Fifteen days into the Ganwu Universe Nation Trials.
Han Jue's killing spree had decimated nearly all of the star-level talents in his designated city. Bodies of fallen competitors littered the streets, their point badges now claimed as trophies.
"Demon Sea, if you... if you let me go, I'll give you an entire galaxy when we get out of here!"
The city's last survivor trembled on his knees before Han Jue, head bowed low in desperate supplication.
The nickname "Demon Sea" had emerged naturally among the competitors. Whenever Han Jue appeared, a pink ocean manifested around him, an otherworldly phenomenon that dragged victims into layered illusions. They died without even comprehending what had killed them, drowning in a sea of twisted perceptions and manufactured nightmares.
It was a demonic ocean indeed.
"You seem quite wealthy," Han Jue remarked, his voice carrying a hint of amusement as he regarded the young man kneeling before him.
"Of course! I'm a descendant of the Ganwu Universe Nation Royal Family! I personally own several galaxies!" The man's words tumbled out rapidly, hope kindling in his eyes as Han Jue engaged in conversation. Perhaps there was a chance after all.
"What a pity," Han Jue said softly, shaking his head with an almost regretful expression.
"What... what's a pity?" The man's bad feeling returned with crushing force.
"What's a pity," Han Jue continued, his smile never faltering, "is that you're already in an illusion."
The next second, reality shattered like broken glass.
The Frost Sword had pierced through the man's chest moments ago, its blade lodged deep in his heart while his mind played out false negotiations that would never happen. The illusion collapsed, and with it, the last spark of life in the royal descendant's eyes.
Han Jue surveyed the now-empty city streets. He'd slaughtered the vast majority of competitors in this zone, those who remained had either fled to safer territories or gone deep underground.
Time to move on.
With practiced efficiency, Han Jue began his journey toward the next city.
The hunt continued.
"Are you Thunder God?"
A barefoot young man stood before Lei Shen, wild and unkempt hair framing a face split by a feral grin. Standing over three meters tall with muscles that seemed carved from stone, he wielded a short blade with casual confidence.
Lei Shen's expression grew solemn as he assessed his opponent. "Are you the Savage?"
"Indeed!" The young man's grin widened, revealing teeth that seemed too sharp.
Lei Shen studied the figure before him intently. The Savage's appearance resembled that of an Earthling, only far more robust, taller, and radiating an almost primal aura of strength.
This "Savage" was Rong Jun, a formidable presence ranked third in the 88th World Zone. Lei Shen himself currently held the 808th position, a respectable rank, but the gap between them was evident.
Having entered the sixth realm and trained under the guidance of Lord Wu with access to Realm Master Carlo's legacy, Lei Shen's strength had increased exponentially beyond his original trajectory. Still, facing someone like Rong Jun required caution.
"Use your full strength!" the Savage commanded, his stance relaxed yet ready.
"Hmph!" Lei Shen snorted coldly.
In one fluid motion, Lei Shen drew his sword. Lightning crackled across his eyes as electric serpents coiled around his body. His form became a hazy afterimage as he launched himself directly at the Savage with devastating speed.
Clang!
The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air. Lei Shen's hand went numb from the collision, and he immediately retreated several steps, reassessing his opponent with renewed wariness.
"Not bad!" The Savage laughed heartily, sheathing his dagger as he opened his mouth to speak,
"Huh?"
His words died in his throat. Lei Shen had already turned and fled, disappearing into the distance without a backward glance.
The Savage stood frozen for several seconds, confusion written across his features. Had Thunder God just... run away mid-conversation?
Day twenty-eight of the Preliminaries.
Han Jue stood atop a towering spire, looking down at the gathering below. A dozen competitors stood in loose formation at the base, each armed with various weapons and radiating killing intent directed squarely at him.
"Demon Sea, you've committed countless atrocities! Today, you meet your end!" The speaker wielded a curved scimitar, its blade catching the virtual sunlight.
"Demon Sea, your illusions won't work against all of us together. I advise you to surrender peacefully!" A girl carrying twin swords added, her voice steady despite the obvious tension.
From his elevated position, Han Jue regarded the assembled group with something approaching amusement.
His excessive slaughter had indeed earned him both fear and resentment. These competitors had clearly decided that eliminating him would benefit their collective chances of advancement.
Han Jue sighed dramatically.
The dozen warriors below all ranked within the top twenty of their world region. Several had even crossed the threshold of comprehending Original Laws, a significant achievement that filled them with confidence. They looked at Han Jue with disdain and calculation.
An illusionist whose illusions proved ineffective still posed a lethal threat? Impossible.
Their logic was sound, under normal circumstances. Unfortunately for them, their fundamental assumption was flawed.
"I don't believe I ever claimed to be purely an illusionist, did I?" Han Jue's laugh rang out across the battlefield, genuine amusement coloring his tone.
The next instant, over ten avatars materialized beside the crowd below.
Each avatar wielded the Frost Sword with deadly precision. Before the assembled "heroes" could react or coordinate their defense, Han Jue moved through them like death incarnate. His blade work was surgical, no wasted movements, no unnecessary flourishes. Within seconds, all dozen competitors lay dead, their points transferred to his already astronomical total.
Han Jue checked his standings, nodding with satisfaction.
First place was now virtually guaranteed. No one else in this entire world region could threaten his position.
Aside from Han Jue and Lei Shen, Hong and Luo Feng had faced their own challenges throughout the competition.
Despite initial struggles adapting to the brutal elimination environment, both managed to break into the top 1001 positions during the latter stages through sheer determination and strategic evolution.
Hong relied on his powerful domain mastery and exceptional tactical awareness, along with considerable luck, to survive to the final days. His ability to sense danger and manipulate battlefield conditions proved invaluable.
Luo Feng, meanwhile, had repeatedly climbed toward the top rankings through increasingly impressive displays of combat prowess and spatial law comprehension.
When the final rankings were tallied, Earth's four representatives had achieved truly remarkable results:
Han Jue: 1st Place
Luo Feng: 2nd Place
Hong: 13th Place
Lei Shen: 880th Place
On the tenth day after the Genius Battle began, Luo Feng had successfully crossed the threshold of the Space Origin Law, a breakthrough that propelled him into the upper echelons of competitors.
His luck, however, proved slightly imperfect. In the final hours, the second-ranked competitor defeated the third-ranked fighter in a stunning upset, causing Luo Feng to drop from first to second place by a narrow margin.
Regardless of this minor setback, the four Earthlings' achievements sent shockwaves throughout the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.
The tiny, insignificant Black Dragon Mountain Empire had unexpectedly produced four geniuses who'd entered the top 1,000 of their world region, a statistical anomaly that defied all reasonable probability. News of their success spread like wildfire throughout the empire's territories.
Even within the broader Ganwu Universe Nation, countless citizens discussed the names Han Jue and Luo Feng with growing interest and speculation.
Four from one planet? Unprecedented.
Within the Virtual Universe, inside the Han Family Manor.
The four Earth warriors stood together, having just concluded their meeting with the special envoy from the Black Dragon Mountain Empire.
"The Emperor is actually rewarding Han Jue with an entire star system?" Lei Shen asked, his surprise evident despite his usually composed demeanor.
The Milky Way Galaxy itself now fell under Han Jue's official jurisdiction, a staggering reward that came with both prestige and responsibility.
As for the other three, they'd received different but still substantial rewards. The special envoy had promised that if they placed within the top thousand of the Universe Nation finals, they would each receive star systems of their own.
"You should focus on the Arena Tournament ahead," Han Jue said, shaking his head with a wry expression. He hadn't particularly wanted the Milky Way as his territory, but the special envoy had been insistent, practically forcing the honor upon him.
"Don't worry, I'm confident about the Arena stages," Lei Shen replied, his usual humor reasserting itself.
If not for that tactical retreat and the unfortunate encounter with the Savage on the final day, his ranking would have climbed even higher. He had no intention of letting similar mistakes happen again.
"Those who make it into the top thousand of the Universe Nation are generally geniuses who've reached the ninth realm or have crossed the threshold of comprehending Original Laws. Don't underestimate them," Han Jue warned, his tone serious.
"We understand," the others responded in unison. They'd learned through hard experience that complacency in this competition meant elimination.
"Then let's give it everything we've got!" Luo Feng said with determination burning in his eyes.
July 17, 2066 by Earth's calendar marked the beginning of the Arena Tournament.
The arena battles were divided into one thousand groups, with two hundred groups competing each day over a five-day period.
Hong and Lei Shen both competed in the first two hundred groups, while Luo Feng would fight in the 382nd group, meaning he'd compete on day two of the tournament.
A special dimensional space had been carved out within the Virtual Universe specifically for these battles. The space contained thousands of islands, each featuring a pristine fighting arena where competitors would face their trials.
The arena format would test not just individual combat ability, but also tactical awareness, adaptability, and the mental fortitude to persevere through multiple consecutive battles.
Hong had crossed the threshold of the Light Origin Law before the Genius Battle even began, a significant achievement that marked him as exceptional among Earth's warriors.
After joining the Three Axe Mountain organization, both he and Lei Shen had been recognized by the powerful immortal Ming Yu and elevated to elite status within the organization's hierarchy.
This recognition brought Hong to the personal attention of World Master Luo, one of Three Axe Mountain's senior instructors.
World Master Luo had immediately recognized Hong's exceptional talent and potential. He'd taken the young warrior under his wing, providing extensive private mentoring on various aspects of the Light Origin Law. Though he'd hoped to formally accept Hong as his disciple, he understood that Hong's goal was competing in the Peak Genius Battle and ultimately joining one of the five great powers.
Rather than attempting to interfere with Hong's path, World Master Luo chose to support it, continuing to guide and instruct Hong despite knowing their master-disciple relationship would remain unofficial.
Though not formally master and student, their relationship functioned as such in all but name.
"Hong, you can do this!"
World Master Luo watched the arena feeds intently, silently cheering for his protégé. He'd invested considerable time and energy into Hong's development, now he wanted to see those efforts bear fruit.
From the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, only four competitors had advanced to the Arena stage this time, an improvement over previous generations, but still a small representation from such a large territory.
Nabini's match started first. Despite his preparations and determination, he became the first of the four to be eliminated, his Arena Battle Royale ending in swift defeat.
Lei Shen competed second. Through a combination of skill and tactical awareness, he barely survived the chaotic free-for-all phase and advanced to the subsequent one-versus-one Arena battles. It was a close call, closer than he would have liked, but he'd made it through.
Hong, however, seemed remarkably well-suited to the Arena Battle Royale format. His domain abilities and combat instincts allowed him to navigate the chaos effectively, securing his advancement with relative confidence.
As for Luo Feng? There was never any question about his performance. He dominated his Battle Royale with overwhelming force, moving through opponents like a blade through water. His mastery of space laws and refined combat techniques put him in a different category entirely.
After the Arena Battle Royale concluded, ten thousand contestants remained standing.
These ten thousand would now face the Arena Finals, a series of paired duels where each contestant fought four matches total.
Winning all four matches guaranteed a position within the top thousand of the Universe Nation, and with it, entry into the core of either the Virtual Universe Company or the Great Axe Dojo.
The Arena Finals included one resurrection mechanic. Those who lost could compete in the Resurrection Battles for a second chance.
There were 625 spots in the Winner's Group and 275 spots available through the Loser's Group.
The Loser's Group "Resurrection Battles" consisted of continuous combat over three full years, a grueling gauntlet designed to separate the truly exceptional from the merely talented.
"It's best if you don't fall into the loser's bracket," Han Jue advised seriously. "During the Resurrection Battles, you'll have minimal time and energy to focus on improving yourselves. You'll be constantly fighting, constantly under pressure."
Resurrection Battles might theoretically serve to hone combat experience, but in Han Jue's opinion, that benefit was outweighed by the lost opportunities for focused cultivation and law comprehension.
Better to win cleanly and avoid the three-year slog entirely.
"Understood!" The three exchanged determined looks and nodded in unison.
The Ring Finals began.
Lei Shen's luck proved abysmal.
In his very first match, he faced an opponent who'd already crossed the threshold of comprehending an Origin Law. Despite Lei Shen's improved strength and refined techniques, the gap proved insurmountable. He was eliminated almost immediately, his Arena Finals ending before they'd truly begun.
Hong, by contrast, enjoyed better fortune combined with skill. He progressed steadily through his matches, demonstrating the fruits of World Master Luo's intensive training.
At the critical moment of his fourth and final match, Hong achieved a breakthrough, his realm advancing to the ninth level mid-combat. With this power surge, he successfully defeated his opponent and secured his place in the final showdown of the top thousand.
Luo Feng's fourth match pitted him against the Savage, Rong Jun, the same fighter who'd caused Lei Shen to retreat during the preliminaries.
This time, however, Rong Jun made a critical error. He'd grown overconfident based on his earlier dominance, failing to use his full strength from the match's opening moments.
Luo Feng capitalized on this mistake immediately. He unleashed his complete arsenal without hesitation, combining spatial law techniques with devastating blade work. Before Rong Jun could adapt and mount a proper defense, Luo Feng's attack had already proven fatal.
Rong Jun fell, eliminated from the Winner's Group, though he'd already planned to enter the Resurrection Battles for additional combat experience, so the loss didn't devastate him as it might have others.
The three years of Resurrection Battles served as an extended crucible for these young geniuses, a prolonged period designed to accelerate their growth through constant pressure and combat.
Among the Earthlings, Lei Shen's misfortune continued in spectacular fashion.
In the Resurrection Battle gauntlet, he encountered Rong Jun once again. This time, the Savage fought with full seriousness from the opening exchange, having learned his lesson from the loss to Luo Feng.
Lei Shen was eliminated a second time, becoming the first of Earth's four representatives to be fully knocked out of the competition.
The moment he exited the arena systems, Lei Shen received a flood of invitations from various major forces, including prestigious organizations like the Ganwu Secret Realm and several immortal-led factions.
Despite ranking 880th overall, his performance had been impressive enough to attract serious attention. Several powerful entities saw potential in the Thunder God and wanted to recruit him before others could make their offers.
Lei Shen declined to commit immediately. He wanted to wait until after the entire Genius Battle concluded before making any decisions about his future, a wise choice that would give him maximum negotiating leverage and complete information before choosing his path forward.
"The Arena Tournament has concluded!"
The announcement echoed through the Virtual Universe's arena dimension, reaching the ears of millions of spectators and thousands of nervous competitors.
The top thousand had been determined. Now came the moment everyone had been waiting for.
"What follows next," the announcement continued, power and authority resonating in every word, "is the Peak Showdown, where the absolute strongest among you will be revealed!"
The real battle was about to begin.
☆☆☆
-> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE
☆☆☆
-> 50 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/AshenMoon
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you