Swallowing the Stars: Starting with the Battle of Geniuses

call.

The autumn wind blew blew, and in contrast, Hunzhen's hair and the hem of her clothes drooped down and returned to their original smoothness.

"Hmph hmph hmph."

Hunzhen withdrew his fingers, turned his upper body back, and with a faint smile still on his face, he gently shook his head at an angle of about 10 or 20 degrees and continued walking forward leisurely.

It was as if what he had just witnessed was merely his usual erratic behavior out of boredom, and not something he had noticed being secretly watched.

But is that really the case?

"..."

In the Shang Kingdom, which borders the Ji Kingdom, in an elegant room stretching hundreds of millions of light-years in the direction Hunzhen pointed, a tall figure was breathing slightly, still shaken.

She couldn't tell whether what had just happened was a coincidence or whether she had actually been discovered by the other party.

Logically speaking, even a peak-level God-King wouldn't be able to notice her methods.

That person's aura and life force were indeed far beyond those of an ordinary Chaos Ruler, but he was still at the Saint level, which was beyond doubt.

If you doubt yourself, you are questioning your own path.

Doubt about one's own path could very well lead to a major crisis of the collapse of one's Dao heart...

But if we don't question it... the other party's action just now, and those words full of warning, don't seem like they were made without reason.

She was caught in a dilemma.

Recalling his teacher's teachings, he finally gritted his teeth and continued chasing after them.

……

After leaving the small border town, Hunzhen continued his "tourism" as if nothing had happened.

A country typically has an average diameter of several hundred million light-years, similar to the inclination peak.

So, the entire Origin Continent doesn't seem that big?

After all, a mere peak realm is but a drop in the ocean of the universe, and even tens of thousands more would be insignificant.

This makes it seem that the Origin Continent is not even as large as a lower-level universe.

actually not.

Whether it is the cosmic ocean or the primordial universe, most of the space is a void that is "like empty space with nothing to rely on".

And the continent of origin is a real, existing place.

Needless to say, the world level of the Origin Continent is much higher. Just like the difference between housing prices in the countryside and those in the first ring of Kyoto, the spatial quality of the Origin Continent is far superior to that of the Cosmic Sea.

On the continent of origin, only attacks with power greater than that of an Eternal God can cause significant damage to the surrounding terrain.

Only attacks with power at the Saint level or above can directly shake spacetime.

The combat power below the level of a true god is simply the destructive power of a martial arts master in a low-level martial arts world like Wuxia.

Not only is the destructive power reduced, but with such a stable spacetime, the distance of teleportation is also greatly shortened, and it is difficult to reach the speed of light at normal travel speed.

Movement skills, such as agility and maneuverability, are not very important in the Cosmic Sea, but in the Origin Continent, they are a compulsory course for young people who go out to explore the world, much like how every novice trainer who reaches a certain age must receive a beginner Pokémon before going out to train.

Long-distance travel between countries, and even between cities that are a little further apart, is like modern people taking a plane, which requires using teleportation arrays.

Large-scale teleportation arrays capable of crossing boundaries are only installed in dominant nations and a few wealthy, superior countries.

Hunzhen is a Saint-level expert who has mastered the ultimate power of the void. His teleportation ability when he goes all out is considered powerful even among peak God-Kings.

With his ability to access future funds, crossing national borders in a short period of time would not be difficult for him.

Perhaps due to a lack of tension, or perhaps to adapt to local customs, Hunzhen, like any ordinary wandering knight, headed to the large cities equipped with small teleportation arrays, making several transfers before finally reaching the capital of the Ji Kingdom.

Given the vastness of the continent from which they originated, the time units during their migration were often measured in centuries.

Even if Hunzhen deliberately slowed down, it was still a normal Saint-level movement speed. It would only take a few years to travel from this small border town to the most prosperous country in the center.

……

"Hey, what are you doing? Can't you see? It says here that this is currently private property and not open to the public. No unauthorized personnel allowed!"

Inside Chengzhou, the capital of the Ji Kingdom, outside Tianmen Square, two young guards stopped Hunzhen.

As expected of the capital, just like in historical novels about warring states, the emperor's capital is filled with high-ranking officials and nobles. The two guards standing outside Tianmen Square exude the life force of eternal gods.

If the Lord of Laws is considered cannon fodder and the True God is elite, then the Void True God can be considered a commander of one side.

The eternal God cannot be considered nameless or faceless anywhere.

However, within Cheng Zhou, they were merely two gatekeepers guarding the gates of the royal private domain.

Despite facing two imposing guards, Hunzhen's expression remained gentle, showing no anger whatsoever from a Saint-level expert being offended.

After all, those two were just doing their job, but he was the bad guy who was about to be offended without cause.

Hunzhen smiled and said, "You two, have you ever heard of the Heavenly Gate Martial Arts Competition?"

As he spoke, the powerful aura unique to Saint-level experts erupted unrestrainedly.

The terrifying aura that came towards them caused the two Eternal God Guardians to change their expressions in shock, and they both fell to their knees before them.

"Who...who are you?!"

One of the security guards looked terrified, and seemed to have limited knowledge of such matters.

Another gatekeeper, with a solemn expression, stopped his companion and gave him a telepathic message to reassure him. At the same time, he cupped his hands to Hunzhen and said, "We were unaware of the Holy One's arrival. Please forgive us if we have offended you."

Saint-level powerhouses are the highest level that normal people can see in the Origin Continent, where God-Kings rarely take action.

Wherever he goes, he becomes a guest of honor for powerful figures.

The fact that the gatekeeper could speak so humbly yet arrogantly in front of someone powerful shows that he has truly seen the world.

However, among the Eternal True Gods, let alone outstanding beings, even the most outstanding geniuses are not worthy of Hunzhen's excessive attention at present.

He looked up and gave a faint smile.

The Saint-level pressure was not limited to the area in front of Tianmen Square; under his control, it had spread throughout the entire city of Chengzhou.

At this point, all the forces within Chengzhou City should have become aware of his existence.

His aim was to obtain an honorific title, and his deliberate visit was not without purpose.

Otherwise, if he wanted others to know of his arrival, he only needed to unleash his aura the moment he entered the city.

The deliberate detour, the compliant actions, and the clear expression of intent were all intended to allow the subsequent rumors and information to develop normally.

Otherwise, if Cheng Zhou were to realize that the enemy had attacked and enter a state of war, who would help him promote his reputation afterward?

"You are not a citizen of my Ji Kingdom, are you?"

Following the direction Hunzhen was looking, an old man wearing a sky-blue Taoist robe and carrying a jade sword gracefully landed.

Hunzhen didn't answer. Instead, looking at the old man before him who exuded a Saint-level life aura, he asked, "How should I address you?"

The old man with the jade sword raised an eyebrow, but was not annoyed. He replied calmly, "I am Xuan Yuzi, the second elder of the Dao Xuan Sword Sect. I am in charge of the 'Heavenly Gate Martial Arts Competition' and many other matters concerning the Heavenly Gate Square that you mentioned."

After speaking, he glanced at Hunzhen, his eyes narrowing slightly, signaling for a reply.

Saint-level beings are like deterrent weapons; naturally, every country's borders are protected by arrays and customs restrictions.

In Xuan Yuzi's view, Hunzhen's information and aura were completely unreserved.

Nine times out of ten, they came illegally.

And what is the general public's attitude towards illegal immigration? It goes without saying, right?

Hunzhen nodded and said, "My name is Hunzhen. I am not from the Ji Kingdom, but I am not an illegal immigrant as you might imagine. I wonder if Lord Xuanyuzi has ever heard of the so-called 'Three Thousand Dimensions' universe?"

Xuan Yuzi's pupils contracted: "You are... an Ascended One?"

What surprised him was not the identity of an "ascended one" who could travel through reincarnation to reach the Origin Continent.

Instead, it was Hunzhen who, as an ascendant, silently reached the Saint level!

As a Saint-level expert, Xuan Yuzi naturally knew all too well how heaven-defying it was to reach the Saint level in such a barren place as the Three Thousand Dimension Universe!

Of course, there is another possibility: the other party is not a Saint-level being, but only reached the Saint-level after arriving at the Origin Continent.

Even so, the other party is at least at the level of an eternal true god.

After all, breakthroughs are never without any progress. Cultivation requires conditions such as wealth, companions, methods, and location. Therefore, Xuan Yuzi tends to believe that the other party will gain a breakthrough opportunity after arriving in the Origin Continent due to the world's upgrade and the change in the ceiling.

Xuan Yuzi quickly sorted out his thoughts.

The latest novel is first published here!

"Lord Hunzhen, I understand your thoughts. But if you wish to obtain an honorific title, joining my Ji Kingdom is the only right path."

Xuan Yuzi's gaze was deep and unfathomable: "Your success in advancing in rank suggests you are not ignorant. You should know the kind of rejection you'll face when entering a new environment and seeking resources for further advancement alone, right?"

Hunzhen seemed oblivious to the deeper meaning hidden in Xuan Yuzi's words, saying, "Want to recruit me? You'd better see if you're qualified. The relationship between ruler and subject has always been a two-way selection process."

"Enough with the small talk!"

Hunzhen grasped the Time-Sorrow Demon Blade with his right hand, raising the blade and pointing it towards the Heavenly Gate Square: "From what I've gathered, the so-called Heavenly Gate Martial Arts Competition shouldn't have any time limit? Even if I join you, it can still take place, right? In that case, why not let's settle things with strength!? If you, or any of the Ji Kingdom's renowned prodigies, can defeat me, what's wrong with joining you!?"

"Fine."

Xuan Yuzi nodded slightly, and with a thought, Tianmen Square was unsealed.

A huge stage rose into the sky.

The so-called Tianmen Martial Arts Competition naturally involves matters related to the "battle of destiny and the beliefs of all living beings" that Hunzhen mentioned earlier, similar to the "Grand National Competition".

Competition from other countries goes without saying, but even internal competition will be announced to the whole country in this way.

At this moment, not only within Chengzhou, but throughout the entire Ji Kingdom, anyone who looks up can see the projected images on the stage in the sky.

Similar facilities also exist in other countries besides Ji Kingdom.

Of course, if things were to proceed normally, they couldn't be done so hastily as they are now.

However, it was Hunzhen's clean background as an "ascended one" that aroused Xuan Yuzi's desire to recruit him.

In the Origin Continent, strength is a privilege.

Recruiting a sage would naturally be enough for Xuan Yuzi to use this privilege.

However, Xuan Yuzi certainly couldn't shoulder the responsibility all by himself.

With the thinking ability of a Saint-level expert, he had already communicated with Dao Xuan Sword Sect and the royal family of Ji Kingdom in the short time he communicated with Hun Zhen.

At Tianmen Square, the martial arts platform rose high, and two figures quickly landed inside.

A spatial compression a million times greater than in other parts of Chengzhou ensued. Following this, countless layers of defensive formations were nested outside the martial arts arena.

Fighting within such a high-density space and formation naturally prevents most of the damage from leaking out.

This also allows both sides to unleash their full potential in the duel.

The martial arts arena in Tianmen Square was originally designed to allow the most outstanding talents to compete for the beliefs of all living beings, and its injury tolerance limit is naturally at the level of a God King!

At the top of the training platform, two portraits and a health bar are displayed on the left and right.

Used to detect the remaining divine power reserves of both sides.

After all, it is a "martial arts competition" and a "battle of beliefs", not a life-or-death struggle. When one party's remaining divine power drops to 50%, it means defeat.

Both sides are in position.

A storm was brewing throughout the entire Ji Kingdom.

"What? It's not even National Day yet, why is the Tianmen Martial Arts Competition already started? Is there a new event?"

Besides its original purpose of vying for the beliefs of the masses, Tianmen Square naturally has more than one other purpose.

During holidays, the energy-intensive martial arts arena can be left unused for other promotional or official business.

However, the people of Ji Kingdom were naturally very familiar with the martial arts arena and immediately noticed that it was the Tianmen Martial Arts Competition.

"That old man on the right, ah, I recognize him! Isn't that the Second Elder of the Dao Xuan Sword Sect? My kid just told me a while ago that he's a good teacher!"

The status of a sect's Saint-level expert is somewhat like that of a modern-day PhD or professor, but one who is truly accomplished.

As the number one sect in the Ji Kingdom, Dao Xuan Sword Sect is similar to a top modern university, where Saint-level elders also come out to give lectures and teach.

While the inhabitants of the continent of origin held reverence and respect for the gods, the psychological distance between them was not as great as when facing a god-king.

"That young face on the left is quite unfamiliar! However, to be able to participate in the Heavenly Gate Martial Arts Duel alongside Elder Xuan Yuzi, he must be an extraordinary person, right?"

Amidst the discussions among the people of Ji Kingdom, Hunzhen spoke up on his own.

"Gentlemen, my name is Hunzhen."

Xuan Yuzi did not stop Hunzhen from speaking.

Such behavior is perfectly normal during the Tianmen Martial Arts Competition.

Moreover, Hunzhen clearly aimed for the title of honor, so it was impossible for him not to do this, which is commonly known as establishing a persona!

If you can't even make people know you, how can you expect them to remember you? And how can someone who isn't remembered and doesn't garner the faith of the masses establish a title of honor?

Even if Xuan Yuzi didn't believe that Hunzhen could win the title, he wouldn't deliberately hinder Hunzhen from establishing his persona.

However, Xuan Yuzi soon regretted it.

"I am a traveler who does not belong to the continent of origin."

"An ascendant from a three-thousand-dimensional universe."

"The greatest genius of all time, breaking through to the Saint level in less than a small epoch!"

"and……"

Hunzhen raised his blade, pointing it at Xuan Yuzi, and whispered, "He will also be the strongest below the God-King, a figure unprecedented and unparalleled from now on!"

Upon hearing this, the audience erupted in uproar.

I didn't find Hunzhen's declaration resounding; I only felt that he was arrogant and conceited!

Even Xuan Yuzi had an unpleasant expression.

"If there is such a thing, you can't just say it carelessly, Lord Hunzhen!"

Xuan Yuzi brandished his jade sword, his expression cold, his eyes gradually sharpening. (End of Chapter)