Finals Day

Qin Lan walked over at an unhurried pace. She glanced at her little sister's "I'm being good" expression, then at the helpless smile on Qin Ming's face. A knowing, amused look flickered in her eyes.

"Finished asking him for advice? Your third brother's final round in the Genius Tournament is coming up soon. His time is precious, so don't keep pestering him." Her tone was mild, but Qin Xue immediately nodded like a bobblehead.

"I'm done, I'm done! Third Brother, I'll be off now!"

Then, like a startled little rabbit, she darted away in a flash.

"Little brother, you really spoil her. Keep this up and Xiaoxue will be completely out of control." Watching her little sister run off, Qin Lan shook her head helplessly.

"She won't, Big Sister. Xiaoxue is actually very sensible." Qin Ming smiled as he spoke up for his sister.

Qin Lan gave him a look that said, "Go ahead and keep spoiling her," then turned serious and looked at him. "Enough about her.

"Little brother, the finals are about to begin. Do you... think you can make the top thousand?"

Meeting his big sister's concerned gaze, Qin Ming replied lightly but firmly, "Big Sister, have a little faith in me. My goal is to take first place in the finals."

"Of course, of course. My little brother is the best, and he'll definitely come in first!" Qin Lan chimed in with a smile, but her teasing tone made it clear she was humoring a child and didn't take him seriously.

That reaction was only natural. Predictions ranking the geniuses from the various Universe Countries had been all the rage in the Virtual Universe.

People had analyzed in great detail who had a shot at the top thousand, who could break into the top hundred or top ten, and who the leading contenders for the championship might be.

Within the Ganwu Universe Kingdom, Qin Ming's prospects were judged fairly: people thought he had "a chance" of making the top thousand.

But in predictions from many other Universe Countries, Qin Ming's name didn't even appear among the thousand most promising candidates. Many people were certain he had no chance at all.

As a result, supporters of the Ganwu Universe Kingdom had already been arguing fiercely with spectators from other Universe Countries on the Virtual Universe's forums and in public spaces. Qin Lan was among them.

She didn't say it aloud, but she couldn't help feeling uneasy. That was why she wanted her little brother to give her some reassurance.

Still, no matter how much she trusted her little brother, she couldn't believe Qin Ming could claim the lofty title of "number one in the entire universe."

To do that, he would have to cross a chasm formed by countless peerless geniuses from 1,008 Universe Countries.

Looking at the worry hidden in his big sister's eyes and her deliberately carefree smile, Qin Ming could only shake his head with a wry smile.

How come no one believed him when he told the truth?

Never mind.

"Anyway, we'll know once the finals begin."

The day of the finals had finally arrived.

Virtual Universe, Qin Family residence.

"Third Brother, good luck! You have to come in first!" Qin Xue waved her little fists, her clear voice full of faith in him.

The family members around her smiled knowingly, taking it as nothing more than a child's innocent, heartfelt wish.

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

"Third Brother, give it everything you've got!" Qin Shou gave him a hearty slap on the shoulder.

"Mingming, stay safe," Lin Wan said softly, her eyes full of reluctance and pride.

"Ming'er, the Qin Family's glory rests on your shoulders!" Old Ancestor Qin Shanhai said solemnly, his eyes blazing.

Amid the eager gazes and well-wishes of his loved ones, Qin Ming gave a small nod.

"I'm off."

The next moment, his figure vanished from the residence.

At the same time, throughout the Virtual Universe, over a million peerless geniuses from 1,008 Universe Countries were transported to their respective countries' designated assembly points like streaks of light slicing through the stars.

High above the Ganwu Continent stood a towering Floating Island.

Whoosh!

Light flashed, and Qin Ming appeared at the island's central teleportation point.

"Mr. Qin Ming, this way, please." A Universe Level staff member in uniform had been waiting by the teleportation point. With a professional smile, he respectfully gestured toward the clearly marked path nearby.

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

Before long, a huge crowd came into view. Their auras were varied and powerful; they were the thousand geniuses selected by the Ganwu Universe Kingdom.

"Qin Ming! So you finally decided to show your face!"

A woman's voice, tinged with resentment and indignation, rang out, immediately drawing plenty of attention from those nearby.

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

It was the weak illusionist he had sent packing with a single sword strike in the Eighth World Sector. He hadn't expected her to make it into the top thousand in the Ganwu Universe Kingdom.

It seemed that if that venerable being—nicknamed "Qian Wu," the "Lord of Negative Debts"—hadn't been lucky enough to encounter Luo Feng, he'd have had no idea how long it would take to pay off his debts by cultivating geniuses.

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

"Y-you don't remember me?" Ruoxi stared at him in disbelief, her voice rising.

"Sorry," Qin Ming replied calmly, as if stating a simple fact.

"I vaguely remember you, but honestly, I don't remember who you are."

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

The words echoed again and again in Ruoxi's mind.

She remembered how, over the past four years, she had made Qin Ming the target she had to surpass. She had even set up a simulated opponent modeled after him in the virtual training grounds, challenging him countless times, reviewing each fight, and training relentlessly...

And yet he couldn't even remember who she was!

A surge of resentment, frustration, and deep indignation nearly burst from the top of her head.

She glared at Qin Ming's unruffled face, her chest heaving with anger, yet she couldn't get a single word out.

"Haha, Brother Qin, you don't even recognize the famous Miss Ruoxi?"

A teasing voice cut in from the side, breaking the tense silence.

Qin Ming turned to look. The speaker stood tall, his brows sharp with an air of keen intensity. He was the "Reaper" he had defeated in the Eighth World Sector—the one who had wielded the Yan Shen Armament.

Qin Ming remembered him quite well. After all, he was one of the people who had chosen the Yan Shen Armament, just like Luo Feng.

"So it was her."

Qin Ming nodded as though suddenly realizing, his gaze passing over the silver-haired woman, who was fuming, while his expression remained as calm as ever.

"Sorry. Our fight was over so quickly that I didn't pay much attention."

That might have been better left unsaid. The moment he said it, Ruoxi's face darkened even further, and her teeth ground together with a grating sound.

Time passed second by second. One by one, extraordinary geniuses arrived through the teleportation point, and the crowd on the Floating Island grew until it was bustling.

At last, all one thousand peerless geniuses representing the Ganwu Universe Kingdom had gathered there.