Marvel: A Portal to the World of Swallowed Star

Chapter 310 310: A Rare Opportunity

Thor lay on another recovery bed and let out a laugh when he heard that.

"A dream? More like a nightmare. We nearly died at Aster's hands. If Marquis Mo Chen hadn't arrived in time, we would already be nothing more than dust drifting through space."

"But the gains were just as immense," Hong said as he set aside his data tablet, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Especially for the two of you. Rowan's understanding of the Law of Fire has undergone a qualitative leap, and Thor's control over lightning has advanced by leaps and bounds. Even I gained a tremendous amount of valuable knowledge from the ancient civilization's ruins. Even if the entire mission reward were canceled, I would still consider it worth it."

Rowan nodded. He could not deny it.

Their brief stay on that lightning-scarred planet, especially his direct communication with the planet's consciousness and his training within the erupting geothermal rift, had completely reshaped his understanding of fire. That method of grasping flame at the level of pure energy transformation was something that might have taken years, perhaps even decades, to comprehend through ordinary training.

"By the way," Thor suddenly sat up, his expression turning serious, "have you heard? The Third Prince is coming to visit us."

Rowan and Hong exchanged a meaningful glance.

"The medical director just informed me," Hong confirmed. "The Third Prince has requested a private meeting with us. He is expected to arrive in about an hour."

Rowan frowned slightly. "What does he want? This mission was practically a disaster. If it weren't for Shadow's abilities and the Empire's intervention, we would have died at Aster's hands."

Thor let out a cold chuckle. "Probably here to explain and apologize. After all, he was the one who pushed us into this mess."

"Let's not jump to conclusions," Hong said calmly. "From what I understand about the royal family, they never act without purpose. If the Third Prince is coming personally, there must be a reason. Let's wait and hear him out."

The three continued chatting for a while, mostly discussing their experiences on the lightning planet and what each of them had gained.

Whenever Rowan thought back to that strange world and its planet consciousness, he felt a faint but undeniable sense of connection. A part of him even regretted not staying longer to deepen his understanding of the Law of Fire.

Just as their conversation grew more animated, the door to the room slid open with a soft vibration.

Two tall guards in royal uniforms stepped in and took their positions at either side of the entrance. Moments later, a handsome young man with an elegant and noble bearing entered.

"Gentlemen, it has been a while," he said with a gentle smile, his voice calm yet naturally commanding.

Rowan, Thor, and Hong immediately rose and bowed slightly.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Lin Hongze, the Third Prince of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, the third son of the reigning emperor. Though not first in line for succession, his exceptional talent and political acumen had earned him influence rivaling that of his elder brothers.

Today, he wore a simple dark blue robe adorned with the royal insignia, dignified yet approachable.

"Please, sit. No need for formalities," Lin Hongze said, gesturing lightly. "Today, I come in a personal capacity."

He took a seat at the center of the room, his gaze passing over the three before settling briefly on Rowan.

"First, I must offer my sincere apologies for the danger and trouble this mission caused you. The situation developed far beyond my expectations."

Rowan studied his expression carefully. "Did Your Highness know Aster's true objective?"

Lin Hongze sighed softly and shook his head. "I only knew that he required a reliable escort team to transport an important item to Planet Brant. He told me it was a rare energy crystal for weapons research. Given our prior cooperation and his contributions to the Empire, I did not question further."

"So you truly did not know that the container held the remains of a King-level Immortal?" Thor asked bluntly, a hint of skepticism in his tone.

Lin Hongze's expression turned solemn. "I swear upon the honor of the royal family, I did not know. Had I suspected even slightly, I would never have sent you. Necrotic transformation is a forbidden practice in the universe. Anyone who attempts it becomes an enemy of all civilizations."

Hong nodded thoughtfully. "I believe Your Highness. Aster planned this meticulously. Even the Intelligence Bureau was deceived. It is not surprising that you were unaware."

"Still," Rowan added, "we are curious. Why did you specifically choose the three of us for this mission?"

Lin Hongze hesitated for a moment, then spoke with quiet honesty.

"To be frank, I had my considerations. The three of you stood out during the Virtual Universe Company's competition. That drew my attention. Especially when you reached out regarding the special medicine for Luo Feng."

"That was an unexpected opportunity," he continued, his tone sincere. "My intention was to use this relatively simple mission to give you a chance to showcase your abilities. It was also meant as a form of gilding your credentials. Completing a direct royal commission is an honor within the Empire and can open many doors for your future."

"Gilding?" Thor raised an eyebrow. "So you wanted to recruit us into your faction?"

Lin Hongze smiled openly. "To be honest, yes. The Empire is filled with factions. Every prince has his own supporters. Having talented individuals like you on my side would naturally be advantageous. But I assure you, it would always be voluntary. There would never be coercion."

Rowan, Thor, and Hong exchanged another glance. The prince's straightforwardness made the situation easier to accept.

"Your honesty is appreciated," Rowan said on behalf of the group. "We understand your intentions and do not hold this against you. After all, we accepted the mission of our own free will."

Lin Hongze visibly relaxed. "Thank you for your understanding. As compensation, I have arranged rewards far exceeding the original agreement. Additionally, the Empire's highest-level medical resources will fully restore your injuries. As for the special medicine you mentioned earlier…"

"It has already been delivered," Hong said. "We received confirmation that it reached Luo Feng through secure channels. We are very grateful."

Lin Hongze nodded with a faint smile. "That was our agreement. It was only right to fulfill it. Besides, Luo Feng is a promising talent. His injury should not hinder his path forward."

A brief silence followed before Thor asked directly, "Your Highness, do you still want us to join your faction?"

Lin Hongze looked at him, then at Rowan and Hong, his gaze steady and sincere.

"Of course. The invitation still stands. But after everything that has happened, I imagine you may need time to consider. I will not pressure you, nor set any deadline. Whatever you decide in the future, I will respect it."

Rowan spoke slowly, his tone calm yet firm. "We have already discussed this. We are grateful for Your Highness's recognition and invitation, but for now, we prefer to remain independent and focus on the competition and our own cultivation."

"Yes," Hong added, "joining any faction at this stage may not be beneficial for our long-term development. We want to retain greater freedom and flexibility."

Lin Hongze listened without interruption. Not a trace of displeasure appeared on his face. Instead, he nodded slightly.

"I understand and respect your decision. In fact, this kind of independent thinking and clarity is precisely what I admire in you."

He stood and walked toward the window, looking out over the magnificent imperial capital.

"In this universe, what truly matters is not blind loyalty, but cooperation built on mutual respect and understanding. Your choice only proves your wisdom and foresight."

Turning back, his expression carried genuine respect.

"I will not withdraw my support because of this. On the contrary, as recognition for your performance during this crisis, I have arranged special access privileges for the three of you at the Imperial Central Archive. It contains vast amounts of cultivation knowledge and research on the mysteries of the universe. I believe it will be of great benefit to you."

The three were visibly surprised.

The Imperial Central Archive was the Empire's greatest repository of knowledge. Even high-ranking citizens struggled to gain access, let alone outsiders like them.

"Your generosity means a great deal to us," Rowan said sincerely. "This is more valuable than any material reward."

Lin Hongze waved a hand lightly. "Think of it not only as a reward, but also an investment. I believe you will achieve even greater accomplishments in the competition and bring honor to the Empire. Though you choose to remain independent, I hope you will remember me when you need assistance."

"Of course," Thor replied readily. "If it is within our ability, we will help."

Lin Hongze nodded in satisfaction.

"Then I will not disturb you further. You need rest. I have arranged accommodations for you in the Royal Garden District. It is quiet and well-suited for recovery and cultivation."

He produced three exquisite access cards.

"These serve as keys to your residence and high-level passes for the capital. You will have access to most areas, including the Central Archive and the Royal Training Grounds."

Rowan accepted them on behalf of the group and expressed their thanks once more.

As Lin Hongze turned to leave, he paused, as if recalling something.

"One more thing. According to Shadow's report, you had some unusual experiences on that lightning planet?"

Rowan smiled faintly. "Indeed. The planet has a unique energy environment that greatly aided our cultivation. Most notably, its planet consciousness provided invaluable guidance."

A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Hongze's eyes. "A planet consciousness? That is rare indeed. No wonder Shadow emphasized protecting its ecological balance."

"It truly is a precious existence," Hong said seriously. "We hope the Empire will treat it with respect."

Lin Hongze nodded. "I will personally recommend to my father that the planet be designated as a protected zone, restricting excessive development and interference."

Relief washed over the three of them.

Though their time there had been brief, their connection with the planet consciousness ran deep.

With a final nod, Lin Hongze departed under the escort of his guards.

Once the door closed, the three let out a collective breath, as if a weight had been lifted.

"That went much smoother than I expected," Thor remarked. "I thought he would be displeased when we refused."

Hong shook his head. "Truly intelligent people understand that forced loyalty has no value. Lin Hongze did not reach his position by being shortsighted. He values long-term relationships, not immediate gains."

"And granting us access to the Imperial Central Archive," Rowan added, "that is an incredible opportunity. The knowledge there could greatly accelerate our cultivation."

They continued discussing their plans.

Once fully recovered, they would visit the Archive, absorb as much knowledge as possible, and then return to the Virtual Universe Company to continue the competition.

The next morning, their injuries had mostly healed. After completing discharge procedures, they boarded a royal transport vehicle to their new residence.

Outside the window, the grandeur of the imperial capital unfolded.

Towering energy spires pierced the sky. Air traffic flowed in intricate patterns. Buildings reflected the architectural styles of countless star systems. Pedestrians of all kinds filled the streets, some not even human, but members of entirely different species.

It was a vivid display of the Empire's diversity and power.

"Magnificent," Thor said with genuine admiration. "I have only seen the capital in simulated environments before. The real thing is completely different."

Hong nodded. "This is the political, economic, and cultural center of the Empire. Elites from thousands of star systems gather here. Having a residence here is a rare opportunity."

The vehicle eventually entered a high-end district known as the Royal Garden District.

The architecture here was more elegant and refined. Each villa was surrounded by carefully designed gardens and flowing water features, forming a tranquil oasis that stood in stark contrast to the bustling metropolis beyond.

For the first time since the chaos began, a sense of calm truly settled over them.