Under countless tense gazes, the Nine Swords Venerable began announcing the names.
"Jiang Yan."
No one was surprised.
"Death God Bolan."
"Luo Feng."
"Guthro."
"Ai Chen."
"Rong Jun."
"Uka."
"Qian Shui."
"Galesi."
"Yi Feng."
…
As the names echoed, the expressions of those still waiting grew increasingly strained.
Only twenty would be chosen.
The list was already halfway complete.
Hope thinned with every breath.
"Hong."
"Jiang Mo."
"Candita."
"Tao."
The final name fell.
Joy erupted among those selected.
Elsewhere—frustration, bitterness, and unwilling resignation.
Jiang Yan smiled faintly.
"Looks like Big Brother Hong has a real chance at the Primordial Secret Realm."
Hong himself was momentarily stunned.
"I… made it?"
He had already prepared himself to stop at the Heaven and Earth Secret Realm.
Thor laughed openly from the side.
"Brother Hong really is stronger than me."
"I'm not disappointed."
"The Heaven and Earth Secret Realm is already good enough."
He was realistic.
Even if he had made the top twenty, advancing further would have been unlikely.
The Nine Swords Venerable nodded.
"These twenty were selected by the Virtual Universe System."
"Rest briefly and recover."
"The second round will begin shortly."
"As for your opponents—"
"You'll find out soon enough."
The participants returned to the central square.
Thor clapped Hong on the shoulder.
"Congratulations."
"Our four brothers—looks like I'm the one lagging behind."
"But I'll catch up."
Hong shook his head calmly.
"Getting selected is only the first step."
"The next battle decides everything."
The remaining nineteen were monsters.
Each one represented the pinnacle of their universe kingdom.
Rong Jun glanced at Jiang Yan.
"I want to fight you."
"But I really hope it's not in the next round."
No one disagreed.
Meeting Jiang Yan now meant only one outcome—
Heaven and Earth Secret Realm. End of the road.
Half an hour later—
Boom!
The square trembled.
Ten massive arenas descended.
The twenty finalists were instantly teleported.
Jiang Yan's Arena
Opposite him stood an obese man gripping a massive axe.
The moment he recognized Jiang Yan—
"Damn it!"
"Why am I this unlucky?!"
Laughter exploded across the square.
"Tao met the Great Demon King!"
"Poor soul."
"That expression—priceless!"
Elsewhere—
"Candita ran into Bolan."
"Guthro vs. Long Yun—Long Yun's done."
"Luo Feng vs. Opatra—no suspense there."
Then—
"The Phantom Demon Galesi…"
"…against Hong?"
The square fell silent for a heartbeat.
Then—
"That's unfortunate for Hong."
"Galesi is the strongest illusionist in this battle."
"He defeated opponents without moving a finger."
"Warriors are most vulnerable to illusion."
Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow.
"…Interesting."
Among all remaining opponents—
Galesi was the only one Hong could defeat.
Illusions?
Against Hong?
Meaningless.
Hong's spiritual realm had already touched the edge of the third layer.
To him—
Galesi's illusions were child's play.
Hong vs. Galesi
Galesi's black robe fluttered.
His voice was hoarse and cold.
"You're from the same place as the Great Demon King."
"Unfortunately for you—this top ten has no seat for you."
Hong remained calm.
Almost relaxed.
"Is that so?"
The Nine Swords Venerable's voice echoed:
"Begin."
Instantaneous Outcomes
Bang!
Tao exploded.
Jiang Yan's spear strike ended the battle before a single breath passed.
The square inhaled sharply.
"So fast!"
"That's absolute suppression!"
Then—
A second shock.
"I–Impossible!"
"Galesi lost?!"
"Hong won?!"
The square erupted.
The Phantom Demon Galesi, second only to Jiang Yan in reputation—
Defeated.
And quickly.
Even the Immortals were stunned.
They stared in silence.
Galesi stood frozen, disbelief flooding his face.
"My Bewitching God secret technique…"
"According to the Lord, only Jiang Yan and Bolan should be immune."
"So why—"
"Why was it completely ineffective on him?!"
Across the arena, Hong lowered his fist calmly.
His gaze was steady.
Unwavering.
As if illusions—
Had never existed at all.
A new truth had been revealed to everyone present:
This Genius Battle…
Had just produced another true monster.
_____________________
https://[email protected]/mrSOMEONE01234? [replace @ with a]
>>>>>I'm a student, and I'll try my best to keep uploading chapters regularly <<<<<
thanks for your support
[[READER TIER 1: translates stories {15$} ]] { RECOMENDED }
[[READER TIER 2: translated & original stories {20$} ]]
[[[[Please at least visit my patreon so I can have some traffic]]]]]