Chapter 103: The Genius Battle Begins! (Five Updates)
“Everyone has secrets. If you think a secret is important, then don’t tell anyone.”
The Phantom Spirit King did not press Jiang Chen about what he was hiding. Smiling, he said, “As long as you don’t betray humanity or the Universal Mercenary Alliance, having some personal secrets is perfectly normal.”
“Teacher… there is a true secret of mine I cannot reveal to you for now. But there is one thing you should know.”
Jiang Chen was silent for a few seconds before speaking, “I am not the ‘Eso’. That identity belongs to one of my clones.”
“A clone?” The Phantom Spirit King raised an eyebrow and looked at Jiang Chen, confirming, “You have the talent to create clones?”
“Yes. I was fortunate enough to obtain a certain opportunity granting me the talent to create clones. Furthermore, I can use a secret technique to alter the soul’s fluctuations. This means my clones are entirely independent identities, undetectable even by the virtual universe,” Jiang Chen nodded in acknowledgment.
“Secret technique? Altering soul fluctuations?” The Phantom Spirit King’s expression changed.
Jiang Chen might not have fully grasped how extraordinary this ‘talent’ was, but the Phantom Spirit King, with his broad vision, immediately envisioned all the ways this gift could be exploited.
Without exaggeration, this talent was, in some respects, even more remarkable than the ability to create clones.
And the talent to alter soul fluctuations, combined with the power of cloning…
The Phantom Spirit King’s mind raced with visions of how his disciple, once grown, could stir up great upheaval across the universe with these twin gifts.
“I don’t care whether what you say is true or not, but this matter must never be mentioned again! You cannot tell anyone, no matter who!”
The Phantom Spirit King said sternly, “I will erase my memory of this conversation. You must never bring it up to anyone again! Remember, no one.”
Seeing the Phantom Spirit King’s attitude, Jiang Chen suddenly froze.
“Teacher…” Jiang Chen wanted to ask more.
From the Phantom Spirit King’s tone, Jiang Chen realized that his ‘secret technique’ was likely beyond imagination.
“Don’t ask. I won’t hide what you need to know. But your strength is too weak now. Knowing too much would only put you in danger.” The Phantom Spirit King stopped Jiang Chen’s questions and changed the topic, “Are you planning to participate in the Virtual Universe Company’s ‘Genius Battle’ using your original identity?”
The Phantom Spirit King recalled how interested Jiang Chen was in the Genius Battle before joining the Universal Mercenary Alliance.
He had even hinted multiple times whether he could still participate in the Genius Battle after joining the alliance.
Connecting that Jiang Chen said his clones and original self were completely independent identities, the Phantom Spirit King naturally guessed his plan.
“Yes, I intend to do so,” Jiang Chen nodded.
As for the detail that it wouldn’t be his original self but the other two clones participating, there was no need to elaborate.
“Very well.” The Phantom Spirit King nodded. “The Genius Battle is strict, but in some ways not that strict. As long as you can deceive the Virtual Universe and the Universal Revered who presides over the Genius Battle, all your achievements will be recognized. There have been cases where Domain Lords used their clones—each with stellar-level combat power—to compete. If you aren’t discovered before entering the Prime Universe, even if exposed later, no one will say anything. But your clones should not participate.”
Hearing this, Jiang Chen pondered.
This was not merely a hint but an outright admission: the Genius Battle tacitly encouraged ‘cheating.’
As long as you aren’t caught immediately, it’s acceptable.
Of course, this applied only to humans.
If it were alien races trying to sneak into the Prime Universe via the Genius Battle, the Chaos Lord would discover and annihilate them instantly.
“The arrangements for this round of the Genius Battle have been finalized. I am not part of the Virtual Universe Company, so I don’t know much about the details,” the Phantom Spirit King said, looking at Jiang Chen. “The preliminary selection in the Qianwu Universe Nation starts in 31 days, with the official competition beginning about two months later. Since you are interested, use this time to prepare.”
He paused, then reminded, “Since your original self and clones have different ‘identities’, you must distinguish their use of laws, secret arts, combat habits, and many other details. Don’t underestimate the keen eyes of the universe’s strong. Even habitual small movements during battle could raise suspicion and expose your identity.”
This was something Jiang Chen had previously overlooked.
He had only considered the ‘laws’ used but hadn’t paid much attention to subtle habitual details.
After the reminder, Jiang Chen nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you, Teacher, for the warning. I will focus on preparing this aspect during this period.”
---
Two months was enough time for Jiang Chen to develop two distinct combat systems for his clones.
---
On March 9th, 2066, according to Earth’s time and the Huaxia calendar.
In the Virtual Universe, above Black Dragon Mountain Island, a colossal floating proclamation suddenly appeared.
Its edges emitted a faint glow. The entire structure was black, measuring over a million kilometers in length, width, and height, with dazzling white characters shining atop.
"Humanity of the Universe—Peak Genius Battle!"
"Once every ten thousand years, about to commence!"
"Hosted by Virtual Universe Company, alongside all Universal Nations!"
"Are you a genius? No rivals among your peers? Then come join the ‘Peak Genius Battle’! Here, the entire universe, every universal nation, and billions of geniuses will engage in fierce combat!"
"For details, please check the Virtual Universe Company’s official website via your virtual assistant."
At this moment, the Virtual Universe was in darkness.
The sudden appearance of such a massive floating proclamation in the night sky immediately drew everyone’s attention.
“Peak Genius Battle?”
“Billions of geniuses from all universal nations fighting?”
“Hahaha, many people will surely go wild!”
“This is ‘Alpharak’s’ chance to make a name in the universe; it cannot be missed!”
The island’s population of ten million exchanged excited opinions.
At the same time, throughout the Virtual Universe, identical floating proclamations appeared above every continent representing high-tier universal nations and every island representing lower-tier nations, announcing the imminent start of the Peak Genius Battle to the entire human race.
In just one night, nearly everyone across the 1008 universal nations knew about this highly anticipated event.
Although Jiang Chen had known the start time of the Genius Battle for some time, he had only now received the formal notice.
When the floating proclamation appeared, Jiang Chen’s original self was in the system library, while his three clones were busy with their respective tasks in reality, disconnected from the Virtual Universe.
Had Luo Feng not informed him, Jiang Chen might have taken a long while more to learn about the registration opening.
Upon receiving Luo Feng’s notice, Jiang Chen entered the Virtual Universe.
At Black Dragon Mountain Island, in the Nine Star Bay residential district.
Luo Feng had purchased property here in the Virtual Universe, and Jiang Chen had bought a unit right next door.
As for Hong and Thunder God, they lacked the extra funds to buy property in the Virtual Universe, but after Jiang Chen and Luo Feng’s invitation, they gained access.
In Luo Feng’s courtyard, the four gathered.
Thunder God kept looking up at the gigantic floating proclamation, murmuring appreciatively.
Jiang Chen, meanwhile, had already opened the Virtual Universe Company’s official website and entered the Peak Genius Battle special page.
“It’s just as I had understood,” Jiang Chen said while reading the detailed rules. “The Peak Genius Battle happens once every ten thousand years, hosted by the Virtual Universe Company, open to all stellar-level humans across the universe. As long as you’re human and stellar-level, you can register.”
“The battle has two main stages. The first phase is the ‘preliminaries’ within each universal nation, selecting the most outstanding geniuses. The second phase is the ‘universal finals’, where the chosen talents from each nation compete.”
“According to the final rankings, the top one thousand receive hefty rewards and the opportunity to join the Virtual Universe Company.”
“There are three main rewards. First, a cash prize ranging from ten to ten thousand Mixed Yuan units, depending on ranking. Second, the chance to enter the Prime Universe for enlightenment. Third, the chance to become a ‘Core Genius’ within the Virtual Universe Company.”
---
Jiang Chen read the details aloud.
Luo Feng, Hong, and Thunder God widened their eyes in disbelief.
“A top prize of ten thousand Mixed Yuan units? I remember you said one Mixed Yuan unit equals ten trillion universe coins! Ten thousand units—that’s one hundred quadrillion!” Thunder God exclaimed. “Stellar-level rewards are that generous? Virtual Universe Company is really generous!”
“Tch, clueless!” Luo Feng scoffed. “The chance to enter the Prime Universe for enlightenment is far more precious than those ten thousand units! Last time, when I and Achen participated in an auction, the final lot was an entry to the Prime Universe. Do you know the final price? Thirty-seven thousand Mixed Yuan units! And that was just one spot! Sending a thousand geniuses into the Prime Universe—that’s what generosity looks like!”
Watching Luo Feng and Thunder God argue about which reward was more valuable, Jiang Chen smiled. “Thunder God, you’re mistaken. Luo Feng, you’re also wrong. The most valuable reward is actually the third one—the status of ‘Core Genius’ among the five great giants.”
“‘Core Genius’ status?” Luo Feng’s eyes widened in curiosity. “Achen, do you know something? Tell us in detail.”
Jiang Chen played coy. “You’ll know once you pass the preliminaries and finals and join the Virtual Universe Company.”
“Finals! Hmph! Among the four of you, I think only Jiang Chen has a chance to enter the universal top one thousand rankings. The other three, including Luo Feng, probably can’t even make the Qianwu Universe Nation’s top thousand. As for the universal top thousand? Impossible!”
Babata appeared out of nowhere and mocked them. “Do you think you’re strong? There are countless geniuses with talents and great opportunities throughout the universe. Your talents may be impressive in the Black Dragon Mountain star region, but in the Qianwu Universe Nation, you’re average. Compared to all geniuses across the 1008 universal nations, your talents are insignificant!”
“Even Jiang Chen, from what I know of you, making the universal top one thousand isn’t hard, but getting a high rank is nearly impossible!”
“Of course, I’m not saying you’re weak; your disadvantage is obvious. Stellar-level beings live for over ten thousand years. How many years have you lived?”
“Those who’ve been stellar-level for thousands of years usually lack talent and can be ignored.”
“But there are many stellar-level geniuses who’ve lived for hundreds of years.”
“Some have talents matching or surpassing yours, stronger opportunities, and a few hundred more years of cultivation—how can you compete?!”
Babata’s words silenced the group.
“Why overthink?” Hong suddenly laughed. “Let’s first aim for the Qianwu Universe Nation’s top thousand to earn a spot in the universal finals. Even if we can’t compete, it’s just a matter of skill. We can train harder later! If you give up without trying, what’s the point of cultivation?”
“Good point,” Jiang Chen nodded. “The Genius Battle lasts a long time—several years. As long as you’re not eliminated early, you have time to grow. Maybe you’ll surpass other geniuses.”
Among the four, Jiang Chen knew the most about the Genius Battle.
Not only from the original texts but also from his teacher, the Phantom Spirit King, from whom he had received much information.
Combining these, Jiang Chen could easily deduce that as long as one wasn’t eliminated immediately, there would be at least three years to improve.
After three years, if you pass the universal nation preliminaries and enter the universal finals, you could linger another year or two.
For geniuses who have cultivated for centuries in the universe, a few years is nothing.
But for these four Earthlings, it was different.
Even the eldest, Hong and Thunder God, had wasted most of their years on Earth without exposure to cosmic secret arts or the right path.
Their talents only began to flourish after entering the universe.
How many years have Earthlings been exposed to the universe? Only a few.
A few more years of cultivation could greatly improve the Earth four’s power.
“I have some understanding of the Genius Battle’s level and can judge your tier. Luo Feng and I can pass the universal nation preliminaries without much pressure. Hong and Thunder God, you two will face more difficulty,” Jiang Chen warned. “Especially Thunder God, you haven’t even mastered the fifth realm of your domain. You might not even pass the first preliminary. There are two months before the official start. If you have ambition, you need to train harder.”
Hong and Thunder God exchanged glances, surprised that their once-praised strength and talent were rated so low by Jiang Chen.
(End of chapter)