Zhang Pingfan was actually unaware of what was happening in the Nine Heavens. Because the desert was sparsely populated, he couldn't even see a single NPC. At this moment, he was all alone in the desert.
"This damn place is scorching hot, and there's nowhere to take shelter. System, did you consider the possibility of people being sunburnt to death when you designed this?"
[Ding! Who in their right mind would come here? In such harsh environments, no Nine Realms War God has ever come here to search for a Celestial Star Stone. The hope is too slim, so it's only you who's willing to come!]
"...You cheat. No wonder there's a Celestial Star Stone every day, yet not many peak Ninth Order War Gods are created. For example, if I hadn't been strong enough two days ago, I probably wouldn't have been able to get that Celestial Star Stone!"
[Ding! Whether or not you can get the item when it's placed there is a matter of your own ability. Of course, you are an exception!]
"Alright, I don't know when it will appear. Don't you have a set time for it?"
[Ding! No, it's all random times.]
"Okay, I'll keep waiting!"
Zhang Pingfan found a cactus and, under its shelter, finally found a sliver of shade.
Before Zhang Pingfan could even get comfortable, a group of people appeared within his line of sight.
"Why are a bunch of NPCs running over here? Huh, the Heavenly God Sect? Goodness, they're here to arrest me, aren't they!"
Zhang Pingfan possessed both NPC and player perspectives, so he could see the names above these NPCs' heads.
The old man at the forefront was the Sect Master of the Divine Realm's Heavenly God Sect, named Elder Jin!
The group stopped about 5 meters in front of Zhang Pingfan.
Elder Jin stared at Zhang Pingfan with disbelief because he couldn't discern any of Zhang Pingfan's strength.
"Kid, what exactly is your strength?"
Zhang Pingfan replied, "What business is it of yours? Besides, your Heavenly God Sect's name belongs to me. I was planning to find you after I finished my current business, but I didn't expect you to come to me!"
Elder Jin frowned. What was this guy talking about?
"Regardless of what happens today, if you don't want to suffer physical pain, come with us. Your people have killed three peak powerhouses of our Heavenly God Sect. Without guards to protect you, you won't be able to escape today!"
Zhang Pingfan rested his hands behind his head, adopting an indifferent attitude.
"Who said I was going to run? I still need to obtain today's Celestial Star Stone."
Seeing Zhang Pingfan ignore him, Elder Jin clearly grew angry.
"Attack him and capture him!"
Nine peak War Gods attacked simultaneously. Even someone exceeding the peak War God level would break out in a cold sweat.
However, Zhang Pingfan merely extended a palm.
In his eyes, these level 100 individuals were like children compared to his level 10,000.
"Slap!"
One slap sent the nine peak War Gods, who had launched a surprise attack, reeling with dizziness.
This caused Elder Jin's expression to change drastically.
Without hesitation, he brought out his treasure and attacked directly.
However, he was met with another slap.
"Slap!"
Both Elder Jin and his treasure were unceremoniously slammed into the sand by Zhang Pingfan.
"A bunch of rabble. I was going to find trouble with you, and yet you come looking for me. I really don't know what to say!"
The nine peak War Gods were dumbfounded.
Elder Jin was synonymous with invincibility in their eyes, yet he was directly slapped into the sand by this young man.
It only took one slap, which could even be considered an insult.
Elder Jin crawled out of the sand, a look of unwillingness on his face.
"You impudent brat, you ambushed me! Today, I will skin you alive!"
A long sword shot into the sky, instantly summoning countless lightning bolts.
"Nine Heavens Divine Thunder..."
Zhang Pingfan's eyes lit up.
He stamped his foot and leaped upwards.
Under the dumbfounded gazes of everyone, Zhang Pingfan actually grabbed the hilt of the long sword, seemingly ignoring the divine thunder.
"Wow, this is the first time I've seen a divine artifact in the game! It's too wasteful for you to use such a good item. I'm confiscating it!"
Zhang Pingfan forcefully took the long sword for himself, causing Elder Jin to spit blood.
"You dare, you wretch!"
"Slap!"
Zhang Pingfan once again unleashed a palm strike.
This time, the force was considerable. Elder Jin flew through the air.
When he landed on the ground, the sound of cracking bones could clearly be heard.
"Ah!!!"
Zhang Pingfan was quite pleased with acquiring a divine artifact.
"You nine, come here!"
The nine looked at each other, unsure whether to go forward.
Zhang Pingfan sternly said, "Do you want to taste my palm again?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the nine rushed to Zhang Pingfan's front.
Elder Jin, who was invincible in their eyes, was already in such a state. If they resisted further, their fate would likely not be much better.
"Come, sign this master-servant agreement one by one!"
Although their expressions soured upon hearing about the master-servant agreement, at least their lives were saved.
Zhang Pingfan said again, "Those who are willing to sign, sign quickly. Those who are unwilling, stand over there. I'll turn you into meat paste one by one later!"
Hearing that they would be turned into meat paste, the nine didn't hesitate at all. Any further hesitation would be disrespectful to the concept of meat paste.
Soon, the master-servant contract was completed, and they became Zhang Pingfan's servants!
"Subordinates pay respects to Master!"
Zhang Pingfan nodded.
"There's nothing else. Go cool off elsewhere!"
After finishing this, Zhang Pingfan went to Elder Jin's location.
Looking at Elder Jin, who was lying on the ground, seemingly unconscious, Zhang Pingfan frowned.
"He's fainted. Who among you can wake him up?"
One of them picked up a pot of water and poured it on Elder Jin's face.
The next moment, Elder Jin woke up, choking on the water.
Seeing Zhang Pingfan crouching in front of him, Elder Jin instinctively tried to move, only to find his legs broken and unable to move.
"What do you want? Kill me or cut me up as you please!"
Zhang Pingfan smiled and handed out a master-servant contract.
"Come, sign this and you'll be free!"
Upon seeing the master-servant contract, Elder Jin's expression dimmed.
You're already my servant, and you talk about freedom? Aren't you clearly joking?
"I want to know your true purpose for coming to the Divine Realm Continent!"
Zhang Pingfan scratched his head.
"Help my subordinates advance to peak Ninth Order War Gods, and then find someone named Hu Hansan. That's it, only these two tasks!"
Elder Jin's complexion was extremely grim.
"Are you sure you don't want to unify the Divine Realm Continent?"
Zhang Pingfan shook his head without a second thought.
"What are you thinking? I just came to do two simple tasks. You were the one who insisted on delivering yourself!"
"...I've been defeated today, but I will never become your servant. Kill me instead!"
Killing you is out of the question. Someone who has surpassed the peak Ninth Order War God level is a rare expert. Zhang Pingfan had no intention of letting go of such a subordinate.