Chapter 1373: 26: Inside the Central Star Area. [Please subscribe to the legitimate version]

Chapter 1373: Chapter 26: Inside the Central Star Area. [Please subscribe to the legitimate version]

The landscapes under the control of the Liqiao Force were unlike any other.

The level of mechanization here was astonishing. Some combat strong ones were actually integrated entirely with their mechas.

“Huh, this species—its physical bodies are fused with their mechas. Does that make them more powerful?”

During their journey, Jia Yan gazed curiously at a small squadron of mecha-like strong ones.

He could feel that these strong ones had melded their bodies with their mechas, and their power levels were roughly at the Secondary Level.

“Haha, Mister Jia Yan, their strength is indeed considerable. But unfortunately, they can no longer improve. Our technology hasn’t reached a point where it could help them enhance further. However, I’ve heard that on the far edge of the Milky Way, there’s supposedly a powerful species where their entire population is fused with machinery. Their power too is said to be fearsome, though I’ve never had the opportunity to see them in my lifetime.”

Xi Bala’s explanation left Jia Yan with newfound insights.

This female strong one, though a bit talkative, had undeniably vast knowledge. Much of what she shared seemed like secrets others would rarely come across.

“Mister Jia Yan, Xi Bala is a visitor from a fringe force located over five thousand light-years away from the Genius Battlefield. Most of the strong ones within the Liqiao Force originate from her faction. Their racial talent lies specifically in technology.”

As Xi Bala and Jia Yan spoke, Tian Tesu provided additional background on the Liqiao Force.

The journey with their fleet gained an extra layer of intrigue thanks to Xi Bala’s continuous narrations.

Soon, their fleet crossed beyond the bounds of the Liqiao Force’s territory. With the Tianhe Force’s clearance documents, even Xi Bala passed through smoothly.

However, while within Liqiao’s domain, Jia Yan’s curiosity piqued.

“I’ve heard that the Central Star Area is supposedly dangerous. But here, I don’t feel much threat at all. Could it be that the true nature of the Central Star Area differs from external interpretations?”

Just as this doubt arose in Jia Yan’s mind, the universe seemed to respond to his skepticism—a situation unfolded!

“Mister Jia Yan, the recon team has sent a transmission. There’s battle up ahead!”

Tian Tesu’s slightly anxious tone relayed the message to Jia Yan’s battleship.

“Let’s take a look,” Jia Yan suggested after some contemplation, his curiosity overcoming hesitation.

“This… very well. I’ve heard it’s just a group of Secondary Powerhouses. Not too worrisome.” Tian Tesu initially hesitated but eventually agreed, recalling the recon team’s analysis.

The scene was in a void region between two major forces.

A few million kilometers away, two small fleets exchanged relentless bombardments.

Amidst the vacuum of space, strong geniuses could also be seen engaging in battle.

“Huh? Among the combatants are even Intermediate Geniuses.” Jia Yan observed the distant skirmish and let out a curious murmur.

“Tian Tesu, doesn’t the Genius Battlefield’s official authority intervene in such clashes? If an Intermediate Genius of the Secondary Level dies, wouldn’t that count as a major loss for the Genius Battlefield?”

“Mister Jia Yan, you don’t understand. These battles are intentionally ignored by the Genius Battlefield. You must remember, no genius appears out of thin air. Particularly with highly-talented individuals, they wouldn’t thrive confined like caged birds. Without true experiences of life-and-death struggles, they would never transform their potential into real power. Thus, within the Genius Battlefield, especially in the gaps between forces, battles like these are rampant. The Genius Battlefield turns a blind eye to them.”

Tian Tesu’s words left Jia Yan deeply shocked.

In fringe zones outside of the Central Star Area, he had learned that the Genius Battlefield placed great value on geniuses. Yet, within the Central Star Area, the cradle of genius powerhouses, it became evident that their losses were taken far more lightly.

“So this is the core reason why the Central Star Area is leagues stronger than outer regions?”

Jia Yan silently pondered this revelation while watching the distant combat unfold in the starry void.

“Haha, Lord Jia Yan, you don’t fully grasp it. The Central Star Area harbors far deeper secrets than you imagine. For instance, I’ve heard of some top-tier geniuses – the Genius Battlefield raises them by enabling them to annihilate entire forces. Every now and then, a Central Star Area faction vanishes altogether. Do you know why?”

Xi Bala shared another shocking statement from her battered spacecraft, leaving Jia Yan wide-eyed.

“Xi Bala, enough of your nonsense!” Tian Tesu bellowed sternly from his massive battleship, silencing her immediately.

But this remark only compounded Jia Yan’s growing sense of dread and understanding—finally grasping why the Central Star Area was deemed such a treacherous zone.

“It seems the Genius Battlefield truly spares no effort in cultivating geniuses. For the sake of top-tier geniuses, they even give them rights to destroy other forces. It’s as if they raise flocks of weaker geniuses just to serve as sparring fodder for the elites…”

As Jia Yan envisioned these chilling conclusions, the far-off battle was nearing its climax.

In the warring fleets, three Intermediate Geniuses of the Secondary Level stood out. Two of them formed a team against the third, who was struggling valiantly but found himself in increasingly dire straits under the relentless assault.

Under the vicious advance of the two Intermediate Geniuses, the lone genius eventually suffered a direct hit. Another strike followed, sealing his fate.

With their genius leader fallen, the defeated fleet descended into chaos. The aggressive fleet quickly seized the upper hand, pressing their advantage.

Soon after, the two Intermediate Geniuses joined the fray, virtually securing the outcome of the battle.

“As expected, the fleet with more Intermediate Geniuses won decisively. Hmm? Why are they heading straight toward us?!”

Jia Yan was still reflecting on the battle, particularly the dynamics of group combat—it was the first large-scale battle he’d encountered since arriving in the Central Star Area.

But before he could fully process the scene, he noticed with some amazement that the victorious fleet was speeding straight toward their own.

“Are they planning to attack us?”

A trace of amusement flickered in Jia Yan’s expression as he watched the incoming fleet.

Indeed, the fleet closed in on Jia Yan’s group.

But before the Tianhe Force fleet could utter a word, sensing Tian Tesu’s aura, the opposing fleet—led by two Intermediate Secondary-Level strong ones—suddenly shifted formation.

To Jia Yan’s astonishment, the fleet immediately fled.

“Mister Jia Yan, in these border zones, battles are semi-legal. Since they’ve provoked us, we have the right to eliminate them. Shall I take action?”

Jia Yan chuckled at the absurdity before replying, “This is legal?” His expression shifted marginally in disbelief.

Fight? Two Intermediate Secondary-Level Geniuses…

Tian Tesu’s offer was tempting, but Jia Yan pondered whether it was worth showcasing his capabilities instead. “No, Senior Tian Tesu. Hold your position and provide cover for me. Let me try.”

“Try yourself? Those are two Intermediate Secondary-Level Geniuses. Even though they’re injured from earlier, they are still extremely formidable…” Tian Tesu hesitated, somewhat surprised by Jia Yan’s bold declaration.

But before he could refuse, Jia Yan’s figure exited his battleship and slipped into subspace.

“Sigh, Mister Jia Yan has become so battle-hardened…” Tian Tesu muttered a mix of admiration and concern.

He knew the danger—despite Jia Yan’s high-level genius status, challenging two injured Intermediate Secondary-Level Powerhouses was a monumental task. Victory seemed nearly impossible.

As Jia Yan entered subspace, Tian Tesu promptly activated his battleship’s hyperspeed mode, giving chase.

Yet, the short-distance velocity of subspace travel far outstripped any battleship’s acceleration.

By the time Tian Tesu’s ship reached velocity, Jia Yan had already intercepted the fleeing fleet.

“After a year of seclusion, it’s time to see how much my power has grown!”

Jia Yan’s Giant Mosquito body aggressively burst forth from subspace.

“Hmm? A mere Honored Level brat? Get lost!”

As Jia Yan emerged, a terrifying brainwave-powered voice boomed from the opposing fleet.

The voice carried immense suppressive brainwave power. For all but the strongest, such a sonic attack would directly pulverize their bodies into nothingness.

Even typical Genius Venerables would struggle to withstand it.

But Jia Yan was no ordinary Venerable!

“Perfect timing!”

Faced with this oppressive brainwave force, Jia Yan did not retreat. Instead, his body surged forward.

In the vacuum of the universe, Jia Yan’s foreleg shot out as if piercing an invisible barrier.

Splurt!

The suppressive brainwave energy was instantly torn apart by Jia Yan’s attack.

“What? Not an average Venerable? Hmph, even a high-level genius will die at my hands when there’s a difference in levels! Die!”

From within the fleet, the aggressor’s voice grew colder, and a tidal wave of overwhelming environmental control power crashed down on Jia Yan.

Feeling the immense pressure, Jia Yan’s body remained still. The foreleg that had previously shredded the brainwave energy once again rose.

A faint blue glow shimmered at its edge.

With a swift slash!

Splurt!

Another slicing sound echoed in space.

The devastating environmental control power shattered like brittle glass under Jia Yan’s attack.

“What?! Environmental Control Power can be cut? Is this kid possibly a cutting-type genius? No, that’s impossible.”

The fleet, now halted before Jia Yan, had been utterly stunned. They had no choice but to stop their advance.

It wasn’t because they feared physical collisions might harm their warships—it was because, at their level, such strategies were futile. If they moved recklessly, Jia Yan could retreat into subspace or use his deadly foreleg, capable of tearing not just attacks but even warships clean in half.

Left with no better options, they begrudgingly halted their fleet.