As the last few Geniuses were eliminated, the Trial Tower preliminary selection, which had lasted for over a year, concluded. All Geniuses, led by Immortals, returned to the buildings of their respective Universe Countries.
Building 0435, first floor.
Military Lord Kou Ji looked at the 1,000 Geniuses standing before him and said, "In this Pinnacle Genius Battle, our Ganwu Universe Country performed well in the Trial Tower preliminary selection."
As he spoke, he glanced at Ender and the three Geniuses who had entered the top 7,300 in the points ranking, then continued, "Besides Ender, who directly became a core member of Virtual Universe Company by ranking second on the points list, two others have advanced to the one-on-one arena stage."
"Aside from these three," Military Lord Kou Ji shook his head and said, "the Pinnacle Genius Battle journey for everyone else ends here."
Upon hearing this, the Geniuses who had been eliminated during the preliminary stage felt low and frustrated. They had fought for the Pinnacle Genius Battle for a long time, and being eliminated now naturally felt bad.
Of course, among the eliminated Geniuses, there were also those with good mindsets, such as Lanka.
"Don't be too discouraged," Military Lord Kou Ji continued, "You all still have the chance to become Immortals in the future, because those of you who have been eliminated will all enter the highest Genius training center of our Ganwu Universe Country—the Ganwu Secret Realm!"
Upon hearing this, the eliminated Geniuses felt much better, and those who already had a good mindset felt even better, like Lanka...
That's right! Although they were eliminated, they still had a chance to become Immortals.
The Ganwu Secret Realm of the Ganwu Universe Country was once a goal many Geniuses strived for, and now they had achieved this goal. In the future, they also had the prospect of becoming Immortal, not necessarily much weaker than entering the Core Region of Virtual Universe Company.
"Alright, you can now log off and leave the Virtual Universe, or you can wait for a while and the Virtual Universe System will automatically teleport you to your respective continental islands."
Subsequently, Military Lord Kou Ji said to the three who were not eliminated, "For tomorrow's qualification battle, I hope you will all strive hard."
"Yes!" Ender and the other two respectfully nodded.
"Ender, follow me," Military Lord Kou Ji said, then walked towards the corridor.
As he walked, he said, "You have a good chance to contend for second place. Although there isn't much difference between second place and the top ten, I still hope you don't give up and strive to contend for second."
Ender replied, "Yes."
"If no one else is hiding their strength, your only opponent for second place is the Illusionist 'Fei' from the Nine Flame Universe Country!"
Military Lord Kou Ji said, "Although 'Fei' only ranked 126th in the Trial Tower, she is an Illusionist and is at a great disadvantage in the Trial Tower. A points ranking outside the top 100 does not mean her strength is weak."
Ender nodded slightly in agreement. He knew that the Trial Tower was not friendly to either Warriors or Illusionists, especially the latter.
Furthermore, in this Pinnacle Genius Battle, besides him and Kedi, no one else had reached the sixth Trial Tower. The only one who could contend with him for second place was the Illusionist 'Fei' mentioned by Military Lord Kou Ji.
"You'll know her strength once you see her make a move tomorrow." After a pause, Military Lord Kou Ji raised his hand and said, "Go, go back and prepare well."
"Yes," Ender bowed and replied, then left.
...
On the other side, in the lobby of the 0435 Building.
"Let's go! Let's go drink." After Military Lord Kou Ji left, Lanka called a few familiar Geniuses to go to a restaurant in the Central Square to drink.
Except for a few who logged off directly and returned to reality, most others chose to go to restaurants to drink.
Among those who went to drink, many were in low spirits. Not being able to become a core member of Virtual Universe Company was no small blow to them.
The result had been produced, and they could not change it. They could only numb themselves with fine wine, then enter the Ganwu Secret Realm to receive new training, and work hard to become Immortals in the future.
...
The next morning.
Led by 1,004 Immortals, the Geniuses ranked in the top 7,300 of the Trial Tower preliminary points gathered together, standing in the Central Square.
Boom!
An invisible pressure that made space itself yield appeared, enveloping the 7,300 Geniuses and 1,004 Immortals present. Subsequently, Venerable Gu Lun, clad in fiery red battle attire, appeared.
The 1,004 Immortals saluted respectfully in unison, "Venerable!"
"The Trial Tower preliminary selection has concluded," Venerable Gu Lun's face showed a faint smile, then he said, "First, congratulations to the trial-takers ranked 1st to 100th on the points list. You will directly become core members of my Virtual Universe Company."
"If any of you are unwilling to join my Virtual Universe Company, you may speak up. My Virtual Universe Company will never force anyone," Venerable Gu Lun's voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
Silence, no one spoke.
Everyone participated in the Pinnacle Genius Battle with all their might, precisely to become a core member of Virtual Universe Company. To refuse now would be too foolish!
"Very good," Venerable Gu Lun nodded slightly and said, "For the trial-takers ranked 101st to 7,300th on the points list, these 7,200 trial-takers will undergo three consecutive rounds of arena battles. The Virtual Universe System has automatically arranged your arena battles and matched your opponents based on your performance in the Trial Tower preliminary selection."
"Those who win three consecutive rounds will obtain a spot, while the defeated will be eliminated," Venerable Gu Lun said in an irrefutable tone, "The Virtual Universe System's arrangement is absolutely the optimal solution."
Seeing this existence, even greater than Immortals, speak in such a way, the Geniuses who were about to participate in the arena battles naturally dared not question him, and all fell silent.
"Now, let the arena battles begin!"
As Venerable Gu Lun's words fell, the Central Square experienced a slight tremor. The original team of 7,300 Geniuses was directly teleported away by 7,200 people, leaving only the top 100 Geniuses on the points list in the Central Square.
These 100 remaining Geniuses were already confirmed to have entered the Core Region of Virtual Universe Company, but it was not yet determined which Secret Realm they would enter. They had to wait until the other 900 Geniuses were decided before the Secret Realm contention arena battles could begin.
Ender's gaze swept over one Genius after another, his heart without any ripples. Ultimately, these people posed no great threat to him; those who might hinder his contention for second place were still participating in the arena battles.
His gaze swept over Genius after Genius until he saw an blue-haired youth, and only then did a serious expression appear in his eyes.
"Kedi!"
Ender silently recited the name of the blue-haired youth in his heart. This was the peerless Genius he currently needed to look up to, and also a character who, though never appearing in the original work, was remembered by many.
As if sensing something, Kedi turned his head slightly and looked over, seeing a black-haired, vertical-pupiled young man, instantly recognizing who that person was.
"It's him, Ender Royce."
In this Pinnacle Genius Battle, if there was anyone Kedi would remember, it was Ender, who had reached the fifth level of the sixth Trial Tower relying solely on lower Laws!
As for everyone else, besides the one called 'Fei,' the strongest Illusionist of recent Pinnacle Genius Battles, Kedi truly hadn't paid them any mind.