The Weak Have No Right to Question

The next morning.

The 7,300 geniuses, including Lu Ming, gathered in the central plaza, quietly awaiting the start of the Arena Finals.

Suddenly—

An invisible aura enveloped the entire central plaza, making all 7,300 elite human geniuses instinctively feel the urge to submit. Everyone looked up and saw that familiar figure appear in midair.

Even though this was the Virtual Universe network and contained only her consciousness, and she had not even released any pressure of her own—

The nobility of her consciousness alone, the naturally emanating aura, was enough to make their souls tremble.

She wore white feathered robes that appeared ordinary but contained an arcane aura. A pair of Golden Wings spread behind her back, and a gentle smile always rested on her face. Yet when her eyes swept across the crowd, no one dared meet her gaze.

"Venerable!"

The 1,008 powerful immortals simultaneously bowed in respect.

The 7,300 elite geniuses' hearts jolted, and they too respectfully bowed. "Venerable!"

A Universe Venerable!

An existence beyond immortals!

Having fully mastered the power of the superior laws of space or time, they were comparable to Universe Kingdom Lords!

"The trials have ended. First, congratulations to the trial participants ranked first through one hundred. You have earned the qualifications to enter the core of the Virtual Universe Company! Of course, if anyone is unwilling and wishes to withdraw, you may say so now. The Virtual Universe Company will never force anyone to stay." The female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race spoke gently, yet her voice clearly echoed in everyone's ears and minds.

Silence!

No one spoke.

"Good." The female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race nodded in satisfaction. "Those ranked 101st through 7,300th—the 7,200 trial participants—have already been assigned Arena Finals by the Virtual Universe system according to their performances in the Trial Space. Win three matches in a row, and you will receive a spot. Losers will be eliminated."

Of the 7,200 people, half would be eliminated in a single round. After three consecutive rounds, only 900 would remain.

As soon as these words were spoken, many of the genius elites below began to feel doubtful.

Only those who won three consecutive matches could receive a spot. There would be no chance to fight their way back through a "Cycle Battle." If two powerful competitors encountered each other, wouldn't one of them inevitably be eliminated?

"The Virtual Universe system's arrangements are absolutely optimal. There is no need for doubt!" the female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race said slowly. "Now, the 7,200 trial participants, proceed to your Arena Finals!"

Boom!

The central plaza trembled slightly. Of the gathered genius elites, 7,200 were suddenly teleported away, leaving behind only 100 elite human geniuses.

"There are seats over there. Go watch the live broadcast for now."

The female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race pointed into the distance. Immediately, one corner of the central plaza gained 100 large chairs and several tables laden with food and drinks. The female Universe Venerable herself sat among the 1,008 powerful immortals.

Lu Ming and the others all sat down. They were the top hundred from the trials and did not need to undergo further selection. Their entry into the core of the Virtual Universe Company had already been confirmed.

Around the skies above the central plaza, 3,600 enormous screens appeared. Each one broadcast a match that was about to begin.

Very soon!

Battles began on all 3,600 screens almost simultaneously! The Arena Finals for the 900 spots had officially begun!

The winners advanced. The losers were eliminated.

In Arena Finals, life and death were decided in an instant. Most matches were very brief.

One peerless genius after another fell!

In less than five minutes, 3,600 people had been eliminated.

Half an hour later, after a rest and some preparation, the second round began.

Of the 3,600 geniuses, half fell once again, while the other half continued onward.

Another half hour later, the third round began.

Each of these 1,800 peerless geniuses desperately yearned for victory. They were only one step away from final success... Yet only one person on each arena could enter the core of the Virtual Universe Company. The other had to be eliminated.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Not long afterward, 900 more figures appeared in the central plaza. Most of these 900 elite human geniuses wore excited expressions.

After three consecutive elimination rounds, they had ultimately stood out from the crowd and successfully obtained precious spots to join the core of the Virtual Universe Company.

Lu Ming and the other hundred rose and walked over to join them. The 1,000 genius elites gathered together. These thousand were the final selections.

"Congratulations!"

A warm voice entered the minds of all thousand people as the female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race appeared once more before them.

"You are the finest thousand people among the 1,008 universe kingdoms of the Human Race in this Genius Battle. The Virtual Universe Company will also devote its full efforts to nurturing you. If anyone does not wish to enter the Virtual Universe Company, you may still withdraw now."

Silence. No one said a word.

"Very good."

"However, you should understand that competition exists everywhere in the universe. You thousand... cannot possibly receive the same treatment or the same cultivation resources. Even the Virtual Universe Company cannot afford to waste precious resources so extravagantly." The female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race smiled. "I will now make the announcement."

"Among you thousand, those ranked 101st through 1,000th will receive a reward of 10 Origin Units, may enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and may join the Virtual Universe Company's core Doomsday Secret Realm."

"Those ranked 11th through 100th will receive a reward of 100 Origin Units, may enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and may join the Virtual Universe Company's core Heaven and Earth Secret Realm."

"Those ranked third through tenth will receive a reward of 1,000 Origin Units, may enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and may join the Virtual Universe Company's core Taichu Secret Realm."

"The first- and second-ranked participants will receive a reward of 10,000 Origin Units, may enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and may join the Virtual Universe Company's core Primal Secret Realm."

"Under normal circumstances, the Primal Secret Realm only accepts one person from each cohort. However, the standard of your cohort is exceptionally high, so after deliberation, the highest level of the Virtual Universe Company has granted your cohort two spots in the Primal Secret Realm."

Silence.

Most of the thousand peerless geniuses were somewhat confused about what the four great secret realms—the Doomsday Secret Realm, Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, Taichu Secret Realm, and Primal Secret Realm—actually represented. But everyone could tell...

Clearly, the Primal Secret Realm was the best among them.

There might be two spots, but everyone knew that "Demon God" Lu Ming would definitely occupy one of them.

The only spot they truly had a chance to compete for was the remaining one.

"Among you thousand, there are still strong and weak. Naturally, the resources you receive cannot all be the same."

"The Arena Finals will begin tomorrow to determine the final rankings." The female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race's voice was as gentle as a breeze, echoing in everyone's mind. "The rules of the finals have already been sent to each of you. Rest well today."

Boom!

After speaking, the female Universe Venerable of the Dream Snail Wing Race disappeared directly. Only then did the 1,008 powerful immortals begin discussing matters.

"The Primal Secret Realm is accepting two people this time!"

"I thought the Primal Secret Realm spot would certainly go to that little fellow named Lu Ming. I never expected there to be another spot."

"The Virtual Universe Company is being generous for once."

While those great immortals discussed among themselves, Lu Ming and the other 1,008 people all lowered their heads to look at the screens on their wrists. The rules of the finals had already been transmitted to them.

The rules are as follows:

In the three elimination rounds that just concluded, 900 geniuses were selected. Among these final 900 participants who obtained spots, the Virtual Universe system has selected the best hundred based on their performances in the Trial Space and the three elimination rounds. They are Ert, Nuada, Keji, Sanvisp, Doro...

These hundred, together with the top hundred from the Trial Space who first obtained their spots, will form a total of 200 people and engage in one-on-one battles!

The hundred winners will qualify to enter the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm. The remaining 900 will all enter the Doomsday Secret Realm.

Among the hundred winners, the Virtual Universe system will select the best twenty, who will then engage in one-on-one battles... to determine the top ten.

The top ten will qualify to enter the Taichu Secret Realm.

The first and second places will ultimately be selected from among the top ten and will enter the Primal Secret Realm.

A detailed match list is attached.

These rules were based on the Virtual Universe system's selection. Only one hundred were chosen from among the 900, while the other 800 did not even have the qualifications to participate in the next round of finals. All of them were assigned to the Doomsday Secret Realm.

"How can they do this?"

"They won't even give us a chance to compete in the finals?"

"This is too much!"

"Th-they trust the Virtual Universe system far too much."

In the central plaza, the peerless geniuses who had been excluded immediately erupted. They were not even being given a chance to display their strength!

"I am one hundred percent certain I could make it into the top hundred, even the top twenty! Why? Why am I being excluded directly based solely on the Virtual Universe system? I refuse! I refuse!!"

The sudden rush of anger caused the situation to lose control somewhat. Quite a few geniuses even directly questioned the Virtual Universe Company.

Lu Ming watched everything coldly without saying a word.

Those shouting now had probably forgotten who they were speaking to.

Did they deserve to question the Virtual Universe Company's judgment?