Planet Master

After seeing the message, Dian realized the others were closing in on him and initiated a transfer to the Universe Market.

The starry sky of the Universe Market was as bright and numerous stars filled it as usual. The Universe Market was filled with the new and old Planet Masters, walking around and trying to exchange something for energy points.

That was the common sight in this place.

Dian had come to this place one time before alone. Naturally, he had gone to the Auxiliary Pagoda to buy the Strong Luck Auxiliary Card.

At that time, I felt that it was necessary since it was said that the achievement of the Fortunate is rare. It turned out to be true. The effect of the active card is great enough it can twist the causality. That is practically an important trump card.

Dian and the others appearing in the Universe Market did not bat an eye since the new Planet Masters kept appearing on a regular basis.

That was why suddenly appearing became a norm but the location was not much different from the last time the Planet Master went back to their Planet Master Space.

“Alright, let’s go to that restaurant.” Dian said to the others.

The four understood and nodded their head but the three who had not met with Tritis were looking forward to it.

“Is it true that last time you went into that restaurant?” Mazdari inquisitively asked. His wing on his back slightly moved but did not unfurled since it would be inconvenient for the others.

“Of course. Don Restaurant. But this time, I am looking to see whether my balance will be enough.” Dian said with a trembling voice.

Actually, he was not sure whether his current energy point would be enough or not but Tritis had said that they should meet at the Don Restaurant, where they had previously met.

“Give up. Your balance won’t be enough.” Smirth said.

“Speaking from experience?” Dian asked.

Smirth could not believe that Dian did not know about the extremely high price the Don Restaurant used for their service. But he understood that Dian focused wholeheartedly on developing his planet and civilization and regarded him as an eccentric.

“Yes. That place is also the most secure place, equal to the Universe Council in status. That is why most high-ranking Planet Masters discuss things there.” Smirth explained.

“I think I got the gist of it the first time I met with Her Excellency there.” Dian nodded.

“Let’s go! I know the way.” Chikara spiritedly led the group while Dian shook his head helplessly.

But he still followed Chikara, who headed to the familiar building.

“Ah, you arrived.” A familiar voice could be heard and the group turned to look at the figure.

The five were familiar, while the other three were not, so the introduction was on the way.

“Your Excellency!” Dian bowed slightly as he greeted Tritis.

She was still with the same veil that covered her whole body. But Dian could know that she was looking at him with happiness and contentment.

“The same as before?” she asked.

Dian realized that she referred to the previous arrangement where Tritis was the one who set almost everything.

“Yes. My budget won’t come close to covering the cost.” Dian said honestly.

“Time to realize that you are still a small figure despite being a Third Rank Planet Master.” Smirth nodded when he said this.

Tritis already knew that the new three were the Planet Master that Dian had defeated in his Star Battle.

Arowana was stunned when Dian and Tritis familiarly treated each other and wanted to confide in Dian about it later.

“Let’s discuss things inside. This is not a proper place to speak about something important.” Frie reminded all about a critical issue and all of them nodded at her.

Then Tritis, Dian and the others entered Don Restaurant. The same waiter at the front desk who looked like a crab still with the familiar handkerchief in its pincer.

“Your Excellency! Welcome. Do you want the usual?”

“The usual. Which room is available?” Tritis asked, pleased that the waiter knew that time was sometimes more important than resources.

“Private Room Number Four.” The crab waiter said before looking at the familiar figure behind Tritis.

‘Looks to me that Her Excellency Tritis is actually quite fond of this Planet Master. Should I give preferential treatment to this one? Should I report this to the superior?’ the crab thought as various possibilities flashed through his head.

But he just needed to do his duty and he would be rewarded if his service was satisfactory. That was why he closed and opened his pincers. Tritis, who had been experienced in reading the emotions of countless sentient lifeforms, knew that the crab in front of her was happy and even fawning.

“Thank you. This is your tip.” Tritis extended her hand and touched the pincer.

The crab realized what she had done and his small eyes looked directly at Tritis and said, “Thank you, Your Excellency.”

Then Tritis led Dian and the others to the Private Room Number Four. They entered it and realized that there was an insulation barrier that covered the entire room.

There was a large table and dozens of chairs to sit at it.

Tritis sat on one side while Dian sat right opposite her, while the others sat near Tritis or beside Dian.

“I know that you have a lot of questions regarding the Third Rank Planet Master. I will explain to you one by one so that you can understand your current position in the Planet Master System.” Tritis said with a melodious voice.

Dian nodded while the other three, Arowana, Goliath and Smirth looked at the two like looking at some rare fauna at the zoo.

“With the advancement of my civilization, I can expect that they will travel to the planet in the star system. Is that why multiple planet management protocol is available for the Third Rank Planet Master?” Dian’s question was direct.

“Yes. With the Third Rank Planet Master and above, you can travel outside your own mother planet. Meaning that from this point on, you will have multiple planets to manage and oversee. Some of the facilities in the Universe Market will become available to you as well. Please check them for yourself.” Tritis said with a smile that Dian could perceive.

“That’s a good introduction. But what is the most important change when I have become the Third Rank Planet Master?” Dian asked once again.

The others did not disturb them since this would be their grand plan in the future.

“You will encounter Scientific Inheritance and Transcendent Heritage while exploring outside of your planet, of course. This is the opportunity for your civilization to develop.” Tritis said patiently.

Then the waiters came to their room, bringing food and beverages like before. This time, there were more since there were more individuals.

“Enjoy while we discuss things, everyone. You have been spared from being assimilated and devoured by Dian so you better know what’s good for you.” Tritis said while reminding them of something.

Dian knew what Tritis had done was for the others not to sabotage him. He felt slightly grateful for the care but also felt slightly annoyed that she had done this.

“Your Excellency, you don’t need to do this.” Frie said calmly.

She had seen with her own eyes that the defeated Planet Master had accepted their defeat and instead tried to integrate their races with the Cerulean Planet’s environment and the human civilization, creating a civilization of multiple races on the planet.

“I just wanted to remind a certain someone to take notice of his subordinates. Since he has a capable subordinate like you, I guess this is a bit redundant.” Tritis said.

“Hmm…delicious. This thing even strengthens my existence.” Chikara said as she gulped down a meat. She realized that the story behind the meat was about the apex predator of a planet.

Dian on the other hand tried his hand on the fish soup. It told him the story of a fate-defying fish that soared to the heavens.

“This soup is tasty. With the right ingredients, this taste will be one I can’t forget.” Dian said while taking a spoon to taste the food.

Everyone agreed that the food in front of them was delicious and tasty enough that their existence was strengthened through it.

“We need to thank the chef for this.” Leif said while munching on some meat.

“Don’t worry, I have already arranged that. Anything else?” Tritis asked.

Dian was deep in his self-introspection, feeling the existence power increasing slightly, different from when he was promoted to the Third Rank Planet Master.

Perhaps the food and beverages here affect the existence power slightly. But since I am much weaker before, the increase is quite good. Dian thought carefully and came to this conclusion.

“The first thing you should do when you are just promoted to the Third Rank Planet Master is to go to the Chart Shop in the Universe Market.” Tritis suddenly said which Dian took notice of immediately.

That’s probably one of the facilities available for Third Rank and higher Planet Masters. Dian already formed a certain opinion regarding this.

But he decided to ask for clarification.

“What’s so important for me?”

“You will need to make sure that you know exactly where you are in the Universe. That is why you need to buy a Star Chart for your own region first. It is so that you know exactly where you are, since it is a positioning device that will map the surroundings in a one-hundred-light-year radius.” Tritis replied with certainty in her tone.

Dian nodded, absorbing the information. He also realized that, indeed, he needed to know the surrounding star system since his civilization could leave the planet and land on another.

“What else?” Dian wanted to know more about what he needed to do.

“You also need to prepare for your Personal Manifestation.” Tritis said.

“What does that exactly mean?” Dian knew that manifestation meant that he could appear in any form on his own planet. But he had a feeling that this one was different from his usual manifestation.

“You need to go there yourself so that you will be able to get the best result.” Tritis replied shortly before she continued, “This Manifestation is the signature move of a Planet Master. Usual manifestation allows you to take any form you desire and does not cost energy point when not in a Star Battle. But when in a Star Battle, the effectiveness of your usual manifestation is so weak despite spending your energy point, right?

“That is why this Personal Manifestation is important. It allows you to wield the greatest power you have using the energy point. From this point onward, you need to learn this since the Third Rank and higher Planet Masters can also use this form when the time is right.”

Dian went silent and did not even reply, letting Tritis teach him.

“Where does this power come from? Usual Manifestation only allows for one’s appearance and slightly alters the terrain and weather but from your words, this Personal Manifestation is countless times more powerful.” Dian finally had a chance to ask.

The others while still enjoying the beverages still listened to the conversation between Dian and Tritis.

Tritis then let out a smile as she said, “From your Auxiliary Card. Your power will mainly come from your Auxiliary Cards so you'd better make a good synergy of your Auxiliary Cards.”

“Ah, that explains why synergy is so important not only to the races but also to the Planet Master.” Dian felt like enlightened at that moment, realizing why synergy became the core of the Planet Master.

Currently, I have Insight (E), Malleable Body (E), Fog of War (E) and Strong Luck (E). I wonder what kind of Personal Manifestation I will appear in front of my race?

Dian knew that he would have good synergy with the four of his Auxiliary Cards, not only to his civilization but also to himself, probably.

But…I should upgrade my Auxiliary Cards first since I have reached the Third Rank. I cannot let the weaker effect be the ruin of my race.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you.” Dian said with a sigh. He had a lot to do as a newly promoted Third Rank Planet Master.

Then he sensed that the others’ existence power was increasing, although not as strong as his.

“Ah, the pleasure of my existence power increasing is addictive.” Chikara said as she drank a cup of tea.

“This is good stuff.” Ghylea said while his undead fire burned intensely.

“I can’t believe that the effect can be this strong. No wonder this restaurant’s menu’s are expensive.” Goliath said while still chewing on his food.

“Sorry for their excited state, Your Excellency. They are just encountering a rare delicacy so they reacted this way.” Dian had an apologetic smile plastered on his face.

Tritis just smiled slightly as she knew that Dian was trying to not let the individuals under him appear embarrassing in front of her.

“It is fine.” Tritis said with a calming voice.

“But calling me ‘Your Excellency’ is a bit distant. How about calling me by name?” Tritis asked with a gleam in her starry eyes.

“Well, I can’t ignore your position and etiquette as a powerful being must be respected. That is what I believe, Your Excellency.” Dian said as a representative of all the individuals under him.

All the others were looking at the conversation and were shocked once again. They could not believe what they had heard.

Calling one of the Ten Venerables by name meant that she wanted to get closer to Dian. For them, it was almost inconceivable since they had assumed that the Ten Venerables were aloof.

“What a pity. I really want to get to know you better. As a Planet Master who oversees the human race, I want to learn more about you and your race.” Tritis shook her head as she looked at the individuals who gathered around Dian.

I could see that this was an arrangement by something beyond my perception, or is it actually the Planet Master System favoring the Planet Master of the human race? But why? My perception about the future timeline is blurred the moment it involves the human race…

Tritis could only tread carefully since she knew that making an enemy of the Planet Master of the human race would only destroy both sides and the Outer Being would only take advantage of that.

Furthermore, I also cannot see much of the timeline of the Outer Being. Why is it that both the human race and the Outer Being’s future become so blurry? Is there any similarity between them other than this?

Tritis felt like the mystery had become deeper, but it was all on her head at the moment. She could only make sure that the future she wanted to create was steered in the direction she wanted.

That was why she made a great effort at helping Dian. She had her own motives and she wanted her Universe Field to be freed from the invasion of the Outer Being.

She looked at Dian who was having a troubled expression. His appearance was that of the human race which was a bit obvious from the numerous races in the Universe Field under the Planet Master System.

The others, like Leif, enjoyed the beverages more than the food. Ghylea enjoyed both while Frie only ate a few of each dish present and also sipped some of the beverages, not eating much.

Tritis knew that Frie wanted to taste more varieties and that was why she ate a bit of everything.

As for Chikara, her appetite was in the top three in Tritis' view, along with Goliath and Smirth.

Arowana only ate a dish and drank a beverage before he felt full. It looked like he was a bit overspent in some aspect and caused his existence power increase to be quite limited.

Returning her gaze to Dian, Tritis realized that Dian had only touched some dishes and some beverages. It looked like to her that Dian wanted to taste a certain taste.

“Experience is something valuable, even in my planet and civilization.” Dian suddenly said after noticing Tritis's heated gaze.

Dian said what he had said because he realized that Tritis observed his every move so he might as well come clean.

“That is true. How is my assistance in sending you the Scientific Inheritance and Transcendent Heritage going? I hope that it helps your civilization.” Tritis suddenly shifted the topic of discussion.

Dian remembered that due to that, the Technology Tree and Transcendent Tree of his civilization had increased in entry so much that he felt that the favor was quite big.

“Replying to Your Excellency, it is one factor that allowed my civilization’s Technology and Transcendent Tree to be broad and tall.” Dian replied truthfully.

To be honest, that was the very thing that pushed the Technology and Transcendent Tree to near the pinnacle. Exchanging the Heart of Nature with the Miniature Spaceship was the last bit that made the breakthrough to the pinnacle of T2 Technology Tree and T1 Transcendent Tree possible.

Seeing that Dian’s reply was full of thankfulness and gratitude, Tritis nodded and said…

“I am glad to hear that. It means that my help is of great significance to you and your civilization. I see that you integrated the defeated race into your fold. Do you want to create a community where dozens of races gather under your core race?” Tritis asked an important question.

Dian could only nod. That was the plan ever since his fight against Leif concluded. He had met with other Planet Masters in his journey of climbing the ranks and they all loved their races deeply.

“That is fortunate for you. But from this point on, you need to be selective. Not everyone shares the same thought as you and those currently under you.” Tritis warned.