Chapter 172: The Genius Tournament Begins (Second Update)

In the Solar System, two spacecraft had just materialized when a pair of rays shot across at the speed of light.

Boom...!

Immediately afterward, two brilliant fireworks bloomed, momentarily eclipsing the sun itself.

"That was just a laser cannon, and it blasted C-tier spacecraft to pieces?" Thor said in sheer disbelief. "Awesome!"

"This is a laser cannon capable of obliterating World Lords! Using it against two C-tier ships is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut," Babata huffed. "If it were aimed at Earth, while it might not shatter the planet, it could certainly pierce right through it. As for the planet-destroying weapon, that is the ultimate engine of slaughter. Whenever you find a planet unsightly in the future, just fire a shot—that would be truly spectacular fireworks!"

"Blast a planet to pieces?" Qin Ming shook his head. "We are all model youths; we must not do evil deeds!"

"Must not do evil deeds? You just killed over ten thousand people!" Luo Feng curled his lip.

"Are those people?"

"Fair enough, those invaders can hardly be considered human!"

As they chatted and laughed, Hong spoke up with a serious expression: "During these days, aside from tempering ourselves in the Slaughter Lands, I've also been investigating the affairs of the Norlanshan family. The founder, Norlanshan, is a level nine universe warrior—very powerful and exceptionally formidable. Since he has set his sights on Earth, he will never let it go. If he personally leads a group of universe-level powerhouses here, and you aren't around, Qin Ming, I'm afraid Earth's defenses won't be able to hold him off! Third Brother, there is no logic in constantly playing defense against thieves. Is there a way to solve this once and for all?"

"That makes sense. Let me try!" With those words, Qin Ming contacted someone. A moment later, a projection formed before them, revealing a figure familiar to Luo Feng and the others.

"Mr. Qin, what are your instructions?" As soon as the figure appeared, he bowed his head slightly in greeting.

"Ming Yu?" All three recognized him. They knew he was a Domain Lord-level powerhouse who held a position of immense authority in the Virtual Universe Company's battle arenas.

Even throughout the entire BlackDragon Mountain star domain, he was a renowned and illustrious figure.

Seeing him adopt such a posture toward Qin Ming, they all shook their heads inwardly, sighing: Having an insanely powerful master is just damn wonderful!

"The Karoo Empire, a vassal of BlackDragon Mountain, has a certain Norlanshan who is a level nine universe warrior. I want him wiped out," Qin Ming said without any pleasantries. "Do you have a way?"

This Ming Yu knew of his connection with Man Luo; otherwise, why would he lower his stance so much?

"Level nine universe warrior? I can wipe him out with a flick of my wrist!" Ming Yu smiled. "Mr. Qin, I will make a trip there personally and eradicate Norlanshan along with his entire family!"

"Good, then I must thank you!" Qin Ming smiled.

Casually, he transferred one hundred billion universe coins to the other man.

"Mr. Qin, that's not necessary!" Upon receiving the transfer, Ming Yu hurriedly shook his head and tried to send it back, only to be stopped by Qin Ming: "Consider it tea money. Don't think it's too little!"

"Since you insist, Mr. Qin, I will accept it. In the future, if there are minor matters like this, feel free to notify me directly. I guarantee it will be handled to your absolute satisfaction!" Ming Yu promised.

"Very well!" Cutting the connection, Qin Ming smiled. "Settled!"

"Just like that?" Thor rubbed his large, bald head. "The third most powerful family in a primitive cosmic civilization empire, a level nine universe warrior... their fate was decided in a single sentence?"

"I am once again reminded of the benefits of having a powerful background." Luo Feng sighed genuinely, though his expression remained heavy.

Hong, however, shook his head: "Although the matter was easily resolved, it also allows us to see the true nature of the universe more clearly: cruel, cold, bloody, and governed by the law of the jungle where the strong are supreme. While we are the beneficiaries here, this Ming Yu didn't ask for a reason based purely on background; he simply set off to annihilate an entire family, completely ignoring even the Karoo Empire. If we were to offend an even stronger entity in the future, what would our fate be? Would someone obliterate Earth with a single word?"

This was not a mere possibility; it was a highly probable one.

Reality had played out right before their eyes.

Even though they were the protagonists this time.

"Then we must arm ourselves!" Luo Feng revealed a fierce look in his eyes. "So that no one can ever dictate our fate!"

"Only by doing so can we truly attain peace—lasting peace for generations!" Qin Ming's expression turned uncharacteristically solemn.

"Actually, if we want Earth civilization to truly be passed down through the ages, there is an even better way!" Thor said with a playful smirk. "We could go on a cosmic journey and leave the seeds of life on every single living planet. Once we've toured the entire universe and look back, haha...!"

"You're still as unserious as ever!" Hong shook his head helplessly.

Qin Ming couldn't help smiling: "That truly is a good method!"

A few days later, Ming Yu sent a video. In it, Norlanshan's head had been severed, and his entire family reduced to ruins.

The Norlanshan family, who had previously seemed unimaginably formidable to them, had now been turned to ashes amidst casual conversation, prompting another long sigh from Hong.

With Earth safe, the group relentlessly continued their cultivation.

Unawares, Luo Feng broke through to the Star Traveller level, obtaining his master Hu Yanbo's first account, which contained ten billion Qianwu coins.

It was not a small sum of money, but to the current Luo Feng, it was like chicken ribs—mere loose change that he no longer cared about.

Thor also broke through to the Star Traveller level.

Qin Ming suggested purchasing nutrient pods to directly elevate their cultivation to the ninth stage of the Star Traveller level, leaving the remaining time to comprehend the profundities of domains and laws.

The three of them nodded without hesitation.

Having learned about the Genius Tournament, even the unconfident Thor was filled with boundless drive.

One day, Hong came to find them.

"We want to participate in the mercenary qualification trials. Third Brother, what do you think?" Hong asked.

He valued Qin Ming's advice more and more.

"Becoming a universe mercenary is extremely difficult. Just the qualification trial alone takes a full year, and the mortality rate during it is terrifyingly high!" Thor chimed in. "Perhaps undergoing tempering between life and death to stimulate our potential would be more beneficial for our growth!"

"Luo Feng, what do you think?" Qin Ming turned his gaze.

"I want to give it a try as well. Life-and-death combat stimulates potential, and only then can one walk further along this path," Luo Feng said without a moment's hesitation.

"I agree as well!" Babata added. "Training in the Slaughter Lands looks effective on the surface, but in reality, it isn't true death; it's difficult to truly stimulate one's ultimate potential!"

"Absurd!" Qin Ming stood up. "That would be fine under other circumstances, but now the Genius Tournament is fast approaching, and that is the absolute pinnacle of importance. The Genius Tournament is hosted by the Virtual Universe Company and involves all 1,008 cosmic nations. If one achieves a certain ranking, the benefits gained will be unimaginable."

"Aside from you, can we really pull it off?" Thor forced a wry smile. "Let alone anything else, even in the dueling spaces of the Slaughter Lands, I can't claim supremacy, let alone a Genius Tournament that spans the entire universe?"

He truly lacked confidence.

"Don't speak for Second Brother; even I lack confidence!" Hong shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Don't I still exist?" Qin Ming's gaze burned brightly. "Right here, Babata holds the inheritance of our master Hu Yanbo, and he can guide you. I can also find ways to get some powerhouses to guide you, or provide secret techniques and other resources. We must elevate your combat strength as much as possible over these next few years. Even if you cannot make your name known across the universe in the upcoming Genius Tournament, you should at least secure a certain ranking within the scope of the Qianwu Universe Nation!"

"It's just that...!" Thor smiled helplessly. "I am the Second Brother, yet I keep troubling you. Though I don't say it aloud, I really feel guilty inside!"

For him to voice such words was truly not easy.

"Hahaha!" Qin Ming laughed loudly. "The four of us brothers, though not bound by blood, have sworn to venture into the universe together and guard our homeland. Whoever advances further naturally has a duty to help the others; besides, this doesn't cost me much effort. Second Brother, why are you being so overly sentimental? If you really feel guilty, just write it down in a little notebook and consider it an investment in you. Won't you just pay me back in the future? That's a good method—remember this, Second Brother, you'll have to pay me back tenfold, no, a hundredfold in the future!"

"You brat...!" Thor pointed a finger at him, but his smile was warm.

"Let's put that aside for now!" Qin Ming said. "As for potential, take the Golden Horned Beast for example—even if it just lies around sleeping, it will naturally reach the World Lord level upon adulthood. Why? Because of its immense potential! And where does potential come from? Bloodlines! In the universe, there are items that can elevate bloodlines, such as bloodline potions. A grade-SSS bloodline potion can elevate one's potential to the Domain Lord level; as long as one cultivates normally, they will eventually reach the Domain Lord realm. With things like this, why risk your life in the early stages? Why struggle in mortal combat? Isn't it just a matter of spending some money?"

Luo Feng and the others were left speechless.

Yet, a great clarity dawned upon their minds.

"For the next few years, don't think about anything else. Focus entirely on comprehending domains, laws, and secret techniques. Train with specific targets in the Slaughter Lands—that is the absolute priority!" Qin Ming added.

His words temporarily dispelled the three men's notion of becoming mercenaries.

Time flowed on, and in the blink of an eye, a few years passed.

On this day, the Genius Tournament, which shook the entire universe, began.