The Nuolan Mountain family was annihilated.
Gongtel gained possession of their accumulated wealth, and Han Jue eliminated a potential enemy before it could grow into a genuine threat.
Everyone had secured a brighter future.
Only Luo Feng, currently on Earth, was pondering how to handle the space fleet that would arrive in three months' time.
Should he destroy them with orbital cannons? Perhaps purchase Earth outright and use the laws of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire to legally restrict them? Or maybe acquire several Universe-level slaves to deal with the threat?
Han Jue promptly responded to Luo Feng's deliberations with an unexpected challenge.
"In three months, will it be difficult for you to advance the Golden Horned Beast to Universe level?"
"Listen carefully. If you can eliminate that space fleet in three months without any external help, relying solely on your own strength, I'll give you an exceptional gift."
Luo Feng, somewhat naively, agreed to Han Jue's offer.
Only after Han Jue left did the full implications dawn on him.
Advancing to Universe level in three months?
It wasn't the difficulty that concerned him, given the Golden Horned Beast's bloodline, all it needed to do was consume vast quantities of metal. Eat, eat, and eat some more.
The real problem was resources.
Ten billion Qianwu coins. It was practically impossible to elevate the Golden Horned Beast to Universe level within three months without that staggering sum.
Luo Feng didn't possess the one Hunyuan Unit startup capital Han Jue had been given by his mysterious benefactors.
"This is the only way," Luo Feng gritted his teeth, fury and determination warring in his expression.
"Master, can you lend me some money..." he finally asked Babata, his pride wounded but his resolve firm.
In the Virtual Universe, Han Jue was systematically testing his current strength.
After more than two years of intensive training, his power had improved tremendously across multiple dimensions.
First, he had completely mastered the first three forms of the Ice Wasteland Sword Technique without difficulty. The movements had become instinctive, the principles second nature.
He also possessed exceptional command of his physical strength, capable of generating power amplification exceeding seventy times baseline, with maximum bursts reaching eighty times when fully exerting himself.
Furthermore, with his deeper comprehension of the fundamental spatial laws, Han Jue had reached the third level of the Myriad Avatars technique, the realm of a hundred incarnations!
Now, he could manifest over a hundred avatars simultaneously!
This demonstrated that Han Jue's understanding of the fundamental spatial laws had already reached that of an average World Master. With this level of skill, he would have secured first place in previous Genius Battles without question.
However, this particular era had witnessed the emergence of unprecedented talents. Bolan, Luo Feng, and others had made this Genius Battle the most competitive in nearly ten thousand epochs.
Next came the Mirage Sea secret technique!
This was a soul-attacking method that seamlessly combined illusionary techniques with mental assault capabilities.
The technique contained nine distinct levels. After obtaining it, Han Jue hadn't devoted excessive attention to its study, focusing his primary energy on comprehending the fundamental spatial laws. Even so, he had still mastered the second level through passive cultivation.
The first level allowed creation of simple illusions, effective against those at Stellar level and below. Anyone with strong willpower could escape from these basic illusions without suffering permanent harm.
The second level represented the true entry threshold. It enabled creation of continuous, layered illusions to disrupt enemies while simultaneously corrupting their souls within those false realities, directly targeting their spiritual essence. At this level, ordinary Stellar-level warriors stood no chance, granting the user claimed invincibility against most opponents of that rank.
The fifth level could affect even Domain Lords. Ordinary Domain Lords without specialized soul-defense treasures would perish under the Mirage Sea's assault.
The seventh level could trap some World Masters with weak minds and insufficient willpower. Those who encountered this level of Mirage Sea would find themselves unable to distinguish illusion from reality.
The ninth level, upon reaching this pinnacle, would qualify one as a peak-level Soul Master. Ordinary Marquises, once trapped in the Mirage Sea illusion, would be utterly lost within, helpless prey for any who wished to exploit their vulnerability!
The Mirage Sea Lord had relied on his innate secret techniques combined with the Mirage Sea to barely achieve the title of King.
"I wonder how my illusions compare to those of the Phantom Demon Galesi?" Han Jue muttered thoughtfully.
Probably not favorably, he admitted to himself with brutal honesty.
The second level of the Mirage Sea secret technique could only reliably control Stellar-level practitioners, struggling even against Universe-level opponents with proper mental defenses.
At best, his current illusionary capabilities matched those ranked in the top ten thousand among illusionists.
Meanwhile, the Phantom Demon Galesi, with direct guidance from a Universe Lord, would likely have no trouble dealing with even the strongest Universe-level practitioners.
All that could be said was that the Mirage Sea secret technique was suited for unexpected deployment as a tactical surprise.
Who would anticipate a warrior specializing in physical combat suddenly employing sophisticated illusions?
The process of executing this secret technique didn't require excessive mental effort or prolonged concentration.
In battle, forcing the enemy to make even a single mistake could create an opening for victory!
Han Jue's current fighting style had essentially crystallized into its final form.
For the next several years, he would continue delving into the fundamental laws and refining his comprehension!
He would strive to elevate his strength to another level entirely before the Genius Battle commenced!
His current innate secret technique consumed tremendous energy and Force. At present, Han Jue could only maintain it for a minimum of ten minutes, making it impossible to use during the extended periods required for deep law comprehension.
Time was of the essence!
Luo Feng's request to borrow money from Hong proceeded smoothly.
Hong and Luo Feng shared a strong relationship. Although they hadn't become sworn brothers as in the original timeline, as fellow Earthlings fighting for humanity's survival and advancement, their bond remained close, no less meaningful than a brotherhood forged in blood.
Therefore, Hong readily lent Luo Feng the necessary funds.
With the financial resources secured, Luo Feng immediately purchased vast quantities of high-grade metals suitable for the Golden Horned Beast's consumption.
The Golden Horned Beast successfully reached Universe level within the three-month deadline!
With this breakthrough, Luo Feng naturally mastered the Golden Domain, an innate ability that came with the bloodline advancement.
Those three months also allowed him to thoroughly master combat techniques utilizing the Golden Horned Beast's body, gradually learning some of its inherited secret techniques along the way!
The Golden Horned Beast unleashed its full might against the invading space fleet, nearly annihilating the entire force. They perished tragically in the cold void of space before even reaching Earth's atmosphere.
The few surviving vessels were dispatched by slaves Luo Feng had strategically positioned beforehand, ensuring none escaped the solar system to report Earth's true strength.
Afterward, Luo Feng came to Han Jue to claim his promised gift, receiving something he had already carefully prepared.
A complete Demon Killer skin.
"Demon Killer, Luo Feng, this is genuine Demon Killer skin!" Babata exclaimed with barely contained excitement. "If the Golden Horned Beast possesses innate affinity with the fundamental laws of metal, then the Demon Killer possesses innate affinity with the fundamental laws of space. Using its skin to nurture a second clone within your internal world, this is an absolutely perfect match for your cultivation path!"
"Demon Killer?" Luo Feng was genuinely puzzled by the unfamiliar term.
"With this clone, you'll be able to study spatial secret techniques with your Demon Killer body far more efficiently than through your other forms!" Babata explained enthusiastically.
Understanding finally dawned on Luo Feng.
Breeding a Demon Killer clone!
This was the fastest method to enhance his spatial law talent before the Genius Battle began!
Luo Feng desperately wanted to keep pace with Han Jue's monstrous progression.
While Luo Feng busied himself breeding clones and mastering secret techniques, Hong and Lei Shen were pursuing their own advancement.
Some time later, Luo Feng received an unexpected invitation from Hong.
"Luo Feng, would you be interested in becoming a space mercenary?" Hong asked directly.
"Space mercenary?" Luo Feng was momentarily stunned by the proposal.
He knew that Hong and Lei Shen were currently trainee space mercenaries and elite members of Three Axe Mountain, one of the four major civilian organizations in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.
He had never expected Hong to extend this invitation to him.
"Yes," Luo Feng agreed after only brief consideration.
Training exclusively in the Virtual Universe ultimately couldn't match real combat experience.
With his clone system, Luo Feng could fight with complete confidence!
Even if his human body perished, he would survive through his other forms.
On Canglan Star, within the Thunder World.
Luo Feng arrived at this legendary location.
Because Hong and Lei Shen were already trainee space mercenaries with established credentials, this time they would enter the Thunder World together as ordinary adventurers rather than official members.
They would assist Luo Feng in completing the Universe Mercenary Apprentice Assessment.
"Enter the World Master realm of Canglan Star and obtain three Wind Horn Stones plus a single horn from a Unicorn Iron Rhino. Then, deliver them to the Universe Mercenary Alliance staff guarding the World Master realm's exit. This signifies passing the Apprentice Mercenary Assessment, granting you qualified Universe Mercenary Apprentice status."
After reviewing the assessment requirements carefully, Luo Feng, accompanied by two ninth-level Stellar-class slaves plus Hong and Lei Shen, entered the Thunder World proper.
What followed exceeded all expectations, a delightful windfall of unprecedented proportions.
The World Within the World unexpectedly opened!
A massive influx of Stellar-class adventurers poured into this legendary pocket dimension!
Three Axe Mountain normally didn't actively recruit young practitioners from the outside, but coincidentally, Hong and Lei Shen had performed exceptionally well in their previous Universe Mercenary Apprentice Assessment and received special invitations to join the organization.
Therefore, when this opportunity arose, although Mingyu still lacked subordinates of his own, he was able to contact Hong and Lei Shen through organizational channels.
The trio became the first adventurers to enter the World Within the World.
Luo Feng, relying heavily on the Moyu Vine's overwhelming capabilities, acquired a vast quantity of universe crystals within the pocket dimension, securing immense wealth in a remarkably short period!
Then, "Lord Wu" appeared, an ancient intelligent system demanding adventurers collect Thunder Stones in exchange for the inheritance of the Kabu World Master.
With the Moyu Vine's assistance, the three reaped tremendous rewards throughout their journey.
Their final combined haul exceeded trillions of universe coins in total value.
Lei Shen even gained the intelligent life form he had long desired, "Lord Wu" itself agreed to bond with him!
Of course, this journey through the Thunder World also brought them into conflict with the Ninth Prince of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, but those complications were relatively minor in the grand scheme of their achievements.
The Thunder World expedition concluded triumphantly!
After liquidating their vast accumulated wealth through proper channels, all three men reaped substantial rewards from their adventure.
Luo Feng, among other acquisitions, also obtained treasures such as the Yan God Soldier weapon and the Lan Ke Fruit cultivation resource at the subsequent Qianwu Auction!
On March 9th, 2066, Black Dragon Mountain Island in the Virtual Universe.
The continents and islands of the Virtual Universe experienced the same natural cycles of day and night as reality. Even artificial stars were simulated in the sky with perfect accuracy.
At that moment, night had fallen across the island.
Countless lights dotted the landscape across many locations, with bars and entertainment districts blazing with particularly dazzling illumination. Everything appeared completely normal, identical to any other evening.
Suddenly,
A gigantic black notice with radiant light around its edges materialized out of thin air above the night sky of Black Dragon Mountain Island.
On this completely black background, words glowed brilliantly in white text.
"Universe Humanity, Peak Genius Battle"
"Once Every Ten Thousand Years!"
"About to Commence!"
"Hosted by the Virtual Universe Company and All Cosmic Nations!"
"Are you a genius? Unable to find opponents matching your level? Then participate in the Peak Genius Battle. Here, hundreds of millions of geniuses from countless cosmic nations throughout the universe will fight fiercely!"
"For detailed information, please visit the official website of the Virtual Universe Network through your virtual assistant."
This gigantic notice appeared suddenly in the night sky, measuring over a million kilometers in both length and width.
Even on Black Dragon Mountain Island, with its population numbering in the hundreds of millions, anyone could clearly see the notice simply by looking upward from anywhere on the island!
The universe's greatest stage was about to open.
And countless geniuses, Han Jue among them, would soon face their moment of truth.