Swallowing the Stars: Only in my later years did I come to the life-spending panel.

"It really was you!"

Ming Yu laughed heartily, his voice causing the surrounding space to tremble slightly. "I knew it! With such amazing insights into the laws, how could you possibly be unknown in the universe! Your stunning performance in the Slaughter Space made me search for you for ages! I never expected you to come to Canglan Star to participate in this trainee mercenary assessment."

Upon hearing the words "Killing Space," Zhou Mu's eyes flickered, and he immediately realized that the other party had recognized his disguise as someone who had once displayed the threshold of the laws in the Killing Space.

"Junior Zhou Mu greets Lord Mingyu." Zhou Mu bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant, his tone calm.

Seeing Zhou Mu remain calm and composed under his Domain Lord-level pressure, Ming Yu's admiration deepened. He glanced at the spies from various factions trembling under his control and sneered, "This isn't the place to talk. Those flies outside will probably attract a bunch of troublesome old fogies soon. Zhou Mu, how about coming over for a visit? On Canglan Star, with my Virtual Universe Company protecting you, I'd like to see which foolish force in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire dares to lay a finger on you!"

"I dare not refuse such a generous gift from an elder. Then I will trouble Lord Mingyu." Zhou Mu smiled slightly and agreed without hesitation.

……

A moment later, inside a magnificent building belonging to the Virtual Universe Company on Canglan Star.

In an extremely spacious and soundproof luxury office, Mingyu personally poured Zhou Mu a glass of precious wine made from exotic fruits, and the two sat facing each other on the sofa.

"Try it. This is a good thing I got back in the Qianwu Universe Kingdom. It's very beneficial to you star-level warriors." Ming Yu greeted him warmly, but his gaze never left Zhou Mu's body, as if he were examining a peerless piece of jade.

Zhou Mu picked up his wine glass and took a small sip. The wine melted into a warm current that instantly spread throughout his body. It was indeed a rare and fine wine.

"Lord Mingyu, you've gone to great lengths to wait here and even helped me out of the predicament outside. I'm afraid it's not just to invite this junior for a drink, is it?" Zhou Mu put down his wine glass and smiled directly.

"Hahaha! That's great! I like smart and straightforward young people like you."

Ming Yu laughed loudly, his expression gradually becoming serious. "Zhou Mu, I won't beat around the bush. I know everything about your performance in the Killing Space, plus the commotion you caused in the Thunder World. To comprehend the fundamental laws of lightning to such an incredible degree at the third level of the Hengxing realm... your talent, even in the entire Black Dragon Mountain Empire, no, even in the vast Qianwu Universe, would absolutely place you among the very top tier of prodigies!"

Ming Yu leaned forward slightly, his gaze fixed intently on Zhou Mu, and revealed his trump card: "On behalf of the Black Dragon Mountain branch of Virtual Universe Company, I formally extend an invitation to you! If you agree, I can immediately apply for the highest-level 'Special Grade Genius' core contract for you! Resources, secret techniques, expert guidance—you can have whatever you want! Even… with your aptitude, I can recommend you to higher-ups and send you directly to the core training level of my Virtual Universe headquarters!"

This is a condition that could drive countless talented martial artists mad.

Having the opportunity to join the core layer of the Virtual Universe Company means instant success, granting you a powerful background that allows you to roam freely throughout the universe!

However, Zhou Mu's expression remained completely unmoved in the face of this incredible temptation that most people wouldn't even dare to dream of.

He listened quietly to Mingyu's passionate recruitment speech, without even blinking.

After a long pause, Zhou Mu slowly picked up the wine glass in front of him, drank it all in one gulp, and then met Ming Yu's expectant gaze, shaking his head slightly.

"I appreciate Lord Mingyu's kindness," Zhou Mu said calmly, yet with an undeniable firmness. "However, joining the Black Dragon Mountain branch and accepting the arrangements and training from the Virtual Universe Company means being subject to extremely strict constraints and rules. This is not in line with the path of martial arts I pursue."

Ming Yu's smile froze instantly, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes. He never expected that someone would refuse an invitation from the core of the Virtual Universe Company!

"Zhou Mu, you may not understand what a top-tier genius contract means..." Ming Yu said eagerly, trying to explain.

"Lord Mingyu, I understand." Zhou Mu interrupted him, gazing intently at the vast starry sky outside the window, "but this is not the stage I want."

Mingyu was taken aback: "Then what kind of stage do you want?"

Zhou Mu slowly turned his head, his eyes seemingly shimmering with lightning, and an absolute confidence and arrogance befitting a peerless genius emanated from him without reservation.

He spoke slowly and deliberately, "The 'Cosmic Genius War' across the entire human realm is about to begin. My goal is to carve out a bloody path on that pinnacle battlefield, which gathers the most outstanding geniuses from billions of galaxies throughout the universe within an era, and rightfully claim a place that belongs to me! Before that, I need absolute freedom to travel, to fight, and to seek my own opportunities. Any sheltered nurturing by any power will only dull my edge."

He spoke slowly and deliberately, "The 'Cosmic Genius War' across the entire human realm is about to begin. My goal is to carve out a bloody path on that pinnacle battlefield, which gathers the most outstanding geniuses from billions of galaxies throughout the universe within an era, and rightfully claim a place that belongs to me! Before that, I need absolute freedom to travel, to fight, and to seek my own opportunities. Any sheltered nurturing by any power will only dull my edge."

Hearing Zhou Mu's resounding words and feeling his soaring ambition and pride, Ming Yu was completely stunned.

"The Battle of Cosmic Geniuses..."

Ming Yu took a deep breath. Looking at the excessively young Hengxing-level martial artist before him, his initial regret and confusion instantly transformed into deep awe and shock.

He finally understood why the other person was able to comprehend the laws at such a young age.

Because the young man's vision was not limited to the small Black Dragon Mountain Empire; his journey was to the vast and boundless universe!

"Excellent! What a brilliant battle of cosmic geniuses!" Ming Yu remained silent for a long time, then suddenly clapped his hands and laughed, his eyes full of admiration. "A truly peerless blade can only be forged in endless trials of life and death. Your arrogance and ambition are worthy of your talent!"

Although Mingyu felt a little regretful that he couldn't directly pull Zhou Mu into the core layer, he knew that forcing such an ambitious and monstrous genius would only backfire.

"Since your ambition lies in the Cosmic Genius Battle, I won't force you to join the core and be bound by its constraints." Ming Yu changed the subject, offering a compromise, "However, in these five years, you'll inevitably encounter some shameless old fogies like those families outside. How about this, you can nominally join the 'External Martial Arts Division' of my Virtual Universe Company's Black Dragon Mountain branch, what do you say?"

Mingyu patiently persuaded, "Joining the External Forces will grant you a high degree of freedom. You won't have to take orders from anyone, and you can leave or stay as you please. At the same time, you'll gain the authority to purchase rare resources within the company. Most importantly… with the backing of my Virtual Universe Company's External Forces, those old domain lords who came to Canglan Star wouldn't dare to openly plot against you, even if they had ten times the courage! This deal isn't a bad one for you, is it?"

Zhou Mu chuckled inwardly; these were exactly the words he had been waiting for.

Why not take advantage of the protection and intelligence network of the Virtual Universe Company for free, without having to bear the tedious obligations of a core member?

"Since Lord Mingyu has put it this way..." Zhou Mu stood up, smiled, and extended his right hand to Mingyu, "If you refuse again, then it would be disrespectful of me. I accept the status of an external member."

"Haha! It's a pleasure working with you!" Mingyu shook Zhou Mu's hand with a sigh of relief and laughed out loud.

Although he failed to bring Zhou Mu into the core, Ming Yu's insightful recognition of such a monster who was very likely to shine in the Cosmic Genius Battle was definitely a significant achievement that would be recorded in great detail!

At this moment, the two got what they wanted and reached a perfect win-win deal in this luxurious office.