The peak geniuses remained relatively calm, but the entire 1008th cosmos nation was in an uproar. Especially within the Qianwu Cosmos Nation, countless citizens across its billions of galaxies were ecstatic. Out of the million geniuses gathered from 1008 cosmos nations, two of the top twenty hailed from their own nation—what an immense honor!
“We… we, the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, actually have a young genius who ranked third in the entire cosmos?”
“That’s the overall ranking of the entire universe!”
“He’s from our Black Dragon Mountain Empire!”
“Heavens!”
“Luofeng is just too incredible.”
“It’s the universal ranking! Across 1008 cosmos nations!”
The Black Dragon Mountain Empire was stunned by this news. Though its territory was vast, compared to the entire 1008 cosmos nations, it was truly insignificant. Even the Qianwu Cosmos Nation rarely produced a genius capable of entering the top twenty, let alone the tiny Black Dragon Mountain Galaxy!
Such an opportunity might arise only once in tens of millions of years!
…
“Luofeng, Black Dragon Mountain!”
“Luofeng, Black Dragon Mountain!”
“Luofeng, Black Dragon Mountain!”
Throughout the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, all online news channels constantly promoted him, broadcasting documentaries and features about Luofeng. His popularity reached an unbelievable level. Even the Emperor of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire proudly declared, “Luofeng hails from our Black Dragon Mountain Empire. He is our empire’s hero!”
Because of Luofeng, this previously insignificant galaxy within the vast universe became known to citizens of many other cosmos nations.
…
“Luofeng is the hero of our Black Dragon Mountain Empire,” the Emperor of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire proclaimed loudly during a live virtual news broadcast on the Black Dragon Mountain Islands. “He comes from the Milky Way Galaxy of our Black Dragon Mountain Galaxy. Therefore, I hereby officially present his hometown—the Milky Way Galaxy—to him. From today onward, he shall be the Lord of the Milky Way!”
The Emperor publicly announced this!
Though the imperial family of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire had already promised to grant the Milky Way Galaxy to Luofeng, this public declaration was clearly meant to elevate his status.
Luofeng’s immense fame within the Black Dragon Mountain Empire was inseparable from the active promotion by the imperial family.
…
“Damn it!”
Brolyn sat in his study, clenching his teeth in frustration, crushing the glass in his hand. “It’s over. No hope at all. The higher-ups have decided to fully court Luofeng.”
The imperial family of the empire and their patron—the Holy Black Dragon Mountain—had collectively decided to do everything possible to win Luofeng’s favor, using hometown sentiment to bind him to them. As long as Luofeng didn’t perish, with his third-place talent, he would surely gain significant power within the core ranks of the Virtual Universe Company in the future.
The Virtual Universe Company was one of the top five corporate giants, arguably even among the most dominant of them.
Even the 1008 cosmos nations had to look up to these five giants.
Once Luofeng gained some authority, even a small favor from him at a critical moment could bring immeasurable benefits to the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. As for the ninth prince, Brolyn, he wasn’t even considered part of the empire’s true ruling elite. How could he possibly influence the empire’s decisions?
…
“It’s over.”
Nolan Shan stared at the screen, his eyes filled with resentment. “With his status as a core member of the Virtual Universe Company, if he discovers me, killing me will be as easy as crushing an ant.”
“Go into hiding!”
“Go into hiding!”
Nolan Shan gritted his teeth. “Unless I become stronger than him in the future, I must remain in complete obscurity, revealing no trace of myself.”
“Then so be it!” A cold gleam flashed in Nolan Shan’s eyes. “I’ll head to the battlefield beyond the domains! Otherwise, there’s no chance of surpassing him!” Nolan Shan was a ruthless individual. Surviving a thousand life-and-death battles in the Axe Battle Arena proved his decisiveness. Earlier, sensing danger, he immediately abandoned his base.
That very day, Nolan Shan boarded a spaceship and left the planet.
…
Earth.
“OMG, what? Luofeng became the Lord of the Milky Way?” In the American Capital Base City on the North American continent, a group of high-ranking officials were completely stunned.
“The Lord of the Milky Way?”
“How is that possible? From the information we obtained from the Virtual Universe Network, it was stated that Cosmic-level warriors could receive over a dozen planets as their territory, and only World-level warriors could be granted an entire galaxy. According to that data, World-level warriors are terrifying cosmic beings capable of destroying Earth with a single gesture. Even stars and white dwarfs are nothing before them. How could Luofeng be granted an entire galaxy?”
The high-ranking officials of the United States were all astonished.
Though the five major powers on Earth were grateful to Luofeng, unlike the Chinese, who felt a deep sense of kinship, the other nations secretly felt a bit resentful. Why must the Earth’s Lord be a Chinese? Why couldn’t it be an American or an Indian?
Of course, no one dared to voice this openly. But this news still shocked them completely.
“Everyone, please allow me to explain in detail what the ‘Cosmic Genius Battle’ signifies,” a blonde woman said. “After listening, you will understand what Luofeng’s current status truly represents—and why he deserves treatment comparable to a World-level warrior.”
…
“The Lord of the Milky Way?”
“Haha, Luofeng is really impressive. Old Wang, how many life-bearing planets are there in the Milky Way?”
“According to the data we obtained from the Virtual Universe Network, the Milky Way contains over 210,000 life-bearing planets.”
“Haha, 210,000 life-bearing planets? All suddenly belong to Luofeng? Great! He’s brought honor to Earth and to the Chinese people. Though they label us as primitive natives of this planet, our ‘native’ has emerged as a genius, ranking third in the entire human cosmos!”
…
Leaders of the five major Earth powers and various base cities received the news, all stunned by Luofeng’s status as the Lord of the Milky Way. However, the leadership did not inform the general public. In fact, the common people of Earth knew little about the cosmos, and the higher-ups had no intention of letting the general populace fully engage with the cosmic world so soon.
…
“Third brother’s progress is truly remarkable,” said the black-clad young man ‘Hong,’ who sat cross-legged in a thatched cottage, opening his eyes. “I can’t afford to slack off either. Our teacher’s friend is indeed strange… an Eternal being willing to live on a planet with no technology whatsoever.” His gaze pierced through the door of the cottage, looking at the sky hundreds of kilometers away.
In that sky, several savage, beast-skinned men flew through the air.
This planet was the residence of an Eternal being. The entire planet remained in a primitive state, its human inhabitants cultivating their own potential, gradually forming various sects. The Eternal lived in hiding here, and those so-called sects had no idea that an Eternal being resided among them.
“Hong, it’s time we departed.”
‘Lo,’ the Time Lord, instantly appeared before the cottage. Hong immediately rose and ascended into the sky, boarding a spaceship that left the planet.
The native sects of this planet had no idea that two cosmic experts had ever arrived here.
…
“Good job. I permit you to rest,” Master Fog called out.
“Not enough, not yet. Third brother has reached third place, and my progress still isn’t sufficient,” said Thunder, undergoing training on Mars in the Solar System, following Master Fog’s regimen to constantly improve himself.
…
Unaware of the immense impact his third-place ranking had caused in the cosmos, Luofeng was currently with Ronjun and four others, listening to the giant clad in scaled armor and battle robes.
“Tomorrow’s Qualification Battle will depend on your performance.”
“Understood!”
“You three go first. Luofeng and Ronjun stay behind,” said the scaled-armored giant. The three young men respectfully left the large chamber, leaving only Luofeng and Ronjun.
The scaled-armored giant fixed his gaze on the two.
“Fourteenth and third,” the giant’s deep voice carried a subtle pressure, making Luofeng and Ronjun struggle to remain standing. “Do you feel a bit proud? Do you think you’re strong?”
“No!” Ronjun, the wild-looking warrior, replied.
“The trials prove nothing,” Luofeng added.
“Hmph.”
The scaled-armored giant let out a low snort. “At least you’ve remained calm and haven’t let this minor glory go to your heads. Yes, Luofeng, you’re right! These trials prove nothing… Let me tell you, among the top ten in this trial, two are warriors, and eight are mental controller masters!”
Luofeng’s expression subtly changed. Eight of the top ten were masters…
“Do you understand now?”
“This trial favors mental controller masters the most, followed by warriors. It is least favorable for mental illusionists,” the scaled-armored giant explained. “Take the genius of the Haoshen Race, ‘Galesi.’ Our many Eternals unanimously believe his strength should place him in the top ten, yet he ranked only 189!”
“Those who rank within the top twenty in the trials are naturally strong.”
“But those ranked between thirty and fifty might not necessarily be weaker. Especially some mental illusionists, many of whom rank outside the top hundred, yet their actual combat strength is hard to gauge,” the scaled-armored giant warned solemnly. “Therefore, you must never be the slightest bit complacent, or you might become stepping stones for others.”
Luofeng and Ronjun listened obediently.
“Of course, the trials do reflect strength to some extent.”
“Based on our observations of the live broadcasts, we, the many Eternals, have judged Luofeng to be among the top ten,” the scaled-armored giant looked at Ronjun. “Ronjun, in our judgment, you rank among the top twenty!”
Luofeng and Ronjun remained silent.
The scaled-armored giant gazed at the two for a moment before continuing, “Of course, actual combat also depends on performance and how one’s fighting style counters another’s. Those ranked in the top twenty can still break into the top ten, and those in the top ten can still be defeated by those below. After all, the differences in strength among you are not that great.”
“Alright!”
“You two rest now. You’ve both secured your spots; tomorrow holds no battles for you. Prepare yourselves for the final showdown.”
“Although a thousand individuals can enter the core layer, their treatment varies greatly. Even within the core layer, there are different ranks. For example, ‘Death God’ Bolan will surely enter the ‘Primordial Secret Realm.’ As for you two, work hard and strive!” the scaled-armored giant concluded.
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