Bloodline Evolution Agent

Bai Yuan had barely finished speaking when a bitter smile appeared on Bai Kaluo's face.

He had still lost badly in this fight.

In fact, even without using his special ability, Bai Yuan might not have lost to him.

The power of Hundred Blades unleashed in succession had only managed to force Bai Yuan back.

If Bai Yuan had truly wanted to dodge that strike, he would have had a chance.

After using Hundred Blades, he needed to build up momentum again, but Bai Yuan didn't.

The two chatted for a while longer, then left the Battle Space.

Man Luo had watched everything and nodded to himself.

Bai Yuan's talent was indeed exceptional. Among experts of the same realm with a nine-star rating, fewer than two in ten could have taken Bai Kaluo's final strike head-on.

Bai Yuan had not only blocked it but come away completely unharmed. That meant his strength put him among the very best, even among nine-star experts.

--

After defeating Bai Kaluo, Bai Yuan successfully advanced to eight stars.

He then went on to defeat three nine-star experts in quick succession, cleanly and decisively, ultimately raising his rating to nine stars.

[Congratulations, host. Quest complete. Quest reward: 1 Epiphany Point]

"I finally got it. Time to leave."

Bai Yuan was thrilled. One Epiphany Point meant one chance to reach enlightenment, which could improve his strength considerably.

As for the Battle Space, honestly, it wasn't much use to him.

After all, he could hardly find anyone here who could truly threaten him.

The truly powerful had already been recruited by the major factions and rarely came here.

"Yuan, you're leaving?"

Just as Bai Yuan was about to go, Lion Sha's voice suddenly came from behind him.

Lion Sha had also advanced to nine stars. He'd come out for some fresh air and happened to run into Bai Yuan, who was preparing to leave.

Bai Yuan looked at Lion Sha and said with a smile, "Yeah. Virtual is still just virtual. You can't improve your Genetic Origin Energy here, and your realm is what matters most. How long are you planning to stay?"

"Well... I was thinking of staying another two or three months, but after hearing that, I'll leave now too."

Lion Sha nodded.

Realm was indeed more important. The higher one's realm, the easier it was to comprehend a Domain and cultivate secret techniques. Its benefits to strength and lifespan were irreplaceable.

Just as the two were about to leave together, a blond, green-eyed man walked over.

"Gentlemen, Lord Man Luo would like to see you."

Lion Sha looked bewildered. He had no idea who Man Luo was.

But Bai Yuan was startled.

In the original story, even the Earth Trio hadn't been invited to meet Man Luo, the head of the Black Dragon Mountain Slaughter Arena Branch. Instead, Ming Yu had been sent to observe and test them.

Surely the two of them weren't more talented than the Earth Trio had been back then?

For one thing, Hong had comprehended the third level of the Light Domain while still at the Planet Realm. That alone put him leagues ahead of them.

Although Lion Sha had comprehended a Domain at Planet Third Rank, each successive level of a Domain was a world apart, and the difficulty of further comprehension would only grow.

Take Thunder God, for example. He had comprehended a Domain at Planet Eighth Rank, but even after breaking through to Star First Rank, his Domain was still at the first level. That showed just how ridiculously difficult it was to advance.

Bai Yuan estimated that he would need at least two more Epiphany Points to reach Hong's level.

"Please lead the way," Bai Yuan said calmly.

Lion Sha moved closer and quietly asked who Man Luo was.

When he learned that Man Luo was the head of the Slaughter Arena, he was taken aback, clearly awed by the man's status.

Before long, they were led to a Meditation Room on the second floor. Man Luo had already been waiting for them.

The moment they entered, an invisible pressure filled the entire room.

Lion Sha's expression changed dramatically. A powerful sense of danger prickled across his entire body.

His body reacted instinctively. His muscles tensed, and he even unfurled his Domain without thinking, taking a fighting stance.

Bai Yuan felt his mind come under tremendous pressure as well, as if the assault were about to shatter the walls of his resolve.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and focused every ounce of his will on resisting the invisible force.

"That was close. I nearly let it break through my mental defenses," Bai Yuan thought, shaken.

What he didn't know was that Man Luo was even more surprised.

The Spiritual Force he had just unleashed was powerful enough to shake the will of an ordinary Universe Realm expert.

Bai Yuan had withstood it through sheer force of will, which meant his willpower truly rivaled that of someone at the Universe Realm.

Lion Sha's performance was also impressive.

Although he hadn't resisted with willpower alone like Bai Yuan, he had instinctively entered a battle stance and used his Domain to defend himself. That showed considerable willpower too, even if it wasn't as astonishing as Bai Yuan's.

A moment later, Man Luo slowly withdrew his mental pressure, and the suffocating weight in the Meditation Room abruptly vanished.

Man Luo's gaze passed over the two of them, and approval showed in his eyes.

"You're both very impressive."

"Lion Sha, based on our previous observations and assessments, your talent qualifies you as a Second Grade Elite."

He then looked at Bai Yuan, his tone growing more serious.

He then looked at Bai Yuan, his tone growing more serious.

"As for Yuan, judging only by your performance in the Battle Space, I could give you no more than a Second Grade Elite rating."

"However, the strength of will you just displayed far exceeds that of others your age and at your level. On that basis, I'm rating you a First Grade Elite."

"Huh? Aren't the Slaughter Arena's ratings based on star levels?" Lion Sha asked, bewildered.

Man Luo promptly explained.

"The Slaughter Arena is one thing. I'm talking about the Virtual Universe Company. We seek out talented elites across the Universe Countries. Both of you have considerable talent, so naturally I'm inviting you to join us."

Lion Sha was instantly thrilled.

The Virtual Universe Company was one of the Five Great Giants! Even as a native of a remote planet like him, the name he'd heard most often since entering the universe was that of the Five Great Giants.

Now the Virtual Universe Company was inviting him to join. How could he not be overwhelmed with excitement?

Seeing his reaction, Bai Yuan promptly poured cold water on his enthusiasm.

"Don't get too excited. Lord Man Luo means that our talent may stand out within the bounds of Black Dragon Mountain Island, but getting through the doors of the Virtual Universe Company Headquarters would be a pipe dream. We might not even qualify to stand guard at the entrance."

Man Luo nodded in agreement and continued, "Yuan is right. The company's talent development program has four tiers: Special Grade, First Grade, Second Grade, and Third Grade. But these are only the standards used by our Black Dragon Mountain Branch."

Lion Sha's newly kindled ambition immediately cooled by more than half.

So his talent wasn't among the very best—not just across the universe, but even within Black Dragon Mountain.

"Heh, there's no need to look at it that way. The Black Dragon Mountain Empire governs over six thousand star systems. Standing out across such a vast territory is already quite an achievement," Man Luo reassured him.

"Back to business. If you're willing to join, Yuan will receive an S-Type Bloodline Evolution Agent, while Lion Sha will receive a Bloodline Evolution Agent, as well as the chance to choose one secret technique for free."

"The Bloodline Evolution Agent can fundamentally transform your bloodline and foundation, making them better suited to cultivation. Once your bloodline is enhanced, you'll cultivate Genetic Origin Energy much faster than before."