After instructing Venerable Bei Ming and Venerable Bloodwing to prepare for the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition, Ender dismissed the two Universe Venerables.
Once they had left, Ender vanished from the throne in a flash of white light.
...
High above Thunder Island, within a palace concealed by Chaos currents.
"Senior Martial Uncle."
Upon arriving at the palace, Ender bowed slightly to Primal Chaos City Lord on the throne at the far end.
"Sit."
Primal Chaos City Lord conjured a throne and asked, "What do you need me for?"
"Senior Martial Uncle, the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company I founded has just been established and needs talented powerhouses to increase its strength."
Ender smiled and said, "To better train Artifact Refiners, I want to select Artifact Refiners from the entire Human Territory."
"You mean..."
Primal Chaos City Lord pondered, asking, "To hold a Human grand event similar to the Pinnacle Battle?"
"Exactly, I plan to hold the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition, as well as a Potion Refining Competition of the same scale," Ender nodded.
"If it's only these two competitions, our Virtual Universe Company will not object."
Primal Chaos City Lord reminded him, "But it's limited to these two competitions; you cannot use the pretense of holding a competition to select Universe Geniuses."
"Of course, to avoid misunderstanding, I will only select 200 people for each competition."
Ender smiled and said, "Among them, 100 will be Universe Level, and 50 each will be Domain Masters and World Masters."
"200 people, not bad."
Primal Chaos City Lord nodded slightly, indicating his approval.
Only 200 people would be selected for the Artifact Refiner Competition, and with the subsequent Universe Potion Refining Competition, a total of 400 Geniuses would be chosen.
400 people, in Primal Chaos City Lord's view, was a suitable number.
If this number were exceeded, he would need to advise Ender to prioritize resources towards Geniuses with Law comprehension.
The reason Humans could rank among the Pinnacle races was because of the powerhouses who attended the Huge Axe meeting!
Huge Axe Dojo and the other Four Great Giants proposed that Ender establish a Leviathan of Humanity, not only to weaken the Virtual Universe Company but also with the intention of strengthening Human power.
With an additional Leviathan of Humanity cultivating Geniuses, the probability of the race producing powerhouses would naturally increase.
Compared to powerhouses of the Universe Venerable level, Artifact Refiners, as long as they couldn't refine Heavy Treasures, were ultimately inferior in terms of contribution to Universe Venerables!
"Next, you should be going to see Void Gold Master, right?"
Primal Chaos City Lord reminded him, "After you see Void Gold, also inform Peng Gong, Qing Dong, and Desolation of this matter."
Ender nodded slightly, "Understood."
To hold the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition, it was certainly necessary to inform the leaders of the various Giants.
Without the approval of the leaders of the various Giants, the High-level Universe Countries belonging to those Giants would not assist in holding the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition.
Primal Chaos City Lord smiled and said, "They won't refuse; this is also a good thing for our Human Race."
Previously, the Artifact Refiners of the Human Race were all cultivated by various forces, and their Artifact Refining techniques were only mediocre.
Excluding the high and mighty Universe Masters, there weren't many Artifact Refiners in the entire Human Race who could refine Heavy Treasures.
Each one was at least a Universe Overlord-level powerhouse and disdained refining ordinary weapon and armor-type Heavy Treasures.
Ender's appearance brought another Artifact Refining Master to the Human Race and increased the hope of cultivating high-level Artifact Refiners.
Desolation Master and the others, though leaders of various forces.
However, when it truly concerned the interests of the entire Human Race, they would often prioritize the race's interests.
Ender left Primal Chaos City Lord's palace and successively met with Void Gold Master, Peng Gong Master, and other leaders of Leviathan of Humanitys.
The answer he received was...
The Universe Artifact Refiner Competition and Potion Refining Competition could be held, and the various Giants and their affiliated High-level Universe Countries would provide maximum support.
...
Time flowed, and in the blink of an eye, nearly ten thousand years had passed.
The Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's branches in the 1008 High-level Universe Countries within the Human Territory had been established and were operating normally.
When the order to hold the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition was issued from the headquarters in Ganwu Universe Country to the branches in the various High-level Universe Countries.
It immediately caused surprise and shock among the heads of the various branches!
...
Virtual Universe Yuan Chen Continent, Frozen Weaving Island.
The entire island seemed to be cast from ice, with palaces resembling medicinal herbs built upon it, crystal clear and beautiful.
Even with snowflakes still falling from the sky, one felt no coldness at all.
This Frozen Weaving Island was the Yuan Chen branch of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, its office location in the Virtual Universe.
People came and went in the various palaces, extremely busy!
Within the most magnificent and grand hall.
Three Immortals, emitting faint Divine Power pressure, sat at a triangular table.
They were the heads of the Business Department, Intelligence Department, and Management Department, respectively.
Due to the recent establishment of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company and the extremely small number of powerhouses within it.
At this moment, the strongest of the three heads of the Yuan Chen branch was merely a Military Lord Immortal at the Pinnacle Stage.
"The Universe Artifact Refiner Competition, this is a competition equivalent to the Pinnacle Battle, held simultaneously in 1008 High-level Universe Countries."
The head of the Intelligence Department exclaimed, "According to past practice, only the Virtual Universe Company and Huge Axe Dojo are qualified to hold such events."
"Although our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company is newly established, it has received strong support from the five Leviathans of Humanity."
The head of the Management Department laughed, "Naturally, it's extraordinary, and it's normal to be able to hold such an event."
"Alright, according to the message from headquarters, we will prepare for the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition."
The strongest head of the Business Department said with a serious expression, "This is an extremely important matter for headquarters, and we must do it well, otherwise..."
Upon hearing this, the other two heads felt a chill in their hearts and their expressions became very serious.
If they messed up this important matter...
Then their positions as branch heads would have to be handed over to others!
The position of a branch head of a Leviathan of Humanity was extremely sought after.
For example, the branch heads of the other five Leviathans of Humanity were at least Marquis-level Immortal, and also required connections to hold the position.
Even though the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company lacked manpower, those who could serve as heads of the various branches all had some connections.
They were either King-level or Marquis-level Immortal Disciples or relatives under Venerable Bei Ming or Venerable Bloodwing.
Or they had other connections, such as connections to the Royce Family, or connections with Mullie, and so on...
In short, these branch heads were all connected individuals!
Although they were connected, they also wanted to do things well.
Otherwise, only extraordinary connections could preserve their positions as heads.
...
"According to the email from headquarters, each of the 1008 Universe Countries will select 100 Universe Level, 50 Domain Master, and 50 World Master Artifact Refiners."
The head of the Business Department added, "These 200 people will compete in the final round..."
Soon.
After the three heads discussed, they began to get busy.
Taking advantage of the time remaining before the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition, they planned to complete all preparations to avoid any mishaps...
Coincidentally.
Not just the Yuan Chen Universe Country branch, but other High-level Universe Country branches were also exceptionally busy.
They had all obtained their positions as branch heads with great difficulty and would not easily give them up!
...
Virtual Universe, Myriad Creations Island.
At the foot of the Arcana Treasure Mountain Range, which soared into the clouds and was shrouded in mist from the mountainside upwards, stood numerous palaces.
In addition, some palaces were scattered across the island, emitting a faint glow.
Compared to the bustling Thunder Island, Myriad Creations Island was sparsely populated.
Inside a tavern in the public area of the island.
Hundreds of Marquis-level and King-level Immortal gathered, drinking and conversing in the tavern.
Not long after.
A werewolf in deep blue battle armor with white mane around its neck pushed open the tavern door and walked in.
"Marquis White Thunder."
"Marquis White Thunder."
Seeing the white-maned werewolf arrive, Marquis-level and King-level Immortal greeted him with great enthusiasm.
"Is that Marquis White Thunder?"
A Marquis-level Immortal conversed telepathically with someone, "The confidant of our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's founder?"
"That's right, it's him."
The Marquis-level Immortal beside him replied, smiling and raising his cup with the other Immortal.
Looking at the approaching white-maned werewolf, many Immortal felt a surge of envy.
Marquis White Thunder Mullie had once served as the leader of the guard army for a peerless Genius who appeared once every billion Epochs in Human history.
That peerless Genius was now a great existence surpassing Universe Venerables, the founder and leader of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company!
And Mullie, as the guard army leader, was naturally a confidant of that great existence.
In terms of status, he could definitely rank among the top ten in the current Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company!
Only inferior to Venerable Bei Ming, Venerable Bloodwing, King Radiant Glory, and others.
...
Mullie smiled and greeted the Immortal, then walked over and sat beside an Immortal he knew well.
"White Thunder, when will the Four Great Secret Realms open?"
A black-maned werewolf asked softly, "There's a Universe Level junior in my race with good talent; I plan to have him join our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
"The Four Great Secret Realms will open after the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition ends."
Mullie answered directly, but only revealed brief information.
The Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's Four Great Secret Realms had been decided, ranked from high to low: Creation Secret Realm, Divine Tempering Secret Realm, Essence Extraction Secret Realm, and Supreme Mystic Secret Realm.
The names of the Four Great Secret Realms were not a secret in the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, but the Opportunities within them were secrets that could not be revealed!
To temper the Geniuses of the Human Race, the Four Great Secret Realms contained man-made or natural Opportunities that required the trial-takers to discover on their own.
As Ender's confidant, Mullie also participated in the arrangement of the Opportunities.
He even left his Time Law comprehension engravings in an ordinary-level mission.
"That junior in my race has good Law comprehension."
The black-maned werewolf continued, "He's probably able to pass the first level of the Tongtian Bridge, can he enter the Supreme Mystic Secret Realm?"
"First, let him join our Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company branch and become a core member of the branch."
Mullie replied upon hearing this, "After the Four Great Secret Realms open, he can participate in the assessment, or of course, you can also have him participate in the Pinnacle Powerhouse Battle."
The black-maned werewolf nodded slightly, "Then I'll have him join the branch first."
The Pinnacle Powerhouse Battle was definitely a Hell-level competition; to enter the top 1,000, one would at least need to pass the first level of the Tongtian Bridge.
His junior's talent was good, but compared to the true Prodigies in the Universe, he was still quite lacking.
Going to participate in the Pinnacle Powerhouse Battle to vie for a chance to enter Huge Axe Dojo was not as good as joining the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company branch and participating in the assessment when the Four Great Secret Realms opened.
In his opinion, it was easier for that junior to enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company than to enter Huge Axe Dojo.
Although the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company had just been established, he knew that the company did not lack resources; what it lacked were Geniuses and Universe Venerable-level powerhouses!
A group of Marquis-level and King-level Immortal drank and conversed in the bar, and what they talked about most was the Universe Artifact Refiner Competition.
This was a competition completely different from the Pinnacle Battle, which made them, who had witnessed countless Pinnacle Battles, especially curious about this Refiner Competition.
...
Several years later, at night.
Virtual Universe, Molten Rock Island, there was an incredibly vast manor.
Inside the manor, on the only brightly lit villa rooftop.
King Radiant Glory Arthur Royce (Nineteen) was sitting on the railing at the edge of the rooftop, watching his elder brother and Thirteen talking.
"Thirteen, have you really decided?"
Elder brother Eric frowned slightly, feeling a bit confused.
"I've decided."
Thirteen nodded heavily, "I'm doing quite well under my teacher."
Due to Ender's rise, and Thirteen's talent not being too bad, the latter was accepted as a Personal Disciple by Lord of Ganwu.
Now, Thirteen, whose main body had the combat power of a Pinnacle-stage Marquis, was considered a capable warrior under Lord of Ganwu.
Eric continued to persuade, "The Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company will be the Human Race's Sixth Leviathan of Humanity..."
"Elder brother, you don't need to persuade me anymore."
Thirteen shook his head slightly, "My progress under my teacher is very fast, and I can go to the Extraterritorial Battlefield from time to time to temper myself, which is indispensable for becoming a powerhouse and engaging in combat."
Upon hearing this, Eric couldn't help but turn his head slightly to look at Nineteen by the railing.
"Looking at me is useless."
Nineteen transmitted, "With Thirteen's personality, it's hard for him to turn back once he's made up his mind."
"It's all your fault, humiliating Thirteen again and again."
Eric sighed and transmitted, "Otherwise, he wouldn't have..."
"He was the one who told me to go all out."
Nineteen replied helplessly, "Back during the Pinnacle Genius Battle, we agreed to fight all out once we became World Masters, who knew he would Cultivate in Primal Chaos City for so many years and still be so weak."
Eric sighed again, "But you can't just humiliate him again and again, can you?"
"I've humiliated King Nightmare Candle so many times, and he's so useless, but he still became a King-level Immortal, didn't he?"
Nineteen said softly, "Don't worry about Thirteen's resilience; when he becomes a King-level Immortal in the future, he'll still come to challenge me."
"Alas..."
Upon hearing this, Eric sighed and looked at the night sky, exclaiming in surprise, "What's that?"
"Finally."
Nineteen also looked at the night sky.
Only to see.
Above the night sky of Molten Rock Island, an incredibly vast black announcement board appeared, its edges emitting a faint glow.
The entire announcement board was black, with glowing white universal characters written on it.
"Universe Human Refiner Competition!"
"Held once every fifty thousand years, coming soon!"
"It is hosted by the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, in conjunction with all Universe Countries..."
"For details, please visit the 'Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company' official website via your virtual assistant."
The giant announcement board that suddenly appeared in the night sky was not only visible to the residents of Molten Rock Island.
Anyone on the various continents of the Virtual Universe and their subordinate islands could see the black announcement board, immediately causing countless people to be curious and amazed.
They knew or had heard of the Pinnacle Genius Battle and the Cosmic Pinnacle Powerhouse Battle, but this 'Universe Human Refiner Competition' was unheard of!
Because Human Artifact Refiners were too few compared to Warriors and Spiritual Masters!
However, when the black announcement board appeared, it excited countless Artifact Refiners...