In the Virtual Universe, the 1,008 Immortal existences representing each cosmic nation sat scattered across the vast central plaza.
The eliminations in the Trial Space were not publicly broadcast to the entire universe. Only the leaderboard updates were made visible.
It was only the final arena battles that would be broadcasted to the public!
However, the Immortal beings from each cosmic nation naturally had the authority to observe the trials of every participating contender.
"This Luo Fan is truly powerful. He charged straight to first place as soon as he arrived."
"The fourth layer of the Ten Thousand Threads Flow, at Perfection... How astonishing."
"Even some Immortal beings' comprehension of the space origin law can't compare to his."
"This time, it looks like first place is his for sure."
"Ten thousand clones… how in the world does he train that?"
"Don't tell me he's already close to mastering the fifth layer, Teleportation?"
The fourth layer of Ten Thousand Threads Flow was the level where one could split into ten thousand clones, hence the name.
And the fifth layer was teleportation.
However, this teleportation was not as strong as that of titled King-level powerhouses.
It might only allow teleportation across a short distance, a few dozen meters at most.
Yet in battles of this level, even such a small ability could decisively affect victory.
"No way… who would go to such lengths to train Ten Thousand Threads Flow to the level of teleportation?"
"Exactly. That would take an enormous amount of time. Luo Fan doesn't seem that old, does he?"
The 1,008 powerful Immortal beings could easily view the rankings and observe the trials.
They each represented their respective cosmic nations and naturally wanted their geniuses to shine brightest, it was a matter of pride.
For beings who had existed for eternity, pride and dignity were of great importance.
At this moment, Thirteen could hardly suppress the smile on his face.
After all, he was the one leading this generation's team for the Genius Battle.
With a talent like Luo Fan appearing, his own rewards were certain to be substantial.
Just then, the undying leader from the Star River Cosmic Nation furrowed his brows.
"Hm? What is Luo Feng doing?"
The surrounding beings were immediately drawn to his words.
They, too, had noticed Luo Feng earlier.
In just an instant, Luo Feng had surged into the top hundred.
But then, his ranking began to slowly drop.
Several shifted their viewpoints to Luo Feng's battlefield.
"This kid… is he stalling for time?"
"Interesting. Luo Feng's strength should easily earn him a place in the top twenty, right?"
On Luo Feng's battlefield, only a single Blood-Haired Mammoth remained.
Luo Feng himself was currently practicing the third form of Divine Extension Blade.
"Not bad. He can already execute the third form of Divine Extension Blade. Quite the genius."
"Xinghe, the youngsters from your Star River Nation this time have good talent."
In the original account, Luo Feng had only recently birthed his Demon Killer Clan clone around this time, so his comprehension of the space origin law was far weaker.
Thus, back then, his speed in killing the Blood-Haired Mammoths was slower.
Now, Luo Feng was able to slay all but one of them in an instant.
And he was even using the opportunity to practice secret arts.
Therefore, the Star River Nation's leading immortal, Xinghe, was not angered.
"This kid truly makes use of every moment to cultivate."
"Interesting!"
…
Sixty days later...
"Big Brother! Something's wrong!"
A colossal Golden-Horned Beast was roaring toward a bracelet on its wrist.
"What happened?"
The ribbon transformed into Luo Fan's true form, standing on the Golden-Horned Beast's wrist.
"There's a Zerg Mother Queen on Earth!"
"Although Babata says it's fine, I still feel uneasy."
At that moment, Babata's plaintive voice echoed within Luo Feng's mind, grumbling incessantly.
"I already told you it's safe! Why don't you believe me?"
"That's a Zerg Mother Nest sealed by my master!"
"What if Luo Fan finds out and enslaves it before you do?"
"A Zerg Mother Nest at the World Master level, and sealed at that, it's incredibly valuable!"
"Shut up!"
"The safety of Earth comes first!"
Luo Feng roared in his mind.
After listening to Luo Feng's explanation, Luo Fan calmly waved his hand.
"It's just a World Master-level Zerg Mother Nest. No problem, I discovered it long ago. Hu Yan Bo sealed it well. You can come back to enslave it later."
At this moment, Babata also appeared before the two.
"See? I told you it's fine, but you wouldn't believe me."
"Luo Fan, you just said the Zerg Mother Nest is to be left for Luo Feng to enslave, no backing out!"
Luo Fan rolled his eyes.
"Do you really think a Zerg Mother Nest is worth me backing out for?"
"Do you think the Zergs spawned by a Mother Queen could be stronger than my Space Worm avatars?"
Babata fell silent at that.
"All right, it's fine. Continue your cultivation."
After saying that, Luo Fan once again transformed into a bracelet and fastened himself to the Golden-Horned Beast's wrist.
The reason Luo Feng knew about the Zerg Mother Nest on Earth was because the seventh level of the Trial Tower featured a Zerg Mother Queen.
The Zerg, alongside the human race, stood at the peak of the universe's most terrifying races. The existence of even a single Mother Nest was a catastrophic threat!
Therefore, in the Virtual Universe Network, all information regarding Zerg Mother Nests was classified and never made public.
However, Luo Feng already knew of the Zerg's terrifying nature!
Within the Golden-Horned Beast's inherited memories, there was information about the Zerg Mother Queen.
Though it didn't include her appearance.
Luo Feng only knew that the core of the Zerg Mother Queen was her nest.
When he saw the Zerg Mother Queen on the seventh level, he instantly realized that the relic in one of Earth's region was a Zerg Mother Nest!
Upon learning from Babata that it was a World Master-level nest, his shock and fury deepened.
After all, a World Master-level Zerg Mother Nest could spawn countless World Master-level Zergs.
If a Zerg Mother Queen commanded a million peak World Masterss to attack in unison, even titled King-level Immortals wouldn't dare take it head-on!
Thus, Luo Feng was terrified.
But he also deeply trusted his elder brother Luo Fan, even more than Babata.
After Luo Fan confirmed it was safe, he finally relaxed somewhat.
Luo Fan truly couldn't be bothered to enslave the Zerg Mother Nest.
After all, as a World Master, he could split into a million Space Worm avatars himself.
And their control and combat efficiency far surpassed that of the Zerg.
…
Soon, more than a year passed in this way.
During that time, the Virtual Universe Company edited footage of the geniuses' battles into promotional films, spreading them throughout the universe.
Now, only five remained within the Trial Tower!
They were Luo Fan, Luo Feng, Bolan, Candita, and Yifeng!
Because Luo Fan needed to conceal the identities of his other avatars, he used only the Tidal God Blade within the Trial Tower.
It was his most powerful weapon.
However, this also made his killing speed slightly slower in the later stages.
Now, he had already reached the fourth floor of the seventh Trial Tower.
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