Ranking Battle

In the days that followed, Qin Zhao settled into a disciplined cultivation routine. During the day, he accumulated Genetic Origin Energy in his physical residence while simultaneously delving into the two secret techniques, Shockwave and Earth Pulse Guard. At night, he entered the Virtual Universe to conduct basic training in Ten Thousand Line Flow.

In his spare time, he would either study the stone carvings before the "Ten Thousand Mountain Wall," attend open lectures by other Domain Lord powerhouses at the "Law Transmission Pavilion" (especially courses on the fundamental Earth-style Laws), or occasionally observe the sparring matches of other prodigies at the Martial Arts Arena to absorb combat experience.

In this enriching cultivation environment, Qin Zhao's cultivation base, his comprehension of the Law of Earth Origin, and his mastery of secret techniques were all steadily improving at a visible pace.

Time flowed on. Within the Ice Ripple Secret Realm, the four seasons were indistinct, with only the Ice Ripple Star River flowing eternally. A year had already passed since Qin Zhao set foot in the Ice Plains Divine Realm.

Over this year, Qin Zhao's daily routine was almost rigidly strict. He trained his Force diligently in his physical residence, studying Shockwave and Earth Pulse Guard, while in the Virtual Universe, he frantically conducted basic training in Ten Thousand Line Flow and listened to courses at the Law Transmission Pavilion. With abundant resources, an excellent environment, and his own relentless efforts, his progress could only be described as astonishing.

His Genetic Origin Energy had reached the Planet Level, Fifth Stage, and in terms of pure combat power, he far surpassed the Star Level! Moreover, his achievements in Law comprehension and secret technique cultivation were remarkable.

[Name: Qin Zhao]

[Talent: Earth-style (Superior), Water-style (High)]

[Achievements: Saint Realm, Lowgod, Erudite, Grand Perfection's Praise, Facing a Highgod]

[Secret Techniques: 128 Martial Arts Secret Techniques (Perfected), Shockwave (Proficiency 62%), Earth Pulse Guard (Proficiency 58%), Ten Thousand Line Flow (Beginner 1%)]

[Comprehension: Earth-style Laws (Earth Element 100%, Pulse of the Earth 68%, Gravity Space 5%)]

[Items: None]

[Buff: Insight +30%, Soul Resistance +10%]

Both Shockwave and Earth Pulse Guard had advanced from beginner to proficient stage, their power now incomparable to before. Especially Shockwave, as his comprehension of the "Pulse of the Earth" Mystery increased to 68%, its vibrational penetrating force grew increasingly terrifying, rendering the defenses of ordinary Star Level, Ninth Stage cultivators utterly useless.

The basic training for Ten Thousand Line Flow had also just been completed. Now, only a final flash of inspiration was needed—perhaps then he could truly touch the threshold of the Origin Law of Space, condense his first phantom body, and step into the "First Line Flow" realm. This step had stymied countless geniuses. Although Qin Zhao was confident he would eventually take it, he also knew it couldn't be rushed; it required opportunity and accumulation.

Just as he was immersed in cultivation, preparing to break through the bottleneck of "First Line Flow," his identity token suddenly vibrated with unprecedented urgency, and a mandatory message flooded into his mind:

"Glacier Sacred Land Annual Ranking Battle Notice: All Planet Level core members must assemble in the Virtual Universe's 'Ice Ripple Star Core—Martial Arts World' in three days to participate in this year's ranking battle. This battle is mandatory. Absence will be considered a renunciation of core member status."

"The ranking battle will determine the final rankings based on win-loss records. This year's Planet Level ranking battle prizes for the top three are as follows:"

"Third Place: Reward of 5,000 points."

"Second Place: Reward of 8,000 points and one S-Class Bloodline Evolution Agent."

"First Place: Reward of 15,000 points and one [Longke Race Bloodline Evolution Agent]!"

The moment he saw the first-place reward, Qin Zhao's pupils abruptly contracted, and his breath nearly stopped.

A Longke Race Bloodline Evolution Agent!

One of the top thirty bloodlines among the human race! An adult naturally reaches Universe Level! Standing about three meters tall, with two flexible antennae on the forehead, otherwise identical in appearance to the Earthlings of Qin Zhao's past life. Producing such a bloodline evolution agent often required extracting the life essence of six or seven Longke clansmen... Its value far exceeded the 15,000 points, even surpassing many World Lord-level treasures!

For Qin Zhao, whose current bloodline was merely at the lower echelons of the universe, this reward was undoubtedly a timely gift—a peerless opportunity to improve his foundation, compensate for his innate deficiencies, and accelerate future cultivation! It might even provide immeasurable help in comprehending the Law of Space and breaking through the bottleneck of Ten Thousand Line Flow!

"I must obtain it!"

A fierce gleam of determination flashed in Qin Zhao's eyes. A year of hard training—it was time to test the results. He would not only hone himself through this battle but also use this reward to achieve a true transformation! For this, he was willing to expose the fact that he had already crossed the threshold of the Laws, no matter the cost.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Virtual Universe, Ice Ripple Star Core, Martial Arts World.

This was a vast world shrouded in special rules, featuring mountains, rivers, deserts, glaciers, and all kinds of terrain, enough to accommodate various combat styles. Countless spectator seats floated in the sky, already buzzing with noise.

Although it was only a Planet Level student ranking battle, many Star Level, Universe Level, and even occasional Domain Lord-level powerhouses were watching. The annual ranking battle was a grand event of the Glacier Sacred Land, concerning resource allocation and evaluation of prodigy potential, drawing high attention.

Of course, that was just an excuse!

The real reason was that the time intervals between each round of the Star Level and Universe Level ranking battles were far too long! The Planet Level ranking battle occurred once every ten years, the Star Level once every hundred years, and the Universe Level once every thousand years! Only the Planet Level ranking battle had a relatively longer interval, and basically, new faces appeared each time, so it had always attracted considerable attention.

Including Qin Zhao, there were a total of eighty-seven Planet Level participants. They were randomly assigned to different starting zones.

Qin Zhao's first battle was against a burly man wielding a massive axe named Lie Yuan, hailing from the "Blazing Sun Divine Realm." A blazing flame domain swirled around him, having clearly reached the third level!

"Kid from the Ice Plains Divine Realm, I heard your Earth Domain is only first level? Just give up obediently and spare yourself the pain!" Lie Yuan's voice boomed like a bell. His giant axe tore through the air with a shrieking boom, carrying raging flames as it cleaved down toward Qin Zhao's head! Where the flames passed, the ground was scorched, cracked, and melted.

Facing this violent strike, Qin Zhao's expression remained calm. He didn't even use a Force Weapon. He simply raised his right hand, fingers slightly spread, and pressed lightly toward the descending axe.

"Whoosh—"

An invisible yet mountain-heavy force field abruptly expanded around him! A earthen-yellow light shield formed by Earth Pulse Guard instantly materialized, its surface flowing with veins. It not only firmly blocked the axe's slash, but the rebounding force numbed Lie Yuan's arm. At the same time, the burly man felt as if he had fallen into a quagmire, his movements suddenly sluggish and heavy—this was the special gravity field attached to Earth Pulse Guard!

"What?" Lie Yuan's expression shifted. His third-level flame domain couldn't even shake that seemingly thin layer of shield?

But what unsettled him even more was yet to come. Qin Zhao didn't retract his pressing hand; instead, he casually clenched it.

"Shockwave!"

There was no earth-shattering roar, only a deep, muffled hum that seemed to originate from the depths of the earth. A highly condensed earthen-yellow ripple traveled along the ground at a speed far exceeding sound, instantly reaching the burly man's feet, then erupting violently!

"Pfft!"

Before Lie Yuan could even react, he felt a bizarre vibrational force ignore his surface-level Force defense and flame domain, penetrating directly into his body. His internal organs, bones, and meridians were simultaneously pounded and shaken by countless tiny hammers!

"Ah!" Blood gushed from his seven orifices. His eyes were filled with shock and disbelief as his entire body collapsed limply, still twitching unconsciously.

The battle ended in an instant.

One strike! With just a single move, without even seeing how Qin Zhao exerted his strength, a third-level domain prodigy was instantly defeated!