The Immortals gathered in the central square could no longer remain seated.
They rose almost in unison, eyes locked onto the massive projection above the square.
Because what Jiang Yan had just unleashed—
Was something that should not appear in a Genius Battle.
Yan Divine Weapon — Nine Layers
The Yan Divine Weapon possessed nine distinct layers, each one more terrifying than the last.
Phantom Blade FormPiercing the FirmamentHeavenly Sword StyleSkill Beyond RefinementSpatial SeveranceWorld Within the WeaponA Stick That Shakes Heaven and EarthGolden Blade Cleaves the VoidImmortality Is Also an Enemy
Each layer represented a qualitative leap.
If one could unleash the ninth layer, they could contend head-on with Immortal-level powerhouses.
And the seventh layer—
Was already sufficient to overwhelm Realm Lords, standing at the absolute apex of that realm.
And now—
A Star-Level contestant had used it.
Central Square — Collective Shock
"This—this is the seventh layer!"
"A stick that shakes heaven and earth?!"
"That means his combat power has already stepped into the Realm Lord domain!"
The realization sent chills through every Immortal present.
This was no longer a question of talent.
This was rule-breaking existence-level dominance.
For a moment, more than a thousand Immortal auras surged uncontrollably, shaking the entire plane space.
Millions of contestants felt their souls tremble, their bodies frozen in place, as if they had brushed past the gates of death.
Nine Swords Venerable — True Shock
"One stick… shaking heaven and earth."
For the first time since this Genius Battle began—
The Nine Swords Venerable lost his composure.
When Jiang Yan had used the fifth layer — Spatial Severance, he had merely been impressed.
But this—
This left him genuinely shaken.
"The Seventh Trial Tower…"
"It may finally be broken."
His expression turned solemn.
As a core executive of the Virtual Universe Company, he knew the truth.
The Truth of the Seventh Trial Tower
The Seventh Trial Tower was never meant to be cleared.
Unlike the previous six towers—where difficulty reset floor by floor—
This one escalated brutally.
First Floor
Ten thousand Blood-Haired Mammoths
→ Overall strength: Universe Ninth RankSecond Floor
Ten thousand Nine-Headed Pythons
→ Realm Lord First RankThird Floor
1,000 Tuo Luo Warriors
→ Realm Lord Third RankFourth Floor
1,000 Flying Ya Beasts
→ Realm Lord Fifth RankFifth Floor
100 Mechanical Puppets
→ Realm Lord Seventh RankSixth Floor
10 Starry Sky Giant Beasts — Cang
→ Realm Lord Ninth RankSeventh Floor
Zerg Mother Nest
→ Realm Lord First Realm
Since the Genius Battle's inception—
No one had ever cleared it.
Not once.
But now—
An anomaly had appeared.
Jiang Yan — The Anomaly
"This must be reported."
The Nine Swords Venerable immediately contacted the highest executives of the Virtual Universe Company.
Jiang Yan's existence could not be treated casually.
He would be protected, monitored, and prioritized.
The tragedy that once befell Ke Ti—
Would never be allowed to repeat.
Seventh Trial Tower — First Floor
A colossal golden staff phantom, tens of kilometers long, descended from the heavens.
The strike carried absolute suppression.
The ten thousand Blood-Haired Mammoths—
Exploded instantly into crimson mist.
Not resistance.
Not struggle.
Erasure.
"Using the seventh layer on you…"
Jiang Yan shook his head lightly.
"Feels like using a butcher's blade on ants."
But this speed was necessary.
That single strike—
Consumed half of his remaining spiritual power.
The Virtual Universe body was only Star Ninth Rank, after all.
The only reason he could unleash this strike—
Was because his spiritual amplitude had exceeded several hundred.
Data Update
Participant: Jiang Yan
Points: 17,777,770,000
Rank: 1
Teleportation activated.
Second Floor
Ten thousand Nine-Headed Pythons surged forward.
Jiang Yan raised the Yan Divine Weapon once more.
Seventh Layer — Heaven and Earth Shatter.
Another instant kill.
"…Spiritual power depleted."
Jiang Yan exhaled slowly and returned the divine weapon to storage.
"A warrior's methods will suffice from here."
A purple-gold battle spear appeared in his grasp.
Third Floor — Tuo Luo Warriors
"So this is their strength…"
Jiang Yan's gaze sharpened.
"Individually—Realm Lord First Rank."
"Together—approaching the Third Rank."
He finally felt pressure.
"Then—"
"The Domain-Level Chapter of the Four Elephants Spear Codex."
"Fourth Form—Sky-Splitting!"
The spear thrust forward.
Golden law-origin surged.
A river of radiant metal-law energy tore through the battlefield.
Hundreds of Tuo Luo Warriors detonated on contact.
Within ten breaths—
All one thousand were annihilated.
"This body really is lacking."
Jiang Yan frowned.
The consumption was brutal.
He could not maintain this pace.
"The remaining strength should carry me to the sixth floor."
"I'll recover there."
Soon—
The Flying Ya Beasts fell.
The Mechanical Puppets were crushed.
Jiang Yan reached the Sixth Floor, immediately concealing himself and entering recovery.
Elsewhere
Luo Feng.
Yi Feng.
Candita.
One by one—
They were eliminated.
Luo Feng surged at the final moment, overtaking Guthro and claiming third place.
Bolan — Seventh Trial Tower
After slaying the Sixth Tower's Zerg Mother Nest, Bolan checked the rankings.
And froze.
Jiang Yan's points—
Had already exceeded 50 billion.
"…Still ahead?"
His blood ignited.
"If you can pass—"
"Then so can I!"
With roaring battle intent—
Bolan stepped into the Seventh Trial Tower.
The final confrontation—
Was inevitable.