Devouring all things: I possess the energy of chaos.

"It seems necessary to report this to the Dharma Protector."

Hu Guanghe was still shocked, thinking to himself.

Meanwhile, Yang Mao, in another room, still found it unbelievable.

When Wang Mu unleashed his Sandstorm attack, Yang Mao thought to himself that something was wrong, sensing that Mo Hong's path to advancement might come to an end.

However, what shocked Yang Mao the most was that Mo Hong's final, sudden move actually had a hint of artistic conception.

"Could it be that Mo Hong has grasped the essence of the art?"

Upon considering this possibility, Yang Mao immediately shook his head, feeling it was unlikely.

"Although Mo Hong's move had a slight fluctuation of artistic conception, it was far from being fully comprehended. Could it be that he has only stepped halfway into the realm of artistic conception?"

Thinking about this, Yang Mao was still shocked, but he could accept it.

After all, there have been such geniuses in the history of the league.

Suddenly, Mo Hong reappeared in the room.

"Mo Hong, you've really kept this a secret. It's made me quite worried."

Yang Mao laughed and cursed, only now realizing that Mo Hong seemed to have been hiding something all along, which led him to misjudge Mo Hong's actual combat strength.

Mo Hong smiled but didn't reply, since this kind of thing was hard to explain.

Noticing that Mo Hong seemed unwilling to say more, Yang Mao didn't press the matter further.

After all, many people have their own secrets that they cannot reveal, and he himself has some as well.

"Mo Hong, I sensed the power of heaven and earth in your last move against Wang Mu. Could it be that you've already stepped into the threshold of the Intent Realm?"

Suddenly, Yang Mao asked another question.

Upon hearing this, Mo Hong knew he couldn't remain silent any longer, but he was already prepared.

“Sect Master Yang, to be honest, I have indeed had a slight understanding recently, but I still don’t quite understand it. I was forced to use it at the last moment, but I didn’t expect it to be so powerful.”

Mo Hong's answer was cautious and vague, revealing no real problem.

Yang Mao looked thoughtful, nodded, and then suddenly smiled and said, "Mo Hong, it's too formal for you to still call me Pavilion Master Yang. If you don't mind, just call me Brother Yang."

Mo Hong was slightly taken aback before hesitatingly asking, "Brother Yang?"

"That's right."

Yang Mao laughed.

"Mo Hong's talent is probably extraordinary. I don't mind swallowing my pride and taking a loss now, as long as we can get on good terms first."

Yang Mao thought to himself.

His change of heart was not a whim; it was mainly because Mo Hong's talent was enough for him to swallow his pride and befriend him.

Suddenly, Hu Guanghe's figure reappeared in the center of the electronic screen.

Hu Guanghe announced directly, "After several rounds of selection, the final winner is Mo Hong from Jinhua City. Let's congratulate this young genius on obtaining an S-level contract."

"However, those who are eliminated should not be too discouraged. This final reward only improves one's cultivation conditions, but ultimately it still depends on the individual martial artist. Besides, there may be better conditions in the future."

"I hereby declare that this Genius Ranking Battle has officially ended!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hu Guanghe's figure disappeared from the screen.

"Mo Hong, I'll be going now. I'll transfer the 800,000 Federal Credits I promised to you later. Remember to check your account."

Yang Mao laughed heartily, and he did indeed look very happy.

After Yang Mao left, Mo Hong also exited the virtual mode.

After emerging from the virtual pod, Mo Hong received a friend request from Hu Guanghe on the Star Soul Network.

Not long after Mo Hong agreed, Hu Guanghe sent a message.

"Mo Hong, remember to come to the Seven Star City branch tomorrow to discuss the S-level contract with me. I've already sent you the location."

Upon seeing this, Mo Hong secretly memorized the location.

, ...

Seven Star City Star Soul Martial Hall Branch.

A high-level training room.

After sending the message to Mo Hong, Hu Guanghe pondered for a moment and then requested to connect with one of them.

[Hu Guanghe, the head of the Qixing City branch of the Southern Theater Command, requests a connection with Murong Shang, the inner hall protector, to report an important matter.]

Not long after, the projection screen in mid-air flickered and finally a man in black robes appeared, but his face was not visible.

"Lord Murong Shang, a genius who has just begun to understand the essence of the art has appeared in this genius ranking battle. Here is his information."

Hu Guanghe's expression was serious. He then transmitted relevant information to Murong Shang via an encrypted dedicated line, including all of Mo Hong's records from birth to the present.

After a long while, the man in black robes finally spoke in a low voice, "I have finished reviewing Mo Hong's information. He meets the requirements for an SS-level contract. You can sign him now."

"What, SS-level clauses?"

Hu Guanghe's pupils suddenly contracted. He knew how extraordinary a genius was who could sign an SS-level contract. Even the Martial Hall headquarters only had about thirty of them!

You should know that the Star Soul Martial Hall recruits geniuses from all over the world, not just the Stroke Alliance region, but also other alliances and small countries.

Even with such a large scope, Star Soul Martial Hall has only signed contracts with more than thirty people.

"My lord, this Mo Hong has entered the ruins of ancient martial arts practitioners, and his experiences there were quite complex. We don't know anything about his soul—"

Hu Guanghe was interrupted by Murong Shang before he could finish speaking.

"You can rest assured about that. The Star Soul System has already detected this group of participants, and none of them have shown signs of their souls being possessed."

Murong Shang said in a low voice.

"My lord, when did the Star Soul System acquire this function? Wait, could it be that Palace Master Wu has made another new discovery in that unknown ancient god ruins?"

Hu Guanghe was initially puzzled, but then, as if he had just realized something, his expression immediately turned excited.

"Don't ask any more questions about this. All information about Palace Master Wu is strictly confidential right now, so don't make any wild guesses."

Suddenly, Murong Shang's voice turned cold, and he issued a warning.

"Yes!"

Hu Guanghe lowered his head and quickly agreed.

Then, Murong Shang disconnected the connection.

, ...

Xuanwu University.

In a private room, Mo Shan slowly brewed a cup of tea, then picked it up and took a sip.

Suddenly, a projection appeared in mid-air.

[Jiang Hongqing is requesting a connection; please accept?]

"take over."

Then, a ghostly figure appeared on the screen.

"Dean, is there anything I can help you with?"

Mo Shan asked.

"I have already received intelligence that Mo Hong has won first place in the genius ranking battle held inside the Star Soul Martial Hall and obtained an S-level contract."

Upon hearing this, Mo Shan's eyes widened in shock. "What? Mo Hong actually got an S-level contract?"

He knew all too well how difficult it was to secure an S-level contract with a martial arts hall, whether it was his own Xuanhong Martial Arts Hall or any other martial arts hall.

"What's even more interesting is that Mo Hong seems to have one foot in the realm of artistic conception."

Jiang Hongqing spoke up.

Upon hearing this, Mo Shan fell silent, though his pupils shrank to pinpoints.

"Mo Hong's soul can be ruled out. A high-ranking official has directly confirmed his innocence. You should train him well from now on."

"Yes, Dean!"

As soon as Mo Shan agreed, the phantom image on the screen disappeared.