Grinding to Become the Master of the Universe

The attire of these newly appeared figures was distinctly different from the signature sky-blue power armor of the Ultramarines Chapter. They were clearly from other top Warbands of the Empire.

One wore green-gold power armor that resembled burning flames, the mark of the Fire Dragon Warband.

Another was clad in pure black power armor that seemed to devour all light, a thunder war-sigil branded on his chest, representing the Thunder Warband.

Yet another’s power armor was a holy, pure white, carved with complex runes of sacred hymns...

Their appearances also varied.

Some had blond hair and blue eyes, others had skin as black as ink. One even sported a wild, sky-piercing topknot, exuding the fierce aura of a nomad.

But without exception, every single one of them was a genuine Black Hole Level Powerhouse!

Their arrival instantly turned the once-peaceful atmosphere tense and hostile.

"Hm?"

Luo Yu slowly turned around, her phoenix eyes narrowing. Her gaze sharpened instantly as she spoke in a hostile tone, "I was wondering who it was. So, it’s our dear ’neighbors’ gracing us with their presence. What? Have the rules between the Empire’s Warbands changed? Are you all so brazen now, coming to a minor warzone to poach talent?"

"Showing up right at our doorstep in a minor warzone... aren’t you all being a little too shameless?"

"Hahahaha! Squad Leader Luo, don’t be so worked up!"

The powerhouse from the Fire Dragon Warband, clad in green-gold power armor, let out a hearty laugh, completely ignoring the sarcasm in Luo Yu’s words.

"We heard your Ultramarines Chapter produced a top-tier genius, the likes of which hasn’t been seen in ten thousand years, didn’t we? The major warzone competition is still a whole hundred years away. We just couldn’t wait, so we came over early to see for ourselves and bask in the good fortune!"

The other powerhouses from the various Warbands also let out laughs that sounded friendly but were tinged with obvious intent.

"Oh?"

Luo Yu sneered and retorted bluntly, "A top-tier genius, yes, but one our Ultramarines Chapter nurtured ourselves. He’s our own flesh and blood. What does that have to do with you outsiders?"

"Haha, Squad Leader Luo, that’s where you’re wrong."

The Fire Dragon Warband powerhouse retorted tit-for-tat, "As I recall, during our last joint mission, weren’t you trying everything you could to poach a genius from our Fire Dragon Warband for your Ultramarines?"

"That genius’s self-created killing technique happened to align with my Martial Dao True Intent. I was simply acting out of an appreciation for talent and wanted to pass on my legacy!"

Luo Yu argued.

"Hmph, we’re all old timers who’ve lived for millions of years. We all know the score, so why bother with such platitudes."

The squad leader from the Thunder Warband, the one with the most overbearing aura, snorted coldly and said bluntly, "A supreme prodigy with over a 99% chance of advancing directly to the Domain Master realm. Your Ultramarines Chapter is large and powerful, sure, but this is a true prodigy!"

His gaze swept over everyone present as he said in a low voice, "Today, it’s just a few of us who caught wind of this and came over for a look.

In a hundred years, at the major warzone competition, the ones who’ll come to fight you for him won’t be limited to just our few factions.

We just came to have a look today, to see what the fuss is about. Why are you all being so hostile?"

Luo Yu’s expression darkened, but she knew he was telling the truth.

’A "Two-Nail God-Chosen" is enough to send the Warbands into a frenzy. Even a Sealed King Strongman would personally intervene to take him as a disciple.’

"Hmph."

She snorted and played her trump card. "Further talk is useless. The Heaven-Devouring King of our Warband has personally declared his intention to take this genius as his disciple. Do you dare try to steal someone from the Heaven-Devouring King?"

"Hahahaha—"

To her surprise, upon hearing the name "Heaven-Devouring King," the powerhouse from the Fire Dragon Warband didn’t back down. Instead, he laughed even louder.

"If the Heaven-Devouring King wants a disciple, we naturally wouldn’t dare to steal him outright. However, after hearing about this, our Warband’s King of Ten Thousand Beasts has also taken a liking to this talent and expressed his desire to take him as a disciple. So, you tell me, do we dare to compete?"

"The King of Ten Thousand Beasts? His ranking on the King’s List is below the Heaven-Devouring King’s, isn’t it?"

"Heh, listen to yourself."

"They’re both ranked near the top of the King’s List. How big could the difference in their power really be...?"

"..."

After another brief but sharp exchange of words, the powerhouses all fell into a tacit silence.

But none of them left.

One after another, their gazes—deep, vast, and powerful enough to pierce through space and time—unanimously traversed layer after layer of space to land upon the boundless plaza below, finally converging on the young figure named Qin Feng.

-----------------

Down on the plaza, the billions of K-planet level geniuses were completely unaware of what was happening.

All of their attention was focused on the final one-hour countdown.

Time slipped by quietly with every breath.

The moment the enormous virtual countdown finally hit zero—

BUZZ!!!

A low, grand hum, as if originating from the very birth of the Cosmos, resounded through the Sea of Consciousness of every Martial Artist present.

In the center of the plaza, the translucent Spiritual Protection Shield covering the surface of the massive Inheritance Stone Stele—which had stood there for countless ages—instantly dissipated like morning mist in the sun, vanishing without a trace.

The next moment, an indescribable Martial Dao Will—majestic, vast, and overwhelmingly dominant—swept out from the Stone Stele!