"Qin Zhao, welcome to the Virtual Universe. This is the Reception Plaza on Glacier Continent." K-77's voice rang directly in his mind. At the same time, a miniature virtual image of K-77, visible only to Qin Zhao, hovered above his shoulder. "I've set up your initial navigation. Next, you'll need to head to the Glacier Sacred Land's public recruitment office on Glacier Continent to register and undergo a preliminary review."
"Understood."
Qin Zhao nodded. With a thought, a translucent navigation interface appeared before him, showing the route to the Glacier Sacred Land Recruitment Office. This was a basic feature of the Virtual Universe Network, a permission the Glacier Empire had specially configured and granted equally to every user who connected. Anyone who entered the Virtual Universe through special authorization could only go to the Glacier Sacred Land Recruitment Office.
Without hesitation, he set off in the direction indicated by the navigation. After walking for about fifteen minutes and passing through several bustling streets, Qin Zhao arrived at a relatively secluded area.
The buildings here all shared a uniform style, mostly in shades of ice blue and silvery white, and gave off a solemn, chilly air. On a massive archway that looked as if it had been carved from ice crystals, four imposing words were written in Universal Language: Glacier Sacred Land.
Beneath the archway was a spacious hall. The line at the entrance wasn't very long, and most of those waiting were young people of various races. Their auras—the impressions their virtual bodies conveyed—were mostly quite strong. They were evidently so-called "geniuses" from star systems across the Glacier Empire, here to register and try their luck.
Qin Zhao quietly joined the end of the line. He noticed staff in Glacier Sacred Land uniforms maintaining order and guiding people inside. The uniforms came in several colors, apparently indicating rank. Most were gray or white, though every so often a figure in blue would pass by, drawing awed looks from everyone nearby.
The wait wasn't dull. Qin Zhao could hear some of the people ahead of him speaking in hushed voices.
"I heard the Glacier Sacred Land is recruiting more people this time. Did they lower the standards a little compared to previous years?"
"Lowered? You wish! They just added a few recommendation slots for affiliated lower-level civilizations. The actual entrance assessment is supposedly even harder than before!"
"Alas, I've been stuck at the ninth stage of Star Level for fifty years. I haven't even caught a glimpse of Universe Level. I'll probably just be making up the numbers again."
"Universe Level? That's an ambitious dream! At the very least, you'd have to be good enough to get into the elite class. Those of us who can pass the basic assessment and become regular students should be grateful!"
"..."
Listening to their discussion, Qin Zhao looked thoughtful. So the Glacier Sacred Land's students were divided into three ranks: regular, elite, and core.
Generally speaking, anyone who comprehended a domain at Star Level would count as a minor genius, even at a Virtual Universe Company branch in a middle-level Universe Country. In an official force from a lower-level civilization like the Glacier Sacred Land, such a person would undoubtedly be considered a seed for Domain Lord—and unquestionably a Core Member!
Soon, it was Qin Zhao's turn. The person who received him was a young man in a gray uniform. He wasn't particularly warm, but neither was he cold. He simply asked in a businesslike manner, "Name, age, place of origin, and current strength level."
"Qin Zhao, age twenty-five. From... Noah Universe Kingdom, Qinglan Star Sector, Glacier Star System, Flame Meteor Planet. Strength: Planet Level, First Stage." Qin Zhao answered calmly.
"Flame Meteor Planet?" The gray-uniformed young man worked on the virtual screen before him, frowning slightly. "There's no record of it in the database. Is it a newly discovered primitive planet? The one reported by the K-77 investigation base?"
"Yes." Qin Zhao nodded.
The young man in gray glanced at Qin Zhao, his eyes turning more scrutinizing, but he didn't say anything else. "Fill out the detailed information form. Be sure to tell the truth. If any false information is discovered, you'll be permanently disqualified from joining the Glacier Sacred Land and all its affiliated forces."
A light screen appeared before Qin Zhao, with extremely detailed fields to fill in, including his physical strength level, Mental Power Amplitude, if applicable, and the level of the techniques and secret arts he had mastered. At the very end was a specially marked field: [Special Comprehension] (Please provide accurate information, including but not limited to "insight," "domain," and "law." This is a key basis for evaluation.)
Qin Zhao's thoughts raced as he quickly entered the information on the light screen. For his strength and amplitude, he gave figures in line with Flame Meteor Planet's general standards and his actual abilities, making sure not to stand out. When he reached the [Special Comprehension] field, he paused to consider.
Should he reveal that he had reached the threshold of the Law of Earth? That would be far too shocking. A Planet Level First Stage from a primitive planet comprehending a law would likely attract needless attention and trouble. Besides, comprehending a domain at Planet Level First Stage was already astonishing enough. Until he knew how the Glacier Sacred Land trained its students, there was no need to reveal too much.
With that in mind, Qin Zhao quickly entered "Earth Domain, First Layer" in the [Special Comprehension] field.
In the Swallowed Star system, domains had nine layers. A First Layer domain at Planet Level would make him a decent genius, but still within the bounds of what people could accept. It would attract attention without making him too conspicuous. As for the law, that was a trump card and best kept hidden for now.
After filling it in and checking that everything was correct, Qin Zhao submitted the form.
"Beep! Beep! Beep—!!"
The instant he submitted it, a short, shrill alert sounded from inside the reception desk! It wasn't loud, but several nearby staff and people in line immediately turned to look.
The gray-uniformed young man's businesslike expression froze. He abruptly looked down at the screen before him, his eyes widening as his face filled with disbelief.
"P-Planet Level First Stage? Earth Domain?! And... and he was referred directly by the base intelligence under the Genius Recruitment Treaty?!" His voice broke with shock. He jerked his head up and stared at Qin Zhao as if seeing him for the first time.
The area fell silent. Every eye focused on Qin Zhao. Someone at Planet Level First Stage who had mastered a domain? Among the many civilizations under the Glacier Empire, he would be one in a million—no, one in ten million!
What was more, he came from an unheard-of primitive planet, and the investigation base's intelligence had referred him directly! What did that mean? It meant the official authorities had already given preliminary confirmation of his potential and the authenticity of his talent!
"Y-Your information... are you certain it's accurate?" The gray-uniformed young man spoke with unprecedented caution, even addressing Qin Zhao respectfully.
"It's accurate." Qin Zhao nodded calmly, unruffled inside. He had expected this reaction.
The gray-uniformed young man took a deep breath, forcing down his shock. After a few quick actions on the screen, he said to Qin Zhao, "Mr. Qin Zhao, your talent has triggered the Glacier Sacred Land's special recruitment review process. The regular registration procedure no longer applies. Please wait a moment. I'll notify the supervisor right away!"
"You should show proper respect, too. The supervisor who's about to arrive, Snow, is a Domain Lord Ninth Stage powerhouse!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a figure in blue appeared beside the reception desk in the blink of an eye. He was a middle-aged man in a blue uniform, with a stern face and eyes sharp as a hawk's. A powerful pressure radiated naturally from him. Even though his body in the Virtual Universe was only at the peak of the Apprentice Level, the aura of a powerhouse long accustomed to authority was still awe-inspiring.
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