166: Chapter 166 The First Stage of the Competition Concludes

"G-gave... gave it to me?"

Lin Zhan subconsciously caught the "source of creation," which radiated a seven-colored glazed light and felt warm to the touch.

For the first time, his perpetually icy expression showed a look of utter bewilderment and disbelief.

He stared blankly at this legendary cosmic treasure in his hand.

Then he looked at Wang Pingan, who wore an "indifferent" expression, as if he had merely tossed him a hot potato.

His mind went completely blank.

This... this is the "source of creation"!

It is the ultimate key that can exchange for the heaven-defying opportunity of a "Law Baptism"!

And yet...

Captain...

Just like that, he tossed it to me?

It wasn't just Lin Zhan.

Shi Lei, Lei Qian, Qin Wushuang... all the team members from Xuanyuan University behind him were collectively dumbfounded when they saw this scene.

Each of them widened their eyes, their mouths agape, wide enough to fit a duck egg.

They were completely unable to comprehend this action by Wang Pingan, which they deemed "unimaginable."

"C-captain... you... what are you..."

Shi Lei's voice stammered due to extreme shock.

"This... this is the 'source of creation'! You... you just..."

"What? Do you want it too?"

Wang Pingan raised an eyebrow and swept his gaze over them with a look that seemed to say, "Are you trying to rob me?"

"No! No! No! That's not what we meant!"

Shi Lei and the others hurriedly waved their hands in fear, shaking their heads like rattle drums.

Just kidding.

Even if they were given a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare try to snatch something from this "Demon God" before them!

"Then that's settled."

Wang Pingan curled his lip, looking "matter-of-fact."

"This thing is of no use to me anyway."

"Lin Zhan's injuries are the most severe, so he might as well take it to nourish his body."

He said this nonchalantly.

As if a cosmic treasure like the "source of creation" was no different in his eyes than a "strength pill" or a "panacea."

"..."

When all the team members heard these words, they felt their worldview had been refreshed once again.

What is true realm?

This is true realm!

What is true perspective?

This is true perspective!

While they were still getting excited over bottles of pills and a few life crystal cores.

Their captain had already dismissed a treasure of the level of the "source of creation" as nothing!

How is the gap between people so vast?

"Captain..."

Lin Zhan looked at the "source of creation" in his hand, then at Wang Pingan's face, which remained as calm and indifferent as ever.

His heart, which had become as firm as a rock from years of spear practice, trembled violently at this moment.

An indescribable emotion, named "gratitude" and "admiration," flooded his entire heart like a warm tide.

He knew that Wang Pingan was using this method to repay him.

To repay him for that desperate, fatal spear strike in the previous battle.

Although this man looked lazy, black-bellied, and even a bit shameless.

Deep down, he valued relationships and righteousness more than anyone else.

"I, Lin Zhan, will remember this favor."

Lin Zhan didn't say any more nonsense.

He just carefully put the "source of creation" into his storage bracelet.

Then, he bowed solemnly and deeply to Wang Pingan.

...

One week later.

When the distant and sacred bell tolled once again over the "Star of Creation."

All the participating teams still struggling to survive on this planet knew.

This first stage of the survival elimination tournament, filled with bloodshed, cruelty, and endless shocks.

Finally, ended.

Beams of brilliant teleportation light descended from the sky.

Teleporting the surviving teams—some excited, some dejected, some numb—back to the Central Sacred Hall on Pegasus Star.

When all the teams gathered again on that massive white plaza.

Everyone's gaze immediately and unanimously turned toward the team that had been shrouded in endless legends from start to finish.

The Xuanyuan University representative team.

They saw.

That team still had fifty people.

Not a single one missing.

Every one of them had a composed aura and was full of spirit.

Their faces were beaming with the smiles of victors, filled with confidence and pride.

And standing at the very front of their team was still that lazy youth, hands in his pockets, looking as if he had just woken up.

The entire plaza was dead silent.

Everyone's eyes were filled with complex emotions.

There was awe, fear, jealousy, and unwillingness.

They knew that from today on.

The name Wang Pingan would become an insurmountable, nightmare-like existence in the hearts of all the geniuses of their generation.

Above the high platform.

The majestic figure of the Star River Emperor slowly appeared once again.

His gaze, like the vast starry sky, slowly swept over everyone's face.

Finally, his gaze also landed on that lazy youth.

In those deep eyes that seemed to be able to see through everything, a rare smile full of appreciation and approval flashed.

"The first stage of the competition is over."

His voice, grand and majestic, echoed in the depths of everyone's soul.

"Now, I announce..."

"The final champion of the team competition for this 'Human Federation New Generation Genius Invitational Tournament' is..."

He deliberately drew out his voice, creating suspense.

But everyone already had the answer in their hearts.

"The Xuanyuan University representative team!"

As his voice fell.

The sky above the entire Central Sacred Hall erupted with incomparably brilliant and splendid grand fireworks made of pure energy!

The thunderous applause and cheers erupted from the millions of spectators in the stands around the Sacred Hall!

However.

The Xuanyuan University team members did not cheer and jump with excitement as others had imagined.

They just stood quietly.

And then, everyone looked with eyes full of fanaticism and worship.

Uniformly toward the only figure in their team.

They knew.

This glory did not belong to them.

It only belonged to the man who had led them to victory from beginning to end.

Wang Pingan.

...

Wang Pingan skipped the celebration banquet after the team competition ended, citing "feeling unwell."

He quietly returned alone to the "Voyager," into his luxurious private suite.

He soaked himself comfortably in that huge massage bathtub filled with the aura of life.

Then, he finally had time to sink his mind into his consciousness.

He brought up the brand-new system panel he had been looking forward to for a long time.

【host: Wang Pingan】

【Realm: Sixth-grade Martial Artist (Early stage, blood qi value 20000/100000)】

【Strength: 2000.0】

【speed: 2000.0】

【Physique: 2000.0】

【spirit: 2000.0】

【recovery: 2000.0】

【pay-to-win points: 13218765】

【Talents:】

【1. God-level spirit Qi Absorption (Initial Talent)】

【2. Life Dominator (SSS-rank)】

Looking at the divine golden light radiating supreme authority.

A truly brilliant smile finally appeared on Wang Pingan's face.

"SSS-rank talent..."

"Life Dominator..."

"From today on."

"I, Wang Pingan."

"Am the only true..."

"Cheater!"