Chapter 88: Is This a Good Thing, or a Bad Thing?
In truth, the outcome of this duel didn't make much difference to the watching geniuses, immortals, Nine Sword Sovereign, or even the Virtual Universe Company behind them.
After all, the ownership of the four core secret realm slots had long been decided.
No matter whether Jiang Zhe or Berlan won this fight, it wouldn't affect either of them entering the top-tier Primal Secret Realm.
But for the two involved, it meant everything.
Berlan was proud. Jiang Zhe was no less so.
There could only be one bearer of the title: Number One among all human star-level warriors in the universe!
"Those two are like monsters. Is comprehending the laws really as simple as eating or drinking water for them?" Rong Jun sighed, then curiously turned to ask, "Madman, who do you think is stronger, your senior brother or Berlan?"
"Of course it's my senior brother!" Luo Feng answered without hesitation. "Facing Berlan, I still feel I have a chance to catch up. But the more I learn about my senior brother, the more I can only look up to him from afar."
"Haha, Madman, you're still thinking of surpassing your senior brother? Does he even know that?" Rong Jun shrieked.
"Of course. Just because you lose once, doesn't mean you give up."
Luo Feng looked at the tall figure on the arena, clad in dark-purple metal armor, and muttered to himself:
"If I ever surpass you, senior brother, you'd only be happy for me, right? I can tell you care a lot about me. I won't let you down."
"Give up? Impossible!" Rong Jun shook his head. "They're just ahead for now. I'll catch up—and surpass them. I have reasons I must grow stronger."
"Haha, who doesn't?"
The two exchanged smiles, each sensing the firm resolve in the other.
On the arena, the battle was about to erupt.
Everyone expected a fierce clash, yet it ended far quicker than imagined.
Berlan lunged forward, blood sword in hand. Over a thousand illusions sprang up, surrounding Jiang Zhe. His blood sword buzzed, ready to strike from all directions.
Hovering with his Mistshadow Shuttle, Jiang Zhe's mind stirred, spreading a dark-purple lightning domain outward.
Then, with a sweep of his left arm, 729 fine needles shot out from his Destroyer's Hand. They weaved into a special formation, linked by threads of dark-purple light, forming nine giant "Spears of Judgment," each over three meters long.
Lightning arced from the spears, creating a 300-meter radius spherical zone centered on Jiang Zhe—perfectly overlapping with his domain. It became a terrifying world of annihilating thunder.
The leading immortal from Youmeng Universe Nation, Yalis, had the mist around her thin slightly. Her enchanting eyes grew serious.
Luo Feng leaped from his seat. As a user of divine weapons, how could he not recognize this move? It was on par with the third level of the Divine Weapon Path—Sword Domain!
Several immortals widened their eyes and sucked in cold breaths.
The third level?
Such powerful will and consciousness!
Such terrifying comprehension of lightning and time laws!
Neither alone would suffice. A star-level ninth rank's mental strength alone couldn't possibly create this.
Destroyer's Hand, Level Three: Stormbringer!
As a domain-type technique, it could also be called a "Lightning Domain."
With these two domains stacked together, Jiang Zhe gained absolute control over the surrounding space. Every lightning serpent within the spherical zone carried devastating power.
Berlan stubbornly charged in. His illusions were instantly destroyed by the lightning, and even his true body was forced into the open by the crackling serpents.
Then, one of the nine roaming Spears of Judgment moved—impaling Berlan in a single strike!
From illusions appearing, to the domain spreading, to the giant spear striking—it all seemed long when described, but happened in the blink of an eye.
Jiang Zhe won with overwhelming ease—a crushing, instant victory!
He claimed the title of Champion of this Genius Battle!
And with that, Number One among all human star-level warriors in the universe!
Everyone was still stunned when the Nine Sword Sovereign's voice rang out, snapping them back to reality.
He officially announced the end of this Genius Battle, smiling as he praised them:
"You are truly an outstanding generation. I believe that in tens of epochs, perhaps even hundreds, many of you will shake the universe. Some of you may even stand shoulder to shoulder with me one day."
"Keep striving—I have high hopes for you!"
He gave a few more words of encouragement before departing.
Soon after, the 1,008 immortals who led their groups also left one by one.
Only Jiang Zhe and the other finalists remained, registering their real-world addresses so the Virtual Universe Company could send ships to take them to headquarters.
After dining with his family, Jiang Zhe returned to his courtyard and received an email from the Virtual Universe Company: in 12 days, they would pick him and Luo Feng up on White Orchid Planet.
Seven days before their departure, Hong and Thunder God had already left Earth for White Orchid Planet, where a ship from the Qianwu Universe Nation took them to the Qianwu Secret Realm.
On July 12, 2071, Jiang Zhe didn't get to celebrate his birthday at home. Together with Luo Feng, he boarded a ship that left Earth.
In the ten days before that, he cleared out all the universe-level beasts from his crystal core world, leaving it behind as a trial ground for the Jiang family.
He also moved the production lines for C9-grade ships, laser guns, and guardian-type mechanical puppets there, letting the Jiang family use them to build up business. Some of the Machine Race's energy tech was also left to develop commerce, overseen by Orianna's avatar stationed on Earth.
Orianna had advanced to Domain Lord level half a year ago, now with an 81-times life gene level, able to produce 80 avatars.
Two went with his silver-clad soul.
Ten remained with the Jiang family.
These ten would oversee the Jiang family's growth, Earth's human emigration plans, secure information on important people, and organize planetary defenses.
As for Orianna's main body, following Jiang Zhe into the Initial Universe, her life gene level was now only 69 times.
This trip would be for a very long time. By the time he returned, the world would already be unrecognizably changed.
On White Orchid Planet, cold winds blew as snow drifted down.
A team flew out from the hatch of the Virtual Universe Company's F-class ship. At the head was a lean old man, a powerful World Lord recognized by the lower source laws.
"Greetings, Your Highnesses," the old man bowed.
Seeing this familiar figure from the original work, Jiang Zhe wasn't surprised.
Sha Wu looked nearly identical to Earth humans. Unless they sent an immortal as escort, it was obvious he would be tasked with picking up him and Luo Feng.
They boarded the ship.
Sha Wu began explaining the Virtual Universe Company's structure and eventually invited them into the virtual headquarters.
By then, the ship had already slipped into dark space, accelerating to nearly 20 times the speed of light.
Inside the Virtual Universe Headquarters Plane.
Before them rose a mountain shrouded in clouds and mist, larger than most real-world planets—its diameter roughly 89,000 kilometers.
Jiang Zhe gazed at the towering mountain, murmuring to himself:
"So this is Rainmountain. Unless I go to the Origin Continent someday, this will be my long-term base."
Sha Wu came to guide him and Luo Feng, showing them around Rainmountain and explaining the basics.
When they looked at the enormous island surrounded by crackling lightning serpents—Thunder Island, where immortals gathered—Sha Wu first dropped Luo Feng at the Taichu District.
"Luo Feng, get used to life in the Taichu District first. If you need to make any big decisions and feel unsure, come discuss them with me—especially matters of cultivation."
"Now that you're in the Virtual Universe Company, Babata's advice should only be a reference. His vision can't keep up with your level anymore. His database needs updating, so don't let him lead you astray."
"Don't worry, senior brother. I'll come to you for cultivation advice." Luo Feng ignored Babata's furious howls in his mind, waved goodbye, and smiled. "See you later, senior brother."
Parting ways with Luo Feng, Jiang Zhe followed a stone path to the gate of the Primal District.
A grand gate carved from ancient gray rock stood before him, magnificent and imposing.
"Your Highness Jiang Zhe," an old man with white hair and beard, wearing a white robe and radiating a warm aura like the sun, greeted him. "Welcome to the Primal District as one of its newest members."
"Thank you." Jiang Zhe nodded with a smile.
"I am Aitor, the steward of daily affairs here in the Primal District. Please, Your Highness, come with me—I'll introduce you to the basics."
They flew through the air. From below, bursts of powerful law fluctuations rose from time to time.
Seeing Jiang Zhe's curious expression, Aitor explained that many immortals lived here.
Each member of the Primal Secret Realm would have a guard army led by an immortal commander and could freely select an immortal teacher to live long-term in their estate.
"How should I pick the right teacher? Do you have any advice, Aitor?" Jiang Zhe quickly asked.
Aitor smiled faintly.
"Your Highness, there's no need to worry. Usually, you'd state your requirements and the Virtual Universe system would assign someone at random—or you might use connections to request someone. But your case is different. A Marquis Immortal has already volunteered to become your teacher."
"Oh?" Jiang Zhe was surprised. He probed, "Is that… a good thing?"
"Of course it is, Your Highness! This immortal has deep insights into your type of psychic weaponry. You'll surely benefit greatly." Aitor revealed just enough.
Jiang Zhe nodded, not pressing further.
Below them, vast estates stretched endlessly. Aitor continued explaining the Primal Secret Realm's layout.
They finally slowed as they reached a massive estate.
"This, Estate Number 114, is your residence, Your Highness."
The walls were like a range of mountains, reminding Jiang Zhe of the Great Wall of China. The entire estate covered more area than any country on Earth.
But then again, considering the might of World Lords, estates of this scale were only fitting for their training needs.
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