The King’s Intent to Recruit

"Chapter 278: The King’s Intent to Recruit!"

"I didn’t expect your Judgment of Light to be so powerful," Turk said haltingly, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth with every word. "I concede."

"Winner: Hong!" The system announcement echoed over the arena.

Thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the stands. The battle had been far more spectacular than anyone expected, especially the final clash between the two giants, which left an unforgettable impression on every spectator.

Luo Feng jumped up excitedly. "Amazing! Hong won! He actually won!"

Luo Wen smiled faintly. "Just as expected. Hong’s Judgment of Light was indeed incredibly powerful, but more importantly, he controlled the rhythm of the battle well. He had been waiting for the moment Turk overexerted himself."

Thor laughed excitedly as well. "Haha, Hong usually keeps a low profile. Who knew he had something like that hidden away! Judgment of Light—so cool!"

In the arena, Hong slowly walked toward Turk and extended a hand. "An excellent battle."

Those four simple words were Hong’s highest praise for Turk.

Turk froze for a moment, then gave a bitter smile and took Hong’s hand. "It truly was excellent. I never expected my Ultimate Earth Form to lose to the Law of Light. It seems I still need much more cultivation."

Hong nodded without saying more. He helped Turk up, and the two supported each other as they headed for the teleportation platform. Though they had been opponents, this battle had forged a unique bond between warriors.

Teleportation light flared, sending the two back to the resting area. Luo Wen, Luo Feng, and Thor were already waiting there, and the moment they saw Hong return, they immediately gathered around him.

"That was incredible, Hong!" Luo Feng said excitedly, patting Hong on the shoulder. "That Judgment of Light was unbelievably cool!"

Thor grinned broadly. "Haha, I knew you had some kind of trump card hidden away! I just didn’t expect it to be this powerful!"

Luo Wen was calmer. He handed Hong a recovery potion. "How are your injuries?"

Hong took the potion and drained it in one gulp before answering briefly, "Nothing serious."

A moment later, his complexion had indeed improved considerably, and the scorched skin on his body began healing rapidly. That was the effect of an advanced recovery potion, capable of repairing most nonfatal injuries in a short time.

"We all made it through the third round," Luo Wen said, looking over the four of them with a rare hint of a smile. "That’s no small achievement."

It was true. Every round of the Virtual Universe Company’s Challenge Tournament eliminated a huge number of contestants. For all four of them to pass the third round together was exceedingly rare in the tournament’s entire history.

"What happens next?" Luo Feng asked curiously.

"We rest for three days, then the fourth round begins," Luo Wen explained. "The format will change in the fourth round, but the specifics haven’t been announced yet."

As they spoke, a man wearing an official Black Dragon Mountain Empire uniform approached them. He wore a crisp black uniform, with the empire’s emblem embroidered on his chest—a coiling black dragon surrounding a mountain peak.

"Greetings, everyone." The newcomer bowed politely. "I am Adams, liaison officer of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire stationed at the Virtual Universe Company. His Majesty learned of your outstanding performance in the Challenge Tournament and has specifically ordered that you be invited to the Palace for an audience."

The four exchanged glances, clearly surprised by the sudden invitation.

"His Majesty the King?" Thor could not help asking. "Why does he want to see us?"

Adams smiled faintly. "Although you four are from Xia Universe Country, you are representing the Black Dragon Mountain Empire in this Challenge Tournament. Your exceptional performance has brought honor to the empire, so naturally His Majesty wishes to express his gratitude."

Luo Wen suddenly understood. "I see. I remember listing the Black Dragon Mountain Empire as our representative nation when we registered, but that was only because we happened to be within its territory at the time."

Adams nodded. "Regardless, according to the tournament rules, you are indeed competing under the name of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. Furthermore, the four of you have performed exceptionally well, and His Majesty attaches great importance to this."

The four exchanged looks again. In the end, Luo Wen nodded. "We accept the invitation. When will the audience take place?"

"Tonight," Adams answered. "I have already arranged a teleportation pod that can send the four of you directly to the Palace. Please follow me."

Led by Adams, the four passed through the complex corridors of the Virtual Universe Company and arrived at a private teleportation area. It was far more luxurious than an ordinary teleportation zone and was clearly prepared for distinguished guests.

"Please make some preparations," Adams said, pointing to the changing rooms nearby. "Formal attire appropriate for an audience has been prepared inside."

The four entered the changing rooms and indeed found four sets of tailored Black Dragon Mountain Empire noble attire. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and the materials were of the highest quality. They were clearly worth a fortune.

"Isn’t this a bit excessive?" Luo Feng said uneasily as he picked up one of the outfits. "We only represented them in a tournament. Do they really need to make such a big deal of it?"

Luo Wen studied the attire thoughtfully. "The Black Dragon Mountain Empire has always valued talent, and our performance in the Challenge Tournament has indeed drawn attention. I suspect His Majesty has other intentions."

"What intentions?" Thor asked curiously.

Hong rarely spoke up. "Recruitment."

Luo Wen nodded. "That’s right. He most likely wants to use this opportunity to recruit us. The Black Dragon Mountain Empire has always had a tradition of gathering talented people, especially promising young experts. They spare no effort in winning them over."

"Then how should we respond?" Luo Feng asked with some concern.

"We should simply tell the truth," Luo Wen answered calmly. "We only happened to compete under the Black Dragon Mountain Empire’s name, but our roots are in Xia Universe Country. Still, there is no need to reject him outright. We only need to remain polite and respectful."

After changing into their formal attire, the four returned to the teleportation area. Seeing that they were ready, Adams smiled faintly. "Now that you are dressed like this, you truly look like the empire’s young elites. Please enter the teleportation pod. The journey will take about ten minutes."

The four entered the teleportation pod one after another. Once the hatch closed, a faint wave of dizziness struck them, a normal reaction to ultra-long-distance teleportation.

Ten minutes later, the teleportation pod stopped, and its hatch opened automatically. The four stepped out and found themselves inside a magnificent palace.

The palace’s architecture was filled with the Black Dragon Mountain Empire’s distinctive solemnity and luxury. Towering stone pillars were carved with lifelike black dragons, the ceiling displayed an enormous star chart, and the floor was paved with rare black crystal stone. Every step produced a crisp echo.

A group of palace guards in ceremonial attire was already waiting in the teleportation area. At their head stood a middle-aged man in a black robe trimmed with gold, his bearing extraordinary.

"Welcome to the Black Dragon Mountain Palace, everyone." The middle-aged man bowed courteously. "I am Edmund, a palace minister. His Majesty sent me to receive you."

Luo Wen returned the bow on behalf of the group. "We are deeply honored by His Majesty’s invitation."

Edmund smiled faintly. "Please follow me. His Majesty is waiting in the audience hall."

Led by Edmund, the four passed through several magnificent halls before finally arriving before an even grander chamber. Its entrance consisted of two massive doors twenty meters high, forged from some kind of black metal and engraved with the history of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.

"This is the audience hall," Edmund explained. "His Majesty is inside. Please observe proper etiquette. Upon entering, bow first, then wait for His Majesty’s signal before approaching."

The four nodded to show their understanding. The massive doors slowly opened, revealing an even more magnificent sight beyond.

The audience hall was vast, surrounded by towering stone pillars and enormous murals depicting the glorious history of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. A broad red carpet ran through the center of the hall toward a throne on a distant raised platform. The throne was crafted from black metal and all kinds of precious gemstones, gleaming with a mysterious light beneath the illumination.

Seated upon the throne was a middle-aged man around fifty years old. He possessed the Black Dragon Mountain Empire royal family’s signature dark green hair and golden vertical pupils. He wore a luxurious black-and-gold robe and a Crown set with countless gemstones, radiating an imposing aura without even showing anger.

This was the king of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, Nixius Henderson VII, a veteran expert who had reigned for thirty years. It was said that he had already reached the ninth rank of the Star-Level, making him one of the strongest beings in the entire empire.

"Your Majesty, the four geniuses from Xia Universe Country have arrived," Edmund announced respectfully before stepping aside.

Following protocol, the four offered the king a standard Black Dragon Mountain Empire salute.

"Rise," King Nixius said in a low, powerful voice. "Young people, I have heard of your outstanding performance in the Virtual Universe Company’s Challenge Tournament. You have achieved such excellent results while representing my Black Dragon Mountain Empire. I am greatly pleased."

As the backbone of the group, Luo Wen stepped forward. "Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise. We merely did our best."

The king smiled faintly. "There is no need for modesty. I have watched recordings of all your matches, and every one of them was impressive. Especially you, Luo Wen. The comprehension of laws you displayed in your battle against Valendo has already surpassed that of many veteran experts."

Luo Wen lowered his head modestly. "Your Majesty overpraises me."

The king’s gaze shifted to Luo Feng. "And you, young Luo Feng. To have grasped mental power and the initial Gold Law at such a young age, your potential is limitless."

Luo Feng hurriedly bowed. "Thank you for Your Majesty’s praise."

The king then looked at Thor. "As for you, Thor, your Ninefold Thunder Domain and God of Thunder Descent skill remind me of certain ancient cultivation arts of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. Their application was truly remarkable."

Thor seemed flattered. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I figured those out on my own."

Finally, the king’s gaze fell upon Hong. "And you, the silent Hong. Your Judgment of Light skill displayed an extremely high level of mastery over the Law of Light. In my view, you are only one step away from reaching Minor Achievement in the laws."

Hong merely nodded without saying much, though a trace of gratitude flashed through his eyes.

The king looked at the four with satisfaction. "I invited you here today partly to thank you for bringing honor to the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. On the other hand, I also have rewards to grant you."

He clapped lightly, and attendants on both sides immediately stepped forward, each carrying an exquisite black box.

"Please open them," the king said.

The four opened their boxes in turn. Each contained an exquisite badge. The badges were round, forged entirely from some unknown black metal, with an image of Black Dragon Mountain engraved upon them and ancient runes circling the edges. Most eye-catching of all was the gemstone embedded in the center of each badge. Every gem was a different color: Luo Wen’s was red, symbolizing the Law of Fire; Luo Feng’s was gold, symbolizing the Gold Law; Thor’s was blue, symbolizing the Law of Thunder; and Hong’s was white, symbolizing the Law of Light.

"These are the Black Dragon Mountain Empire’s Dragon Crest Badges," the king explained. "Each one has been custom-made according to its holder’s law affinity. By wearing this badge, you will receive the status of honored guests of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. You may freely enter the empire’s major cities and resource zones, and you will receive a ten percent discount at stores throughout the empire."

The four stared in surprise at the badges in their hands, clearly not expecting such valuable rewards.

"But that is not all," the king continued. "I have also prepared a special gift for the four of you."

He clapped again. This time, four people wearing black cloaks stepped forward, each carrying a crystal container. Within each container was a fist-sized crystal, respectively red, gold, blue, and white.

"These are Law Crystals." Pride entered the king’s voice. "Each one contains pure energy from its corresponding law. By absorbing these crystals, you can greatly increase the speed of your comprehension of that law. These crystals are exceedingly rare. The entire Black Dragon Mountain Empire possesses fewer than twenty in reserve."

Upon hearing that, all four widened their eyes in shock. Law Crystals were incredibly precious treasures in the universe, usually obtainable only by top-tier experts. For the king to produce four at once, the value of this reward far exceeded anything they had imagined.

Luo Wen hesitated. "Your Majesty, this gift is too valuable. We are afraid—"

"There is no need to refuse." The king raised a hand to interrupt him. "This is a token of my regard, as well as an investment in your futures. The Black Dragon Mountain Empire has always valued talent, especially young experts with limitless potential like yourselves."

Seeing the king’s insistence, the four could only accept the crystals respectfully and thank him repeatedly.

"There is one final matter." The king’s tone became more formal. "After the Challenge Tournament ends, I hope the four of you will consider joining the Black Dragon Mountain Empire and becoming formal citizens of the empire. I can guarantee that you will receive status and resources worthy of your identities."

The proposal left all four stunned. Although they had anticipated that the king might intend to recruit them, they had not expected him to extend the invitation so directly.

As their representative, Luo Wen answered cautiously, "We are deeply honored by Your Majesty’s invitation. However, our roots are in Xia Universe Country, and our families and friends are all there. This is a decision that requires careful consideration."

The king nodded, seemingly unsurprised by the response. "I understand your concerns. There is no need to give me an answer immediately. It will not be too late to consider it after the Challenge Tournament ends. I believe that, with your wisdom, you will certainly make the choice most suitable for yourselves."