In the Virtual Universe, the Genius Battle space.
This was a vast continent, with 1468 skyscrapers forming a ring, and at its center was a beautiful Central Square filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.
At this moment, many young men and women from various Universe Countries were strolling and chatting in the beautiful Central Square, easily exceeding a hundred thousand people at a glance.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a middle-aged man in a white robe arrived on this continent with Luo Feng and 1,000 other Geniuses.
After conversing with the staff, he led the 1,000 Geniuses directly to Building 0271.
"Look, it's the Ganwu Universe Country's team."
"The black-haired youth in dark red battle armor walking in front is Luo Feng, known as 'The Madman'."
"He's Luo Feng? He looks quite ordinary."
"It's said that he has the strength to enter the top 1,000 in the Universe's overall ranking. Although he's a Spiritual Master, he occasionally enjoys close-quarters combat, which is why he's called 'The Madman'."
The Geniuses from other Universe Countries immediately began to discuss when they saw the Ganwu Universe Country's team.
Upon hearing such discussions, the Geniuses of the Ganwu Universe Country couldn't help but grit their teeth in secret.
These Geniuses, who could enter the top 1,000 of the Ganwu Universe Country, were all exceptional Geniuses who had always been praised and sought after. Now, to be blatantly ignored naturally made them indignant.
Before the Ganwu Universe Country's team could enter the teleportation gate, another team arrived.
"Hey, look over there, it's the Huoyi Universe Country's team!"
"The black-haired, vertically-pupiled youth walking behind the leading Immortal is 'Life God' — Hui!"
"He's that super Genius who uses 'Life God Weapon,' one of the Controller's Nine Divine Weapons. Rumor has it he has the strength to claim first place in this Genius Battle."
"He has the strength, but whether he can take first place is hard to say. There's also Bolan, the 'Death God' from the Noah Universe Country."
Although the Geniuses discussed in low voices, their words still reached Luo Feng and the others.
"Bolan of the Noah Universe Country, Hui of the Huoyi Universe Country…"
Luo Feng followed the team into the teleportation gate, thinking to himself, "Are these the two super Geniuses that Second Brother mentioned, who possess the absolute strength to contend for the top two?"
Under the leadership of an Immortal named 'Lord Kou Ji', Luo Feng and 1,000 other Geniuses entered Building 0271.
Then, Luo Feng, as the strongest participant from the Ganwu Universe Country, received the room card for Room 1.
After Kou Ji assigned the rooms and encouraged the Geniuses, he left for Restaurant No. 1.
…
Central Square, Restaurant No. 1.
The two-story restaurant was filled with Immortals from the 1468 human Universe Countries, and the entire restaurant exuded a powerful Immortal pressure.
"Kou Ji."
"Kou Ji is here."
Entering the restaurant, Kou Ji heard the greetings from the Immortals and smiled as he responded to each of them.
Every Immortal leading a team to the Pinnacle Genius Battle was a trusted confidant of a Universe Venerable.
Because there were no disputes between the various Universe Countries, their relationships were good, unlike the considerable competition among the five Leviathans of Humanity.
"Kou Ji, you're still so lucky. After so many years, you're leading a team again, and you have a Genius who can enter the top 1,000 of the Universe," an Immortal teased.
"Haha, my luck has always been good."
Kou Ji responded with a smile, and seeing a familiar face surrounded by other Immortal, he immediately went over.
The surrounded Immortal had an eagle-like head and numerous small black feathers on his skin, indicating he was a member of the human Eagleman branch.
"Tiyi, what's the background of Hui, the Genius from your Huoyi Universe Country?"
Before Kou Ji could get close, he heard an Immortal ask the very question he wanted to ask.
"I suppose you've all noticed that Hui has Royce Family blood," the Immortal named Tiyi explained, seeing that the surrounding Immortal were quite curious. "However, Hui is an illegitimate son from a distant branch of the Royce Family and has always been disliked by that distant branch."
"He really is a Royce Family member!"
"When I first got the information, I thought he was from the Lorgar Tribe."
"That's not right, is it? If that young fellow has Royce Family blood and such talent, he shouldn't have ended up outside, should he?"
The Immortals found it quite strange. They all knew the power of the Royce Family and wouldn't let a Genius with such talent wander outside.
"That fellow is very stubborn. He's unwilling to return directly to the distant branch because during his time wandering outside, his mother…" Tiyi paused here, then continued, "Plus, he unexpectedly took an Immortal as his master, and after wandering for hundreds of years, he achieved his current strength."
"Oh, I see."
The Immortals found this quite absurd. With the Royce Family's strength, even a distant branch could easily support an illegitimate son.
But now…
Well, it makes no difference anyway. Super Geniuses from the Royce Family typically enter the Core Region of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company; it's just a different way of joining.
"Tiyi, did that young fellow truly comprehend the Wood Origin Law and the Space Origin Law?" another Immortal asked.
"That's right. Not only did he comprehend the Wood and Space Origin Laws, but he's also a Spiritual Master. Besides using 'Life God Weapon,' he also uses the Green Vine Pillar," Tiyi said with a mysterious smile.
As his words fell, some of the Immortals present were astonished, and Kou Ji's eyes widened even further.
Comprehended Wood and Space Origin Laws.
Has Royce Family blood.
A Spiritual Master, who also uses the Green Vine Pillar.
The combination of these factors immediately made some of the Immortals present think of an incredibly great existence who had once participated in the Pinnacle Genius Battle!
"You're saying, this young fellow's achievements, will they be…"
"How is that possible? That one is an incredibly great existence among us humans; mere similarity cannot compare!"
"Even if this young fellow's talent is good, it's only at the level of appearing once every ten thousand or hundred thousand Epochs. He still cannot be compared to that great existence."
"Exactly! The talent 'Hui' has displayed should be considered on the level of appearing once every ten thousand Epochs, similar to Venerable Ninesword, who presided over the previous Genius Battle."
"That's hard to say. The talent that one displayed when he participated in the Pinnacle Genius Battle was not as impressive as this young fellow's current talent."
"Can they be compared? That one only received guidance from a World Master and then soared after entering the Beginning Universe."
"Exactly! Cultivating in the Beginning Universe for thirty years, and then, while transitioning to a Warrior, elevating his Space Law comprehension to such a degree—how many Geniuses can achieve that?"
As an Immortal brought up a shocking topic, a heated debate immediately ensued among the Immortal.
Such a topic left some of the less experienced Immortal, such as those from the 460 newly established Universe Countries, quite perplexed.
"Who are you talking about? Which great existence?"
"Could it be a great existence beyond a Universe Venerable?"
"Do you really dare to discuss such things? Aren't you afraid of being punished?!"
These various voices caused the discussing Immortals to stop, no longer arguing.
Indeed, privately discussing great existences was not a good idea; it was better to keep silent.
"Who do you think will be first, Hui or Bolan?"
"Is that even a question? Of course, it's Hui!"
"I also think it's Hui."
Upon hearing the question, many Immortal immediately responded.
"I'm talking about the first place in this Pinnacle Genius Battle, not future achievements," the Immortal emphasized.
"Still Hui."
"Agreed. Hui can perfectly execute the second form of 'Life God Weapon,' and he might even be hiding more strength."
"Seconded."
Many Immortal gave their answers again.
Are you kidding? How could Hui, who is very similar to a great existence, lose to Bolan, who can't even see his own talent clearly?
Undeniably, Bolan's Space Origin Law talent is very high.
Even though he is only Stellar Rank, his comprehension of Space Law surpasses some Immortals.
However, what Bolan excels at is Space Origin Law talent. His best option is to comprehend the subordinate Laws of Space Law to enhance his affinity for Space Law.
Not to comprehend some Wind Origin Law!
Anyone with a discerning eye could see that Bolan had considerable ambition, wanting to use the Wind Origin Law as a stepping stone to comprehend the corresponding superior Time Law.
Ordinary Immortal might know, but these Immortals, who are at least barely Marquis-level, are well aware of the difficulty of comprehending superior Laws. Countless King-level Immortal are stuck at the final step of fully comprehending superior Laws.
A young fellow who is still Stellar Rank actually dares to attempt to comprehend two superior Laws simultaneously, does he think he is Venerable Eternal Universe Kedi, who was in the same generation as a great existence?
…
Time flowed by.
The Immortals in Restaurant No. 1 saw the sky darken slightly and were still wondering why the Venerable presiding over the Genius Battle hadn't appeared yet.
Then, a black-haired youth in a dark red robe walked into the main entrance of Restaurant No. 1, yawning.
What was surprising was that none of the many Immortals present noticed the arrival of this black-haired youth.
"Oh, you're all here."
The black-haired youth's casual voice rang out.
Whoosh!
Hearing this sudden voice, the Immortals immediately looked over in unison and saw the black-haired youth, who seemed not to exist in this space.
"Venerable."
"Greetings, Venerable."
Not just those on the first floor, but the Immortals on the second floor also hurried down to pay their respects.
"No need to be formal. I just came to greet you all."
The black-haired youth seemed to adjust himself, asking gently, "By the way, do you know me?"
A Lionman Immortal, with what seemed like a black line on his forehead, asked, "Should we address you as Venerable Ye Ling?"
"Oh? Lion Bell, you're here too. When shall we have a drink together?"
The black-haired youth, Venerable Ye Ling, heard this and, to the surprise of the Immortals, walked over and put his arm around the Lionman Immortal's shoulder.
Marquis Lion Bell suppressed the urge to roar and sent a telepathic message, "Venerable, you are currently representing the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company."
Venerable Ye Ling nodded slightly, lowered his hand, and said to everyone, "Everyone, on behalf of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, I thank all Universe Countries for their support of this Pinnacle Genius Battle."
"Venerable, you are too kind. Supporting the Pinnacle Genius Battle is what we should do."
Although the Immortals had many things they wanted to say, they still respectfully bowed to Venerable Ye Ling.
"You all carry on as usual; I'm going to gather the young ones."
With that, Venerable Ye Ling gave Marquis Lion Bell a look, then turned and left.
The Immortals bowed again, and only sat down after Venerable Ye Ling had left.
"Lion Bell, was that Universe Venerable just now the legendary King Ye Ling?"
"No way? He's King Ye Ling, who can refine Heavy Treasures?"
"Rumor has it that King Ye Ling acts unconventionally. I never thought it would be true as rumored. What an eye-opener…"
"You should call him Venerable Ye Ling. Don't get it wrong."
"Strange, when did Venerable Ye Ling achieve a Breakthrough? Why was there no news at all?"
"I also find it strange. I thought Venerable Battle Soul would still be presiding over this Pinnacle Genius Battle."
The Immortal discussed in low voices, very curious about this newly promoted Venerable of the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company.
And some Immortals who hadn't heard much about King Ye Ling's name were immediately very shocked.
Heavy Treasures, those were legendary weapons and armor used by Universe Venerables. They never expected this newly promoted Universe Venerable could refine them even when he was still a King-level Immortal.
Marquis Lion Bell saw several Immortal looking at him and quickly explained, "Don't look at me, I also don't know when Venerable Ye Ling achieved a Breakthrough."
"Lion Bell, your relationship with Venerable Ye Ling seems very good," an Immortal teased. "You'll be prosperous in the future."
"My teacher is Night Bright Country Lord. Strictly speaking, Venerable Ye Ling is my Junior Brother," Marquis Lion Bell replied.
"So that's it…"
Some Immortals showed expressions of sudden understanding.
They were all Immortal who had been famous for a long time and knew that the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company's establishment time was not long compared to the other five Leviathans of Humanity.
Moreover, they had also heard that there were many 'connected' individuals within the Universe Artifact & Potion Refining Company, and it seemed Marquis Lion Bell was one of them.
However, many Immortals also didn't understand why Marquis Lion Bell, who was currently only a Marquis-level Immortal, would become a disciple of Night Bright Country Lord.
The answer was that Marquis Lion Bell's current strength could barely reach Immortal King. When he took his master, there was no 'Night Bright Country Lord,' only the Limit stage King Immortal — King Nightmare.
…
On the other side.
"Ah…"
Venerable Ye Ling, who had left Restaurant No. 1, yawned again and mumbled, "I thought becoming a Universe Venerable would be much easier, and I wouldn't have to complete treasure refining tasks every thousand years.
"I didn't expect that right after my Breakthrough, I'd have to preside over the Pinnacle Genius Battle. It's truly too troublesome."
After mumbling, Venerable Ye Ling issued a command with his authority, ordering all Geniuses participating in the finals to gather in the Central Square.
Thus, 1,468,000 Geniuses were seen flying from the sky, or flying out from the residential skyscrapers, or converging towards the center from the edges of the beautiful Central Square.
Millions of Geniuses, all of them!
In just a moment.
1,468,000 Geniuses, organized into 1468 square formations by Universe Country, stood in the Central Square, and then…
Millions of Geniuses woke up.
"What's going on?" Luo Feng awoke with a start.
He remembered discussing famous powerhouses in the finals with a few familiar Geniuses in the restaurant, but he unexpectedly appeared here.
"What happened?"
"Huh, why am I here? I was just in my room."
Millions of Geniuses were in shock, even 'Life God' Hui and 'Death God' Bolan, who were highly regarded by many Immortals, were no exception!
"Quiet!"
Just as all the Geniuses were discussing endlessly in their shock, a gentle voice rang out.
This voice seemed to possess infinite attraction, causing the Geniuses to involuntarily look up, gazing at the terrifying figure in the sky that seemed to be in another dimension yet was distorting space!