Chapter 1363: 16 Genius Battlefield versus Stellar Academy Genius Battle! [Subscribe to the official version]

Chapter 1363: Chapter 16 Genius Battlefield versus Stellar Academy Genius Battle! [Subscribe to the official version]

When Tian Rongguang extended the invitation to Jia Yan, the elders of the Tianhe Force were all on edge with tension.

It was well-known that the Tianhe Force was considered a minor faction in the Central Star Area; they wouldn’t have dared to invite someone like Jia Yan, a genius of his caliber, in the past.

But things were different now. Tian Rongguang, a Semi-permanent Star Level with high-level talent, had advanced less than two years ago. It was precisely when the Tianhe Force was confident and ambitious, aiming to greatly enhance their strength.

With the presence of a high-level genius at Semi-permanent Star Level, the Tianhe Force dared to reach out and invite Jia Yan, an elite high-level genius.

“Join the Tianhe Force, huh…”

Jia Yan pondered over it.

“Jia Yan, you’ve seen the Tianhe Force for yourself. We have me, a high-level genius, and previously, you spoke with an official Stellar-Level genius from the Genius Battlefield—someone who came from our Tianhe Force. The future here is bright. With your addition, we might just break through and become an Intermediate Power Force among the Central Forces. The treatment you’d receive wouldn’t be lacking—how about it?”

Tian Rongguang kept trying to persuade Jia Yan.

In truth, Jia Yan hadn’t set strict standards regarding which force to join. His unique needs for resources differed from other strong ones in the starry sky; as an Evolutionary Creature, he could devour anything containing energy material.

“The Tianhe Force is indeed decent, but I’ve heard that the struggles and cruelty in the Central Star Area are far more intense compared to the Outer Star Zones. I don’t want to be part of a faction that could collapse at any moment—you understand, that kind of situation doesn’t benefit growth…” Jia Yan carefully chose his words before shaking his head in response.

“So that’s what you’re concerned about? You needn’t worry about that at all!”

Tian Rongguang chuckled lightly and explained.

Only then did Jia Yan understand that his prior concerns were somewhat unwarranted—and perhaps even biased.

The Genius Battlefield had its most vital core at the Central Star Area. Eighty percent of the Stellar-Level dignitaries in the Genius Battlefield hailed from there. If the Genius Battlefield were genuinely chaotic, it wouldn’t have earned its reputation as a holy land.

The bloodshed and fierceness described in outside rumors mostly stemmed from the competitive battles among geniuses here. Any combat certified by the System was legitimate. Such conflicts had become frequent enough to spawn terrifying rumors of violence. But in reality, destroying an entire force within the Genius Battlefield wasn’t as simple as outsiders believed.

Especially within the Tianhe Force, although it didn’t boast supremely powerful members, with a high-level talent like Tian Rongguang, the risk of attack was significantly lower. The Genius Battlefield Official wouldn’t sit back and let a Semi-permanent Star Level, one step away from becoming Stellar Level, perish so easily.

“I see. In that case, I’ll join you. However, I’ll say this upfront: if I wish to leave at any moment, I’ll walk away freely.”

Under the watchful eyes of the elders, Jia Yan finally nodded his agreement.

“Wonderful!”

The elders of the Tianhe Force, alongside Tian Rongguang, discarded their usual restraint and cheered openly.

Jia Yan merely observed this scene indifferently. Similar receptions had happened countless times in his past experiences.

“This might be the final stage of such moments. Once I reach the Central Star Area, my next goal will be advancing to Stellar Level…” Jia Yan’s gaze shifted past the Semi-permanent Star elders of the Tianhe Force, seemingly capable of seeing far into the distance.

The strong beings such as Tian Rongguang faintly sensed an air of distinction from Jia Yan in that moment and were somewhat stunned.

Even though Jia Yan was indeed a top-tier high-level genius, he was still merely at Respect Level. How could he—how dared he—display such disregard toward a gathering of Semi-permanent Star elders?

And yet, Jia Yan did just that, his expression unwavering.

“If the elders here knew that I don’t even plan to advance through the intermediate stages or Semi-permanent Star Level before directly achieving Stellar Level, would they think I’m insane?”

Under Tian Rongguang’s personal accompaniment, Jia Yan proceeded to his selection of cultivation resources and lodging.

This time, Jia Yan’s composed demeanor differed noticeably from his previous encounters with other forces. He displayed calm and peace, neither excited by receiving a fine residence nor exhilarated by obtaining valuable resources.

For the current Jia Yan, external materials had become somewhat less significant. As an Evolutionary Creature, he even felt that his path to advancing to Stellar Level—to truly becoming a Star Sky Beast—would rely more heavily on inner resolve. Without the right mindset, promotion might lead only to life and death!

Thus, he chose the Tianhe Force despite knowing that joining a more powerful faction in the Central Star Area might offer greater benefits. For him, it wasn’t necessary.

“Jia Yan, I know you’re someone who values familiarity. How about this? I recall that a Mermaid disciple who traveled to the Central Star Area with you has already joined our Tianhe Force. I’ll assign her to be your servant—it’s easier to work with someone you know. Does that suit you?”

Following Tian Rongguang’s lead, Jia Yan inspected a residence almost equivalent to an entire star body in size. Tian Rongguang mentioned this matter as they toured.

Jia Yan was somewhat surprised when he saw the servant in question—a creature with a fish tail yet resembling a human woman—reluctantly fly into the residence.

It was none other than Mermaid Xiaoya!

“Ugh, whatever,” Jia Yan sighed, feeling a little exasperated. Xiaoya hadn’t shown him much respect in the past.

To Jia Yan’s astonishment, the Tianhe Force seemed to have employed some kind of magic. Somehow, Xiaoya’s attitude had undergone a complete shift by the time Jia Yan met Tian Rongguang and the others.

“Master, I am your servant Xiaoya. Please accept me in service,” Xiaoya promptly pleaded, her tone softening drastically upon noticing Jia Yan’s faint displeasure.

Lowering her head to someone she once disdained—and in such a submissive manner—caused Xiaoya’s face to flush with embarrassment.

But Xiaoya was determined not to lose the opportunity to remain at Jia Yan’s side. Through recent developments, she quickly understood the situation better: in the Central Star Area, Jia Yan held a similarly high status as he did in the 132 Star Zone.

Her prior disrespectful behavior towards Jia Yan had reached the ears of the mentor who had been training her, and that mentor couldn’t believe it. Xiaoya nearly faced relentless scolding, especially since other trainee servants were stunned by her audacity toward such a high-level genius.

Fully aware of the social complexities, Xiaoya resolved that she must secure Jia Yan’s acceptance of her service. Otherwise, returning to the mentor would result in inevitable ostracism and bullying.

Despite being embarrassed, Xiaoya persisted in pushing for Jia Yan’s favorable acknowledgment!

“Fine, you’ll do. I don’t have much need for help anyway,” Jia Yan relented with a slight nod.

Since the animosity between them wasn’t severe, Jia Yan was willing to let the matter go now that Xiaoya had changed her attitude. After all, she was a fellow traveler who had journeyed aboard the star transmission body with him across hundreds of light-years.

“Thank you, Lord Jia Yan!” Xiaoya nearly burst into tears as she bowed deeply in a gesture of loyalty.

“That settles it, Jia Yan. If there’s anything you need, let me know. I’ll be leaving now; I have matters to attend to,” Tian Rongguang said before departing, his busy schedule calling him away.

“Master, is there anything you require of me? If not, I’ll return to continue servant training,” Xiaoya asked Jia Yan, her demeanor now wholly transformed—timid and eager to please.

Seeing the former aloof peer now reduced to a dutiful servant, Jia Yan felt a mix of emotions but refrained from dwelling on past grievances and nodded his approval for her departure.

Xiaoya tidied up the star-body-sized residence and quietly left.

Meanwhile, Jia Yan settled himself down and began cultivating amidst the vast cosmic energy of the Central Star Area.

He reflected on his growth and combat experiences.

The treasure trove of insights from the countless genius battles he had previously endured had yet to be fully absorbed. To Jia Yan, these continued revelations were an invaluable asset.

Unbeknownst to everyone, this top-tier genius had taken his position within the Tianhe Force.

No one realized that amidst the widespread commotion over battles between the Stellar Academy geniuses and the Genius Battlefield representatives, Jia Yan himself had previously helped the Genius Battlefield eliminate one of its adversaries.

Jia Yan’s name from that pivotal fight had yet to reach the Central Star Area. Even if it did, many geniuses from the area would be unwilling to believe it. Tales of surprise victories by unknown figures were far too common to take seriously without confirmation by Official Stellar Levels.

And the Genius Battlefield Official wouldn’t publicize Jia Yan’s achievements from that fight, so it was destined to remain merely a ‘legend.’

But Jia Yan’s fiery spirit was already set ablaze; he was ready for the Genius Battlefield’s clash against the Stellar Academy geniuses.

The Genius Battlefield’s main overseer for these battles was Longta.

The Stellar Academy’s figurehead, meanwhile, was the goat-like creature Xi Fei, whose disposition appeared quite grim in front of the Genius Battlefield representatives.

Others were unaware of the reason, but the top-tier personnel of the Genius Battlefield understood: Xi Fei was troubled because one of his Respect Level star warriors had been slain by Jia Yan back in the 132 Star Zone. The loss of a bright genius wasn’t something that would pass quietly upon his return to the Stellar Academy.

“So, Jia Yan didn’t attend? It seems the Genius Battlefield officials are as plagued by internal friction as ever, though our Stellar Academy isn’t much better—we also have too many underperformers dragging us down.”

The Genius Battlefield’s confrontation with the Stellar Academy began across a combat zone spanning millions of kilometers, while Xi Fei cast a disdainful glance at the contenders gathered around Longta.

As someone who had experienced internal disputes during his own time at the Genius Battlefield, Xi Fei understood the gaps in organization all too well.

He was convinced that others had managed to exclude Jia Yan from the line-up. Standing nearby, Jia Yan’s original opponent, Duo Jian of the Sea Cattle Clan, seemed equally aware.

“Hmph. So my opponent won’t be Jia Yan. I suppose his luck saved him from death…”

Duo Jian saw that Jia Yan wasn’t among the contenders. Nevertheless, he felt indifferent, as he had confidently mastered his great clan’s special techniques, ensuring his ability to kill Jia Yan in a single blow. With a new adversary, Duo Jian merely assumed Jia Yan was lucky not to have faced him.

Competitors from both sides represented extraordinary geniuses from their respective Star Zones. In the Central Star Area of the Genius Battlefield, these confrontations erupted with a fiery intensity akin to stars colliding.