I Inherited 5,000 Years of Family Property

"What? Zhang Menglong is deploying a level nine life form this time?"

Upon learning this news, Luo Ze was so taken aback he could barely stand steady. How dare he undertake such actions? Did he not grasp the ramifications?

The last time a universe committed such an act, it descended into a world of tragedy. Yet, he dared to court disaster by pulling such a stunt.

Surely, he knows full well that Universe Seven did not dispatch any level nine life forms to assist Zhang Menglong, and how he managed to recruit such combatants is a mystery, but convincing anyone of that is another matter. Unless it was a level nine life form from their own universe, who else would take such a perilous risk?

"General, this Zhang Menglong is utterly reckless this time. He treats the lives across Universe Seven with utter disregard!"

"Indeed, even if we secure that mineral vein, so what? I wager the entire extraterritorial battlefield is now conspiring on how to sanction Universe Seven, and there might be a mass emergence of level nine life forms. How could we possibly withstand such a threat?"

"General, might it be wise for us to immediately issue a statement renouncing claim to that mineral vein and expel Zhang Menglong from Universe Seven—let all complaints be directed at him, perhaps offering us a slight chance of survival?"

"Do you believe that holds any significance?" Luo Ze glared at the legion commander. "Countless universes have their eyes on the weapons and equipment developed by our IPX-001 legion. Given such an opportune reason to seize them openly, do you truly think they would forsake this opportunity?"

"This..."

"Furthermore, this situation might not necessarily be a dead end," Luo Ze continued. "Menglong could not be oblivious to the consequences of deploying a level nine life form recklessly, yet he knows precisely what he's doing. Given his disposition, if he's resolved to take such a step, he surely has a plan."

"But General, we cannot base all our hopes on an uncertain outcome. What if he can't resolve the situation?"

"If it cannot be resolved... alas," Luo Ze sighed, "then let us silently await the joint 'judgment' from the other universes upon us."

The room filled with anxiety after hearing Luo Ze's remark.

...

As days passed, a large base city had been established around the star core mineral vein, the fruits of endless toil by captured warriors from other universe legions, held hostage by Zhang Menglong.

Numerous spacecraft have come and gone, carrying vast quantities of energy crystals and star cores as ransom to recover their warriors. Some ransomed solely their people, while others took both their men and warship equipment—Zhang Menglong made a fortune out of it all.

These energy resources alone would suffice to let Universe Seven splurge for tens of thousands of years.

"Legion Commander, someone is coming again!"

"Brothers, prepare to collect payment!" Zhang Menglong stretched lazily and rose to his feet. "Which universe are they from?"

"Reporting to the Legion Commander, it's Universe 404. However... they seem a bit peculiar."

"How peculiar?" Zhang Menglong inquired.

"They've only dispatched one warship, and judging by that ship's appearance, it certainly can't hold several trillion energy crystal stones. No civilization should have mastered our advanced space storage technology yet, right?"

"Maybe it's star cores then?" Someone else suggested. "Two hundred million star cores should fit, right?"

"If it's star cores, that should be fine. But Universe 404 dispatched 17 fleets this time. If they wish to ransom both warships and equipment, the quantity must increase 17-fold; a single spacecraft can't hold it all. Are they planning to have their people walk back on foot?"

"Do you mean they're not here for ransom but to reclaim their people?" Zhang Menglong immediately caught the implication.

"Most likely, Legion Commander. You must be cautious; it might be wise to bring Zhang Dapao just in case."

"Agreed!" Zhang Menglong nodded. "Dapao, come with me!"

Zhang Dapao, originally Ge Keluon, emerged from the void, but he had transformed dramatically since last faced.

Zhang Menglong gifted him a Heaven Rank cultivation technique alongside several spirit martial arts. In the days following, Zhang Dapao devoted himself to training and reflection within the room of spirit and time.

Though only three days had passed, for him, it's as though three years elapsed!

In those three years, he mastered the Heaven Rank cultivation technique completely, evolving all cosmic origin energy within into superior and fearsome power.

Though his life level remained a level nine elementary life form, his overall strength was now hardly comparable to before.

Like a bodyguard, he stood behind Zhang Menglong, providing immense reassurance.

...

The spacecraft halted at the entrance to Zhang Menglong's base city, and surprisingly, only two individuals disembarked.

"Legion Commander, it's their General and Deputy General from Universe 404!" A warrior from Universe Seven quickly announced. "Both are level nine life forms, and for them to appear personally, their intentions likely aren't friendly."

"I genuinely hope they're not friendly!" Zhang Menglong sneered, heading forward.

"Who would've thought both generals came personally to ransom their people. It truly makes this humble base city shine brightly," Zhang Menglong said courteously. "Do you wish to take only your people or both the people and fleets this time?"

"Naturally, we want it all!"

"Hahaha, with such respect for me, Zhang Menglong, visiting in person, how can I be stingy," Zhang Menglong steeled himself, gritting his teeth and stomping, "Universe 404 with a total of 17 fleets originally required 68 trillion level five energy crystal stones or 3.4 billion star cores. I'll offer a 2% discount—how about that, isn't it generous?"

"Hahaha, is Universe Seven out of their minds, still daring to demand ransom from us?"

"What do you mean?"

"Your Universe Seven has violated the extraterritorial battlefield's rules, and the joint sanction from all universes will soon descend upon Universe Seven. How can you still relish demanding ransom here?"

"This time, as both of us came personally, we have no intention of paying ransom. Release our people and warships immediately."

"I see it now," Zhang Menglong chuckled. "You're here to snatch your people, right?"

"Zhang Dapao, give them a beating," Zhang Menglong licked his lips. "Level nine life forms, increasing my ransom tenfold shouldn't be overly audacious, right?"

"Then you better have the skill to back it up!" The two level nine life forms were exceedingly confident in their abilities. Zhang Dapao's gene level was merely a level nine elementary, and they could sense he broke through not long ago—bullying level eight life forms might work, but before them, he'd only get thrashed!"

"Bodis, keep him occupied while I rescue our people!"

"Alright!" The level nine life form, known as Bodis, immediately dashed towards Zhang Menglong, abiding by the principle of capturing the leader first; if they could seize Zhang Menglong, they'd obtain everything they desired!

The leader from Universe 404 had just crossed Universe Seven's defense line, searching for their people's location when a familiar figure soared past him, crashing into a mountain ahead.

"Bodis?"

The person knocked flying turned out to be their universe's other level nine life form!

How could this be? How could he be struck away with a single exchange? Despite all being level nine life forms, despite disparities in strength, he should've managed at least some restraint, shouldn't he?

"Shoo!" Zhang Dapao flashed before him.

Zhang Menglong leisurely approached, "Restraint? You call this restraint? Just one person, are you underestimating me or overestimating yourself?"