Chapter 1325: Crisis! I Won

"What do you mean?"

Ethan let out a cold snort, stepping forward one pace through the void, his feet igniting the space beneath in crimson flames like molten lava.

"Tens of millions of years ago, when both I and Betto were still at the peak of the universe."

"We both belonged to the Interstellar Mercenary Alliance; during a mission in the 'Graveyard Star Region,' I once saved his life."

"Later, we both left the Interstellar Mercenary Alliance, each pursuing our own opportunities."

"I broke through to the Eternal Stage, and he advanced steadily as well."

"Not only did he reach the Eternal Stage—he even attained the Sovereign Realm!"

"No one outside knows this connection, but Betto and I are truly lifelong friends bound by life and death!"

As his words ended, the Lord of Nova furrowed his brows.

If what Ethan said were true, this matter was indeed troublesome.

Just as he was pondering whether it was genuine or not,

two streaks of light slashed across the sky and arrived beside the Lord of Nova.

They took form as a middle-aged man and a slender, coldly beautiful woman.

"Teacher, Lady Niki." Xu Jingming bowed respectfully.

These two were none other than his teacher Lu Wen and the Eternal Deity Niki.

Lu Wen was thin and gaunt, clad in a simple gray robe, appearing like an ordinary old man.

Yet his eyes were as deep as the universe, brimming with boundless wisdom.

He had clearly heard Ethan's words just now, and frowned as he spoke:

"Ethan, couldn't this matter be settled through discussion?"

"Discussion?"

Ethan sneered, flames surging around him, "My grandson was killed by your disciple, Xu Jingming."

"Nova not only failed to punish him, but granted him the title 'National Prodigy'! Is this your Nova Empire's idea of 'discussion'?"

Niki's long, elegant legs lightly touched the air, her flowing hair dancing in the wind.

This coldly alluring Eternal Deity gently stroked her long hair, her voice soft yet resolute:

"Ethan, you and I both know what kind of person Dir was."

"He hired assassins first; Xu Jingming acted in self-defense afterward. This matter..."

"Shut up!"

Ethan roared, interrupting her, the flame mark on his forehead blazing with blinding red light, "Today, I demand you hand over Xu Jingming!"

"Otherwise..."

He flipped his right hand, and a crimson crystal, as red as blood, materialized.

"I will shatter this 'Blood Oath Crystal' and summon Lord Betto himself!"

Lu Wen and Niki's expressions changed instantly.

The aura emanating from the crystal was unmistakable—it was indeed an artifact only a Sovereign-level cultivator could forge.

'Jingming, if Ethan truly shatters the crystal, don't concern yourself with anything else—immediately follow me!'

'Notify Ye Lan and the others to prepare; I'll open a teleportation channel using spatial laws and send you all away first.'

Lu Wen's and Niki's mental voices echoed one after the other in Xu Jingming's mind.

Lu Wen was his teacher; receiving this mental message wasn't surprising.

But he hadn't expected Niki to send one too—and she even included Ye Lan and the others.

'If even two Eternal Deities can't protect me and can only tell me to flee, then Ethan must be telling the truth.'

Xu Jingming sighed inwardly and spoke to Eva: 'Eva, contact Charlie from the Abyss Arena.'

'Tell him that if he can resolve this problem for me, I accept their previous invitation and will join the Abyss Arena.'

True, with Lu Wen and Niki's plan, he and Ye Lan and the others could escape.

But Blue Star couldn't escape.

The wrath of a Sovereign-level cultivator could likely obliterate Blue Star entirely.

Moreover, if he fled, he would drag Lu Wen and the others down with him.

The most permanent solution was still to contact the Abyss Arena.

As one of the stronger factions among the human races of the universe, resolving this trouble should be within their capability.

'Joining the Abyss Arena means you can't enter the Eternal Star Alliance. Are you certain about this, S-Class?'

Eva's hesitant voice echoed in his mind.

'Certain.' Xu Jingming didn't hesitate for a moment.

With the Deep Blue System, which faction he joined didn't matter much.

As long as Blue Star remained safe, joining the Abyss Arena was acceptable.

'Alright then, I'll contact Charlie right away.'

To Eva, if Blue Star was lost, it was lost—so long as Xu Jingming and the female masters remained alive.

But since it was her master's command, she would not disobey.

In midair,

Lu Wen and Niki simultaneously turned to the Lord of Nova, awaiting the empire's sovereign's decision.

If things turned unfavorable, they would immediately send Xu Jingming away.

The Lord of Nova's expression was uncertain, as if deep in thought.

The entire capital planet seemed muted, billions of beings holding their breath in anticipation.

Within the Yunhai Community, Ling Shuang, Song Qiuyun, and the other women clung tightly to one another, Ye Lan's fingernails sunk deep into her palms without her noticing.

Xu Jingming took a deep breath and was about to step forward and reveal his connection to the Abyss Arena when the Lord of Noah raised his hand to stop him.

"Ethan."

The Lord of Noah finally spoke, his voice echoing as if from the depths of the universe:

"Do you know what Xu Jingming's performance in the Genius War signifies?"

"It's merely the top rank in one division!"

Ethan sneered, "The Star Torch Empire has one hundred divisions; every five thousand years, it produces one hundred such champions! But my grandson Di'er has only one life!"

The Lord of Noah shook his head slightly and waved his right hand lightly.

In an instant, the entire sky transformed into a vast luminous screen, displaying the final standings of Division 65:

【#1: Xu Jingming (Noah Empire), Points】

【#2: Steve (Star Torch Empire), Points】

【#3:......】

"Look closely."

The Lord of Noah's voice boomed like thunder, "Xu Jingming's points are seven times those of the second-place finisher!

Since the founding of the Star Torch Empire, no such disparity has ever occurred!

In the universe's high-civilization Genius War, those who achieve such results eventually become what kind of beings—you should know!"

The numbers on the screen glowed with Jin Guang, casting flickering light across Ethan's face.

Indeed, this result was far too outstanding.

But soon, flames of vengeance reignited in his eyes:

"So what? He won't live through today! Hand over Xu Jingming! Otherwise, I won't show mercy again!"

Saying this, he raised his hand as if to crush the blood oath crystal in his grip.

"Ethan, go ahead and summon Lord Betto."

The Lord of Noah's gaze turned icy, making no move to stop him.

These words left everyone present stunned.

Ethan frowned tightly: "Are you truly willing to defy the Sovereign's authority?"

"Xu Jingming is a prodigy my Noah Empire has not seen in millions of years—I will not hand him over to you."

The Lord of Noah's voice was utterly calm.

Even a Sovereign-level powerhouse could not instantly traverse countless light-years to reach the Noah Empire.

The time lag in between is the opportunity I can exploit.

If necessary, I can pay a heavy price to have the Ling Shu Lord intervene.

"Good! Good! Good! I expected you wouldn't yield so easily!

I've already contacted Lord Betto—he's already within the Noah Empire's borders! I'll have him come now!"

Ethan bared a cruel smile and crushed the crystal in his hand.