The Treatment of an Earth-level Genius (Bonus Chapter for "If You've Got the Guts, Mass-Release Updates!")

Silver Horn took off his helmet and blinked.

The room was still the same room: stone bed, stone table, stone chairs—nothing had changed. But his status had changed. Before entering, he had been a Yellow-tier genius ranked beyond ten thousand; after leaving, he was an Earth-level genius ranked 825th.

"Finally." He let out a long breath, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

Before he could fully savor his joy, familiar auras came from outside the courtyard.

Scorpio, Frost Blade, and Shadow Stinger arrived together.

The moment Scorpio entered, he slapped Silver Horn on the shoulder without restraint. The smile on his face was brighter than if he himself had advanced. "Not bad, Silver Horn! Earth level! The three of us are still struggling around in Yellow level, while you went straight to the top in one leap and entered Earth level!"

Frost Blade remained as stern as ever, but he could not hide the smile in his eyes. "Congratulations."

Shadow Stinger was concise. "Strong."

Silver Horn smiled and bumped fists with each of them. The four sat on the stone stools in the courtyard as Scorpio chattered about what he had seen during the Ranking Tournament: who had upset an established genius, who had fallen from Profound level to Yellow level, who had caught a World Lord's eye and been accepted as a disciple on the spot. By the end, his voice gradually lowered.

"You'll be moving soon, right?" Scorpio asked.

Silver Horn nodded. The treatment for Yellow-tier and Earth-level geniuses was worlds apart, so his residence naturally had to change as well.

"Earth-level residences are in the core region of Exterminate Qiu Star, supposedly right beside World Lord Nightmare Star's residence," Frost Blade said. "The security and cultivation conditions are beyond comparison with this place."

"That's great." Scorpio tucked away his reluctance and grinned. "Once you're settled in, we'll come mooch meals off you. Earth-level food has to be better than Yellow-level food."

As soon as he finished speaking, a gentle aura came from outside the courtyard. The four turned and saw Aunt Fox entering with a male member of the Fox Race.

The fox man wore a plain white robe. He was handsome and refined, carrying a scholarly air completely at odds with the battlefield. Yet his aura was as deep as an abyss—he was clearly a Sector Lord pinnacle powerhouse.

Aunt Fox stepped forward and introduced him with a smile. "Silver Horn, this is Lord Hu Ge, the chief person in charge of Earth-level geniuses. From now on, he'll be handling your arrangements."

"Lord Hu Ge." Silver Horn rose and bowed.

Hu Ge nodded slightly. His gaze lingered on Silver Horn for a moment, and a trace of satisfaction flashed through his eyes. Without any unnecessary pleasantries, he said, "Pack up. I'll take you to see your new residence."

Silver Horn turned to Aunt Fox and gave her a solemn bow. "Thank you, Aunt Fox, for taking care of me these past days."

From his first day on Exterminate Qiu Star, this kind Fox Race woman had handled his food, clothing, and lodging. They were not earth-shattering matters, but her thoughtful arrangements day after day had saved Silver Horn countless trivial tasks, allowing him to focus entirely on cultivation.

Aunt Fox waved her hand with a smile. "Alright, enough with the formalities. Cultivate well and break through to the Universe level as soon as possible—that'll be the greatest thanks you can give me."

Silver Horn bid farewell to Scorpio, Frost Blade, and Shadow Stinger one by one. There were no overly sentimental words.

"I'm off." Silver Horn waved, then turned and flew into the sky alongside Hu Ge.

On the ground, Scorpio watched the silver-white figure grow smaller and smaller, muttering, "When will we be able to leave this place?"

Frost Blade did not answer. He merely looked silently in the direction Silver Horn had gone.

Silver Horn and Hu Ge flew side by side. They were not moving quickly, just fast enough to talk.

"Lord Hu Ge, where are we going?" Silver Horn asked.

"The core region of Exterminate Qiu Star." Hu Ge flew with his hands behind his back, his robes snapping in the wind. "Beside World Lord Nightmare Star's residence. All Earth-level geniuses live there, close to one another. It makes communication easier and allows for unified protection."

"World Lord Nightmare Star?" Silver Horn's heart stirred.

He had heard that name before. He was the Demon Race powerhouse who had killed Jialuo, the World Lord guarding the Qiu Shi Race's Withered Skeleton Galaxy, before the Ranking Tournament. That battle had directly caused the Qiu Shi Race to abandon the Withered Skeleton Galaxy.

"Lord Nightmare Star sometimes gives public lessons to Earth-level geniuses," Hu Ge added, his tone carrying a hint of respect. "He isn't a fixed instructor, but every lesson he gives is enough for you to digest for a long time."

Silver Horn silently committed it to memory. A top World Lord personally teaching them—such treatment was something he would not even have dared to imagine while he was Yellow level.

After flying for roughly a quarter of an hour, the scenery below began to change. The drab, militarized buildings of the Yellow-level residential area gradually vanished, replaced by a villa complex nestled amid mountains and water. Verdant peaks rose one after another, green waters surrounded the area, and faint energy fluctuations filled the air. Clearly, an array had been set up here to gather cosmic energy.

Hu Ge led Silver Horn down before one of the courtyards.

The gate was an ancient bronze color. Once it was pushed open, the view suddenly widened. The courtyard was more than ten times larger than his Yellow-level one, spanning over a hundred mu. At its center lay a level training ground paved with specially made Grade B alloy plates, enough to withstand the aftershocks of Sector Lord-level attacks. Beside the training ground was a clear little lake that glimmered faintly blue. It was no ordinary water, but a spiritual spring containing weak energy.

Deeper inside the courtyard stood a three-story stone building built against the mountain. Its design was ancient yet exquisite. Before it, twenty servants stood in two rows and bowed in unison.

Silver Horn swept his gaze over them. They were of various races: Cat Demons, Fox Demons, and Wolf Demons. Their physiques had all been carefully selected, standing around two to three meters tall, close to Silver Horn's own size. They had clearly been arranged specifically to make serving him more convenient.

"These are the servants assigned to you." Hu Ge pointed at them. "Cleaning, errands, messages—give them any miscellaneous task. If you want to replace them with servants from other races, just tell me anytime and I'll change them for you."

Silver Horn nodded. He had been alone at Yellow level and had done everything himself, so he was used to it. Still, having servants would indeed save him considerable time.

"Your instructor will be changed from Sector Lord Yan Chen to a World Lord," Hu Ge continued. "As for which one, that is still being arranged. You'll be notified once it is decided."

"Also, the one-time reward for becoming an Earth-level genius—one hundred thousand Contribution Points—has already been transferred to your account. Your monthly fixed Contribution Points will also increase from ten to one hundred."

The corners of Silver Horn's mouth rose slightly. With one hundred thousand Contribution Points, plus another hundred every month, the pressure of buying secret arts and treasures had lessened considerably.

"Furthermore, your authorization to purchase all kinds of treasures and secret arts has been upgraded. Many things you couldn't view before are now available for you to browse." Hu Ge paused before adding, "Most importantly, the Myriad Laws Secret Realm is now open to you."

"The Myriad Laws Secret Realm." Silver Horn repeated the name. Back when he was Yellow level, it had merely been something from rumors; now, he was qualified to enter.

"Each entry costs ten thousand Contribution Points, and you can stay inside for seven days," Hu Ge said. "How you use it is up to you."

Silver Horn calculated silently. One hundred thousand Contribution Points would be enough for ten entries, or seventy days. If he could push his Space Law from the sixth level to the seventh, or even touch the threshold of the eighth, then the Contribution Points would be well spent.

Hu Ge thought for a moment. It seemed that he had explained everything that needed explaining, so he asked, "Any other questions?"

Silver Horn pondered briefly, then shook his head. "Not for now. If I need anything later, I'll contact you."

The two exchanged contact information, and Hu Ge took his leave. With several flickers, his figure vanished into the horizon.

Silver Horn turned to the twenty servants and said calmly, "Dismissed. Go about your duties. Do not enter the main building unless summoned by me."

"Yes, my lord." The servants answered in unison and retreated in a disciplined manner to the edges of the courtyard.

Silver Horn turned and walked into the stone building.