The Worth of a Genius and Returning Home

After Lorenzo left, Lord Bettekos remained in the room.

After taking a sip of wine, he murmured, "Lorenzo has no idea what a planetary-level domain genius truly means.

"Because he and his disciple failed to enter the Giant Axe Battle Arena, he thinks planetary-level domain geniuses are nothing special?"

The Molten Empire had existed for over three million years, yet even now, only one planetary-level domain genius joined every few hundred or thousand years. Each one sparked competition among the three Stellar Training Camps.

One had to understand that this was the result of the Molten Empire creating a siphon effect, continuously drawing geniuses from several, or even more than a dozen, surrounding medium-sized universe countries!

In ordinary medium-sized universe countries, planetary-level domain geniuses would only be rarer!

Bettekos set down his wineglass. "The Giant Axe Battle Arena is qualified to host the Universe Peak Genius Battle and Universe Peak Powerhouse Battle. Planetary-level domain geniuses are not that important to them.

"Besides, they have always acted domineeringly. Most branches have become private territory for various families. Why would they allow outsiders without backgrounds to touch the spots reserved for core members?"

He poured himself another glass and drained it in one gulp.

"If Lorenzo had sought to join not the Giant Axe Battle Arena, which can host the Universe Peak Genius Battle and Universe Peak Powerhouse Battle, but one of the three giants—the Universe Mercenary Alliance, Universe Galaxy Bank, or Universe First Bank—

"With his status as a suspected planetary-level domain genius, along with a disciple who was a planetary-level domain genius, he could have easily become an internal member of the Qian Wu branch. It would not have been impossible for him to go a step further and become a branch core member."

At that, he gently shook his head. "In the end, his horizons were the problem. Still, for someone born a native to reach this point through a little luck, bitter cultivation and perilous battles must have been unavoidable.

"The more time one spends cultivating, the less worldly knowledge one naturally gains. Otherwise, I would not have been able to pick up this bargain."

Bettekos was extremely proud of having picked up such a bargain. If he had not noticed that the branches of the other three giants intended to recruit Lorenzo and acted first, Lorenzo would likely have already been taken in by one of them.

"Mm."

After pondering for a moment, Bettekos muttered, "Perhaps I should let him learn how the Stellar Training Camp operates. Otherwise, how can he take over for me?

"If he understood that among the first three trials of the Stellar Training Camp, the last trial had the highest death rate, he would not have suggested that I spread the Blood Blade Cone rewards across several more trials."

The contract between the empire and the World Master in the Molten Secret Realm who specialized in the Water Laws was about to expire. He would break through to World Master and replace that person.

As for the position of Stellar Training Camp director, he intended for Lorenzo to take over.

He also knew that Lorenzo wanted to participate in the Universe Peak Powerhouse Battle and use it to join the sixth major power of the Qian Wu Universe Country—the Qian Wu Dojo!

But he believed that, given Lorenzo's strength, it would be very difficult!

The Universe Peak Powerhouse Battle was filled with experts!

Breaking through the encirclement of so many experts would be difficult! Very difficult!

"Hmm, there are still over ten thousand years. There is no need to rush."

With that, Bettekos drained the last glass of wine and left the Virtual Universe.

In the valley where the Royce Family lived, two children were playing in the woods.

Suddenly, they heard a sound from the sky. Curiosity appeared on their young faces as they looked toward the sky obscured by the treetops.

Crack!

A spacecraft hovered in the air, and its hatch opened.

Li Qi flew out of the spacecraft with a bundle strapped to his back.

After watching the spacecraft depart, he lowered his head and looked at the familiar valley below. He murmured, "I'm back."

After being away from home for nearly a year, he had finally returned.

Returned to this familiar home!

At that moment, his heart held no distracting thoughts. There was only tranquility, as though his soul had been cleansed.

Whoosh!

A figure glowing with blue light flew over from the direction of the family settlement.

When the figure drew close and saw Li Qi's face, he immediately cried out in surprise, "Eleven?"

"Ninth Dad."

Li Qi hovered in the air and replied with a smile.

"Huh? Why are you back? Didn't you say you had passed the ranking battle?"

"Yeah."

"Then why have you come back this time?"

"I passed the Governor's assessment and obtained the qualification to enter the Stellar Training Camp. Since the spacecraft coming to pick me up has not arrived yet, I came back to take a look."

"What! You obtained the qualification to enter the Stellar Training Camp?"

"Yes."

Seeing Li Qi nod, Ninth Dad was stunned at first, then became wildly excited. "Hahahaha! Another genius from our family has entered the Stellar Training Camp! The family ranch is safe now!"

Compared to Ninth Dad's excitement and delight, Li Qi appeared calm and indifferent. He merely watched with a smile.

"Come on! Go with me to see your Eldest Dad! Tell Father and Third Brother this good news!"

Ninth Dad grabbed Li Qi and flew toward the family settlement.

"Big Brother! Look who I brought back!"

Upon returning to the family settlement, Ninth Dad's voice had already reached Eldest Dad's tent before they entered it.

"Ninth, don't make such a fuss."

An annoyed rebuke came from within. Li Qi recognized it as the voice of Sixth Dad, Garibuel.

"Sixth Brother is here too? Perfect!"

Ninth Dad lifted the animal-hide curtain covering the entrance and pulled Li Qi inside.

"Eleven!"

When they saw that the person Ninth had pulled in was little Eleven, who had been away from the family for over a year, the two men in the tent both stood up, their expressions somewhat surprised.

They found Li Qi's return strange. Not long ago, he had contacted the family and said that he had passed the ranking battle and could remain in the Special Training Camp. Why had he suddenly returned?

"Eleven."

Sixth Dad Garibuel asked, "Why are you back?"

"Haha! You don't know this, but Eleven has already obtained the qualification to enter the Stellar Training Camp!"

"What!"

The two men were both shaken, their faces filled with disbelief.

Eleven had been away from home for less than a year, yet he had already entered the Stellar Training Camp. This was simply too shocking for them!

Eldest Dad was afraid he had misheard. "Really?"

Li Qi nodded. "Ninth Dad was telling the truth."

At those words, Eldest Dad's face flushed red with excitement. As expected of a genius on the same level as Second Brother!

He walked over to Li Qi, vigorously patted his shoulder, and laughed heartily. "Good! Good! As expected of a genius of my Royce Family!"

"Eleven, how did you obtain the qualification to enter the Stellar Training Camp?" Sixth Dad Garibuel asked.

"I..."

To keep Eldest Dad and the others from worrying, Li Qi left out the part about his agreement with the Governor and explained how he had comprehended his domain.

After hearing Li Qi's account, the three men finally understood. "So he comprehended a domain. No wonder he directly obtained the qualification to enter the Stellar Training Camp."

Ordinary stellar-level or planetary-level cultivators would most likely not even know what a domain was.

But the Royce Family was different. Their family had produced a genius before, one whom even His Majesty the Molten Emperor had praised!

However, they did not understand just how valuable a planetary-level domain genius was.

"I'll immediately tell Third Brother and Father."

Now that he knew it was not a misunderstanding, Sixth Dad Garibuel took out his communicator and sent a message...

Ahem, let me pad out another chapter. Volume Two will end tomorrow.

I have not been feeling well these past few days. The medicine makes me sleepy, and I have barely written the detailed outline for Volume Three.