Chapter 1352: The Sovereigns

Xu Jingming slowly removed the neural helmet, his gaze returning from the brilliant virtual universe arena to the real world.

The instant he opened his eyes.

Before him appeared the smiling faces of Ye Lan, Ling Shuang, Song Qiuyun, Su Qingli, Lu Yunji, and Yuli, among others.

They sat gathered around the room's center, their bright eyes brimming with joy and pride, as if they had been waiting long.

"Congratulations to our Universe Human Race's Starlight-Class number-one genius, my lord Lei Di, on your return!"

Ye Lan spoke first, her alluring peach-blossom eyes filled with mirth.

Her slender, jade-like hands clapped gently; today she had donned a pale purple long dress, making her skin appear as snow-white.

"Jingming, congratulations!"

"Number one in the Universe Genius Tournament! Now you're truly famous across the entire Human Race territory!"

"Incredible! When I saw you defeat Roy from the audience seat, I nearly jumped out of my chair!"

"......"

The women's voices rose and fell, each brimming with excitement and fervor.

Every pair of beautiful eyes fixed on Xu Jingming glowed with reverence.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!......"

Clusters of brilliant colored light effects exploded within the room, golden and purple beams intertwining to form the characters "Universe Number One."

Eva, the green-haired twin-tailed little girl, leapt out from the holographic screen, hands on hips, proudly declaring:

"S-Class! From this moment on, you are universally recognized as the strongest in the Starlight-Class!"

"Your name will be recorded in the history of the Universe Human Race and will never fade!"

Xu Jingming smiled faintly, his gaze sweeping over their faces, a warm current rising in his heart.

Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly sensed something and looked up toward the window.

Boom—

The entire sky suddenly blazed bright, as if torn apart by some vast force.

The once-clear heavens twisted and warped; several dazzling light columns pierced through the clouds, descending directly above Yunhai Community!

The next instant, the light faded, revealing several figures.

At their head stood the Star Torch Sovereign!

He wore a golden imperial robe, crowned with a starry diadem.

Myriad starlight shadows encircled him; merely standing there, he made the entire planet's atmosphere tremble.

Beside him, the Noah Sovereign's silver robe fluttered, his expression solemn.

Behind them followed Lu Wen, Niki, and other Immortal Gods, each radiating an aura as deep and abyssal as the ocean, inspiring awe.

"Xu Jingming, we've come."

The Star Torch Sovereign landed with the others in the villa's courtyard.

"My lord Star Torch Sovereign, my lord Noah Sovereign, Master, my lord Niki......"

Xu Jingming rose quickly to greet them; the women also straightened instantly and bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities."

The Star Torch Sovereign smiled faintly, his voice echoing like distant cosmic reverberations:

"Xu Jingming, your performance in the Genius Tournament far exceeded my expectations.

I never imagined you concealed the demonic bloodline as a trump card, and ultimately used it to defeat Roy.

You have become the first champion of the Universe Human Race Genius Tournament."

"This is all due to the efforts of your majesties and my masters; I have merely contributed a trifling effort."

Xu Jingming replied humbly.

Upon hearing this, not only Lu Wen and Niki, the Immortal Gods, but even the Star Torch Sovereign and Noah Sovereign smiled.

As for merit, Lu Wen, as Xu Jingming's master, had indeed contributed somewhat.

But what had the rest of you contributed?

Even the Star Torch Sovereign had only learned of Xu Jingming's identity later.

Yet regardless, Xu Jingming's words made them all feel pleased.

"A trifling effort? You're too modest.

Now, the entire Star Torch Empire resounds throughout the Universe Human Race because of you!"

The Star Torch Sovereign laughed heartily.

Indeed.

The Universe Human Race comprised a total of ten high-level civilization cosmic nations.

Normally, who would bother paying attention to the Star Torch Empire?

But now, everything had changed—thanks to Xu Jingming's championship.

The entire Human Race universe was now discussing the Star Torch Empire.

"Originally, I intended for you to train under me.

But now, it seems that opportunity is gone.

Still, the reward I promised you remains unchanged."

The Star Torch Sovereign waved his hand, and a completely black starship, gleaming with cold metallic luster, materialized out of thin air.

The ship was twenty meters long, five meters high, shaped like a triangle.

Its prow, sharp as the fang of an ancient beast, seemed capable of piercing through stars.

Like the fangs of an ancient beast, the sharp prow seemed capable of piercing the stars.

"A1-class starship 'Dark Lord.'"

The Star Torch Sovereign smiled and introduced, "Its entire hull is forged from A1-class alloy 'Star Core Sunken Gold,' incredibly hard."

When accelerated, it can effortlessly pierce through small stars without compromising stability."

"Equipped with a warp engine, its maximum speed is ten times the speed of light."

"Ssshh—"

Eva's voice echoed in Xu Jingming's mind, "An A1-class starship! Only weak Immortal Gods have vessels of this tier!"

"Now the Star Torch Sovereign just hands out one outright! So extravagant!"

"With this ship, you only need eighteen days to return from here to Blue Star!"

Yet, this wasn't over.

A virtual star map slowly unfolded before them, marking one thousand life planets in gold.

The Star Torch Sovereign pointed to these planets and said:

"These life planets are all near your homeworld, 'Blue Star.'"

"Originally, I promised you five hundred life planets."

"But your performance exceeded expectations, so I've decided to double the number."

"From today onward, these one thousand life planets all belong to you."

One thousand life planets!

This time, even many Immortal Gods felt envy.

Life planets far surpass ordinary resource planets; each one is enough to make Stellar-tier experts fight to the death for it.

And the Star Torch Sovereign gifted over a thousand at once—this scale was truly earth-shattering!

"Xu Jingming thanks the Sovereign for this generous gift!" Xu Jingming immediately bowed deeply.

"You deserve it."

The Star Torch Sovereign smiled, "The top ranker in the Eternal Star Alliance's Genius Contest deserves this reward."

The Noah Sovereign now stepped forward, smiling, "Xu Jingming, the entire one-light-year region around your Blue Star has been designated a special zone by us."

"From now on, that region will receive the Empire's highest-level protection."

"Additionally, we've prepared a ten-thousand-person engineering team to assist you in modifying your solar system."

Even within human territory, peace was not guaranteed.

Within the human race, there were slave fleets and interstellar pirates.

Some slave fleets specifically sought out remote life planets to capture inhabitants and enslave them.

Even when guard fleets arrived, those slave fleets had already taken the people away.

The Noah Sovereign's actions clearly aimed to protect his homeland's safety.

"Thank you, my lord!" Xu Jingming bowed again, his heart filled with profound emotion.

This was the reward that came with elevated status!

Otherwise, how could a mere Stellar Rank Nine like him receive such treatment?

"Hahaha, Xu Jingming, you've truly achieved 'one man attains the Dao, even dogs and chickens ascend to heaven.'"

Niki covered her mouth with a light laugh, her gaze sweeping over Ye Lan and the other women, "Even your companions will be able to walk with impunity across Noah Sacred Land from now on."

She spoke the truth, given such stark differences in treatment.

Not even mentioning Xu Jingming's companions.

In the future, even humans born on Blue Star will be born with significantly higher status than those from other star regions.

Yet given Xu Jingming's achievements, such treatment is entirely deserved.

But given Xu Jingming's achievements, such treatment is truly deserved.