Hearing this, Lin Xiao frowned and immediately asked Sheng Qian Yu, “Is that all there is to the Sheng Shi Token?”
“The Sheng Shi Token is meant only for the most exceptional genius. Thus, even if you receive it now, if someone defeats you in the fifth round of the assembly, the Sheng Shi Token will no longer be yours.”
Sheng Qian Yu continued, “Moreover, not only within the battlefield array but also outside it, life and death are irrelevant!”
Lin Xiao’s brow furrowed. It seemed the Sheng Shi Token was not so easy to claim. “Furthermore, even after the Southeast Region Youth Assembly ends, those of the same age or cultivation tier, specifically divided into early, middle, and high stages, such as you now, with only seventh-stage Martial Venerable cultivation and no spiritual power, anyone at the high-stage Martial Venerable or fifth-grade advanced spirit controller level, regardless of age, can challenge you for the Sheng Shi Token at any time, with life and death irrelevant!”
Sheng Qian Yu went on, “Anyone of the same age, no matter how much higher their cultivation, can also challenge you, with life and death irrelevant.”
“Of course, challenges are fair. There will be no consecutive battles, nor will you be forced to fight while injured or in seclusion. If there’s any unfairness, you can request your elders or even my Sheng family to mediate.”
“Additionally, challenges don’t necessarily require a fight to the death. Even if you lose, as long as you can escape your opponent or they choose to spare you, you can walk away unharmed.”
Sheng Qian Yu carefully explained the rules of the Sheng Shi Token, then said solemnly, “The Sheng Shi Token belongs only to the strongest of the same tier, the strongest of the same age. Lin Xiao, do you dare accept it now?”
Sheng Qian Yu’s gaze fixed on Lin Xiao. Everyone present watched him closely, many youths’ eyes gleaming with fervor.
Some gazes carried thick killing intent.
Most people speculated whether Lin Xiao would dare accept the Sheng Shi Token.
“Lin Xiao, the Sheng Shi Token is merely a hollow honour. It brings endless trouble with no real benefits. If you want it, you can grow stronger and challenge for it later!” Zi Huang transmitted to Lin Xiao.
However, Lin Xiao ignored him and responded to Sheng Qian Yu, “Why wouldn’t I dare? I’ll accept the Sheng Shi Token!”
His voice was clear and resolute, exuding boundless confidence.
The crowd felt infected by Lin Xiao’s aura.
Worthy of being the top genius of the Southeast Region Youth Assembly preliminary ranking. Even facing all the experts of the final ranking, even confronting all peers or same-tier powerhouses in the southeast region, he showed no fear, no retreat, embodying the demeanor of a generation’s prodigy.
Truly worthy of the Sheng Shi Token!
In reality, Lin Xiao wasn’t as noble as the crowd thought. He merely coveted the Sheng Shi Stone, not aiming to be the supreme genius of the era.
Once he refined the Sheng Shi Stone, he planned to deliberately pass the token to someone else. He had no interest in endless trouble.
As for life-and-death challenges, whether inside or outside the array, now or in the future, he feared no one in the same tier. Among peers, few could threaten him.
Even in the final assembly ranking, those older and stronger than him would struggle to kill him.
Thus, he wouldn’t refuse the Sheng Shi Token, not for honour, but for the Sheng Shi Stone.
Zi Huang was speechless. He had just warned Lin Xiao, yet he accepted it.
Ling Xiao, however, wasn’t too concerned. He wasn’t as familiar with the Sheng Shi Token or the final assembly ranking as Zi Huang and others.
To him, Lin Xiao’s displayed strength suggested he could protect himself, so there wasn’t much to worry about.
“Too young, too reckless!” the Wanxiang Pavilion master sighed. If it were only same-age or same-tier opponents, Lin Xiao was undeniably the strongest, and accepting the token would be fine.
But the final assembly ranking included geniuses under twenty-five from the eight major sects, far stronger than those in the preliminary ranking.
In past assemblies, the top ten of the final ranking were mostly dominated by the eight sects and four chambers.
Accepting the token now was clearly premature, putting Lin Xiao in a dangerous position.
“This kid…” Shi Jin Dou sighed, unsure whether to laugh or cry.
“Since you dare accept it, the Sheng Shi Token is yours!” Sheng Qian Yu declared loudly, tossing the token.
As the dark stone token flew towards him, Lin Xiao’s eyes burned with anticipation. He reached out, grasping it in his hand.
Instantly, his fingers felt a unique stone texture, an ancient aura surging into his hand.
Suddenly, his right arm, like a starving ghost encountering a feast after millennia, instinctively activated its petrification power, eager to absorb the stone into his hand.
Lin Xiao’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly circulated his petrification power to stop his arm’s transformation, releasing his fingers to avoid touching the stone further.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He hadn’t expected his Sealing Heaven Stone Hand to react so strongly to the Sheng Shi Stone.
If he hadn’t controlled it and refined the Sheng Shi Token on the spot, what would the Martial Emperors and countless people present think?
Sheng Qian Yu, who bestowed the token, might have slapped him dead on impulse.
Wiping the sweat from his face with his left hand, Lin Xiao looked at the Sheng Shi Token in his palm. Apart from its ancient appearance, it was unremarkable, a simple square stone token without any patterns, utterly plain.
However, in the centre of the token’s front was a small indentation containing a uniquely dark grain of sand-like stone.
At a glance, this stone gave an otherworldly sensation, as if it held mysterious, unfathomable power, brimming with an ancient, enigmatic aura.
“Worthy of the Sheng Shi Stone that even Martial Emperors cannot destroy. Truly mysterious. If I refine it, my petrification power should improve greatly, right?” Lin Xiao thought secretly.
“Alright, everyone, the fourth round of the Southeast Region Youth Assembly is now officially over. The fifth round begins in one month. During this time, no one may challenge Lin Xiao for the Sheng Shi Token. Disperse!” Sheng Qian Yu waved his hand, addressing the crowd.
At his words, discussions erupted, voices buzzing incessantly. With the Sheng Shi Token bestowed, everyone grew even more eager for the final assembly ranking. After Zi Huang exchanged pleasantries with some old friends, Lin Xiao returned with him and others to the Tian Jiao Inn.
