As Luo Feng pondered the possible connection between Rong Jun and the Giant Axe Creator, the Giant Axe Creator surveyed the assembled Universe Masters with a hearty laugh. "It has been a long time since our Human Race has witnessed such a scene. Haha, all the Universe Masters gathered in one place."

The long-time Universe Masters seated on either side of the long table also chuckled.

"We are gathered here today, in part, to collectively welcome Luo Feng as the newest member of our ranks," the Giant Axe Creator said, turning his gaze to Luo Feng. "Starting today, our Human Race has gained another Universe Master. Luo Feng possesses the ability to manifest talent avatars and his survival capability ranks among the top ten in the universe... This is indeed a stroke of luck for our people."

Whoosh.

Most of the Universe Masters shifted their attention to Luo Feng. Some were even discreetly exchanging telepathic messages, clearly astonished by the Giant Axe Creator's assertion that Luo Feng's survival skills were top-ten material.

"It seems the Giant Axe Creator is aware of my Ghost Sea Avatar," Luo Feng mused internally, sweeping his gaze across the room. "The Universe Masters from the other factions, however, likely remain ignorant. Otherwise, their surprise wouldn't be so pronounced!"

"According to our Human Race custom," the Giant Axe Creator smiled, "every individual who ascends to the rank of Universe Master is bestowed a treasure equivalent in value to a top-tier Supreme Treasure weapon by the race. Luo Feng, what are your requirements?"

Upon hearing this, Luo Feng couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

This was the fundamental difference between a peak race and smaller factions. Even the North River Alliance, despite being one of the nine super-powers, had too many experts and too large a population. Unless they were recruiting a particularly powerful Universe Master from outside, the rewards for an internal Universe Venerable breaking through to become a Universe Master were meager. Advancement largely depended on individual effort.

"Luo Feng, state your request," the Giant Axe Creator urged, looking at him.

The multitude of Universe Masters also turned their attention to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng turned towards the Giant Axe Creator seated at the head of the table and smiled. "I seek no other treasures. I only hope the race can undertake a transformation of my territory, the 'Milky Way Galaxy.' I intend to reside there permanently in the future—to remain forever in my homeland—so I wish for it to be constructed with greater stability."

"Reside permanently in the Milky Way Galaxy?" City Lord Chaos and the Lord of Darkness, among others, were visibly surprised. Typically, Universe Masters established themselves in secluded locales like the Primitive Secret Realm. A Universe Master garrisoning an entire galaxy was highly unusual. However, City Lord Chaos and the others refrained from immediate objection, as they had long understood Luo Feng's profound attachment to his home planet, especially after he adopted the title 'Milky Way Master.'

"Luo Feng will reside permanently in the Milky Way Galaxy?" The other Universe Masters were also silently taken aback.

But since the faction associated with the Virtual Universe Company said nothing, they could only suppress their curiosity.

"Since you have a request, it shall be granted," the Giant Axe Creator nodded. "The Milky Way Galaxy is merely one galaxy; its scope is small. Using the value of one top-tier Supreme Treasure to fortify and build the most stable galaxy system would still leave a surplus."

"That will be sufficient," Luo Feng replied.

The construction necessary for establishing the Milky Way as a residence for a Universe Master was immensely costly, nearing the value of a top-tier Supreme Treasure even if it didn't quite equal it. Furthermore, Luo Feng already possessed numerous Supreme Treasures; he genuinely didn't value ordinary treasures highly.

"I recall that Luo Feng previously requested the return of his home planet, Earth," the Giant Axe Creator continued.

Luo Feng’s eyes brightened.

The other Universe Masters instantly fell silent, all focusing on the Giant Axe Creator.

"Now that Luo Feng has become a Universe Master and sits among us, it is time... for the full ownership of Earth to be returned to Luo Feng. Naturally, Earth will then fall entirely under Luo Feng's jurisdiction," declared the Giant Axe Creator.

"Giant Axe," interjected a giant figure covered in three-horned scales. "We Universe Masters are required to contribute and bear the weight of the entire race! Beyond that initial gift upon reaching the rank of Universe Master, any further acquisitions must be earned through contribution! If one desires powerful Supreme Treasures, one must offer treasures to gain Treasure Points... and exchange them. It is the same principle... Since the free gift has already been given, the Milky Way Master should not receive anything else for free. Half of Earth's ownership belongs to the race; since the Milky Way Master desires it, he should offer something of equivalent value!"

"If he desires Earth, he should offer something of equivalent value," another Universe Master voiced in agreement.

Luo Feng looked toward the three-horned scaled giant, recognizing him as the Lord of Desolate Mirror. The Lord of Desolate Mirror even nodded slightly at Luo Feng.

"Desolate Mirror!" City Lord Chaos called out. "This half-ownership of Earth was established through the contract between my Virtual Universe Company and Luo Feng. The other half belongs to my Virtual Universe Company. While your major factions all have descendants on Earth, it was my Virtual Universe Company that provided the five hundred billion Primal Chaos Units back then, and half the ownership resides with us. It is not a shared asset of the entire race. Returning that half-ownership to Luo Feng is certainly possible."

"The Virtual Universe Company is still a part of the Human Race," the Lord of Desolate Mirror countered. "How can the massive assets of the Virtual Universe Company be gifted away so casually? If there is no contribution, there is no acquisition—that is axiomatic!"

"Haha, we purchased it for five hundred billion Primal Chaos Units back then. Luo Feng... you can spend five hundred billion Primal Chaos Units to buy back half the ownership of Earth from the Virtual Universe Company," City Lord Chaos proposed.

"Yes, Teacher. Your disciple is willing to pay these five hundred billion Primal Chaos Units," Luo Feng stated.

Five hundred billion Primal Chaos Units? What a joke. Even a single heavy treasure far surpassed that value. For Universe Masters, five hundred billion Primal Chaos Units was like a drop in the ocean, while Earth was the entirety of the boundless sea! How could their values compare?

"We are fully aware of Earth's value," the Lord of Desolate Mirror frowned. "To suggest buying it back for five hundred billion is akin to giving it away for free! Never mind the fact that it was purchased for five hundred billion initially—back then, the full power of Earth was unknown, and Luo Feng’s strength was limited, making five hundred billion Primal Chaos Units sufficient for him."

"Oh, Desolate Mirror, are you attempting to interfere with a transaction of my Virtual Universe Company?" City Lord Chaos challenged. "Are you the one in charge of my Virtual Universe Company, or am I?"

"I am not interfering with a transaction, only asserting that principles must be maintained in all matters. If this were Chaos’s private property, how he chose to gift it would be his own affair. But this is the Virtual Universe Company's asset. The Virtual Universe Company belongs to the Primal Master. How can the treasures of the Virtual Universe Company be given away so carelessly?" the Lord of Desolate Mirror insisted.

City Lord Chaos and the Lord of Desolate Mirror began to debate. One was the head of the Virtual Universe Company, the other the founder of the Universe Mercenary Alliance. Both were top-tier figures among the Universe Masters, holding positions of nearly equal standing within the race. Meanwhile, the leaders of the other two factions, Lord Qing Dong and Lord Peng Gong, watched silently, as they too had interests tied to Earth.

"Enough," the Giant Axe Creator spoke up.

The Lord of Desolate Mirror and City Lord Chaos both turned toward him.

"I have stated it!" the Giant Axe Creator said with a slight frown. "The moment Luo Feng could sit with us was the moment Earth’s ownership was to be returned to him! The promise I made... must be honored! Since half of Earth’s ownership belongs to the Virtual Universe Company, I shall compensate the Virtual Universe Company with a peak-tier Supreme Treasure for this loss."

"Giant Axe," "Giant Axe," the Lord of Desolate Mirror and others immediately protested. How could they allow the Giant Axe Creator to offer up a Supreme Treasure?

"Giant Axe Creator," even Luo Feng couldn't help but call out.

"This matter ends here," the Giant Axe Creator declared with a sweeping glance, and all the Universe Masters immediately quieted.

The primary purpose of this meeting was to welcome Luo Feng. Afterward, they discussed matters concerning the Primitive Star and the Universe Sea, and then the meeting adjourned. The Universe Masters aligned with the Virtual Universe faction dispersed, but Luo Feng was summoned by City Lord Chaos.

"Teacher, how did this end up with the Giant Axe Creator gifting a peak-tier Supreme Treasure to my Virtual Universe Company?" Luo Feng couldn't help but ask, feeling deeply indebted to the Giant Axe Creator for this arrangement.

"Don't dwell on it too much," City Lord Chaos shook his head. "The Giant Axe Creator is the strongest existence in our Human Race's universe and possesses the most Supreme Treasures. Even under normal circumstances, he would gift treasures to the race without being asked. Many of the exceptionally powerful treasures that can be exchanged within the race were directly gifted by the Giant Axe Creator. So, gifting one to my Virtual Universe Company is nothing. After this, I will simply gift that treasure back to the race."

Luo Feng nodded quietly, sighing again... It was not easy to uphold an entire race! While the weak who walked alone might suffer disadvantages, the lone supreme beings of the universe enjoyed great freedom. Standing at the apex of the cosmic pyramid, they could acquire numerous Supreme Treasures, yet as individuals, they only needed a few; most others were useless to them. Thus, they were carefree. But once ties to a race are established, they must act cautiously, and they must constantly contribute to nurture the next generation.

"I understand," Luo Feng nodded, deeply moved. He resolved to repay the Giant Axe Creator's favor in the future.

"Do not hold any resentment toward the Lord of Desolate Mirror for his obstruction," City Lord Chaos advised. "It is all about interests. Notice why the other Universe Masters remained silent—it is because this matter involved the interests of the other four major factions as well. The Lord of Desolate Mirror spoke up essentially for them. Nearly all principles guiding conduct in the universe are rooted in vested interests—be it individual interests, factional interests, or the interests of the race."

Luo Feng acknowledged this.

"Speaking of which," City Lord Chaos looked at Luo Feng, "are you truly planning to reside permanently in the Milky Way Galaxy?"

"Yes," Luo Feng confirmed. "Permanently residing in the Milky Way!"

"Universe Masters of the Human Race generally station themselves in vital strategic points within our territory. Firstly, these locations house our Universe Venerables, Immortals, and geniuses, requiring the protection of super-experts. Secondly, in key race locations, there are usually several Universe Masters present, allowing mutual aid against great calamities, making survival easier. If you remain alone in the Milky Way, and are suddenly attacked by an alien race, even if other powerful experts rush over, it will take time. There are Universe Supreme Beings who garrison their homeworlds, but most only leave behind an avatar."

"You will not change your mind?" City Lord Chaos asked.

Luo Feng smiled, his expression utterly relaxed. "I will not change it. I will permanently reside in the Milky Way, guarding my home."

Through endless eons, repeated struggles, and numerous life-or-death battles, what was it all for? It was for the day one could truly stand at the peak of the universe and safeguard their home.

PS Chapter One Ends!