Nine Swords Venerable (Part 2)

On July 17, 2066, China Calendar, the arena battles were set to begin.

The preliminary rounds in the one hundred world regions had not been broadcast.

This left countless cosmic citizens in the Gan Wu Universe Kingdom's thirteen thousand star regions feeling anxious, as they could only see the rankings!

However, the upcoming arena battles allowed for actual attendance, making tickets for the event incredibly sought after!

The arena free-for-all battles were divided into one thousand groups, with 200 groups competing each day.

The first day featured Group 1 to Group 200.

The Black Dragon Mountain Empire had four participants who passed the preliminary rounds. Luo Feng, being the first-place winner in his world region, was allowed to skip the lengthy arena preliminaries.

But the remaining participants, Nabbini, Hong, and Lei Shen, had to compete in the arena battles.

Nabbini was in Group 32, Hong in Group 161, and Lei Shen in Group 382.

Both Nabbini and Hong would have their free-for-all battles on the first day, while Lei Shen's group was scheduled for the second day.

Within a specially created plane space in the Virtual Universe, a vast river flowed, dotted with islands. Each island housed a martial arts arena.

These arenas were the venues for the current arena battles.

Island 003.

Inside the arena, the stands were packed with a sea of people stretching as far as the eye could see.

Among the spectators were Luo Feng, Hong, and their respective families.

"Attention, all viewers!"

A sweet, clear voice resonated through the ears of the billions of spectators in the arena.

"What is about to take place is the arena group battle, Group 382. I will now introduce the one hundred genius experts in this group."

"The first participant is Lei Shen from the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. He was ranked 8th in World Region 88 previously!" The voice of the beautiful, brown-haired girl echoed clearly and pleasantly to the billions of viewers.

Beside her, a screen displayed Lei Shen's image and some basic information.

"Lei Shen!"

"Lei Shen!"

The entire arena erupted in thunderous cheers. Around Luo Feng and the others, a large crowd was frantically shouting Lei Shen's name!

These were citizens from the Black Dragon Mountain Empire who had come to watch, numbering over a million!

The Black Dragon Mountain Empire had hardly seen any top-ten rankings in the world regions before. Now, they had three!

How could this not drive them wild!

"Second brother, there are only two law geniuses in this arena. Their secret techniques are not as good as second brother's, so it should be fine. The only one to watch out for is that genius who uses the Law of Wind!"

Hong, in this environment, browsed through the introductions of the various geniuses by the host and said to Luo Feng.

His own arena match had concluded the day before, and as expected, he had secured a spot in the next round.

However, it had taken considerable effort.

After all, his arena had included the "savage" Rong Jun and another female law genius!

Especially Rong Jun, after eliminating half the contestants in the arena, had eagerly attacked Hong.

It was only because Hong had made significant progress in recent years that he could have possibly held his own against Rong Jun's blade!

"As long as second brother isn't too unlucky, getting through the first stage of qualification should be no problem," Luo Feng replied softly, holding his child.

The entire Gan Wu Universe Kingdom had only several hundred geniuses who had comprehended laws, and there were a thousand spots for the second stage!

As long as Lei Shen didn't encounter the "savage" Rong Jun or a few other geniuses with profound comprehension of laws, he was sure to pass the first stage of selection!

"Mm," Hong nodded slightly.

In the arena free-for-all, Lei Shen's strength on this particular stage was nearly overwhelming!

His extreme burst of power and ultimate speed made others seem like they were in a state of no-mind. A casual swing of his blade meant the end of an opponent.

Even domain abilities could not hinder him in the slightest!

"Now that's thunder!" Lei Shen said with a smile.

The arena free-for-all concluded. Next, the top ten from each arena group, a total of ten thousand people from a thousand arenas, would compete for the 900 qualification spots for the Gan Wu Universe Kingdom.

The arena finals were straightforward.

It was one-on-one. Winners advanced, while losers were sent to the 'loser's bracket', until the final winner was decided!

Hong and Lei Shen were quite lucky. Even when they faced opponents who had comprehended laws, their application of those laws was too crude. They were nowhere near comparable to the guidance they received from their King-level teachers!

Thus, as expected, both of them successfully secured spots to advance to the universe-wide genius duels!

Once the elimination battles in the loser's bracket concluded, they could join Luo Feng and participate in the true Universe Peak Genius Battle!

September 5, 2070, China Calendar.

Across the various continents and islands of the Virtual Universe, millions of peerless geniuses from 1008 universe kingdoms were teleported to the gathering places of their respective universe kingdoms.

Above the Gan Wu Continent, on a floating island.

Whoosh!

Luo Feng and the other two appeared at the teleportation point on the floating island.

"Mr. Luo Feng, Mr. Hong, Mr. Lei Shen, please come this way." A warrior at the cosmic level, wearing a work uniform, stood by the teleportation point and smiled, pointing to a path beside them.

A moment later--

The three saw a large crowd gathered on a plaza surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants not far away.

"Hong is here."

"Lei Shen is here too!"

"Crazy guy!"

Many young men and women looked towards the three, and quite a few of them greeted them.

For the duel of ten thousand people, many of them had fought against Hong and Lei Shen.

As for Luo Feng, he also had many acquaintances in Area 1!

The three smiled and chatted with those they knew.

As time passed, more and more geniuses arrived, and the crowd grew.

The "savage" Rong Jun was among the later arrivals. Finally, all 1,000 genius experts gathered. These thousand people stood together in a bustling crowd, and many who knew each other from real life or had met in battle were chatting and catching up.

"Hong, your strength must have improved a lot in these three years!" the savage youth Rong Jun walked over and said to Hong.

They had fought for a long time in the arena free-for-all, which had laid the foundation for their friendship!

"It's okay, it's probably still not as good as yours." Hong said with a slight smile.

Admitting he was inferior was not a big deal. As long as he had enough time, he was confident he could catch up!

Luo Feng curiously glanced at the savage who was over three meters tall. To his surprise, after nodding at Hong, Rong Jun turned his gaze towards him.

"You're the crazy guy? I've seen your information, and you're very powerful. I hope we can have a match during this selection!"

Throughout the Gan Wu Universe Kingdom, countless powerful beings believed that Luo Feng and Rong Jun were destined to become core members of the Virtual Universe!

And if Hong's progress was significant, he also had a good chance!

Therefore, they were also very curious about Luo Feng and Rong Jun!

"Oh? I'm also looking forward to fighting you!" Luo Feng's lips curved into a smile.

Because of the Golden Horned Beast, he also greatly desired to spar with strong opponents and release the killing intent that had been suppressed for a long time!

"Haha." Rong Jun laughed twice. Luo Feng was even more to his liking than Hong!

Suddenly.

"Boom!"

An invisible pressure covered the entire plaza. The faces of the 1,000 peerless geniuses turned pale, and their bodies trembled involuntarily.

Then, with the sound of footsteps, a giant wearing scaled armor and a helmet walked over. His naturally emanating aura was like the arrival of the god of death.

Beside this scaled giant stood a figure in white.

"Teacher?" Luo Feng and the other two were very surprised, not understanding why Su Heng had appeared here!

Su Heng sensed their gazes and smiled at them.

As a King-level Immortal within the core of the Virtual Universe, he naturally had the authority to attend the competition!

However, Su Heng had no intention of interfering with the scaled giant beside him, as he was merely a guest visiting the Gan Wu Universe Kingdom.

"The 1,000 geniuses of the Gan Wu Universe Kingdom, by order of the Kingdom Lord, I will lead the team." The giant's voice rumbled, and the eyes beneath his helmet exuded infinite pressure. "You can call me 'Thirteen,' understand?"

After a lengthy speech, Thirteen led the thousand geniuses to a vast continent.

"Gan Wu Universe Kingdom team, there are 1008 buildings ahead. Your country's team is assigned to Building 0825." A middle-aged man in a white robe respectfully saluted Su Heng and the scaled-armored giant.

At the same time, he was constantly shocked in his heart.

Why was he here to watch this genius battle!

The scaled giant nodded slightly and then led the thousand geniuses towards the building.

After being assigned their numbers, the thousand geniuses dispersed.

"Teacher, why are you here too!"

In a quiet place on the continent, Luo Feng and the other two curiously asked Su Heng.

"Just to see your final results." Su Heng smiled slightly.

He had come here because of Nine Swords Venerable, and it was a convenient opportunity to watch the three of them.

Their teacher had personally come to watch!

Luo Feng, Hong, and Lei Shen exchanged glances. They definitely couldn't let their teacher down!

"Alright, get some good rest. The selection begins tomorrow!" Su Heng waved his hand slightly and then left.

Seeing this, Luo Feng and the other two went to a nearby plaza and began observing the participants from other universe kingdoms.

Restaurant Number One.

This is a place only Immortals can enter!

The first floor of the restaurant is a spacious hall with thousands of seats arranged within.

Su Heng walked into the first-floor hall.

"Annihilation King!"

The Immortal Military Lords in the first-floor hall, who were chatting amongst themselves, were stunned for a moment before greeting Su Heng.

After Su Heng killed Spirit Feather King, his information had spread to almost all Immortals in the human race, so many Immortals had committed his appearance to memory!

Facing a group of Immortal Military Lords who weren't even Marquis-level, Su Heng merely nodded slightly and headed towards the third floor of the restaurant.

This place was usually where Venerables or King-level Immortals who visited out of interest would rest.

After Su Heng left, many curious voices arose on the first floor of the restaurant.

"Why is Annihilation King here? Shouldn't he be cultivating at the company headquarters?" an Immortal Military Lord from the Fire Flame Universe Kingdom asked Thirteen, who was beside him.

"His disciple happens to be participating in this genius battle." Thirteen seemed to know more about this.

"You know?" The Immortal Military Lord was a little surprised; he had only spoken casually!

"Mhm, his disciple registered in the Gan Wu Universe Kingdom!" Thirteen nodded slightly.

Generally speaking, disciples taken in by King-level Immortals were already core members of the Virtual Universe Company.

Even if they weren't, they would easily become core members after being taken as disciples!

Those participating in the Universe Peak Genius Battle were usually geniuses nurtured by major universe kingdoms or ordinary Immortals, and rarely, wild geniuses!

"To have a disciple of a King-level Invincible participating in the genius battle, Thirteen, you guys are really lucky this time!" the Immortal Military Lord said enviously.

He had originally heard that there was a wild man in the Gan Wu Universe Kingdom whose reputation was immense, and who had the potential to be in the top twenty of this genius battle!

He never expected that there would be a disciple of a King-level Invincible hidden among them!

"Hahaha, the Nation Lord is also very pleased!" Thirteen laughed heartily.

Originally, the Nation Lord of Gan Wu was worried about the nurturing of the Gan Wu Secret Realm, but after Luo Feng and Hong appeared, he became much happier.

The two continued to chat, and after hearing their conversation, several other Immortal Military Lords joined in.

Luo Feng, Rong Jun, Bolan, and geniuses from other universe kingdoms were all topics of their conversation!

Until a man in a very ordinary blue robe appeared on the first floor of the hall!

The man in the blue robe had a handsome face, but his head was covered with purple scales, and his eyes also held a smile.

The entire person stood there as if he didn't exist, seemingly in a different space-time from the other Immortals present.

Boom!

All the hundreds of Immortals on the first floor stood up, including Thirteen, the giant in scaled armor. Everyone bowed respectfully.

"Venerable!" hundreds of Immortals bowed.

Although Su Heng was King-level Invincible, in terms of cultivation level, they were all still Immortals, but the man in the blue robe before them was a Universe Venerable with a more evolved life level!

Therefore, no matter what they thought in their hearts, at least these Immortals showed great respect on the surface!

"This time, our Virtual Universe Company is holding the genius battle, and you major universe kingdoms have given your full support. I, on behalf of our Virtual Universe Company, express my gratitude," the man with purple scales in the blue robe said with a smile.

Huh?

Suddenly, the man in the blue robe's expression changed for a moment, and his gaze swept towards the third floor of the restaurant.

"You guys continue chatting, I have something to attend to," the man in the blue robe said finally before walking step by step towards the third floor.

In a private room on the third floor.

Click.

The man in the blue robe pushed open the door and walked in.

"Annihilation King? What business do you have with me?" the man in the blue robe asked softly, looking at the white-robed figure inside.

"Nine Swords Venerable." Although his strength was comparable to a High-level Venerable, Su Heng was only a King-level Invincible on the surface, so he stood up and greeted Nine Swords Venerable.

"It's nothing major. My disciple happens to be participating in this genius battle, and my teacher also asked me to pay a visit to a Venerable," Su Heng said with a smile.

Both Mother Ancestor Venerable and Nine Swords Venerable were under the command of the Dragon Hành Lord of the Virtual Universe Company, so Su Heng and Nine Swords belonged to the same faction.

However, he wasn't here to get acquainted with Nine Swords Venerable!

It was for the cosmic secret realm that Nine Swords discovered a hundred years later!

A secret realm where anyone below the Venerable level was certain to die!

It was possible to find top-tier treasures, or even ultimate treasures, inside!

The results of the genius battle will be briefly mentioned in the next chapter, and the rest will be the protagonist's storyline.