MTLNOVEL Chapter 147: Trial Tower Part 1
As dusk settled, a powerful announcement echoed in the minds of every participant: "All participants from the 1,008 universe nations, gather at the central square." It was a summons like no other, one that transcended language and space. Across countless galaxies and realms, young geniuses from diverse races and civilizations simultaneously looked up. They could feel the call coursing through them, an undeniable pull drawing them to the heart of the gathering ground.
Wang Yi, like millions of others, responded instinctively. He rose into the air, merging with a massive wave of young talents all gravitating towards the central plaza. For some, this meant traversing entire worlds, while for others, it involved crossing galaxies through powerful teleportation gates. In mere moments, a carefully arranged formation of precisely 1,008,000 participants stood ready. It was as if they had been placed there by some unseen hand, each person standing in orderly rows across the vast square, which spanned an area large enough to contain entire cities.
As they came to their senses, they realized they had been in a trance-like state. Some murmured in astonishment, others exchanged uncertain glances, but their wonder was swiftly overshadowed by the presence of an imposing group of beings before them.
A calm yet commanding voice rang out, "Welcome to the Peak Genius Tournament, hosted by the Virtual Universe Company."
The voice seemed to permeate every fiber of their being, resonating with a power beyond mortal comprehension. Wang Yi looked up, spotting a figure clad in a flowing blue robe marked with intricate purple-scaled patterns that shimmered under the strange light of the arena. The moment Wang Yi laid eyes on him, he recognized the legendary Venerable Nine Swords, the man responsible for organizing the tournament and managing its operations.
The Venerable, a Advanced Universe Venerable, radiated an aura so immense that his very presence seemed to warp reality itself. To Wang Yi, it was awe-inspiring yet deeply humbling. Venerable Nine Swords was not merely a powerful figure; he was a force capable of controlling entire star systems, a ruler who had carved out vast empires across galaxies, establishing realms as enduring as the stars themselves.
When Venerable Nine Swords finally spoke, his voice was measured but powerful, carrying weight beyond mere words. "Tomorrow, each of you will enter an individual trial space, of which over a million have been specially prepared. Each trial space contains seven towers, each with seven levels."
Wang Yi listened intently, filing away each detail and matching them with the information he had meticulously studied before arriving. The rules, as he knew, were as straightforward as they were challenging: participants would earn points based on how far they progressed within the towers. The deeper they ventured, the more points they earned. The top 100 would be granted direct entry as core members of the Virtual Universe Company, a position of unparalleled honor and influence. For those ranking from 101 to 7,300, another round of fierce battles awaited, where they would compete for the remaining 900 spots.
As the explanation concluded, Venerable Nine Swords departed, his presence fading like a fading storm, leaving the plaza in an almost reverent silence. Then, slowly, a murmur of anticipation rippled through the ranks of participants as they contemplated the trials ahead. Some voices expressed confidence, others trepidation, but for many, there was a steely resolve that spoke of countless hours of training and sacrifice.
That night, Wang Yi found himself in quiet reflection. Seated cross-legged within a small, private chamber allocated to him, he focused his mind and regulated his breathing, easing the tension that had accumulated over weeks of rigorous training and interstellar travel. He knew he was in the company of some of the most talented beings in the universe, and the realization was both thrilling and daunting. Despite his own significant prowess, Wang Yi understood that in this tournament, he was just another competitor. Tomorrow would bring trials that demanded not just skill but resilience, intelligence, and a deep understanding of his own abilities.
The next morning, as the first light of a simulated dawn broke across the sky, a strange energy filled the air, enveloping each contestant in a soft, luminous glow. Before Wang Yi could comprehend the sensation, he felt his body being whisked away, transported in an instant. When the light dissipated, he found himself standing atop a massive meteorite, nearly 100 kilometers in length, suspended in a vast expanse of cosmic space.
Surrounding him, seven colossal trial towers loomed, each resembling a mountain in size and scale. The towers seemed alive with an aura of challenge and mystery, calling out to him and promising great rewards to those who could conquer them. Wang Yi glanced at his wrist, where a holographic display appeared, showing his identification and current score. Just as during the initial screening phase, the display detailed his progress, identifying him as:
Name: Wang Yi (Ganwu Universe Country)
Points: 0
Rank: None
Trial Space: No. 0279377
He studied the point distribution: ascending each level of the seventh tower would yield up to a million points per floor, potentially amassing to billion points at the summit. The reward structure was meticulously designed to push every participant to their limits, yet Wang Yi knew the traps and challenges within each tower would demand far more than brute strength. It was a test of resilience, strategy, and skill, one that required calculated progression.
Wang Yi recalled a previous contender, Han Ming, a genius from the neighboring Star Realm, who had managed to conquer the first level of the seventh tower in a similar tournament. The feat was widely celebrated, but for Wang Yi, it set the bar even higher. Determined to surpass such legends, he resolved to take his time, using every moment of the 70 days allocated to each tower to refine his skills and strategy.
Meanwhile, in the Virtual Universe's headquarters, a council of 1,008 Immortals observed the trials in real-time. The display screens stretched across a vast chamber, casting holographic projections of each contestant's progress. Among them was Thirteen, a towering figure responsible for monitoring the contestants from the Ganwu Universe Country. As he scanned the rankings, his gaze fell upon a few promising names: Rong Jun, who currently ranked 13th, and Wang Yi, whose tactics had attracted his attention during the initial rounds.
Shifting his gaze to another name, Thirteen noted the presence of Hong, a warrior who had shown remarkable growth in earlier stages yet seemed to lag in this current phase. Hong's approach puzzled him; rather than racing ahead, he seemed to be training, using the trial space as a place to hone his skills rather than pursuing immediate advancement. Thirteen regarded this decision with mixed feelings—while it showed restraint, the competitive nature of the tournament left little room for hesitation.
Returning his attention to Wang Yi and another high-ranking contender, Luo Feng, he saw that both were still working through the initial levels of the first tower. With an almost imperceptible smile, Thirteen made a mental note of their strategies. The Immortals watched with keen interest, knowing that their performance would shape not only their future but also the balance of power across the cosmos.
Back in his trial space, Wang Yi took a deep breath, his eyes focused on the entrance of the first tower. The air around him seemed charged with energy as he braced himself, determined to advance through the towers step by step, pacing himself with precision. He entered the trial tower, his mind set on overcoming each level, fortifying his strengths and turning weaknesses into assets. Here, in this cosmic realm of trials, Wang Yi was no longer just a young genius from the Ganwu Universe Country; he was a warrior, a strategist, and a competitor—fighting to carve his place among the stars.