Chapter 1 The Beginning

The virtual world network, Swordsman World.

This was one of the most popular virtual worlds, with countless cosmic citizens pouring in. In this world, there was only one method of weapon training: the sword! Countless players pursued the ultimate mastery of swordsmanship.

The Green Leaf Sword School covered an area of over three hundred *li* in radius, and this story takes place atop one of its mountain peaks.

Xu Lixing, with a sword at her waist, transformed into a blur on the mountaintop, streaking past various locations until she finally spotted the dissolute youth leaning against a large rock in a secluded corner, an empty wine flask beside him.

"Junior brother," Xu Lixing said, watching the scene with some helplessness.

"Ah."

The dissolute youth groggily opened his eyes, glanced at Xu Lixing, and smiled. "Oh, it's senior sister. The sun feels just right; let me sleep a little longer." With that, he closed his eyes again and started sleeping.

"Get up!" Xu Lixing grabbed the dissolute youth's ear, pulling and twisting it.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch."

The dissolute youth was now fully awake, looking at Xu Lixing with a flattering expression. "Senior sister, I'm awake, completely awake! Please let go, let go!"

"Honestly, you're one of the 'Ten Swordsmen' of our Green Leaf Sword School's younger generation, yet you spend half your time either drinking or sleeping," Xu Lixing said, shaking her head. "It's no use talking to you."

"Life is so long; constant striving is exhausting. One has to enjoy it a little," the dissolute youth said, lying back down and crossing his legs. Noticing Xu Lixing's gaze, he quickly changed his tone. "I also work very hard at swordplay; otherwise, I wouldn't have become one of the Green Leaf Sword School's Ten Swordsmen. I think putting in 50% effort is pretty good."

"If you don't truly love swordsmanship, how can you reach the pinnacle?" Xu Lixing asked.

The dissolute youth glanced at Xu Lixing with a smile, ceasing his rebuttals. He gazed at the sky and said leisurely, "There are countless experts in the universe; it's too difficult to reach the ultimate limit. I think it's good to enjoy life, practice swordsmanship on the side, and earn some money."

"Most of the elders I know are focused on the path of evolution. If you're so lazy, I don't know if my elders will be satisfied with you," Xu Lixing said helplessly.

Her father, Xu Jingming, barely had any free time in the day. Her grandmaster, Liu Hai, was equally passionate about martial arts and had now reached the seventh-order limit.

And then there was her junior brother before her…

Too lazy!

"Senior sister, your elders?" The dissolute youth sat up abruptly, staring at Xu Lixing. "Senior sister, what do you mean?"

"It's been so many years; I should learn about your real-world situation," Xu Lixing said. "If it's not suitable, we can end things here. Continuing to drag it out… won't be good for either of us. If it is suitable, I wouldn't mind taking things further."

The dissolute youth became somewhat nervous.

He lived freely and unrestrainedly in Swordsman World, and he had also gained a relationship that he cherished.

"My real-world situation," the dissolute youth hesitated.

Xu Lixing listened from the side. "If you don't want to say, it's fine. But there's no need for us to keep dragging this on."

"Senior sister…"

The dissolute youth pondered for a moment and said, "My real name is Meng Tian Qingyuan."

"Meng Tian Qingyuan. You're called Meng Tianyou in the game, but your real name is quite normal," Xu Lixing smiled. "Tell your *jie jie* (older sister), how old are you?"

"I'm 35 this year," the dissolute youth said.

"Indeed, a little brother," Xu Lixing laughed. "Which star alliance, which star system, and which planet are you from?"

The dissolute youth looked at Xu Lixing hesitantly. "Senior sister, my situation is rather complicated. Let me prepare myself in the real world before I tell you in detail, okay?"

"Do you need to ask your parents?" Xu Lixing teased. "Alright."

"Mm."

The dissolute youth nodded slightly, his expression complex, and then disappeared into thin air, logging off directly.

"Logging off so quickly?" Xu Lixing was taken aback.

…

Wu Hook Star Alliance, Cloud Glow Star System, Rock Spring Star.

Rock Spring Star was a beautiful life-sustaining planet, inhabited by countless humans.

"Whoosh."

Meng Tian Qingyuan walked out of the virtual chamber and quickly went to the top floor of the villa, looking out at the world. The sky was gloomy, and the wind was howling, causing the distant trees to sway.

"Rock Spring Star," Meng Tian murmured softly.

"Senior sister wants to take things further with me, asking about my real-world situation. What should I say? Can I tell her?" Pain was evident in Meng Tian's eyes. "Can I tell her that my father relies on biological wombs to mass-produce children, creating over a billion offspring like an assembly line? And I'm just one of them."

Yes.

The more than one billion people on Rock Spring Star were all the children of one person.

Although current technology could accomplish this, cosmic citizens who liked 'extreme reproduction' were still a very small minority.

"A child from the assembly line, and I've signed so many contracts." Meng Tian looked around. "I can't even leave Rock Spring Star."

His father, Hai Yong Qingyuan, restricted him in every way, signing layers of contracts under the guise of cultivation and work, binding Meng Tian tightly. Of the countless children on Rock Spring Star, Meng Tian already had good treatment.

The vast majority were still only planetary lifeforms, living even more humbly.

Rock Spring Star was his father's private planet, where he ruled with an iron fist. Everything here was dictated by his father. Disobeying his father's will here would lead to an incredibly miserable life. It would be impossible to evolve from a planetary lifeform to a cosmic lifeform.

"To become a cosmic lifeform, I signed many contracts. I don't have personal freedom for a thousand years. I can even predict that in the future, my father will force me to renew the contracts in various ways. My entire life will be controlled," Meng Tian said, feeling very oppressed.

"Senior sister always thinks I'm too lazy, but the virtual world network is the only time I'm not under my father's surveillance, the only time I can slack off."

Meng Tian's heart was in turmoil.

"What do I do? How do I tell senior sister about my real-world situation?"

No personal freedom and such a terrible father situation?

As for his mother? He didn't have a mother; he was mass-produced from a biological womb.

…

An hour later.

Meng Tian was in his study, gently tapping the light screen to contact his father.

"Buzz." A fat figure appeared, sitting in a chair, looking at Meng Tian with a grin. "My most outstanding son, Meng Tian, why would you suddenly contact me? Let me check… your income in the virtual world network hasn't increased much since you became a seventh-order cosmic lifeform! Have you become lazy since your benefits and treatment improved after becoming a seventh-order? If you were more outstanding, your benefits and treatment would be ten or a hundred times better than they are now."

"Father," Meng Tian said.

"If there's anything, just say it," the fat figure said with a smile.

He had cultivated countless children, but only 'outstanding' children could directly contact him.

"I'm in love in the virtual world network," Meng Tian said solemnly. "I want to take things further and meet my senior sister in real life."

The fat figure's expression changed slightly, frowning. "I don't care about you being in love in the virtual world network, but in reality… have you forgotten the contracts you signed?"

"I know," Meng Tian nodded. "That's why I'm discussing it with you, Father. I hope you can give me a little freedom in love. I want to meet her in real life…"

"It seems I've spoiled you too much, making you so foolish," the fat figure said coldly. "Listen carefully, forget about your so-called senior sister! Otherwise, don't even think about love and affection! It will only harm your senior sister!"

Meng Tian's face turned pale.

"I forgive your foolishness this time, but I remind you that you must follow every clause of the contract," Hai Yong Qingyuan said, looking coldly at his son.

"Father!" Meng Tian said urgently. "I've been on Rock Spring Star since I was born. I've worked hard all these years, and I'll continue to abide by the contract and earn money in the future. But I hope you can give me freedom in love. It won't affect my work. I might even earn more in the future. I'm even willing to serve you longer, two thousand or even three thousand years. I just hope you can give me freedom in my emotions."

"You have no freedom in love."

Hai Yong Qingyuan's voice became colder. "As my son, you have no freedom in love. You must contribute to the entire family. I can tell you clearly that I've already arranged your marriage."

Meng Tian was stunned.

"The Qingyuan family is becoming increasingly decadent and needs the efforts of every family member. And you… are to marry the first executive officer of the Dongyu Group and become her ninth husband," Hai Yong Qingyuan said.

"Ninth husband?" Meng Tian was somewhat bewildered.

"The executive officer currently has eight husbands. You have cultivated the evolution method since you were young and became a seventh-order cosmic lifeform at the age of 30. Your talent has been appreciated by the executive officer. Your appearance, your knowledge, the executive officer is quite satisfied and has already agreed to this marriage," Hai Yong Qingyuan said. "This is the most suitable path for you."

"You have no choice."

Hai Yong Qingyuan looked at his son coldly. "You know the consequences of refusing me."

With that, the light screen closed.

Meng Tian stood in the study, standing there blankly for a long time.

He had mustered the courage to make a request to his father, and this was the result?

"No freedom in love?" Meng Tian murmured, "The ninth husband of the first executive officer of the Dongyu Group?"

Meng Tian looked at the gloomy sky.

Since birth, he had been subjected to countless restrictions. Although his benefits and treatment had continuously improved as he became more outstanding, even the most outstanding genius on Rock Spring Star still had no freedom in love.

…

Hai Yong Qingyuan was still somewhat annoyed after closing the communication. "Freedom? Talking about freedom in front of me?"

He immediately contacted the first executive officer of the Dongyu Group.

A personal space in the virtual world.

Madam Dongyu sat in her seat, observing Hai Yong Qingyuan with great interest.

Hai Yong Qingyuan bowed his fat body, appearing very humble. He said with a flattering smile, "Madam Dongyu, I want to ask, are you still interested in my son 'Meng Tian'?"

"Of course, I'm interested, but I still need to consider it," Madam Dongyu said, with her curly silver hair. She glanced at Hai Yong Qingyuan; she didn't like him very much, but in terms of cooperation, Hai Yong Qingyuan was still very obedient and a very qualified partner.

"He became a seventh-order in 25 years of cultivation; my son is very outstanding," the fat figure said. "He's only 35 years old this year. As long as you agree, all of his contracts will be transferred to you. Everything he has in the future will be controlled by you."

"I'm very satisfied with him, but you're asking for too much," Madam Dongyu said, looking at him.

"Our Qingyuan family has been cooperating with the Dongyu Group for so long, it's just one renewal," Hai Yong Qingyuan said, trying to please her. "It only needs to be renewed for another thousand years."

"I'll think about it. You can also send me Meng Tian's latest information," Madam Dongyu said. "I'll take another look at this cute little guy."

"Alright, Meng Tian is becoming increasingly outstanding and will likely become an eighth-order cosmic lifeform in the future. He's worth the price," Hai Yong Qingyuan said. Although he was anxious in his heart, he didn't dare to urge her.

The family was on a downward spiral, and many of his cosmic trades had begun to be obstructed. Even renewing his contract with the Dongyu Group had become so difficult.

******

Heavenly Python Cosmic Sector.

On the second day of Chi Tong's wedding, Xu Jingming received three grains of temporal stardust sent by Chi Tong through the 'Primal Research Institute.'

"Lord Wu Ming, this is your mail, please sign for it." A gray-robed man came to Xu Jingming's residence.

Xu Jingming took the mail.

Upon contact, the completely sealed metal box opened naturally, revealing a glass bottle inside. Three grains of temporal stardust floated within the glass bottle. Each grain of temporal stardust was dreamlike and brought a strong sense of oppression to Xu Jingming.

It was as if three worlds appeared before him.

"Temporal stardust," Xu Jingming said, revealing a look of joy.

"I'm sorry for the trouble," Xu Jingming nodded slightly.

The gray-robed man nodded and disappeared into thin air, leaving this life-sustaining planet.

Xu Jingming returned to his study.

"Buzz."

He gently tapped the light screen.

A figure appeared on the light screen, it was Mang Yu, a member of the Cosmic Human Alliance Council and a scholar with an academic level of 132.

"Wu Ming," Mang Yu said, looking at Xu Jingming with a smile. "Why are you suddenly contacting me?"

"I have some things to do in the next few days, so let's pause our course for now," Xu Jingming said. "I'm sorry, Teacher Mang Yu."

"Alright," Mang Yu nodded. "If you want to continue the course, notify me one day in advance."

"Okay," Xu Jingming nodded.

The call ended.

Xu Jingming sat at his desk, looking at the three grains of temporal stardust in the glass bottle before him.

"Once you start using temporal stardust, the disintegration of the temporal stardust is irreversible," Xu Jingming thought. "According to intelligence, the disintegration time of a single grain of temporal stardust is about 3 to 5 days."

"Even if I encounter a prison race raid that requires support midway, the time spent fighting the prison race will be short. It won't have much impact."

"Moreover, I only encounter one or two missions a year."

Although Xu Jingming guarded a wide area, as long as he went to a place, the frequency of prison race raids in that guarding area would greatly decrease. In recent years, the large number of prison race source lifeforms who died had forged Xu Jingming's reputation.

As long as he was responsible for intercepting them, the prison race's ninth-order source lifeforms had almost no hope of escaping.

"Gurgle, gurgle."

Xu Jingming drank a glass of his favorite fruit wine, adjusting his state of mind to the most perfect state. Only then did he sit at his desk and take out one of the grains of temporal stardust from the glass bottle.

"Let's begin."

Xu Jingming's mental power permeated the hovering grain of temporal stardust before him and drilled into the 'fragment of a broken world' within the temporal stardust.