The fusion process was remarkably swift.
Within moments, Rimuru successfully integrated with the Soul-Gathering Gold body, reverting to its familiar blue, semi-transparent slime form, though now roughly basketball-sized and shimmering with metallic undertones.
"Master!" Rimuru's voice rang with unmistakable joy.
Han Jue placed one hand atop the slime's gelatinous surface with satisfaction. "Let's go. It's time to return to Earth."
The last time he'd set foot on his homeworld was thousands of years ago, an eternity by mortal standards, yet merely a blink in the grand cosmic timeline.
Significant changes had transformed Earth in his absence. The millions who remained behind when he first departed had reproduced and flourished, their descendants now numbering in the trillions and spreading throughout the entire Ganwu Universe Country!
Earth itself had evolved into something unprecedented, a sacred birthing ground where countless families queued each year for the privilege of giving birth on humanity's cradle world.
The process had become so exclusive that prospective parents now had to apply and schedule appointments years in advance. Without sufficient strength and qualifications, they weren't even eligible to give birth there.
Most fascinating was how the continental regions of Earth had become the primary domain of the Six-Eyes bloodline.
The bloodline had propagated to its fourth generation, with more than ten members scattered across the planet. This impressive growth was largely thanks to Han Huan and Han Xi's children, who had given birth to numerous Six-Eyes descendants.
While this reproduction rate couldn't match ordinary humans, it far surpassed that of cosmic behemoths like the Golden Horned Beast. Even among peak bloodlines, such rapid generational expansion was extraordinarily rare.
After all, in the universe's grand timescale, thousands of years passed in the blink of an eye.
Han Jue didn't have many urgent matters requiring his attention upon returning to Earth.
Primarily, he wanted to see Han Hesheng and Han Hechang, handle some administrative matters, and cultivate the Ice Peak Nine Hells Body technique...
With the Virtual Universe Company's backing, Earth rarely faced troubles that demanded Han Jue's personal intervention.
The former location of Jiangnan Base City had been transformed into an enormous, sprawling manor.
On a manicured lawn within the estate's grounds, several young children played together with reckless abandon.
Though they appeared quite young, some no more than seven or eight in appearance, their movements carried incredible agility and destructive potential. Without supervision, demolishing the entire manor wouldn't pose much challenge.
Upon closer inspection, one would notice their distinctive features: white hair cascading down their backs like fresh snow, and eyes as bright and multifaceted as the starry cosmos itself. Clearly, these were Han Jue's great-grandchildren, each possessing Stellar-level strength despite their tender ages!
They roughhoused without restraint, pushing and shoving with enough force to send each other flying. Fortunately, each child wore some form of protective shield, preventing serious injury despite the alarming displays of power.
"Alright, stop fooling around!"
A stern voice cut through the chaos, and the mischievous children instantly snapped to attention.
In the air above them, a figure materialized, Han Hesheng, who had remained on Earth throughout the millennia.
"Great-grandfather!" the children chorused.
Han Hesheng nodded slightly and descended to ground level.
Unlike Han Hechang, who occasionally ventured into space for adventures and challenges, Han Hesheng had chosen to remain on Earth. He helped Han Jue manage Earth's affairs while caring for the Six-Eyes bloodline descendants, ensuring the Han family's legacy continued unbroken.
Although Han Jue had never taken a partner, producing children through other means, Han Hesheng felt this was somewhat regrettable. He understood that finding a suitable spouse for someone of Han Jue's caliber in this vast universe would be extraordinarily difficult.
Having these extraordinary children was already an incredible blessing.
"Let's go," Han Hesheng said with a warm smile. "Your 'ancestor' will be returning soon. You haven't met him in person yet, have you?"
Han Jue rarely concerned himself with the Six-Eyes descendants on Earth. He didn't even pay much attention to his two grandsons who had reached the World Master level. Of course, they all understood that Han Jue was either cultivating or fighting, they didn't interpret his distance as favoritism or neglect.
Now that Han Jue had returned to Earth, everyone except Han Huan and Han Xi, who were still stationed on the extraterritorial battlefield and saw him more frequently, had gathered!
"Ancestor?" The children's eyes widened with excitement, their Six-Eyes practically glowing.
They had grown up hearing Han Jue's name and legendary exploits. The recent story of how he, as a World Master-level expert, had killed a Universe Venerable had been told to them by Venerable Lianyi herself, thrilling them beyond measure!
Han Jue had become a living legend, not just of Earth, but of the entire Ganwu Universe Country.
"Great-grandfather, is Ancestor really coming back?"
"What does Ancestor look like?"
"How strong is Ancestor? I heard about his performance in the Genius Battle in the Virtual Universe, and I want to participate too!"
Han Hesheng shook his head with an indulgent smile. "Haha, of course it's true. Xiao Lin, you don't need to participate in the Genius Battle, you can join the Virtual Universe Company directly. This is a privilege your ancestor fought for on your behalf."
"But Great-grandfather, I still want to participate in the Genius Battle!"
"Me too!"
"Me too!"
The children all expressed enthusiasm for the Genius Battle. The next competition would be held by the Virtual Universe Company itself, an event they'd been anticipating for years.
However, by the time the battle commenced, these youngsters would probably be chomping at the bit to break through to the Universe level. It would be more prudent to simply join the Virtual Universe Company through Earth's allocated quota.
"Dad, Mom!" Several children suddenly looked past Han Hesheng and exclaimed excitedly.
Han Hesheng turned to see the third generation of the Six-Eyes bloodline, the children born to Han Huan and Han Xi.
"Great-Grandfather!" the two greeted him respectfully.
Han Hesheng acknowledged them with a nod.
"Is everyone assembled? Summon them all to the Han Family Manor for the gathering!"
This time, the attendees wouldn't be limited to those with the Six-Eyes bloodline. Those who chose to remain on Earth would also be present, including the Emperor of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire and high-ranking officials of the Ganwu Universe Country!
They were all eager to befriend Han Jue, this peerless genius who had already proven his extraordinary talent and potential.
"Great-Grandfather, everyone has arrived."
Han Jue led Rimuru through the dimensional barriers back to Earth.
"How does it feel to return to your long-lost homeland?" Venerable Lianyi asked with a knowing smile, her voice transmitted directly to his consciousness.
"Quite good," Han Jue replied, surveying the transformed landscape. "Overall, not much has changed, in fact, the environment has become even more beautiful. Those monsters that plagued Earth when I first rose to prominence have all disappeared."
When Han Jue first began his cultivation journey, monsters still roamed Earth's wilderness. They persisted even through Han Huan's birth. Now, they had completely vanished, not a single specimen remained.
"Current Earth is practically a sacred birthing ground," Venerable Lianyi explained. "Over the years, it has supplied the Virtual Universe Company with many geniuses specializing in mental cultivation. Earth's sacred ground and the Mind Cultivation Tower were right to focus on nurturing mental strength."
"After all, I intend to develop Earth into humanity's sixth greatest power," Han Jue said with quiet confidence.
"Then have you ever considered establishing a cosmic nation?" Venerable Lianyi asked with genuine interest.
"A cosmic nation?" Han Jue paused, his Six-Eyes gleaming with consideration.
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