Chapter 996

"Leo's really strong; I'm no match for him."

"But even if he gets here later, he won't be able to act—so don't worry about that."

Blood Sword said with a smile.

Among all the ninth-rank psychics who came from Great Xia, he's the strongest—the S-rank upper ninth-rank.

And he only just broke through to upper ninth-rank a few months ago; his power can't possibly compare to Leo's peak ninth-rank level.

"Oh? Why?"

Xu Jingming frowned in confusion, while Su Qingli and the cold moon-sister pair also turned curiously toward him.

"Try using your psychic ability—you'll see," Blood Sword teased.

Xu Jingming immediately attempted to activate his SSS-rank Chaotic Divine Thunder.

But his Chaotic Divine Thunder was sealed, utterly unusable!

"What's going on?" Xu Jingming was stunned.

After awakening, a psychic ability is an inherent power of the psychic.

Such a power should be as natural as eating—you shouldn't be unable to use it.

"Remember the hint from the announcement earlier?"

"This is a no-combat zone; as the name implies, you can't even use your psychic ability, so fighting is impossible."

Blood Sword's tone carried deep awe: "Not just elemental psychics—enhancement-type abilities are also disabled."

"No psychic use allowed? That's insane?!"

Xu Jingming's eyes widened.

He'd assumed the no-combat zone meant the Breakthrough Tower had deployed fierce beasts to intimidate.

He never expected they'd outright ban psychic abilities!

"Isn't that the truth?"

Blood Sword gazed thoughtfully at the distant palace: "Just this one trick alone is far beyond the capability of any civilization on Blue Star."

"Indeed," Xu Jingming nodded in agreement, his curiosity about the Noah Civilization growing even stronger.

Time passed quickly as numerous psychics arrived one after another.

The two families' peak ninth-ranks arrived separately, standing in different zones.

Leo, aware of the no-combat zone's terror, merely shot Xu Jingming a furious glare upon arrival and didn't approach.

What surprised Xu Jingming was Alan.

This guy had been so arrogant when he first entered the Breakthrough Tower two months ago.

Yet now, he didn't even glance this way—as if he'd completely changed.

With no one bothering him, Xu Jingming was perfectly content.

Another four hours passed, and the square was now packed with over a thousand people!

Most were seventh-rank Masters; only a few were sixth-rank.

In essence, the vast majority of psychics from the 13th level had gathered here.

As the crowd grew restless from waiting, black feathers suddenly drifted down from the sky.

A crow with crimson eyes instantly coalesced into form.

Black Feather!

The Breakthrough Tower's main AI!

Though merely a holographic projection, when its gaze swept over them,

a sovereign-like pressure descended, instantly silencing everyone in the square.

"After 56 days, my Noah Civilization's 1031st trial is now drawing to a close."

"First, congratulations to all 1,381 of you present!"

"By reaching the end of this trial, you are unquestionably the finest among all participants!"

Black Feather's majestic voice echoed; though the language was foreign, its psychic resonance made everyone understand its meaning.

"Over three hundred thousand entered the Breakthrough Tower; only a thousand or so reached the end," Xu Jingming muttered in awe.

The attrition rate was simply terrifying.

Of course, that didn't mean the rest were dead.

More likely, they remained trapped in other levels of the Breakthrough Tower, never reaching the summit.

"The trial awards are based on ranking."

"Each of you 1,381 will receive an additional 300,000 Void Stones as a reward!"

Black Feather flapped its wings, and instantly, 300,000 Void Stones were added to each person's total on the skyborne leaderboard.

"300,000 Void Stones! Amazing!"

"Hah! Good thing I made it to the top—otherwise I'd have missed this opportunity!"

The crowd in the square erupted in excitement.

Aside from the top-tier resources, which sold out quickly, all others were available without limit.

300,000 Void Stones would let them exchange for plenty of S-rank resources.

At that moment, Black Feather added:

"Also, the exchange list has been updated."

Swish—

A massive resource exchange list appeared in midair.

Items previously sold out—Supreme Divine Blood (Dragon), Thunder Element Essence, Holy Origin Pills—reappeared.

New items were added too, including Spatial Element Essence.

"Spatial Element Essence!" Xu Jingming's eyes lit up.

But when he saw the price, he froze—it required 5 million Void Stones!

Later levels of the Breakthrough Tower yielded more Void Stones, but even after all his efforts, he'd only gathered four million—far too little to afford it!

Most psychics in the square reacted the same way.

They were tempted, but the price was simply too high!

"Rankings are determined by Void Stone total. Now, announcing the ranking rewards."

"Top 100: one opportunity to exchange resources at 30% off!"

"Top 10: two opportunities to exchange resources at 50% off!"

"Top 3: three opportunities to exchange resources at 70% off!"

"And the number one: three opportunities to exchange resources at 90% off!"

Black Feather's majestic voice rang out again.

"Three 90% discounts! How many amazing things could I get?!"

"I'm rich! I'm truly rich!"

Everyone in the square turned to look at Xu Jingming.

Each breathed heavily, eyes gleaming with greed.

Trial rankings were based on total Void Stones—consumption didn't reduce the count.

Xu Jingming, No. 344, had already spent over 16 million Void Stones; now his total stood at 20 million, ranking first.

Behind him, Leo and Mick, both peak ninth-ranks, held second and third place.

Meaning Xu Jingming would get three 90% discount exchanges!

"This guy got lucky," Leo's face darkened dangerously.

If not for Xu Jingming, first place would have been his!

"Besides Void Stone rankings, there was originally to be a Trial Battle among the top 100."

"The Trial Battle wouldn't be decided by strength, but by talent."

"The winner would receive a Chuancheng slot from my Noah Civilization."

"But after observing you, I see no need for a Trial Battle—the Chuancheng recipient is already obvious."

As Black Feather finished speaking, Leo and several other top Qiangzhe suddenly glowed with intense light.

Civilization Chuancheng !

The Noah Civilization's depth was terrifying.

Especially this no-combat zone—it felt like divine power.

Resources were secondary.

Whoever gained this civilization's Chuancheng might glimpse these mysterious techniques!

Meanwhile, outside, Aemers and the others watching through the Fate Vision also grew solemn.