hsntnovel Chapter 125 Virtual Universe Company
Chapter 125 Virtual Universe Company
One month later, in the Duel Space.
Lin Yun stood in the center of the arena, facing a woman clad in white armor. The woman's face was cold and stern, and she held a slender battle blade in her hand, the blade faintly crackling with the sounds of wind and thunder. Her aura was restrained and profound, at the ninth level of the Hengxing realm, yet she exuded a sense of danger far greater than any opponent Lin Yun had encountered before.
"Virtual Universe Company, elite member, Luo." The woman's voice was soft, but every word clearly reached Lin Yun's ears.
Lin Yun's pupils contracted slightly. The elite members of the Virtual Universe Company—geniuses selected from across the entire universe, each possessing the strength to challenge opponents far beyond their level. He hadn't expected to encounter such people here.
"Let's begin," Lin Yun said.
Luo moved.
Her speed was extreme, not from an explosion of physical ability, but from the application of laws—the fundamental law of wind, whose speed was profound. Her body left afterimages in the air, and her battle blade, carrying sharp blade energy, slashed towards Lin Yun from all directions.
Lin Yun did not dodge. He raised his right hand, and a golden light condensed in his palm—the Golden Domain, Ninth Level. After a month of training, his Golden Domain had finally broken through from the eighth level to the ninth level, only one step away from the Origin Law.
A golden domain spread out, enveloping Luo. Luo's speed decreased sharply, but it was still astonishingly fast. Her battle blade clashed with Lin Yun's golden blade light, producing a piercing metallic sound.
The two exchanged blows for nearly fifteen minutes. Lin Yun didn't use the other five elemental laws, relying solely on his Metal Domain and Metal Element Manipulation to fight Luo. Luo had already mastered the Wind Element law, possessing incredible speed and sharp swordsmanship, putting considerable pressure on Lin Yun.
Finally, Luo seized a tiny opening in Lin Yun's defenses and slashed him in the shoulder.
"Winner, Luo!" the referee's voice rang out.
Lin Yun sheathed his sword and bowed slightly.
"Thank you for your concession."
"Your metal domain is very strong." Luo sheathed his sword and stood there, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
Lin Yun smiled but didn't reply. He hadn't used his full strength—of the eight fundamental laws, he had already reached the threshold of the original laws for the other six, except for metal and wood. The law of metal had also reached the ninth level of the domain, and he was only one step away from entering the threshold of the original law. Only the law of wood hadn't even entered the domain yet.
In the decisive battle space, Lin Yun only used the Metal Domain. It wasn't that he didn't want to win, but rather that he didn't want to reveal his full strength there. Every genius who comprehends the laws is a target of competition among various powerful forces; once they join a force, they lose their freedom. He also wanted to participate in the Genius Battle and didn't want to be targeted by the Virtual Universe Company beforehand.
After all, the Battle Space is different from the Killing Space. Everything in the Killing Space is completely confidential and can only be seen by the top people of the Virtual Universe Company. But the Battle Space is different; basically, the leaders of each branch of the Virtual Universe Company have the authority to view it.
Stepping out of the arena, Lin Yun strolled through the streets of the virtual universe. He arrived at the main hall of the killing arena, where Luo Feng, Hong, and Thor were already waiting.
"Lin Yun, you actually lost? How is that possible?" Thor looked at Lin Yun's win rate of 987 wins and 1 loss and said in disbelief.
"Why won't I lose?" Lin Yun sat down on the sofa, picked up a drink, and said, "There are always people better than you, and there's always something beyond your understanding."
"Didn't you comprehend the laws? Are there other people in this duel space who have comprehended the laws?" Thor pressed.
"Indeed. That person also comprehended the laws of nature." Lin Yun took a sip of his drink and said calmly, "Didn't you just lose too?"
Thor blushed and muttered, "My opponent was just too strong..."
"What? Could it be that your opponent just now was also that woman with the knife?" Thor suddenly realized and asked in shock.
"That's right. I reckon Luo Feng has probably run into her too." Lin Yun looked at Luo Feng.
Luo Feng's expression was rather grim: "You encountered her too? That female warrior is really... I'm no match for her at all. She was completely toying with me, humiliating me. Her physical attributes are only at the ninth level of the Hengxing realm, the same level as me, yet she's so much stronger than me. My Sky-Piercing Shuttle is a joke in front of her!"
"At least you held on for a while," Thor said with a bitter face. "I was knocked off the ring without even touching the hem of her clothes."
Hong walked in, his expression calm, revealing neither joy nor anger.
"Brother Hong, did you win or lose?" Thor asked curiously.
"I lost," Hong said calmly. "However, her swordsmanship gave me a lot of inspiration."
The four remained silent for a moment.
"That person is no ordinary person," Lin Yun said. "Her fighting style doesn't seem like a duel; it's more like a test."
"Test?" Luo Feng frowned.
"The elite members of Virtual Universe Company are screening potential geniuses," Lin Yun said. "Our combat recordings have probably already been sent to the higher-ups at Virtual Universe Company."
Luo Feng, Hong, and Lei Shen exchanged a glance, all seeing shock in each other's eyes.
A few days later, the four were resting in the lobby of the killing field when a staff member came over.
"Mr. Lin Yun, Mr. Luo Feng, Mr. Hong, Mr. Lei Shen, someone requests your presence."
The four followed the staff through a long corridor to a meditation room. The room wasn't large, but it was exquisitely decorated. Several paintings of cosmic landscapes hung on the walls, and a soft carpet covered the floor. In the center of the room sat a burly man.
The man appeared to be in his forties, with a resolute face and sharp eyes. He didn't emanate any aura, but Lin Yun could sense that this man possessed an extremely vast power within him. That power far surpassed the Hengxing level, far surpassed the cosmic level—at least it was at the Domain Lord level.
On his chest was a badge of a second-star mercenary from the universe.
A Domain Lord-level powerhouse, a two-star mercenary in the universe. A super existence capable of making even a nascent civilization empire in the universe tremble. The original master of the Dragon Star was merely a Domain Lord. A Domain Lord who can become a two-star mercenary in the universe is stronger than an ordinary Domain Lord.
"Greetings, Your Excellency." The four bowed slightly, not daring to be careless. Facing such a person, wiping them out would be an easy task.
"Sit down." The burly man gestured to the sofa opposite him.
The four of them sat down on the sofa.
"My name is Ming Yu," the burly man said with a smile. "I am an external steward of the Virtual Universe Company's Black Dragon Mountain branch in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. You can call me Mr. Ming Yu, or Lord Ming Yu."
"Lord Mingyu," the four addressed him respectfully.
"I've been observing the four of you for a month." Ming Yu's gaze swept over the four of them. "Since you came to this killing field, you've trained every day. I've seen your progress."
Apart from Lin Yun, Luo Feng and the other two were clearly taken aback. Why would such an important figure pay attention to them?
"But I don't understand why you guys stay in the killing arena all the time." Ming Yu frowned slightly. "Training occasionally in the killing arena is fine, but staying there for extended periods is a waste of time!"
"A waste of time?" Luo Feng frowned.
"What do you mean?" Thor frowned. Hong and Lin Yun looked at each other in silence.
"Didn't your teachers tell you... that the fastest way to evolve, the fastest way to improve, is to cultivate through life and death?" Mingyu asked in confusion.
"I understand," Thor said.
Hong and Thor certainly understood. The era in which powerful beings emerged most rapidly on Earth was the Great Nirvana Era and the era of using the Wood Crystal. During the Great Nirvana Era, in just a few years, humanity evolved from its original weak state to produce a large number of powerful beings, even planetary-level beings. And decades later, the discovery of the Wood Crystal also catalyzed the emergence of a new generation of powerful beings.
Between life and death lies immense terror. Between life and death lies boundless power. When faced with the crisis of death, every cell in the body struggles reflexively, and even genetic material accelerates its evolution. The terror between life and death allows the body and even the soul to reach a peak evolutionary state that is unattainable by humankind. In this state, it is easier for a person to comprehend, easier to evolve, and easier to improve their strength.
"I understand. You're still staying in the killing field?" Mingyu asked in return.
"We plan to participate in the space mercenary assessment after some time," Lin Yun replied.
"Oh? I see!" Mingyu finally understood. "That makes more sense."
He paused, then his gaze fell on the four of them again.
"I see that all four of you have comprehended the domain; your comprehension is truly remarkable." A hint of admiration flashed in Ming Yu's eyes. "What are your bloodline levels?"
"Bloodline level?" Luo Feng and the others looked puzzled.
"It seems you are unaware of the concept of bloodline unification," Mingyu explained. "Some people evolve easily when facing death, while others face much greater difficulties in evolving. Some races can reach the level of a celestial being, or even a cosmic being, or even a domain lord upon reaching adulthood. This is bloodline."
He pointed to the screen on the wall, where a form appeared in a swipe.
"Look, this is a form that divides human bloodlines into ten categories. Take a look and see which category your bloodline is roughly in. Perhaps I can help you avoid many detours on the path of evolution."
The four of them stared intently at the screen.
First-class human bloodline: Can reach the rank of 'Domain Lord' upon adulthood.
Second-class human bloodline: Reaching "cosmic level" upon adulthood.
Third and fourth class: Adults are at the Hengxing level.
Fifth and sixth class: Adults are planetary level.
Grade 7 and Grade 8: Adults are apprentices.
Ninth and Tenth Grades: Adults are not considered top-tier, but based on factors such as cultivation talent and the probability of producing strong individuals within their race, they are divided into Ninth and Tenth Grades.
"What is the class of your race and bloodline?" Mingyu asked.
The four exchanged glances. According to the description on the form, Earthlings were ranked ninth in terms of bloodline, since the vast majority of Earthlings were considered inferior after reaching adulthood.
"Ninth grade," Lin Yun said.
"Ninth rank?" Ming Yu looked at Lin Yun in astonishment, then looked at Luo Feng, Hong, and Lei Shen in disbelief.
"Yes, ninth rank," Luo Feng replied.
"So what if we're at the ninth rank? We can still break through on our own!" Thor said.
Mingyu laughed, his laughter deep, hearty, and continuous.
"That's not what I meant." He waved his hand. "I'm just very surprised. A race with a ninth-grade bloodline can actually produce four Eternal Stars—and all of them have comprehended a Domain, and the level of their Domains is not low... This is very rare, extremely rare."
His gaze lingered on Lin Yun for a moment. He could sense that Lin Yun's domain fluctuations were extremely strong. Although he couldn't accurately judge the depth of Lin Yun's understanding of the laws, he could feel that this young man's strength far exceeded his apparent abilities.
"If you're willing to join my Virtual Universe Company, you can get a free Bloodline Evolution Agent!" Ming Yu extended an olive branch.
"Lord Mingyu! You said that if we join the Virtual Universe Company, we can get a free Bloodline Evolution Agent?" Luo Feng asked.
"Not bad." Ming Yu nodded. "The four of you have all reached the ninth level of the Domain, just one step away from stepping into the threshold of the Origin Law. According to the standards of our Virtual Universe Company, you can all be considered first-level elites."
"If you are willing to join, each of you will receive a Bloodline Evolution Agent," Mingyu added.
"Lord Mingyu, I'd like to ask, if I join the Virtual Universe Company, will my freedom be restricted?" Lin Yun asked directly. Personally, he didn't want to join the Virtual Universe Company at this time. The Genius Battle was coming up soon, and that would be the best opportunity to join the company.
"That's right." Ming Yu didn't hide anything. "In the early stages, our strength was weak, so the company's management was very strict. However, it will gradually relax as our strength increases."
Judging from their expressions, he guessed that they couldn't stand the strict management, and then said, "If you can't accept the strict management, you can become our external members. However, external members don't have as many advantages."
"External members?" Luo Feng asked.
"External members don't need to fulfill daily obligations and have greater freedom. However, they need to purchase the Bloodline Evolution Agent themselves," Mingyu said. "With your elite rating, you can buy one Bloodline Evolution Agent for 100 million Qianwu Coins."
One hundred million Qianwu coins.
This is not a problem for Lin Yun and Luo Feng right now. They still have billions of Qianwu coins in their accounts, more than enough to buy several portions.
"We choose to become external members," Lin Yun said, making the decision on behalf of the four.
Mingyu nodded, without pressuring him.
Three days later, on White Orchid Star.
Bailan Star is a famous icy planet within the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, perpetually covered in ice and snow, with extremely low temperatures. The Virtual Universe Company has a supply depot here, where the Bloodline Evolution Agent ordered by Lin Yun and his companions was received.
The four people landed in a spaceship at the spaceport of Bailan Star. After completing the formalities, they received four silver-white metal boxes.
"This is the Bloodline Evolution Agent?" Thor opened the box, inside was a transparent glass bottle containing a pale blue liquid. The liquid glowed faintly, emitting a soft, fluorescent light.
"Just follow the instructions to take it," Lin Yun said. "After taking it, the body will undergo genetic optimization, and there may be some discomfort during the process."
The four found a hotel, went to their respective rooms, and began taking the Bloodline Evolution Agent.
Lin Yun did not take it, because his current life gene level has reached 50 times, which far surpasses any human race that can reproduce. Therefore, the bloodline evolution agent has no effect on him. He plans to save it for He Lingruo.
Thor and Hong have made very obvious progress.
Luo Feng's cultivation level hadn't changed much, remaining at the ninth level of the Constant Star realm. He too was suppressing his cultivation and hadn't broken through. Thor's cultivation level, however, broke through from the fourth level of the Constant Star realm to the seventh level. Hong's cultivation level broke through from the third level of the Constant Star realm to the sixth level. "He broke through!" Thor excitedly rushed out of the room, "I'm now at the seventh level of the Constant Star realm!"
Hong was the last to come out, his expression still calm, but a hint of joy flashed in his eyes.
"Level 6 of the Eternal Star System," he said.
"Congratulations," Lin Yun said with a smile.
"Lin Yun, what about you?" Thor asked. "What level have you reached in your breakthrough?"
"Still at the ninth level of the Hengxing star level," Lin Yun said.
"How could that be? The Bloodline Evolution Agent didn't work for you?" Thor didn't believe it.
"It's effective, but my baseline is too high, so the improvement isn't obvious." Lin Yun didn't explain further.
Luo Feng glanced at Lin Yun, seemingly lost in thought. He knew Lin Yun was suppressing his cultivation level in preparation for the Genius Battle. He didn't ask any further questions.
The four returned to the hotel's living room and sat together.
"Next, we should go and participate in the space mercenary assessment," Lin Yun said.
"A cosmic mercenary?" Thor's eyes lit up. "You mean someone who can roam freely in space?"
"That's right," Lin Yun said. "Being a mercenary is a recognized identity in the universe, and they enjoy many privileges. Moreover, the mercenary assessment itself is a life-or-death experience."
"I agree," Hong said. "We need real-world experience."
Luo Feng nodded: "I'll go too."
"Then it's settled," Lin Yun said. "We'll first go to the mercenary headquarters of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire to register, and then take the assessment."
"What are the assessment criteria?" Thor asked.
"I don't know," Lin Yun said. "The assessment tasks are different each time. But one thing is the same—it's very dangerous."
"Danger is what makes things interesting," Thor grinned.
The four men looked at each other and smiled, their eyes flashing with fighting spirit.
Outside the window, the ice and snow of Bailanxing glittered in the sunlight, like a white ocean.
A new journey is about to begin.