Swallowed Star: The Zerg Overlord

Chapter 105: Qiu Long (Dragon Star)

Inside the control room of the Black Dragon Mountain X81 spacecraft, Hong, Lei Shen, Jia Yi, and the others had just completed a round of intense cultivation. Their spirits were high, filled with anticipation for their first contact with the universe. Even Qin Mu, who was usually calm and composed, couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement.

Qin Mu was clad in a black battle armor formed by the Cloud-Vine. At the center of the armor's chest was a transparent crystal sphere about twenty centimeters in diameter, covered in intricate golden patterns. It was the source of the Golden Horned Beast's power within the Swarm.

Inside the Core, a vast, starry expanse stretched out, with a glowing sphere at its center resembling a star. This sphere represented the Golden Horned Beast's Star-level strength. After three months of consuming precious metals, the beast had reached Star level one.

The Core's vast space seemed to connect to another world—the inner world of the Golden Horned Beast. This inner world was a pure metallic continent, roughly ten kilometers in length and width, surrounded by endless golden mist. At the center of this metallic land stood a five-hundred-meter-tall pyramid-shaped nest, a Star-level Zerg nest. Nearby, the Golden Horned Beast, now over two hundred meters long, lay sprawled, devouring mountains of metal.

As the Golden Horned Beast consumed the metal, it also studied two powerful techniques: 'Deity of the World' and 'Absolute Space'. These techniques were particularly suited to the Golden Horned Beast and complemented the Swarm's abilities.

Scattered across the metallic continent, hundreds of towering Zerg warriors lay dormant on the nest's fungus carpet. These warriors, over thirty meters tall, were encased in thick, fiery-red armor. Their heads were protected by helmet-like structures, and their chests bore menacing spikes. These were the Flame Tank Zerg, known for their immense strength and defense. Each of them was at Star level one.

Beside the Flame Tank Zerg were ten smaller, three-meter-tall Fire-Eye Zerg. Despite their smaller size, their aura was far more intimidating, as each of them was at Star level nine. To conceal their identities, they were clad in full-body black Cloud-Vine armor, revealing only their three blood-red eyes. These Fire-Eye Zerg, resembling humans in appearance, would serve as Qin Mu's hidden trump cards, only to be deployed in dire situations.

On the surface, Qin Mu had three Silverium Guards for protection, and his own strength as a Star-level three spirit master was more than sufficient for most situations.

"Your strength has reached the Star level?" Hong, clad in black with his signature calm demeanor, was the first to sense Qin Mu's powerful aura.

"Yes, it was expected," Qin Mu replied with a smile. From mid-July 2057 to the end of December, the nest had evolved from planetary to Star level, and Qin Mu's strength had naturally followed suit.

Not only had Qin Mu reached Star level, but Lei Shen had also broken through to Star level. With the Yun Mo inheritance and an abundance of Mu Ya Crystals, Lei Shen's strength had surged dramatically. Hong, too, was on the verge of reaching Star level, his power having exploded in a short period. Compared to the original timeline, where they had to fight the Golden Horned Beast and suffer soul damage, their current progress was far more impressive.

Jia Yi, though not as strong as Hong and Lei Shen, had also made significant progress, reaching planetary level seven. Overall, the group's strength had undergone a qualitative transformation in just three months.

In addition to Qin Mu, Hong, Lei Shen, and Jia Yi, the expedition included fifty of Earth's top talents in economics, politics, diplomacy, and commerce. These individuals, fiercely loyal to Earth, had been forcibly elevated to planetary level one using resources, granting them the minimum qualification for cosmic citizenship. Led by Jia Yi, they represented Earth's first elite team to venture into the universe.

"Finally, we're heading into the universe. I can't help but feel excited!" Lei Shen, still sporting his signature bald head and white robe, rubbed his hands together eagerly.

"Of course, we're going to Qiu Long Star, a planet far more prosperous and powerful than the capital of the Silver Blue Empire. It's a place that makes Earth seem insignificant in comparison. How could we not be excited?" Jia Yi added, his voice tinged with nervousness.

"Qiu Long Star has a history of three million years. Whether in terms of cultural heritage or sheer power, it far surpasses Earth," Hong chimed in, his usual calm demeanor giving way to excitement.

"This is our first contact with the universe. As long as we can integrate successfully, it will be a victory," Qin Mu said, trying to ease the group's tension.

As they spoke, the spacecraft's AI announced, "The spacecraft is about to reach light speed and enter the dark universe. Please prepare accordingly."

Lei Shen was astonished. "We're already at light speed? I didn't feel a thing!"

Qin Mu laughed. "This is a Grade C spacecraft, a luxury model at that. It's designed to make the journey as smooth as possible."

The AI began a countdown. "Ten seconds to light speed... 10, 9, 8, 7..."

As the countdown reached zero, the spacecraft's surroundings blurred and darkened. In the vastness of space, the black spacecraft seemed to ripple and then vanish.

"Is this the dark universe?" Hong asked, looking around at the pitch-black surroundings. The external simulation had automatically shut down.

"I've never entered the dark universe before, but according to the spacecraft's AI, we're now traveling at 1.2 times the speed of light," Qin Mu replied.

"Simulate the dark universe's scenery," Qin Mu instructed the AI.

The control room's screens lit up, displaying a breathtaking view of the dark universe. It was a vast, empty space filled with countless glowing points of light, like a sea of fireflies. The beauty of the scene left everyone in awe.

"According to the spacecraft's data, the dark universe corresponds to our 'original universe,' but the ratio is 1:1,008,100. That means traveling at light speed in the dark universe for one year equates to traveling 1,008,100 light-years in the original universe," Qin Mu explained, sharing the information with the group.

"1,008,100 light-years... The universe is truly unimaginably vast," someone murmured, their voice filled with wonder.

"Estimated time of arrival at Qiu Long Star is approximately ten days. During this time, you can familiarize yourselves with cosmic knowledge or continue cultivating. By the way, how's everyone's language proficiency? It would be awkward if we couldn't communicate once we arrive," Qin Mu said with a smile.

"Of course, we've all learned it," Lei Shen replied in fluent cosmic language.

The group, being top talents, had no trouble mastering the universal language in a few months. In fact, the United Government had already begun incorporating this language into elementary school curricula as part of their preparations for integrating with universe.

As the spacecraft continued its journey through the dark universe, the initial excitement gradually gave way to routine. The group dispersed to focus on cultivation or study cosmic knowledge.

Nine days later, the spacecraft's AI announced, "Thirty minutes until transition. Arrival at Qiu Long Star imminent."

The group gathered in the control room, their anticipation palpable. The spacecraft gradually decelerated from 1.2 times the speed of light until it came to a complete stop. A slight vibration shook the spacecraft for about ten seconds before everything settled.

"Transition successful. Returning to the original universe."

As the spacecraft re-entered the original universe, the external simulation automatically activated. In the distance, a vibrant planet with two satellites came into view, its surface shimmering with colorful light.

"Qiu Long Star... We're here."

***

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