"Duomeng left pretty quickly. These Liuyan Fruits and Yelu Wine are worth a fortune. Even in the Virtual Universe, they cost five thousand Xuanshang Coins."
"He's a World Lord's disciple. What good food and drink doesn't he get to enjoy?"
Prose savored the wine in his cup, which he usually couldn't bear to drink, then smiled at Jiang Yao. "Besides, after you gave him such a shock today, wouldn't he hurry back to report to his elders?"
Jiang Yao shrugged and looked out the window. Maybe the news that he had already reached the Fourth-Level Domain really was too explosive. Duomeng and Gaichen had both hurried off. They were geniuses who had always trained in the Main Sect, and their ties were more complicated. They were surely already sending word to the elders of their respective sects.
"It feels like Jiuyuan City has gotten a lot more crowded."
Hearing Jiang Yao's remark, Kuman also looked out the window, his expression complicated. "The geniuses sent by the various branches have basically all arrived. Naturally, there are a lot of people."
As it happened, if not for Jiang Yao, he and Prose would have arrived at the Main Sect only now, without those seventeen years to cultivate their domains and study secret techniques.
Prose seemed lost in thought. "If what Duomeng said is true, and the Selection Tournament isn't based solely on strength, then Kuman and I might have a chance too."
Kuman looked excited as well. He didn't expect to win a Fifth-Order Psionic Weapon, but they had once been the pride of the heavens. Who wanted to be there just to make the crown prince look good?
"Haha, I've already told the Patriarch and Elder Luo about your situation. They were both happy, though they managed to stay fairly calm. They said they're just waiting for you to tear through the competition at the Genius Tournament, catch up to Yanchen, and enter the Guluo Secret Realm."
Prose continued to tease Jiang Yao. "By the way, have you gotten familiar with a weapon yet?"
Jiang Yao shook his head in confusion. "What weapon?"
"For the Selection Tournament!" Prose waved a hand, conjuring the images of twelve Meteor Darts. "This is the Fourth-Order Psionic Weapon I chose. We're allowed to use high-order weapons in the Selection Tournament.
"Those with a domain usually choose a Fourth-Order weapon. Those without one can choose a Third-Order weapon. Even if you want to use a Fifth-Order Psionic Weapon, you can simulate one.
"You can't get your hands on a real Fifth-Order Psionic Weapon, so why not indulge yourself in the Virtual Universe? It's free, anyway. But you can't actually use the simulated weapons. Most Fifth-Order weapons require a World Lord to wield, and even the few that Star Levels can use have a terrifying entry requirement—at least an Eighth-Level Domain.
"I heard that real Fourth- and Fifth-Order weapons also need to be nurtured with spiritual force and imprinted with your Spiritual Imprint before you can use them. The ones simulated in the Killing Field don't require that hassle.
"If you ask me, you should at least get familiar with a Psionic Weapon first. Then you'll be able to fight at full strength when the Selection Tournament begins."
Eager to give it a try, Jiang Yao said goodbye to Prose and Kuman, then immediately logged into the Killing Field rented by the Lingtong Race.
The Killing Field was extremely expensive. A Star Level had to pay at least seven thousand Xuanshang Coins to use it for a day, but the clan covered the cost. Geniuses like Jiang Yao who were participating in the Selection Tournament could use the Killing Field for free.
However, over the past decade or so, Jiang Yao had been busy engraving secret techniques into the Law Secret Patterns, resisting Bizhang's will, and comprehending laws. He had only been to the Killing Field twice.
Jiang Yao found that his access level let him simulate dozens of Fourth- and Fifth-Order Psionic Weapons. Unfortunately, the Nine Great Divine Weapons of the Controller weren't among them.
He wasn't the only transmigrator who was fascinated by the Nine Great Divine Weapons of the Controller. The other Star Level geniuses of the Lingtong Race were just as captivated. In fact, they were probably the most famous weapons in the universe.
Their fame had been forged by peerless geniuses who had used the Controller Divine Weapons to slaughter their way to victory in tournament after tournament, especially in the Universe-Level Expert Tournament. Few people used Controller Divine Weapons in the Genius Tournament.
Bajie, now shrunk to the size of a little sprite, chuckled. "At their peak, the Nine Great Divine Weapons of the Controller can let a World Lord contend with an Immortal God. That means the Law Secret Patterns in those weapons contain laws beyond the World Lord Level.
"Given the Virtual Universe Company's habit of squeezing money out of people, simulating treasures that contain Origin Laws beyond the World Lord Level would definitely cost a lot extra. Your Lingtong Race may be rich, but it wouldn't spend that kind of money."
It seemed the Taihuan Token Envoy had quite a grudge against the Virtual Universe Company. Jiang Yao gave an awkward laugh and quickly changed the subject.
Although the Yanhe Branch had given him an account containing more than six million Universe Coins, he had to keep in mind all the expenses involved in improving the Xu Yuan Space and cultivating Origin Secret Techniques. So he didn't support Bajie's gaming habit, leaving the dignified Taihuan Token Envoy unable to enjoy VIP games in the Virtual Universe.
Without much hesitation, Jiang Yao chose a top-grade Fourth-Order Psionic Weapon: the Red Shadow Blade.
The main reason he chose it was that the Origin Secret Technique of Fire he had last translated into the Yanscript and engraved in the Xu Yuan Space on Yuluo Island, the Nine Styles of Lanfeng, was a blade technique.
Jiang Yao's understanding of the Origin Law of Fire was deep enough to bring the Red Shadow Blade's power close to its limit.
Just two days later, the last genius from a branch arrived at the Main Sect. Jiang Yao's mailbox gave a slight tremble, indicating that he had received a new message.
The Selection Tournament had officially begun!
Jiang Yao stopped comprehending the Origin Laws. "There's still some time before the Xu Yuan Space can reach the second level. I still need Peak Realm Lord Level secret techniques for the Origin Laws of light, wood, and wind. I wonder if our ancestor can solve this problem."
Bajie reassured him. "He's an Immortal God, so it shouldn't be too difficult. Besides, doesn't the Virtual Universe Company hold auctions?"
Setting aside his worries for the time being, Jiang Yao joined Prose and the others and headed to the massive square outside the Elder Council in Jiuyuan City.
By the time Jiang Yao arrived, more than ten thousand people had already gathered in the square, both men and women.
"Jiang Yao! Over here!"
Duomeng waved and called out to Jiang Yao and the others.
Quite a few people turned to look. Those who didn't know who Jiang Yao was asked around in surprise, while those who did quietly discussed him.
Kuman looked puzzled. "There are really this many people?"
Duomeng smiled. "Only a few have domains. Most don't, and more than half aren't Spirit Readers—they're warriors."
Only Spirit Readers could awaken the Lingtong Race's Bloodline Divine Ability, so they were favored. Even so, warriors still made up more than half the group.
After all, every loss came with a gain. Warriors couldn't awaken their Bloodline Divine Ability, but they were also unaffected by bloodline barriers, which made advancing to Star Level somewhat easier.
Suddenly—
A middle-aged man wearing a black battle robe walked out of the Elder Council.
His undisguised aura revealed that he was a World Lord. The entire square fell silent.
"The Selection Tournament is about to begin. First, I'll explain the rules."
The World Lord in the black battle robe looked around, his gaze pausing briefly on a few people, Jiang Yao among them. "In a moment, you'll register. Those with a domain should register their domain level. Those without one don't need to register. In the Selection Tournament, every one of you will be adjusted to Star Level Nine, regardless of your Star Level in reality.
"Those with domains, don't overstate your strength. Your opponents in the Selection Tournament will be matched according to the strength you register.
"You won't be matched against one another. You'll be matched against virtual opponents!"
At those words, the entire square erupted in an uproar.
"Silence!" The World Lord in the black battle robe released an invisible pressure, and the square fell quiet again.
"Your opponents will be enemies simulated by the Virtual Universe Network. They'll all be Star Level Nine, and their domains will match yours. If you defeat one, you'll pass a round, and then a second opponent will appear.
"After you defeat the second opponent, a third will appear, and so on until you're defeated.
"Your opponents will grow stronger gradually. The farther you advance, the stronger they'll be. Naturally, none will exceed Star Level Nine. But remember, your opponents will have different specialties: Controllers, Illusionists, and warriors.
"Once everyone has been defeated by a virtual opponent, you'll be ranked by the number of enemies you defeated. The top eight Spirit Readers will receive a Fifth-Order Psionic Weapon, while the top eight warriors will receive a Fifth-Order Force Weapon."
After the rules were explained, everyone in the square reacted differently.
Some looked extremely troubled, some seemed lost in thought, and others were overjoyed.
Clearly, the stronger someone's domain was, the more troubled they looked. This selection rule had undoubtedly dragged the geniuses with domains at Fourth Level or above from heaven to hell.
Of course, some geniuses were confident in their abilities, even when facing virtual opponents with domains as strong as their own.
Jiang Yao and his group were mostly delighted.
Duomeng in particular could barely keep from laughing aloud. "Look at that tall guy in front. Haha, that's Bancha. His domain's at Seventh Level. He used to think first place was a sure thing. He must be dumbfounded now.
"The stronger the domain, the stronger the opponent. And the boost that a Bloodline Divine Ability gives to a high-level domain will shrink. Maybe in the end, he won't defeat as many opponents as someone without a domain."
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