Cloud Sea Association

"Everyone, long time no see."

Within the Virtual Universe, Bai Yuan smiled and greeted three familiar faces.

Pusis, Bai Kaluo, and Lion Sha—these three were the ones he had the closest relationships with over the years.

"You're leaving? Where to? I was waiting for our next meeting to beat you."

Lion Sha raised a glass of fine wine while asking about Bai Yuan's next destination.

Bai Yuan shook his head. "I don't know either. I'll go wherever the road takes me."

Pusis looked at Bai Yuan and couldn't help but laugh. "With you gone, who knows how many will be disappointed and how many will be relieved. You're the one everyone in our batch most wants to surpass."

Hearing this, Bai Yuan wore a helpless expression.

Though he spent most of his time in seclusion training, challengers came in an endless stream, and some even wanted to become his followers.

"Fame is a burden"—that saying couldn't be more true.

"Next time we meet, I'll show you a stronger me." Bai Kaluo said proudly.

Through the Virtual Universe Company's systematic training, his strength had improved significantly, and his potential had been further unlocked.

Not only had he stepped into Star First Rank earlier than Bai Yuan, but he had also mastered the Wind Domain.

At that time, he was full of confidence and challenged Bai Yuan again.

Yet, even with a realm advantage, he still lost.

But he didn't give up. As long as he kept moving forward, he believed he would one day catch up to the figure before him.

Bai Yuan had to admit that under the Virtual Universe Company's rigorous training system, Bai Kaluo's growth rate was indeed far faster than his own method of seclusion.

That was precisely why he needed to leave this place.

The four chatted for a while, then went their separate ways, returning to their own life trajectories.

Though they were in different places and had different temperaments, they all shared the same goal.

Keep getting stronger!

Back in reality, Bai Yuan focused his mind and recalled the Cloud-Touching Vine he had spent a fortune cultivating.

Now, this Cloud-Touching Vine was a solid Star Ninth Rank.

To help it grow, Bai Yuan had not only invested a large number of Wood Bud Crystals but had also spared no expense in purchasing ten Lanke Fruits through the Virtual Universe Company.

Such fruits were limited to ten per purchase. Buying more was possible, but the price would directly increase tenfold.

And a single Lanke Fruit cost as much as 1 billion Universe Coins, meaning a full set cost a whopping 100 billion Universe Coins!

This expense instantly consumed nearly a quarter of Bai Yuan's savings.

Of course, every investment had its returns.

The growth of this Cloud-Touching Vine was astonishing. If not for the upcoming Apprentice Mercenary Assessment, Bai Yuan would have already let it charge toward the Universe Realm.

Five days later, on Qiu Long Planet, at the Universe Mercenary Alliance headquarters.

This place was as bustling as an entire city, with crowds flowing endlessly.

Most of the people flooding in were there to register as Adventurers.

Bai Yuan was fully covered in the black battle armor formed by the Cloud-Touching Vine. He followed the crowd into the hall and silently joined the queue.

After about an hour, he successfully completed his Adventurer registration.

Looking at the Adventurer Card in his hand, Bai Yuan nodded slightly and then headed to the application window for the Apprentice Mercenary Assessment.

"Star Realm First Rank Psychic Master, eligible for the Apprentice Mercenary Assessment. Please pay a fee of 10,000 Black Dragon Coins."

Bai Yuan did not reveal his Martial Artist strength, registering only as a Psychic Master.

It was better to be cautious when traveling outside.

After the payment was completed, the staff swiped his Adventurer Card through the sensor.

"The detailed content of the assessment mission has been sent to your account. Please check it yourself. Also, a word of advice—it's best to find a Star Ninth Rank powerhouse to accompany you."

"Thank you."

Bai Yuan expressed his gratitude.

The Apprentice Mercenary Assessment was usually set within a certain World Lord's realm.

Not only did it carry the inherent dangers of the world itself, but the greater threat often came from fellow participants competing in the assessment.

If one's strength was insufficient, even if they obtained the mission item, it could easily be snatched away.

But for Bai Yuan, with the Cloud-Touching Vine guarding him closely, even an ordinary Star Ninth Rank coming at him would only be seeking death.

"Red Mountain World, obtain ten Red Stones to pass."

After browsing through the mission information, Bai Yuan did not hesitate. He went to the "parking lot," boarded his spaceship, and headed straight toward the location of Red Mountain World.

The task of piloting the ship naturally fell to Xingwu.

Little did they know, every move they made had already been noticed by others.

"A C9-Class spaceship! Looks like they're heading to Heavenly Fiend Planet—hurry and inform the boss!"

A C9-Class ship was worth at least tens of billions of Black Dragon Coins.

If even their ride was this extravagant, the owner's wealth was likely even more staggering.

Cloud Sea Planet, Cloud Sea Association headquarters.

The Cloud Sea Association was backed by a true Universe Realm powerhouse, controlling thirteen nearby life planets with deep-rooted influence.

Yet the real decision-maker of the Cloud Sea Association was a Star Ninth Rank.

"Seventeen years until the Universe Genius Tournament... Seventeen years, I can wait."

In the secret chamber, Yun Hai slowly opened his eyes, battle intent surging within them.

In the secret chamber, Yun Hai slowly opened his eyes, battle intent surging within them.

He had long possessed the accumulation to break through to the Universe Realm, but he forcibly suppressed his cultivation at Star Ninth Rank just to participate in this Universe Genius Tournament.

For a Martial Artist like him, the Universe Genius Tournament was not just a grand event—it was a path to leap to a higher level.

He yearned to prove himself in battle and to be noticed by those superpowers.

"Big brother, good news—another fat sheep has arrived!"

A rough, hearty laugh came from outside the door as a burly man with a deep, oppressive aura strode in.

This man was the Cloud Sea Association's only Universe Realm powerhouse, Yun Luo.

Though Yun Luo's realm was higher, he knew the truth well.

If Yun Hai hadn't poured all his resources into helping him, and even taken a fatal blow for him during a life-or-death crisis, he would never have stepped into the Universe Realm.

He always remembered that debt.

"What's their background? Is the identity clear?"

"Not yet, but when he registered with the Mercenary Alliance, he was alone."

"Alone?" Yun Hai's brow furrowed slightly.

"Anyone who dares to sign up for the Apprentice Mercenary Assessment alone is either a reckless fool or a genius absolutely confident in their strength."

"I don't think so." Yun Luo shook his head. "He's just a Star First Rank Psychic Master. Probably some native from a remote planet who stumbled upon a powerful cultivator's legacy and came out to make a name for himself without knowing his limits. This has happened before."

Yun Hai pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded: "You have a point. Such nouveau riche types often understand the cruelty of the universe the least."

He gazed out the window at the vast starry sky, his tone carrying a hint of indifference:

"In that case, let's handle it the usual way. Have someone keep an eye on him, and make a move once he enters Red Mountain World."

"Yes, I'll arrange it personally." Yun Luo grinned, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

To a Universe Realm powerhouse, a few hundred billion Black Dragon Coins were just a number.

What truly excited them was the possibility of other treasures hidden on the target.

In the past, they had secretly ambushed and killed an elite disciple from a major faction, unexpectedly obtaining a D3-Class Laser Cannon.

Its power was enough to blast apart a Universe Realm Ninth Rank, and it remained their trump card to this day.

Another time, they took out an ordinary-looking lone traveler and found a World Lord Level Secret Technique in his storage ring.

Such "windfalls" weren't common, but as long as they kept at it, the next harvest would eventually come.