Virtual Universe, Hong Alliance City.
Venerable Lingtu, invited by three good friends with whom he had fought alongside in the Hong Alliance, went to a tavern he frequented.
These past years, he had been creating secret techniques, attempting to create a Top-tier Universe Overlord ultimate technique, to officially step into the Ranks of Universe Overlords.
However, creating secret techniques was not easy; the Strongest Secret Technique he had created was a Universe Venerable ultimate technique, very close to a Top-tier Universe Overlord ultimate technique.
But whether it was creating or perfecting a secret technique to that level, it was not an easy task!
Inside the tavern.
There were quite a few Human Race and alien Universe Venerables, gathered in twos and threes, drinking and secretly discussing the explosive news that had just spread in the Hong Alliance.
When Venerable Lingtu walked into the tavern, the Universe Venerables stopped their conversations and involuntarily shifted their gaze to him.
The gazes of the Universe Venerables made Venerable Lingtu feel very strange.
"What happened?"
Sitting down at the table with his three good friends, Venerable Lingtu asked via telepathy, "As soon as I came in, everyone was looking at me."
"Ling Tu, you don't know?"
A burly, muscular, four-armed humanoid Universe Venerable with skin as rough as rock, said via telepathy, "Recently, it's been going crazy in Hong Alliance City!"
"Lì Mìng, what's going crazy?" Venerable Lingtu was still puzzled.
Because he was creating secret techniques, he had turned off non-essential Virtual Universe email notifications, and only a small number of people's emails would trigger a reminder from his virtual assistant.
These friends he had fought alongside with had an extremely good relationship with him and were among his specially monitored contacts.
"Your Junior Brother, Venerable Void River, is quite formidable now."
The alien Venerable, referred to as Lì Mìng, drank a cup of special beverage and sighed, "Not only is he ranked among the Top-tier Universe Overlords, but he also fought head-on for a long time with an existence of the Hong Alliance Palace Master level, such as Banff Master of the Zerg Alliance!"
"Ah?!"
Upon hearing this, Venerable Lingtu was stunned on the spot.
"Junior Brother fought head-on with a power equivalent to a Hong Alliance Palace Master, this... this!"
The entire news was too shocking, making it difficult for him to believe at once!
Under normal circumstances, a Top-tier Universe Overlord might have the strength to fight against a newly Breakthrough Universe Master.
But when the opponent was a Universe Master of average strength, a Top-tier Universe Overlord could only ensure his own survival; only those extremely Heaven-Defying Top-tier Universe Overlords could contend with them.
And powerhouses of the Hong Alliance Palace Master level were not comparable to those who were Seven Star Overlords, or those who had just Broken through or were of average strength Universe Master; they were true powerhouses who could roam the Original Universe!
Yet, even with such a powerhouse, Ender still had the ability to fight head-on, which was enough to show that his strength was comparable to an ordinary Universe Master, placing him at the Heaven-Defying Top-tier Universe Overlord Rank.
"Hmm?"
Seeing Venerable Lingtu's shocked expression, Venerable Lì Mìng asked in surprise, "Ling Tu, you still don't know this news?"
"I've been creating secret techniques recently, and all non-essential Virtual Universe email notifications are turned off. Only emails from you guys..."
Venerable Lingtu came back to his senses, shaking his head and sighing, "You didn't say what it was about, so how would I know so much without checking my inbox?"
The three Universe Venerables looked at each other upon hearing this.
Indeed, for important matters like creating secret techniques or cultivating Laws in seclusion, non-essential Virtual Universe email notifications are often turned off, and reminders are only given when truly important emails are received.
They, too, had set Venerable Lingtu as a special contact, so they would receive notifications immediately when he sent an email.
"Ling Tu, since you don't know this news, then what do you think of this news...?"
Another Universe Venerable at the same table asked curiously, "Is it true? Or false?"
"Given my Junior Brother's Heaven-Defying Opportunity and talent..."
Venerable Lingtu sighed, "It's most likely true."
The three Universe Venerables nodded involuntarily upon hearing this.
Because of their excellent relationship with Venerable Lingtu, they had also paid attention to Venerable Void River, knowing that his growth speed was truly Heaven-Defying.
It was no exaggeration to say that his rise was one of the best in the entire Universe!
However, the actual combat power Venerable Void River displayed this time exceeded their cognitive understanding; that was comparable to a Heaven-Defying Top-tier Universe Overlord.
The number of Heaven-Defying Top-tier Universe Overlords in the Original Universe was tens to hundreds of times rarer than Universe Master, and each of them was a special life form with a massive Immortal Energy body and an extremely high life gene level!
Venerable Void River was born a Human Race, and it was unknown what kind of unique Heaven-Defying Opportunity he had obtained to possess the capital to become a Heaven-Defying Top-tier Universe Overlord.
"Ling Tu, why don't you ask Venerable Void River?"
Venerable Lì Mìng whispered, "The news has already spread wildly in the Hong Alliance, so it shouldn't be anything that needs to be kept secret."
"Wait a moment."
Venerable Lingtu's consciousness connected to the Virtual Universe.
After a quick check of his inbox, he saw many similar inquiries, and then replied to his three friends, "I'll verify this with Venerable Void River right now."
...
Virtual Universe, Thunder Island Central Mountains.
Within the magnificent palace complex, there was a pavilion built against a cliff, surrounded by clouds and mist.
Inside the pavilion.
Ender, dressed in white battle attire, sat opposite Venerable Gu Lun, who had gray-black hair and wore fiery red battle attire.
"My apologies, Gu Lun."
Ender poured a cup of wine for Venerable Gu Lun, sighing softly, "I originally intended to visit you after receiving the Legacy of the God General, but I was ambushed by Banff Master along the way and suffered severe Immortal Energy loss, so I had to return to the Primal Universe to recuperate first."
"Venerable Void River, you are too polite."
Venerable Gu Lun took the wine glass with both hands, remembering the news that had just circulated in Hong Alliance City, and thought, "Able to fight head-on for a long time with a Hong Alliance Palace Master-level powerhouse like Banff Master, Venerable Void River's strength is already comparable to an ordinary Universe Master."
"I said I would treat you to a drink. I'm temporarily unavailable in the real world, so I can only treat you in the Virtual Universe."
Ender smiled, "I hope Gu Lun, you won't mind."
"Venerable Void River, you're joking."
Venerable Gu Lun hurriedly said, "Whether in reality or the Virtual Universe, it's all the same."
Ender smiled and nodded, but felt quite bored inside.
Perhaps because his strength was comparable to an ordinary Universe Master, Venerable Gu Lun, a dignified Universe Venerable, felt a hint of awe when conversing with him.
Just then, Little Dawn reminded him that he had received an email, and the sender was Seventh Senior Brother Venerable Lingtu.
Venerable Gu Lun saw Ender pause slightly, and guessing something, he stood up and said, "Venerable Void River, I still have some matters to attend to in the Universe Country. I won't disturb you any further."
"Take care."
Ender nodded slightly upon hearing this, "We'll drink together again if we have the Opportunity in the future."
"Good."
Venerable Gu Lun smiled and disappeared in a flash of white light.
"Alas."
After Venerable Gu Lun left, Ender sighed softly, "I guess there won't be this Opportunity anymore."
As his strength grew stronger, the status gap between him and ordinary Universe Venerables became increasingly apparent.
Venerable Gu Lun was only a Intermediate Universe Venerable, rising in a relatively ancient epoch, but he hadn't been a Universe Venerable for long.
The Genius Battle that Ender participated in was hosted by Venerable Gu Lun, and that Genius Battle he hosted produced him and Kedi, this super Genius.
He even suspected that Venerable Gu Lun's ability to serve as the Lord of the newly opened Universe Country was due to the luck he had from hosting the Genius Battle back then.
"Hmm? Seventh Senior Brother is asking me about fighting head-on with Banff Master for a long time..."
After checking Venerable Lingtu's email, Ender recalled for a moment, "I remember Seventh Senior Brother had been in seclusion creating secret techniques. Did he successfully create a higher Rank secret technique, or was he disturbed and came out of seclusion?"
With this thought, he replied to Venerable Lingtu's email and inquired about his progress in creating secret techniques.
Soon.
Venerable Lingtu's email returned. Ender opened it and smiled, shaking his head, "I didn't expect it was because of me..."
"Hmm?"
After replying to Venerable Lingtu's email again, he suddenly received an email from his teacher, Ice Summit Master.
"Go see Teacher."
Ender stood up and disappeared from the pavilion.
...
Virtual Universe, exclusive space.
On the highest Pinnacle of the eternal ice and snow world.
"Teacher."
Ender bowed to Ice Summit Master, who stood at the highest point of the mountain Pinnacle.
"Not long ago, the Race held a top-level meeting."
Ice Summit Master spoke, "Because of your excellent performance in the battle with Banff Master, the Race decided to grant you 300 Arcana Treasure Points."
Ender was surprised upon hearing this.
300 Arcana Treasure Points, that was no small sum!
According to the Human Race's rules, every individual who becomes a Universe Master can receive a top-tier Arcana Treasure weapon of that value from the Race.
According to the exchange value of top-tier weapon supreme treasures in the Treasure Vault of the Race, it was only about 80 Arcana Treasure Points.
But the Arcana Treasure Points Ender received from the Race could amount to as much as 300 Arcana Treasure Points!
"It says 300 Arcana Treasure Points, but the Race actually only granted 100 Arcana Treasure Points."
Ice Summit Master whispered, "The remaining 200 Arcana Treasure Points were granted to you by Huge Axe Creator in the name of the Race."
"Huge Axe Creator?" Ender was slightly stunned.
After he created the Universe Overlord ultimate technique and ranked among the Top-tier Universe Overlords, Huge Axe Creator had already granted him 130 Arcana Treasure Points. Now, he granted another 200 Arcana Treasure Points, totaling 330 Arcana Treasure Points!
The exchange price of top-tier Arcana Treasure weapons in the Treasure Vault of the Race was only 80 to 360 Arcana Treasure Points.
He only needed to add a few more Arcana Treasure Points to exchange for a high-quality top-tier Arcana Treasure weapon!
"Huge Axe Creator thinks highly of you."
Ice Summit Master paused, but ultimately did not mention Huge Axe Creator's suggestion for Ender to enter the Race's highest-level meeting.
"Yes, this Disciple will always remember it."
Ender nodded respectfully.
He held Huge Axe Creator in high regard!
He was not only a pillar of the Human Race but also the most selfless parental figure in the Race, contributing greatly to the Race!
"The Zerg Queen has sent a message that she has fulfilled the promise of the previous transaction. The Demon race and Mechanical Race have also temporarily given up on assassinating you."
Ice Summit Master whispered, "But the premise is that you cannot leave our Human Territory core stronghold, otherwise you will inevitably attract assassinations from the Demon race and Mechanical Race."
Ender nodded upon hearing this. Both the Zerg Queen fulfilling her promise and the Demon race and Mechanical Race not giving up on assassinating him were within his expectations.
As the leader of the Zerg Alliance, the Zerg Queen had to keep her word; credibility was very important for a leader of a Race power.
However, lone True God had no such concerns; they were alone and did as they pleased, each with extremely peculiar temperaments.
"Huge Axe Creator has high hopes for you. He hopes you can become the first Universe Master of our Human Race to Cultivate the Beast God Path."
Ice Summit Master looked at Ender, "Becoming a Universe Master is not easy."
Ender's gaze was firm as he said, "But this is the only Opportunity for this Disciple to move freely in the Universe!"
Upon hearing this, Ice Summit Master whispered, "When you feel you've reached a Bottleneck, and are just one step away from Breakthrough, come find me again."
After speaking, he turned and looked down at the vast ice and snow world, "Go."
"This Disciple takes his leave."
Ender was a bit puzzled, but still bowed and teleported away.
The cold wind howled, and whispers came from the wind, "I will fight for an Opportunity for you. Whether it succeeds or not is not something I can decide."
...
Virtual Universe, Hong Alliance City.
Inner city tavern.
Venerable Lingtu received the email from Ender, and upon seeing that he really admitted to fighting head-on with Banff Master for a long time, he was slightly stunned.
"What did Venerable Void River say?"
"Right? Ling Tu, how did Venerable Void River explain it?"
Seeing Venerable Lingtu's unusual reaction, the three Universe Venerables began to inquire.
"Void River admitted it..."
Venerable Lingtu's expression was slightly dazed, "He really did fight head-on with Banff Master for a long time, and now his Immortal Energy is severely depleted, so he's in seclusion in the Primal Universe."
The image of his Junior Brother, who once sought his guidance on Space Law, gradually overlapped with the current Venerable Void River, who was comparable to a Universe Master, yet it gave him an unreal feeling!
As Venerable Lingtu's words fell, the tavern fell silent for a moment.
Then, with a "boom," the Universe Venerables immediately erupted into a frenzy.
"The news is true! Venerable Void River really fought head-on with a Universe Master for a long time!"
"This level of strength is probably no less than an ordinary Universe Master, truly Heaven-Defying!"
"Terrifying, truly terrifying!"
As the Universe Venerables in the tavern expressed their emotions, the Human Race's Universe Master returned to the Virtual Universe after attending a meeting, which made the Hong Alliance Hall lively as well.
And the news of Ender's head-on battle with Banff Master was confirmed as the Human Race Universe Master personally acknowledged it!
Ender was also officially listed as a Heaven-Defying Top-tier Universe Overlord, with a status equivalent to a second-Rank Universe Master, and his deterrent power was even stronger than a second-Rank Universe Master!
No one would doubt that the Human Race Universe Master would lie, because lies would always be exposed one day.
As the news was confirmed, the entire Hong Alliance Hall and Inner City immediately erupted.
"The news has been confirmed! The Human Race Universe Master personally admitted it! Venerable Void River can truly fight with a powerhouse of the Hong Alliance Palace Master level for a long time!"
"Venerable Void River's growth speed is Heaven-Defying! In less than three hundred thousand years, he's stronger than a Top-tier Universe Overlord."
"From now on, when we see Venerable Void River, we must be as respectful as when we see a Universe Master..."
As the Universe Venerables conversed and expressed their emotions, the news continuously spread outwards, even reaching the outer city of Hong Alliance City, and then gradually spreading throughout the entire Original Universe.
Even in the remote territories of the Original Universe, one could hear the name of Ender, this Heaven-Defying Top-tier Universe Overlord whose strength was comparable to an ordinary Universe Master.
Just then, a virtual game within the Human Territory began to be planned and developed, and was completed, tested, and launched at an astonishing speed...