Swallowed Star: Primordial Artifact

Chapter 315 The Bet: Humanity's Strongest Genius?
In the vast and boundless cosmic network, a message spreads like a bombshell among the top executives of the virtual universe company.

In the primordial universe, within the Chaos City and the Chaos Ruins, the Lord of Chaos City sat quietly cross-legged.

He was surrounded by a mysterious and unpredictable aura of chaos, as if connected to the primordial power of the entire initial universe.

At this moment, he slowly opened his eyes, a hint of surprise and admiration flashing in them. Then he sighed softly, "Jiang Ye's progress has indeed far exceeded my expectations. He has actually managed to successfully pass through the Primordial Tongtian Mountain, which is at the World Lord level."

This sigh contains endless meaning.

Although Jiang Ye had previously stated that he possessed the ability to reach the 20th level of the Tongtian Bridge in terms of laws, reaching the 20th level of the Tongtian Bridge was merely a basic requirement for attempting to enter the "Lord-level Primal Tongtian Mountain," and by no means a guarantee of success.

When the original Tongtian Mountain was meticulously designed, it incorporated various tests for those who dared to attempt it. In addition to requiring a high level of understanding of the laws, it also required a comprehensive consideration of the application of various secret techniques and factors such as willpower and consciousness.

Jiang Ye's ability to successfully overcome this challenge speaks volumes about his exceptional talent and formidable strength.

The Lord of Chaos City nodded slightly, a smile appearing on his lips: "Once he gets through, those few will probably have to admit defeat."

That smile contained both recognition of Jiang Ye's talent and a foresight of the ripples this news would cause among the higher echelons of the universe.

……

Meanwhile, outside the Blood Luo Continent, inside the "Heavenly Eclipse Palace," which has stood for hundreds of millions of years and has always shouldered the heavy responsibility of suppressing and supervising the Blood Luo Continent.

The Lord of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace, a figure of immense prestige within the Virtual Universe Company and revered by countless powerful individuals, is currently standing on the highest level of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace.

His figure was ethereal and elusive, as if countless phantoms were interwoven within him, as unreal as a dream, yet exuding a powerful aura that could not be ignored.

Suddenly, the Lord of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace laughed loudly, and the laughter was like a powerful energy wave that swept out from the Lord of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace to every corner of the entire Heavenly Eclipse Palace. Wherever the laughter reached, the space seemed to tremble.

The realm lords and immortals of the first and second levels of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace all showed expressions of astonishment.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with doubt and confusion. They couldn't understand what kind of joy had made the usually calm and composed Palace Master of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace so happy.

"Well done!"

The Palace Master of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace gazed into the infinite void, his eyes gleaming with excitement: "Those guys from the Giant Axe Arena and the Universe's Number One Bank have always believed that Jiang Ye could not break the record of the Candlelight. Back then, Jiang Ye broke through the Primordial Heavenly Mountain of the Universe Level and the Domain Lord Level in just a few hundred years, but they still looked down on him, thinking that the Primordial Heavenly Mountain of the Universe Level and the Domain Lord Level was nothing."

"Now, they should finally admit defeat!"

"A Primordial Tongtian Mountain at the Realm Lord level—this is the benchmark of humanity's strongest genius! It represents the comprehension of the laws, and is only one step away from becoming a Universe Venerable. Although Zhu Huo was also outstanding in the speed of comprehending the laws back then, compared with Jiang Ye's current achievements during the same Realm Lord era, he was clearly much slower." The Heavenly Eclipse Palace Master was overjoyed, as if the expectation suppressed in his heart for many years had finally been realized. His joy was like a flood that had burst its banks, and he could no longer suppress it.

Back then, the highest levels of humanity, including Virtual Universe Corporation, Giant Axe Arena, and the Universe First Bank, among other top figures, all discussed Jiang Ye.

What discerning eyes they had! Jiang Ye's talent had already far surpassed that of his contemporaries, such as Luo Feng, Rong Jun, and Bo Lan. Even compared to Zhu Huo, who was once hailed as a peerless genius, Jiang Ye was in no way inferior, and in some aspects, he was even better.

However, regarding the two crucial questions of when Jiang Ye will truly mature and whether he can surpass Zhu Huo and break the record for the fastest growth of a human genius, many super-strong individuals hold differing opinions and are arguing fiercely.

As a peerless genius in the Giant Axe Arena, Venerable Fire Erosion possesses an extraordinary talent that is truly astonishing.

Venerable Fiery displayed astonishing speed on his cultivation path. He reached the realm of a Universe Venerable in just a few hundred thousand years. This speed is rare in the universe. It should be noted that a Universe Venerable is an extremely powerful being in the universe. Countless martial artists spend their entire lives trying to reach this realm, but Venerable Fiery was able to reach this level in such a short time, which shows his extraordinary talent.

At that time, although Jiang Ye was still quite inexperienced, like a rising star just beginning to emerge, his speed in comprehending the laws was in no way inferior to that of Venerable Fiery Erosion, and he had already shown astonishing potential.

This is why the pinnacle of humanity is arguing over this, and even placing bets! Those who participate in this bet are either "cosmic overlords" like the Lord of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace, or even higher-level cosmic lords, so the stakes are naturally terrifying.

However, most of the powerful figures suppressed the candle flame, after all, the achievements of the Venerable Candle Flame were witnessed by many powerful figures.

Those who suppress Jiang Ye are mostly powerful figures from virtual universe companies, such as the Palace Master of the Heavenly Eclipse Palace.

It is important to know that the five major human powers have been fighting each other within a certain scope. As the most outstanding of the five major human powers, Virtual Universe Corporation and Giant Axe Arena each possess powerful strength and far-reaching influence.

Naturally, no one would submit to anyone else.

It was precisely because of their high regard for Jiang Ye's talent, and because they were both from virtual universe companies, that they wanted to outdo the Giant Axe Arena.

When Jiang Ye returned from the Blood Luo World and passed by the Heavenly Eclipse Palace, the Palace Master couldn't help but personally offer some pointers to Jiang Ye.

……

While the Lord of Chaos City, the Lord of Heavenly Eclipse Palace, and others were immersed in joy, some other top human beings were filled with sighs and lamentations.

"They actually lost the bet! Jiang Ye has crossed the Primordial Universe Mountain, and he's really only one step away from becoming a Venerable in terms of understanding the laws!" A powerful figure said with a face full of frustration.

“It’s only been three thousand years since the end of the Genius Battle, and Jiang Ye has already achieved this. Compared to Zhu Huo back then, the gap is simply too great!” Another powerful figure shook his head and sighed, his eyes filled with shock.

"This talent is terrifying! Jiang Ye's progress is incredibly rapid. I knew he would achieve great things in the future, but I never expected his progress to be so fast! At this rate, he could very well become a Universe Venerable within ten epochs."

Many beings expressed their feelings, ranging from amazement at Jiang Ye's talent and heartfelt joy that humanity could have such a genius, to regret for their misjudgment. After all, they had placed a considerable bet on this "gamble" concerning Jiang Ye.

……

Soon, news of Jiang Ye's breakthrough of the Primordial Tongtian Mountain, a realm master level, spread rapidly throughout the universe.

Upon hearing this, countless powerful figures couldn't help but show expressions of astonishment, as if they had witnessed the most incredible miracle in the universe. And it must be said, it truly was a "miracle"! After all, conquering the benchmark of humanity's strongest genius in less than three thousand years—truly unprecedented and likely to remain so.

Those who had once secretly envied Jiang Ye and questioned his abilities were now completely convinced.

After all, being able to conquer the Primordial Tongtian Mountain, a benchmark representing humanity's strongest genius, is enough to prove that Jiang Ye's strength and talent have reached a height that everyone looks up to.

Every genius who can achieve this has the potential to become a top-tier King after entering the Immortal Realm, and may even reach the level of an invincible King. The possibility of becoming a Universe Venerable in the future is also very high. Moreover, Jiang Ye has achieved such success in such a short time, which makes everyone more convinced of his potential and future achievements.

……

In the private room of one of the restaurants in the virtual universe Yuxiangshan.

Wearing a snow-white battle robe, Bolan stood tall and straight, his eyes revealing a hint of coldness and determination. He walked into the private room side by side with Rong Jun, who was tall and imposing and exuded an aura of dominance.

Inside the private room, besides the respectfully standing waiter, there was another person—Uka.

"Haha, you've come! Have a seat, have a seat," Uka greeted with a broad smile.

Bolan and Rongjun sat down one after the other.

Uka glanced at the waiter and instructed, "You may leave now."

"Yes."

"Yes," the waiter replied respectfully, then left the private room and gently closed the door.

At this moment, only Wuka, Rongjun, and Bolan remained in the private room.

As Uka picked up the exquisite wine jug on the table and poured wine for the two of them—the jug itself resembling a fine work of art, shimmering softly under the lamplight—he asked, "You both know, don't you?"

"Hmm." Bolan nodded slightly, a complex look flashing in his eyes. His expression contained both admiration for Jiang Ye's achievements and an unspeakable sense of resentment. Deep down, he had been engaged in an invisible contest with Jiang Ye.

"I thought the distance would gradually narrow, but I didn't expect the gap to widen even further." Rong Jun's voice was deep, tinged with helplessness and emotion.

Nearly a thousand years have brought about tremendous changes in Rong Jun's temperament. His inner temperament has been continuously sublimated, and the domineering aura that emanates from his bones, while showing a self-centered and arrogant attitude, is not annoying. On the contrary, it has a unique charm, as if he was born to stand at the pinnacle of the strong and receive the admiration of everyone.

“Jiang Ye was already a monster back then, and I didn’t expect him to still be so monster after nearly a thousand years. Oh well, I never wanted to compare myself to him anyway.” Uka sighed, shaking his head as if trying to shake away the complex emotions in his heart: “But the three of us from the Primordial Era, you, me, and Luo Feng, Luo Feng broke into the Primordial Secret Realm hundreds of years ago and was taken in as a disciple by the Lord of Chaos City.”

"You, Rong Jun, are also progressing at an increasingly rapid pace. You're probably in the top five among the Primordial Realm members at the Domain Lord level now. With your rate of progress, you have a very good chance of becoming a Domain Lord of the Primordial Realm in the next qualifying battle. Don't forget me then!" Uka joked with a smile, trying to ease the slightly heavy atmosphere in the private room.

Bolan and Rong Jun are still at the level of Primal Secret Realm Lords!

After a period of profound self-reflection, Bolan underwent a phoenix-like rebirth, gradually transforming himself completely.

He began to truly reveal his genius, a talent unseen for tens of thousands of epochs, and started to progress by leaps and bounds! Now, he has become the lord of the Primordial Secret Realm!
As for Rong Jun.

At first, his progress wasn't fast or noticeable, but it accelerated rapidly over time, eventually even surpassing Berlan's progress! And this progress continued to soar... at a rate that left everyone speechless.
At the time, some people said that the most outstanding person in Jiang Ye's year of the Genius Battle, besides Jiang Ye, was Rong Jun!

Although Rong Jun and Bo Lan are both domain lords,
However, if the Domain Lords were to engage in a qualifying battle, Bolan, the newly promoted Domain Lord, would likely be eliminated and sent to the "Primordial Secret Realm." But even if Rong Jun were to undergo a Domain Lord-level qualifying battle now, he would absolutely be qualified to remain in the Primordial Secret Realm! The strength of the two is rapidly approaching each other.

"Too fast, and Luo Feng too, their progress is too fast." Rong Jun shook his head and sighed, "For the past three thousand years, I've always thought that comprehending the laws becomes increasingly difficult. Jiang Ye and Luo Feng started so high, their progress would definitely slow down gradually. But I never expected..."

“There is only one way to catch up with them,” Berlan’s cold voice rang out.

Uka and Rong Jun immediately looked at Bolan.

Bolan's eyes were cold as he said, enunciating each word clearly, "Become a Universe Venerable! Otherwise, you'll always be suppressed by Jiang Ye and Luo Feng!"

“Without becoming a Universe Venerable, there is no way to catch up with Jiang Ye.” Rong Jun nodded in deep agreement, his eyes flashing with a firm light, as if at this moment he had made up his mind to challenge the supreme Universe Venerable realm.

"Good luck to you two!" Uka smiled and raised his glass. "My goal is to become a King-level Immortal, and your goal is to become Cosmic Sovereigns. Let's work together."

"effort."

"effort."

The three clinked glasses, the crisp sound of the glasses hitting each other echoing in the private room like a declaration of challenge to the future.

However, just as they were talking, their communication devices suddenly emitted message notification sounds at the same time, breaking the brief silence.

The three of them checked their emails, and their faces instantly showed surprise.

"You've crossed the 20th floor of the Sky Bridge?" Uka, Bolan, and Rong Jun looked at each other, then sighed in amazement.

Although they already understood that Jiang Ye's ability to conquer the Primal Tongtian Mountain meant he had the ability to conquer the 20th level of the Tongtian Bridge, they were still filled with shock when they received the definite news.

Because they knew that the 20th floor was only one step away from the 21st floor. And taking that seemingly simple step meant entering the realm of the Cosmic Venerable, which would be a whole new height, a realm that countless powerful individuals dreamed of.

At this moment, they felt Jiang Ye's terror and power even more deeply, and they became even more determined to cultivate and pursue his goals.

(End of this chapter)