Chapter 1365: 18: To Battle With You Is All I Ask. [Please Subscribe to the Official Version]

Chapter 1365: Chapter 18: To Battle With You Is All I Ask. [Please Subscribe to the Official Version]

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When the members of the Tianhe Force leadership saw this letter, their expressions showed varying degrees of surprise.

It wasn’t just because Jia Yan had received a challenge right after his arrival, but also because of the identity of the challenger—someone that shocked them deeply.

This was a Respect-level genius renowned across the Central Star Area. He had made a significant impact in numerous large-scale genius battles and brutal clashes in the region.

His talent was comparable to Jia Yan’s, both of them being top-tier Senior Geniuses, second only to the highest-level geniuses.

Yet now, such an immensely famous genius had come to challenge Jia Yan, an outsider who had just arrived. This was truly unbelievable.

“Huh! Another challenge letter? Uh… it’s also addressed to Jia Yan. What’s going on here?”

The members of the Tianhe Force found themselves bewildered by the situation.

Only after they uncovered the backstory and understood what Duo Jian and other Genius Battlefield contenders had said did they realize that several challengers had already sent letters, stating that they were traveling aboard Star Transmission Bodies toward the Tianhe Force.

“What should we do? Should we accept these challenges? I think Jia Yan’s current strength may not yet compare to the Central Star Area’s geniuses. After all, the Central Star Area has its own unique combat styles. Previously, when Jia Yan fought Duo Jian to a draw, he himself admitted it was because Duo Jian hadn’t yet reached his current strength. Jia Yan is probably far behind Duo Jian now.”

Several elders of the Tianhe Force gathered to debate their response.

“No need to deliberate further. I say we let Jia Yan make the decision himself. Even if he accepts the challenges, it’s a chance to see what his true capabilities are.”

The decision-maker was Tian Rongguang, a high-level genius strongman and a Semi-permanent Star-level existence. He lacked sympathy for Jia Yan.

“Fine, but let’s hope Jia Yan doesn’t encounter any safety issues.”

…

“Lord Jia Yan, this is the situation. Just now an elder explicitly instructed me to inform you. If you agree to the challenges, you can communicate with them directly. If you decline, there’s no need for a reply—they’ll find ways to refuse for you.”

When Jia Yan stepped out of the Cultivation Room that day, Mermaid Xiaoya had already been waiting outside. Upon seeing him, she immediately raised the matter of the challenges.

“A challenge? Is it coming from Duo Jian’s connections?” Jia Yan listened to the details with some surprise.

But he didn’t hesitate at all.

“I’ll contact Lord Tian Rongguang now to accept the challenge. I’ve wanted to see for myself the true strength of these top-tier geniuses in the Central Star Area.”

Seeing Jia Yan accept a challenge from a genius so famous across the Central Star Area without an ounce of hesitation, Xiaoya was momentarily stunned.

Had it been her, just hearing the names of these world-renowned geniuses would have made her too nervous to think about fighting them, let alone accepting a challenge.

“This is likely why Lord Jia Yan is an apex Senior Genius, while I’m merely an Ordinary Medium Genius,” Xiaoya thought to herself.

Jia Yan’s response quickly reached Tian Rongguang.

“Hmm… Jia Yan, your decision to accept the challenge is commendable. Even if victory eludes you, at least you’ll witness their fighting styles and strengths—beneficial for your future development. Of course, you must ensure your safety. Although I suspect they’ll refrain from taking your life, since their real aim is likely to challenge Duo Jian through you.”

Tian Rongguang expressed his approval and satisfaction upon hearing of Jia Yan’s determination.

As a Senior Genius himself, Tian Rongguang had no inclination toward excessive favoritism for Jia Yan. He believed that geniuses had to emerge through numerous brutal battles, just as he had done in the past.

Jia Yan wasn’t simply seeking to observe others’ combat techniques. However, he didn’t voice any objections at the moment.

He understood that in the eyes of the Tianhe Force, his current status was merely that of a promising newcomer. They might even assume Jia Yan wasn’t quite on par with the two high-level Talent Venerables native to the Tianhe Force.

Thus, having these challenges was a good opportunity to prove that Longta’s praise for his talent and strength wasn’t unfounded!

“These geniuses who are coming to challenge me are traveling aboard Star Transmission Bodies. Fortunately, the Central Star Area isn’t vast, so at most they’ll arrive in just one or two days.”

Jia Yan was aware the battles were imminent, so he refocused his mind and adjusted his state of readiness.

Though he didn’t believe he would lose, these challengers were top-tier geniuses from the Genius Battlefield—extraordinary figures. Even though he didn’t anticipate defeat, he still prepared himself for the possibility of a draw, like his earlier fight with Duo Jian.

A draw was also a kind of victory. After all, as an outsider freshly arrived, even holding his own against several geniuses would be astonishing.

But as Jia Yan was making his preparations, something unexpected occurred. Accompanied by a high-ranking elder of the Tianhe Force, a Respect-level dignitary arrived at Jia Yan’s Star Space Star Body!

“Jia Yan, I heard you’ll be fighting the genius challengers in two days. Now, I’ve brought one of our own sect’s senior brothers to meet you. Let’s have you test your strength against him first. If he proves unbeatable, he’ll represent our Tianhe Force in the fights instead of you.”

The elder addressing Jia Yan was an Intermediate Genius, with the horrific, oppressively powerful strength of a Semi-Stellar-level fighter.

“Huh?” Jia Yan, who had come out to greet them, was momentarily baffled.

Then his thoughts sharpened as he processed the situation—he had anticipated inner competition within any organization, such as what had transpired during the Stellar Academy battles. However, he hadn’t expected such a scenario to unfold before him again.

This elder obviously intended for their Respect-level genius to replace Jia Yan!

“A high-level Talent Venerable…”

Jia Yan glanced at the figure before him and discreetly assessed the individual. He realized this was one of the two high-level Talent Venerables he’d felt upon arriving at the Tianhe Force headquarters.

The dignitary evidently considered himself on par with Jia Yan—or perhaps even superior!

“Jia Yan, I’ve received extensive guidance from Elders and Lord Tian Rongguang during my time at Tianhe Force. Now, it’s time for me to repay their mentorship. I hope you’ll let me take these battles instead. Even though the challenges are addressed to you, ultimately, the victories and defeats reflect upon the reputation of our Tianhe Force.”

The figure speaking resembled a Bear Monster, over two hundred meters tall, with incredibly thick arms.

“So, you think I’m weaker than you?”

Jia Yan’s eyes gleamed, as he studied the Bear Monster with a glimmer of intensity.

Standing behind him, Xiaoya displayed an equally displeased demeanor toward the Bear Monster. She had come to view Jia Yan as her partial Master, and her education had taught her that her future depended entirely on him. Anyone who looked down on Jia Yan was implicitly underestimating her as well.

“No, no. Your Talent, validated by Lord Longta, is a top-tier high-level Talent. I wouldn’t dare question that. But you’ve only recently arrived in the Central Star Area. Furthermore, Talent isn’t always definitive. My capabilities have yet to be demonstrated. This is the perfect moment for me to support Tianhe Force. Why not battle to see who is stronger, and let the winner represent our faction?”

The Bear Monster spoke in a resonant voice.

Jia Yan understood.

This Bear Monster was a high-level genius secretly nurtured by the Tianhe Force, who had never been exposed publicly. Now, with such a rare chance to rise to fame, he wanted to seize the opportunity by either defeating or drawing with an external Senior Genius like Jia Yan.

But was his strength truly on par with the renowned Genius Battlefield contenders?

“Fine, Senior Brother. I’ll duel you,” Jia Yan said casually and followed the elder and Bear Monster to the outer perimeter of the Star Body.

Xiaoya trailed closely behind, sending communications to Tian Rongguang and other high-ranking members as she moved.

Not long after, upon reaching the selected battleground, several Semi-Stellar-level fighters arrived at staggering speeds!

“Tian Biwu, you’ve gone too far, wanting your disciple to fight a peer within the same faction—this is disgraceful!”

Tian Tesu, the elder who had brought Jia Yan to the Tianhe Force, glared angrily at Tian Biwu, the elder responsible for cultivating the Bear Monster.

Considering Jia Yan was his discovery, Tian Tesu felt an implicit master-disciple bond with him. Similarly, Tian Biwu had his own connection with the Bear Monster. Given this golden opportunity for fame, Tian Biwu sought to transfer the rights to Jia Yan’s battle onto his own protégé.

“Tian Biwu, you’ve overstepped your bounds. Nonetheless, I’ll permit this fight. Jia Yan, you’ll duel this Senior Brother.”

Even Tian Rongguang appeared in the observation zone. Despite voicing disapproval, he ultimately sanctioned the duel.

Jia Yan nodded, knowing the Tianhe Force still lacked faith in his abilities.

“Alright, Jia Yan, be careful,” Tian Tesu advised once the fight arrangement was finalized.

The Bear Monster stepped forward to face Jia Yan.

The two Venerable-level geniuses unleashed their imposing strength.

Boom!

As the Bear Monster attacked, a deafening explosion reverberated through the vacuum of the Universe.

The impact even managed to trigger ripples in subspace!

Somehow, the opponent had acquired information suggesting that Jia Yan could enter subspace, and accordingly employed combat skills tailored to this strength.

But with a tangible gap in power, such stratagems would be ineffective. The Bear Monster was merely an Ordinary Senior Genius, far below Jia Yan’s level.

Jia Yan simply ignored the shockwaves, retreating lightly to evade the attack.

“That dodge was magnificent!”

Tian Tesu, watching the battleground, displayed a hint of joy.

Experts could discern skill from a single move. Jia Yan’s seemingly effortless dodge revealed exceptional talent—an ability unattainable for Intermediate Geniuses.

But that wasn’t all. The Bear Monster’s expression darkened as he raised both arms, unleashing a barrage of strikes toward Jia Yan.

Under the relentless assault, Jia Yan simply evaded—never countering, only dodging. It was evident that he maneuvered freely, almost effortlessly.