"Congratulations, Qing Yu!" Moka, who was quite familiar with Qing Yu, congratulated him with a smile.
"I won't be able to catch up to you anytime soon, but I won't give up!" Moka had only reached the third level of the fifth trial tower, but his fighting spirit remained undiminished.
"Keep it up!" Qing Yu encouraged him, but his heart remained calm. Only he knew that his talent would become more terrifying the further he progressed, and Moka would only be left further and further behind him!
"Everyone return to the building!" A majestic voice suddenly echoed in their ears; it was the voice of Ares immortal.
At this moment, all 1008 immortal beings stood in front of their respective Universe Kingdom teams, leading the 1000 geniuses from their Universe Kingdom into their assigned buildings.
In the lobby of Building 507, Ares immortal stood at the highest point, his gaze sweeping over the thousand geniuses of the Jinlan Universe Kingdom, lingering for a moment on Qing Yu.
"Your performance this time was excellent, especially Qing Yu and Moka. Your trial tower integral rankings are 1st and 23rd respectively, directly earning you qualifications to enter the core of the Virtual Universe Corporation!"
"Additionally, one more person entered the top 7300 and can contend for the remaining 900 spots. As for everyone else… your journey in the Genius Battle ends here. You can return to reality directly, or you can wait for a period, and the Virtual Universe system will teleport you back!"
"Qing Yu, Moka, the three of you, follow me."
After Ares finished speaking, he disregarded the Frustration and disappointment on the faces of the remaining geniuses and walked directly into an adjacent corridor. The three, Qing Yu, Moka, and the other youth, quickly followed.
At this time, in the Aurora Star Region, the Aurora Empire.
When the news of Qing Yu securing the top spot in the trial tower, with a significant lead, spread like a supernova burst through the Virtual Universe Network, the entire Aurora Star Region erupted!
"Qing Yu! It's our Qing Yu from the Aurora Star Region! Number one in the entire universe!"
"How many years has it been since the Jinlan Universe Kingdom produced such a peerless genius? And he came from our Aurora Star Region!"
The Aurora Emperor sat upon the throne in his magnificent palace, looking at the name at the top of the list on the light screen before him, a look of uncontrollable ecstasy appearing on his majestic face.
Qing Yu's rise not only brought glory to the Jinlan Universe Kingdom but also significantly elevated the status of the Aurora Empire, his birthplace!
"Proclaim my decree!" The Emperor's voice was resonant, carrying an undeniable authority.
"All Qinglin Clan settlements in star systems belonging to the Aurora Empire are granted the highest level of autonomy and resource allocation!"
"Furthermore… all apprehended and currently detained members of the 'Bloodfang Star Pirates' are to be immediately escorted to the Qinglin Clan homeworld, to be handed over to the Qinglin Clan for their full disposal! This is a small token of the Empire's regard for His Highness Qing Yu, and it must be executed properly!"
…
At this time, in Building 507, Ares immortal led Qing Yu, Moka, and the other youth to a high-level quiet room.
Ares first looked at the youth who had entered the top 7300.
"Your ability to enter the top 7300 proves that you are an elite among millions. However, the qualification battle is an even greater challenge. Your opponents are all formidable." Ares looked at him, his tone calm but encouraging.
"Remember, in a narrow path, the brave one wins! Use all your strength and wisdom to fight! Go, prepare well, and do not squander this opportunity."
"Yes! Thank you for your guidance, sir! This junior will do his utmost!" The youth stood up excitedly and bowed deeply.
Only Ares, Qing Yu, and Moka remained in the quiet room.
"Qing Yu, Moka," he began slowly, his voice deep.
"Your rankings in the trial tower, especially your first place, Qing Yu, are indeed something to be proud of. But I hope you haven't let this bit of glory go to your heads."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two as if it were a physical presence:
"Although the core layer of the Virtual Universe Corporation recruits 1000 people at a time, these 1000 people will be successively divided into four Mystical Regions: Primal Secret Realm, Absolute Beginning Secret Realm, Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, and Last Phase Secret Realm!"
"These four Mystical Regions differ greatly in terms of status, authority, obtainable resources, and the level of guidance received, like heaven and earth!" Ares's tone was serious, and then he looked at Qing Yu.
"Qing Yu, with the absolute strength you displayed in the trial tower, winning first place in this final battle and entering the Primal Secret Realm is basically a certainty. But remember, the arena battles are also a stage to show off, so do not take them lightly! You must secure the spot in the Primal Secret Realm!"
"Yes, Lord Ares." His heart, however, remained calm. Ever since he realized that the level of this year's Genius Battle was not high, his goal had already been the Primal Secret Realm!
Ares then looked at Moka.
"In our judgment, entering the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm should be no problem for you, but I still hope you strive to go further and fight for an opportunity to enter the Absolute Beginning Secret Realm!"
"Yes! Sir! I will do my utmost!" Moka's eyes blazed with lightning, and his fighting spirit burned fiercely.
"Furthermore!" Ares's tone shifted, taking on a hint of solemnity.
"There is one person you must be highly vigilant of in the arena battles; do not be careless!"
"You Meng of the Illusionary Spirit Universe Kingdom!" Ares said in a deep voice.
"She only ranked 93rd in the trial tower, barely making it into the top hundred. But this absolutely does not mean she is weak! On the contrary, the mechanism of the trial tower is extremely unfriendly to Illusionists! This caused You Meng's ranking to be far lower than her true combat power!"
"In actual combat, an Illusionist's attacks are very strange! One careless mistake, and even a Controller or Warrior far stronger than them can be defeated instantly!"
'You Meng? An Illusionist?' Qing Yu's heart stirred, and a hint of interest quietly flickered in the depths of his ice-cold eyes.
He had taken Ares immortal's warning to heart. He naturally understood the terrifying nature of Illusionists; he himself cultivated as an Illusionist. Illusionary attacks are formless and intangible, and those with weak wills cannot even struggle.
'If I meet You Meng in the arena finals, it would be interesting to see whose illusory techniques are stronger.'
"Alright!" Ares saw that both of them showed solemnity and thoughtfulness, knowing that his words had taken effect.
"Everything that needed to be said has been said. You already have your spots, so you don't need to participate in the upcoming qualification battle. You can rest and adjust well, and prepare for the final slaughter!"
The next day.
7300 geniuses gathered in the central plaza, and a familiar figure appeared in mid-air—Venerable Nine Swords!
"The trial is over! The top 100 trial participants automatically qualify to enter the core layer of the Virtual Universe Corporation! Now, if anyone is unwilling, they can speak up; the Virtual Universe Corporation will not force anyone!" A ethereal and majestic voice echoed in everyone's ears.
The entire venue was silent!
"Very good!" Venerable Nine Swords nodded in satisfaction.
"Then, trial participants ranked 101st to 7300th, you will engage in a qualification battle to contend for the remaining 900 spots! The Virtual Universe system will assign you optimal opponents. Those who win three consecutive matches will obtain a qualification!"
"Let's begin directly!" Venerable Nine Swords swept his gaze around and spoke slowly.