Chapter 78: Fighting the Supremes 94th floor. A young woman with flowing red hair was standing in the center of a vast platform, her slender fingers dancing over the strings of a violin. The melody that poured forth was a strange contradiction—it sounded terrifying, like the dirge of a dying world, yet it somehow soothed the heart and made the soul feel as if it were drifting on a gentle sea. This was Tasya Virellian, the 7th and youngest Supreme of the Primordial Humans. She was from an X-level contracted civilization too. She wore a long red gown that rippled like liquid fire around her ankles. Her face was hidden under a thin, gauzy veil, but her presence was enough to make the entire floor feel sacred and oppressive at the same time. Ethan just stood there, unmoving, letting her finish the haunting piece without any interruption. The echoing notes filled the air for five minutes straight, each rise and fall striking something ancient in the hearts of all who listened. Finally, the bow lifted from the strings, and the last vibration vanished into silence. Ethan bowed respectfully, his voice steady. "It is an honor to be in your presence, Supreme." Tasya’s veil shifted slightly as she smiled. "Raise your head. I am not a Supreme today—at least not this version. That title is for my future self. Right now, in this place, I am only your opponent. Don’t hold anything back... or you may never get another chance to use your power." Ethan lifted his head, and a faint smile touched his lips. "As you wish, Supreme. Please forgive me if I end this battle quickly." He already knew the might of Supreme Tasya—or rather, the Emperor version of her projection. Her raw strength was an astronomical 8 quadrillion tonnes of force. Quite a number—but not enough. He raised his sword in one hand, the blade shimmering as if hungry for the contest. Tasya did not put her violin away. Instead, she lifted it again, nestling it beneath her chin. The gentle melody Ethan had heard a moment ago began to play again, drifting across the platform like a soft lullaby. But within seconds, that illusion was gone. The sound transformed into a crushing wave of apocalyptic resonance that struck Ethan’s body and mind at once. It felt as if a billion invisible hands were clawing at him, trying to tear out his soul and shred his consciousness. The air quivered, reality itself seeming to warp under the pressure of the music. But Ethan’s physique and spirit each had 64 quadrillion points. That monstrous foundation meant the assault washed over him like rain over an unbreakable wall. He didn’t even flinch. He didn’t attack either. He could feel Tasya hadn’t reached her peak yet, and he intended to give her that dignity—to let her climb to the summit of her power before he brought her down. Each moment that passed, the sound grew sharper, heavier, more horrifying. In the vast space where seven grand thrones were suspended in the void, Vaelith Terescova—the 5th Supreme—watched with an amused smile. "Oh Tasya... it seems your violin can’t do any harm to this young man." Tasya’s voice answered calmly, though there was a strain in her tone. "Just wait. It hasn’t reached its peak yet." Below, Ethan could feel the crescendo building. The vibration was now at 30 quadrillion strength, a hurricane of resonance that threatened to rupture the very platform beneath his feet. Still, he waited. Another thirty seconds passed. The pressure reached a terrifying climax—64 quadrillion. The same as Ethan’s base strength. But Ethan was wearing his Elemental Armor, a dense overlay of energy that amplified his defense, body, and soul by another fivefold. It meant the music, no matter how violent, was as harmless as a lullaby. When he was sure it would climb no higher, Ethan spoke, his voice cutting through the cacophony. "Supreme. It’s my turn now." His sword began to gleam with cold brilliance. Out of respect, he decided to use both Sword Intent and Extinction in tandem. The instant he swung, the world turned white. A horrendous torrent of annihilating sword force erupted. Tasya’s figure was instantly engulfed and obliterated, scattering into motes of dissolving light. This fight made every single Primordial Human rise to their feet. Even those who usually lounged in floating chairs stood ramrod straight, because watching a battle of this level while seated felt like an unforgivable disrespect. Zenos felt his throat turn to dust. He couldn’t swallow. Aurelia was trembling uncontrollably, her heartbeat thundering in her ears. This man... he was out of her league. Would he ever even glance at her after today? Can she ask for help from such a person? Dragon, Leon, and every Emperor of Earth,clenched their right fists and pressed them over their hearts, heads bowed low. This was the respect Ethan deserved. The 7th Supreme had been defeated—and not merely defeated, but crushed so utterly that her soul imprint couldn’t even linger. Even the most exalted powerhouses were astonished beyond measure. Far away, Arthur Gray, who had gone as an emissary to Earth was also watching. He exhaled slowly, feeling a chill. Our race... will probably welcome its eighth Supreme in the future if he keeps growing. At that moment, he heard Queen Freya’s voice in his mind. [Emissary Arthur. From this day onward, you are assigned to be the guardian of Earth. You may take anyone under your command to do so.] Arthur nodded solemnly. He understood the importance. Too many spies and hidden claws lurked among them. The news of this battle was probably already spreading among their enemies. Virtual Universe, Primordial Tower. [Congratulations, Ethan Hunt. Do you wish to proceed further or rest?] "Proceed." Ethan’s figure vanished in a ripple of energy and reappeared on the 95th floor. There, the 6th Supreme stood, his broad back turned. His hands were clasped behind him in an ancient, regal posture. Ethan bowed. "It’s an honor, Supreme." This was Orien Blackspire, a man nearly two meters tall. Long silver hair drifted around his shoulders, catching the faint ambient light. Even from behind, he radiated the oppressive calm of a monarch. Slowly, Orien turned to face him. His red pupils glowed with a magnetic allure. "I won’t say anything unnecessary," he murmured, his voice low as thunder. "Attack with everything you have, Ethan Hunt." Ethan didn’t waste time. Ten dark flying knives materialized around him, spinning lazily in the air. He began to float, his aura swelling until it blanketed the entire floor in suffocating pressure. The knives accelerated. A casual observer would only see blurs of shadow. Even an Emperor would struggle to follow them. Orien extended one hand. A shimmering defensive sphere enveloped him, flickering with layered sigils. His base strength was 15 quadrillion—a fortress that could withstand armies. The knives struck. The sphere fractured instantly, shattering like brittle glass. Orien’s eyes widened a fraction—an expression of faint surprise. Before he could speak, the knives descended again, slicing his projection apart as easily as if they were dicing cabbage. Vaelith’s laughter drifted across the Hall of Supremes. "Junior brother... it looks like you can’t stop this little guy either." Orien just snorted. "Let’s see how you deal with him." Vaelith just laughed again, a musical sound that made the hall tremble. Ethan proceeded to the 96th floor without a word. A woman with flowing green hair was waiting. He almost stumbled when he appeared, teleporting right in front of her. This was Vaelith Terescova, the 5th Supreme of humanity. She was holding an ornate Chinese fan in her delicate hand, its ribs carved from jade. She smiled at Ethan, warm and almost motherly. But somehow, that smile made his spine break into cold sweat. Ethan bowed low, unsure what kind of nightmare this floor would bring. As he reached for his sword, Vaelith tilted her head and sighed. "Oh, dear... would you really resort to such violence against a helpless woman like me?" Ethan froze like a wooden statue, his hand hovering over the hilt. A chill worse than any battlefield seeped into his marrow. Then Vaelith laughed,her laughter rang out like a heavenly bell. "Look how cute you are. No need to be so surprised." She fluttered her fan lazily. "I admit defeat. You may go on and mop the floor with big brother." Ethan didn’t even have time to respond before the system teleported him away. Tasya and Orien, watching from the Hall of Supremes, exclaimed in unison, "That’s not fair, big sister! How could you do that?" 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖 Tasya was already regretting it. If she had been a little smarter, she might have surrendered too, sparing herself the humiliation of total annihilation. Vaelith just snorted and ignored them both. "She has her own dignity. No way she’d let her soul imprint be obliterated by someone in the Emperor Realm. Hmph." Ethan found himself on the 97th floor. The 4th Supreme, Zevaris Ashron, awaited him—a man whose body radiated 30 quadrillion strength. Ethan chatted with him for a few minutes out of courtesy, then raised his sword. "Extinction." In a heartbeat, the floor cleared. Outside the tower, the world was now so silent it seemed even the wind refused to blow. No one dared breathe too fast. If they missed even a moment, they felt they’d never forgive themselves. 98th floor. The 3rd Supreme, Varin Grimholt, stood like an iron mountain, strength at 35 quadrillion. He too fell to Extinction. The 99th floor. Noah Voidstar, the 2nd supreme,was waiting for him—a man with calm eyes and the aura of an emperor above all emperors. His base strength was 45 quadrillion. Ethan bowed, solemn. "It’s an honor to fight you, Your Highness—the 2nd Supreme." Noah nodded gravely, his gaze like the abyss itself. He drew a long, black spear, its edge crackling with dark lightning. This time, Ethan felt a rare thrill. This battle would not end in a blink. This battle would be cataclysmic.