Zhang Pingfan eagerly looked out of the spaceship, but found he couldn't see anything. Many other spaceships were also parked nearby.
"Where is this?"
"Of course, it's a parking bay for battlecraft. Where else do you think you'd be?"
"Uh, we don't have anything like this on Blue Star, so I wouldn't know. It's probably reasonable. Right, why didn't you wake me up sooner!"
Zi Ling said, "I saw you were in a state of enlightenment, at the critical moment. So, I didn't disturb you. Besides, there's no significant fee for parking here. You scrounged so many cosmic coins from the demon slaves, you can afford this docking fee!"
Zhang Pingfan stretched his limbs.
He had indeed scavenged quite a few good things from that Universe-level demon slave, especially the storage ring. It was so large that even a battlecraft could be placed inside, making it a rather good treasure.
Especially the mountain of cosmic coins inside, enough for Zhang Pingfan to wander the universe for some time.
Of course, there was a storage card inside. According to Zi Ling's description, this card contained crystals that could enhance one's cultivation. However, Zhang Pingfan couldn't use this card yet because as soon as he did, the demon slave would be able to find him.
With Zhang Pingfan's current strength, he would likely need to wait some time before he could use this card.
Zhang Pingfan stepped off the spaceship, and soon a staff member in uniform approached him.
With an extremely respectful attitude, the staff member bowed to Zhang Pingfan.
"Respected Universe-level expert, this is your battlecraft's first time visiting the Black Dragon Empire. May I ask, Senior, is this your first time in the Black Dragon Empire?"
Zhang Pingfan was a bit surprised. The staff member's strength was at the Planetary level. On Blue Star, apart from Zhang Pingfan and his disciple, anyone who could reach the Planetary level was already considered extraordinary.
Especially after the disaster, the humans who could previously deal with King-level demon slaves had decreased by more than 90%. Currently, there were only a little over a hundred experts with Planetary-level strength on Blue Star. Yet here, this was merely an ordinary staff member.
Zhang Pingfan nodded.
"Yes, it is indeed my first time."
The staff member's face lit up with joy.
"Senior, would you allow me to be your guide and show you around the entire Black Dragon Empire?"
Zhang Pingfan thought about it. This was a good option.
"Yes!"
After speaking, Zhang Pingfan stored his battlecraft in the storage ring.
"Please calculate the docking fee!"
"Senior, please follow me!"
The two walked to a machine, and Zhang Pingfan's battlecraft was soon displayed on the screen. The docking fee was also calculated.
"Senior, you have docked for a total of 2 months and 9 days, totaling 20,000 cosmic coins!"
Zhang Pingfan didn't hesitate and immediately took out 20,000 cosmic coins from his storage ring and handed them over.
"What is your name?"
"My name is Kujala, my strength is at the third stage of Planetary level, and I am a staff member at the docking bay!"
Zhang Pingfan nodded again.
"If you are my guide, then your job..."
"It seems Senior is indeed visiting the Black Dragon Empire for the first time. Guiding visitors is also one of the jobs of our docking bay staff. However, the guide fees need to be paid by Senior!"
So that's how it was. It made sense, though. The Black Dragon Empire was so powerful, and there must be many people who came seeking it out. There would be plenty of people who didn't know their way around.
"Alright, let's go. I heard the Black Dragon Empire is recruiting disciples, and that's my purpose for coming!"
Kujala looked a bit confused.
"According to our airport data analysis, Senior's strength is at the peak of Universe level. With such strength, you would be a hundred percent certain to become a member of the Black Dragon Empire. However, it's rare for peak Universe-level experts to participate in geological assessments like you. They are usually specially recruited, as peak Universe-level experts already hold a certain status!"
Why didn't Zi Ling tell him about these things? Was this little girl trying to trick him?
"Is that so? I don't really understand. I come from the Ziwei Starfield and am a rogue cultivator. I've always been focused on my cultivation and haven't paid much attention to external matters!"
Kujala suddenly understood.
"So, Senior is from the Ziwei Starfield. The Ziwei Starfield is vast, with countless rogue cultivators. Many people wouldn't know about these situations. Please follow me, Senior!"
"Yes!"
Upon exiting the docking bay, Zhang Pingfan could finally clearly see this vast world.
The scene before him was somewhat as Zhang Pingfan had imagined, and somewhat different.
Zhang Pingfan thought this place might be like Blue Star, just a planet. But this was the headquarters of the Black Dragon Empire.
In reality, it was indeed a planet, but this planet had been completely transformed into a technological planet.
Everything in sight was filled with a sense of technology. The things flying in the sky and running on the ground were all products Zhang Pingfan had never seen before.
Kujala opened a small airship and came before Zhang Pingfan.
"Senior, please get on. I'll take you directly to the Special Recruitment Office of the Black Dragon Empire. If you want to explore the Black Dragon Empire, we can do it later!"
Zhang Pingfan didn't think much of it. Since he could go directly to the Special Recruitment Office, there was no need to wait for the recruitment time. He might as well go now.
"Let's go directly. We'll have plenty of time to explore later!"
"Okay!"
The airship took off, moving swiftly. The surrounding scenes flashed by.
Not long after, Kujala pointed to a giant building in front and said.
"Senior, the giant building in front is the exclusive area of the Black Dragon Empire, the residential area for the strongest individuals of our Black Dragon Empire, and also the location of the Black Dragon Academy!"
From a great distance, Zhang Pingfan could already see the towering structures.
Some buildings even reached above the clouds, their majestic appearance inspiring awe.
"Truly worthy of being the headquarters of the Black Dragon Empire. It indeed inspires respect!"
Kujala said with pride, "Yes, the Black Dragon Empire protects countless starfields for us. It is a god in our eyes! Unfortunately, my strength is too low to join the forces of the Black Dragon Empire, and I can only contribute my small efforts to the Black Dragon Empire!"
Zhang Pingfan sighed with emotion. If Blue Star had the protection of the Black Dragon Empire back then, it wouldn't have fallen into such a doomsday. It seemed he had to become even stronger.
The Black Dragon Imperial City was visible from afar, but the actual distance was still very great. It took over an hour before they finally arrived in front of the Black Dragon Imperial City.
Kujala stopped the airship.
"Senior, I'll go get the entry pass. Please wait here for a moment."
Zhang Pingfan nodded.
More and more airships were also docking here, seemingly with the same purpose as himself.
Not long after, Kujala returned to the airship. With the entry pass, they entered the Black Dragon Imperial City unimpeded.
Soon, they arrived at the Special Recruitment Office, but Zhang Pingfan couldn't understand any of the text here.
"Zi Ling, translate this, or learn this script on your own, otherwise it's too troublesome!"
"Understood. I'm starting the self-learning ability to learn the Universal Common Script. Commencing..."