Planet Master

“Help me!” Ghylea was just distanced from the rest of the group for a moment and the gap closed.

Currently, the group was moving through the crowds and they needed to be together to be able to move past the crowd. But sadly, things did not go according to their wish.

“Let me!” Mazdari was the first to notice since he was hovering and making sure that the group stayed near each other. He became the first to act and tried to move Ghylea in the direction of the rest of the group.

Dian sighed and decided not to move which the rest followed. Dian even heard Ghylea’s call for help and stopped his movement.

“Quick, come here!” Leif was the one who shouted since the noise of the crowd almost drowned his loud voice alone.

Mazdari and Ghylea then moved closer to the group before reuniting and moving again in the direction of the Auxiliary Pagoda.

Then three similar incidents occurred. One by Chikara, two by Smirth who muttered something while distracted from the direction of the group and the third was surprisingly Frie.

“Why are you so distracted? That’s not like you. You usually up your guard in this environment.” Chikara said as she was the one who knew her the longest.

“Apologies. I was just thinking about the way for my race to have the capabilities like human civilization.” Frie said. That was her being truthful since she indeed thought about that.

“I see. You felt that your race had been left behind in progress. Is that what you are trying to say?” Dian looked at her and understood some things even without a clear indication.

Frie looked apologetic to Dian so he clicked his tongue at the sight.

“They will have their chance to shine. This, I promise you. No, not just Frie but you all!” Dian said after they had reached a place sufficient for a discussion. After stepping into the crowd, he and the others realized just how powerful the crowd was, even if the Planet Masters of the First and Second Rank were far weaker than they were.

Then they finally arrived at the Auxiliary Pagoda. They all entered the entrance and then stepped onto the ladder that led to the second story.

“Hmm.” Dian felt something scanning him. He assumed that it was actually looking for his qualification. Of course, his existence power was sufficient and his rank in the Planet Master System had been verified so there was no problem.

After that, Dian and the others arrived at the second story. The area was as large as the first story so it was a sign of spatial manipulation once again. Dian only learned a bit about spatial manipulation from Tatsumi but it was more about rending the space rather than skillful manipulation.

But he had an idea he wanted to try. He folded the space between the receptionist, which was actually what Dian recognized as Garmentfolk. Her form was that of the red-colored bride garment, which he recognized from the origin similar to his Heavensend Continent Qin Empire. Of course, she was just a piece of clothing, so there was no one wearing her.

Dian then felt the space around his group changed as he finally arrived at the last step, connecting the two different spaces. As he connected the two, he could feel that the connection was faint but could only sustain it for a breath.

Dian did not waste time and transferred him and his group through the spatial folding and arrived in front of the desk of the red-colored wedding garment.

The wedding garment then slipped out two jade slips, which could be read as “Buy” and “Upgrade”.

But then she let out another jade slip which read “Amazing”.

Dian and the others read it and looked at Dian as if he were a monster. Spatial Manipulation was something that only a veteran Third Rank Planet Master could do. The fact that Dian could do that meant that he had entered the space manipulation level of mastery.

“This Little Bride is right. You are amazing.” Smirth praised Dian since it was an objective point of view. Even the Garment let out her amazement through the jade slips.

Then Dian gave Smirth a thumbs-up before pointing and picking up the “Upgrade” jade slip.

The “Little Bride” understood and then placed a Card Upgrader in front of her and then let out another jade slip.

This time, it was read “Sufficient?”.

Dian realized that she referred to his energy points. He replied, “Should be sufficient. No need to worry about it.”

Then Dian, through the permission from the Planet Master System, let out his Auxiliary Cards and gave the four to the “Little Bride” to be processed.

“Little Bride”, as if having something to hold the four cards, placed the first card on the Card Upgrader.

After placing the cards one by one to be upgraded, the tally came up and “Little Bride” showed it to Dian.

[Cost: 130.000 energy points.]

[Cosmic Fog (D): 10.000]

[Advanced Insight (D): 2.500]

[Adaptive Body (D): 50.000]

[Great Luck (D): 67.500]

Seeing the costs, Dian almost let out a cry of indignation.

Why does the good stuff always come with a high price? I know that the price always justifies the effect, but that’s almost all of my savings. Only more than twenty thousand remaining…

[Energy point(s): 24.000]

But the effects of the Auxiliary Cards were amazing too. Dian looked one by one and understood that fact.

[Card Name: Cosmic Fog

Card Level: D-level

Price:10.000 energy points

Type: Passive

Effect: Create a Cosmic Fog, a stronger Fog of War for the opponent’s Planet Master. It also obscures the movement of the unit under your race. It can even obscure the area already under the civilization.]

[Card Name: Advanced Insight

Card Level: D-level

Price: 2.500 energy points

Type: Passive

Effect: Increase the Insight of your Core Race to an advanced level, enabling them to enhance their probability of discovering new Technology and also Transcendent ability.]

[Card Name: Adaptive Body

Card Level: D-Level

Price: 50.000 energy points

Type: Passive

Effect: Enable the Core Race to be able to adapt to all transcendent energy or any stimulus, internal or external. Can increase the resistance to certain negative effects with good results.]

[Name: Great Luck

Rank: D-Level

Price: 67.500 energy points

Type: Auxiliary Ability Card (Active)

Effect: Whenever the card is activated, it grants the Core Race great luck for the moment until twenty minutes later. Does not consume the destiny of the civilization and the fortune of the planet.

Note: Only the civilization with the Fortunate Achievement could buy this card. Enter a twenty-four-hour cooldown after use.]

Dian then looked at his overall stats after all the upgrades and placed the Auxiliary Cards back in their slots.

[Planet Name: Cerulean Planet

Planet Size: 14.500 km in diameter

Energy points: 24.000

Lifespan: 75 million/1 billion

Civilization: Human

Afterlife Model: Library of Consciousness

Rank: Third Rank

Auxiliary Card Slots(4): Cosmic Fog (D), Advanced Insight (D), Adaptive Body(D), Great Luck (D)]

D-Level cards equated to the Third Rank in terms of utility and that was why upgrading them became important. The effect increased so much that it had a qualitative leap from the previous effect.

Although Dian had some energy points source to farm, the number was ultimately few on a planet with a diameter of 14.500 km. It was still a small amount compared to what he needed but at least some of the energy points were generated this way.

With the Controlled Nuclear Fusion Power Plants, he could receive part of their energy to be transformed into energy points. There would be a plan to send a swarm to the Violet Sun Virya to gather its energy for the civilization’s use and that would also become his source of energy points.

Now, with the Auxiliary Cards functioning, the speed of the research in the Technology and Transcendent Tree increased, the fog that protected the planet now extended to the place they had visited even the Red Moon, the body of the human race became healthier and more immune to disease and the trump card that could boost the luck of the human race.

Dian felt confident that he had made the civilization formidable but he needed to develop his races first before attempting a Star Battle.

Then he saw that the others were looking at him as if they needed to know what changed with the Auxiliary Cards that had been upgraded. Dian showed it to them through the Planet Master System function.

“It increased the effect significantly. But sadly, the Acquired race only receives the partial effect of the Core Race.” Mazdari said while moving around Dian’s head.

“But we are still in the middle of development so we need to wait for some time before even attempting to go into a Star Battle.” Leif said what Dian had in mind so Dian nodded at Leif’s words.

“We just barely make it into the new section of the Technology and Transcendent Tree so waiting for them to develop some more is important.” Frie reminded.

“More about that later. We need to update our information. So, is the next destination already determined?” Ghylea asked.

Dian nodded as he was finally done with the matter at the Auxiliary Pagoda.

“Thank you for your service. Despite not being able to talk, you give me the service I deserve.” Dian said to the “Little Bride” and waved his hand as he left with the others.

Descending the stairs, they could see other Third Rank Planet Masters coming to the second story to either get some new cards or to upgrade theirs.

But it was not the business of Dian and his group. They left the Auxiliary Pagoda which had countless stacks of cards even on the second story.

“Now, we need to gather information. Spread a bit, but don’t go too far.” Dian ordered.

Now that most of the necessary things he had to do were done, it was time to gather some intel.

Dian then looked at the configuration of the group and decided to extend it in order to spread better.

Then the others felt that their range of movement increased greatly. They slipped into the crowds, trying to gather as much information as they could.

All that was left was for the crowd to speak, and then, naturally, they would get some information.

There were so many individuals speaking from their daily duties to the most famous figures being in trouble. There were also talks about a new race gaining the top spot in the potential ranking for the Third Rank Planet Masters.

Dian also moved into the most suitable position as the center, listening to the individuals talking.

“Did you know that there is actually an answer for the missing link between the half-beast and most of the form taken by the higher rank Planet Masters’ race? That’s right, the stele allows us to at least make out the general appearance of the race so that we all recognize them. That included the number one Human Race.”

Dian heard something interesting so he moved closer to the stele to check for himself. This was done because the distance between him and the others could be extended and moving to the stele was a close distance.

The moment Dian arrived in front of the stele, he then placed his hand on it. The appearance of the races that appeared in the stele became visible to Dian and that included the Human Race.

Ah, now everyone will know that I am the Planet Master of the Human Race!

Dian then looked around and sure enough, some looked his way and were surprised to see him. Dian then retreated to the crowd to avoid being in the spotlight.

Then after some time had passed, Dian and the others went to a less crowded area and shared their collected information, no matter big or small, significant or insignificant.

“That went well.” Chikara said while remembering all the information she had heard.

From her, Dian learned that there was a fierce competition ongoing in the Third Rank. This was because so many of the talented Planet Masters wanted to challenge the top races on the stele.

“My turn then. Did you know that the Star Battle for the Third Rank is not random but selected?” Mazdari said with a smug look.

“I don’t but thanks for informing me. I did not know that the Star Battle format would change at this rank.” Dian admitted while thanking Mazdari.

He was the one who could gather vital information the fastest, while Frie was the one who could process that information to be of value.

“There’s even a rumor that the Universe Council is setting its sights on the Third Rank battle. It is said that the appearance of a certain race has caused it no choice but to pay attention.” Arowana said.

Combining all the information, Dian knew that the battle at the Third Rank became the highlight of the current era’s Planet Masters trend. He frowned at the information but decided to keep listening to what his subordinates had to say.

“People are looking for information about the Human Race. What do you think?” Ghylea said to Dian.

This is troublesome. But maybe this is also an opportunity. What should I do?

Dian thought that while he had already formed a general plan for what he was about to do.

“Let’s go to the Planet Master Service Center. We need to learn everything we need to know for a Third Rank Planet Master. I believe that multiple planets management will be the game-changer for us.” Dian said after some consideration.

This time, he was in the middle of the group so that Dian would become less noticeable and everyone agreed. They all were afraid that they would be surrounded by the Planet Masters if they let Dian lead.

Then they moved to the Planet Master Service Center, where lots of Planet Masters had gathered.

“Alright. Everyone needs to learn the Third Rank Planet Master’s duties and some additional information about the other Planet Master.” Dian said as they entered.

They then accessed the information available to them. Since Dian had reached the Third Rank Planet Master, more permission to look for the information was granted.

[Welcome to the Planet Master Service Center]

[It is detected that you are the Third Rank Planet Master…]

[Increasing the information that can be accessed…]

[Complete. Now you can use your inquiry to ask many things.]

Dian then looked at the topics on multiple-planet management.

[Regarding the topic “multiple-planet management”, there are 972.321 results that can be accessed.]

[Title: Multiple-Planet Management

Poster: Gorith

This post explains the function of the multiple-planet management. As the name implies, it is the function of the Third Rank Planet Master and above. Basically, it allows you to take charge of more than one planet.

These planets are the planets that your Core and Acquired Race have visited and even inhabited. The way you can change your planet’s condition is through your race or by using energy points…]

Dian read this article since it came from one of the Ten Venerables. It detailed the function and the capability to modify the planet further. Furthermore, he could appoint representatives to manage the planet on your behalf, or you could directly become the highest authoritative figure to modify the other planets.

“Wow, this is really good. This way, I can give some authority to my subordinates so that they can manage the other planets. At least within the star system in which the Cerulean Planet is, I will have complete control over the area." Dian nodded with understanding.

The area that his civilization had covered was quite large since its instruments could map out distant places. But to be more detailed, they need to go to the place directly. Currently, Dian’s sight covered the entire Virya Star System and he knew the movements of the celestial bodies in it.

Then he read the next topic.

[Title: Third Rank Star Battle

Poster: Burg

This is the general knowledge of the Third Rank Star Battle. This Star Battle is different because it is actually a really interplanetary invasion. Unlike before with Rift on the surface of the planet, this Star Battle will have the Rift appear outside the planet, meaning a certain capability for interplanetary mobility for the civilization is needed and they better be able to send manned crews.

The entire area your civilization has inhabited will become the area for conquering. Please pay attention to this aspect as this could affect your progress in the Star Battle…]

Dian saw this article and realized one big problem. If the civilization had managed to go to the other planet, it also needed to conquer that planet. Meaning, the difficulties increased to conquer and even move the manpower.

“So that’s true. I have somewhat expected this but to think that this is truly the case.” Dian murmured softly as he read the article in detail.

The decision to wait for his civilization to develop a little more became the most suitable decision. Dian sighed as he placed his hand on his forehead.

If he were to be like this, the others would also react similarly. They had an astonished look on their faces as their tasks suddenly increased tenfold.

They had to take a position to manage another planet under the civilization. This was not a difficult thing to do but to be able to suit the master’s taste and general direction was hard.

They spent some time in the Planet Master Service Center before they could come out of it.

The moment they came out, they felt like their horizon had broadened as they read the articles available to them. There were also things new to them so they needed to discuss them further. But they needed to return to the Cerulean Planet first before doing that.