Chapter 81: Claiming the Championship!

Chapter 81: Claiming the Championship!

"Congratulations, Star Master!"

"We've just received word that Bize Star has produced its 94th genius who qualified for the world rankings!"

A green-skinned dwarf servant rushed into the grand hall to deliver the news to a muscular, orc-like figure seated at the head of the room.

A massive screen hung in the center of the hall, displaying "Bize Star's Qualified Spots (Temporary): 94" with Jiang Zhe's name listed below.

The crowd in the hall wore expressions of satisfaction, though their celebration was subdued - merely raising their glasses to toast the achievement. They'd grown accustomed to such feats from their prodigies.

After all, Bize Star controlled 64 star regions. By the standard of one genius per region, they needed at least 64 participants in the top 1,000 to meet the minimum qualification requirement. Some powerful second-tier administrative stars had previously qualified 300-400 geniuses.

To earn recognition from the Cosmic Nation, they needed at least 180 qualifiers.

"Kamuong, this kind of minor matter doesn't need to be reported to me", the beastman warrior waved impatiently, still preoccupied with this year's target.

"Star Master, this one is different. I believe he could become one of the thousand representatives to fight for our Cosmic Nation."

"Hmm? Really?" The beastman warrior's interest was piqued.

Thousands of eyes in the hall turned toward the dwarf servant, most belonging to Immortals and Domain Lords, making the small messenger sweat profusely.

"Show some restraint!" The beastman warrior, who held a special fondness for his diminutive attendant, said. "Kamuong, tell me what you've discovered."

"Star Master, this Jiang Zhe jumped from 90,000th place directly to the top 900th place. He must have slain dozens of higher-ranked participants in a short time."

The beastman warrior immediately checked the ranking changes and confirmed his attendant's report.

His curiosity growing, he used his authority to retrieve Jiang Zhe's battle footage and project it onto a secondary screen rising from the center of the hall.

The video was extremely brief, lasting less than ten seconds from start to finish.

Yet it left the Domain Lords and Immortals in the hall stunned.

A crushing Lightning Domain!

A powerful Mental Strength Weapon!

Dozens of Temporal Echo Techniques!

All these clearly demonstrated his profound mastery of lightning and time dual laws!

"Excellent! Excellent! Excellent!"

The beastman warrior's face lit up with joy as he sprang from his seat, waving his arms in excitement.

The hall erupted with cheers as the Immortals and Domain Lords celebrated, seeing hope that they would exceed their quota this year!

"Congratulations, Star Master! This man should be the number one in our Qianwu Cosmic Nation. He absolutely has the strength to break into the top ten of the genius tournament universe. Perhaps even first place is possible."

Continued congratulations filled the hall until the beastman warrior raised his hand to quiet the crowd.

"Ha ha! My friends, this is a shared success!"

"The emergence of such a genius within Bize Star is the combined achievement of all of us hardworking leaders."

The dwarf attendant, ever perceptive, refilled the golden goblet with wine. The beastman warrior raised the glass toward the crowd.

"To all of you!"

"To Star Master!"

After finishing his goblet, the beastman warrior smacked his lips in disappointment and directly lifted a nearby barrel to his mouth, drinking it dry. Satisfied at last, he returned to his high-backed chair and turned to his attendant.

"Find out exactly where he's from! Who's his teacher? I want to reward them both handsomely!"

Kamuong had already investigated Jiang Zhe's background and quickly leaned in to whisper the details.

"He registered through the Black Dragon Mountain Empire's Qiulong Star and was assigned to our Qianboluo Star Region's Mingying Star System."

The beastman warrior's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, his grin widening.

"Ha ha! Fellow geniuses, this young man is actually a native genius from our Qianboluo Star Region's Mingying Star System!"

"If he successfully enters the top 1,000 of the Cosmic Nation, I'll bestow the entire Mingying Star System and ten surrounding star systems to him!"

"Plus, I'll grant him 10% ownership of the entire Qianboluo Star Region!"

"What do you all think of this reward?"

Meanwhile, Jiang Zhe on Island No.32 was engaged in a brutal slaughter, completely unaware that he had already become someone else's achievement.

Standing loosely on the mountaintop over a thousand meters high, Jiang Zhe appeared to have countless openings in his stance.

Before him, a one-eyed, four-armed Dark Garo Clan expert was drenched in sweat, unable to find any opportunity to attack.

The four arms wielding metal rods strained with effort, defending against the punitive lightning flashing around him.

He was known as the "Black Devil", yet now he was completely at the mercy of two three-foot-long lightning beams.

"Thunder Emperor, why must we fight to the death? Do me and my Dark Garo Clan a favor and let's call it quits here."

After eight consecutive days of brutal slaughter, Jiang Zhe had thoroughly earned his title of "Thunder Emperor."

Many participants had fled from this island, spreading fear of the "Thunder Emperor" to nearby larger islands.

"Not interested. Compared to your Dark Garo Clan's favor, I want your points much more!"

Jiang Zhe's eyes sharpened suddenly as he increased his Mental Energy output. The two lightning beams accelerated dramatically, breaking the stalemate.

In the intense collision, two metal rods flew from his hands, and the arms that held them hung limp and lifeless.

"Die, you bastard! Don't think you'll get off easy either!"

The two lightning beams had already slipped through his defensive gaps, the brilliant purple light expanding before his eyes.

In his final moment, he desperately hurled the remaining rods, releasing a "Decisive Strike" containing a trace of earth Primordial Laws.

Boom!

The lightning beam struck true, and the "Black Devil's" head exploded like a watermelon.

He didn't see Jiang Zhe extend his left hand wearing the Huisuo's Hand, easily catching the flying rod.

Radiant lightning erupted from the gauntlet, erasing the rod's principle essence before he tossed it aside.

"A genius who has glimpsed the Primordial Laws should already be capable of entering the top 100 of the world rankings. If not for the need for points, sparing your life wouldn't have been out of the question."

Jiang Zhe murmured to himself as he looked down at the screen on his wrist, which displayed a staggering number of points.

Participant: Jiang Zhe (Bize Star)

Points: 84,378,843

Rank: 11

Only the top spot guaranteed a direct qualification - that was Jiang Zhe's goal. With 12 days remaining, there could be absolutely no respite.

Stepping onto the Mistshadow Shuttle, he ascended into the sky, crossing the sea to another large island.

Twelve hours later, Jiang Zhe landed on Island No.44 and captured an unfortunate participant to interrogate about the location of the island's strongest fighters.

"The 'Demon Blade' is at a large lake in the western district. 'Golden Flame' and 'Dream Demon' are somewhere in the central district, their exact location uncertain. The 'Elf King' moves between the southern and eastern districts... That's all I know. Thunder Emperor, please spare me! I fled from your island!"

Jiang Zhe honored his promise to spare the man's life and flew westward toward the island's most prominent lake terrain.

Five hours later, the "Demon Blade" from the Eightfold Radiance Domain was instantly killed within Jiang Zhe's territory, taking out nearly half the spectators who'd gathered to watch the spectacle.

The name "Thunder Emperor" thundered across Island No.44!

Competitors scattered like leaves in a storm.

As Jiang Zhe advanced toward the central zone, he was ambushed by "Golden Flame" and "Dream Demon" working in tandem.

Both ranked within the top hundred, having grasped faint traces of the Primordial Laws.

"Golden Flame" was a martial artist wielding a golden scimitar wreathed in white fire, while "Dream Demon" was an illusionist whose ethereal mist refracted light into countless mirages.

The former attacked directly while the latter restricted movement.

But Jiang Zhe's willpower was unbreakable. After manifesting his Obsessive Thought Doppelgänger, his consciousness transcended from Domain Lord peak to Immortal tier. With three layers of Void Tower guarding his Consciousness Ocean, how could "Dream Demon's" amateur illusions possibly shake him?

A lightning bolt shattered the golden blade, the counterforce making the wielder's arm droop limply.

A second bolt blew off Golden Flame's head.

A third pierced Dream Demon's skull.

When the "Elf King" from the southeast sensed danger, he'd already fled to a nearby large island, leaving Jiang Zhe grasping at empty air.

Island No.44 now wholly belonged to the Thunder Emperor.

Competitor: Jiang Zhe (Bize Star)

Score: 115,234,431

Rank: 4

With over a hundred million points and top ten status, he stood just three places away from the summit.

Ten days remained until the deadline. Jiang Zhe immediately set off toward his next target island.

...

Meanwhile, citizens across Bize Star's domain erupted into celebration. Dozens of spacecraft gathered outside the 99th World Zone.

They could see the path to guaranteed qualification shining bright.

This would bring unimaginable glory!

The Jiang Clan gathered solemnly, praying for Jiang Zhe's success.

"Xiao Zhe, head north! Head north!"

"Xiao Zhe, Island No.51 lies northward! The third-ranked competitor is there!"

They believed in his strength, praying he'd find his mark and claim the ultimate prey's points through conquest.

Inside Bize Star's administration flagship, a burly Immortal orc roared in support.

"Strike Island No.51! Kill the third-ranked and claim first place! Show no mercy to Fengming Star or Kasuke Star!"

"Win this, and I'll grant you 50% ownership of the Qianboluo Star Region!"

Fate worked strangely.

The top four in the 99th World Zone all originated from Qianwu Cosmic Nation's heartland.

First was from Fengming Star, second from Qianwu's Imperial Bloodline, third from Kasuke Star, and fourth - Bize Star.

This coincidence had the immortal beastman warrior, who'd lived joyfully for eons, trembling with excitement.

At their level, power grew slowly. Their greatest concern was saving face.

Perhaps Jiang Zhe heard their collective prayers.

After leaving Island No.44, he crossed the sea northward and landed on Island No.51.

The strongest here is 'Wood Enchantress' Bi'ansi?

"That's right! She hides deep within the Primeval Forest in the island's center! Thunder Emperor, dare you enter? If not, scram!"

"You've given good intel, but I dislike your tone."

Jiang Zhe crushed the speaker's skull with Huisuo's Hand, then rode his Mistshadow Shuttle toward the island's heart. Soon, he saw an immense forest covering nearly ten thousand kilometers.

"Bi'ansi!"

His roar, infused with Stellar Class 9th Primordial Force, spread instantly across the island, even rippling outward across surrounding seas.

"Bi'ansi! Bi'ansi!"

The thunderous challenge shocked surviving experts. Some recognized the figure clad in dark purple metal battle-armor.

"The Thunder Emperor? He's aiming for first place in the World Zone! Run!"

"Run! The Thunder Emperor has arrived!"

...

Figures scattered chaotically in all directions. On the edge of the forest, a green-robed figure ascended to face Jiang Zhe.

A delicate woman radiating natural energy, her green hair framing a bewitching face clad in leafy garments.

"Thunder Emperor? Want my points? Come find me in the forest." Bi'ansi vanished into the woods.

Jiang Zhe pursued swiftly on Mistshadow Shuttle. Within moments, he tracked her by the faint floral scent she left behind - an aroma so natural it felt fundamental to existence.

Suddenly Jiang Zhe's expression darkened, "A pharmacist?"

Doubt surged in his heart as he turned to retreat. Better to target others.

"Giggle...giggle..."

Mocking laughter surrounded him, echoing from everywhere. Combined with toxic fumes, the sound pierced his ears and clouded his mind.

The scenery warped. Ancient trees seemed to awaken, their branches lashing like spears.

At last, "Wood Charm" Bi'ansi revealed herself.

Hundreds of figures emerged from surrounding trees, each hurling wooden darts.

"Die!"

Though poisoned, Jiang Zhe's mind remained sharp. His eyes blazed with fury as he stabbed a finger forward.

The illusion shattered. No living trees. No hundreds of clones. Just one figure on a branch 200 meters to his left.

A lightning bolt flashed, shattering the wooden dart and blowing Bi'ansi's head apart before she could react.

Jiang Zhe immediately checked his score display.

Competitor: Jiang Zhe (Bize Star)

Score: 167,435,853

Rank: 1

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end