"What? Venerable Void River, who just arrived, participated in the Pinnacle Genius Battle ninety thousand years ago?"
"Becoming a Universe Venerable in ninety thousand years… Unbelievable!"
"Universe Level beings have a lifespan of one hundred thousand years. Many Universe Level beings can't even Break through to become World Masters even when their lifespan is exhausted, but Venerable Void River only took one hundred thousand years to become a Venerable!"
"If I could Break through to become a World Master in ninety thousand years and gain Law recognition, I would be content. Becoming an Immortal is something I wouldn't even dare to dream of."
Hearing the discussions of the Immortal Leaders, those Geniuses were both shocked and emotional.
In their eyes, passing the Pinnacle Genius Battle and entering the Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company, or being Cultivated in the Secret Realm of various Universe Countries, meant there was a good chance of becoming an Immortal in the future.
Of course, being Cultivated in the Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company had a much higher probability of becoming an Immortal than in a Universe Country Secret Realm.
This was also why they came to participate in the Pinnacle Genius Battle and compete to enter the Virtual Universe Company!
…
In a corner of the Central Square.
"Zhiton."
A Genius ranked in the top 7300 in points quietly asked, "You are a member of the Royce Family. Have you privately met Venerable Void River, who just arrived?"
"Although I am a member of the Royce Family, I am still far from the Family's Core Region."
Zhiton said with a bitter smile, "Moreover, a Family like Royce, whose influence spans multiple high-level Universe Countries, has at least hundreds of billions of members. My branch alone has over a hundred million members."
"It's only because my talent is outstanding that I have come out step by step from the Family's Cultivation System. Otherwise, just being a member of the Royce Family, it would be almost impossible to have my current status!"
Finally, Zhiton shook his head and sighed, "Let alone me, many World Masters in the Family haven't even met Venerable Void River."
"Alas, we are all similar. My Family also has hundreds of millions of members."
Another Genius from a Family sighed softly, "It's just that my talent is good, otherwise I wouldn't have the Opportunity to meet the Family's Immortal Ancestor."
"You guys from big Families, stop showing off!"
A Genius said indignantly, "The effort and hard work I put in to get to where I am today are far beyond what you can compare to!"
"You have a World Master teacher, what difference is there between you and us?"
Another Genius retorted, "At least all of us Geniuses have World Master teachers to guide us, otherwise it would be impossible to get here!"
Indeed, Geniuses like them, who ranked in the top 7300 in the Trial Tower points, had all comprehended Law, and were all guided by World Masters and Immortal.
Those who reached here without a teacher's guidance were very, very few!
"Zhiton, your Ancestor Venerable Void River participated in the Pinnacle Genius Battle ninety thousand years ago. His final ranking should have been first, right?" A Genius asked.
"I remember according to Family records, Ancestor was the second place in that Genius Battle," Zhiton replied.
"Second place?"
"How is it second place? That's a great existence who became a Venerable in ninety thousand years!"
"Since Venerable Void River is second place, then who is first place?"
Some Geniuses immediately asked upon hearing this; they were very curious about the first place of that Genius Battle.
"I know this," another Genius replied.
"The first place in that Genius Battle was a Genius named Kedi, who at that time reached the seventh Trial Tower and passed the first level."
"Kedi, passed the seventh Trial Tower and even passed the first level, this is too strong!"
"It is indeed very strong. My limit was reaching the first level of the sixth Trial Tower. The sixth Trial Tower is already so difficult, let alone the seventh Trial Tower."
"Among the Geniuses of our session, you are the strongest. No one else has managed to reach the sixth Trial Tower. It seems that the Genius named Kedi is very powerful."
"Heh, not just powerful. I heard my teacher once say that although Kedi is now a World Master, his Law comprehension is already close to a Universe Venerable!"
"No way! Could a single Genius Battle produce two Universe Venerables?"
"How can becoming a Universe Venerable be so easy? I heard my teacher say that there are countless Immortal whose Law comprehension is close to a Universe Venerable, but very, very few can ultimately become a Venerable!"
"Becoming a Venerable is so difficult, yet Venerable Void River managed to achieve it in ninety thousand years. This talent and progress speed are truly terrifying…"
As the Geniuses and Immortal conversed, time gradually approached evening. The eliminated Geniuses said their goodbyes and left, leaving only the Geniuses who would participate in the main competition tomorrow.
…
The next day, early morning.
The main competition of the Pinnacle Genius Battle was about to begin. All the Geniuses who entered the main competition and the Immortal Leaders from various Universe Countries gathered in the center of the beautiful square.
Boom!
Accompanied by incomprehensible Law fluctuations and an incomparably terrifying Immortal Energy pressure, an ancient throne appeared in the sky.
Facing the sudden Immortal Energy pressure, although the Geniuses and Immortal were mentally prepared, they still instantly found it hard to breathe when truly enduring the terrifying pressure.
"Greetings, Venerable."
Enduring the Immortal Energy pressure, the Geniuses and Immortal respectfully saluted.
Fortunately, this Immortal Energy pressure was much smaller than when Ender arrived yesterday, otherwise they would not have been able to move at all.
"Hmm."
Ender sat on the throne, looking down at the crowd below, and nodded slightly, "Mullie."
"Yes, Venerable."
Mullie, in front of the Immortal Leaders, respectfully saluted, then turned and announced, "The main competition of the Pinnacle Genius Battle, begins!"
As his voice fell, the Immortal Energy pressure on the Geniuses and Immortal dissipated completely. Among them, the Geniuses ranked 100th to 7300th in points had already been teleported into the combat space.
"All Immortal, please come and sit here."
Mullie led the way, bringing the Immortal Leaders from various Universe Countries to a corner where there were many tables, chairs, and drinks.
"You all go to the other side to rest as well."
Ender's not-so-loud voice rang out, clearly reaching the ears of every Genius.
"Thank you, Venerable."
The Geniuses saluted, then headed towards the other corner.
There were also many tables and chairs there, but no drinks on the tables.
…
After three rounds of arena battles, 900 Geniuses were determined.
Together with the top 100 Geniuses in points, a total of 1000 people were selected as Core Region members of the Virtual Universe Company for this session of the Pinnacle Genius Battle.
Mullie, waiting beneath Ender's throne, gathered the 1000 people, who stood in the square in front of the throne.
In the distance.
The 6300 eliminated Geniuses looked at the gathered 1000 Geniuses with immense envy.
"Just that little bit more. If I had won one more round, I could have entered the list of a thousand people, but I… lost!"
"I made it to the main competition stage of this Pinnacle Genius Battle, but I couldn't enter the Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company…"
"The Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company, ah. If I could be Cultivated there, the probability of becoming an Immortal in the future would greatly increase."
"I lost. Now I can only go to the Noah Secret Realm of the Noah Universe Country for Cultivation. Although there's still hope of becoming an Immortal in the future, it's much worse than the Virtual Universe Company's Core Region."
One by one, the Geniuses sighed softly. They were so close to entering the Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company, but they lost in the crucial three rounds of arena battles and could only accept the result of failure.
…
"These little fellows, when they become Immortal in the future, as long as they are not too outstanding, they will come under my command."
Ender sat on the throne, looking down at the 1000 Geniuses standing respectfully below, and silently thought, "But who knows how many of them will successfully become Immortal."
"Speaking of which, it was unexpected that my fourth sister's junior could enter the Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company." His gaze fell on Zhiton.
With his strength, which was barely considered upper-middle, to stand out from the 7200 people who participated in the arena battles, he wondered if it was good luck, or if someone had manipulated things behind the scenes.
Ender was not interested in how it happened.
A junior, separated by who knows how many generations, had by chance entered the Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company for Cultivation. Whether he could successfully grow into an Immortal in the future was still an unknown.
"Mullie," Ender transmitted.
"Yes."
White-maned werewolf Mullie stepped forward and said to the 1000 Geniuses, "First, congratulations on entering the Core Region of the Virtual Universe Company."
"However, the Genius Battle is not over. You should understand that competition always exists in the Universe; there is competition everywhere."
"These 1000 of you cannot all receive the same treatment and the same Cultivation resources. Some will have good treatment, and some will inevitably have poor treatment."
"So, next, you must rely on your own strength to compete for better treatment!"
Mullie's sharp gaze swept over the Geniuses. "Among these 1000 of you, ranks 101st to 1000th will enter the Last Phase Secret Realm…"
"Ranks 11th to 100th will enter the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm…"
"Ranks 3rd to 10th will enter the Absolute Beginning Secret Realm…"
"Due to special reasons, the first and second places will enter the Primal Secret Realm…"
"Generally speaking, the Primal Secret Realm only opens one spot per Genius Battle. It is usually only when multiple super Geniuses are born that the Virtual Universe Company will open additional spots."
Mullie explained, "The last time two spots were opened was ninety thousand years ago."
The Geniuses, hearing about the four Secret Realms for the first time, were initially confused because, from the introduction, the four Secret Realms seemed to differ only in name and prize money.
However, when they learned that the first and second places could enter the Primal Secret Realm.
And that two Primal Secret Realm spots were also opened ninety thousand years ago, they all became fervent.
Because they knew that Venerable Void River, who was now sitting on the high throne, was the second-place winner of the Pinnacle Genius Battle ninety thousand years ago.
"Venerable Void River was able to enter the Primal Secret Realm as second place. The treatment in the Primal Secret Realm is clearly the best among the four Secret Realms."
"If I can enter the Primal Secret Realm, doesn't that mean the probability of becoming an Immortal in the future… is extremely high!"
"Primal Secret Realm. Venerable Void River was able to make the Virtual Universe Company open a second spot back then, so why are two spots open this session?"
The Geniuses rubbed their fists, intending to enter the Primal Secret Realm through the upcoming competition to receive the best Cultivation.
But then, Mullie's next words poured a basin of cold water on most of them.
"Among the 900 people who won from Trial Tower points ranks 101st to 7300th, the Virtual Universe System will select the strongest 100 people to have one-on-one battles with the top 100 in points."
At this point, Immortal pressure emanated from Mullie, enveloping the 900 Geniuses. "The Virtual Universe System is absolutely fair, so do not question the Virtual Universe System's choice. If you are not convinced, you can choose not to join the Virtual Universe Company!"
Mullie's words, and the Immortal pressure that enveloped them, silenced those among the 900 Geniuses who wanted to express their dissatisfaction!
Although they were intimidated, their faces still showed defiance, but due to Mullie's words and pressure, they swallowed the words of dissatisfaction they wanted to utter.
In the corner.
The Immortal Leaders from various Universe Countries watched Mullie's lecture, chatting in low voices.
"Venerable Void River seems to trust that Immortal named Mullie very much."
"Hey, you wouldn't know this, but Mullie's identity is not ordinary. He was the leader of Venerable Void River's guard army during his Cultivation period in the Primal Secret Realm."
"Guard army leader, that's indeed a trusted subordinate. He's going to get rich in the future!"
"Heh, he's not going to get rich in the future, he already has. It's said that he has already become a Marquis-level Immortal, with the title Marquis White Thunder."
"Not only has he become a Marquis-level Immortal, but it's said that the quality of his weapons and armor is extremely high, at least ninth-tier!"
"Ninth-tier weapons and armor? Those are used by Pinnacle stage King-Level powerhouses!"
The Immortal Leaders conversed, occasionally exclaiming in surprise.
And when they learned about Mullie's weapon and armor configuration, they were all envious, even wishing they could take his place.
However, they also knew that even if they pledged allegiance to Venerable Void River and joined his command, it would be difficult to achieve a status like Mullie's. Who could blame them, since he was Venerable Void River's guard army leader before his rise to prominence.
…
The Genius Battle continued, and the Geniuses entering the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, Absolute Beginning Secret Realm, and Primal Secret Realm were successively determined. At this point, this session of the Genius Battle officially concluded.
With the end of the Genius Battle, Ender's consciousness left the Virtual Universe. His true body did not go to the Virtual Universe Company's universal headquarters to lead those Geniuses into the Primal Universe.
He had no time to deal with such trivial matters. He simply sent an email to the highest echelons of the Virtual Universe Company, leaving it to those ancient Universe Venerables to arrange.
And because he presided over the Pinnacle Genius Battle, his state of mind unexpectedly improved. Besides his Soul consciousness rising close to a Universe Master, he also vaguely felt that he could take the final step to become a Universe Venerable.
So, after the Genius Battle ended, he went into secluded Cultivation.
…
A thousand years later.
At the end of a magnificent palace within the Thousand Treasure River territory of the Primal Secret Realm.
Ender, sitting on the throne, opened his eyes, which showed a thoughtful expression.
"I think I understand what's missing…"
He took out the Moyun Vine from his world ring and ordered it to be teleported out of the Primal Secret Realm by its Divine Kingdom.
…
Human Territory.
A certain intermediate universe country.
Ender sat alone in the control room of a C-class spaceship, tasting fruit wine.
"Cultivation should have a balance of tension and relaxation, just as the path of life also has its ups and downs…"
As he tasted the fruit wine, he murmured softly, "My journey has been very fast, with little time to rest."
"The Genius Battle a thousand years ago made me realize that I don't have to be so rushed. It's time to relax and travel through this Universe."
"Unfortunately…"
Ender sighed softly, "I can't leave the Human Territory, otherwise I could go see the vast Universe…"
The threat of the three races hung over his head like a sharp sword!
He did not plan to leave the Human Territory until he had the strength to briefly resist a fourth or Fifth-rank Universe Master.
However, he felt that merely traveling through this Human 1008 Universe Country would be enough to elevate his state of mind to another level, and the probability of him Breaking through to become a Venerable would also greatly increase.