Chapter 82: Debt and Investment
Outside
In the outside world—on Earth, the Jiang family's territory, and among the people of Bizestar—everyone erupted in celebration when they saw the throne of the No.99 World Region change hands. It was like New Year's had arrived.
Aboard the spaceships orbiting Bizestar, even the once aloof immortals and realm lords were swept up in the joy of the moment.
This was a tangible, undeniable achievement!
The farther Jiang Zhe advanced in this genius battle, the more glory and rewards they would all share.
After a few rounds of drinking, the burly beastman could barely close his mouth from smiling, but he still kept his wits about him.
"Everyone, there are still eight days left! The first-place throne isn't secured yet. Let's watch how he holds onto his rank. Once the dust settles, we'll raise our glasses again in true celebration!"
"Lord Star Master, your foresight is unmatched!"
"Lord Star Master, wise as always!"
"We look forward to toasting with you again!"
Inside the competition
After the rankings shifted, Jiang Zhe looked at his 160 million points and realized the problem.
First place had come too early. With eight days left before the preliminaries ended, this score alone wouldn't be enough to keep him on top.
By the 30th day, killing the top contender would earn over a hundred million points. That meant having at least 200 million points was the benchmark.
So Jiang Zhe soared into the sky on his Mistshadow Shuttle.
Leaving the island and flying over the sea, he felt the ocean breeze. The intoxicating potion that had seeped into his body gradually broke down, clearing his mind again.
The pharmacist who had created this potion clearly wasn't skilled in direct combat, yet she'd still managed to reach the top three of the preliminaries—a testament to her talent. That potion was probably her proudest work since birth.
Unfortunately for her, using illusions alongside the potion didn't fool Jiang Zhe. He saw through it easily, locked onto her true body, and struck her down with a bolt of lightning.
The hunt continues
Jiang Zhe continued his killing spree without being picky. Anyone he passed—even a stray dog—got smacked for some points.
In these last ten days of the preliminaries, all survivors carried tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of points each. Taking from many added up, helping him maintain his lead.
On Island No.57, two major contenders had been stationed—"Mirrormist" and "Shadowline." The former died, while the latter caught wind of the danger and escaped into the sea.
Mirrormist had been ranked around 100th, carrying 10 million points. Jiang Zhe took half.
On the way, he also killed about twenty small fry, gaining nearly 3 million points total.
At this stage, anyone in the top thousand carried at least a million points. Killing one meant at least 500,000 points in his pocket.
On Island No.49, Jiang Zhe killed "Silver Wolf" and "Coldwood," netting roughly 15 million points.
It was like a powerful outsider storming into Luo Feng's city in the original story, killing both Luo Feng and Windwheel, and taking tens of millions of points from them.
The name of Thunder Emperor spreads
By the 29th day of the preliminaries, the name "Thunder Emperor" echoed throughout the entire No.99 World Region.
All the well-known powerhouses hid themselves.
This gave Jiang Zhe some minor trouble, forcing him to constantly spread his spiritual power in a carpet search.
Luckily, his fortune didn't run out.
On Island No.12, he found the current third-place contender—once second—cultivated by the Qianwu Imperial Clan.
Moros had heard of "Thunder Emperor," but wasn't afraid. With the Qianwu background and six other elite geniuses by his side, he tried to negotiate.
Jiang Zhe only sneered. Some people were always blinded by power, forgetting their place.
In the Ultimate Universe Genius Battle, even if your father was a Marquis-level immortal, it didn't matter. Only strength, results, and talent spoke here.
Faced with seven top contenders, all in the top thousand, Jiang Zhe unleashed his time clones.
Dozens of clones moved unpredictably, tricking the seven into missing every attack.
After toying with them, bolts of lightning like a death sentence struck each one down.
Final scores before the end
"70 million points? And another 40 million from the other six…"
His wrist screen now showed a terrifying number:
Contestant: Jiang Zhe (Bizestar)
Points: 313,245,531
Rank: 1
"310 million… That should lock in first place and secure my guaranteed slot."
With less than ten hours left before the preliminaries ended, Jiang Zhe still didn't slow down. He kept roaming the No.99 Region to guard against second place pulling tricks—like rallying ranks three to ten to funnel their points. Such dog-blood tactics weren't impossible.
After all, only the top spot truly mattered.
The rest—those thousand qualifiers—would still face the same melee and arena battles, regardless of minor rank differences.
Jiang Zhe drifted through the skies, spreading the fearsome aura of the "Thunder Emperor," discouraging anyone from making a move.
The final minute
"Strange, no one came to ambush me. Don't they know that fortune favors the bold?" Jiang Zhe floated on his Mistshadow Shuttle, lazily stretching and yawning.
'Preliminaries ending in… 60…59…58…'
A grand voice echoed in the minds of all surviving contestants across the hundred regions, making many grow frantic.
"I just need a few more points, don't run—let me kill you once!"
"My father is the ruler of Flamefeather Divine Nation. Help me into the top thousand and he'll take you as his disciple!"
"Nonsense! The virtual universe doesn't notarize that. What if you renege after leaving?"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Chaos erupted everywhere.
A last-minute assassin
At "6…5…4…," light rippled behind Jiang Zhe. A dwarf suddenly appeared, stabbing two short blades that seemed to swallow light, channeling powerful light laws right at Jiang Zhe's back.
The blades pierced—only for Jiang Zhe's image to vanish. The dwarf's eyes widened.
Damn it! A clone—when did he—?
"You underestimated time-based speed, didn't you? Bet you thought I couldn't react?"
"I didn't even need to open my domain—I spotted you long ago. That stretch earlier? Performed just for you."
'Just one second… enough to kill you dozens of times.'
A deathly voice whispered behind him.
The dwarf trembled, unable to move under the crushing pressure of Jiang Zhe's lightning domain.
The violet "Destroyer's Hand" roared with a furious ape, lit by searing lightning, and smashed down.
Boom!
Contestant: Jiang Zhe (Bizestar)
Points: 400,658,723
Rank: 1
The end of the preliminaries
'2…1! Transporting!'
All surviving contestants vanished. The hundred virtual world regions collapsed into nothing.
Preliminaries over.
Selections complete.
Back home
Jiang Zhe appeared above Heilongshan Island.
'Beep! Beep!'
Alerts sounded, immediately muted by Orianna. She knew her master's temper well—unless it was the Qianwu Nation's ruler, he wouldn't respond.
He logged off, then back on.
In the courtyard of his family's villa on Purple Star Mountain, Jiang Zhe reappeared.
Almost at once, the whole Jiang family showed up at the gate.
"Xiao Zhe, incredible—first place!" Jiang Wu bellowed like a honey-drunk bear.
"Xiao Zhe, keep it up! Fight for the top ten on behalf of the Qianwu Universe Nation!" the old man encouraged.
"Son, amazing! You make me so proud!"
"Well done, Xiao Zhe!"
"Uncle Xiao Zhe, teach me cultivation! I want to be a powerful spiritual force user like you!" This was Jiang Wu's son, now 15, already robust like his father.
"We'll talk training later. Let Xiao Zhe rest first. I've ordered food—let's celebrate properly!"
With friends
That night, in the Luofeng family pavilion.
Jiang Zhe met the trio, asking about their preliminaries.
Mainly Hong and Leishen—they'd gone farther thanks to their nine-fold domains.
Hong even touched on some law origin, jumping to 143rd place. Leishen fell just short, ranking 923rd, needing Rong Jun's blade to bail him out.
If not for their physical-cultivator disadvantage in kill and escape speed compared to spiritual force users, they could have ranked higher.
"Do your best in the melee and arena battles. Try to get into the top thousand to see the true geniuses of other universe nations."
"And don't forget what I've repeatedly warned you about."
The three exchanged solemn nods.
Hong and Leishen probably couldn't enter Virtual Universe Company. Jiang Zhe would see if he could get them into the Qianwu Secret Realm.
As for Time World Lord Luo? That was mostly hype—Jiang Zhe hadn't even comprehended light laws yet, so how much could he teach?
Better to have the Qianwu Secret Realm's resources and lectures by immortal gods—maybe even the debt-heavy Qianwu Nation's ruler himself—far more useful than roaming with Luo.
Eventually, he'd try getting Hong and Leishen into Virtual Universe Company to wait for Luo Feng to carry them.
They'd still venture into Illusion Sea—reach 7 to 10 levels at the universe level for 20,000 to 70,000 points, not as ridiculously high as 20 levels.
The universe takes notice
As soon as the preliminaries ended, information on Jiang Zhe was sent to many universe nations, catching the eye of major powers.
In the Noah Universe Nation, Berlan received a message from his master—a recording of Jiang Zhe's battle, with dozens of time clones in the sky.
"Qianwu Universe Nation… Thunder Emperor… Jiang Zhe?"
The cold young man in white, bloodstained sword in hand, merely memorized the name and continued honing his blade in the slaughter fields.
The Qianwu Nation's hopes
In the vast starry space of the Qianwu Universe Nation, a giant stood. Space twisted so much his appearance was unclear.
Most of his mind was in the virtual universe, reviewing Jiang Zhe's footage. A fraction remained to hear reports.
"Lord Nation Master, that's everything. We unanimously believe he has the strength to place in the universe-wide top ten!"
Three white-robed immortals bowed low.
"Haha, be bolder—this kid definitely has top-two strength. He might even compete with Noah Nation's boy!"
"First place—I want him to take first!"
"Have Thirteen go ask what he still needs. As long as it's not outrageous, we'll provide it. I hope four years from now he brings me a surprise!"
A deep voice floated from the void, straight into their ears—and souls.
"Yes, Nation Master!"
They respectfully withdrew.
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