levels of the slave trade were chaotic.

“Oh?” King Yanzhu looked at Luo Feng. “Back then, you already knew the methods of soul control?”

“Yes,” Luo Feng replied respectfully.

“What secret technique was it?” Yanzhu pressed further. He had to find a flaw—soul control techniques were rare, and how could Luo Feng possess one without joining the Virtual Universe Company?

“The Soul Seal,” Luo Feng answered.

“What kind of secret technique is that? Is there such a method?” Yanzhu raised his eyebrows.

By his side, King Longjue chuckled. “King Yanzhu, your intelligence must have revealed that Luo Feng’s vessel is the ‘Shadow Demon Star’—the legendary ship once piloted by the renowned immortal Hu Yanbo, the Shadow Demon.” Though the mortal realm teemed with countless celestial beings, even the faintest whisper of fame ensured their names were etched into memory.

The immortals had excellent memories.

“Of course, Luo Feng inherited Hu Yanbo’s legacy,” King Longjue smiled. “And Hu Yanbo, with his nine immortal slaves, was known to many. His slave, the ‘Iron Sword Marquis,’ was even the envy of many. The method Hu Yanbo used to control his nine immortal slaves was the ‘Soul Seal.'”

King Yanzhu frowned.

“You said you summoned ten Sovereign-level guards, one of whom was your soul slave. Now, tell me the names, identities, and detailed backgrounds of the other nine,” Yanzhu ordered.

“King Yanzhu, what exactly are you trying to get at?” Luo Feng raised his eyebrows.

“I asked you a question—didn’t you hear it clearly? Just answer!” A cold gleam flashed in Yanzhu’s eyes.

Luo Feng bowed respectfully. “Your Majesty King Yanzhu, the other nine Sovereign-level guards were gifted to me by the Golden-Horned Race when I was invited to their territory. They were meant to secretly protect me.”

“The Golden-Horned Race?” King Yanzhu’s anger flared.

The Golden-Horned Race was independent of the human race.

Though technically a vassal, the Golden-Horned Race managed their own affairs, and humans never interfered in their internal matters. Thus, anything that happened within their homeland, the “Lasao World,” was impossible to investigate.

“Everyone, listen!” King Yanzhu suddenly turned to the hundred or so subordinates behind him.

The hundred white-robed and purple-robed figures bowed respectfully, awaiting orders.

“Search the battlefield thoroughly, find every clue, and uncover the truth,” Yanzhu commanded.

“Yes.”

The white-robed and purple-robed figures scattered in all directions, beginning their meticulous search.

“I won’t question you further for now. I’ll wait for the results of the battlefield investigation before proceeding,” King Yanzhu glanced at Luo Feng and said nothing more.

Luo Feng remained silent.

He glanced at King Longjue and sent a voice transmission: “King Longjue, does this King Yanzhu have a grudge against me? Why is he targeting me so harshly?”

“He is indeed targeting you, but the reason is unknown. I know his temperament might lead him to trouble you, but this level of obsession is excessive,” King Longjue transmitted back. “By the way, have you informed your teacher, Zhenyan King, about this?”

“Di Lun just informed my teacher. I’ll log into the Virtual Universe later to meet him,” Luo Feng transmitted in response.

Then, Luo Feng turned his gaze to the distant stars.

Across a range of tens of thousands of kilometers, the white-robed and purple-robed figures darted like lightning, searching meticulously.

Luo Feng, Di Lun, and the five leaders stood in silent observation.

…

“Place a fragment of Flame God artifact as if you discovered it,” King Yanzhu instantly transmitted to a purple-robed immortal searching nearby—belonging to the Flame sect. Upon receiving the order, the immortal immediately replied via transmission: “Understood, my lord.”

…

Moments later.

The hundred white-robed and purple-robed figures flew back, each holding various items in their hands.

“My lord,” the white-robed and purple-robed figures respectfully bowed.

“Everything around should be Sovereign-level insect corpses. These are not fragments of insect corpses,” King Yanzhu pointed at the various items. “Look at these items. Oh, this weapon fragment radiates the Flame Principle—it’s clearly a fragment of a weapon commonly used by a Flame Immortal. Could it be that this wasn’t caused by the explosion of the Flame God Source Crystal, but rather an attack by a Flame Immortal? And these other items, Luo Feng, how do you explain them? These are not Sovereign-level insect corpses—they are clearly foreign items. Where do they come from?”

Luo Feng frowned and respectfully replied, “Your Majesty King Yanzhu, many Sovereigns have perished. When a Sovereign dies, their inner world collapses, naturally scattering many items. How would I know the origins of these items?”

“Hmm?”

King Yanzhu sneered coldly. “You’re quick to deny everything. According to your explanation, any valuable evidence could be attributed to items from the collapse of a Sovereign’s inner world?”

“From start to finish, all I’ve seen is you evading the truth.”

“Everything you’ve said is unverifiable.”

“Seize Luo Feng and send him directly to the First Sector Prison,” King Yanzhu commanded. “Once in the First Sector Prison, he’ll have no choice but to confess everything!”

King Longjue, King Danian, and the other four were greatly startled.

The First Sector Prison?

The most severe prison in the human realm of the cosmos was the legendary “Upper Nine Prisons” and “Lower Nine Prisons.” The Upper Nine Prisons included the First Sector Prison to the Ninth Sector Prison, a fact known to many immortal deities. The Lower Nine Prisons, from the Tenth to the Eighteenth Sector Prisons, were unknown to many immortals.

The Eighteen Sector Prisons were known as the Eighteen Hells.

The further the sector, the more terrifying it became!

Even a King-level immortal thrown into the Eighteenth Sector Prison would likely not survive.

The First Sector Prison, though the least dangerous comparatively, was still terrifying for Luo Feng.

“King Yanzhu,” Luo Feng was furious.

“Silence! You have no right to speak,” King Yanzhu coldly commanded.

“I came to your Mulong Sector to purchase goods and was assassinated. You sent people to rescue me so slowly that if I hadn’t prepared countermeasures, I might have died,” Luo Feng ignored Yanzhu’s command and angrily said. “I haven’t even questioned you about the inadequate protection in your Mulong Sector, yet you keep interrogating me repeatedly.”

“I’ve been answering your questions all along, yet you insist on picking a fight.”

“Hmph.”

“Do you really think members of the Virtual Universe Company are easy targets?” Luo Feng coldly said. “I will immediately report this to my teacher, Zhenyan King, and inform the host of our Genius War, the ‘Nine-Sword Venerable,’ as well as the Master of Tian Shi, who has done me many favors! Let’s see… When did the Axe Combat Arena dare to treat a member of the Virtual Universe Company’s Original Secret Realm like this?”

King Yanzhu’s face turned red with anger.

The others were also startled…

The Nine-Sword Venerable? Master Tian Shi?

These King-level immortals, serving as sector leaders, all had powerful backgrounds and were not particularly afraid of Zhenyan King. However, the “Nine-Sword Venerable” was different. And the “Master of Tian Shi” mentioned by Luo Feng was an even more legendary figure, even more fearsome than the Nine-Sword Venerable.

“Master of Tian Shi?” King Yanzhu was secretly alarmed.

Even his benefactor would not dare provoke that monster.

The Master of Tian Shi was a super-being who had single-handedly suppressed the entire “Blood-Net World,” far more powerful than many cosmic rulers. The Blood-Net World was a place where the Virtual Universe Company had suffered heavy losses in ancient times, so its power was evident. Though not as strong as in ancient times, it was still formidable. The fact that the Master of Tian Shi could suppress the Blood-Net World made him a legend.

“Hmph.”

“Regardless, Luo Feng’s suspicion has not been cleared. How can we allow him to leave?” King Yanzhu commanded. “Bring him here and confine him in the ‘Silken Rain Hall,’ under strict watch.”

“Yes.” The purple-robed immortals flew over.

King Longjue and the others remained silent.

This confinement was essentially house arrest, not a serious issue.

“King Yanzhu,” Luo Feng stared at Yanzhu. “The Axe Combat Arena indeed has a fierce reputation. Your Mulong Sector’s poor management led to my assassination attempt, and now you treat me this way. I will certainly report this to the upper echelons of the Virtual Universe Company, to the Nine-Sword Venerable and the Master of Tian Shi.”

Hearing the name of the Master of Tian Shi, King Yanzhu couldn’t help but twitch.

“Seize him and confine him,” Yanzhu barked.

Whoosh!

Luo Feng was accompanied by two celestial beings and boarded a standard violet-hued starship, swiftly transported to one of the grand palaces within the Mulong Sector. There, he was confined to a secluded chamber under strict surveillance. As for Di Lun, he stood powerless before the might of King Yanzhu and his entourage.