Different physiques

Learning about the Genius Battle ahead of time had brought some changes to Luo Feng and the other two.

With Babata's help, Luo Feng began cultivating like mad, striving to improve his strength.

Before long, Babata was stunned.

"Luo Feng, y-you... what's going on?" Babata stared at Luo Feng in astonishment.

After spending several years together, Babata had a general understanding of Luo Feng's talent.

Luo Feng's progress over the past few months had left him utterly shocked.

In just a few months, Luo Feng had successfully gained insight into the origin law of gold, making more progress than he had in the preceding years.

Although he had yet to cross the threshold of the origin law, his attacks already carried a faint trace of it.

At this rate, it wouldn't be long before Luo Feng successfully crossed that threshold.

Luo Feng smiled faintly without explaining. He had to keep the Nameless Secret Codex a secret.

Chen Ao had also privately transmitted a message to him, telling him not to reveal it.

The Nameless Secret Codex truly defied the heavens. Improving the Golden Horned Beast's genes brought its body into closer alignment with the Law of Gold, making it easier for him to comprehend the law.

This seemingly tiny improvement did more than save time spent cultivating and comprehending laws. It also allowed one to reach a higher ceiling.

That was the difference between fifty-nine and sixty.

Sometimes, the slightest difference was a world apart.

"Wow, it looks like I really underestimated you-or rather, the Golden Horned Beast's talent. At this rate, you'll definitely comprehend an origin law before the Genius Battle begins!"

Babata grew even more excited. Whatever had happened, he was happy as long as Luo Feng became stronger.

Several more months passed, and Luo Feng successfully crossed the threshold of the origin of the Law of Gold. Moreover, he had already begun nurturing his Mosha Clan clone. Perhaps he would soon be able to start comprehending the Space Law as well.

The Genius Battle was approaching, so he wanted to see just how powerful the top contenders Babata had described really were!

"Senior, could you fight me once? I want to test my strength!"

Although Babata had told him there was still a gap between him and the top geniuses, he had no way of truly showing Luo Feng how large that gap was.

That left Luo Feng uncertain about exactly where his strength stood.

So he came to Chen Ao, intending to find out for himself.

Even if he couldn't win now, he would at least broaden his horizons and gain a goal to work toward.

Chen Ao opened his eyes. "Luo Feng, it's not that I'm unwilling to help, but there's a fifty-year age gap between us. There's a big difference in how long we've cultivated, too..."

Chen Ao did his best to dissuade Luo Feng, afraid he might leave him psychologically scarred.

"Senior, I know all that, but I won't be satisfied until I've seen it for myself!"

Looking at the blazing fighting spirit in Luo Feng's eyes, Chen Ao felt uncertain.

Still, Luo Feng was the father of the universe, after all. The whole universe would need his help in the future. Surely a single defeat wouldn't crush him.

In the original story, Luo Feng had suffered many defeats without losing heart.

"Then, all right. Attack me with everything you have!"

Huh?

Luo Feng looked at Chen Ao, who remained seated comfortably on the rock. "Senior, are you really planning to just..."

"Come on!"

Luo Feng felt a little annoyed. This was far too dismissive of him. He had crossed the threshold of an origin law, after all.

Senior must not know how much I've improved these past few months. Once I show him, he won't underestimate me like this!

Without another word, Luo Feng pulled out his big staff.

At the sight of the staff, Chen Ao froze for a moment. Luo Feng could already use the Yan Shen Armament at this point?

"Senior, what I'm holding is the Yan Shen Armament, one of the Nine Divine Weapons of the Controller. Its power is immense, so be careful!"

Chen Ao nodded to show that he understood.

Luo Feng took a deep breath. You'll soon see how strong I am.

Yan Shen Armament, first level-Phantom Sword Style!

A small golden sword suddenly appeared and shot toward Chen Ao.

Still seated, Chen Ao watched the Yan Shen Armament's golden sword with curiosity.

The Golden Illusion Sword moved incredibly fast, crossing the dozen-odd zhang between them in almost the blink of an eye and arriving beside Chen Ao.

But as the Golden Illusion Sword reached the space in front of Chen Ao, something suddenly blocked it. It couldn't advance even a fraction of an inch.

"How is that possible?!" Luo Feng had tested the illusion sword's power. It could pierce even a seventh- or eighth-level Universe expert with a single strike.

Yet Chen Ao had stood there-no, sat there-without moving at all and blocked the Golden Illusion Sword outright.

After effortlessly blocking the Golden Illusion Sword, Chen Ao casually took the hovering blade into his hand.

Pfft!

Chen Ao seized the Golden Illusion Sword.

Luo Feng immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

"How is this possible..." Luo Feng stared in horror at the Golden Illusion Sword he could no longer recall.

He controlled it with his spiritual power. How could a warrior shatter that spiritual link?

"This material is quite good. If it were used to forge a sword, it would certainly handle nicely!"

He casually tossed the Golden Illusion Sword away.

The Golden Illusion Sword flew back into the Yan Shen Armament.

"Senior, how did you do that just now?"

"It's nothing useful. Once you cross the threshold of the Space Origin Law, you'll understand! The future belongs to young people like you."

Yes, once you can control dozens of phantom bodies and seal off the entire space, you'll be able to shatter a spiritual link directly.

Luo Feng wiped the corner of his mouth. At last, he understood the gap between them.

"Thank you for the lesson, Senior. But I won't admit defeat so easily. I'll be back to challenge you again soon!"

With that, Luo Feng left.

"Babata, use Senior as the simulation model and set him as my opponent!"

"Okay, I've already simulated Chen Ao's strength!" Babata replied.

Usually rather sharp-tongued, Babata wanted to say that this was only the tip of the iceberg of Chen Ao's strength. But after some thought, he held his tongue.

People had different physiques. Perhaps Chen Ao had encountered some extraordinary opportunity too?

Time continued to pass, and Chen Ao remained seated steadily on the stone platform.

One day, an enormous black announcement with glowing edges appeared out of thin air in the night sky above Black Dragon Mountain Island in the Virtual Universe. Brilliant white lettering shone across its black surface.

"Cosmic Humans-Peak Genius Tournament!"

"Once every ten thousand years!"

"Coming soon!"

"Jointly hosted by the Virtual Universe Company and all Universe Countries!"

"Are you a genius? Unable to find an opponent at your level and rank? Then enter the 'Peak Genius Tournament'! Here, billions of geniuses from the many Universe Countries across the universe will engage in fierce battles!"

"For details, please use your virtual assistant to visit the official 'Virtual Universe Network' website!"

The announcement stretched over a million li in both length and width. Even on Black Dragon Mountain Island, with its population of hundreds of millions, everyone could see it clearly simply by looking up.

Cheers!

Shouts!

Countless people were overwhelmed with excitement!

Chen Ao also raised his head to look at the announcement above.

"It's finally here. At last, I can leave Earth!" Chen Ao killed the Domain Lord expert simulated by the Virtual Universe with a single sword strike and walked out of the Combat Room.

P.S. Improving genes can increase law comprehension. This was mentioned in "Fifty Years on Earth," chapter twenty-nine of volume eleven in the original story. With the enhancement from Blood Luo Power, the Golden Horned Beast had ten times the attunement for comprehending the universe. Blood Luo Power is a gene multiplier, so there's no problem with describing it this way.