Half a Year

? Xu Jingming couldn’t help but smile when he saw the results.

As he took the test every year, he discovered that it became harder and harder to grow the further he went. Coupled with the growth of his mental strength and his vague understanding of his body, Xu Jingming had a rough idea of the results before the test.

I previously determined that there’s a small chance of reaching 10,000 this year, but clearly… the increase is getting smaller and smaller. It wouldn’t be a problem next year, he thought.

Becoming an Origin lifeform after cultivating the evolutionary method for 31 years? Even in the history of the entire cosmic human race, that’s probably ranked among the top few. Xu Jingming sighed with emotion. He had unknowingly reached this step. When my identity is made public, it will definitely cause a huge commotion.

Everyone knew that he would be smack center of the ensuing vortex.

He wasn’t afraid of this at all. The better and stronger he was, the more the Primordial Research Institute and the entire Cosmic Human Alliance would support him.

But before I become an Origin lifeform, I have to try to become overall number one in the universe, Xu Jingming thought. This is the only chance I have to compete with all the cosmic lifeforms at the same level across the entire cosmic human race.

After reaching Lv. 9, it was very difficult to have a fair fight. After all, every Origin lifeform focused their research on the evolutionary path and accumulated increasing amounts of knowledge. Their standing also increased, and there might be occasional matches, but it was unrealistic for all Origin lifeforms at the same level to compete.

Xu Jingming still liked the cultivation method provided by Battle of the Universe’s Apex. He could sense that in the process of pursuing first place, he had to perfect himself, be it his mental strength, combat system, or his understanding of Light Rays.

He had to become more outstanding in order to climb higher.

…

The next day, his first cross-sector battle began.

Hunter Cosmic Sector’s Wu Ming versus Ancient River Cosmic Sector’s Lord Thousand Mountains.

“Wu Ming is invincible.” ×100

“Wu Ming, we from the Hunter Cosmic Sector give you our utmost support!” ×10

“Defeat the ugly fatass from the Ancient River Cosmic Sector!”

“Hunter Cosmic Sector’s victory is at hand!”

Countless messages streamed by, and many of them were broadcast platform-wide.

Countless cosmic citizen spectators were pumped up. Battles in ordinary cosmic sectors were far less popular than this. For example, the citizens of Hunter Cosmic Sector felt a sense of honor, so they naturally stood on Xu Jingming’s side.

By the same logic, the citizens of the Ancient River Cosmic Sector naturally stood on the side of Lord Thousand Mountains.

“Thousand Mountains, defeat the rookie from the Hunter Cosmic Sector.”

“We are the Ancient River Civilization of the three advanced civilizations. We will definitely win this battle.”

“Let the other cosmic sectors see the strength of our advanced civilization’s experts.”

Countless citizens were pumped. The three advanced cosmic civilizations felt a sense of superiority when facing other cosmic sectors. After all, the other cosmic sectors had countless weak civilizations mixed in, while the three advanced civilizations ruled over a cosmic sector! Their average standards in economics, science, evolution, and other aspects were much higher than the other 31 cosmic sectors.

The number of viewers online had already exceeded 100 billion!

There are so many viewers. Xu Jingming also noticed the number. In my previous matches, my highest popularity only exceeded ten billion viewers. The number of viewers gained cross-sector is indeed different.

After all, it was targeted at all the audience members in the 34 cosmic sectors. The battle scene between the two was also synchronized with the 34 cosmic sectors.

The combat arena was a neutron star.

Chi! Chi! Chi!

The neutron star—which was only about 12 kilometers in diameter—was like a huge black iron ball. Its surface was covered in scorching radiation. Some places emitted fierce and violent radiation, while others were of a lower intensity.

Xu Jingming and Lord Thousand Mountains stood on the neutron star and looked at each other.

“Brother Wu Ming, this is your first time fighting cross-sector, right?” Lord Thousand Mountains was a rotund man more than four meters tall and three meters wide. He carried a huge sword. “Newcomers will always suffer a little in their first match.”

“Oh, is that so?” Xu Jingming held a spear in one hand and walked on the neutron star, his body glowing. As he walked, afterimages appeared, and dozens of afterimages walked toward Lord Thousand Mountains at the same time.

Lord Thousand Mountains looked at him and held the huge sword in one hand. Then, his entire body lit up.

Boom!

The two parties instantly clashed!

…

After more than five minutes of combat, Xu Jingming lost.

He’s extremely fierce, and his defense is terrifying. Xu Jingming stood on the neutron star and frowned as he replayed the battle footage and watched its process. I have to use dual shields to match him in defense, but that way… I’ll be inferior in offense.

Xu Jingming had predicted that he could last longer with dual shields, but he didn’t stand a chance of winning.

Although it was dangerous to use his spear with his movement technique, he still had a chance of winning.

His body looks clumsy, but he actually has perfect control over his surroundings, he thought. I didn’t lose for nothing.

“He lost his first cross-sector battle. I regret watching this battle.”

“I’m pissed.”

Many audience members quickly left.

In this battle, the highest number of viewers from the Hunter Cosmic Sector reached 80 billion. Most of them weren’t Xu Jingming’s fans and only came to watch because they were from the same cosmic sector. They naturally left quickly after the loss.

Xu Jingming’s fans numbered only one-tenth.

“Those who can fight across cosmic sectors are all very terrifying. Victory and defeat are par for the course.”

“Of the 340 people qualified to fight cross-sector, Wu Ming is ranked below 300. It’s very normal for him to lose.”

“Wu Ming’s growth far exceeds that of others. I believe his ranking will rise quickly.”

Comforting messages occupied most of the messages sent.

“Brother Wu Ming, you’ve only been in Battle of the Universe’s Apex for just over ten years. There’s no rush. I believe you will definitely be ranked first in the universe in a few years.” ×100

This was Brother Qu Fang’s platform-wide message.

Xu Jingming finished watching the replay and saw countless comforting messages.

“It’s very normal for me to lose when I’m ranked below 300. It’s a learning process to fight across the universe at the beginning,” Xu Jingming said to his fans as he scheduled another cross-sector battle again.

A cross-sector battle was usually scheduled a day or even a few days later. This was because such a battle needed a public preview to attract more viewers. On the other hand, people at Xu Jingming’s level treated ‘cross-sector battles’ very seriously. They would carefully study the other party’s combat videos and make preparations before the battle.

…

Xu Jingming’s second cross-sector battle ended in defeat again.

He finally won the third match!

He lost the fourth match.

He won the fifth match again!

He lost every match from the sixth to the tenth.

Of the ten matches, I lost eight and won two. Xu Jingming studied the replay on a ruined planet. He had a good attitude towards his losses.

However, many of his audience members were numb from the losses.

“How lame. Every time I come with hope to watch a cross-sector battle, hoping that it will bring honor to our Hunter Cosmic Sector, it ends up with a loss every day! We’ve lost five consecutive matches. I’m not watching anymore; watching just pisses me off.”

“Don’t you know who Wu Ming’s opponents are? Almost all of them are ranked higher than him. How can he win?”

“Of the 340 people in the cross-sector matches, some of the people at the bottom have lost so many times that they don’t challenge others anymore. Wu Ming can only challenge those ranked higher than him. What else do you expect?”

Countless messages appeared.

Although he had lost terribly, his ranking had increased.

He was now ninth in the Hunter Cosmic Sector and ranked 297th overall in the universe.

Even the number of fans had increased tremendously. From having 350 billion fans before participating in the cross-sector battles, his fan numbers had exceeded 800 billion after the ten cross-sector battles.

Many of them were viewers from other cosmic sectors. This was the popularity gained from cross-sector battles.

“Take it slow. It’s only been half a month fighting cross-sector battles. It’s normal to have more losses than wins.” Xu Jingming looked at the messages and said some words of comfort. He didn’t mind.

…

Half a year after joining the cross-sector battles.

Xu Jingming still maintained a winning rate of less than 30%. The audience was completely used to it and understood that this was Wu Ming’s strength.

“In the battle between the peerless experts of the 34 cosmic sectors, it’s very difficult to rise up the ranks. Wu Ming is now ranked 253rd in the universe. This is probably his true limit.”

“It’s very difficult to break through this limit. Many peak Lv. 8s can’t improve further their entire lives.”

“Brother Wu Ming, all the best. There’s no need to do it in one shot; I believe you will definitely be ranked first in the universe in ten years!” ×100

As the most loyal fan, Brother Qu Fang supported Xu Jingming for all eternity.

However, most of the audience was initially attracted by Xu Jingming’s rapid advancement, and many of them had now left.

After all, they watched the cross-sector battles every time with immense enthusiasm and anticipation, only to watch him getting beaten up! It was very normal for them to temporarily stop following him.

“I’ll come again in a few years. It’s very difficult to improve after reaching Wu Ming’s level.” These audience members were also experienced. Many experts who rose rapidly might stagnate for a long time once they reached a standstill, and it might even be difficult for them to break through again for the rest of their lives.

Being ranked 253rd in the universe seemed very high, so it was very normal that he couldn’t break through.

******

In his personal space in the virtual world.

Xu Jingming studied the replay of his battles every day and thought about why he had lost.

An opponent who can reach this level has a perfect combat system. I can’t crack it at all. Xu Jingming watched many replays and knew many of the other party’s methods, but even if he understood them, he couldn’t crack them.

When I realize that these enemies are very strong, it means that I’m weak.

Xu Jingming closed the video and began studying the Primordial Star Conjecture’s Light Rays, hoping to find a way to counter the enemy from it.

With a purpose in mind, one’s research was more motivated, and the results were better.

In half a year, although his chances of winning across cosmic sectors were less than 30%, Xu Jingming could sense that his visualization of the Primordial Star became clearer as he slowly accumulated knowledge.

His slow but continuous improvement gave him confidence.

Losing was sometimes more helpful for his growth! It allowed him to see more of his flaws and increase his efficiency.

…

Earth, Xu Jingming’s courtyard.

A cool breeze blew.

Xu Jingming sat in the courtyard and ate the fruits sent by the smart bot, Five, as he read some science on a projection.

“Jingming, you just study every day and don’t pay attention to our daughter,” Li Miaomiao said from the side.

“Pay attention to our daughter?” Xu Jingming was stunned. “What’s wrong with Lixing?”