Nebulae swirled as Zhang Zheng appeared on the other side of the portal.
The portal had opened on a large asteroid. Zhang Zheng stepped out and looked around, but did not see the Sunfire Star.
It made sense, though. Although the Sunfire Civilization wasn't the strongest in the universe, it was among the top civilizations. It was unlikely they would let the angels open a portal right to their doorstep.
With this in mind, Zhang Zheng donned the Infinity Gauntlet and extended his mental energy outward.
The Sunfire Star had a distinct feature: it was only half a planet, with the other half shattered into pieces floating in space.
Soon, Zhang Zheng located the Sunfire Star's position.
He took out the Storm Battle Axe, channeling dark energy through his body into the axe. The energy surged, erupting in seven-colored light beams that shot toward the nearest small asteroid to the Sunfire Star.
Zhang Zheng could have directly teleported to the Sunfire Star, but that would be troublesome. It would be impolite to just arrive unannounced.
Zhang Zheng felt he should knock first. With this thought, blinding golden light began to flicker around him, and a vast amount of energy swirled around his body, bound close to him.
A "w hum… w hum…" alarm sounded inside the Heavenly Path Tower. Guardian Xuan Kun hurriedly approached General Pan Zhen, clasping his hands and reporting, "General, a massive energy burst has occurred near the Sunfire Star. The energy's properties are unknown. Should I go investigate?"
"Alright, Xuan Kun, you come with me," Pan Zhen said, then turned to the two generals behind him and ordered, "Lei Yan, Yu Xu, listen up. Prepare the troops and guard the Heavenly Path Tower."
"Understood, General," replied the Azure Dragon Guardian Lei Yan and the Crimson Phoenix Guardian Yu Xu, stepping forward and saluting.
...
"Who might you be, and what brings you to the Sunfire Star?" Pan Zhen asked sternly, eyeing the golden-glowing Zhang Zheng.
If it weren't for Zhang Zheng's overwhelming energy and their proximity to the Sunfire Star, Pan Zhen would have wanted to give Zhang Zheng a good thrashing. Who would be comfortable with someone who could blow up their home hanging around at their doorstep?
Seeing Pan Zhen arrive, Zhang Zheng withdrew his energy.
Pan Zhen, in his full armor with a large red cloak fluttering behind him, exuded a commanding presence, creating immense pressure just by standing there.
And then there was Guardian Xuan Kun behind him, clad in similar armor and wielding twin hammers. To Zhang Zheng, this was a vanguard warrior.
"General Pan Zhen, I come from Earth. I've come to seek you out for revenge," Zhang Zheng said solemnly.
"Bold thief, how dare you be so disrespectful to the general. I request permission to capture this rogue," Xuan Kun roared, turning to Pan Zhen with a plea.
"Xuan Kun, stand down," Pan Zhen reprimanded Xuan Kun. He then turned to Zhang Zheng and said, "Pan Zhen has never met you before. I don't know what enmity there is."
Pan Zhen looked at Zhang Zheng and thought about using a solar flare attack on him, but restrained himself. How could someone show up for revenge when he didn't even know who they were?
Zhang Zheng, after a moment of contemplation, organized his words and said, "We have no personal enmity. It's just that your goddess, Lady Reina, bullied me on Earth for two months. She's a girl, so I couldn't retaliate. That's why I've come to seek you out for revenge, as you are her guardian."
Pan Zhen's eye twitched upon hearing Zhang Zheng's reason. Sweat beaded on his forehead.
What on earth did their goddess do on Earth to bring such trouble? Was this an unwarranted disaster for him?
Given Zhang Zheng's energy levels, Pan Zhen wasn't confident of winning.
"Earth is indeed a troublesome place. More than a thousand years ago, Sunfire went there and was severely injured by a monkey. We only just recovered, and now our goddess went to help protect Earth. And now, just two months later, a strong being emerges, and our goddess is being bullied. Not only did the person not act on Earth, but has come right to our doorstep, seeking revenge from her guardian.
Xuan Kun now sympathizes with his general, who has been tirelessly raising the goddess since the Solar God's passing. Before he could even unload his burdens, the goddess went off to help others. Helping others is one thing, but couldn't she find someone easier to bully?
Seeing Zhang Zheng and remembering his unparalleled power, Xuan Kun shed a tear of sympathy for Pan Zhen.
"From what you've said, you must be a friend of Lady Reina?" Pan Zhen said, continuing, "Although I don't know what my goddess Reina did to you, it seems from your behavior that there isn't real hatred between us. Please state your real purpose."
Pan Zhen, being a shrewd old fox, immediately spotted the flaw in Zhang Zheng's words.
"Alright… alright," Zhang Zheng said, seeing that Pan Zhen already knew he was a friend of Reina's. "I'm mainly here to ask General Pan Zhen for assistance. The display of power earlier was just to knock on the door.
Since Lady Reina came to Earth to help, Earth and Sunfire are now allies. I'll be straightforward. I came to challenge a strong fighter from the Sunfire Star. I lack combat experience despite having strength. The only powerful civilizations I know are the Angels and Sunfire."
Zhang Zheng decided to be honest, realizing that it was better not to play tricks in front of a savvy person like Pan Zhen.
"Helping Earth was a personal act of Lady Reina's. Sunfire and Earth are not allies yet. Please understand that we have no obligation to help you gain combat experience for free," Pan Zhen said. "Since you know about the Angel Civilization, why must you come to Sunfire? The Angel Civilization has more powerful beings than Sunfire."
"Well…" Zhang Zheng scratched his head awkwardly and said, "I just came from the Angel Civilization. Originally, it didn't matter who I found. But I recently married someone from the Angel Civilization, so it wouldn't be good to fight her relatives. Therefore, I had no choice but to come to Sunfire."
Is that your reason for choosing to challenge Sunfire? We have no time and no obligation to train you," Pan Zhen said, feeling exasperated. "What kind of person are you? Your wife is an Angel, and if you're too embarrassed to fight Angels, you come to me? What do I owe you?"
Seeing that Pan Zhen was clearly unwilling to help, Zhang Zheng decided to drop a bombshell. He said directly to Pan Zhen, "If I help you repair the Sunfire Star, would you be willing to give me two months of your time?"
"Don't joke about the Sunfire Star. I don't believe you have the capability to repair it," Pan Zhen said, his tone turning unfriendly, even dropping the honorific "sir" to just "you."
To protect this half of the Sunfire Star, the old Solar God sacrificed his life. Pan Zhen would not allow anyone to make a mockery of the Sunfire Star.
If not for the proximity to the wounded Sunfire Star, Pan Zhen would have already wanted to kill Zhang Zheng.
Ignoring Pan Zhen's murderous glare, Zhang Zheng transformed into a golden light and flew into space.
Seeing Zhang Zheng fly away, Pan Zhen and Xuan Kun quickly followed, fearing that Zhang Zheng might take out his anger on the Sunfire Star.
In fact, Pan Zhen was overthinking. Once in space, the two saw Zhang Zheng, glowing with golden light, gathering a massive golden energy ball in his hand and throwing it at a small asteroid below.
With a loud explosion, the asteroid shattered into pieces.