Swallowed Star: The Zerg Overlord

Chapter 108: Early Preparations

"A grand event for the entire universe? A genius battle held in the Virtual Universe?" Lei Shen was puzzled. Over the past three days, he had gathered a lot of information, but he had no recollection of anything about a genius battle.

"This is intelligence we obtained from an information organization within the Virtual Universe. It's something many major factions are aware of," Li Xingtao explained with a serious expression.

"We don't have detailed information about the exact timing, but based on the last event, it should be around 2066."

"During our time in the Virtual Universe, we've all learned about the vastness of the cosmos and the countless races within it. The human race is one of the pinnacle races in the universe. The Pinnacle Genius Battle is designed to select and nurture the elite of humanity."

"This battle is open to all Star-level humans across the numerous universe countries. As long as you're a Star-level human, you can participate!"

In the virtual conference room, Hong, Lei Shen, and the others were shocked. A battle open to all Star-level humans across the entire universe! After obtaining the Yun Mo inheritance, they had come to understand just how vast the universe was. Within human territory alone, there were 1,008 universe countries! The Black Dragon Mountain Empire was just one of nearly a thousand subordinate nations under the jurisdiction of the Ganwu Universe Nation.

The Black Dragon Mountain Empire controlled over eight thousand galaxies and had more than five hundred low level vassal nations. In such a vast world, how many qualified geniuses would there be? How grand would such an event be?

Instantly, everyone realized the gravity of the situation.

"This is a battle where countless Star-level humans from billions of star systems across all universe countries compete under 'absolutely fair conditions.' If a strong individual from Earth can achieve a certain ranking in this competition—even if it's just within the top 1,000 or 10,000 in the Ganwu Universe Country or the Black Dragon Mountain Empire—we could gain unimaginable benefits."

Li Xingtao didn't fully understand the strength and potential of Qin Mu, Hong, and Lei Shen. In his mind, they were unparalleled geniuses on Earth. But in the context of the entire human race in the universe, Earth was insignificant. Even with his confidence, he couldn't guarantee that Earth's warriors could achieve a ranking in the cosmic human competition.

"A battle among billions of geniuses from all universe countries?"

"This is a grand event for the entire human race!"

Everyone in the virtual conference room was an elite from Earth. How could they not understand what this meant? If a strong individual from Earth could achieve a ranking in the genius battle—even if it was just within the top 1,000 or 10,000 in the Ganwu Universe Country—the benefits would be immense. Not only would they receive rewards and training, but the sales of their products could skyrocket just by riding the wave of publicity.

Even if they didn't become core members of the Virtual Universe Company, achieving a ranking would ensure protection for Earth. As long as Earth's true secrets remained hidden, the inheritance of Huyan Bo, the master of Yun Mo, wouldn't be a big deal in the grand scheme of the universe or even the Ganwu Universe country. After all, it was just the inheritance of a barely titled marquis-level expert.

If someone without such an inheritance could achieve a ranking in the cosmic genius battle, that would be truly abnormal!

"If we can rank within the top 1,000 in the Black Dragon Mountain Empire, with proper preparation, earning tens of trillions or even hundreds of trillions of Black Dragon coins wouldn't be difficult!" Li Xingtao said gravely.

"Hundreds of trillions of Black Dragon coins?" Lei Shen swallowed hard, stunned by Li Xingtao's words. What an astronomical figure!

Qin Mu, however, nodded in agreement. "Li Xingtao is right. This is our opportunity! If we can achieve a ranking, earning that amount of money won't be difficult. In fact, it would be just a small sum."

"Black Dragon coins are only the official currency of the Black Dragon Mountain Empire. One Ganwu coin is officially worth 1,000 Black Dragon coins, and one Universe Coin is officially worth over 3,000 Ganwu coins. Even without considering black market premiums, one Universe Coin can be exchanged for over 3 million Black Dragon coins!"

"Ten trillion Black Dragon coins would only be about 30,000 Universe Coins. According to the intelligence I've obtained, ranking within the top 1,000 in the genius battle not only allows you to become a 'core member' of the Virtual Universe Company but also grants a minimum reward of 10 Mixed Yuan units."

"One Mixed Yuan is equivalent to one trillion Universe Coins! Do you still think tens of trillions or hundreds of trillions of Black Dragon coins are a lot? In the universe, that amount is nothing."

Hearing Qin Mu's words, even Hong and Lei Shen, who had little concept of money, fell silent.

"Put that way, it really is just a small sum," Lei Shen said with a bitter smile.

But in the next moment, his eyes burned with determination. Not just for the rewards, but to witness the countless geniuses of the universe, he was determined to participate in this genius battle!

"It seems I need to work harder, or I won't even qualify to participate," Hong said, a rare hint of excitement on his calm face.

Such a grand stage, with so many geniuses—how could he not want to experience it?

Even Qin Mu felt a surge of excitement. Unlike the others, who knew nothing about the genius battle, he was well aware of the immense benefits of becoming a core member of the Virtual Universe Company.

"To achieve a ranking in the genius battle, my current strength isn't enough," Qin Mu thought to himself.

In the original timeline, when Luo Feng participated in the genius battle, he was a Star-level seven spirit master with an amplitude of 58. He had mastered fifth level of domain and had touched the threshold of the law of gold. He had also trained in the first level of the Nine Divine Armaments of the Controller, the most suitable spirit weapon for controllers.

Even with all that, in Babata's eyes, Luo Feng would struggle to break into the top 1,000 of the Ganwu Universe Country!

Compared to Luo Feng at that time, Qin Mu's only advantage was his stronger amplitude. In all other aspects, he fell far short.

Of course, Qin Mu had only been cultivating as the Zerg Overlord for a little over a year. With more than eight years until the genius battle, he still had plenty of time to grow stronger!

Seeing that everyone understood the significance, Li Xingtao spoke gravely to the four of them. "So, no matter how you look at it, we will fully support you in advancing your cultivation!"

Hong, Lei Shen, and Qin Mu all smiled. Faced with such an opportunity, how could they let it slip?

But Jia Yi shook his head. "I know my own talent. On Earth, I might be considered decent, but in the universe, I'm far from exceptional. From now on, all of Earth's resources will be prioritized for the three of you. Whatever benefits your cultivation, Earth will do its utmost to provide!"

Among the four, Jia Yi's talent was the weakest. On Earth, this gap might not have been so obvious, but in the universe, it was glaring. So, Jia Yi voluntarily gave up his share of resources.

When Qin Mu had first appeared on Earth, Jia Yi had placed all his hopes on him. Now, facing Qin Mu's gaze, he smiled and said, "I won't give up on cultivation, but my heart has always been with Earth, and it always will be. This is my choice. You don't need to feel burdened."

Hearing Jia Yi's words, Qin Mu nodded slightly. Compared to the others, Jia Yi's talent was indeed lacking. But this was for the best. With Jia Yi overseeing Earth, Qin Mu could feel more at ease.

As for cultivation resources? With Qin Mu around, would Jia Yi really lack for resources?

As for Hong and Lei Shen, in the original timeline, neither had broken into the top 1,000 of the Ganwu Universe Country. Hong had come close, while Lei Shen had fallen short by a wider margin. But that was after they had fought the Golden Horned Beast, burned their souls, and fallen into a two-year coma.

Thanks to Qin Mu's intervention, the Golden Horned Beast had been captured as soon as it arrived on Earth, sparing them the need to risk their lives. Moreover, they had gained early access to the Yun Mo's martial arts inheritance.

With ample cultivation resources, they stood a good chance of entering the Ganwu Secret Realm.

As for Luo Feng, who was still on Earth possessing the Golden Horned Beast, his strength would only grow stronger. This time, it was possible that all four of them—Qin Mu, Hong, Lei Shen, and Luo Feng—might join the Virtual Universe Company!

"The genius battle is still eight years away. For now, we should focus on the present and improve our strength," Qin Mu said, seeing everyone's excitement.

Hong, having calmed down, agreed. "Qin Mu is right. Being grounded is the most important thing. We've only had the Yun Mo inheritance for a few months, and our strength is still in a period of rapid growth. Right now, improving our strength is the priority."

"Agreed," Lei Shen said, the fire in his eyes gradually cooling. His mental cultivation might not be as strong as Hong's, but it was still formidable.

Li Xingtao, seeing that everyone had settled down, continued to report on other matters. The scientific researchers also took turns, outlining the technologies and resources Earth needed.

"Let's end the meeting here. We'll proceed according to the plan. Some of us will exchange the relics we brought, while others will register the company. After that, we'll purchase some slaves and cultivation resources to boost our strength."

"In the universe, conflicts of interest are inevitable when engaging in trade. Without strength, we won't survive."

After finalizing all the arrangements, Qin Mu concluded the meeting. This initial contact with the universe had given Qin Mu a pleasant surprise. Earth had adapted to the cosmic rules far quicker than expected, securing large orders in such a short time.

But this would inevitably lead to friction and competition with other factions in the universe. As they grew, they would clash with major powers over orders and resources. This was an unavoidable part of any faction's growth.

Assassinations, plundering—such tactics were all too common. In Earth's thousands of years of history, such events had occurred repeatedly. The same principles applied in the universe.

Qin Mu understood this, and so did Li Xingtao.

Hesitation and timidity would only hinder growth in the universe. They had to fight for their place!

Not everyone could be like Luo Feng, who had a teacher paving the way for him, ensuring he received abundant resources as long as he met the requirements. Nor could everyone join the Virtual Universe Company's core, where resources flowed freely, allowing them to focus solely on cultivation.

Even after joining the Virtual Universe Company, Luo Feng had to compete fiercely. In the universe, competition was inevitable.

On Earth, Qin Mu had almost single-handedly controlled everything, accelerating the course of history and unifying the planet, allowing Earth's forces to be fully integrated. But in the universe, arriving a few years early had diminished much of his foresight advantage.

The universe was filled with powerful beings. Even with the Swarm's assistance, Qin Mu needed time to develop.

The Swarm's growth also required resources!

The flesh and genes of powerful creatures, cultivation treasures, spirit weapons—all of these required vast amounts of resources.

The Swarm had a Golden Horned Beast, and accelerating its growth would require an enormous amount of special metals!

Currently, the Swarm only had one Golden Horned Beast, but Qin Mu planned to build entire Zerg armies around them. The more resources they had, the stronger the Swarm would become, and the faster it would grow. And the stronger the Swarm, the stronger Qin Mu would be.

No matter how many resources they had, the Swarm would never have enough.

Qin Mu had to fight for more!

After dismissing the others, Qin Mu and Li Xingtao remained in the virtual conference room.

"There's something I need you to investigate for me," Qin Mu said to Li Xingtao.

"I need to know how to join the Virtual Universe Company's departments specializing in monster cultivation and bloodline agents."

The Virtual Universe Company was the most powerful and technologically advanced organization in the human universe. Since his time on Earth, Qin Mu had been planning how to legitimize the Swarm's presence in the universe before the genius battle.

In the original timeline, there was a scene Qin Mu remembered clearly.

Luo Feng, Hong, and Lei Shen had spent a month in the Virtual Universe's Killing Field, fighting non-stop. Their talents quickly attracted the attention of Ming Yu, an external executive of the Virtual Universe Company's Black Dragon Mountain branch.

Ming Yu had told them that occasional training in the Killing Field was fine, but to truly break through, they needed to venture out and engage in life-and-death battles.

At that time, Babata had clearly stated that without the threat of death, Hong and Lei Shen would hit a ceiling in their power. Luo Feng, with his Golden Horned Beast, didn't have such limitations. Spending time in the Killing Field was a waste of Hong and Lei Shen's time.

Babata only cared about the task his master had given him—to nurture Luo Feng. As for Hong and Lei Shen, they were of no concern.

Besides life-and-death battles, there was another crucial factor: Bloodline!

They had learned what bloodline was and what bloodline evolution agents were. Bloodline was the foundation, allowing them to go further on the path of strength.

For ordinary humans, the process of cultivation was like building a house. Bloodline was the foundation of that house. A poor bloodline meant a weak foundation.

A weak foundation made it difficult to build a tall house!

A strong bloodline meant a solid foundation, allowing them to easily build a hundred-story skyscraper, reaching the domain lord level without encountering bottlenecks.

Bloodline evolution agents were treasures that could modify bloodlines and enhance foundations!

And where did bloodline evolution agents come from? The Virtual Universe Company!

The Virtual Universe Company, with the most advanced technology in the human universe, had developed these serums.

Having developed his own bloodline evolution agent through the Swarm, Qin Mu wasn't interested in purchasing serums. He wanted to join the department responsible for creating them!

Relying on his own research was far less efficient than joining the Virtual Universe Company, which had already mastered the technology.

If he could successfully join the Virtual Universe Company's departments specializing in monster cultivation or bloodline serums, he could legitimize the Swarm's presence in the universe, just as he had done on Earth.

At the same time, he could gain access to the knowledge of the most suitable evolutionary paths for humans in the universe.

This would be of great significance to both him and the Swarm.

"I understand. I'll arrange for someone to handle this immediately!" Li Xingtao's eyes gleamed with understanding. He instantly grasped Qin Mu's intentions.

He still had the gene-enhancement agent Qin Mu had given him. He was well aware of Qin Mu's talent in genetic research.

If Qin Mu's plan succeeded, it would be of immense importance to Earth!

If they could join the Virtual Universe Company before the genius battle and gain its protection, Earth's progress in the universe would be faster and more stable!

"Good. Get it done!"

***

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