Even the evaluation given by the Virtual Universe System had piqued the silver-haired youth's interest in the two fighters.
"Universe Level 9, crossed the threshold of the Origin Law, yet never once fought in the Slaughter Arena's Decisive Battle Space."
"Which faction trained this disciple? How interesting."
To the Immortal Expert overseeing the Slaughter Arena at the Virtual Universe's Beihua Island branch, a Universe Level 9 who had crossed the threshold of the Origin Law wasn't some peerless genius.
But the silver-haired youth was no longer serving at the Virtual Universe Company Headquarters. He was merely in charge of a branch in the Beihua Empire.
He had essentially been exiled. He needed to accomplish something here before he could return to the Virtual Universe Company Headquarters.
"Still, they're two youngsters who've crossed the threshold of the Origin Law. By the branch's standards, they should at least qualify as first-rate elites. That'll give me a little to show for my efforts."
As he pondered, the silver-haired youth tapped open the observation recording and watched the details of their battle.
Decisive Battle Space.
Qi Tian and Lie Yan had fought for a full half hour. Throughout the battle, they had been evenly matched, and neither had gained the upper hand.
After a long struggle with no result, they separated and stood at opposite ends of the arena, facing each other from a distance.
Qi Tian's blood surged through his body. After repeated clashes, his hands had gone slightly numb from the impact of his opponent's spear, and he had also expended a good deal of Origin Force.
On the other side, Lie Yan, the red-haired young man of the Dragon-Man Race, was breathing slightly hard as well. His hands gripped his spear, and the base of his thumbs throbbed with pain.
For two Universe Level 9 experts to fight until they were out of breath showed just how intense this battle had been.
At that moment, they stood facing each other on the arena. Their bodies were still, but their eyes burned with fighting spirit.
They looked at each other quite differently from when they had first met.
"What's going on? I'm fighting a newcomer with no rating. How can he keep up with me for so long?"
As Qi Tian tried to steady the fluctuations of Origin Force within him, he thought back over a few details of the battle.
He was also puzzled by Lie Yan's strength.
"Didn't my teacher say that, among those of the same level in the Beihua Empire, no one could match me? Why did my very first opponent after arriving at the Slaughter Arena fight me to a draw?"
For the first time, Lie Yan also began to doubt his own strength.
After resting for more than ten seconds, Lie Yan put away the dark-red spear in his hand. The next moment, he brought out another spear, crimson from end to end.
Qi Tian watched Lie Yan's movements, his eyes narrowing slightly.
He saw that the crimson spear was covered in hair-thin etchings, all forming incredibly complex Secret Pattern Diagrams.
After Lie Yan switched spears, red mist began to rise around him, and blood-red color spread across his eyes.
Then Origin Force slowly flowed out from beneath his feet. The Red Domain's power, radiating intense heat, spread outward along with it.
With the Origin Law of Fire infused into it, he seemed to be standing atop boiling magma.
"Wutian, you're strong. After nearly half an hour of fighting, I still haven't been able to gain the slightest advantage over you."
"Out of respect for your strength, I'll show you what I can really do."
Qi Tian smiled at that and replied,
"You're strong too, but I haven't been holding back either. Since you're going to show me your true strength, I won't conceal mine any longer."
Qi Tian could feel the pressure now, and he stopped holding back. With a flip of one hand, a Golden Lotus floated above his palm.
At the prompting of his consciousness, 108 petals circled around him. As he continued to pour in Origin Force, each petal began to resonate.
A golden domain rose around him, linking with each petal. Gradually, they formed a massive lotus platform. The petals closed slightly, enclosing Qi Tian within.
This was the second form of the telekinetic weapon Hundred Flowers Bloom: "Heaven-Imprisoning Lotus Platform."
This form could not only trap enemies, but also create an indestructible barrier around its wielder.
As it defended against foes, the petals spinning around the platform also emitted gleams as sharp as blades.
Once the Heaven-Imprisoning Lotus Platform had fully taken shape, Qi Tian stood atop it. Beneath his feet, the Origin Law of Gold appeared and began to merge with the platform, bit by bit.
The silver-haired youth had been lounging on the sofa, enjoying the show. After quickly reviewing the first half hour of the fight, his attention shifted to the two fighters facing off.
When he saw them bring out new weapons, he looked at the magma stretching nearly two kilometers beneath Lie Yan's feet and the enormous, 500-meter Golden Lotus enclosing Qi Tian.
The silver-haired youth sat up straighter. The casual amusement in his eyes had changed.
"Merit, it's all merit! I have to bring them into the Virtual Universe Company."
At that moment, emotion seemed to flicker in the silver-haired youth's dark eyes. He looked at Qi Tian and Lie Yan as if they were peerless beauties.
"Weitz, come to the Slaughter Arena immediately. There are two promising young talents here."
After sending a message to Weitz, an external executive of the Virtual Universe Company's Beihua Branch, the silver-haired youth fixed his gaze once more on the battle between Qi Tian and Lie Yan.
"Thud, thud, thud."
A flurry of hurried footsteps rang through the Slaughter Arena's hall.
Weitz, an external executive, arrived at the Slaughter Arena. He wore silver-gray battle armor, had a bald head, and bore distinctive markings on his face.
A medal was pinned to his left chest. Its design depicted a turbulent sea of blood with two planets floating above it.
The people scattered around the Slaughter Arena had been chatting and laughing. Seeing such an important figure hurry in left them stunned.
But when they saw that he was heading toward the silver-haired youth, they no longer found it strange.
After all, that silver-haired youth was in charge of the Slaughter Arena, and his strength was impossible to gauge.
"Lord Tegages, you called for me?"
Weitz, a two-star Universe Mercenary and an external executive of the Virtual Universe Company, stood before Tegages and respectfully greeted him.
Tegages didn't even look up. He gave a slight nod, enlarged the screen showing the battle, and shared it with Weitz.
Weitz wondered what kind of promising talents had caught the attention of such an important figure that he had been summoned at once.
The Virtual Universe System usually detected and compiled lists of promising geniuses, then sent them to his desk at regular intervals. He normally reviewed them whenever he had time.
Curious, Weitz turned his gaze to the screen to see what kind of genius had earned even Tegages's attention.
Decisive Battle Space.
The two fighters on the enormous black-metal arena had reached the peak of their fighting spirit.
The Heaven-Imprisoning Lotus Platform surrounding Qi Tian shone with golden light. Its slowly revolving petals of Origin Force carried an edge that seemed capable of slicing apart heaven and earth.
Across from him, Lie Yan stood with his spear in hand. The Origin Force spreading beneath his feet, infused with the Flame Domain and the laws, transformed into scorching magma.
The phantom magma boiled, and streams of fire repeatedly burst from it. They then took the shape of a giant magma dragon that slowly rose into the air.
A second appeared, then a third... until there were nine.
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