In the blink of an eye, a month had passed since the preliminary selection.
The Arena Group Battle stage began. Yu Duan took a day off to cheer on An Yao and Chi Li.
In terms of Law attainment and overall strength, An Yao could definitely rank among the top ten in the entire Universe Country.
However, he wasn't one of the hundred World Zone champions. The top contestant in An Yao's World Zone was a Spirit Reader from the Giant Axe Dojo's Elite Training Camp, who could barely use the first level of the Frost God Weapon (Water, Space).
That Spirit Reader wasn't as strong as An Yao, but when it came to crushing weaker opponents, the advantages of a Mental Master Controller were simply too great.
In a special box in the stands.
Yu Duan, Chi Li, Yalunsi, and many other talented youths who were on good terms with one another had gathered to cheer An Yao on.
Of course, with An Yao's strength, nothing unexpected was likely to happen during the Arena Group Battle stage.
"Not bad, not bad. An Yao made it through this round smoothly. We'll have to make him treat us later!" Chi Li said with a smile, swishing her fluffy tail as she flirted with one person, then another, her gaze alluring.
"Sounds good. We can't cheer him on for free," Teng De said with a hearty laugh.
The group of young geniuses weren't under much pressure. Only Yu Duan shook his head. "Sigh, you guys go ahead. I still have lessons."
Yalunsi spoke up as well. "I don't have time either. Senior Fourth Divine General is going to instruct me. I can't skip it."
Delisi, who had crossed the threshold of two Source Laws, couldn't help asking, "You two are the strongest here. Why are you still working so hard?"
Yu Duan smiled. "I'm still no match for Senior Brother Yalunsi. You heard it yourself—the goal Senior First Divine General set for me was to take first place in the Genius Tournament."
Yalunsi said helplessly, "With your talent, it's only a matter of time before you surpass me."
Delisi thought for a moment, then looked at Chi Li. "In that case, I'm not going either. Those two monsters are working this hard, so I can't slack off."
Several people immediately said they'd go train later.
Chi Li rolled her eyes helplessly and nudged Yu Duan with her big tail. "This is all your fault. Now everyone's caught the competitive bug."
Before long, An Yao finished his match and joined them in the box. The group chatted for a couple of minutes before heading back to train.
In the Virtual Universe, inside King Qinghuan's palace.
King Qinghuan demonstrated various techniques from Nine Interpretations of Time for Yu Duan again and again, from sword techniques to saber techniques, then to fist techniques.
He practiced only the first move of each technique, carefully explaining and analyzing the profound secrets of Time Essence within them.
When that day's lesson finally came to an end, Yu Duan rubbed both sides of his forehead, feeling tired.
"Teacher, are these really the simplest, most elementary secrets of Time Essence? They're countless times more obscure and difficult than I imagined."
Yu Duan couldn't help complaining. King Qinghuan burst into laughter beside him.
"You brat, you're finally learning to complain. I thought you were a feelingless machine built for comprehension."
After teasing Yu Duan, King Qinghuan continued, "You don't realize that even the simplest nine secrets of Time Essence are profound mysteries of the Law of Time."
"For the Universe Level members in the Primal Secret Realm, managing to comprehend even one of the most elementary principles of the Law of Time within a hundred years is considered excellent."
"You're only a Star Level youngster, yet your progress is already close to that standard. Don't set your expectations too high. Be careful—if you push too hard, you might break, lose heart, and end up like your teacher. That would be a problem."
Yu Duan understood that well enough.
Still, he hoped to master the first principle of the Law of Time as soon as possible.
At the very least, he wanted to gain some understanding of the first principle before the final round of the Genius Tournament.
Yu Duan wasn't reaching beyond his grasp. He wasn't expecting to fully comprehend the first secret of Time Essence.
He only wanted to analyze and reconstruct the mysteries of Time he had already comprehended, and truly set foot on the path of analyzing the principles behind the Laws.
By then, Yu Duan's skill in wielding the power of the Laws would improve tremendously. His strength could multiply several times over in a short period, letting him use the third level of the Light and Time Sword at the "minor mastery" stage.
At the same level of Law attainment, someone who analyzed the principles behind the Laws would be several times stronger—or even more—than someone who comprehended the Laws in the conventional, general way.
"Your disciple is mentally prepared. I just hope I can make faster progress."
Hearing this, King Qinghuan shook his head—a rare sight. "Keeping yourself wound tight all the time is no better than balancing tension with rest. Only when your mind is in its best condition can your efficiency at comprehending the Laws reach its peak."
"After you became my disciple, Marquis Chilian, the ruler of your home star domain, wanted to host a banquet for you. I turned him down on your behalf."
King Qinghuan smiled at Yu Duan. "Go pay him a visit tonight."
What kind of person was King Qinghuan?
The Universe Country Lord stood aloof above it all, taking no interest in anything within the Universe Country. King Qinghuan was the one who truly managed its affairs.
After Yu Duan became King Qinghuan's personal disciple, countless people wanted to pay their respects and curry favor with him.
He'd been able to focus on cultivating in peace because King Qinghuan had turned them all away.
"Since you say so, Teacher, I'll go pay my respects to Senior Marquis Chilian."
Yu Duan stood and bowed to King Qinghuan, then left the palace.
About half an hour later, in the Virtual Universe, at the Central Sacred Land on Chilian God Continent.
Yu Duan and Claton, surrounded by a group of servants, made their way to a lavish hall.
"Claton, I'm the guest, and I'm not nervous. Why are you so tense when you're going back to your own home?"
Yu Duan looked at Claton, who was stiff with nerves, and couldn't help laughing.
Claton said excitedly, "Senior Brother, you have such a distinguished status. Compared to you, I'm nothing... Even though I was born into the royal family, I've never once met the Ancient Ancestor."
"Among the Star Level members of the imperial family, I'm considered one of the more talented people of my generation. But there are always people like me in every era. It's not enough to draw the Ancient Ancestor's attention."
"Only those who cross the threshold of a Source Law at the Star Level can earn the Ancient Ancestor's notice. I get to meet him this time only because I'm riding on your coattails."
A genius at the Star Level might be precious to a top mid-level Universe Country and earn the attention of its current emperor, but they wouldn't be enough to draw a Marquis-level Immortal's notice.
Only those who crossed the threshold of a Source Law at the Star Level could earn the attention of a Marquis Immortal.
Yu Duan placed a hand on Claton's shoulder. "You're a friend I've chosen. Even if your Chilian royal family produces an even more powerful genius someday, that doesn't mean they'll become my friend."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Claton grew even more excited.
As the two talked, their party entered the lavish hall.
It was an extravagantly decorated banquet hall, where a long table that looked as if it were made entirely of the finest blue crystal had been set out.
At the head of the table sat a dignified middle-aged man wearing dark red battle armor. A silver planet-shaped mark shimmered faintly on his brow.
He was clearly Marquis Chilian, the strongest figure in the Chilian Divine Empire.
Besides Marquis Chilian, three other figures sat beside him, each surrounded by the fluctuations of a different Law.
They were the Chilian royal family's other three Immortal Gods.
"Hahaha, Your Highness Yu Duan, I should have welcomed you sooner."
Marquis Chilian laughed heartily, then rose to greet him in person.
Yu Duan quickly replied, "Senior Marquis Chilian, you're too kind. I hardly deserve such a welcome."
Within the Beiming Universe Country, unless Yu Duan happened to encounter a Universe Venerable level existence, he only needed to address them as "Senior," rather than deferentially calling them "Sir."
"Hahaha, Your Highness, please take your seat!"
As he spoke, Marquis Chilian waved a hand and ordered the food to be served.
A procession of beautiful maids, each with a graceful bearing, lined up in two rows and elegantly laid out the dishes.
The wine and food were all incredibly precious. Even in the Virtual Universe Network, the cost of this meal would be measured in Hunyuan Units.
"I hear Your Highness has mastered the third level of the Light and Time Sword. Congratulations. In this Genius Tournament, Your Highness is certain to bring glory to our Beiming Universe Country!"
As he spoke, Marquis Chilian raised his wine cup and looked at Yu Duan.
"Senior Marquis Chilian, you flatter me. This junior has only been fortunate enough to gain a little understanding."
Yu Duan exchanged pleasantries as well, raising his cup in return. The banquet had officially begun.
After three rounds of drinks, Marquis Chilian finally said, "I heard from young Claton that Your Highness was born in the Hongyun Star System, under the Crimson Empire?"
Yu Duan knew the real purpose of the banquet had arrived. He answered seriously, "That's right. I'm a native of a planet, and I'm my home planet's Planet Lord."
"Fortunately, I joined the Sacred Land and earned Teacher King Qinghuan's favor. That's how I got where I am today."
As soon as Yu Duan finished speaking, Marquis Chilian laughed heartily and drained his cup.
"Hahaha, Your Highness was born in my Chilian Star Domain. As Marquis Chilian, I can't let that go unrecognized."
Marquis Chilian put down his cup. "How about this? The fourteen star systems under the Crimson Empire are all valuable. I'll give them to you, Your Highness. You mustn't refuse!"
Fourteen star systems?
Yu Duan was a little surprised. If he remembered correctly, the Crimson Empire only had fourteen star systems.
He'd thought the most he'd receive was the treatment of a newly ascended World Master—one star system for free.
He hadn't expected to get the entire Crimson Empire.
A star system was worth between 100 billion and 1 trillion Universe Coins.
The fourteen star systems under the Crimson Empire were all valuable, each worth at least 500 billion Universe Coins.
Sold together as a package, they would fetch more than if sold separately, with the total price starting at eight Hunyuan Units.
"Senior, I'm grateful for your generous gift. I won't stand on ceremony."
Yu Duan had no intention of refusing. He didn't even bother with false modesty.
Anyone who gave him money was a good brother, a good friend, a good senior.
"Hahaha, Your Highness, how refreshingly forthright!"
Seeing Yu Duan accept his gift outright, Marquis Chilian grew even warmer toward him. "Once the banquet is over, those fourteen star systems will be transferred into Your Highness's name."
In the next chapter, the first character from the original story will appear.
Before you continue