Meanwhile, another one of Lev's companies had finally opened and became fully operational.
Unlike Hendrix Luxe and Hendrix Motors, however, this company had the potential to cause an even greater disruption to the world.
It was Lev's technology company, which he named Hendrix Technologies, Inc.
The company specialized in a wide range of technological products, including smartphones, computers, tablets, and various other advanced devices.
The moment Hendrix Technologies entered the market, major technology companies such as NVIDIA, Apple, Google, and countless others were immediately put on high alert.
They had already been watching Hendrix Luxe dominate the jewelry industry and had witnessed the rapid rise of Hendrix Motors. Yet, they had never expected Lev to enter the technology sector as well.
To them, Hendrix Motors and Hendrix Luxe should have already been more than enough.
But apparently, Lev Hendrix's ambitions—or perhaps his greed—had no limits.
Now that Hendrix Technologies had entered the market, even governments around the world began paying close attention.
Unlike luxury jewelry or automobiles, technological advancements had the potential to affect nearly every aspect of modern society. If Hendrix Technologies truly possessed the technology its products seemed to demonstrate, its impact could be far greater than anything Hendrix had done before.
And with that, Lev had finally established what he had envisioned from the beginning:
The Hendrix Group.
While businesses, corporations, governments, and investors around the world turned their attention toward his growing empire, Lev himself remained completely unconcerned.
*****
At that very moment, he could be found inside the headquarters of the final company he had planned nearly a year ago.
His clothing company.
Hendrix Signature, Inc.
Today marked its grand opening, and Lev had personally come to witness the company's first major fashion show.
Bibi Dong had spent months traveling around the world in search of promising models. She had carefully selected individuals based not only on their appearance but also on their potential to become stars within the fashion industry.
After bringing them back, the company signed them to long-term and highly lucrative contracts.
Under the guidance of professional trainers, nutritionists, stylists, and other specialists, the young models underwent intensive training, maintained carefully regulated diets, and received the finest grooming available.
Whether male or female, they had transformed dramatically.
What had once been raw potential had now become something far more refined.
As they stepped onto the runway, their movements were confident and graceful, while their striking appearances immediately captured the attention of everyone in attendance.
Hendrix Signature had not even officially begun its journey yet.
And already, it was preparing to make its presence known to the world.
Inside the building, Lev sat among the crowd, watching the models walk down the runway and showcase the elegance of Hendrix Signature's latest collection.
Among the audience were numerous famous actresses, influencers, business owners, and other influential figures who had received invitations to the exclusive event.
For Lev, this was one of the first times he had been surrounded so closely by famous actresses and wealthy businessmen.
Looking around at the glamorous event, he could not help but realize just how much his life had changed.
Not long ago, he had been an ordinary young man.
Now, he was sitting among some of the most influential people in the country while watching a fashion show held by one of his own companies.
His life had truly taken a dramatic turn.
However, there was one thing he regretted.
Coming here had attracted far too much attention.
Cameras were constantly pointed in his direction, while reporters and photographers seemed determined to capture every possible image of him. The constant flashes and shutter sounds were becoming increasingly annoying.
Lev could even see several famous actresses and influencers glancing at him with obvious interest.
Unfortunately for them, Lev's standards of beauty had already been raised far beyond what ordinary people could offer.
For now, he had no intention of taking another wife.
Polygamy was not widely accepted in this world, except in certain countries, cultures, or religions. Of course, that did not mean it was impossible.
Who knew?
Perhaps one day, someone might actually catch his eye.
"Lev, I bet the news is exploding right now," Qian Renxue muttered as she glanced at the numerous phones and cameras pointed toward him.
"Let them be," Lev replied casually.
He simply ignored the flashes and the constant clicking of camera shutters.
"Anyway, I've already told Mother that I'll be the last person to walk the runway tonight. I should probably get ready for my turn."
Qian Renxue stood up from her seat and prepared to leave.
"Go. Shock the world with your beauty."
Lev smiled as he watched her walk away.
He then shifted his attention back toward the runway.
He was quite satisfied with how the event was progressing. This was not merely a showcase for Hendrix Signature.
It was also an opportunity to promote Hendrix Luxe.
The models were not only wearing the elegant clothing designed by Hendrix Signature but were also adorned with exquisite jewelry from Hendrix Luxe, creating a perfect collaboration between the two companies.
One after another, the models walked down the runway.
The audience was clearly impressed by the designs, and many were already discussing which pieces they wanted to purchase.
Everything seemed to be going perfectly.
Then, just when everyone thought the fashion show was coming to an end, the atmosphere suddenly changed.
A breathtaking figure stepped onto the runway.
The conversations immediately stopped.
The movement of the crowd seemed to freeze.
Everyone's attention was drawn toward the woman walking gracefully beneath the lights.
It was as though a goddess had descended upon the stage.
Qian Renxue.
Wearing the exquisite clothing designed by Bibi Dong, Qian Renxue walked down the runway with an elegance that was difficult to describe.
It did not matter who someone was, how wealthy they were, or how famous they had become.
At that moment, everyone was looking at her.
Some people stared with their mouths hanging open, completely overwhelmed by her beauty. Others could barely hide their astonishment.
For a brief moment, the entire venue seemed to belong to her alone.
When Qian Renxue finally reached the end of the runway and turned around, the audience erupted.
Cheers and excited voices filled the venue as people stood from their seats and applauded.
And then—
Another figure appeared on the stage.
This time, it was Bibi Dong.
Dressed in a formal yet elegant outfit, Bibi Dong walked onto the stage with a graceful smile.
The audience had barely recovered from Qian Renxue's appearance when they realized something astonishing.
There was still someone who could rival—or perhaps even surpass—the beauty they had just witnessed.
Bibi Dong smiled as she stood before the audience.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming here today. I hope this will not be the last time we see each other, and I sincerely hope to welcome all of you again at our future fashion events."
She paused briefly before giving them another elegant smile.
"Thank you, and please enjoy the rest of the day."
With that, Bibi Dong turned around and walked backstage.
Clap. Clap. Clap. Clap.
The entire venue immediately erupted into thunderous applause.
However, many of the guests were not simply there to watch.
They had come prepared to do business.
Soon, people began asking staff members where they could purchase the clothing and jewelry they had seen on the runway. Others were already attempting to schedule appointments with representatives from Hendrix Signature and Hendrix Luxe.
Meanwhile, members of the press were preparing themselves for interviews.
Lev, however, had already decided that it was time for him to leave.
He was just about to stand up when a man suddenly approached him.
The man wore a friendly smile and carried himself with a confident yet respectful demeanor.
"Hello, Lev. I hope I didn't intrude on your privacy."
The man chuckled lightly.
"It's just that you're extremely difficult to get hold of, and seeing as this might be my only opportunity to speak with you, I decided to take the chance."
He extended his hand.
"By the way, I'm Elon Musk. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Beside him stood his wife, who had originally been invited to the fashion event.
Lev's eyes widened slightly upon hearing the man's name.
"Nice to meet you, Elon."
He smiled and shook his hand.
"I've actually been eager to meet and talk with you as well."
There was genuine excitement in Lev's voice.
If there had been someone he looked up to back when he was still an ordinary person, Elon Musk would undoubtedly have been one of them.
To think that he was now standing in front of him was still somewhat surreal.
"Is that so? Well, it's a pleasure to hear that."
Elon smiled before continuing.
"I don't want to be too rude, but could I talk to you about some business matters? It's perfectly fine if you decline."
With the sudden appearance of the advanced technologies produced by Lev's companies, Elon was extremely interested in Hendrix Technologies.
He had actually attempted to arrange several meetings with Lev before, but none of his requests had received a response.
Now that an unexpected opportunity had presented itself, he was unwilling to let it slip away.
"Hmm..."
Lev considered it for a moment before smiling.
"That's fine. In fact, I'd like to invite you to my place."
Elon's expression immediately became more attentive.
"However, I won't entertain any guests aside from you."
Lev looked directly at him.
"If you can respect that condition, I'll even let you see a glimpse of some of my company's secrets."
Elon's eyes immediately widened.
He glanced toward his wife.
She understood what he meant without needing an explanation.
After a brief exchange, Elon's wife bid farewell to the two men and left them alone.
Lev stood from his seat.
"Shall we?"
"Sure."
Elon smiled with obvious anticipation.
"I'm really looking forward to it."
The two men then left the venue together.
Their departure did not go unnoticed.
The moment photographers realized that Lev Hendrix and Elon Musk had left together, cameras immediately began flashing.
Reporters hurriedly captured photographs of the two men as they disappeared from the building.
It did not take long before the news spread across the internet.
"LEV HENDRIX AND ELON MUSK LEAVE FASHION EVENT TOGETHER."
Speculation immediately exploded.
Why had Elon Musk approached Lev?
What kind of business were they discussing?
Was there a partnership between the two?
What kind of technology was Hendrix planning to reveal?
And perhaps most importantly—
What exactly was Lev Hendrix hiding?
For the first time, the mysterious founder of the rapidly expanding Hendrix Group had been seen leaving an event alongside one of the world's most famous technology entrepreneurs.
And the world was eager to know what would come next.
**********
—One hour later—
Hendrix Island,
It took them nearly an hour to reach Hendrix Island.
From the moment they arrived, Elon Musk's mind struggled to process everything he was seeing.
From the outside, the island appeared completely ordinary.
Peaceful.
Quiet.
Almost boring.
But Elon soon realized that the calm appearance was nothing more than an elaborate illusion concealing what was truly happening within the island.
And what shocked him the most—something he could hardly believe even after seeing it with his own eyes—was the sight of several massive robots working throughout the island.
Robots that looked exactly like something straight out of a science-fiction movie.
Megatron and the other Decepticons.
Elon stared at them in disbelief as they worked on various projects and communicated with one another as naturally as humans.
He wanted to ask Lev what they were.
He desperately wanted an explanation.
Yet, for some reason, he could not bring himself to interrupt the journey.
He remained silent, simply staring at the Decepticons as they continued their work.
Lev, meanwhile, was thoroughly amused by Elon's reaction.
In fact, he had deliberately instructed his other summons—including the Tailed Beasts and several others—to remain hidden for the time being.
If Elon had encountered them as well, Lev suspected that the man's mind might have completely stopped functioning.
Eventually, the two arrived at Lev's private office.
Lev walked inside and took his seat before looking at Elon.
"So, what would you like to talk about?"
Elon opened his mouth.
But before he could answer, he suddenly shook his head.
"B-Before that..."
He pointed toward the transparent glass wall overlooking the island.
"Lev... what are those things?"
It was obvious that Elon had completely forgotten about the business discussion he had originally intended to have.
His attention was still fixed on the enormous robots outside.
Lev smiled.
"You've watched or at least heard about the movie Transformers, right?"
Elon slowly nodded.
"They're something like that."
"What?!"
Elon's eyes widened.
"Yes."
Lev answered as casually as if he had just told him that the island had a few construction workers.
Elon could only stare at him.
He slowly sat down in one of the chairs, his mouth slightly open as his eyes repeatedly shifted between Lev and the Decepticons outside.
He had come here expecting to discuss advanced technology.
Instead, he had just discovered that the technology he had been fascinated by was merely the tip of the iceberg.
"While the world is still struggling to advance technologically..." Lev muttered as he stood from his chair and walked toward the glass wall.
He gazed outside at the enormous island facility.
"I've already conquered the space above."
Elon remained silent.
Lev turned around and looked directly at him.
"Elon."
His expression became serious.
"I could conquer this planet whenever I wanted to."
The words were spoken calmly, without arrogance or hesitation.
"But I chose not to."
Elon's expression became even more serious.
"That's why I hope you'll keep everything you see and hear today to yourself."
Lev paused for a moment before continuing.
"Don't worry. I won't remain idle either."
He extended his hand toward Elon.
"I want to change the world, and I chose you specifically because I believe you can help me advance it."
Lev's gaze remained firm.
"So, from now on, I hope you and the Hendrix Group can become good partners."
Elon stared at Lev's outstretched hand.
For several seconds, he said nothing.
There was simply too much information running through his mind.
Eventually, however, he reached out and shook Lev's hand.
"S-Sure."
His voice still carried traces of disbelief.
Lev smiled.
"Good."
He released Elon's hand and gestured toward the door.
"Now, let me show you around."
Elon's eyes immediately brightened.
After everything he had already seen, he could hardly imagine what else Lev might be hiding.
The two then left the office and began touring the island.
Lev showed Elon several of his laboratories and research facilities, allowing him to catch glimpses of the technology being developed on Hendrix Island.
As they moved from one facility to another, the two gradually became more comfortable around each other and began learning more about one another.
For Elon, however, one thing had already become painfully clear.
Hendrix Technologies was not merely another technology company.
It was the surface of something far, far greater.
And for the first time, Elon Musk found himself wondering just how far ahead of humanity Lev Hendrix truly was.
**********
—Night—
By nightfall, news of the day's events had spread across social media and television stations around the world.
However, one particular piece of news attracted far more attention than the rest.
Elon Musk had suddenly held a press conference.
During the conference, he announced that the Hendrix Group would be entering into a major collaboration with him and his companies on projects concerning the vast expanse of outer space.
The announcement immediately sent the business world into an uproar.
Given Elon Musk's reputation and influence, people could not help but wonder what kind of deal or collaboration had taken place.
What had Lev Hendrix offered him?
What had Elon seen at Hendrix Island?
And what kind of technology could possibly be involved in a partnership that had convinced one of the world's wealthiest and most influential businessmen to work so closely with the mysterious founder of Hendrix Group?
As speculation spread, Lev Hendrix's reputation soared even further.
Meanwhile, back on Hendrix Island, Lev and the others were gathered inside the mansion, watching the news on television.
Everyone was there.
Even Axel and Kellan were present, resting comfortably under the care of their mothers, Zhu Zhuqing and Dugu Yan.
The two babies had already become the center of attention within the family, receiving endless affection from their mothers and the others.
However, Tsunade suddenly spoke.
"Is that really necessary, Master?"
Her eyes remained on the television as she questioned the purpose behind Lev's decision to advance Earth's technological capabilities so rapidly.
"It isn't necessary."
Lev leaned back as he watched the news.
"But I think it should be done."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow.
Lev continued.
"Haven't you noticed it?"
He paused for a moment.
"I can sense something in the atmosphere."
Everyone immediately turned their attention toward him.
"Spirit power."
Lev's expression became thoughtful.
"It's extremely faint, but I can feel it."
He had initially dismissed the sensation.
At first, Lev assumed it was merely residual energy left behind by himself and the others after their return from Douluo Dalu. He had also considered the possibility that the power was simply lingering energy released by the people living on the island.
But the longer he remained on Earth, the more he realized that his initial assumptions had been wrong.
Something else was happening.
"The planet is changing."
"What?"
Everyone stared at him in surprise.
Lev nodded.
"Yes."
He had already asked the System about the strange phenomenon, and the answer had been quite unexpected.
"The System told me that the Main World will gradually begin evolving to accommodate my existence."
Everyone remained silent.
Lev continued explaining.
"Apparently, the world itself will attempt to adapt to the power and abilities I've acquired. The stronger I become, the more the world will change to accommodate my existence."
The room immediately fell silent.
Everyone exchanged looks of disbelief.
"So... the world itself is evolving because of you?" Gu Yuena asked.
"That's what the System told me."
Lev nodded.
"And it won't stop here."
He looked toward everyone.
"It won't be long before you begin feeling it yourselves."
"What?!"
The revelation shocked everyone.
They had never imagined that simply existing on Earth could eventually cause the planet itself to change.
If Lev was correct, then the world they had returned to was no longer the same Earth they had left behind.
And it was only beginning.
For the remainder of the night, Lev and the others discussed the matter extensively.
They talked about how the change had begun, what it might mean for Earth, and what kind of consequences could arise as the planet continued adapting.
Lev did not hide anything from them.
He explained everything the System had told him.
Yet, despite all the questions they discussed that night, one thing remained certain.
Earth was changing.
And sooner or later, the entire world would notice.