Solar Banquet was the gathering of the best geniuses. Even the weakest person in the crowd would reach Level 7. The strongest would reach Level 9.
Sovereign state was up in the air.
Still, just attending the banquet meant the young men and women were extremely talented.
They reached greater levels and combat power than their peers.
In the banquet, duels started to heat up.
It was a tradition of sorts with three purposes.
One, gain experience by fighting geniuses across the federation.
Two, settle any grudges. Killing is frowned upon between high awakeners. Thus, a Duel became the only way to resolve them.
Third, Establish dominance of one's native planet.
The Federation's eight planets had varying populations, resources and geographies.
But the ones that stood out the most were Earth and Neptune.
Earth, as the origin planet of humans remained the most influential planet to date.
Then came Neptune.
All other planets that faced only threat of their respective Abyss.
Not Neptune.
It was the farthest planet of the federation.
Ever since Pluto was occupied by the Abyssals, Neptune's pressure skyrocketed.
They had to deal with a belligerent Thunder Abyss whilst also guarding against the Fallen Pluto.
Thankfully, right after the Pluto War ended, Military increased the deployments on Neptune.
Instead of defeating Neptune in a two front war, the Abyssals instead strengthened it.
Men and women that lost their loved ones in the Pluto War rushed to Neptune. Millions of new soldiers were created overnight.
With the two front war, these new recruits from innocent stone to blood thirsty blades.
After being used as whetstones to sharpen the army, Abyssals became the live targets.
The frontlines of Neptune-Pluto is the largest in the federation.
There were many planetoids, asteroids, space stations and military fortresses between the two.
As a result, there were battlefields of almost every level, right from Level 9 all the way down to level 7.
Under such conditions, even kids on Neptune were said to have participated in the frontlines.
Perhaps its as a joke, but the matter of fact was that every genius here fought in the frontlines.
Of course, the geniuses who attended the banquet were people who fought on the planetoids and slayed hundreds of Abyssals.
But the geniuses of Neptune were on another level entirely.
The bloodlust emitted from an average Neptune genius was far heavier and sharper. An ordinary person would have a cardiac arrest just from their killing intent.
During the battle, such bloodlust serves as a great deterrence.
It was normal for other planet geniuses to challenge the ones from Neptune.
That was why…
"Earth's Varian, level 5. Please advise." Varian said to the young man in front.
"Huh?" The young man turned around with a frown, his eyes scanning Varian for a moment before he frowned deeply.
His two compassions also glanced at Varian and opened their comms to check his information.
In a short moment, they shared his information to the young man.
Varian noticed a touch of disdain in the depths of the opponent's eyes.
His information spread.
Being the disciple of Evander brought him some protection, but hadn't garnered any respect.
For Neptuners who consider battle above everything, the fact that his last public fight was only a Level 4 Narcis must be disappointing. Even humiliating.
His latest combat prowess was only low Level 5.
By challenging them, was this earthling looking down on them?
"Get lost. I got no time to play with the likes of you." The young man waved his hand, as his muscles that rivaled watermelons shook.
His two followers, twin grisl immediately followed.
"Fuck off! Even if we are at almost bottom, we are better than you."
"Yes. Even I disdain to fight you."
Varian raised an eyebrow, and locked his sight with the young man's. With contempt, he snickered. "Afraid?"
"What did you say?" Veins popped up on the young man's head as he almost rushed towards Varian.
"If you have balls, fight me." Varian continued to provoke without any remorse. Richard's words that his actions represent Evander were long thrown out of his mind.
The reason?
After since the incident where he disintegrated the walls in ghostship, the capabilities of the System, no, his permissions slightly increased.
A blue screen that only Varian could see floated above the young man.
[Level 5. Dual Awakener. Enhanced Level 5. Telepath Level 4.]
That's right! This was the new ability.
Unless the other party hid their aura completely, Varian would know their divine paths and levels.
Of course, not even the best geniuses here could completely hide their aura.
Most could only restrain it. Or Varian would even know whether they were high level 5, or low level 5.
With this god sent ability, Varian didn't just pick anyone.
He was fishing for a suitable target and checked out at least a hundred geniuses already.
He marked off some as targets he would eventually fight. Just not for the first match.
This guy had the honor.
"Come! I just wanted to be kind. Since you want to be humiliated, then humiliated you will." The young man snarled and raised his hand.
"Nalp vs Varian, Duel"
"Varian vs Nalp, Duel!"
Following their words, a barrier spanning five hundred meters in radius covered them.
"You earthings are arrogant to a fault." Nalp sneered and his body slightly leaned forward, ready for a strike. "You might be stronger than me in the future, but now, learn to keep your head down. Or I'll do it myself."
With those words, Nalp's body lunged forward.
Even though he despised Varian, he went all out from the beginning.
Only a fool wouldn't. Having experienced countless battles, Nalp didn't make that mistake.
His killing intent also exploded, intending to suppress Varian right off the bat.
But..
Having experienced the pressure of Abyss Emperor clone, Varian found this killing intent lacking.
He prepared to block and counter attack, but—
Boom!
A prickling pain coursed through his mind. It was as if icy needles and molding blades were pricing his brain.
In the midst of the pain, he sensed something intrude his mind.
As Nalp dashed at him, Varian heard a click.
His surroundings changed. The banquet hall vanished and he found himself in the middle of a dense forest.
Illusion through mental power!
