The End

Lanfeng Planet.

The sky suddenly darkened. Space warped silently, and an indescribable, vast pressure—as if bearing the weight of an entire galaxy—blanketed the planet without warning.

In an instant, all things stood still. Even the wind ceased to flow, and every living being felt instinctive awe and trembling rise from the depths of their souls.

Ganwu Kingdom Lord's true body tore through layer upon layer of space and descended directly!

The entire Qin Family, along with every being throughout the Quicksand Star System who sensed this presence, fell into absolute silence and shock, no matter where they were.

Qin Ming stepped out of the quiet chamber and looked up at the majestic figure in the sky, too overwhelming to behold directly.

Without exchanging a word, Ganwu Kingdom Lord's gaze settled on him. He gave a slight nod, and a gentle force instantly enveloped Qin Ming.

Space shifted.

Qin Ming found himself aboard an ancient-looking spacecraft.

Ganwu Kingdom Lord's enormous body sat in the main seat. The spacecraft started up without a sound, accelerated in an instant to an inconceivable speed, and entered the Dark Universe, racing toward the Initial Universe.

Virtual Universe, Central Plaza.

"The trials are over." Venerable Tianyu's calm voice echoed in the minds of every genius.

"First, congratulations to the contestants ranked second through one hundred. You have directly earned the right to enter the Virtual Universe Company's Core Layer."

Second place?

Then what about first?

What about Qin Ming?

The questions surfaced in every genius's mind. They looked around and indeed saw no sign of Qin Ming.

But no one dared to ask aloud. Venerable Tianyu's imposing presence and the opportunity before them kept them silent.

"Good." Venerable Tianyu nodded slightly.

"Now, the 7,200 contestants ranked from 101st to 7,300th.

"Based on your performances in the Trial Space, the Virtual Universe System has automatically assigned you to arena matches."

"Win three matches in a row, and you will earn a place in the Core Layer. Lose, and you will be eliminated."

Ruoxi stood among the crowd, her palms slightly sweaty and her heart tense. She was among those ranked in this group.

The elimination matches proceeded quickly.

In the first match, her opponent was a close-combat fighter who had little resistance to illusions. Ruoxi won with relative ease.

In the second match, her opponent was a spirit reader who wielded telekinetic weapons and had a solid soul defense.

The battle reached a stalemate as the two tested each other's patience and attention to detail. Ruoxi eventually seized on a tiny flaw in her opponent's guard, combining illusion with physical attacks to win by a hair.

Her third opponent also came from a powerful faction and had deep reserves, almost no obvious weaknesses, and profound Law Comprehension.

The battle grew intense from the very start.

Ruoxi's illusions were weakened and dispelled layer by layer by her opponent's powerful Law Domain and unwavering will.

She was nearly driven to the brink. Her spiritual power was almost exhausted, and she had sustained several wounds.

At last, just as her opponent thought victory was assured and launched a fatal attack, purple and blue light suddenly blazed in Ruoxi's eyes. She unleashed her trump-card forbidden secret technique—Eternal Instant.

For one ten-thousandth of a second, her opponent's consciousness and movements froze.

In a battle between masters, a ten-thousandth of a second was enough to decide life or death.

She seized that fleeting opportunity and finished off her opponent.

Three consecutive victories. She had done it.

She had earned the right to enter the Virtual Universe Company's Core Layer.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The 900 contestants who passed the elimination matches and the 99 who had advanced directly—999 in total—gathered together.

"Congratulations."

Venerable Tianyu appeared before them once more.

"You are the 1,000 finest talents to emerge from the 1008 Universe Kingdoms in this year's Genius Tournament. The Virtual Universe Company will devote its resources to training you to the fullest."

"However, even among Core Members, there are differences. Based on your performances, the company has divided you into tiers."

"Those ranked 101st through 1,000th," Venerable Tianyu said evenly.

"Will receive a bonus of 10 Hunyuan Units, the right to study in the Initial Universe, and a place in our company's End-of-the-World Secret Realm."

"Those ranked 11th through 100th will receive a bonus of 100 Hunyuan Units, the right to study in the Initial Universe, and a place in the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm."

"Those ranked third through tenth will receive a bonus of 1,000 Hunyuan Units, the right to study in the Initial Universe, and a place in the Primordial Secret Realm."

The geniuses below gazed up fervently, their breathing growing slightly ragged.

End of the World, Heaven and Earth, Primordial—each tier was a leap above the last, with vastly different resources and treatment.

"As for the first and second place," Venerable Tianyu paused.

"Because the overall standard this year is exceptional, the higher-ups have decided to grant an additional reward."

"Both the first- and second-place contestants will receive a bonus of 10,000 Hunyuan Units, the right to study in the Initial Universe, and a place in the Primal Secret Realm."

"Under the usual rules, only the contestant ranked first overall could enter the Primal Secret Realm."

The announcement set off an uproar!

The top geniuses who had ranked in the top ten of the Trial Tower had already given up all hope of claiming first place and entering the Primal Secret Realm after witnessing Qin Ming's despair-inducing performance.

Now, just when all seemed lost, a second place in the Primal Secret Realm had opened up!

That meant one of them would receive the chance they had dreamed of—a chance to rise to the heavens in a single bound!

"Now, I will announce the rules for the final rounds."

Venerable Tianyu's voice drowned out all the commotion.

"Among the 900 geniuses determined by the three elimination rounds, the Virtual Universe System has automatically selected the 99 strongest based on their performances in the Trial Space and the elimination matches."

"These 99 contestants will face off one-on-one against the 99 contestants ranked second through ninety-ninth in the Trial Space, for a total of 198 contestants."

"The 99 who emerge victorious will earn the right to enter the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm. The remaining 900 will all enter the End-of-the-World Secret Realm."

"From among the 99 winners, the Virtual Universe System will make another selection based on overall performance, choosing the 18 strongest."

"These 18 will compete in one-on-one arena matches to determine the final nine victors. Those nine will earn the right to enter the Primordial Secret Realm."

"And those final nine..."

Venerable Tianyu's gaze swept across the faces of the top geniuses below.

"Will compete in a final showdown to select the one and only first-place contestant. The winner will earn the right to enter the Primal Secret Realm."

"One more thing." Venerable Tianyu's voice held not the slightest trace of emotion.

"I'll add this: anyone who disagrees with the Virtual Universe System's selection may choose not to join the Virtual Universe Company."

The rules were clear and left no room for dispute.

The Virtual Universe System held the highest authority to judge. Those it selected were the ones qualified to compete at a higher level.

Disagree?

Then leave. The Virtual Universe Company never forced anyone to join.

Those words completely shut down any chance of objections or protest. Before absolute power and rules, an individual's disagreement meant nothing.