At this very moment, thunderous cheers erupted from the spectator stands belonging to the Black Dragon Mountain Star Domain and the Qianwu Universe Nation.
"Hong, long live Hong!"
"Hong, marry me! I'll have your children!"
Countless voices rose together, faces flushed with excitement, emotions spilling over.
How many years had it been?
For the Qianwu Universe Nation, it had been far too long since anyone managed to break into the top ten thousand.
This was an honor beyond measure.
As the crowd roared Hong's name, Thunder God, Rowan, and Luo Feng were just as exhilarated among the audience.
"Big Brother is incredible," Thunder God said, clenching his fist. "He actually withstood Phantom Demon Galessi's illusions. The gap between him and me keeps growing."
Thunder God knew himself well. Even he was not confident he could defeat Galessi head-on.
Yet Hong had done it cleanly and decisively.
Earlier, Thunder God had been genuinely worried.
Luo Feng could not help but sigh. "Big Brother never cultivated the Void Tower from the Meteorite Ink Star legacy. How did he still win?"
Rowan smiled faintly as he explained, "It's simple. Big Brother's mental state is extremely high. He comprehended a Domain at the planetary level. That kind of mindset is the foundation for breaking all illusions. The stronger the heart, the weaker illusions become."
"On top of that, the technique I gave him was designed for illusion-based warriors. Illusion is already his primary combat method. Using illusion to counter illusion is second nature to him."
Only now did Rowan fully relax.
At the start, even he had not been certain whether Hong could resist Galessi's illusions.
The result exceeded expectations.
With Hong's current mental state, even stepping toward the level of a Universe Venerable was not unrealistic. Ordinary illusion techniques simply could not shake him.
Galessi's illusions were only effective against lower-tier Universe-level opponents. The gap between them was too great.
Babata sighed beside them. "He's terrifyingly strong. What a pity he isn't a psychic."
Rowan merely smiled and said nothing.
Meanwhile, within the Qianwu Universe Nation's council chamber, countless Immortals were stunned.
"This youngster is remarkable," one Immortal said. "Galessi's illusions can trap even first- to third-tier Universe-level cultivators for a brief moment. Yet Hong shattered them effortlessly. His mental state is extraordinary."
"Black Dragon, if your disciple fails to reach the top thousand, let me take him in. With my strength as the Invincible Bee King, I am more than qualified."
"Don't steal him," another Immortal snapped. "You're a psychic, he's a warrior. He should follow me. I'm a spear wielder too. I'm the best fit."
"You're all dreaming. None of you are qualified. I am."
In an instant, over ten thousand Immortals were stirred by desire for talent.
Hong's performance was simply too outstanding.
With such a mental foundation, as long as he did not fall prematurely, he was destined to become a peerless King-level existence.
The Black Dragon Mountain Emperor was smiling so widely his face hurt.
He had originally believed only Rowan could reach the top ten thousand.
Yet now, Hong had proven even more astonishing.
Not only that, he had chosen the illusion-warrior path.
Among warriors, there were many branches.
Mechanical warriors relied on advanced technology and weapons, using equipment to overpower enemies beyond their level.
Plant-based warriors bonded with special cosmic plant lifeforms such as Devil Cloud Vine or Star-Eating Grass, fighting through symbiosis. This path was extremely resource-intensive and therefore rare.
Beast-taming warriors controlled terrifying cosmic beasts as combat partners. Equally costly, but terrifying at peak.
And finally, the rarest and most fearsome of all.
Illusion warriors.
Every strike carried illusion.
Every clash dragged the enemy into layered nightmare realms.
Even powerful soul-defense techniques struggled to endure continuous illusion assaults.
Illusion warriors were the most terrifying existence on the battlefield.
It was no wonder so many powerful figures coveted Hong.
At that moment, the ruler of the Qianwu Universe Nation spoke calmly.
"You may stop hoping. With his strength, Hong is guaranteed to enter the top fifty."
The Immortals fell silent in shock.
The vision of a Universe Venerable was beyond question.
If he said top fifty, then Hong's strength had already been acknowledged at that level.
Out of hundreds of billions of geniuses, entering the top fifty was nothing short of monstrous talent.
Such a person would inevitably be courted by major powers.
Even the Virtual Universe Company might directly recruit him.
Their so-called King-level Immortals simply lacked the resources to compete.
And indeed.
The moment Hong returned to the waiting area after leaving the arena, congratulations poured in from all sides.
Elsewhere, within the Giant Axe Martial Arena.
Countless supreme experts were observing the new generation's genius battle.
Among them was the arena's founder himself.
Within a vast and majestic space, seated upon a throne of void, the Giant Axe Founder appeared wild and unrestrained, hair loose, fingers thick like iron rods, radiating an overwhelming aura of power.
Beside him stood an Immortal respectfully.
An old man with green hair and a single eye.
"Illusion warrior…" the Giant Axe Founder murmured, a glint flashing in his eyes.
The old man was his direct disciple, the King known as Waterfall Gold.
"Master, this stellar-level youngster has outstanding talent," Waterfall Gold said. "His cultivation time is short, yet he has already grasped the Light Law. I wish to take him as my disciple."
From their perspective, Hong entering the top fifty was a conservative estimate.
If judged seriously, even the top ten was not impossible.
"This year's genius battle is impressive," the Giant Axe Founder said slowly. "To see an illusion warrior appear is rare indeed. Since you want him, then take him."
Illusion warriors were exceedingly scarce.
With such mental strength at such a young age, Hong's future achievements would not be low.
He was worth cultivating.
"Thank you, Master," Waterfall Gold said respectfully. "I'll need your assistance."
With Hong's performance, the Virtual Universe Company would certainly notice him.
The competition would be fierce.
Every ten thousand eras, the two factions alternated hosting the Genius Battle.
The top ten of that era would belong exclusively to the hosting side.
If Hong entered the top ten, he could not join the Giant Axe Martial Arena.
Waterfall Gold had yet to find a disciple he truly valued.
This time, he refused to let the opportunity slip.
Only his master could intervene at this level.
The Giant Axe Founder said nothing more and sent the message directly.
Back in the waiting area, Hong was lifted into the air amid laughter and cheers.
He could not help but laugh himself.
With just one battle, he had become famous.
Soon after, Rowan and the others arrived.
"Congratulations, Big Brother," Luo Feng said. "You've entered the top ten thousand. Next comes the one-on-one elimination. Win, and you'll enter the top thousand and officially join the Virtual Universe Company."
Rowan patted Hong's shoulder. "Keep going. I believe you can reach the top ten."
Hong shook his head lightly. "Not that simple. The next stage will be full of true monsters."
Despite his victory, his heart remained calm.
Rowan smiled.
He knew Hong had not gone all out yet.
So far, Hong had only used his Domain.
He had not revealed his Law comprehension.
Yes.
Hong had already stepped into the Light Law.
With his mental state, comprehending laws came far more easily than for ordinary cultivators.
A high mental state was practically a cheat.
Just as everyone was celebrating, Hong received a new message.
His intelligent system activated.
"Master. Invitation received from the Giant Axe Martial Arena. View now?"
Giant Axe Martial Arena.
The cheering crowd fell silent.
All eyes turned to Hong.
An invitation from the Giant Axe Martial Arena was an honor beyond words.
Those chosen by them were geniuses among geniuses.
Hong calmly opened the message.
A flicker of surprise crossed his face.
"What did they say?" Rowan asked curiously.
According to logic, Hong had not yet passed the Eighteen Illusion Domains of the Illusion Spirit King. The Giant Axe Martial Arena should not have noticed him yet.
Yet reality once again defied expectation.
Hong looked up and said evenly, "Waterfall Gold King wants to take me as his disciple."
Waterfall Gold King?
Thunder God and the others were confused.
Babata jumped out immediately. "Anyone who carries the title of King is a King-level Immortal. Within the Giant Axe Martial Arena, that means extremely high status. This is incredible luck. He's acknowledging your talent."
"Big Brother," Thunder God urged, "didn't you say before that you wanted to join the Giant Axe Martial Arena? This is your chance."
After careful thought, Hong accepted the offer.
Such an opportunity was too rare to ignore.
However, he requested to continue the competition to test his limits.
Waterfall Gold agreed immediately.
He wanted to see how far Hong could go.
Whether he truly had the strength to challenge the top ten.
Shortly after, the ruler of the Qianwu Universe Nation also contacted Hong.
He rewarded him with ten Chaos Units and granted one request.
Hong did not hesitate.
He requested resources to cultivate his Devil Cloud Vine to Domain Lord level.
Though his Devil Cloud Vine was inferior to those of Thunder God and Rowan, it would greatly reduce danger during cosmic adventures.
And the cost of cultivation was enormous.
With the ruler's support, he could save immense resources.
The ruler agreed readily.
Once the competition ended, the resources would be delivered.
Soon after, the second arena match began.
This time, Savage Rong Jun appeared.
The Qianwu Universe Nation's spectators erupted again.
Rong Jun was one of their own.
A top favorite.
Known as the strongest genius of the Qianwu Universe Nation's current stellar generation.
And he did not disappoint.
Rong Jun slaughtered every opponent alone.
Had the rules not ended the match at ten survivors, none would have been left alive.
The cheers reached unprecedented heights.
Another genius.
Another entry into the top ten thousand.
Hong watched closely, his expression turning serious.
"He's strong," he said.
Thunder God nodded in agreement.
Luo Feng focused as well.
Only Rowan sat back calmly, enjoying the food Browning handed him, showing little concern.
Babata clicked his tongue. "Could you at least pretend to care? Rong Jun is terrifying. If you meet him later and get flattened, don't say I didn't warn you."
Rowan smiled lazily, completely unconcerned.