Outside World One, aboard a luxurious spaceship, a group of young heirs from obviously powerful factions watched the competition while enjoying fine wine and food.
Most of these young nobles were core descendants of immortal factions, and the one leading them was even a member of the Purple Chen Universe Nation's imperial family.
"Haha, first place is from a star region directly under our Purple Chen Universe Nation." A gorgeously dressed man raised his wineglass and laughed loudly.
"Of course, of course. Your Highness, your universe nation has so many geniuses. Taking first place is only natural." A man wearing unusual ornaments replied with a smile.
"Guka, your family is doing quite well. Three of you made it into the top thousand, and one is even in the top hundred." The lavishly dressed imperial descendant looked at a young man, his tone carrying praise.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. How could our family compare to the universe nation?" Guka answered modestly, though he secretly felt quite pleased with himself.
On another luxurious spaceship outside World One.
More than ten immortal gods sat here, watching the battle while chatting about some of the universe nation's current major events.
"Myriad Blades Marquis, how much longer will the Yunyan Secret Realm remain open?" An immortal military lord seated at the end asked the marquis-level immortal sitting at the head of the table about the Yunyan Secret Realm.
"As far as I know, the Universe Mercenary Alliance has already begun taking over. It will probably remain open to the public for another two eras or so. Anyone who wants to go should hurry." Myriad Blades Marquis answered from the head seat.
"We truly have to thank the Nation Lord for clearing out the dangerous creatures inside and allowing us to explore a low-risk secret realm like the Yunyan Secret Realm." A marquis-level immortal seated below sighed.
"Exactly. The Nation Lord is truly kind-hearted. Many World Lords made fortunes in the Yunyan Secret Realm. I only went three times, but it was enough for me to trade for a whole new set of equipment." Another marquis-level immortal chimed in.
"Silver Wing Marquis, your family has done well this time. That youngster from your family in World 89 is actually in first place now." After glancing at the message he had just received, Myriad Blades Marquis spoke to an immortal god with wings on his back seated to his right.
Silver Wing Marquis was also reading a message sent by his subordinates. His face was full of gratification as he replied, "I just received the news as well. Mu Ji really is impressive. Our family has finally produced a genius this time."
In World Zone 66, five days passed in the blink of an eye. Zhou Yuan continued wandering casually through the world.
As time passed, the strength of the alien races doubled every day. The alien races were now equivalent to sixteen times the strength of an ordinary peak Universe Ninth Order warrior, yet they still could not withstand a single blow before Zhou Yuan.
During that time, Zhou Yuan also encountered quite a few contestants hunting alien races.
Most of the time, he chose to ignore them and pass straight by. Yet there were always some fools who either wanted to seize his points or test his strength, and they repeatedly challenged him.
Zhou Yuan never showed mercy to such people. With a casual slash of his blade, there were only a handful among the contestants he had encountered who could block that strike without dying.
Gradually, the title "God of Blades" spread throughout World 66. Whenever Zhou Yuan was mentioned, the contestants revealed expressions of awe. No one dared provoke him lightly.
After five days, Zhou Yuan's points had reached 706821, and his ranking had risen to sixth place.
At this point, only 38431 people remained in World 66. The elimination rate had exceeded 95%.
More and more contestants began forming teams, coordinating with one another to hunt alien races and avoid being surrounded.
Of course, truly confident experts had no need to form teams. After all, for the strong, the speed at which they earned points depended on how quickly they encountered alien races.
Naturally, the powerful Zhou Yuan would not form a team. Alone with his blade, he swept through everything in his path.
"Have you gathered information on this Zhou Yuan from World 66?" Aboard a luxurious spaceship in World Zone One, Illusory Dream Marquis of the Purple Chen Universe Nation asked a World Lord below him, "The Earth Origin Law strength he has displayed so far is already deeply comprehended. He has a chance of entering the final battle."
"My lord, Zhou Yuan was born on Soka Star in the Gulf Stream Galaxy, directly under our universe nation. During the previous Genius Battle, he was only at the Planet Level. He comprehended a domain at the Stellar Level, then broke through to the Universe Level. There are records of him entering the Yunyan Secret Realm after reaching the Universe Level.
"After leaving the secret realm, he lived on Nanyun Star for a period. The records list him as a fifth-stage Domain Lord, and he had already reached the level of gaining recognition from the Earth Origin Law," a World Lord level expert answered with his head lowered before Dream Fantasy Marquis.
"After that, he entered the Yunyan Secret Realm again, and there are no records of him coming out. Before his later entry, the Yunyan Secret Realm had already been taken over by the Universe Mercenary Alliance. Accessing the data from the Universe Mercenary Alliance requires authorization."
"No need. Accessing the data would involve a different system, and the Nation Lord's approval would be required." Illusory Dream Marquis waved his hand, a trace of admiration flashing through his eyes. "The Virtual Universe does not make mistakes. He must be at the Universe Level. The aura of a fifth-stage Domain Lord was probably concealed with a treasure. Gaining recognition from the Earth Origin Law at the Universe Level—he is absolutely a genius. List him as a seeded contestant and monitor him closely!"
"And keep an eye on Wu Di from World 37 as well." Illusory Dream Marquis pointed at the contestant ranked second in World 37 in the intelligence report.
Zhou Yuan did not know that the Purple Chen Universe Nation had already listed him as a key target for observation. At that moment, he remained immersed in the rhythm of hunting alien races, darting through the ruined world like a hawk in search of his next prey.
He pushed off the ground, soaring into the air and easily clearing a towering mountain range. Ahead, a large number of alien races had suddenly appeared, surrounding a team of more than a hundred people.
Excitement flashed through Zhou Yuan's eyes as he tightened his grip on the Breaking Mountain Blade.
"Perfect timing. I'll deal with all of you at once!" Before his words had faded, Zhou Yuan's figure had already shot into the alien horde below the mountain like lightning.
"Whoosh—" Zhou Yuan fiercely swung the Breaking Mountain Blade. A yellow-brown blade aura dozens of meters long erupted in an instant, sweeping forward like a surging tide.
The dozen or so Demon Bull Monsters charging at the front did not even have time to scream before the blade aura split them in two, black blood splattering across the ground.
Immediately afterward, Zhou Yuan twisted his wrist. The Breaking Mountain Blade whirled continuously like a windmill, countless flashes of blade light pouring from the blade and spreading in every direction.
Blade aura crisscrossed the battlefield. Every streak contained the power of the Earth Origin Law. When they struck the alien races, they either cleaved them in half outright or shattered their bones and tendons.
Zhou Yuan's figure weaved through the alien horde, evading every attack from the Demon Bull Monsters. Each swing of his blade was incomparably precise, nearly every strike fatal.
In less than a minute, tens of thousands of alien races had all fallen into pools of blood. The once-noisy battlefield instantly became deathly silent, leaving only the thick stench of blood hanging in the air.
Of the more than one hundred contestants who had been surrounded, only a dozen or so remained. Covered in wounds and dressed in rags, they stood where they were in lingering terror, staring at Zhou Yuan, who resembled an asura before them. Their eyes were filled with awe and fear.