NOVEL WEB Chapter 666: Ruler City
That journal, though vague in many areas, had mentioned something crucial—the classification of geniuses in the Middle Domain.
According to it, geniuses were divided into four clear levels. A 1-star genius had the potential to cross one small level to fight stronger opponents. A 2-star genius could cross two levels, and a 3-star genius—those rare and monstrous individuals—could fight opponents three minor levels above them with ease.
But then there was the final category: Heaven Grade geniuses. The diary hadn't revealed much about them, but what little it said was enough to leave an impression. A Heaven Grade genius could fight across five small levels—a feat so incredible that few believed it even possible.
When Max first read that part of the diary, he had been deeply intrigued. The classification of geniuses was something he hadn't thought much about before, but the way the Old Saintess had written it made him curious—curious enough to start observing others with a different lens.
And now, watching Serina Vale as she gracefully left the arena after claiming the top spot, Max felt like he had finally seen someone who could belong in that elite category.
'I guess she would truly earn the title of a 3-star genius once she steps into the Legend Rank,' he thought to himself, nodding slightly in realization.
While the definitions in the diary had been clear—1-star geniuses were those who could jump one minor level in battle, 2-star could jump two, and 3-star could jump three—it also emphasized something else.
These titles weren't just handed out casually. A person's actual cultivation realm mattered too. For instance, only someone at Champion Rank could be called a 2-star genius, even if they could already fight across two small levels.
And only those at Master Rank could be called a 1-star genius.
Similarly, only those who reached Legend Rank and maintained that leap across three levels in real battle at that rank could truly be recognized as 3-star geniuses.
And the most terrifying of them all—the Heaven Grade geniuses—were only acknowledged among the Legend Rank and above, and even then, they were exceedingly rare.
It wasn't just about power or talent, but how far you could push your abilities within the toughest realms.
Seeing Serina's calm presence and hidden depth, Max had little doubt. She hadn't shown her full strength yet, but once she did, once she crossed into Legend Rank, she might very well stand at the peak of the Middle Domain's rising stars.
'But I guess that would only happen in the next tournament cycle,' Max thought, his gaze lingering on Serina Vale as she quietly stood among the other recruits.
He could tell that while her strength and talent were extraordinary, breaking through to Legend Rank wasn't something that happened overnight. Even for someone like her, it might take five years or more. That was the cruel reality of higher cultivation realms—the further one climbed, the steeper the path became.
With the conclusion of the recruitment assessment, the arena buzzed for a little longer as the top fifty recruits were called up one by one and rewarded according to the prizes promised beforehand. Some received resources, others rare artifacts or pills, depending on their ranking.
Max didn't care much about that part. He had already gotten more than what he came for—a place in the Great Ruler Empire and recognition from all five elders.
As the final cheers died down and the crowd began to disperse, the once thunderous arena slowly returned to silence, the spectators pouring out into the streets while the empire officials and the new recruits stayed behind for final instructions.
It was then that a large void shuttle descended from the clouds, its structure sleek but more reinforced and militarized than the one Lyra had arrived in.
The rune engravings on the hull shimmered slightly, giving off an imposing aura as it landed softly atop the grand platform. Compared to Lyra's elegant personal craft, this one was clearly made for group transport.
"You all will be leaving for the Great Ruler Empire with us," Lyra announced as she turned to face the assembled fifty recruits, her voice echoing clearly in the now-quiet space. "From this moment on, you're a part of something greater. And there are rules—simple but non-negotiable ones—you'll need to follow."
She tapped on her holowatch, and instantly, a soft chime rang out from every recruit's device. Max looked at his own holowatch and found a new file had been transferred.
Opening it, he saw a list of regulations: do not kill fellow members, do not betray empire missions, maintain discipline, report progress regularly—basic rules, but enough to draw clear boundaries.
"Let's go. We'll be heading to the Greenwood Region," Lyra added with a light smile, her tone softening now that the public spectacle had ended.
With that, she turned and boarded the shuttle. One by one, the five elders followed, and then the fifty recruits filed in after them. Max stepped in alongside them, quietly taking his seat near a window.
A few minutes later, the engines rumbled gently, and the void shuttle lifted into the air. With a shimmer of spatial energy, it pierced through the clouds and vanished beyond the horizon—leaving behind Whisker City.
***
Greenwood Region was one of the grandest and most expansive regions in the entire Middle Domain—not just in population or influence, but in sheer scale. It sprawled across countless mountains, valleys, rivers, and cities, its borders stretching wider than most empires.
This massive region, along with several neighboring ones, was directly governed by the Great Ruler Empire. All the smaller domains orbiting around Greenwood, whether independent or vassal, had long since bent the knee to the Empire's authority.
Together, they formed what was commonly referred to as the Great Ruler Domain—a vast alliance of regions unified under one supreme power.
After a full day of uninterrupted flight across the vast and varied lands of the Middle Domain—gliding over forests brimming with spirit beasts, mountain ranges that glowed with elemental energy, and bustling cities steeped in ancient architecture—the void shuttle carrying Max and the other newly recruited geniuses finally crossed into the Great Ruler Domain.
But it didn't land just yet. Instead, the shuttle pierced deeper into the skies above the Greenwood Region, heading straight for its beating heart.
Several hours passed in tense silence and awe. Then, the moment came.
As the shuttle descended slightly, Max and the other recruits pressed against the wide windows, and what lay beyond took their breath away.
There it was—Ruler City, the headquarters of the Great Ruler Empire.
Built upon a vast plateau carved from a mountain range, the city stretched endlessly in every direction. Towering spires of silver and jade rose into the sky like spears challenging the heavens, each inscribed with runes that shimmered with ancient might.
Giant statues of former emperors stood like sentinels at the city's borders, and a transparent dome of barrier light shielded the capital from above, humming with protective energy.
Rivers of mana flowed naturally through the city like glowing streams, and transportation runes connected every major street and district, making the entire place a living, breathing haven.
Max could feel it even from within the shuttle—the overwhelming density of mana in the air. It was at least ten times more potent than anything he had experienced before. Even those seated around him, including the other elite recruits, gasped at the majestic sight before them.
This wasn't just a city. It was a symbol. A fortress. A legacy.
And now, it would be their home.