Chapter 2872 - 21: Challenge!

Thus, about ten days after Jia Yan’s arrival and the completion of the first battle, the enemy took action once again.

Calling stronger middle-rank galactic existences from other starfields in the rear to participate in battle was no longer feasible due to time constraints.

The enemy’s presence this time includes three middle-stage galactic beings, while the peak of the mid-tier galactic presence, capable of surpassing ordinary middle-tier existences, semi-conceals itself within the warped battlefield at the rear, appearing to spectate from afar, ready to act at any hint of discrepancy.

These three middle-tier galactic beings approached the battle with solemnity, having learned about Jia Yan’s power and speculations from the heavily injured middle-tier galactic existence prior. They felt their ability to contend with Jia Yan might not suffice in true combat.

However, abstaining from battle was not an option, and they had a different plan this time...

"Members of the Insect Queen’s power, please step forward."

This time, the enemy refrained from uttering harsh words and provoking, since the Insect Queen’s side possessed a foe worthy of respect. Although this enemy couldn’t confront their peak mid-tier presence, generally, facing such beings required a bit more respect.

The Insect Queen’s side was accustomed to the enemy’s constant taunting with harsh words, inciting their fury into battle. Now hearing such normal words made them feel a bit uneasy.

Jia Yan didn’t feel anything awkward, just noticed that the enemy seemed to regard them with a modicum of importance.

He naturally assumed leadership; the previous battle had made him the strongest within their holding and a figure others needed to follow.

The middle-stage galactic presence quietly took a step back beside Jia Yan as they advanced together, departing from the force’s holding.

The moment Jia Yan appeared first in the starry sky, the enemy’s three middle-stage galactic beings felt some pressure and fixedly stared at Jia Yan.

As for the figure behind Jia Yan, they didn’t pay much attention.

Not out of disregard, but after so many battles everyone understood that middle-tier galactic presence to some degree, whereas with Jia Yan’s effortless victory in the last match, many were still puzzled about his full strength, creating the need for more scrutiny now.

"Mister Jia Yan, today, we must come to blows. We beg forgiveness if any offense is caused."

The enemy’s opening words surprisingly revealed a slight submission.

Jia Yan was not surprised, having encountered similar situations during previous battles where strength garners courtesy across the universe.

He nodded slightly.

His massive mosquito head shifted gently, with icy light flickering in those compound eyes afterward.

"Certainly, gentlemen. I’ll need your particular care, especially not to act rashly, for I, Jia Yan, will not engage in fruitless fights."

Jia Yan glanced at the peak mid-tier galactic being within the enemy’s camp, speaking playfully.

These words left the hiding figure with a sense of suffocation.

If the battle pushed him to inevitable intervention, he would have acted. But Jia Yan’s words effectively cornered him.

Was he really so timid? Watching this guy fight seemed bold and relentless, almost rogue-like.

A voice emanated from the battleground amid his frustrations.

"Jia Yan, trying to provoke me not to act fruitlessly with words. There are boundaries, and I won’t intervene unless you think of killing; then I’ll act."

He was annoyed; if not for Jia Yan’s strength not matching his own peak mid-tier power, he would have engaged already.

Yet Jia Yan lacked such strength; an attack against him would be bullying, thus forcing tolerance.

"Thank you, sir," Jia Yan respectfully nodded, and then faced the three middle-tier galactic beings before him: "How do you plan to fight today?"

Previous encounter wasn’t this reasonable. Initial skirmishes almost became chaotic with no sense, and even the Insect Queen shamelessly swept away dozens of stellar-level beings when the enemy’s Domain Master creatures hurriedly interfered; otherwise, several galaxy-level existences might have been slaughtered.

However, their wild skirmishing was eventually unacceptable for both sides, hence the existence of current rules, or to be precise, rules inherently existed in many cosmic wars, functioning as the best tool to prevent war escalation with comparable power on both sides.

"Today shall feature a minor skirmish between us, Mister Jia Yan. Your strength appears slightly greater than any one of us three; so today, we’ll fight three against your two. How’s that for you? Alternatively, let the early-stage star-river match a few times first, then our turn once resolved. Whoever loses more should surrender the subsequent commercial star."

Among the enemy’s galactic existences, one with a sharp tongue stepped forward to converse with Jia Yan.

The mentioned commercial star actually lay not far behind Jia Yan’s camp, a planet not large, roughly Earth’s size. If strictly speaking, Jia Yan’s force’s range spanned thousands of kilometers, not much smaller than that planet.

This small commercial star, despite the Insect Queen’s hurried takeover and many locals fleeing, still continuously provided abundant resources and goods daily to the Insect Queen’s side.

This showcased the immense prosperity of the Central Starfield of the Milky Way—where even a commercial star’s output and opulence could rival external vast cosmic productions.

"Well..." Jia Yan was unsure about the limits of the camp’s jurisdiction, so he turned to observe the middle-stage galactic being behind him.

Seeing him discreetly nod, Jia Yan returned his gaze and nodded as well.

"Alright, but if you lose? Is it only us if we lose, surrendering the commercial star, while if you lose there’s no stakes?"

"Hmph, central starfield figures of the Milky Way are no dishonest country bumpkins—if we lose, a commercial star behind you is yours!"

A cold snort from the peak mid-tier galactic being within the camp echoed.

"Haha, that would indeed be ideal. But us two against you three? You seem truthful yet lack fairness."

Jia Yan subtly smiled, retorting sharply.

"You... Jia Yan, don’t provoke me; the wrath of a peak mid-tier existence is intolerable!"

The opposing words nearly infuriated the speaker enough to emerge and fight.

"Oh? I’m not aggravating you; offending a peak mid-tier existence is unwise. Fine, if you wish to fight like this, let’s proceed."

Jia Yan shrugged, signaling a minor gesture with his back towards his middle-stage galactic comrade.

"Can you handle one person?"

"I can, but can you manage two... Are you sure?"

The comrade appeared slightly concerned for Jia Yan.

Although Jia Yan had easily dealt with a middle-tier galaxy being last time, the strength didn’t indicate dealing with two galactic existences.

After all, galaxy-level existences themselves are formidable. Jia Yan, newly promoted to middle-tier, albeit possessing many cards and inherent strength outweighing typical galaxy levels, this didn’t assure handling two.

Even a peak-tier galactic being might struggle against double attacks from middle-tier existences. Despite avoiding combat with a peak tier, facing two ordinary galaxy-level powerhouses seemed contradictory.