Finals Day

Qin Lan walked over gracefully, glanced at her little sister's "I'm being good" expression, then looked at Qin Ming, who wore a helpless smile, a flicker of understanding and amusement passing through her eyes.

"Are you done asking for advice? Your third brother's about to compete in the Genius Tournament finals—time is precious, don't keep pestering him." Her tone was light, but it made Qin Xue nod frantically like a pestle pounding garlic.

"I'm done, I'm done! Third brother, I'm off then!"

With that, she scurried away like a startled little rabbit, vanishing in a flash.

"Little brother, you spoil her too much. If this keeps up, Xiaoxue will get completely out of hand." Qin Lan watched her sister's retreating figure and shook her head helplessly.

"She won't, big sister. Xiaoxue is actually very sensible." Qin Ming smiled, defending his sister.

Qin Lan gave him a look that said "Go ahead, keep indulging her," then turned more serious as she looked at him. "Enough about her. Little brother, the finals are about to start. Do you... have a shot at breaking into the top thousand?"

Qin Ming met his big sister's concerned gaze, his tone relaxed but firm. "Big sister, you need to have a little faith in me. My goal is to take first place in the finals."

"Alright, alright, my little brother's the best—he'll definitely win first!" Qin Lan chimed in immediately, a smile on her face, but her tone was clearly teasing, like humoring a child. She obviously didn't take it seriously.

That reaction was normal enough. In the Virtual Universe, predictions and rankings about the geniuses from various universe kingdoms were already buzzing everywhere.

Who had a shot at the top thousand, who could challenge the top hundred, the hot picks for the top ten, even the potential champions—all of it had been analyzed to death.

As for Qin Ming, evaluations within the Ganwu Universe Kingdom were fairly moderate, saying he "had a chance" to break into the top thousand.

But on many prediction lists from other universe kingdoms, Qin Ming's name wasn't even included in the top thousand potential candidates. Quite a few people flatly declared he had no chance.

Because of this, on various forums and public areas of the Virtual Universe, supporters of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom had been locked in heated arguments with spectators from other kingdoms. Qin Lan was one of them.

She didn't say it out loud, but she couldn't help feeling anxious, which was why she wanted to get some solid reassurance from her brother.

Yet even as much as she trusted her brother, she couldn't bring herself to believe he could seize that distant "number one in the universe."

To cross that gap meant overcoming the insurmountable chasm built by countless monstrous talents from 1008 universe kingdoms.

Qin Ming saw the hidden worry in his big sister's eyes and her forced lighthearted smile, and could only shake his head with a wry grin.

Why was it that when he told the truth, no one believed him?

Oh well.

"Anyway, once the finals start, everyone will know."

The day of the finals finally arrived.

Virtual Universe, Qin Family residence.

"Third brother, go for it! You have to take first place!" Qin Xue waved her little fists, her voice crisp and full of trust.

The family members around her couldn't help but smile knowingly, taking it as a child's innocent blessing.

"Little brother, just do your best. We'll be waiting for your triumphant return." Big sister Qin Lan said gently.

"Third brother, give it everything you've got!" Second brother Qin Shou gave his shoulder a heavy pat.

"Mingming, stay safe." Mother Lin Wan whispered her farewell, her eyes filled with reluctance and pride.

"Ming'er, the glory of the Qin Family rests on your shoulders!" Ancestor Qin Shanhai's gaze burned as he spoke solemnly.

Amid the eager looks and blessings of his family, Qin Ming nodded lightly.

"I'm off."

The next moment, his figure vanished from the residence.

At the same time, across the Virtual Universe, millions of peerless geniuses from 1008 universe kingdoms, like countless streaks of light cutting through the starry sky, teleported to their designated assembly points.

Above the Ganwu Continent, a towering Floating Island.

Swish!

Light flickered, and Qin Ming's figure appeared at the teleportation point in the center of the island.

"Mr. Qin Ming, this way, please." A uniformed universe-level staff member, already waiting by the teleport point, offered a professional smile and respectfully pointed to a clear path.

"Thank you." Qin Ming gave a slight nod, said no more, and followed the indicated path forward.

Soon, a large gathering of figures appeared ahead of him, their auras mixed and powerful—these were the thousand geniuses selected from the Ganwu Universe Kingdom.

"Qin Ming! You finally decided to show up!"

A distinctly aggrieved and resentful female voice rang out, instantly drawing the attention of many nearby.

Qin Ming followed the sound and saw a silver-haired woman with heterochromatic eyes and delicate features glaring at him.

It was that weak illusionist he'd sent packing with a single sword strike back in the Eighth World Sector. He hadn't expected even she could make it into the top thousand of the Ganwu Universe.

It seemed that the sovereign jokingly called "Qian Wu"—the "First Negative"—if he hadn't been lucky enough to run into Luo Feng, relying on training geniuses to pay off his debts would have taken who knows how long.

"You are?" Qin Ming raised an eyebrow slightly, his tone carrying just the right amount of confusion.

"You... you don't even remember me?" Ruoxi's face was full of disbelief, her voice rising a few pitches.

"Sorry," Qin Ming said calmly, as if stating a fact. "I have a vague impression, but honestly, I don't remember who you are."

"I don't remember who you are... who... who... who... who..."

These words, as if carrying an echo, reverberated repeatedly in Ruoxi's mind.

She recalled how over these past four years, she had regarded Qin Ming as the goal she absolutely had to surpass, even setting the simulated opponent in the virtual training ground to his likeness, challenging, reviewing, and training relentlessly countless times...

And yet, the other party hadn't even remembered who she was!

A surge of resentment, mingled with frustration, humiliation, and deep unwillingness, nearly burst through the top of her head.

She stared fixedly at Qin Ming's unruffled face, her chest heaving with anger, yet unable to utter a single word.

"Haha, Brother Qin, you don't even know the illustrious Miss Ruoxi?"

A voice tinged with a hint of playful laughter cut in from the side, breaking the somewhat frozen atmosphere.

Qin Ming turned his gaze. The speaker stood tall and straight, with a sharp aura between his brows—it was the "Reaper" who had once controlled the Yan God Weapon in the Eighth World Sector and been defeated by him.

Qin Ming had a fairly deep impression of him, after all, this was someone who, like Luo Feng, had chosen the Yan God Weapon.

"So it's her."

Qin Ming nodded as if suddenly understanding, his gaze sweeping once more over the fuming silver-haired woman, his expression still calm.

"Apologies, the fight back then was too fast; I didn't pay much attention."

If he hadn't said that, it might have been fine, but the moment the words left his mouth, Ruoxi's face instantly darkened several shades, her silver teeth grinding audibly.

Time ticked by, minute by minute. One after another, extraordinary geniuses arrived at this place through the teleportation points, and the figures on the Floating Island grew more and more numerous, gradually becoming bustling.

In the end, the thousand peerless geniuses representing the Ganwu Universe Kingdom were all gathered here.