The Suspended Proclamation, the Curtain Rises

!

The wheel of time continued to roll forward, and more than three months passed in the blink of an eye.

A day of tremendous significance to many was fast approaching. In the final stretch, some seized every second to painstakingly cultivate secret techniques, while others fought frantically in the Virtual Universe's Slaughter Space, their fighting spirit blazing high!

Yet inside an empty private training room, Lu Ming was like a dried-up sponge, steadily absorbing the seawater known as the Time Law without haste or impatience.

Suddenly—

Alice's shrill voice rang out in Lu Ming's mind. "Master, massive suspended proclamations have appeared over every continent and island in the Virtual Universe!"

"Master, the time for you to show off has finally come!"

Lu Ming opened his eyes at her words, a faint smile appearing on his face, though his state of mind remained calm. "Connect to the Virtual Universe network."

Above the enormous island housing the Jinlan Dojo headquarters in the Virtual Universe, an incomparably huge black proclamation had appeared, its edges radiating light. Brilliant white words shone across its pitch-black surface.

"Human Universe—Peak Genius Battle!"

"Once every ten thousand years!"

"About to begin!"

"Jointly organized by the Virtual Universe Company and all Universe Kingdoms!"

"Are you a genius? Unable to find an opponent of the same rank and level? Then join the 'Peak Genius Battle'! Here, countless geniuses from the many Universe Kingdoms across the entire universe will clash in fierce battle!"

"For details, please access the official 'Virtual Universe Network' website through your virtual assistant."

The enormous proclamation stretched over a million li in both length and width, visible with perfect clarity to everyone. In an instant, the entire Virtual Universe erupted!

Lu Ming only needed to read the first portion to understand what was happening. This grand carnival for the entire Human Race had finally begun again after five thousand years.

And this was also the crucial step he needed to continue forward and transcend fate!

"It's finally here! The Genius Battle!"

"I'm registering right now!"

When Lu Ming arrived at Jinlan Island in the Virtual Universe, all those geniuses who had been resting or cultivating in seclusion had already emerged from their residences.

The black ranking list spanning the heavens overhead was especially conspicuous.

The once-in-ten-thousand-years Peak Genius Battle was, to be precise, held once every five thousand years. However, the Virtual Universe Company and the Giant Axe Fighting Arena, the two core powers, took turns hosting it, which was why the proclamation called it a "once every ten thousand years" event.

The Human Universe Peak Genius Battle was divided into the Universe Kingdom Selection Battle and the Peak Finals.

First, each of the 1008 Universe Kingdoms selected its top thousand geniuses internally. Then, the final selection was conducted among these 1,008,000 Stellar-level geniuses, choosing the top thousand in the universe-wide rankings.

Each Universe Kingdom generally had roughly 60 billion to over 100 billion Stellar-level applicants per event, yet from such an immense number of Stellar-level participants, only a thousand could advance to the next round.

Then, in the finals, another thousand of the most outstanding geniuses would be selected from the remaining one million geniuses of the 1008 Universe Kingdoms.

Excitement, exhilaration, and pressure!

As core members affiliated with the Jinlan Dojo headquarters, they knew far more than those wandering outsiders. Thus, they valued this rare opportunity even more and dared not relax in the slightest.

"Alice, open the official Genius Battle registration website." There was a faint trace of excitement in Lu Ming's voice as well.

"Yes, my esteemed Master!" Alice replied cheerfully, quickly bringing up the registration website.

In that tiny sliver of time, the number of registrants from the Jinlan Universe Kingdom had already surpassed four million, and the figure was still jumping wildly. It was estimated that it would soon reach ten million, perhaps even exceed one hundred million.

Moreover, there was still a full month until the registration deadline. By then, there would definitely be even more.

After opening the registration form, Lu Ming swiftly entered his personal information and clicked the registration button.

"Beep."

"Scan complete. Stellar-level ninth-rank warrior. Registration approved."

Through the network connection device, the Virtual Universe Network could scan a person's strength and thereby verify that an applicant was Stellar level.

Most of the Stellar-level geniuses from the Jinlan Dojo, including Lu Ming, registered on the first day. However, registration for the "Human Universe—Peak Genius Battle" would remain open for an entire month.

Next, naturally, they had to seize this final period to make a last sprint and improve their strength.

Within a vast Divine Kingdom, mountains of ice hung suspended in the air.

A tall figure with snow-white hair, her entire body faintly bathed in frost and snow, stood in midair. Around her stood World Masters, while over a thousand Stellar-level youths knelt before her.

"You are the most elite disciples of my Star Snow Divine Kingdom."

"As long as any one of you passes the initial selection and enters the arena battles, I will accept them as a Direct Disciple. If anyone can enter the top thousand of the Universe Kingdom, I will grant them a galaxy as their territory!"

A cold voice, yet one that rumbled like thunder, echoed through the air. The deity bathed in frost and snow said indifferently, "Now go and prepare. Do not disappoint me."

"Yes, Divine Lord!"

Over a thousand youths answered respectfully.

On a desolate, savage planet.

"The Genius Battle? Across the many Universe Kingdoms of the entire universe?"

A burly, brown-haired man who looked exceptionally brawny, standing over three meters tall, let out a hearty laugh. "Within the Xuanming Universe Kingdom, no powerhouse of the same level can stand against me anymore. I hope this Genius Battle brings me some new excitement!"

Azure Abyss Secret Realm.

The Silver-haired Elf Girl riding on a dragon's back suddenly activated the screen on her wrist guard.

"Liya, go participate in the Universe Genius Battle. Only by entering a place like the Virtual Universe Company will you find teachers better suited to guiding a genius like you." On the other side of the screen was a hunched silver-haired elder who likewise resembled an elf.

The silver-haired elder looked at the girl as though he could see an even more glorious future for the Snow Elf Race.

"Teacher, I won't disappoint you!" The Silver-haired Elf Girl controlled the dragon beast beneath her while summoning her personal Intelligent Lifeform. "Parker, help me register quickly!"

"Understood, Liya!" The white kitten named Parker swiftly connected to the official Virtual Universe Network website.

Across the vast universe, in the major Universe Kingdoms and countless Divine Kingdoms, innumerable geniuses noticed this super battle spanning all Universe Kingdoms.

Their enthusiasm soared, their hearts brimming with ambition.

By the final registration deadline, the number of applicants from the Jinlan Universe Kingdom had astonishingly reached 970 billion, not far from the one-trillion mark.

"Master, you have an email."

Inside the training room, Lu Ming promptly transferred his consciousness into the Virtual Universe Network at Alice's reminder.

Within the Virtual Universe, Lu Ming opened the email he had just received:

"Welcome to the Human Universe Peak Genius Selection Battle.

For this Selection Battle, more than 970 billion Stellar-level experts have registered within the Jinlan Universe Kingdom alone, 130 billion more than the previous event. This is something that makes us at the Virtual Universe Company very happy.

We guarantee that every aspect of the Genius Selection Battle will be conducted under absolutely fair conditions.

Some applicants are Stellar-level first or second rank, while others are Stellar-level eighth or ninth rank. Therefore, to ensure fairness and select true geniuses, the actual elimination battlefield will be within the Virtual Universe. At that time, every participant's physical attributes will be identical, maintained at Stellar-level ninth-rank standards.

Everyone's psychic power will likewise be identical, maintained at Stellar-level ninth-rank standards.

All participants will have the same physical attributes and may freely choose their appearance. They may choose Force Weapons of any grade, though Psychic Weapons may not exceed ten in number. Participants are reminded that although fourth- and fifth-grade Psychic Weapons are powerful, those lacking sufficient strength cannot use them at all. It is recommended that you choose what suits you best. You may also choose Force battle armor no higher than second grade and receive a Space Ring for storing food."

The Genius Selection tested willpower, domains, experience, comprehension of laws, and more. In terms of external conditions, everyone stood on equal footing.