With only seven days left before leaving Chaos City, Zhang Junbao returned to Chaos Ruins. The Chaos City Lord had once told him to visit Chaos Ruins one last time before leaving Chaos City.
In a vast world littered with corpses, Zhang Junbao once again encountered the Chaos City Lord.
"Senior brother, my thirty-year period of seclusion in Chaos City is about to expire, Junbao have come here specifically to resign!" Zhang Junbao said respectfully.
Although the two were nominally fellow disciples, Zhang Junbao knew that the difference in their strength was too great, and that necessary etiquette was still required.
" Junbao, you've surprised me greatly. I originally thought that giving you a thousand years to comprehend the fundamental principles of the Ten Great Laws would be extremely difficult, but I never expected that you would do it in just thirty years," said the Chaos City Lord.
"Thanks to my senior brother's gift of ' The On the Universe ' and the guidance of Venerable Guiyi, I suddenly understood everything."
"It's different. I gave you a thousand years because I had already foreseen these things. Your understanding has exceeded my expectations, and what's even more remarkable is your character."
"For thirty years, the Chaos City has cultivated diligently, enduring solitude without the slightest restlessness. Even Universe Venerable would find it difficult to do that," the Chaos City Lord said with a touch of emotion.
Although Immortal and Venerable may go into seclusion for thousands or even tens of thousands of years at a time, they do not only study the Law, but also do other things from time to time to adjust their state of mind.
"You've conquered all ten levels of the Universe Heavenly Bridge in thirty years, even causing the eleventh level's guardian to vomit blood. Quite impressive," the Chaos City Lord nodded. "Upon leaving Chaos City and arriving at the Primal Secret Region, you can apply for Nutrient Pod to elevate your cultivation to the peak of the Universe Level."
"After improving your cultivation, you still need to continue to consolidate your understanding, comprehend the Law, and cultivate secret techniques. As for breaking through to the Domain Lord Level, there's no need to rush; it will happen naturally."
Once your foundation is fully solidified, then you can accept missions. Simply focusing on cultivation and comprehending the Law isn't the best approach. Core Member at the Universe Level can accept one mission every hundred years. These missions are both tests and trials; the mysteries within are for you to grasp yourself.
"Do not be greedy for quick success and act rashly. You have already passed the Tenth Layer of the Heavenly Bridge Universe Level, which means you must have been included in the list of Alien Race hunters. Once you go out to carry out a mission, you will definitely be assassinated."
You must be careful. If you encounter danger, seek help immediately and do not be reckless.
"Even just passing through the Tenth Layer would make someone a target for assassination?"
"Only the Tenth Layer? Could it be that you're hiding your strength?" The Chaos City Lord's eyes emitted two beams of light, shining on Zhang Junbao.
"Hahaha... Show me everything you've learned so far!"
"Here?" Zhang Junbao asked, puzzled.
"This is an ancient battlefield. Do you really think you have the strength to destroy it?"
"I was overthinking it!"
Since the Chaos City Lord had said so, Zhang Junbao naturally had no objections.
"Speak, "Zhang Junbao said, unleashing his strongest move in full before the Chaos City Lord.
After watching Zhang Junbao's demonstration, Chaos City remained silent for a moment before asking...
"With your current strength, even passing through the Twelfth level of the Heavenly Bridge shouldn't be difficult. Why did you only pass through the Tenth Layer? Don't tell me you've made so many breakthroughs in just one month!"
"After Venerable Guiyi gave me his third sermon, I did make some progress. However, there is an old saying in my hometown: 'Conceal your cleverness in clumsiness, use obscurity to reveal your brilliance, embody purity in turbidity, and yield to achieve advancement.' This means that there is no need to show off everything. It is better to appear clumsy than too clever, better to be restrained than to be overly sharp, better to be easygoing than arrogant, and better to retreat than to be too proactive."
Zhang Junbao said, "The tallest tree in the forest is bound to be felled by the wind. Passing through the Tenth Layer is enough to show the gap between me and the geniuses of my generation. Why should I reveal all my strength and leave myself no room for maneuver?"
Humility brings benefit, while pride invites loss!
"Leave room for maneuver?"
Zhang Junbao's words did indeed surprise the Chaos City Lord. Which genius in the universe isn't domineering and unrestrained, quick to retaliate, and eager to display all their talents so that the world knows of their extraordinary gifts? Even if they can only pass through the Tenth Layer, they would still desperately try to squeeze to a higher level, even if it costs them their lives.
However, Zhang Junbao did the opposite. Although he could have passed through the Twelfth level of the Heavenly Bridge, he deliberately failed on the eleventh level.
"If Kedi had thought the same way back then, biding his time and concealing his abilities, once he stepped into Immortal, his momentum would have been established, and what could the Alien Race have done to him?" The Chaos City Lord sighed, quite agreeing with Zhang Junbao's words.
"Since you're willing to conceal your strength, I won't say anything more. It's understandable for strong individuals to leave themselves a backup plan and hide some of their power."
I originally thought that once you'd conquered Heavenly Bridge, you'd surely shine brightly. But since you've learned to remain humble and modest, that's for the best.
However, assassination attempts by Alien Race must be guarded against; remember this. When traveling abroad, assassination attempts are unavoidable. Ordinary dangers are one thing, but if escape is hopeless, commit suicide as soon as possible and never be captured alive by the enemy. If captured, you will surely be Soul Enslavement.
Do you know that at my level of power, it's possible to reverse time and resurrect the dead? But there's a prerequisite: one cannot be Soul Enslavement. Once enslaved, everything is over, and even I can't do anything about it.
Did you remember that?
"I will remember my senior's teachings!"
"I have a secret treasure to give you, called the ' Heavenly Spirit Soul-Stabilizing Pearl,' a treasure left by my teacher. It can protect the soul and withstand Soul Attack from those at the King Level."
With your strength, you are not powerful enough to control it. I have sealed my power within it, which will automatically activate when you are attacked by Soul Attack.
"Thank you for your kindness, Senior Brother!"
Zhang Junbao imprinted his soul onto the purple pearl covered with strange and mysterious patterns. This ' Heavenly Spirit Soul-Stabilizing Pearl ' flew directly into his sea of consciousness, hovering high in the sky, emitting a faint purple light, protecting his soul.
Go!
Zhang Junbao left respectfully, leaving only the Chaos City Lord in the vast world.
"Hiding his strength? He's only at the Universe Level, yet he knows how to deliberately conceal his power. He's clearly exceptionally talented, but he knows how to keep a low profile. In this respect, Kedi can't compare to him!"
Upon returning to the entrance of the ' Chaos Ruins ', Zhang Junbao saw that Venerable Guiyi was already waiting there.
"Second Senior Brother."
"Junior Brother, you're leaving Chaos City for the Primal Secret Region this time to undertake a training mission. I don't have much to help you with, so I'll give you a G-class spaceship. This spaceship has already fused with a Metal Lifeform form and can withstand attacks from King Level. You can simply bind it to you!"
Venerable Guiyi handed over a Space Ring. Zhang Junbao examined it and found that the ring had an enormous space; it was actually a World Ring!
The spaceship, infused with Metal Lifeform, resembled a gigantic whale.
"It's actually Void Whale, a rare Metal Lifeform in the universe!" Zhang Junbao was shocked. This Metal Lifeform was much more advanced than the Metal Lifeform that the spaceship that brought them into Chaos City had fused with.
"This was something I obtained by chance during my cosmic adventures when I was Immortal, but I no longer need it, so I'm giving it to you. You've just entered the universe, so don't tarnish your teacher's reputation!"
Venerable Guiyi smiled and said that he also liked Zhang Junbao very much, who had exceptional comprehension. In fact, when he was expounding the Dao to Zhang Junbao, Zhang Junbao's understanding of some Law actually touched him, the Universe Venerable.
After expounding the Dao with Zhang Junbao three times, Zhang Junbao's cultivation level actually improved slightly, which was something Venerable Guiyi had not expected.
I will keep my senior's teachings in mind.
"Go."
Seven days passed in the blink of an eye, and in the final few days, all the geniuses were sprinting like crazy.
After talking with Zhang Junbao, Bolan tried to cross the Heavenly Bridge again, and surprisingly broke through two levels, passing through the seventh level!
Luo Feng was equally determined and also passed the seventh level; the two are now neck and neck.
Rong Jun passed the sixth level.
Wuka passed the fifth level.
These five individuals far surpassed the other geniuses of their graduating class.
" Zhang Junbao is one thing, but why are Luo Feng, Rong Jun, and even Wuka progressing so quickly?"
"How could it be so easy? It's said that the best genius in the last Genius Battle in Chaos City over the past 30 years only reached the fourth level."
"It gets harder the higher you go. Luo Feng only passed the fifth level a short time ago, but now he's caught up with Bolan and has also passed the seventh level!"
"And Wuka, he was only at the third level originally, how come he's progressing so quickly?"
At the last moment, Luo Feng and his group's explosive outburst caught everyone off guard. On the contrary, Zhang Junbao became much more low-key, just like he had been during his thirty years in Chaos City.
"Ready to go!"
The Venerable Nine Swords's voice accurately entered the minds of every genius.
Of the thousand people who initially entered Chaos City, only a little over eight hundred remained. The remaining hundred or so had all perished outside Chaos City.
In the sky, a large, dark blue fish-shaped creature flew out and hovered above, from which the Venerable Nine Swords emerged.
He glanced at the more than eight hundred people in front of him and said, "Your cultivation in the Chaos City the Initial Universe has ended. For you, it means you have said goodbye to the most comfortable life and will now truly face the perilous universe!"
Chaos City is already incredibly safe, yet your generation has a relatively high mortality rate! However, in terms of achievements, your generation is probably the best in tens of thousands of epochs!
Especially Zhang Junbao, Luo Feng, Bolan, Rong Jun, Wuka – they were all very good!
A group of young people below became slightly agitated, and many looked at them.
Zhang Junbao's breakthrough of the Tenth Layer was unprecedented, leaving others far behind. They no longer considered him as a peer, as he was simply incomparable.
While it might seem natural that Bolan could clear the seventh level, Luo Feng's clearing of the seventh level truly shocked everyone.
Rong Jun's sixth level is unprecedented in previous sessions. Even Wuka, who passed through the fifth level, is enough to rank him in the top 50 of the last thousand sessions. The record set this time will probably be difficult to break for countless future eras.
"Next, you will be divided into four groups and head to the Apocalypse Secret Region, the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm, the Primordial Secret Realm, and the Primal Secret Region respectively!"
For most of you, there may never be another chance to come to the Initial Universe. I hope that tens of thousands of epochs later, you will still be alive and meet me again!
The Four Great Secret Realms realms are located in various parts of the universe, and many geniuses, even after a lifetime, find it difficult to World Break and enter a higher level of secret realm. The conditions for returning to Chaos City are equally demanding.
Just as the Venerable Nine Swords finished his speech and was about to leave, a spaceship stopped not far from them. Led by an Immortal, two young people stepped out of the spaceship.
"Is this the Chaos City of the Initial Universe? Junbao and Luo Feng have been in seclusion. I wonder if they're still there?" a man said, touching his bald head.
"The thirty-year term has just expired. If we're lucky, we might run into them. Those two are working too hard, constantly cultivating. I sent them emails in the Virtual Universe, but they haven't replied at all," said another man in black robes.
"Hong? Thunder God?"
Zhang Junbao looked closely and realized it was the two of them. Only then did he remember that the Chaos City Lord had promised them a test!
Time flows much slower in Chaos City than in the Original Universe; thirty years in Chaos City is roughly equivalent to a hundred years in the Original Universe.
When Zhang Junbao first arrived, he requested the Chaos City Lord to give Hong and Thunder God the opportunity to enter Chaos City. At that time, the Chaos City Lord had sent an envoy to test the two of them.
However, Zhang Junbao then went into seclusion to cultivate, and did not check the outside world for information, so he did not pay attention to the news of the two of them.
Clearly, Hong and Thunder God have passed the test of the Chaos City Lord and obtained the qualification to enter the Chaos City of the Initial Universe. After all, they possess the permission to comprehend Zhang Junbao's Virtual Chaos Stele, greatly increasing their cultivation speed.
Upon seeing Zhang Junbao call out, the Venerable Nine Swords also noticed them. He already knew Zhang Junbao's background thoroughly and naturally knew that Zhang Junbao had a very close relationship with Hong and Thunder God. In the past, the Venerable Nine Swords had even wanted to use the Ganwu Country Lord and their relationship to take Zhang Junbao as his disciple.
Seeing the two of them here now is rather surprising.
"Greetings, Venerable Nine Swords. I have been ordered by the City Lord to escort the two princes who have passed the assessment to Chaos City."
"Hmm, to be able to pass the test and enter Chaos City outside of the Genius Battle, not bad. Zhang Junbao, Luo Feng, do you know them?"
"The four of us are brothers!" Zhang Junbao and Luo Feng replied.
"Go ahead, you have five minutes. After this parting, we may never see each other again in real life."
"Thank you, Venerable!"
For geniuses like Zhang Junbao and Luo Feng, the Venerable Nine Swords was willing to give them some preferential treatment. As for the others, they should just wait patiently!
"Hong, Thunder God, you've actually come to Chaos City too!" Luo Feng said happily.
"You two, I emailed you before we even left, but who knew Babata and Feitian would tell me that you two were in seclusion, and had been for so many years," Hong said with a smile.
"Thanks to Junbao, we had this extra opportunity for assessment."
"That still depends on your own efforts. The spots outside of the Genius Battle are even harder to obtain than those in the Genius Battle!" Zhang Junbao said with a smile.
"It's a pity that although we passed the test, all those who enter the Virtual Universe Company through external tests can only start from the Apocalypse Secret Region. I don't think I can lose to those people from the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm now!" Thunder God said unwillingly.
"Be content. If it weren't for Junbao, we wouldn't even have had the chance to come to Chaos City."
"Thirty years of cultivation in Chaos City is an extremely rare opportunity. The progress you've made here has been truly remarkable, and you must cherish it at all times!"
"We understand, it's a pity we just arrived, and you and Luo Feng are leaving already."
"Don't forget that we also need to protect the Earth, that's the most important thing. We can meet anytime in the Virtual Universe."
Regarding the comprehension of the Law, I will send you a summary of my insights later in the Virtual Universe, which can help you in your cultivation. The most important thing for you here is to comprehend the Law. As for the Heavenly Bridge, you only need to pass the third level to be able to become an apprentice. There is no need to specifically try to conquer the later levels. The Law are the foundation!" Zhang Junbao explained his thirty years of experience in Chaos City to them.
"You should listen to Junbao on this. He's been in Chaos City for thirty years and only crossed the Heavenly Bridge twice. He came once and left once, hahaha," Luo Feng laughed.
Zhang Junbao and Luo Feng explained some things to be aware of in Chaos City. As for Xu Jiu, there would be plenty of time in the Virtual Universe later, so there was no need to waste time here.
Only after entering Chaos City did they truly realize just how vast the universe was and how terrifying the powerful beings within it were. For the four of them alone, protecting Earth was a long and arduous task!
" Junbao, Luo Feng, take care!"
"Hong, Thunder God, you must also take care and not let your guard down!"
The four said their goodbyes. Zhang Junbao and Luo Feng boarded the spaceship to leave Chaos City, while Hong and Thunder God were about to embark on their life in Chaos City.