An Uproar

"Duomeng left in quite a hurry. These Liuyan Fruit and Yelu Wine are worth a fortune; even in the Virtual Universe, they would cost five thousand Xuanshang Coins."

"He's a disciple of a World Lord, what kind of fine food and drink could he possibly lack?"

Prose sipped his wine with a look of pure bliss, savoring a vintage he usually couldn't bear to drink, and smiled at Jiang Yao: "Besides, you gave him such a massive shock today; he has to rush back to report to his master, doesn't he?"

Jiang Yao shrugged and looked out the window. It was likely because the news of him reaching the fourth level of domain was too explosive that both Duomeng and Gaichen had left in such a rush. They were both geniuses who had been training within the main sect all along, and their connections were far more complex; they were surely busy relaying the news to their respective mentors.

"It feels like there are quite a few more people in Jiuyuan City."

Hearing Jiang Yao's observation, Kuman also looked out the window, his expression somewhat complex: "The geniuses sent from every branch have basically all arrived, so naturally, there are many people."

Come to think of it, if not for Jiang Yao, he and Prose would likely only be arriving at the main sect now, without these seventeen years to cultivate their domains and study secret techniques.

Prose looked thoughtful: "If what Duomeng said is true, and the selection battle isn't just about raw strength, Kuman and I might actually have a chance."

Kuman also revealed a look of excitement. He didn't dare hope for a fifth-tier spirit weapon, but they had all once been the pride of their peers; who would be content to just play the supporting role?

"Haha, I already told the clan leader and Elder Luo about your situation. Although they were very happy, they remained quite calm, saying they were just waiting for you to slaughter your way through the genius battle, catch up to Yanchen, and enter the Guluo Secret Realm."

Prose continued to tease Jiang Yao: "By the way, have you familiarized yourself with your weapon yet?"

Jiang Yao shook his head in confusion: "What weapon?"

"For the selection battle!" Prose waved his hand, displaying the holographic images of twelve Meteor Darts: "This is the fourth-tier spirit weapon I chose. We are allowed to use high-tier weapons in the selection battle.

Those who possess a domain usually choose fourth-tier weapons, while those without one can choose third-tier. Even if you want a fifth-tier spirit weapon, you can simulate it.

You can't touch a real fifth-tier spirit weapon, so why not have some fun in the Virtual Universe? It's all free anyway. However, most people can't use them even after simulating them; most fifth-tier weapons require a World Lord to drive them, and the few that a Stellar Level can use have terrifyingly high thresholds—at least an eighth-level domain.

I heard that real fourth and fifth-tier weapons require spirit nourishment, planting your own spiritual imprint to use them. The simulations in the Killing Field don't require such trouble.

If you ask me, you should at least familiarize yourself with a spirit weapon so you can exert greater strength when the selection battle arrives."

Eager to try, Jiang Yao bid farewell to Prose and Kuman and immediately logged into the Killing Field rented by the Lingtong Race.

The Killing Field was quite expensive; for a Stellar Level to use it for a day, one had to pay at least 7,000 Xuanshang Coins. However, these costs were covered by the clan, and geniuses like Jiang Yao who were participating in the selection battle could use the Killing Field for free.

It was just that for the past dozen years, Jiang Yao had been busy engraving law-based secret techniques, resisting Bizhang's will, and comprehending the laws, so he had only visited the Killing Field twice.

Jiang Yao discovered that his permissions allowed him to simulate dozens of fourth and fifth-tier spirit weapons, but unfortunately, none of the Nine Great Divine Weapons of the Controller were among them.

Not to mention a transmigrator like him, even the other Stellar Level geniuses of the Lingtong Race were fascinated by the Nine Great Divine Weapons of the Controller. It could be said that they were the most famous weapons in the universe.

This fame was forged by peerless geniuses in successive peak battles, especially in the Universe Level battles, where they would slaughter their way through the ranks using the Controller's divine weapons. Very few people used them in the genius battles.

Bajie, who had shrunk down to the size of a sprite, chuckled: "The Nine Great Divine Weapons of the Controller can allow a World Lord to rival an Immortal at their peak, which means the law secret patterns within the divine weapons contain a level of law comprehension that transcends the World Lord level.

Given the Virtual Universe Company's penchant for hoarding wealth, a simulation of such treasures that transcend the World Lord level's origin laws would definitely cost a fortune. Even if your Lingtong Race is wealthy, they wouldn't be that extravagant."

It seemed the Taihuan Token Envoy held quite a grudge against the Virtual Universe Company, so Jiang Yao gave a dry laugh and quickly changed the subject.

Even though the Yanhe Branch had gifted him an account with over six million universe coins, he had to consider the costs of upgrading the Xu Yuan Space and cultivating origin secret techniques, so he didn't support Bajie's gaming career, leaving the dignified Taihuan Token Envoy unable to enjoy the VIP games of the Virtual Universe.

Jiang Yao didn't hesitate long before choosing a top-tier fourth-tier spirit weapon, the "Red Shadow Blade."

The reason he chose this weapon was mainly because the fire-based origin law secret technique, the Nine Styles of Lanfeng, which Jiang Yao had finally translated into Yan script and engraved into the Xu Yuan Space while on Yuluo Island, used the blade as its primary weapon.

With Jiang Yao's level of comprehension of the Origin Law of Fire, he was capable of pushing the power of the "Red Shadow Blade" to near its limit.

Just two days later, the last genius from the branches arrived at the main sect, and Jiang Yao's inbox flickered, indicating a new message.

The selection battle was officially beginning!

Jiang Yao stopped his comprehension of the origin laws: "There is still time left before the Xu Yuan Space can be upgraded to the second level. I still need the peak World Lord-level secret techniques for the light, wood, and wind origin laws. I wonder if the ancestors can solve this problem."

Bajie comforted him: "They are Immortal Spirits, after all; it shouldn't be too difficult. Besides, doesn't the Virtual Universe Company have auctions?"

Setting these concerns aside for the moment, Jiang Yao joined Prose and the others and headed to the massive square in front of the Senate in Jiuyuan City.

By the time Jiang Yao arrived, tens of thousands of people, both men and women, had already gathered in the square.

"Jiang Yao! Over here!"

Duomeng waved his hand, beckoning Jiang Yao and the others over.

Many people cast their gazes over; those who didn't know who Jiang Yao was asked around in surprise, while those who did whispered among themselves.

Kuman was puzzled: "There are so many people?"

Duomeng laughed: "Those who possess a domain are in the minority; most don't have one. And more than half are not Spirit Readers, but Martial Artists."

The Lingtong Race's bloodline divine ability could only be awakened by Spirit Readers, so they favored them, but Martial Artists still accounted for more than half the population.

After all, there is a trade-off; Martial Artists cannot awaken bloodline divine abilities, but they are also not affected by bloodline barriers, making it easier for them to break through to the Stellar Level.

Suddenly—

A middle-aged man wearing black battle robes walked over from the Senate.

His unmasked aura revealed his status as a World Lord powerhouse, and the entire square fell silent in an instant.

"The selection battle is about to begin. I will first introduce the rules."

The World Lord in the black robes scanned the crowd, his gaze lingering briefly on a few individuals, including Jiang Yao: "Later, you will need to register. Those who possess a domain should register their domain level; those who don't need not bother. During the selection battle, regardless of your actual Stellar Level in reality, everyone will be adjusted to the ninth level of the Stellar Level.

Those who possess a domain, do not falsely report your strength, because the selection battle will match you with opponents based on the strength you register."

"You will not be matched against each other, but against virtual opponents!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire plaza erupted in an uproar.

"Silence!" The World Lord in the black battle robe released an invisible pressure, causing the plaza to fall silent once again.

"Your opponents will be enemies simulated by the Virtual Universe network, all at Stellar Level 9, with domains identical to your own. If you can defeat one, that counts as clearing one round, and then a second opponent will appear.

After defeating the second opponent, there will be a third, and so on, until you are defeated by an opponent.

The opponents you face will follow a progression from weak to strong. The further you go, the stronger the enemies will be. Of course, they will never exceed Stellar Level 9, but you must be aware that the identities of your opponents will vary; there will be Controllers, Illusionists, and Martial Artists.

Once everyone has been defeated by their virtual opponents, you will be ranked from high to low based on the number of enemies you defeated. The top eight Spirit Readers will be rewarded with Grade 5 telepathic weapons, and the top eight Martial Artists will be rewarded with Grade 5 force weapons."

When the rules were finished being explained, the expressions of everyone in the plaza varied.

Some looked extremely grim, some appeared deep in thought, and others were ecstatic.

Clearly, those with stronger domains looked the most grim, especially those geniuses whose domains had reached the fourth level or higher; this selection rule had undoubtedly sent them from heaven to hell.

Of course, there were also geniuses who were extremely confident in themselves, even when facing virtual opponents with domains equivalent to their own.

Jiang Yao and his group were mostly joyful.

Duomeng, in particular, was practically laughing out loud: "Look at that tall guy in the front, haha, that's Bancha. He has a seventh-level domain and originally thought he was a shoo-in for first place, but now he's stunned, isn't he?

The stronger the domain, the stronger the opponent will be. Conversely, the bonus provided by Bloodline Divine Abilities to high-level domains will diminish. Who knows, he might end up defeating fewer opponents than those who don't even have a domain."