Director Zhou smiled at him. “Don’t be nervous; there’s no need for you to risk your life. Individuals below Lv. 9 can’t fight an entire civilization. No matter how much the Black Moon civilization values us, it’s impossible for them to send a great Origin lifeform over. Therefore, some of the open strife and hidden struggles between the Black Moon civilization and us will still be within the rules.”

Xu Jingming nodded.

To flip the table was a violation of the Cosmic Human Alliance’s laws! Once it was exposed, the Black Moon civilization wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences.

“Within the rules, we are ultimately too weak,” Director Zhou said. “Therefore, we need to rely on influence.”

“Rely on influence?” Xu Jingming’s heart stirred.

“Yeah.” Director Zhou nodded. “Although Earth has made plenty of preparations for this day, our greatest influence… is with you! To be precise, it’s your Redmond Medal!”

“Redmond Medal?” Xu Jingming had a guess—this was a gift from Tejano.

“Our civilization has interacted with cosmic civilizations for more than 30 years, but we aren’t qualified to cozy up to the Redmond Group,” Director Zhou said. “We were willing to give more than half of the civilization’s assets to Ambassador Tejano, but he wasn’t willing to accept or protect us. Sigh…”

“Protecting a civilization involves too much. We can understand that,” Director Zhou said, “but he protected you personally and gave you a Redmond Medal.”

“Therefore, the Earth Alliance hopes to give you a small number of shares in some of the core Earth Alliance corporations for free.” Director Zhou looked at Xu Jingming. “When the time comes, you will be on the shareholder list.”

“With a corporation shareholder possessing the Redmond Medal—even the Black Moon civilization won’t dare to go overboard,” Director Zhou remarked.

“Will it really work?” Xu Jingming asked. “After all, this is only an Evernight-level Redmond Medal.”

“It will definitely be of some use when it involves the Redmond Group,” Director Zhou said. “You should know the Redmond Group’s influence.”

Xu Jingming nodded. He had checked it out in the virtual world.

The Redmond Group… was strong—very strong! It was one of the most terrifying corporations among the three advanced cosmic civilizations, and it was a behemoth in the Hunter Cosmic Sector.

Ambassador Tejano was definitely a big shot, the kind that could uplift cosmic humans! Unfortunately, Earth’s civilization couldn’t cozy up to him at all.

Tejano was still very cautious. There was a huge difference between protecting an individual and protecting a civilization. Earth’s civilization… wasn’t worth Tejano’s effort.

“Yet, Ambassador Tejano keeps such a low profile and continues working hard.” Xu Jingming sighed with emotion. What reason do I have to relax?

“If you have no objections, you can enter the virtual world later! With the virtual world as a witness… we can sign a contract for the shares.”

Xu Jingming nodded.

…

Witnessed by the virtual world, the representatives of the core corporations of Earth’s civilization signed a contract of gift with him.

There was one contract after another.

He signed a total of 92 contracts that involved Earth’s virtual world, energy, mineral deposits, equipment, and other corporations. The shares gifted to him in every contract ranged from 0.5% to 1%.

“These shares don’t seem like much,” Director Zhou introduced, “but all of them together are worth nearly 20 billion cosmic dollars.”

“I won’t sell it,” Xu Jingming said.

“Other than the resources we previously agreed on,” Director Zhou said, “you can also use these shares as collateral to borrow cosmic dollars from Earth.”

As the number one expert born after Earth first integrated into the universe, Earth had poured resources into grooming him.

“Mr. Xu, we won’t disturb you anymore.” The representatives bade farewell.

Although Xu Jingming had obtained so many shares, he only treated them as nominal and didn’t plan on using them.

******

Time passed, and he continued attempting Planet Number Three’s test.

He first consulted professional experts in the virtual world and did a mix and match of suitable equipment to increase his ability to ward off the cold.

These combat boots and armor are one without any seams. Same for this armor. After entering the Lake of Extreme Cold, the lake water can’t seep in. Xu Jingming equipped himself again. His neck and head were tightly wrapped, only revealing his eyes.

Let’s go. He felt much better after the increase in his ability to ward off the cold.

After arriving at the Lake of Extreme Cold, the lake water couldn’t seep in. The lake water was dense and buoyant, so it wasn’t difficult to paddle forward with both arms.

As he swam, even though the lake water couldn’t seep in, the cold air still slowly seeped in, causing him to become colder and colder. After swimming for more than 50 kilometers, he froze into an ice block and lost his life.

Racking my brain to increase the effects of my cold-resistant equipment has clearly improved my progress. Xu Jingming was quite excited.

He tried again and again, but even if the lake water couldn’t seep in, the cold—which was even more terrifying than on land—still made him fail time and time again.

My mind and consciousness aren’t strong enough. I clearly have unlimited stamina. As long as I make all the cells in my body unleash enough heat, I can theoretically withstand the cold, Xu Jingming thought.

If he had the mind and consciousness of a Lv. 8 cosmic lifeform, the heat released from his body would probably be like a furnace that could allow him to reach his destination easily.

…

On May 20, in the evening, he boarded the small spaceship and headed for the underwater base again.

“Mr. Xu.” The members of the underwater base also received him warmly. After all, he was the only person in years who used the gravity chamber and artificial star for cultivation.

Xu Jingming first went to the gravity chamber and cultivated for 22 minutes under 8,900× gravity before heading to the artificial star chamber in extreme fatigue.

Buzz.

The artificial star’s energy circulated, and the floating black sphere with a diameter of 34 centimeters began to turn hot and dazzling. The light intensity rapidly increased, and through the refraction of light inside the building, all the light gathered on Xu Jingming.

Xu Jingming sat cross-legged, his extremely exhausted body frantically absorbing the energy of all artificial stars.

This artificial star was R9, which meant that it could go from R1 to R9.

Nine of the main levels could be subdivided. For example, R9 could be subdivided into R91, R92… R99!

Xu Jingming was now using R29, which was currently optimal for his body. If he raised it to R3… it would seriously injure his body.

How comfortable. Xu Jingming patiently absorbed the energy, and every cell was slowly strengthening.

After 17 minutes of absorption, he felt the changes in his cells.

I’m finally beginning to break through! Xu Jingming revealed a look of delight and said, “Raise the energy level of the artificial star to R31.”

The light emitted by the artificial star immediately increased in intensity.

“Xu Jingming, all the cells in your body are in the midst of a breakthrough. According to the calculations, the most suitable energy level for you is R38.” The AI voice echoed in the building.

“Raise it to R38.” Xu Jingming immediately spoke because the AI system’s recommendations were generally very safe.

When breaking through from an Intermediate cosmic lifeform to an Advanced cosmic lifeform, the body could absorb a lot of energy.

It took him three and a half hours with the R38 artificial star in operation to feel full. Every cell in his body was much stronger than before, and similarly, every cell in his head and brain evolved to a new level.

His thinking speed increased greatly, and his brain waves became much stronger.

My level in life has increased. When Xu Jingming walked out of the artificial star chamber, he felt the range of his mind and consciousness extend greatly.

I can even sense that I can destroy this underwater base with a single punch. The increase in strength gave Xu Jingming a desire to destroy. As the saying went: with a sharp weapon, one’s killing intent would arise. To hold back and endure when in possession of terrifying strength required self-control.

This also alerted Xu Jingming. Thankfully, my mind is strong, allowing me to have the corresponding strength. Otherwise, I could easily fall into temptation, and my great strength would cause terrifying disasters.

The destructive power of an Advanced cosmic lifeform was already very terrifying.

He rode the spaceship back.

To wipe out a city with a flick of a finger and unleash cosmic energy at full strength to wipe out a country—this is the Advanced realm of cosmic lifeforms. Xu Jingming sighed inwardly. And this is only at Lv. 7. If I become a Lv. 8 cosmic lifeform, I can wipe out all the lifeforms on the surface of a planet by myself.

Of course, this only referred to all surface lifeforms.

To destroy a planet itself? The difficulty was more than a hundred times greater. It was impossible for cosmic lifeforms to do so with their individual strength.

…

The transformation of his body made his mind and consciousness much stronger.

It feels different. On Planet Number Three of Blood Rain World’s mysterious land, Xu Jingming sensed his majestic and powerful mental strength. His terrifying mind and consciousness gave him greater control over every cell!

Let’s go! Xu Jingming began his ninth attempt.

After reaching cellular control, it became harder and harder to increase his strength and speed. When Xu Jingming broke through to become an Advanced cosmic lifeform, his actual combat bonus only increased slightly, reaching 25×. However, his mind and consciousness were more than twice as strong.

It was clearly much easier to deal with the cold.

His powerful mind and consciousness reached into every cell, and every cell constantly produced heat! Even though the cold kept rising, he could still control every cell.

Whoosh.

He entered the Lake of Extreme Cold and swam forward.

The terrifying cold made one’s mind and consciousness only vaguely control their cells, but this level of control was enough to keep them moving forward.

I’m in much better shape this time. I’ll definitely succeed. Xu Jingming had a strong premonition, especially when the island in front of him was getting closer and closer. It made him even more excited, and his fighting spirit rose.

I’m almost there. I’m almost there.

The fanatical joy of impending success made his mind and consciousness stronger, and his control over his body increased.

Emotions can also affect the mind and consciousness, Xu Jingming thought to himself and swam harder.

Finally—

Xu Jingming stepped foot on the island!

After walking onto the island, his entire body was covered in a layer of frost, but his eyes burned as he ran toward the miniature wormhole on the island with large strides.

I’m here. When he entered the miniature wormhole, his heart was filled with joy.

When he left the cold Planet Number Three and walked out of the miniature wormhole, he felt his body instantly recover. He also felt extremely warm and comfortable.

He looked up and saw the scenery of Planet Number Four.

As long as I pass Planet Number Four’s test, I’ll enter Planet Number Five! I have a chance of joining a regional faction. Xu Jingming’s eyes were firm.

…

In the observation space.

Observers from the 352 factions in the Hunter Cosmic Sector watched from afar.

“Observer Chang, look. This person who just stepped into Planet Number Four is from your Oohook Star Alliance…” A glasses-wearing short fatty—who was only half a meter tall—smiled at Xu Jingming, who had just stepped into Planet Number Four.

A thin black-shirted man also looked at Xu Jingming.

As observers, they didn’t care much about the first three planets, but they would still watch Planet Number Four seriously. This was because one was qualified to join a regional faction after passing Planet Number Four’s test.

It took him so long to reach Planet Number Four. From the looks of it, he didn’t clear the prior planets in one go. Observer Chang watched from afar and frowned slightly. He looked at Xu Jingming’s figure from afar without much hope.