Qin Ming bowed slightly, understanding.
When he had chosen to reveal his preliminary fusion of laws without holding anything back in the Seventh Trial Tower, he had anticipated that it might draw the attention of the highest authorities, and even change the course of events.
He simply hadn't expected the Chaos City Lord himself to step in—and so directly.
"Virtual Universe Company will provide you with the finest training resources and protection," the Chaos City Lord continued.
"But before that, you must go to the Initial Universe and enter Chaos City to devote yourself to cultivation. It is the best place for you to grow at this stage."
"Yes."
Qin Ming didn't ask any questions. He replied calmly.
"Ganwu is on his way to receive you. He will escort your true body safely to the Initial Universe." The Chaos City Lord nodded slightly.
"As for your family in the Primal Universe, Virtual Universe Company will provide them with the highest level of protection in secret, ensuring their safety. You can rest easy."
"Thank you, City Lord." Qin Ming bowed again, his last lingering worry finally put to rest.
"Go. I'm looking forward to seeing how far you can go in Chaos City."
A trace of amusement colored the Chaos City Lord's voice. His figure gradually blurred as the chaotic currents around them swirled, gently sending Qin Ming's consciousness away from that special space.
A flash of light.
Qin Ming's consciousness returned, and he found himself back in his quarters at the Ganwu Universe Kingdom's station in the Virtual Universe.
The screen on his wrist guard was flashing with an encrypted notice from the highest levels of Virtual Universe Company. Its contents were much the same as what the Chaos City Lord had told him, along with specific arrangements for his journey to the Initial Universe.
He walked to the window and looked out at the virtual starry sky, his eyes calm and unruffled.
To him, the tumult and glory of the Genius Tournament already felt like something that had happened just a moment ago.
Ever since witnessing Qin Ming's astonishing trial run and seeing the livestream abruptly cut off, Ruoxi had been unable to calm down.
She didn't know what she wanted to do or what she ought to do. Acting on an almost instinctive impulse, she had simply stayed outside the door to Qin Ming's virtual quarters.
It was as if waiting there brought her closer to the figure who had created a miracle, as if she could confirm something the moment it happened.
Time flowed silently in the Virtual Universe. The subsequent announcement from Virtual Universe Company was vague, stating only that the trials had ended and that the final rankings would be released later.
That only added to her unease and turmoil. Just as her thoughts were wavering and her mind was in a jumble—
"Cre-eak."
The door that had been shut for so long suddenly opened gently from the inside.
Qin Ming walked out, looking as composed as ever, as if he had merely finished an ordinary period of seclusion.
Ruoxi froze. Her beautiful, mismatched eyes widened as she instinctively glanced into the empty room, then whipped back around and stared at Qin Ming.
"You... when did you get back?" she blurted out, her voice filled with bewilderment.
"I... I've been waiting here the whole time. I never saw you come back!"
Qin Ming glanced at her and merely said, "Just now."
He didn't explain that the Chaos City Lord had summoned him directly and then sent him back. It was a matter of the highest confidentiality, and there was no need to explain it to anyone else.
Those two simple words made Ruoxi's heart sink.
Looking into Qin Ming's eyes, deep as the starry sky, she suddenly realized that the gap between them wasn't just the despairing difference in their strength and rankings.
There seemed to be a veil of mystery around him, something she couldn't understand, much less touch.
She had never truly understood Qin Ming, not from the beginning.
Perhaps her anxious waiting and hopeful anticipation had been... presumptuous from the start.
A jumble of disappointment, bitterness, and faint self-mockery welled up inside her, making her nose sting.
But she pressed her lips together and forced all her feelings down. Lowering her head, she said as calmly as she could, "Congratulations... you're truly amazing."
Qin Ming gave a slight nod. "Thank you. You should keep working hard too."
His polite reply carried a trace of distance.
The air between them froze.
Ruoxi couldn't bear to stay any longer. The air around her seemed to grow thin and awkward. She hurriedly managed, "I... I'll be going now."
Then, like a startled rabbit, she turned and fled without looking back, quickly disappearing around the corner of the corridor.
Qin Ming stood where he was, silently watching the direction in which she had fled in a panic. He remained that way for a long time without a word.
Back on Earth in his previous life, having a beautiful, poised girl from a distinguished background pursue and wait for him while clearly harboring special feelings for him would have been an impossible dream.
A racing heart, flustered confusion, maybe even a bit of smugness—that would have been the normal reaction.
But in this world, faced with Ruoxi's nearly undisguised affection and her embarrassed retreat, his heart remained as still as a bottomless ancient well. It hadn't even rippled.
It was so calm... it was almost frightening.
A faint trace of self-mockery crossed Qin Ming's lips.
Was Swallowed Star a world suited to romance?
This was a vast world where the laws of the universe ran their cold course, wars between species were brutal and bloody, the powerful could determine the fate of a star system with a single thought, and seclusion might last millions of years.
Emotions—especially fragile bonds that required so much time and effort to maintain—were more like luxuries here, and might even become fatal weaknesses.
Luo Feng had Xu Xin because he had risen from humble beginnings, and their relationship had been one of the important forces driving him forward in his early days. Xu Xin herself was also exceptionally resilient.
But for most other dazzling talents, their partners were people they happened to meet over the long years, kindred spirits who could face the storms of the universe alongside them.
His journey had only just begun.
Chaos City, the Outer Battlefield, the Universe Sea, the Origin Continent... Endless dangers and opportunities lay ahead, along with the constant ascent to higher levels of life and the ultimate mysteries of the Origin of Laws.
He would devote nearly all his attention, will, and even his life to that eternal climb.
In the face of such a vast and brutal reality, romance seemed too insignificant—and too burdensome.
It wasn't that he didn't understand. He simply... couldn't bear it, nor did he wish to.
"Let it be."
He looked away, cutting off every irrelevant thought as if brushing a speck of dust from his sleeve.
With a thought, his figure vanished from the Virtual Universe.
In reality, high above Lanfeng Planet, space began to warp violently. A terrifying presence, vast and majestic enough to make the entire star system tremble, had descended.
Ganwu Kingdom Lord had arrived.
Before you continue