Barely minutes after Lance began his cultivation, a relentless cacophony of system notifications began to chime within his mind.
Listening to the rhythmic alerts, Lance couldn't help but marvel. The Human Sovereign Physique was truly terrifying; techniques and martial arts that had previously seemed impossible to master were now skyrocketing toward their absolute limits in an instant.
He immediately diverted a portion of his focus, multitasking to begin drilling the 12th-grade martial arts he had just exchanged, along with his new Destruction Type Ability Skills.
"At this rate, I’ll be able to undergo a full Reconstruction the moment my Reconstruction Quota refreshes!"
With that thought, Lance called up his Status Panel.
Status Panel
Name: Lance
Reconstruction Quota: 0/9
Martial Dao Realm: Galactic Realm (Second Heavenly Layer)
Divine Soul Realm: Galactic Realm (Second Heavenly Layer)
CON: 20 Quadrillion (1 point = 30,000kg strength)
Soul: 20 Quadrillion
Master of All Crafts: Ten Types (10th-Grade Low-Rank, 0/10 Trillion, Legendary)
Technique: Weapon Grandmaster (Sixth-Fold Intent, 2800%, 0/10 Million)
Laws:
Low-Level: 0
Mid-Level: 0
High-Level: 8 Types
Top-Tier: 1 Type
Supreme: Power of Death (Law Threads: 2), Destruction Power (Law Threads: 2)
Talents:
Undying God-Body (Immortal Class, Combat Power 5000%)
The Human Sovereign Physique (Immortal, 100 Trillion-fold Augmentation)
The Void Dragon Physique (Immortal Class, Physical Body 512)
Cultivation Protocols:
Eternal Soul Protocol (Immortal Grade, 10th-Grade Shattered, 1000x)
Demon King's Sacrifice (12th-Grade High-Rank)
Berserk Absorption (13th-Grade High-Rank)
Heavenly Giant Manifestation (15th-Grade Mid-Rank, 1000x)
The Celestial Canon (8/8, 15th-Grade Low-Rank, Perfect)
Martial Arts:
Slaughter Demon Spear (12th-Grade Low-Rank, Proficient)
Divine Light of Destruction (10th Gold Tier - Low, Proficient)
Flash Step (12th-Grade Mid-Rank, Proficient)
Realm Emperor's Golden Body (12th-Grade Peak-Rank, Proficient)...
Items:
Dark Sky Battle Armor (10th Gold Tier - Low)
Dark Sky Demon Spear (10th Gold Tier - Low)
Wings of the Angel (11th-Grade Peak-Rank)
Physical Combat Power: Universal Realm (Ninth Heavenly Layer)
Ultimate Combat Power: Domain Lord Realm (First Heavenly Layer)
Lance’s attributes had undergone a massive overhaul. A dedicated "Laws" category had appeared, and powers like the Power of Death were now correctly classified there rather than under Talents.
His arsenal of martial arts, protocols, and equipment had also evolved. For instance, Demon King's Sacrifice was an upgraded form of Sky Demon Dissolution. While its duration was a mere sixty seconds—far shorter than the original—its destructive output was exponentially more terrifying. For Lance, a single minute was more than enough to decide the fate of any battle.
Furthermore, the armor and weapons he had purchased had arrived, all of Perfect-quality Gold Tier - Low. This grade of equipment was formidable; even a standard God-King Class powerhouse would struggle to leave a dent in the Dark Sky Battle Armor. It even came integrated with a Gold Tier - Low A.I. and a Combat Analyzer—the pinnacle of cosmic technology.
Finally, The Celestial Canon had finished its integration. Lance focused on its detailed description.
The Celestial Canon: A supreme divine scripture that allows for the simultaneous fusion of eight high-level elements in combat. Due to the resonance of The Eight Sacred Canons, these eight elements have been elevated to the 12th grade. Upon successful fusion, they will unleash the cataclysmic power of a 14th-grade element.
Warning: The fusion process is exceptionally difficult. Ninety percent of practitioners perish during elemental integration.
Reading the description, the nature of the technique became clear to Lance.
The so-called Celestial Canon was essentially a method to weld eight distinct elements into a single, cohesive force. This was a nightmare scenario, considering the elements involved were diametrically opposed—such as the light-based Holy Light Sacred Power versus the darkness of Extreme Yin Power, or the searing Holy Flame Power against the water-based Frost Lord trait.
The repulsion between any two of these opposites would normally trigger a violent explosion. To attempt to fuse all eight simultaneously was nothing short of a suicide mission.
It was no wonder so few had ever dared to practice this art. The difficulty was astronomical, and the risk of self-destruction was nearly guaranteed. Even though many knew the technique offered heaven-defying power upon success, no one besides the original creator had ever managed to master it.
"Mortis mentioned that the creator was a Human powerhouse who had awakened The Primordial Law Body," Lance mused, his eyes flashing with resolve. "Without an absolute, iron-clad affinity for the elements, this protocol is impossible to learn."
But since he had already synthesized the manual, the only thing left was to actually perform the fusion. Only then could he claim to have truly mastered The Celestial Canon.
"Let's give it a try. It’s not like I have anything else to do right now."
Lance closed his eyes and sank his consciousness into his Consciousness Hub. Upon entry, he noticed the space had expanded significantly. The massive orbs of elemental power that once drifted through the void had been refined into shimmering Law Threads, each pulsing with terrifying energy.
These threads glowed with distinct colors, representing the various elements. Though he only possessed two Law Threads each for Death and Destruction, the aura they radiated was a thousand times more oppressive than the dozens of threads belonging to the eight high-level elements combined.
"I’ll start with Extreme Yin Power and Holy Light Sacred Power," Lance decided. "The repulsion between these two is the highest. If I can stabilize them, the rest of the fusion should be much easier."
With a thought, he began to manipulate the Law Threads.
Vroom!
A violent hum vibrated through his mind as fifty Law Threads from both attributes converged before him. Without hesitation, he began the integration process following the Canon's instructions.
The dozens of Law Threads transformed into two spiraling beams of light—one pure white, one abyssal black.
Vroom!
The two opposing forces collided. Because Lance commanded both laws, they initially began to merge the moment they touched.
However, the fusion hadn't even reached ten percent before the two energies began to vibrate violently. They pulsed with an unstable rhythm, threatening to detonate at any moment. Anyone else would have abandoned the attempt immediately, but Lance wasn't just anyone.
With his Undying God-Body, he felt no fear.
Besides, he was currently within The Virtual Universe. Death here was a mere inconvenience, not an end.
He exerted his will, using raw power to violently knead the two laws together.
Finally, as if utterly provoked by his interference, the two energies began to radiate an aura capable of collapsing heavens and shattering worlds.
A blinding, magnificent brilliance erupted from the center of the fusing spheres.
The light expanded at a staggering speed, devouring everything in every direction.
RUMBLE!!!
In the next heartbeat, a heaven-shaking explosion tore through the void. Lance, along with every object within a radius of several light-years, was instantly enveloped by twin waves of light and shadow energy.
Several Domain Lord Realm Tier 1 experts, who had only just respawned in the area, didn't even have time to flee before the shockwave swept over them.
In an instant, they were reduced to nothingness.
A moment later, however, they materialized once again a short distance away.
On a battlefield with a diameter of over a hundred light-years, attacks of this magnitude were far too common. No one paid it any mind.
On the other side, Lance—who had been vaporized by his own power—respawned as well.
"Well, that’s just great. It failed at only thirty percent. Looks like I’ll have to take this slow."
Lance’s eyes flickered as he assessed the failure. He didn't hesitate, immediately diving back into the fusion process.
Thanks to his terrifying Affinity bonuses, the previous failure didn't just cost him a life—it provided a wealth of data, opening up countless new pathways and ideas for the fusion.
He followed these new insights, beginning the process anew.
RUMBLE!!!!
Before long, another black-and-white explosion engulfed the surrounding light-years.
This time, the fusion had reached ninety percent.
Lance respawned and went straight back to work without a second's pause. Finally, on the third attempt, the two opposing forces merged perfectly.
A black-and-white orb of light now hovered slowly above Lance’s Consciousness Hub. The power it radiated was staggering, easily rivaling his previous Divine Holy Light.
One had to remember that Divine Holy Light was a powerful Tier 13 ability.
"It’s as I thought. The more polarized the elements, the more powerful the result. Now, to fold in the remaining six elements."
Sensing the sheer potency of the orb, Lance felt a surge of satisfaction. He wasted no time, channeling his other powers to join the fray.
However, he quickly discovered that merging two opposing energies was nothing compared to the difficulty of adding a third.
He was blown apart seven or eight times before the third energy finally stabilized.
Then came the fourth. He died dozens of times before succeeding.
Then the fifth, the sixth...
Time slipped away, measured only by the rhythm of Lance’s repeated deaths and rebirths.
Ding! Congratulations, Host. Physical body and Soul repaired for 8 minutes. CON +20 quadrillion, Soul +20 quadrillion! Physical Body Realm and Divine Soul Realm promoted to: Galactic Realm Tier 3!
Ding! Congratulations, Host. Physical body and Soul repaired for 16 minutes. CON +40 quadrillion, Soul +40 quadrillion! Physical Body Realm and Divine Soul Realm promoted to: Galactic Realm Tier 4!
Ding! Congratulations, Host. Physical body and Soul repaired for 32 minutes. CON +80 quadrillion, Soul +80 quadrillion! Physical Body Realm and Divine Soul Realm promoted to: Galactic Realm Tier 5!
...
As the fusion progressed, Lance’s cultivation level climbed steadily.
Advancing from Tier 5 to Tier 6 took an hour. Tier 6 to Tier 7 took two hours.
Tier 7 to Tier 8 took four hours.
By the time he broke through from Tier 8 to Tier 9, a full eight hours had passed.
In total, sixteen hours had vanished since he began his push to Tier 9. Now, only eight hours remained until the start of The Genius Trials.
Ding! Congratulations, Host. You have successfully fused eight types of energy! Mastery of The Celestial Canon has reached the Perfection Realm! Fused Element Grade promoted to: Tier 14 (Upper-grade)!
The system notification echoed in Lance’s mind, and his eyes slowly opened.
"I’ve finally mastered it. All my other techniques and martial arts have reached the Perfection Realm as well. Now... all that’s left is to wait for The Universal Genius Competition to begin."
Lance’s gaze turned solemn as he checked the timer.
Eight hours left. By then, not only would his Reconstruction Quota refresh, but the competition would officially commence.
He closed his eyes, entering a state of deep meditation to wait out the final hours.
The time passed in a heartbeat.
DONG—!!!
A massive, resonant chime echoed through existence. The heavens and the earth trembled violently. Whether in the physical world or within The Virtual Universe, every cultivator was jolted by the sound.
The geniuses who had been locked in frenzied combat all stopped.
At this moment, they knew: their era had arrived.
"Is it finally starting? The competition that countless geniuses never get to see in a lifetime... This time, I will claim my place on the rankings!"
Deep within a supermassive black hole that blanketed an entire star system, a youth slowly opened his eyes. As he spoke, the surrounding event horizon contracted sharply, eventually vanishing into his body.
"Hahaha! My sword intent finally reached the eighth rank at the very last second. This victory shall have a seat reserved for me!"
In the depths of space, at the center of a continent bristling with countless legendary blades, a youth stood. A sharp, piercing sword intent erupted from him, soaring into the sky. Across the Infinite Sword Domain, which spanned hundreds of light-years, every single sword began to vibrate in a frenzied salute.
In this moment, excitement reached a fever pitch across the territories of the Sentient Races, the Void Beasts, and The Machina.
However, the lower-tier civilizations—ranging from Level 0 worlds to Tier 1 Primitive Civilizations—looked up at the void in sheer terror.
Their civilizations were too underdeveloped to know whether The Universal Genius Competition was a blessing or a curse.
Unfortunately, they had no choice in the matter.
"The Universal Genius Competition has begun. All beings below the Immortal Class throughout the universe: Commencing teleportation!!"
The announcement roared from the depths of the endless void, reaching every corner of the cosmos.
Hum— hum— hum—
In an instant, countless billions of living beings lost consciousness, their bodies collapsing where they stood.
Even those who had practiced consciousness-splitting techniques were shocked to find their primary consciousness forcibly pulled into The Virtual Universe. They were locked in; their minds would not return to their bodies until The Genius Trials concluded.
"The Universal Genius Competition has begun. All beings below the Immortal Class throughout the universe: Commencing teleportation!!"
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