The Genius Battle Group, here is the genius camp of the whole world, where brilliant geniuses from the seven Safe Zones will start to shine and embark on the road to becoming powerful figures.
"We've arrived!" With a loud shout, Wang Xu stepped off the iron train.
In the distance, a towering city wall stood, covered by a substantial green honeycomb energy barrier that enveloped the entire city.
On the city wall, countless laser cannon openings, black and menacing, were guarding the place. Wang Xu recognized them—all SS-Level energy weapons, each shot consuming cosmic energy, the cost of which would be astronomical if converted into money.
People were entering the city one after another; they were all geniuses from various Safe Zones, adorned in luxurious clothing and exuding powerful auras. Even from a distance, one could feel an overwhelming heat wave.
Wang Xu walked among them. There were tall, burly blond strongmen, beautiful and innocent girls, frail and short ugly youths, gracious noble children, and grim, scarred men... The geniuses differed in appearance, build, and background, but they all shared one thing—tremendous strength!
Feeling waves of auras stronger than his own, Wang Xu deeply sensed his own frailty.
These were true geniuses, displaying extraordinary talents from a young age, possessing powerful backgrounds, enjoying the advantages brought by their families, and there were also rising stars from ordinary backgrounds, like Wang Xu himself, simply dressed, yet with eyes filled with determination.
"Bang!"
As he walked, Wang Xu heard the sound of a fight coming from afar. Looking over, a clearing had opened up among the crowd, where a black-clad and a white-clad person were fiercely battling. Their movements were so fast that Wang Xu could only catch faint shadows.
Tier Five, they were both Tier Five.
In just a moment, the person in white was defeated, trampled underfoot by the person in black, his neck snapped, losing all signs of life.
The city gate guards looked on coldly, with no intention of intervening, indifferently watching the white-clad person lying on the ground, blood flowing freely, as the black-clad person walked towards the gate with a proud expression.
Cold-blooded, ruthless!
The geniuses passing by saw a body lying on the ground and detoured around it, their faces betraying not the slightest discomfort. Death was something they had seen too often, and it wasn't unusual anywhere.
Wang Xu silently watched the white figure lying lifeless on the ground, whose eyes still held a trace of unwillingness and a thirst for life, but unfortunately, he could no longer turn back.
Dead, then nothing remains!
Wang Xu deeply felt his own insignificance, recognizing that in the tide of geniuses, he was among the lowest tier.
Strength!
To survive, to protect himself, to protect the ones he loved, he needed strength!
The iron-clad rules, Wang Xu comprehended them thoroughly at this moment.
Passing through the city gate, he walked through a green scanning light gate, which displayed Wang Xu's personal information. The city guards glanced at it, confirmed there was no mistake, and allowed him to pass.
Behind the towering city walls was a stretch of modern architecture, with floating cars, aerial gardens, skyscrapers, and tech gyms, all in stark contrast to the mud-constructed city walls.
In fact, Wang Xu didn't know that the towering city walls, though appearing to be made of mud, were actually made of "Black Rock Solid Earth," harder than diamonds, with each cubic meter costing millions. The total cost of the entire city walls even exceeded that of the laser cannons.
Following the crowd, he continued forward. The bustling commercial streets were flourishing, as this time of year was peak season for merchants. Usually, the geniuses were busy with cultivation and had no time to indulge in this colorful world.
"Here we are." Wang Xu stopped.
In the distance, modern buildings stood like those of a modern university, with green and cultural elements well-implemented. If he hadn't heard about the feats of the Genius Battle Group before, Wang Xu might have thought he had arrived at the International Culture University.
"Seventh Safe Zone, Wang Xu, Tier Four elite warrior, alright, your dormitory is on the sixth floor. This is your Light Computer Chip, from here you can learn all about the Battle Group. Go ahead." The guard at the entrance took Wang Xu's notice, glanced at it, and then let him through.
The Genius Battle Group, being highly prestigious, naturally couldn't have collective dormitories like a university. Wang Xu opened the door to his room: a modern living room and sofa were all complete, with a transparent floor-to-ceiling window offering a view of the distant green forest. The warm sunlight shone through, giving a cozy feeling, almost like being home.
Wang Xu took a deep breath, knowing that his Battle Group life was about to begin. He wasn't here for enjoyment but for cultivation, training, hunting insect beasts, and striving to improve himself!
"Sunset Battle Group, ranked eight hundred and sixty-two, recruiting new members with ambition and who understand unity and cooperation. Come quickly!"
"Black Wind Battle Group, ranked seven hundred and twenty-three, everyone who joins will receive one A-level weapon!"
"Vanguard Battle Group, ranked eight hundred and twelve, recruiting any student unconditionally. Our Battle Group has great potential, new students hurry to join!"
"..."
Once he reached downstairs, rows of orderly booths were hawking their wares. The strength of the Battle Groups varied, most being ranked after seven hundred, belonging to the mid-to-low-end battle groups. They attracted freshmen with free weapons or mentorship from experts, and many newcomers were enticed by such small favors.
Wang Xu walked amidst the crowds, and many, seeing his late Tier Four realm, wanted to invite him to join their battle groups, but he rejected them all.
After walking for a while, Wang Xu's ears finally quieted down a lot. Casually glancing around, he realized that all around him were battle groups ranked between 500 and 700. These groups were quite powerful, disdainful of hawking like the lower-level groups, quietly waiting for people to come to them.
Wang Xu continued to walk forward, and soon he discovered a long line of people.
"Excuse me, can you tell me what's happening?" Wang Xu casually asked someone.
"It's obvious you're new here. This is where battle groups within the top 500 are recruiting, and you need to pass an assessment," the person said.
Battle groups within the top 500 are considered mid-tier groups, significantly stronger, and naturally require assessments to recruit new members.
Wang Xu bypassed the long line and continued forward. The recruitment line was vast, occupying every intersection. The closer he got to the main teaching building, the higher ranked the battle groups were.
Soon, Wang Xu arrived at the recruitment area for groups ranked in the top 100.
Unlike the previous groups, here all the attendees were students above Tier Five. Many of them had the names of different battle groups emblazoned on their chests and shoulders, clearly intending to switch groups.
Battle groups within the top 100 are the elites of the elites, extremely powerful. Each group has at least one Tier Six student, and the higher the rank of the group, the more likely it is to have Tier Seven or even Tier Eight students presiding!
The so-called Genius Battle Group refers to the top 100 groups, as only they are worthy of the title "genius."
"Sorry, those below Tier Five are not allowed to enter." Just as he was about to go in for a look, a guard suddenly stopped Wang Xu.
Wang Xu frowned. Are the top 100 battle groups really that exclusive? Not allowing anyone below Tier Five?
But on second thought, he understood. The top 100 battle groups are famous and powerful, naturally attracting countless people to apply. If anyone could enter, wouldn't this place have long been overcrowded?
Slightly displeased, Wang Xu turned around and wandered among the groups ranked outside the top 100.
These battle groups weren't bad either, some even had Tier Six students presiding. They were only ranked outside the top 100 because, in terms of contribution points, they couldn't compete with those in the top 100.
"Hmm?" After looking around for a moment, Wang Xu suddenly glanced at a booth and saw a burly young man sleeping there who looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
The sign in front of the burly young man read "Red Flame Battle Group."
Unlike the bustling recruitment of other groups, the Red Flame Battle Group had no interest from anyone.
The reason was simple. Wang Xu only needed one glance to understand why they couldn't recruit anyone.
"Entry Requirements: 1. Above Tier Five, 2. 'Basic Flesh Body' Fourth Layer, 3. Have practiced any top-grade Ancient Martial Arts to perfection."
Three conditions, each more demanding than the last.
Being above Tier Five was easy to understand; the Red Flame Battle Group was ranked 153, with such strength. But reaching the Fourth Layer of 'Basic Flesh Body' was something most people might not achieve — there were few like Wang Xu. As for top-grade Ancient Martial Arts, even less so — unless backed by powerful forces with innate advantages, but how could geniuses capable of practicing top-grade Ancient Martial Arts join a group ranked outside the top 100?
As a result, the burly young man couldn't recruit anyone and could only doze off in boredom.
"Hey, big brother." Wang Xu walked over and called out.
The burly young man was startled awake. Seeing the visitor was only late Tier Four, his face immediately turned sour, knocking on the table with impatience. "Can't you read? We only accept students above Tier Five!"
"I'm not here to apply, I just wanted to ask if you know someone called 'Shuangren'?" Wang Xu remembered why the burly young man looked so familiar — it was because of Shuangren; the two resembled each other by at least seventy percent.
The burly young man perked up upon hearing "Shuangren," immediately dispelling his drowsiness. "You know my big brother?"
"So you're the 'Mighty King' younger brother Shuangren talked about, it's a pleasure to meet you." Wang Xu laughed. Shuangren had once mentioned that he had a mischievous younger brother, with a short temper but great strength. When he was little, he would always call himself the 'Mighty King.' He later found the name too vulgar, so he changed it, but Shuangren still teased him with it.
"Big brother even told you that, looks like you really know him." The burly young man's eyes lit up, "I haven't been out for three years now, and my brother only occasionally comes to see me. How is he doing now?"
"Shuangren is in great health, so you don't have to worry." Meeting an acquaintance, Wang Xu naturally sat down for a chat.
The two talked joyfully, and Wang Xu learned a lot about the Genius Battle Group from the burly young man.
"How about this, why don't you join our Red Flame Battle Group? We're short of people anyway, what do you think?" Caught up in the conversation, the burly young man directly extended the invitation.
Wang Xu chuckled, figuring it was fate to meet here, so he agreed: "Alright."