Ethan locked the door behind him and thought, "Finally, I have got some time for myself. It’s been really hectic these past few days."
Let’s break through first.
He sat cross-legged in the center of the training room and began his primordial three-elemental breathing technique. An infinite amount of energy started to pour down into his core from the outside.
Twelve hours passed.
Boom!
He broke through to Level 2.
It was the start of a new day, but he didn’t open the panel. He continued to practice.
Twelve more hours passed.
Boom!
Level 3 King!
After that, forty-two hours passed.
Boom!
Level 6 King!
It was already the third day of his seclusion. He checked his panel:
[Master: Ethan Hunt
Physique: 1.6 quadrillion
Spirit: 1.6 quadrillion
Talent: Infinite comprehension]
He had passed the quadrillion mark. This time, everything in his perception felt so fragile.Ethan felt he could invade anyone’s mind on the planet—collect their memories or even implant new ones if he wanted.
But that was just that. His main target was to breakthrough to the emperor realm. It was really taking forever.
Sigh. I still need more time.
He continued. This time, each breakthrough would probably take sixteen hours each.
Time passed by like flowing water. Forty-eight hours passed this way.
Boom!
Level 9 King!
[Master: Ethan Hunt
Physique: 6.4 quadrillion
Spirit: 6.4 quadrillion
Talent: Infinite comprehension]
He looked at his core. It had been ten meters in diameter before, but now it was 10.32 meters. Eight realm advancements gave him 32 centimeters total. Increasing the core’s diameter with each minor breakthrough was probably Ethan’s own unique feature.
Though he got some more power breaking through from Level 1 to Level 9 King—about 1.7 million tonnes—it was such a minuscule number that the system almost didn’t count.
If anyone at the king realm knew that 1.7 million tonnes of punching force was simply ignored, they might go crazy.
Ethan smiled. He needed one more day. Then he would be able to break through to the Emperor Realm. After that, he would go to the virtual universe, challenge everyone in the fighting arena, get first place, and then challenge the Primordial Tower. A simple yet terrifying plan.
Let’s continue.
One more day passed. It was the sixth day of his seclusion.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Finally, he broke through to the Emperor Realm.
He felt immense power coursing through his body. Maybe he could destroy Aurora City with a punch now. It wouldn’t be normal destruction—everything would just disintegrate into nothing.
He looked at his panel again:
[Master: Ethan Hunt
Physique: 64 quadrillion
Spirit: 64 quadrillion
Talent: Infinite comprehension]
(17 days remaining)
His core was now 51.7 meters in diameter. A huge core.
Ethan’s heart started pulsing fast. He didn’t have time. Breaking through to Level 9 Emperor would take 12.5 days if he didn’t use any resources. But he still needed to comprehend eleven laws and rank in the Primordial Tower.
Shit, shit. I don’t have time. F*ck you, system. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I could have gotten more time.
But no reply came.
He didn’t wait. He directly entered the virtual universe.
As soon as he opened his eyes, the super high-tech Solaris came into view again.
He didn’t hesitate. He walked straight toward the fighting arena.
The moment he entered, a gasp rippled through the people nearby.
He looked at the battle happening on the main platform. He saw a familiar figure fighting. A crown rested on his head. He looked regal and superior, wielding a crimson sword. It was Dragon.
He also noticed some familiar figures sitting in the audience—Leon, Alexander, and the other emperors.
Ethan had already forbidden everyone on earth from entering the virtual universe without becoming Emperors. The City of Solaris was the most sacred city of the Primordial Humans. If anyone below Emperor Realm came here, they might be looked at unkindly. Ethan could tell.
Dragon was fighting a tall, handsome young man from the rankings. That young man was at a disadvantage.
What surprised Ethan even more was that, even while losing, the opponent didn’t activate any soul talent.
"What is going on? He doesn’t have any soul talent? How did he become a ranker?"
While he was deep in thought, he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Brother, when did you come? Why didn’t you inform me?"
It was Genos.
Ethan smiled and said, "I just came here."
Genos nodded, then asked again, "That Dragon guy is from your planet, right? Really worthy of an X-level contracted planet. What tremendous fighting power. He crushed everyone the moment he entered, and now he’s fighting a battle to enter the top 500."
Ethan asked curiously, "Why isn’t his opponent activating any soul talent? Doesn’t he have one?"
Genos looked stunned. "What soul talent?"
This time, it was Ethan’s turn to be shocked. A prodigy of the Primordial Humans didn’t even know what a soul talent was? How could that be?
They both stared at each other with countless question marks in their minds.
"You don’t know about soul talents? Does no one possess them, or do people just hide them?"
Ethan asked.
Genos looked genuinely confused. "You guys have some kind of soul talents? Then, is that royal aura coming from Dragon his soul talent? What does it do?"
Ethan nodded. "Yes, that’s a soul talent. It amplifies his combat strength up to twenty times."
This sentence felt like thunder in Genos’s ears. Twenty times?
Why don’t you ascend to heaven already?
No wonder their planet had gotten an X-level contract. With takinng the tier 9 bloodline evolution fluid, they possess 50% Primordial Human bloodline, they were equal to them—maybe a little less in foundational strength. But with that soul talent specialty...
For the first time in his life, Genos thought, Maybe if I was also from Earth...
Ethan patted his shoulder. "There, there. Don’t let it get you down."
Genos felt comforted that a genius of Ethan’s level was consoling him. He was about to reply politely when Ethan added with an innocent face, "Please bring a bucket before you watch my battle. Otherwise, where will you put your tears?"
Genos’s mouth twitched violently. "F*ck you, Ethan bro."
Ethan smiled calmly. "F*ck you too."
The fight on the platform ended. Dragon was floating in the air while his opponent lay defeated on the ground.
Dragon had the aura of an ancient emperor.
There were loud cheers from the viewers. Ethan was surprised that so many young men and women were cheering for Dragon even though he wasn’t one of their own.
"I love you, Dragon!"
"Love you, Dragon—please go out with me!"
"Boss, please give me an autograph!"
There were many cheers echoing through the arena. Dragon had already built quite a reputation.
These Primordial Humans don’t feel that different from us, even in their minds, Ethan thought. Were they also normal people eons ago who became powerful through struggle?
Dragon finally came out of the arena. Ethan also walked over to where everyone from Earth was sitting. As soon as he arrived, they all greeted him.
"President, when did you come?"
Ethan said, "Just now."
Leon asked, "President, do you also want to join the battle?"
Ethan nodded.
Dragon came over to greet him too. After exchanging a few words with everyone, Ethan went to register for the battle.
There was no need for paperwork. He simply placed his hand on a crystal. If you were a Grandmaster or above, you could enter the arena.
Ethan did as instructed. His information floated in front of him.
Name: Ethan Hunt
Level: Level 1 Emperor
Age: 18
Primordial Human
So the virtual universe system couldn’t tell any difference that he didn’t possess any primordial human bloodline —or maybe his system had hidden everything.
Either way, it didn’t matter.
The little robot acting as the host and commentator suddenly said loudly,
"We now welcome a new warrior! He is also from Earth!"
As soon as it spoke, many people gasped.
"Another one?"
"He’s so young!"
"That planet is where Dragon comes from, right? An X rank civilization?"
Genos gave him a thumbs-up. Damn, bro, you went straight in to fight.
Ethan stepped into the arena calmly. Each step was steady and unhurried. As he walked across the boundary, his entire aura changed. He became focused and cold. His Emperor presence rolled out silently.
"Damn, he’s also handsome. Are all Earth people this good-looking?" someone in the front row whispered.
In the private viewing box above, Aurelia was watching too.
This guy looks okay. Let’s see if he’s as good as the other one, she thought.
Ethan stood at the center of the arena. His hand was behind his back,waiting for his opponet.
The robot announced again, its voice ringing across the arena:
"Now we welcome another promising young warrior. Let’s see if he can defeat someone from an X-level civilization."
A young man stepped forward with a steady, calm manner that matched the battlefield’s intensity. He looked at Ethan with indifference in his eyes, as if the commentators, the crowd—everything—meant nothing to him.
He spoke in a low, cold voice:
"I don’t know what’s so special about you people. But remember this—no matter what happens, you are the outsiders, and you always will be. It doesn’t matter if you carry the same blood as us. A beggar can’t become a ruler overnight, even if he suddenly gets wealth."
Ethan’s face didn’t change.
"So, everyone isn’t the same, huh?" he thought calmly. "I just met some good people here the moment I arrived,that’s all."
He looked the young man straight in the eyes and continued, voice flat and unshaken:
"It doesn’t matter whether I’m a Primordial Human or not. It doesn’t matter if you’re pure blooded or not. The only thing that matters is that I can crush you with one finger."
Ethan slowly raised his little finger in front of him.
"Everything in this universe is determined by power. So stop acting like a brat and come fight. Don’t just always cry like a baby."
A hush swept over the audience.
Did he really say that...to Cavin?
Man...this guy has guts. Let’s see how he gets humiliated by Cavin.
His luck is bad. His first battle here is against Cavin.
Cavin was a supreme prodigy at the King realm—and now he was a Level 1 Emperor. Many believed he had a real chance of breaking into the top 100 soon.
Cavin’s eyes turned dark, but he didn’t reply. Instead, he drew his saber with a slow, deliberate motion.
"Let me teach you," he said, his voice low and full of disdain, "just how vastly superior we are to lowlifes like you."