Just as Qin Zhao was steadily mastering the "Hundred Line Flow" movement technique in King Lanchen's Cultivation Residence on Noah Secret Realm—
"Bzz—"
An immense, invisible wave instantly pierced the boundary between reality and virtual space, precisely reaching every corner of Human Territory and the consciousness of every being connected to the Virtual Universe Network.
"It's begun," King Lanchen said softly.
Qin Zhao froze. Before he could ask anything, the Virtual Universe Network receiver on his wrist gave a faint tremor. At the same time, his Auxiliary Light Computer's alert rang directly in his mind: "Master, a top-priority, all-frequency broadcast from the Virtual Universe Company has arrived—the Universe Human Peak Genius Battle is now officially open for registration!"
Almost simultaneously, Qin Zhao felt his consciousness gently tugged by a warm yet irresistible force. He had set up this reminder earlier, and it would activate as soon as the registration announcement for the Universe Peak Genius Battle appeared. With a thought, he connected to the Virtual Universe Network.
Virtual Universe, island in Noah Secret Realm.
It was night. The island glittered with lights, no different from usual. But in the next instant—
The entire sky seemed to be suddenly covered by an invisible giant hand! A gigantic black proclamation, its edges radiating a soft yet imposing light, appeared out of nowhere. It was so vast that it filled the night sky over the island in Noah Secret Realm and the entire corresponding virtual region of Noah Star Sector!
The proclamation was pitch-black, like the backdrop of the universe. Upon it were characters in Universal Language, each radiating dazzling white light. Every character seemed like a star, shining with an exhilarating brilliance and warmth:
[Cosmic Humans—Peak Genius Battle]
[Held once every ten thousand years!]
[Coming soon!]
[Jointly hosted by the Virtual Universe Company and all Universe Countries!]
[Are you a genius? Can you find no equal among those of your level and rank? Then join the "Peak Genius Battle"! Here, countless geniuses from numerous Universe Countries across the universe will clash!]
[For details, visit the "Virtual Universe Network" official website through your virtual assistant.]
The majestic, stirring announcement, accompanied by the visually overwhelming proclamation, swept across the entire island in Noah Secret Realm before spreading to every star sector under Noah Universe Kingdom, and then to all 1,008 Universe Countries in Human Territory!
"Oh my god! It's the Peak Genius Battle!"
"A grand event held only twice every ten thousand years! This time, it's being hosted by the Virtual Universe Company!"
"Billions of geniuses competing! The greatest stage in the entire Human Race!"
"I heard the prizes for the top-ranked competitors are unbelievably generous, and they can even be taken as disciples by big shots from the Virtual Universe Company!"
"Quick! Go check the registration requirements on the official website!"
The island in Noah Secret Realm first fell into stunned silence, then erupted in a deafening roar of discussion. Bars, plazas, training grounds... Everywhere, everyone was talking about this sudden grand event. And it wasn't just the island in Noah Secret Realm. In the Virtual Universe, the same awe-inspiring proclamation appeared in the sky above every continent representing a Universe Country and every island representing a medium-level civilization.
Like a cosmic storm, the news spread throughout every corner of the Human Race overnight, carried by the advanced Virtual Universe Network.
Noah Secret Realm, inside a Cultivation Residence.
Qin Zhao's consciousness withdrew from the Virtual Universe. He slowly opened his eyes, a sharp glint in them. The shadow cast by his recent willpower bottleneck had now been replaced by a surging fighting spirit. He looked at King Lanchen, standing beside him with his hands behind his back.
"Master, registration is open."
King Lanchen nodded slightly, a faint smile on his face. "Mm. After all this buildup, the curtain is finally about to rise. How do you feel?"
Qin Zhao took a deep breath, feeling the surging Origin Force in his body and the increasingly clear Law Comprehension in his consciousness space. He said solemnly, "I'm excited, and looking forward to it. Isn't this what I've trained so hard for—to compete against geniuses from across the universe on a stage like this?"
"That's the spirit," King Lanchen said approvingly. "The Virtual Universe Company's official website must be packed right now. Go complete your registration. As usual, the registration period will last a month, giving every potential genius enough time to respond."
"Yes, Master."
Qin Zhao nodded and connected to the Virtual Universe once more. This time, he went straight to the Virtual Universe Company's official page. As expected, the most prominent spot on the page was occupied by a feature on the "Universe Human Peak Genius Battle." The massive animated poster showed blurry yet breathtaking fragments of battles between peerless geniuses from previous tournaments, stirring the hearts of countless viewers.
Without hesitation, he clicked the golden "Register" button.
The page changed to a series of straightforward forms and confirmations. Name, nationality (Noah Universe Kingdom), cultivation level (Star Level, ninth rank)... and, most importantly, binding his Virtual Universe Network ID.
"Registration successful!"
"Congratulations, Qin Zhao. You have successfully registered for this edition of the 'Universe Human Peak Genius Battle,' hosted by the Virtual Universe Company. We wish you the best of luck!"
"For information on the tournament format, rules, schedule, and other details, please watch for official emails and announcements on the website."
Looking at the notification on the screen, even Qin Zhao couldn't help feeling a rush of warmth surge through his chest. With this step, he had officially embarked on a brilliant journey that would bring together the Human Race's finest Star Level elites.
After leaving the Virtual Universe, Qin Zhao said to King Lanchen, "Master, I've finished registering."
"Good." King Lanchen looked at his disciple. "Registration is only the beginning. Over the next month, don't train blindly. Focus on adjusting. Fully absorb the progress you've made recently, and consolidate your gains in bodily force application, the Hundred Line Flow movement technique, and the Black Stone Prison secret technique! And bring your willpower to its peak. The Peak Genius Battle tests more than just sheer strength. It also tests your condition in the moment, the steadiness of your mindset, and how well you can bring all your abilities together."
"I understand, Master," Qin Zhao replied with a solemn nod.
Qin Zhao already knew a great deal about the Universe Peak Genius Battle. In the coming battles, he would fight to the death against countless geniuses like himself, from different Universe Countries and armed with all kinds of powerful, bizarre techniques. The slightest flaw could be magnified without limit! What he needed to do now was smooth out any flaws he might have!
In the days that followed, Qin Zhao took his master's advice. He stopped trying to break through the World Lord Level willpower barrier and didn't immerse himself in deeper Law Comprehension. Instead, he devoted most of his time to integrating his abilities and adapting to them.
On the "Peak Genius Battle Simulation Platform" specially customized in the Virtual Universe—access King Lanchen had applied for on his behalf—he began trying to perfectly integrate his seventyfold force application with the Hundred Line Flow movement technique and Black Stone Prison.
He discovered that when his extreme control over force was combined with his exquisite use of the Law of Space, his movements became even more unpredictable, and his bursts of speed and power grew stronger. When his powerful Force Application Technique was used to form and suppress Black Stone Prison, the black stone phantom became more solid, and its binding power and Soul Assault both seemed to improve slightly.
Qin Zhao even began deliberately drawing on his Earth God Clone's insights into the three profound mysteries of the "Earth Element," "Pulse of the Earth," and "Gravity Space" during simulated battles. Although his true body's level limited him from fully wielding power on the Midgod level, his affinity for and understanding of the laws far surpassed ordinary people's. When using the Law of Earth, he could bring it to bear with greater ease, often coming up with ingenious variations.
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