Chapter 109: One Against a Hundred Million

In the northern district of a certain megalopolis within the Sixth World Zone, atop a skyscraper soaring a kilometer into the sky, Luo Yuan reclined in a rocking chair, absentmindedly cracking melon seeds as he watched, with a mix of helplessness and amusement, the relentless onslaught of geniuses charging at him. These prodigies, one after another, showed no fear of death; even as they were slaughtered into pulp by the Sword Domain formed from the divine soldiers’ golden blades, they kept coming in endless waves. Corpses piled up like mountains around the skyscraper’s base.

It was as if Luo Yuan had become the ultimate boss in a game, and these geniuses were the players sent to defeat him. Did they not realize that dying early would only lower their rankings and cause them to become cannon fodder?

What Luo Yuan did not know was that geniuses themselves were ranked. Not all participants entered the competition to claim one of the precious 1,001 slots; many were deliberately sent by various factions as expendable pawns to be consumed, paving the way for their own cultivated geniuses to ascend, since the core positions within the Virtual Universe Company were far too valuable.

From initial free-for-all skirmishes to team battles, and then to large-scale group warfare, the conflict gradually split into several factions. On a battlefield comprising over eight billion people, the carnage was unimaginably brutal.

Several thousand kilometers away from Luo Yuan’s skyscraper in the northern district, the command centers of the factions—shrouded by psychic barriers—were staffed by a handful of peerless geniuses acting as commanders. They stared in disbelief at the battle reports streaming in.

“Is that guy on the skyscraper rooftop some kind of monster?” one commander in a faction asked, bewildered. “At first, we just wanted to sweep up a few casualties, but now it’s turned into several factions ganging up on just him?!”

“I don’t know,” another replied, “but maybe that’s a good thing. After all, only 1,001 people can be selected from over eight billion in each world zone. This was always going to be a merciless slaughter. If this guy is that strong, let him burn through our forces. When he’s worn down enough, that’s our moment to strike.”

Unbeknownst to them, Luo Yuan’s psychic power far exceeded theirs. Despite their psychic barriers, his deliberate probing had intercepted their conversation.

“Damn it! To think they want to wear me down—that’s impossible. When my Domain breaks through to the World Level, it will be the end of all of you!” Luo Yuan growled fiercely.

Currently, Luo Yuan and the others were all immersed within a virtual world, their bodies at the Stellar Rank Nine level. This genius battle assessment tested willpower, consciousness, technique, domain, and the understanding of laws.

With the vast attributes he had recently acquired, Luo Yuan could have broken through to the Cosmic level. Yet, to participate fully in this universe-level pinnacle genius battle, aside from replenishing his energy, he temporarily stored surplus psychic and primordial energy attributes in his attribute space. Even if he broke through now, it would avail him nothing, as all participants had their virtual bodies restricted to the Stellar Rank Nine realm within the virtual universe battlefield.

The strange spectacle created by the Sixth World Zone, where one man fought against tens of millions—even hundreds of millions—of geniuses, attracted the keen attention of many observers. Such a staggering feat was truly awe-inspiring.

Instantly, countless discussions erupted regarding the situation in the Sixth World.

“What the hell is going on in the Sixth World? Over a hundred million attacking a single person and still losing? Is that guy a monster? How can he not be worn down?”

“Who is the man on that rooftop? Check him out, quickly!”

“Got it—his name is Luo Yuan, currently ranked seventh in the Sixth World Zone! He’s from the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.”

At the same moment, numerous divine realms and countless organizations tracking this genius battle hastily recorded Luo Yuan’s name. However, the most genuinely thrilled were the citizens and some high-ranking figures of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.

***

A magnificent starship carried a group of princes and princesses from various star regions of the Qianwu Cosmic Nation, chatting and laughing together.

“Look, look! Brolin, your Black Dragon Mountain Empire already has two individuals who’ve broken into the top 1,001 in their respective world zones,” shouted one imperial prince from another empire.

“Hm?” Brolin, the ninth prince of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, brightened and turned to look.

On a nearby huge screen, the names of various empires were listed. Next to “Black Dragon Mountain Empire,” the number of pre-qualified slots (temporary) had jumped from zero to two.

“Open it up quickly,” Brolin ordered.

A small screen appeared beside the large one, displaying a line of data: “Sixth World Zone, 7th place: Luo Yuan (Black Dragon Mountain Empire); First World Zone, 997th place: Luo Feng (Black Dragon Mountain Empire).”

“Haha, Luo Yuan and Luo Feng are talented prodigies carefully nurtured by our Black Dragon Mountain Empire,” Brolin declared loudly. Suddenly, a knot formed in his heart. “Luo Yuan… that name sounds familiar. Right, there’s a kid named Luo Yuan in the Interdimensional Realm. Could it be… no, no way. There are many duplicate names across the universe.”

“Luo Yuan? Luo Feng?”

“Ha! Brolin, your Black Dragon Mountain Empire is showing off this time! Two peerless geniuses—finally, we’re not at the bottom.”

Among nearly a thousand middle-tier cosmic nations, over two hundred still had zero pre-qualified slots (temporary).

***

Within the luxurious, expansive hall of a cosmic starship sat several thousand people—the true ruling class of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. The “Universe Human Peak Genius Battle” was a grand event for all cosmic nations, a momentous occasion that naturally drew the emperor’s attention.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

“Your Majesty, this is a joyous occasion.”

The vast hall erupted in cheers as prominent figures of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire celebrated. Those attending, aside from the empire’s aristocracy, realm lords, and domain lords, included over five hundred emperors from “Cosmic Primary Civilization Nations.”

“Ha ha…” The emperor, clad in a dark royal robe, laughed heartily. His deep laughter resonated throughout the hall.

At the front of the hall, a gigantic screen displayed: “Black Dragon Mountain Empire Pre-Qualified Slots (Temporary): 2,” with Luo Yuan and Luo Feng’s names shown beneath.

“Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, very good, very good,” the emperor exclaimed with satisfaction. “Our Black Dragon Mountain Empire is proud this time. Luo Yuan and Luo Feng have contributed immensely! Especially Luo Yuan—seventh place in the Sixth World Zone—my heavens, this is the highest rank our empire’s geniuses have ever achieved. We must reward them handsomely!”

“Yes, rewards are due.”

“Both have great merit.”

“Your Majesty is wise.”

The nobles showered the emperor with praise, their voices like a rising tide. The emperors from the primary civilization nations were equally enthusiastic.

“Your Majesty, the preliminary round is not yet over. We can only know the final results when it concludes,” a bespectacled, bald elder with four small ears behind his own whispered cautiously at the emperor’s side. His presence and boldness to speak during such a joyful moment marked his high status; he was one of the realm lords attending the banquet.

“Hmm,” the emperor nodded slightly. “Even if these two fail later, they still have our great gratitude.”

***

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