The End

Lanfeng Planet.

The sky suddenly darkened, space twisted silently, and an indescribable, vast pressure—as if bearing the weight of a galaxy—descended without warning, enveloping the entire planet.

In an instant, everything froze; even the wind ceased to flow. All living beings felt a primal reverence and trembling rise from the depths of their souls.

The true body of Ganwu Kingdom Lord tore through layers of space and descended directly!

The entire Qin Family, and even every being in the Quicksand Star System who sensed this aura, regardless of where they were, fell into absolute silence and shock at that moment.

Qin Ming walked out of his meditation room and looked up at the towering, unapproachable figure in the sky.

Without a word exchanged, Ganwu Kingdom Lord's gaze fell upon him. He gave a slight nod, and a gentle force instantly enveloped Qin Ming.

Space shifted.

Qin Ming found himself inside a spaceship with an ancient, unadorned exterior.

Ganwu Kingdom Lord's massive form sat upright in the main seat. The ship started silently, accelerated to an inconceivable speed in an instant, and dove into the Dark Universe, racing toward the Initial Universe.

Virtual Universe, Central Plaza.

"The trial is over." Tianyu Venerable's voice echoed calmly in every genius's mind.

"First, congratulations to the trialists ranked 2nd through 100th. You have directly earned the qualification to enter the core layer of the Virtual Universe Company."

Second place?

Then what about first place?

What about Qin Ming?

This question instantly surfaced in the minds of all the geniuses present. They looked around and indeed did not see Qin Ming's figure.

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

"Very good." Tianyu Venerable nodded slightly.

"Now, for those ranked 101st through 7300th—a total of 7200 trialists."

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

"Those who win three consecutive matches will earn one spot in the core layer. Those who lose are eliminated."

Ruoxi stood among the crowd, her palms slightly sweaty, her heart tense. Her rank fell within this group.

The elimination matches proceeded quickly.

First match: her opponent was a close-combat warrior with weak resistance to illusions. Ruoxi won relatively easily.

Second match: her opponent was a spiritual Nian Master controlling Nian Power weapons, with strong soul defenses.

The battle stalemated as both sides tested patience and details. Ruoxi eventually seized a tiny flaw in her opponent, combining illusion with physical attacks to win by a hair.

Third match: her opponent also came from a major power, with deep foundations, almost no obvious weaknesses, and a profound grasp of the laws.

The fight was white-hot from the start.

Ruoxi's illusions were weakened and broken layer by layer by her opponent's powerful law domain and firm will.

She was pushed nearly to the brink, her spiritual energy almost exhausted, and several wounds had appeared on her body.

Finally, at the moment her opponent thought victory was certain and launched a fatal strike, Ruoxi's eyes flashed with a sudden burst of violet-blue light. She unleashed her trump card forbidden technique—Eternal Instant.

It caused her opponent's consciousness and movements to freeze for a ten-thousandth of a second.

In a duel of experts, a ten-thousandth of a second was enough to decide life and death.

She seized that fleeting opportunity and ended her opponent.

Three consecutive wins secured.

She had earned the qualification to enter the core layer of the Virtual Universe Company.

Swish! Swish! Swish!

The 900 contestants who passed the elimination rounds, together with the 99 who had advanced directly, formed a total of 999 people, officially gathered.

"Congratulations."

Tianyu Venerable's figure appeared before them once more.

"You are the most outstanding 1000 individuals selected from humanity's 1008 Universe Kingdoms in this Genius Tournament. The Virtual Universe Company will invest resources to train you with full effort."

"However, even among core members, there are distinctions. The Company has graded you based on your performance."

"Those ranked 101st to 1000th." Tianyu Venerable's voice was steady.

"You will receive a bonus of 10 Mixed Units, qualification to enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and join the Company's core 'End-of-the-World Secret Realm.'"

"Those ranked 11th to 100th will receive a bonus of 100 Mixed Units, qualification to enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and join the 'Heaven and Earth Secret Realm.'"

"Those ranked 3rd to 10th will receive a bonus of 1000 Mixed Units, qualification to enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and join the 'Primordial Secret Realm.'"

The geniuses below had burning eyes and slightly quickened breaths.

End-of-the-World, Heaven and Earth, Primordial—each step a different heaven, resources and treatment worlds apart.

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

"Due to the exceptional overall standard of this session, the high-level council has decided to add a special reward."

"Both first and second place will receive a bonus of 10,000 mixed-element units, qualification to enter the Initial Universe for enlightenment, and admission to the 'Primal Secret Realm.'"

"According to past rules, only the overall first place could enter the Primal Secret Realm."

The moment these words were spoken, the entire venue erupted!

Especially those top geniuses ranked in the top ten of the Trial Tower—under Qin Ming's despair-inducing performance, they had already abandoned all hope of competing for first place and entering the Primal Secret Realm.

Now, with this sudden turn, an extra Primal Secret Realm slot had appeared!

This meant that among them, one person would obtain this dream-like, heaven-ascending opportunity!

"Now, I announce the final competition rules."

Tianyu Venerable's voice suppressed all commotion.

"From the 900 geniuses determined in the previous three elimination rounds, based on their performance in the Trial Space and the elimination battles, the Virtual Universe System has automatically selected the most outstanding 99 among them."

"These 99 will face off one-on-one against the 99 ranked 2nd to 99th in the Trial Space, totaling 198 participants."

"The final 99 victors will gain qualification to enter the 'Heaven and Earth Secret Realm.' The remaining 900 will all enter the 'End-of-the-World Secret Realm.'"

"Among the victorious 99, the Virtual Universe System will again evaluate based on overall performance and select the best 18."

"These 18 will engage in one-on-one arena battles to determine the final 9 winners. These 9 will gain qualification to enter the 'Primordial Secret Realm.'"

"And as for these final 9..."

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

"They will determine the sole first place through a final showdown. This first place will gain qualification to enter the 'Primal Secret Realm.'"

"Additionally." Tianyu Venerable's voice carried no emotion.

"Let me add one more thing. If anyone is dissatisfied with the candidates selected by the Virtual Universe System, they may choose not to join the Virtual Universe Company."

The rules were clear and beyond dispute.

The Virtual Universe System held the highest judgment authority; those it selected were the ones qualified to compete at higher levels.

Dissatisfied?

Then leave. The Virtual Universe Company never forced anyone.

These words completely sealed off any possible objections or disturbances. Before absolute power and rules, individual dissatisfaction meant nothing.