Chapter 81: Crowned Champion!
"Congratulations, my Lord Star Master!"
"We now have the 94th genius under Bize Star who has made it into the top thousand of the World Zone!"
A green-skinned gnome attendant rushed forward with the news, addressing a hulking orc-like green-skinned warrior sitting at the head of the grand hall.
A massive screen hung in the center of the hall, displaying the message:
"Current number of Bize Star affiliated qualifiers: 94",
with "Jiang Zhe" shown as the most recent addition.
Everyone in the hall was visibly pleased, though the celebration was modest—just a few extra drinks. Geniuses like this had become almost routine.
After all, Bize Star governed 64 star regions. If each region contributed just one top-1,000 genius, they would barely meet the minimum passing line.
In comparison, stronger Tier-2 Administrative Stars could produce over 300—sometimes nearly 400—qualified talents in previous years.
To earn commendation from the Universe Nation, they would need to exceed 180 qualifiers at the very least.
"Karong, don't report such minor matters again," the orc-like Star Master waved impatiently, clearly still worried about meeting this year's quotas.
"But my Lord, this one is different. I believe he has the potential to become one of the thousand chosen to represent our Universe Nation."
"Oh? Really?" The Star Master's interest was piqued.
Thousands in the hall turned their eyes toward the gnome, most of them Immortals and World Lords. The pressure made the small attendant sweat profusely.
"Enough! Ease off!" the Star Master barked. He clearly favored this gnome.
"Karong, explain your discovery."
"My Lord, this person jumped from rank 9,000 straight into the top 900 in one leap. He must have eliminated a large number of high-ranking participants in a short time."
The Star Master immediately pulled up the ranking logs—and sure enough, it was exactly as Karong said.
Curious now, he used his authority to bring up footage of Jiang Zhe's latest battle, projecting it onto a secondary screen that rose up from the hall floor.
The battle footage was brief—less than ten seconds from start to finish.
But it left the watching Immortals and World Lords stunned.
Terrifying lightning domain!
Lethal telekinetic weapons!
Dozens of time-clone projections!
All of it showcased his profound mastery of Lightning and Time Laws.
"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!" the orc-like Star Master cried in glee, leaping from his seat, fists pumping in the air.
The hall erupted in cheers. Hope for surpassing this year's quota burned brightly in every heart.
"Congratulations, my Lord! This one could be the number one in the Qianwu Universe Nation—he even has a shot at the top ten in the entire Cosmic Genius Tournament! Maybe even first!"
Voices of praise filled the air until the Star Master raised a hand for silence.
"Hahaha, everyone, let's celebrate together!"
"For a genius like this to emerge from Bize Star is the fruit of all our hard work!"
The gnome attendant quickly filled his golden cup. The Star Master lifted it high.
"To all of you!"
"To the Star Master!"
One sip wasn't enough. The Star Master grabbed an entire barrel and guzzled it dry before finally slumping back in his grand chair, satisfied.
"Find out where he's from exactly. Who was his mentor? I want to reward them heavily!"
Karong had already done the legwork.
"My Lord, he's registered on Qiulong Star in the Heilongshan Empire, assigned to our subordinate region—Qianpolo Star Region, under the Mingying Star System."
The Star Master squinted, calculating quickly, then broke into an even broader smile.
"Haha! This genius is a local! From our very own Mingying Star System!"
"If he makes it into the Universe Nation's top 1,000, I'll award him not just Mingying, but the ten surrounding star systems!"
"And 10% of Qianpolo Star Region's total ownership!"
"What say you all?"
Meanwhile…
On Island No. 32, Jiang Zhe was still deep in the fray, unaware he had already become someone else's ticket to glory.
Standing atop a 1,000-meter-high mountain, his battle-worn form looked anything but weak.
Across from him, a four-armed, one-eyed Dark Garo warrior was drenched in sweat, unable to launch a single attack.
He held four metal batons, arms trembling as they guarded against arcs of lightning swirling in the air—Heaven's Punishment Lightning.
Though he bore the title "Black Demon," he was being toyed with by just two streams of thunder.
"Thunder Emperor," he growled. "Why must we fight to the death? Spare me and the Dark Garo Clan will owe you a favor."
After eight straight days of non-stop killing, Jiang Zhe had earned his nickname—Thunder Emperor.
Many competitors had already fled this island, spreading word of his terrifying might.
"No," Jiang Zhe replied coolly. "Compared to your clan's favor, I want your points more."
Suddenly, his eyes sharpened. He surged his psychic energy, and the twin lightning beams shot forward faster than ever.
Crash! Two of the short batons flew from the Dark Garo's hands, both arms going limp.
"Damn you! If I die, I'll take you down with me!"
The lightning pierced his defenses, bursting his skull open.
But in a last act of defiance, he hurled a baton laced with Earth Law essence—a hidden trump card.
Boom!
The baton struck nothing. Jiang Zhe calmly reached out with his Destruction Glove, snatched it from midair, and dispelled the energy.
"Someone who's sensed even a thread of Law essence can reach the top 100," he murmured. "If I wasn't chasing points, I might've let you live."
He looked at his wrist screen:
Participant: Jiang Zhe (Bize Star)
Points: 84,378,843
Rank: 11
Only the top-ranked would earn an automatic pass.
With 12 days left, there was no time to rest.
He launched skyward on his Shadowstride Board, aiming for the next island.
12 hours later, on Island No. 44, Jiang Zhe forced a trembling participant to reveal who the strongest contenders were.
"The 'Demon Blade' is near a western lake… 'Golden Flame' and 'Dream Demon' are in the central region… 'Elf King' moves between the south and east… That's all I know, please spare me!"
Jiang Zhe kept his word and flew west.
5 hours later, he instantly killed "Demon Blade", along with half the bystanders.
His name shook Island No. 44.
Then came an ambush by Golden Flame and Dream Demon, both ranked in the top 100.
Golden Flame wielded a gold sickle blazing with white fire. Dream Demon conjured illusions via mist and light.
But Jiang Zhe's mind was fortified—his "Obsession" clone had pushed his will to Immortal-level.
Protected by a three-layered Void Tower, Dream Demon's tricks were child's play.
First strike shattered Golden Flame's arm, then his skull. Second beam incinerated Dream Demon.
The Elf King fled, and Jiang Zhe now ruled Island 44.
Participant: Jiang Zhe (Bize Star)
Points: 115,234,431
Rank: 4
Only three ahead. Ten days to go.
He raced for the next island.
Outside, in the Real World...
All across Bize Star's territories, excitement exploded.
Countless spaceships gathered near World Zone 99, hoping to witness history.
If Jiang Zhe secured the auto-qualifier slot, it would be a massive honor.
His family gathered, praying for his victory.
"Little Zhe, go north!"
"Island 51—your next target—is to the north! The third-ranked contender is there!"
On a control ship, the Star Master roared, "Go to Island 51 and take them down! Get me that number one spot! Crush Fengming Star and Kasko Star beneath us!"
"If you win, 50% of Qianpolo Star Region is yours!"
Coincidentally, the top four in World Zone 99 were all from the Qianwu Universe Nation.
Jiang Zhe… seemed to hear the call of fate.
He turned north—and headed for Island No. 51.
Upon landing, he quickly found a target to interrogate.
"The strongest here is 'Wood Witch' Beyoncé. She's in the central forest. Think you can take her?"
Jiang Zhe smiled coldly. "I appreciate the intel. But your tone? I didn't like it."
Crack! One punch from the Destruction Glove shattered his skull.
Then, he zipped toward the central forest—nearly 10,000 kilometers wide.
"Beyoncé!" he shouted.
His voice, powered by Level-9 Stellar Force, echoed across the entire island—and even reached the nearby sea.
Everyone who heard it trembled.
"It's Thunder Emperor! He's gunning for the top rank—run!!"
Panicked figures scattered in every direction.
In the sky, a slender woman with green hair and a leaf dress emerged—radiating natural allure.
"Thunder Emperor? Want my points? Come find me… in the forest."
She vanished into the woods.
Jiang Zhe gave chase, but then his expression shifted.
"…a potion master?"
The scent in the air was suspicious. He started to retreat.
"Heehee… Heehee…"
Suddenly, the forest echoed with eerie giggles. His consciousness dimmed—clearly affected by toxins.
Hallucinations formed. The trees seemed alive, attacking with spear-like branches.
"Wood Witch" Beyoncé appeared—except, there were hundreds of her.
All threw wooden daggers at once.
But Jiang Zhe wasn't fooled.
"Die!"
He pierced the illusion with a shout, spotted the real Beyoncé—just 200 meters away, hiding on a tree branch.
A beam of thunder blasted forward, shattered her dagger, and—before she could react—her head exploded.
He looked at his screen:
Participant: Jiang Zhe (Bize Star)
Points: 167,435,853
Rank: 1
Author's Note:
Two chapters conclude the preliminary round. Given the protagonist's dual mastery of Lightning and Time, he's expected to instantly defeat most foes.
Just like Luo Feng did with his Divine Weapon Phantom Sword, slicing through the law-powered Wind Wheel.
Wind Wheel was fooled and didn't fight properly, but still—my numbers check out.
Wind Wheel had 36 million points at Rank 42. Jiang Zhe passed 100 million—top 3 makes sense.
Kill someone, get half their points. Luo Feng got 18 million from Wind Wheel. Same logic applies here.
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