Chapter 125: Galactic Overlord

While the peak geniuses remained relatively calm, the 1008 universe sectors were in an uproar. In particular, the countless citizens across the hundreds of millions of star systems of the Ganwu Universe Sector were overcome with excitement. This was a gathering of a million geniuses from 1008 universe sectors, and to have three of the top twenty come from their own sector was an immense honor.

The Black Dragon Mountain Empire seemed stunned by the news. Although the Black Dragon Mountain star region was vast, it was tiny compared to the entirety of the 1008 universe sectors. Even the Ganwu Universe Sector had not seen a genius break into the top twenty for a long time, let alone the small Black Dragon Mountain star region. It was an opportunity that might not come once in a billion years.

"Luo Yuan and Luo Feng are the heroes of my Black Dragon Mountain Empire," the Emperor of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire declared in a live news broadcast on the virtual network's Black Dragon Mountain island. "They both hail from our Black Dragon Mountain star region. I have officially decided to gift the Milky Way galaxy to Luo Yuan and the Magellanic galaxy to Luo Feng. From this day forward, they are both Star Lords!"

The Emperor’s public announcement was clearly a gesture of goodwill by the imperial family. In truth, the Emperor had long promised to gift these two galaxies to them, but announcing it publicly now was intended to elevate their status. The imperial family had played an indispensable role in ensuring that Luo Yuan and Luo Feng enjoyed such immense popularity within the empire.

At the same time, the leaders of Earth received the news with mixed feelings. Thor, who was training on Mars, pushed himself even harder, and Hong, who was undergoing rigorous training under the Time Sector Lord, also began special drills. Those geniuses who had been defeated by Luo Yuan in the decisive battle space began to train with even greater intensity.

...

Luo Yuan was completely unaware of the massive impact caused by his number one global ranking. He, along with Luo Feng, Rong Jun, and four others, was currently listening to the instructions of the giant in scale-clad armor.

"Tomorrow's qualification matches will depend on your performance."

"Understood!"

"The three of you may leave. Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, and Rong Jun, stay behind," the giant said. The other three youths in the massive room respectfully departed, leaving only Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, and Rong Jun.

The giant’s gaze fell upon the three of them.

"Rank 14, Rank 4, and Rank 1," the giant said in a deep, resonant voice. The subtle pressure he exuded forced the three of them to strain just to remain standing. "Are you feeling a bit proud? Do you think you are very strong?"

"No," said the wilder, Rong Jun.

"The trials do not prove anything," added Luo Feng.

"My strength still needs improvement," Luo Yuan replied earnestly.

"Hmph," the giant snorted. "You still manage to keep your cool and haven't let this little bit of glory go to your heads. Correct! You are right, Luo Feng! These trials prove absolutely nothing. Actual combat depends on your performance on the day and how well your fighting styles counter one another. Those in the top twenty can still break into the top ten, and those in the top ten can just as easily be defeated by those ranked behind them. After all, there is not much difference in everyone’s true strength."

The three listened obediently, remaining silent.

"Alright! Go and rest. Since you have all secured your spots, tomorrow does not concern you. Prepare yourselves for the final slaughter to come. Although one thousand people will enter the core level, there are vast differences in the treatment you will receive. Even within the core level, there is a hierarchy of status. You must all work hard and strive for excellence!" the giant concluded.

Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, and the wilder Rong Jun walked out of the giant’s room together.

"Luo Yuan," Rong Jun called out.

"Yes?" Luo Yuan looked up. Rong Jun’s tiger-like eyes flashed with intensity as he said in a low voice, "Your strength commands my respect. I truly hope to encounter you in the later arena battles so that I can defeat you!"

"Defeat me?" A smile touched the corners of Luo Yuan's lips. "I look forward to it!"

Rong Jun turned and walked away. Luo Feng watched his retreating figure and laughed. "Third brother, this Rong Jun seems to disagree with the giant’s assessment; he actually thinks he has a chance to beat you."

"It's fine. Geniuses are always proud. I, for one, look forward to him making things interesting for me," Luo Yuan replied with a smile.

That day, the million geniuses who had been eliminated were all teleported away. Only seven people remained in Building 0825: the Immortal guide and the six young men.

...

The next morning, 7,300 geniuses, including Luo Yuan, Luo Feng, and Rong Jun, gathered at the central plaza. Suddenly, an invisible aura enveloped the entire square, forcing all 7,300 human geniuses to involuntarily feel a sense of submission. Everyone looked up to see a familiar figure appear in mid-air.

He wore a cyan robe that appeared ordinary but contained profound, mysterious energy. He had purple scales on his head and a faint smile on his face, yet when his gaze swept across the crowd, no one dared to meet his eyes.

"Venerable One!"

The 1,008 powerful Immortals bowed in unison, a sight that made the hearts of the 7,300 geniuses skip a beat.

"The trials have concluded. First, I congratulate the top 100 contestants—you have earned the qualification to enter the core level of the Virtual Universe Company! Now, if anyone is unwilling, speak up. The Virtual Universe Company will never force anyone," the man in the cyan robe and purple scales said, his voice ethereal, echoing in everyone's ears and minds.

Silence. No one spoke.

"Good," the man nodded with satisfaction. "Contestants ranked 101 to 7,300—these 7,200 individuals will be arranged into arena matches by the virtual universe system based on your performance in the trial space. Win three consecutive battles to earn a spot; those who lose are eliminated."

With 7,200 people, half would be eliminated in the first round. After three consecutive matches, only 900 would remain. The announcement stirred doubts among many of the geniuses below.

"Win three consecutive battles to get a spot? If two strong fighters meet, doesn't that mean one of them must be eliminated?" many of the geniuses wondered.

"The arrangements of the virtual universe system are absolutely optimal; there is no need for doubt!" the man in the cyan robe said slowly. "Now, 7,200 contestants, proceed to your arena battles!"

Boom!

The central plaza trembled slightly. The crowd of geniuses was suddenly reduced as 7,200 people were teleported away, leaving only the 100 elite human geniuses.

Luo Yuan looked around. The space was now empty, save for the 100 young humans. Among them were the white-robed "Death God" Bolan, the battle-hungry youth from Manka Planet, the genius siblings from the August Planet who stood together, the six-meter-tall, mountain-like giant carrying a blood-red axe, the youth from the Mengluo Wing tribe, the burly youth with a bear-like, fur-covered face, the alluring girl with four arms and black silk, and the youth who always carried a hint of shyness on his face...

They were all elite geniuses who had ranked in the top 100, destined to enter the core level of the Virtual Universe Company. The 100 geniuses observed one another, well aware that everyone present would be their future competitors.