Howard Gu, a Void Rift-tier Genius from the Human Supreme Hall.
He was appointed Ancient Kingdom Inspector, bearing countless honors. Yet few know that Howard Gu's youth was spent as a mere Fusion-tier cultivator on an aboriginal planet, his rise fueled by a rare inheritance left by a Stellar Palace-tier lifeform, allowing him to ascend into the starry sky, step by step.
Memories are always fleeting.
Howard Gu focuses on the present, yearns for the future, and does not dwell on sentimentality.
......
Earth shimmered in the silent depths of space, its pure, sapphire blue radiance washing the cosmos in ethereal beauty. The sight stirred Andrew Han’s heart with longing, while Howard Gu gazed upon it and let out a wistful sigh: “My own homeworld once gleamed just like this.”
Beside them.
Emperor Zhen Gu listened quietly, not daring to interrupt.
Could such a noble Ancient Kingdom Inspector truly hail from a world like this? It seemed unlikely. Though Earth’s blue was striking, its beauty understated—plain and modest compared to the grandeur of countless worlds scattered across the starry expanse.
Andrew Han, surprised, asked, "Your Highness, were you also born on an ordinary life planet?"
"Of course," Howard Gu nodded. "Do you think all Geniuses are born to privilege? No, you're mistaken. Most exalted Geniuses come from humble, ordinary backgrounds—even aboriginal planets. Because these places have the largest population base."
Andrew Han was stunned. "Humble? Ordinary?"
It's truly difficult to stand out from a truly impoverished environment!
As society develops, resources concentrate at the highest levels.
The meaning of 'humble origins' has transformed dramatically: once it meant only those suffering hunger and cold, now it has grown to encompass nearly all ordinary people—the vast, common masses. Before the Martial Arts Era began, even the middle class was increasingly counted among the 'humble,' reflecting a sweeping change in social structure.
In ancient China, it was said that noble sons rarely emerged from humble families!
Even in the twenty-first century, in a rapidly developing China, during the era of money worship, it became ever harder for those of humble birth to rise!
Seeing Andrew Han's astonishment, Howard Gu shook his head and laughed, "By 'humble' and 'ordinary,' I mean lacking resources and knowledge. In most regions of Human Territory, extreme poverty is rare. Take the Chenriver Empire, for example—there are strict metrics for food supply. If they aren't met, the Ancient Kingdom will impose penalties."
"Oh?"
Andrew Han blinked.
"That's exactly right." Emperor Zhen Gu nodded, seizing the moment to offer his agreement.
The Cosmic Ancient Kingdom stands high above the Chenriver Empire, in a way that defies ordinary imagination.
The Ancient Kingdom cares only about the empire's population growth—it levies no taxes, imposes no oppression or exploitation, and simply requires the Chenriver Empire to meet its standards in every respect.
"Oh."
Hearing the emperor's explanation, Andrew Han nodded thoughtfully.
The vast starry sky is nothing like Earth.
Conflicts between nations have evolved into brutal competition between entire life races. At least within Human Territory, harmony and stability remain the dominant themes.
At this point in the conversation—
Standing in the cold, silent void of outer space, Andrew Han instinctively asked, "I've heard it said that everyone beyond the Human Race is an enemy... Inspector Howard Gu, what does that really mean?"
"It means exactly what it says." Howard Gu's smile faded, his expression turning grave.
"The starry sky you see is filled with tranquility and peace, but that's only because you haven't stepped beyond Human Territory. As the newest of the Four Great Life Races, the Human Race is constantly targeted by other races eager to take our place. The Shenro Clan and Nether Clan, with their deep foundations, watch us closely, seeking to halt the rise of us Star-Sky Humans."
The Shenro Clan and Nether Clan—both are among the Four Great Life Races!
The Shenro Clan and Nether Clan are both slightly stronger than the Star-Sky Humans!
As he spoke, Howard Gu's voice grew heavier.
He straightened his white robes, gazed at the distant blue Earth with a sigh, then turned to look into the endless darkness of the starry sky.
"Look closely."
Howard Gu extended a finger, pointing into the vacuum.
At that moment, the three of them stood in the starry sky a million miles from Earth.
Buzz!
Suddenly, the vacuum seemed to collapse; a lifelike phantom image appeared, and as Howard Gu traced its outline with his fingertip, the vision sharpened—revealing the true form of one of the Four Great Starry Sky Life Races, the Nether Clan!