Chapter 1362: 15 You've Been Pushed Out! [Subscribe to the Authorized Version Please]

Chapter 1362: Chapter 15 You’ve Been Pushed Out! [Subscribe to the Authorized Version Please]

Among these geniuses, nearly all were intermediate-level talents, with a scattering of low-level individuals who kept their heads bowed, not daring to make eye contact with others.

When the welcoming ship carrying Jia Yan arrived, the semi-permanent star levels, the secondary-level powerhouses, and even the respect-level geniuses all stopped in their tracks to make way for the vessel.

Only esteemed guests of the Tianhe Faction were allowed aboard the welcoming ship, and naturally, such deference was extended.

“Mister Jia Yan, how do you find the headquarters of our Tianhe Faction?”

The semi-permanent star-level Elder had somehow opened a communication link earlier. Now, standing next to Jia Yan, he asked the question with a touch of showmanship.

He knew Jia Yan was from the outskirts of the Genius Battlefield and would likely have never witnessed such grandeur.

“The name ‘Central Star Area’ indeed lives up to its reputation. I never imagined such magnificence could exist in the starry sky,” Jia Yan said without holding back his admiration for the scene before him.

“Hehe, though our Tianhe Faction is merely an ordinary force in the Central Star Area, we’ve put in significant effort in our organizational planning and architectural aesthetics. Having it earn your praise is our honor.”

The group conversed further, and Jia Yan gleaned much information about the Tianhe Faction.

However, whenever Jia Yan inquired about the surrounding forces of the star zones, the semi-permanent star-level Elder would subtly steer the conversation away from his question.

Jia Yan understood the reason for the evasion but did not press further.

Before long, after traversing several million kilometers, the welcoming ship arrived outside the central celestial body of the Tianhe Faction.

The scene here was even more striking—every inch of the celestial body was covered in structures. An outsider might mistake it for the home base of a major force in the outer star area.

Yet, this was merely a stellar body cultivated by geniuses from the Genius Battlefield, nearly indistinguishable from an external Administrative Star.

“Alright, Mister Jia Yan, let’s disembark. It seems their communication preparations are complete.” After finishing another round of communications, the semi-permanent star-level Elder led Jia Yan off the enormous welcoming ship.

Only upon stepping off the ship did Jia Yan finally take in the appearance of the Tianhe Faction’s main star. Even he couldn’t help but gasp inwardly.

The celestial body matched Earth in size, its ecological environment and technological advancements striking a perfect balance. The semi-permanent star-level Elder wasn’t exaggerating—Jia Yan had truly never encountered such harmony between nature and technology before.

“Cultivating on this celestial body must significantly accelerate one’s strength,” Jia Yan thought to himself.

As the pair advanced, it appeared the celestial body’s so-called monsters had received some kind of order, for they all came out to greet Jia Yan.

The experience of being welcomed by semi-permanent star-level geniuses, especially intermediate talents, was one that Jia Yan found undeniably satisfying.

The Tianhe Faction’s preparations had been carried out to perfection.

“Welcome, Mister Jia Yan. I am Tian Rongguang, the Tianhe Faction’s foremost leader.”

As Jia Yan and the semi-permanent star-level Elder arrived at the expansive landing pad of an extraordinarily tall structure nestled in a picturesque location, a figure stepped forward from among the assembled semi-permanent star-level geniuses.

The moment Jia Yan laid eyes on this semi-permanent star-level genius, his entire being shuddered!

In that instant, Jia Yan understood the pinnacle of strength within the Tianhe Faction.

And for the first time, he grasped why this area was called the Central Star Area!

It turned out this Tian Rongguang was a semi-permanent star genius with a high-level talent!

Just one intermediate-level semi-permanent star talent already left Jia Yan feeling he could only gaze at their distant back, but a high-level genius in that same class of power was as untouchable to Jia Yan as the heavens and earth themselves—utterly insurmountable!

The disparity between geniuses was so brutal. It should be noted that rumors had long circulated in the Genius Battlefield claiming that in its environment—where stellar-level power was dampened—a stellar-level being could fall to the coordinated assault of hundreds of high-level talent semi-permanent stars.

By contrast, no number of intermediate-level semi-permanent stars could pose a threat to even a weakened stellar-level being.

And Tian Rongguang was one of those geniuses capable of threatening stellar-level beings.

At first glance, Jia Yan felt as if the entire world—the universe—was pressing down upon him. The overwhelming aura made him instinctively want to flee.

This was the power of a high-level semi-permanent star genius!

“Greetings, Senior!”

Jia Yan hurriedly performed a respectful bow before Tian Rongguang.

“No need for such ceremony. As Tian Tesu mentioned, Mister Jia Yan, you truly are a promising young genius. Excellent, excellent.”

Tian Rongguang had already discerned Jia Yan’s talent. Having retracted his oppressive pressure, he now adopted a kinder demeanor toward Jia Yan.

It turned out that the Elder’s name was Tian Tesu. No wonder he hadn’t introduced himself earlier—he had been too awestruck by Jia Yan’s talent.

“Come, Mister Jia Yan, your communication arrangements have been finalized. You may now connect with Elder Longta.”

Leading the way, Tian Rongguang moved forward, followed by a group of semi-permanent star-level presences trailing respectfully behind.

Stealing a glance behind him, Jia Yan observed that these semi-permanent star-level talents all possessed the same level of talent as Tian Tesu.

While they too were semi-permanent star-level geniuses, their talent was only intermediate. Of course, they weren’t ordinary intermediate talents; otherwise, they wouldn’t be qualified to follow Tian Rongguang.

It seemed the Tianhe Faction boasted only one semi-permanent star-level being with high talent—Tian Rongguang. Yet even just this one was daunting enough.

As Jia Yan walked through the vast structure alongside Tian Rongguang, he noticed several intriguing glances directed his way.

These were the gazes of powerful individuals, emanating faint pressure. Among them were two seemingly high-level respect-level talents and a secondary-level powerhouse genius who looked at him with disdain.

“Mister Jia Yan, this is where we can communicate with the stellar Elders. Please initiate the connection.”

Tian Rongguang gestured toward a large piece of equipment as he spoke.

He and the surrounding intermediate-level semi-permanent stars showed no intention of leaving.

Nodding, Jia Yan approached the massive communication device. He couldn’t help but marvel that such sophisticated and intricate machinery was necessary for even a conversation with an Elder of the official domain.

Fortunately, the operations seemed familiar enough. Jia Yan examined the virtual interface and pressed the default button.

“Young one, so you are Jia Yan?”

Before Jia Yan could speak, a voice came through the transmission.

“Ah, yes, it is I, Junior,” Jia Yan replied, momentarily startled before calming himself and nodding with composure.

The figure shown through the simulated light projection was a spotted seal-like creature.

Despite its seemingly unimposing appearance, Jia Yan was well aware that this being was a stellar-level powerhouse. A single breath from it could obliterate him.

“Jia Yan, I’ve looked into your case, but I regret to tell you some unfortunate news.”

The spotted seal creature’s eyes were gentle, but its words gave Jia Yan a dreadful premonition.

Sure enough, the creature continued, “Your spot in the battle has been taken by another top-tier high-level respected talent. Elder Longta relayed this to me earlier and expressed his frustration. He couldn’t bear to face you and asked me to apologize on his behalf.”

Jia Yan was stunned. Even the semi-permanent star-level geniuses behind him were similarly taken aback.

“How could this happen, Senior? Elder Longta clearly scheduled me to battle Duo Jian a month from now. How could someone else take my place? This is impossible!” Jia Yan asked in disbelief.

“Well… Jia Yan, I advise you not to delve too deeply into this. It involves some internal conflicts within the official Genius Battlefield. It’s beyond your current ability to interfere with. For now, I suggest you stay in the Tianhe Faction and focus on cultivation. You should know, I myself once came from the Tianhe Faction. That’s all I can say—farewell.”

The spotted seal creature concluded its words and abruptly terminated the connection.

Left in a daze, Jia Yan could hardly react. To think he had traveled all the way to the Central Star Area, enduring such an arduous journey, solely to compete with Duo Jian—only to have his plans dismissed with a single sentence!

“Mister Jia Yan, don’t overthink it. Incidents like these aren’t unheard of in the Genius Battlefield,” Tian Rongguang comforted him with a sympathetic tone.

Tian Rongguang, however, couldn’t mask his delight. Though he had known of Jia Yan’s impressive talent, he had not expected to recruit him easily. A genius such as Jia Yan, battling and winning in such high-profile duels, would usually attract the top-tier forces of the Central Star Area like sharks to prey, leaving the Tianhe Faction with no chance to compete for his allegiance.

But now things were different. Jia Yan had been excluded from the duel!

This exclusion, orchestrated by the internal divisions within the Genius Battlefield, presented a golden opportunity for the Tianhe Faction.

Tian Rongguang’s excitement was barely restrained; the anticipation in his gaze bordered on euphoria.

“Thank you, Senior Tian Rongguang. But my entire purpose for coming to the Central Star Area was this battle. Now, what am I supposed to do…”

Jia Yan let out a bitter laugh. If he couldn’t participate, there was nothing he could do. After all, the inner politics of the Genius Battlefield were something beyond his power to challenge.

Still, this abrupt change threw a wrench in his plans.

He had originally intended to defeat Duo Jian in this battle, gain recognition from one of the major factions, and then carry out his future plans from there. But with the first step already disrupted, Jia Yan was at a loss for what to do next.

“Ahem…”

It was at this moment that Tian Rongguang saw his chance to make a decisive offer.

Behind him, the other semi-permanent star-level high-ranking officials of the Tianhe Faction had already realized what their leader was about to do. For the first time in the faction’s history, they would attempt to recruit a top-tier high-level talent. Their gazes were filled with mixed nervousness and expectation.

“Mister Jia Yan,” Tian Rongguang said, his tone cautiously persuasive. “With your talent, what does missing this one opportunity matter? Why not take the advice of the stellar Elder just now, and join our Tianhe Faction for the time being? Cultivate, grow your strength, and when the day comes that you are ready, strike down those who dismissed you and rise to fame! Announce to the world that you have surpassed even Duo Jian!”