Wang Teng disappeared from that space region; quick to arrive and quick to leave.

Once he was gone, the military experts returned to their posts.

The area returned to normal, making it seem that the recent commotion was just an illusion.

Everyone felt dazed. They had yet to recover from the shock.

The previous scene was unreal for them.

The appearance of an extraordinary youth and the reception of countless officials had been magnificent.

The young hero’s arrival was just as spectacular as that of the crown prince.

However, there was still a difference. The latter prince made an entrance riding on a universe behemoth, showcasing his power and influence.

Wang Teng merely got there in a cosmos level spacecraft; a lackluster arrangement when compared to how all the other participants arrived.

Still, what followed blew everyone’s minds. Serving as contrast to a mediocre start, the military welcomed him with a great display of soldiers saluting, making his arrival even more impressive.

The public held the military in high regard. The soldiers would station on defense planets and fend off the dark apparitions to protect the peace and happiness of all civilians.

The military had earned their respect using their blood.

Hence, the military greeting made the latter’s respect and influence rub off onto the young man.

So, when compared to the crown prince, Wang Teng’s appearance was more immense and majestic.

The audience present—including the people on the live chat platform in the virtual universe—started to enter ‘wild mode’.

“Who’s that?”

“I’ve never seen him before! Did the military groom him in secret?”

“Maybe. The military always sends talents to compete for a ranking in the competition.”

“Still, compared to participants from previous years, this year’s talent is exceptional.”

“His presence is formidable. I wonder how’s his ability is…”

“What did he do to deserve such a treatment? Why are all the military experts welcoming him? I hope it’s not an empty show of force.”

“Didn’t you notice the gazes of those officials?”

“What gaze?”

“They were looking at him with respect! The kind of look only given to formidable warriors or people worth respecting.”

“Bulls**t, I didn’t see it.”

“F**k, rewind if you don’t believe me!”

“Oh my god! It’s true. Brother, you have a good eye for this. I was so focused on looking at the guy that I didn’t notice the expressions of the soldiers.”

“It’s normal if only a couple of experts make that expression, but all of them had the same look. That fellow must be special!”

“I know! I know who he is!”

“What? Hey, you know who he is? Spill the beans quickly or I’ll send you some knives!”

“Shivers. I wouldn’t dare say it.”

“Stop keeping me in suspense. Tell me or I’ll send an assassin from Planet Kaduo.”

“He’s right! Say it!”

“Wanna die? Say it!”

“Wang Teng! It’s Baron Wang Teng!”

“F**k, who stole my line?”

“What? A baron? Are you kidding me?”

“F**k, how dare you trick us? Find out who this person is. I want to kill him.”

“Wait, I remember. He is indeed a baron; he received the title half a year ago. Look at this …”

“Huh? Isn’t this the title conferring ceremony? Hey, it really looks like the young fellow who walked up the white jade staircase!”

“My god! I finished it in three seconds but someone is faster than me.”

“Three seconds? I did it in one second!”

“The one from above, you’re a little dirty.”

“It is the same person. We have confirmation!”

“Oh my god, it is a baron. When was a baron able to receive such a special treatment?”

“Wow, I’m a baron too. Why can he stand in the limelight while I can merely flaunt my power on social media?”

“Keyboard warrior!”

“You’re a fake baron.”

“I’m from the Empire Noble Family Consultation Chamber. Prove that you’re a baron… Now!”

…

Discussions shot through the roof as Wang Teng’s identity was instantly dug out. However, only a few people knew he had received the National Military Medal, as well as his military exploits. The military didn’t release the news.

Even so, he garnered a lot of attention, surpassing geniuses from the eight dukedoms and the princes. He was almost trending as high as the crown prince!

There was a ranking for popular candidates in the League of Talents. Wang Teng jumped to second place in a flash, right below the clueless.

The other princes and the talents from the dukedoms were below him in results. Then, there were the talents from the various planets.

That was just the start. Their rankings would surely change based on the beginning of the competition.

That was the prelude.

That said, the Virtual Universe Corporation was great at creating hype, just like the networks on earth did. They would publish a popularity ranking, which not only could increase the audience’s enthusiasm, but also enhance their engagement. This would give the competition more exposure and publicity.

Naturally, the company would benefit from the tactic. The traffic volume alone was scary enough.

Furthermore, they were broadcasting outside the Great Qian Empire too. That was within their scope of operations.

A company of such scale was terrifying!

No wonder the Virtual Universe Corporation remained at the top all over the universe for so many years.

Aside from the audience reacting, the participants were also stunned by Wang Teng’s appearance. They happily discussed among themselves.

They knew about the crown prince, so they weren’t as surprised.

However arrogant, none of those talents would belittle the young noble, though.

The real surprise was the arrival of another talent comparable to the crown prince himself. He had no fame preceding him, which made them doubtful.

Some of them even wondered how they could step on that talent from the military and soar to greater heights.

The talents from the Parkers family looked grim. They had long heard of Wang Teng’s name and knew what he looked like.

Even before they made the trip over, the Furious Flaming Universe Lord reminded them to be ruthless if they ever met the young man in the competition. He ordered them to kill him, no matter what.

None of the family’s talents would dare underestimate him, especially after sensing his exceptional aura.

A tall and skinny bald youth frowned and whispered, “Brother Strachey, how strong do you think Wang Teng is?”

“I can’t tell. He’s good at hiding his strength, and his aura was heightened by the military when they greeted him. That only counts as external force.” Strachey’s expression remained cold, his gaze arrogant. The fellow seemed a bit snobbish and haughty.

“We can’t tell, but the military won’t support a weakling like that,” said the tall, skinny bald youth. He understood the military well.

“Landon, are you afraid?” Strachey glanced at the other.

The skinny fellow smiled but didn’t reply.

In a different place—the princes were also discussing the matter. They were familiar with Wang Teng, and clearly knew about his background.

They happily talked about him after regaining their composure.

Of course, there were a few who seemed to be in a bad mood. It’s OK for the crown prince to steal the limelight, but what’s with this Wang Teng?

How can a baron be compared to us?

He even climbed on top of them.

Some glanced at the Third Prince meaningfully. All the princes were mutually keeping tabs on everyone’s moves. Many of them laughed at the Third Prince when he was humiliated by the young hero on Defense Planet No. 29. He had sent his men to ask Wang Teng for a favor back then.

Some had even felt that the latter was overestimating himself at the time, his future being practically destroyed after provoking a prince.

Still, all the princes felt somewhat conflicted by seeing how the military held the fellow in such high regard.

In all honesty, the Third Prince would probably be incapable of hampering the young hero anymore.

Wang Teng was going to become a great power!

He would reach the sky in a single leap if his ranking was good in the League of Talents and was accepted by one of the Seven Stellar Academies. The ancestor-level figures in the Great Qian Empire would need to add more importance to the fellow.

A prince smiled and said, “Third brother, Wang Teng is quite amazing. This is the first time I’ve seen the military put so much effort into one talent.”

“Little Five.” The Third Prince glanced at his Fifth peer calmly and replied, “Are you laughing at me too?”

“What are you saying? I would never do that. I’m just speaking facts.” The Fifth Prince smiled.

“Speaking facts? I didn’t know you had such a virtue,” the Third said.

“Third Brother, you don’t pay much attention to me.” The Fifth Prince kept on laughing.

“I guess I should pay more attention to you then,” the other said with a snort.

The Fifth Prince squinted, as he was wary of the latter. He felt embarrassed since he recalled being the one who started the conversation.

However, someone interjected before he could amend things.

“Third Brother, you should teach your men properly. They provoked Wang Teng because they were too haughty.”

The person talking was the Second Prince. His intent was not to lecture but to persuade.

“Old Two, you don’t have to worry about my men,” the Third Prince replied indifferently.

The Second Prince’s gentle expression froze.

He was gentle, but he didn’t like people calling him Old Two. (In Chinese, ‘Old Two’ can also mean the male’s reproductive organ.)

The Third Prince had purposefully done so. He wanted to humiliate the other.

As expected, the rest of the princes were fighting to suppress their laughter. They wanted to laugh but none dared to.

The Second Prince took a deep breath and shook his head. Dropping the matter altogether, since he didn’t want to argue.

The crown prince sat cross-legged at the side, ignoring all the conversations around him. The Golden Wing Crimson Celestial Tiger snoozed right next to him, preventing others from approaching.