In the vast void, Wu Yuan found himself momentarily bewildered.

How is it that I haven't finished Jin Tong off yet? Despite my mana body going all out, I can only suppress him?

He realized that although both possessed Apotheosis roots, his mana body lacked the burst power of his ether body. Had his ether body been the one engaging in close combat, Jin Tong likely wouldn't have survived this long.

Nonetheless, Wu Yuan felt assured that his Apotheosis root would eventually allow him to secure victory.

If my qi refiner self wielded my lifebound flying swords, the battle would likely end swiftly.

He mused.

The lifebound flying swords were his qi refiner self's strongest killing move. However, the Jin Tong before him was probably just an ether body, with his true self possessing greater strength.

I’m being utterly suppressed.

Jin Tong struggled against Wu Yuan's relentless assault.

He’s unlike any other High Immortal I’ve faced, even those who have mastered Sovereign-level techniques. The unpredictability and ferocity of his attacks are overwhelming.

Jin Tong's mind raced, dissecting the situation: First, Wu Yuan's mana body wielded superior artifacts, akin to commanding eighteen mid-grade Dao Instrument flying swords. How could an ordinary High Immortal manage such a feat?

Second, Wu Yuan's approach was purely offensive, neglecting defense altogether and relying on his ability to slip into a higher spatial dimension, rendering him nearly invincible.

The key is his mana. More artifacts and greater power would logically result in higher consumption.

Jin Tong realized, yet he couldn’t figure out how Wu Yuan was managing it.

The two sides clashed dozens of times more.

Flee!

Jin Tong's form flickered as he attempted to escape. Realizing he was no match for Wu Yuan's mana body, retreat was his only option.

However, Wu Yuan seemed to anticipate this move.

Boom!

Without warning, waves of power crashed into Jin Tong's mind, akin to a massive bell reverberating violently in his head. His thoughts turned hazy, his senses dulled by the overwhelming assault.

Soul secret art—Star Seal! It was unleashed by Wu Yuan's qi refiner self, a stealthy ambush aimed directly at Jin Tong's ether body.

In that critical moment, a singular thought flashed through Jin Tong's mind—this was the end! Instinct took over as he wildly swung his sabers, desperate to fend off Wu Yuan's impending onslaught.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Within the vast sword domain, two more sword arrays manifested, joining the original.

Three sword arrays, three radiant streaks of silver, flashed through the domain like bolts of lightning targeting Jin Tong.

Clang! Clang! Whoosh~

Jin Tong, barely conscious, managed to block two of the arrays, but the final silver light sliced through, severing two of his arms. His flawless saber technique, powered by nine arms, was abruptly compromised.

Pain—a searing, intense pain—snapped Jin Tong back to clarity as he retreated swiftly.

"Impossible!" he raged, eyes wide with disbelief at the three sword arrays hovering ominously in the void. How could a single mana body command so many mid-grade Dao Instrument flying swords?

"Die!" Wu Yuan's voice was icy, offering no explanations. The sword domain's formidable suppression ensured Jin Tong could not escape its confines.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The three sword arrays merged into a singular force, slicing through the void. The surrounding spacetime turned chaotic, dim, and blurry as the arrays intersected repeatedly.

Swoosh~

Blood and flesh erupted into the air. Jin Tong fought with desperation, but with Wu Yuan's qi refiner self secretly providing assistance, Jin Tong's efforts were all futile.

In just a few exchanges, Jin Tong lost yet another arm.

Bang~

A sword array crashed into Jin Tong's head, causing it to explode and severely diminishing his combat ability.

Even though High Deities could survive without their heads, and could regrow them over time, losing one's head temporarily weakened their power by a significant level.

Poof~

As the sword lights weaved, what remained of Jin Tong's body was utterly obliterated and annihilated.

At last, silence enveloped the void, leaving only Jin Tong's scattered artifacts.

Those who master Sovereign-level techniques are truly powerful. Jin Tong's strength was likely a notch above Mu Long, stronger than Xuan Rong too.

Wu Yuan had faced several geniuses proficient in Sovereign-level techniques and understood the strength of those at this level.

If my true self hadn't intervened, my mana body could still have eliminated him, though it would have taken more effort.

Wu Yuan reflected. He shook his head slightly, his gaze drifting back over tens of millions of li to the temple where the mist was slowly dissipating.

Jin Tong had been intent on escaping, and if Wu Yuan relied solely on his mana body to confront him, it would have necessitated a grueling chase of over a million li to ensure Jin Tong's end.

With the treasure poised to emerge at any moment, Wu Yuan chose to act decisively—first disrupting Jin Tong's consciousness with a soul attack, then having his qi refiner self join forces with his mana body, executing Jin Tong in a single, decisive strike.

Everything had unfolded precisely as Wu Yuan had planned.

Wu Yuan frowned suddenly, his expression darkening.

This bunch.

He cast a disdainful glance at the onlookers who watched the battle.

They deserve death.

A deafening boom shattered the air as Wu Yuan sprang into action. Guided by his Soul Will’s perception, he pinpointed the exact locations of these geniuses and charged right at them.

…

"Ming Jian actually won?"

"Jin Tong lost!"

"In such a short time, not only was there a decisive victor, but the loser was killed?"

“Jin Tong’s ether body died?” Murmurs of shock rippled through the crowd.

They had anticipated that even if Ming Jian had overwhelming burst power, he would only suppress Jin Tong at best. A kill seemed far-fetched.

Yet, the reality defied their expectations. Just as Jin Tong hinted at retreat, Ming Jian erupted with newfound ferocity, his power escalating dramatically to deliver the fatal blow to Jin Tong.

"What just happened?"

"Could Ming Jian be a Supreme Genius?"

"It doesn't seem that way," Confusion was written on their faces.

Their thoughts were abruptly interrupted as Wu Yuan charged violently toward them, his intent unmistakable.

"Not good.”

"Get away!"

"Ming Jian is attacking!" The group of geniuses immediately scattered in all directions, fleeing for their lives.

Slash! Slash!

Sword lights sliced through the air, and one genius after another fell under Wu Yuan's pursuit. In the frenzy, over ten geniuses were slaughtered, and the rest fled in terror, unwilling to approach the treasure site again.

…

With the potential threats eliminated and the crowd dispersed, Wu Yuan returned to his spot above the temple. He meticulously examined the treasures he had acquired, satisfaction tracing his features.

As expected of the number one genius of Heaven’s Thunder Academy.

He mused, a faint smile playing on his lips.

Wielding a Sovereign-level technique truly sets one apart.

The treasures he obtained from killing Jin Tong's ether body were equivalent to the bounty he would gain from one to two hundred geniuses.

Wu Yuan was aware that a significant portion of Jin Tong's treasures were battle spoils. Either way, the profits from this battle were immense.

No wonder those super powerhouses amass greater and greater wealth as their strength grows.

Wu Yuan thought to himself. Their overpowering strength and longevity often led to exponential increases in wealth.

After this battle, few in Divine Domain World 36 will dare to challenge me.

Wu Yuan thought with a smile.

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

He settled into a meditative lotus position in the void, patiently waiting for the temple to open.

After a moment of contemplation, Wu Yuan decided to report the event and outcome of the battle to the Taiyuan Divine Court, ensuring Overlord Xin Ya and others were informed.

…

As Wu Yuan had expected, the clash between his qi refiner self and Jin Tong quickly became the talk of the town. With a host of geniuses from various factions witnessing the battle, it ensured that news of the confrontation spread like wildfire.

The Megaverse Crossroads hadn’t opened for long, and such fights among the top-tier geniuses were rare, making this battle all the more notable.

Previously, the only other significant duel among Supreme Geniuses had been between Zhu Shan and Yu Xiang.

Now, the fierce exchange between Ming Jian and Jin Tong was hailed as equally monumental. The outcome? Ming Jian emerged triumphant, slaying Jin Tong.

This victory captured the attention of numerous Saintdoms and indelibly etched Ming Jian's name in the minds of countless geniuses across the Divine Domain Worlds.

Ming Jian demonstrated not only his formidable self-preservation abilities but also his mastery of Sovereign-level techniques, proving to be ferocious in direct combat.

"In Divine Domain World 36, Ming Jian should be considered the strongest."

"He’s the top in this world."

"Even Jin Tong couldn’t withstand his attacks; we'd meet the same fate if we faced him."

These thoughts reflected the sentiment among many geniuses from Divine Domain World 36, who firmly remembered Ming Jian's prowess and appearance. If they ever encountered him, they would flee without hesitation.

…

This triumph delighted the leadership of the Taiyuan Divine Court. Throughout its storied history, the Taiyuan Divine Court had rarely produced a peerless talent who could rise to fame at the Megaverse Crossroads.

In the Greenridge Macrocosm.

"Haha, splendid!" Sovereign Bei You reveled in the news. "I told you his qi refiner self isn't much weaker than his body refiner self." Sovereign Bei You was visibly pleased, sitting in a pavilion and savoring his wine.

The latest intelligence from the Taiyuan Divine Court about Wu Yuan's qi refiner self's rampage had reached him, giving him a great deal of satisfaction.

"He’s that powerful?" Sovereign Kua Chi mused, furrowing his brow. Although happy for Wu Yuan, he noted that there had been no word of Wu Yuan's body refiner self making a similar impact.

"Don't dwell on it," Sovereign Bei You reassured him with a smile. "Kua Chi, the Divine Domain stage favors large-scale ambushes, so his qi refiner self naturally has an advantage. With his mastery over Spacetime, even most Supreme Geniuses can't rival him.

“As for his body refiner self?" Sovereign Bei You continued with a knowing smile, "To make waves, we’ll likely have to wait until the Heavenly Domain stage."

Sovereign Kua Chi nodded, acknowledging the logic.

Yet, despite understanding, annoyance stirred within his heart as he observed Sovereign Bei You’s jubilant expression.

This old fogey.

He muttered under his breath.

…

The world beyond was in turmoil over the fierce battle, but within Divine Domain World 36, a different anticipation loomed.

After an hour of waiting in suspense, a humming resonated as the temple, once concealed in mist, fully revealed itself. The invisible power that had cloaked it dissolved, allowing Wu Yuan to safely advance.

While a handful of geniuses watched from a safe distance of tens of thousands of li, none dared to approach the temple. Those who tried had all met their demise.