After a moment of thought, a yellowish-brown light appeared in Zhang Junbao's hand. To Hanta's astonishment, Zhang Junbao pressed one hand on the ground, and the ground began to twist and deform, transforming into the shape of a mud slime.
What Hanta found even more unacceptable was that the slime had grown spikes similar to his fists, and its entire body seemed to be covered in a layer of hard rock armor, no longer the soft and limp thing it had been at the beginning.
Even so, the rock armor on the slime deformed as it moved, and was not a completely fixed shape.
"How is this possible!"
The Earth's Ripples and Heaviness —you've blended them together!
Hanta, disregarding the fact that he was still Zhang Junbao's prisoner, exclaimed in surprise.
How long has it been? He originally explained the domain to Zhang Junbao, never expecting that Zhang Junbao could master it. Who doesn't accumulate knowledge over time to comprehend their domain? But now, Zhang Junbao has perfectly replicated his ability right in front of him, even surpassing it. This has completely shattered Hanta's lifelong understanding.
"Hmm, it seems you weren't lying."
Alright, you're free now. Go on your way.
However, your secret technique can only buy you this life. If I encounter you again, I will still kill you.
Zhang Junbao ignored the completely stunned Hanta and released him. But Hanta remained rooted to the spot, staring blankly.
"My lord, I beg you to teach me this Fusion Secret Technique. I am willing to pay any price!" Hanta knelt on one knee, bowing his hard head respectfully as he spoke.
"Forget about the price. I don't have time to guide you. If you can thoroughly understand the process I just went through, that will be enough to improve your strength. If you don't even understand the process, no matter how much I say, it's useless."
Also, don't forget, this is the Peak Genius Tournament; you and I are enemies.
After saying that, Zhang Junbao left on his own.
He's been here for a while now; it's time to go and meet the geniuses of the universe.
"So the reason he didn't stop me from watching was because he wanted me to learn. It's just that I'm too slow to understand, and I've missed a great opportunity!" Hanta was filled with regret, hating himself for not understanding Zhang Junbao's meaning in time.
Zhang Junbao, dressed in a moon-white Daoist robe, stood proudly alone in this world, like a celestial being, completely out of place in this world of madness and slaughter.
In a certain canyon, two figures were fighting, while Zhang Junbao watched from above.
"Kid, how long do you want to keep watching?" After exchanging a blow, the two stopped, looked up at Zhang Junbao, and roared angrily.
Zhang Junbao had been watching from the sidelines from the very beginning of their fight. Was he planning to wait until they were almost finished before reaping the benefits?
At the same time, the two fighters exchanged a glance and reached a tacit understanding. They both leaped into the air, their swords aimed directly at Zhang Junbao.
"Alright, I've seen enough. You two have been fighting for so long without any result. A battle of wits can't last. If you're going to fight so fiercely, you should go all out from the start. This indecisiveness is making me sleepy."
The two attacked from the left and right, one wielding War Blade and the other a long whip with a section of the sword attached to the end. Their aura was fierce, indicating they were no ordinary opponents.
At this moment, the two men looked at Zhang Junbao with murderous intent. "We've been fighting for three hundred rounds, and you're just watching from the sidelines, not only that, but you actually complain that we're not fighting well. You're asking for death!"
"Die!"
The two men roared, their weapons gleaming brightly, and simultaneously charged towards Zhang Junbao.
However, before their attacks could even hit Zhang Junbao, their heads fell to the ground, easily killed by Zhang Junbao's counterattack.
"Damn, he has a terrible temper, and his secret techniques are mediocre. Let's just kill him."
Zhang Junbao traveled along, stopping frequently, going wherever there was a battle. If he encountered someone difficult to talk to, he would kill them to get points, while if he encountered someone he liked, he might give them a few pointers before killing them.
During this time, he acquired many ingenious secret techniques, which he found quite rewarding. It truly lived up to its reputation as a place that gathered geniuses from the entire Ganwu Universe Country. Although not all the techniques were useful, the ingenious designs of some of them still broadened his horizons. Cultivation wasn't just about self-imposed seclusion and arduous practice; communication with others was equally crucial.
Zhang Junbao understood perfectly the principle that one can learn from others' experiences. Of course, this was on the premise of fully mastering his own secret techniques; otherwise, being half-hearted would only lead to a predicament.
"Have you heard? In the East of this world, a Madman has appeared. He doesn't kill everyone; sometimes he even gives others pointers, treating this place entirely as a training ground."
"I saw him too. He was very strange. There wasn't a trace of murderous intent about him. He was like a scholar, gentle and refined. If this weren't Peak Genius Tournament, I would have thought he was a young master who came here for sightseeing."
"What young master? You've never met him, you don't know how terrifying he is. I escaped from him myself. He supposedly calls himself ' Daoist Sanfeng '."
If he takes a liking to a secret technique, you can escape disaster by simply explaining it to him.
"I told him my secret technique, and he truly kept his promise and let me go this time," said a red-faced man holding a long sword.
"Really? This is Genius Battle! Would anyone be so kind as to let someone go? We've gathered together precisely to hunt down these arrogant geniuses, haven't we?"
"This time we have gathered more than 10,000 people to hunt down this ' Daoist Sanfeng,' he has a lot of points!" said an old man with a wrinkled face on the other side.
"What? Over ten thousand people gathered just to hunt him down? But who gets the points?"
"Hehe, you don't know this, do you? The one who organized this operation is a genius from the Holy Land of the Ganwu Universe Country. He has promised that as long as you give him the points of ' Daoist Sanfeng,' everyone who assists in the end will receive a reward of ten million Ganwu Coin."
"They even set up a special hunting fund before entering the Genius Battle, guaranteed by the Universe Galaxy Bank, so there's absolutely no need to worry about them defaulting on their debts!" the old man explained.
"You can do that?"
"What do you think? Which of those powerful geniuses doesn't have money? The wealth they possess is beyond our imagination."
You really think this Genius Battle is Genius Battle for everyone? You're wrong. This is Genius Battle only for top geniuses. For us ordinary folks, it's a golden opportunity to make money!
I've lived for thousands of years, and I've reached the Star Level in this lifetime. I don't even dare to dream of breaking through to the Universe Level, but this is an excellent opportunity. Ten million Ganwu Coin! Even among Universe Level experts, how many can earn that much?
I have a unique skill. Although I can't kill geniuses of the same level, trapping them is definitely not a problem. As long as I trap that arrogant ' Daoist Sanfeng ' and let the geniuses of the Holy Land kill him, ten million Ganwu Coin will be my for the taking!
"At that time, I might have the opportunity to have Universe Level expert preach to me and break through to become Universe Level expert myself. Even if that doesn't work, it would still be excellent to secure a future for my descendants!"
An old man like him, a 'veteran Star Level,' has long since exhausted his potential, and he is well aware of this. Therefore, he has no desire to enter the Virtual Universe Company. People need to have dreams, but they also need to respect reality. Out of 8.2 billion people, only 1,000 are selected. Even if the old man fantasizes, he doesn't believe he has that kind of luck.
If he really had such incredible luck, would he still be Star Level being?
The man with the red panel remained silent. The young Star Level expert still wanted to showcase his talent in this Genius Battle and attract the attention of those top holy lands.
But the seasoned veterans of the universe have long since perfected the art of the Genius Battle. Geniuses have their own way of playing, and ordinary Star Level also have their own methods for reaping benefits. They're not simply participating in a Genius Battle to watch the spectacle; their primary goal is to gain sufficient profits.
With 8.2 billion people battling it out in one world, it's impossible for everyone to fight alone. Even the strongest genius will be defeated when facing tens of thousands of opponents of the same level.
Even a large number of ants can kill an elephant, let alone everyone with the physical attributes of Star Level Ninth Stage.
Therefore, many geniuses from top-tier forces took the opportunity to gather their strength and prepare in advance for the Genius Battle. After all, tactical planning is also a form of talent. What the Virtual Universe Company needs is not a bunch of fools who only know how to grab a knife and start fighting.
Knowing how to make full use of various resources to strengthen oneself is also an essential skill for geniuses. After all, only those geniuses who survive can become strong. Many geniuses have become dead geniuses rather than living strong ones because they were too arrogant.
"Young man, listen to me, you should start making money as early as possible. You're included in this operation. Since you have a secret technique that caught the eye of ' Daoist Sanfeng,' it means you're quite capable."
"Besides, you know him well. As long as you make a move at the crucial moment, you'll get a share of ten million Ganwu Coin!" The old man understood the young martial artist's mind very well.
They all think they're geniuses, that everyone around them is too stupid to understand their talent, and they're always looking for an opportunity to soar to the top. But when they get old, they realize they're just one of the masses.
The allure of ten million Ganwu Coin is immense. Not every Star Level being has this opportunity; the vast majority will only lead a mediocre life, working as a henchman or mercenary in the universe.
The man with the red panel gritted his teeth and nodded heavily. Perhaps this was his opportunity; with ten million Ganwu Coin, he could rise rapidly.
When Zhang Junbao saw the large procession surrounding him, he guessed the truth of the matter.
"As expected, some people are trying to gain points this way. Although Virtual Universe Company claims that the Genius Battle is absolutely fair, where in this world is there absolute fairness?"
He has more resources, which is one of his talents; fairness is never about equality!
This genius from the sacred land of the Ganwu Universe Country was very cautious. He didn't show himself, but instead used a large number of cannon fodder to wear down Zhang Junbao's spirit.
Everyone's physical condition is the same, but their spirit can tire. After countless battles, if he doesn't cultivate, his spirit will become fatigued and leave a weakness. That will be the time for him to strike and kill Zhang Junbao.
The preliminary rounds are being held simultaneously in 100 World Zone, and the holy sites of each country are closely watching the performance of their prodigies.
Inside a magnificent palace, a group of young men and women, holding wine glasses and enjoying delicious food, watched a battle between geniuses.
"Hahaha, did you see that? The top 100 in District 49 definitely belong to our Ganwu Sacred Land." A burly man, easily five meters tall, dressed in a magnificent robe, laughed as he held a wine glass in one hand.
"Is Priscilla, the Holy Son of the Ganwu Sacred Land, preparing to strike her next target? Which unfortunate galactic empire will it be?"
Haha, facing an attack from tens of thousands of geniuses of the same level, even the strongest is useless, don't you think, Austin?"
The burly man glanced at the purple-haired youth beside him; the youth's expression was rather unpleasant.
Because the last unfortunate soul attacked by Priscilla came from his empire.
" Elvis, Priscilla's actions are despicable and completely violate the requirements of the Genius Battle!" Austin retorted angrily.
"Oh? Austin, is your Luoyu Empire so poor that you can't even afford to hire a few thugs? Any method that leads to victory is a good method. Even geniuses need brains."
"My dear Austin, you're so adorably naive! In a cosmic war, who cares about being underhanded? Within the rules, any means are acceptable!" The burly man Elvis, grinned.
Which of these cosmic empires didn't develop by constantly defeating their opponents and seizing their resources through absolute military force and strategy? There is no such thing as despicable in the universe; if you can't outmaneuver them, you can only blame yourself for being too naive.
"Let's see which empire is the next unlucky one to fall from grace."
Hey, where's Brolin from the Black Dragon Mountain Empire? It seems no one from your Black Dragon Mountain Empire has made it into the top 10,000 yet. You're so pitifully weak. Another one short this time, tsk tsk!
Elvis glanced around and spotted Brolin looking embarrassed in the corner of the crowd.
After the self-proclaimed Third Prince was killed by Zhang Junbao in the secret realm, Brolin, the Ninth Prince, began to slowly rise to power.
However, the Black Dragon Mountain Empire suffered the same fate as the previous secret realm, and many Star Level geniuses perished, resulting in fewer participants in this Genius Battle compared to other cosmic empires.
Among this group were princes and princesses from various cosmic empires, as well as crown princes from the Ganwu Universe Country and young noblemen from prominent families. They belonged to a large circle of young nobles within the Ganwu Universe Country.
Elvis, who had just spoken, was a prince of the Ganwu Universe Country. Compared to him, Brolin was merely a prince of a vassal state, and their statuses were vastly different.
Brolin forced a smile and said, "It's only just begun, so it's hard to say yet!"
He dared not defend Zhang Junbao, and he himself did not think Zhang Junbao would end up well.
Even Priscilla, the Ganwu Sacred Land and a genius from the Luoyu Empire who was considered capable of entering the top 100, could only suffer a bitter defeat under the overwhelming attack of his people, ultimately becoming Priscilla's points. As for Zhang Junbao, an unknown figure, Brolin dared not hold any hope for him at all.
Although Brolin was extremely embarrassed, he dared not show any anger. Compared to the prince of the Ganwu Universe Country, he was merely a prince of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, and the difference in their status was too great. He could only fawn over him with a forced smile.
In the universe, this sense of regional and imperial honor is generally very strong.
If a super strong person were to emerge in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, the entire empire would feel immensely proud, and other star systems would look at them with new respect.
Now, Zhang Junbao, the prey, has made even Prince Brolin of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire feel humiliated.
"If only that genius who killed my third brother in the secret realm were here! I'd love to kill that damned Priscilla and show them that my Black Dragon Mountain Empire also has geniuses!" Ninth Prince Brolin prayed silently.