“With the strength of our Zi family, there are indeed few who can truly threaten us. However, even for Martial Emperor factions, competition is fierce,” Zi Ling said, looking at Lin Xiao’s puzzled expression. “Do you know how many Martial Emperor factions exist in the Southeast Region?”
Lin Xiao shook his head. He was unfamiliar with the factions of the Southeast Region.
Even the Ling family likely knew little about them. After all, the Southeast Region was vast, and with the Ling family’s strength and perspective, they could hardly compare to the Zi family’s stature.
As she had suspected, Lin Xiao knew nothing of Martial Emperors. Zi Ling began to explain, “The Southeast Region has a total of thirty-six major Martial Emperor factions. These factions are all led by Martial Emperor families, essentially family-based powers.”
“Thirty-six Martial Emperor factions?” Lin Xiao was taken aback.
Thirty-six Martial Emperor factions meant there were thirty-six Martial Emperor powerhouses in the Southeast Region?
Martial Emperors were true powerhouses, having stepped into the higher tiers of martial arts. To think the Southeast Region had so many?
Zi Ling nodded and continued, “Besides the thirty-six Martial Emperor factions, the Southeast Region also has eight super sects. These sects are even more powerful than our family factions, each boasting multiple Martial Emperors.”
Lin Xiao was shocked again. The Southeast Region was home to so many colossal powers? “No wonder it’s the Southeast Region, far beyond what places like the southeast corner can compare to. My perspective has been too narrow,” he sighed, then turned to Zi Ling. “These factions are indeed formidable, beyond my expectations. But even so, they must be quite distant from the Zi family, right?”
No matter how powerful a faction was, if they were too far away, they’d have little to do with each other. The Zi family likely wouldn’t have much interaction with the eight super sects or multiple Martial Emperor factions.
“Our Zi family borders the Jin family, and our main competitor is usually the Jin family. We don’t have much interaction with other factions,” Zi Ling said. “However, every ten years, the Southeast Region holds a Youth Summit. All thirty-six families participate, and for these factions, each summit is a grand gamble.”
Lin Xiao was surprised again. A summit of the most outstanding youths from the thirty-six Martial Emperor factions? That would truly be a grand event for the younger generation.
In the vast Southeast Region, how many exceptional youths would there be, and how monstrous would the top contenders be?
But what did she mean by a grand gamble?
Was this why Zi Ling had sought him out?
At this thought, Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly. Unfazed by his reaction, Zi Ling continued, “At every Southeast Region Youth Summit, each Martial Emperor family must offer twenty cities, totaling seven hundred and twenty cities. These cities are then distributed based on the youths’ strength rankings. For those too distant to govern the cities, they can be exchanged for Qingling Stones or items of equivalent value.”
Lin Xiao was stunned again. Each faction had to offer twenty cities? Even a faction like the Cao or Xu families, with ninth-stage Martial Monarchs, only controlled five cities. For a Martial Emperor faction to offer twenty cities for a summit was an enormous stake.
He couldn’t help but marvel at the might of Martial Emperor factions, capable of putting forth such resources.
He could also imagine the scale of the summit’s stakes—seven hundred and twenty cities, likely not small ones either. The wealth involved was unimaginable.
No wonder Zi Ling called it a grand gamble.
Each faction offering twenty cities, only to have them redistributed based on rankings, was indeed a massive wager.
“Each faction sends its five most outstanding young disciples, totaling one hundred and eighty participants. Only the top one hundred receive city rewards, with higher rankings earning more cities,” Zi Ling said, her eyes gleaming as she looked at Lin Xiao. “And for this upcoming Southeast Region Youth Summit, in about half a year, our Zi family plans to give one of those spots to you.”
Lin Xiao was momentarily stunned. As he’d suspected, the Zi family wanted him to represent them at the Southeast Region Youth Summit.
“With the summit filled with countless geniuses and powerhouses, and my current cultivation—unable to even handle two of the Cao family’s prodigies—do you think I can secure a good ranking for the Zi family?” Lin Xiao asked candidly.
He was stating facts. The age limit for the summit wasn’t clear, but it was likely under thirty. At such an age, he struggled against Cao Xueqing, the Cao family’s second-ranked genius. The top genius of the Cao family was likely stronger, and the prodigies cultivated by Martial Emperor factions with vast resources would be even more formidable. How could he achieve a decent ranking with his cultivation?
Zi Ling gave him a slightly scornful look. “There’s still half a year, isn’t there? With your talent, you should make significant progress in that time. Besides, the summit is restricted to those under twenty-five. The strength of those prodigies won’t be overwhelmingly terrifying.”
“Under twenty-five?” Lin Xiao paused. That age limit would exclude many older prodigies.
Otherwise, twenty-nine- or thirty-year-old prodigies could dominate through sheer cultivation.
“What’s the typical cultivation level of the top prodigies under twenty-five from Martial Emperor factions?” he asked curiously.
“Not too strong—probably peak Martial Venerable or early-stage Martial Monarch,” Zi Ling estimated.
Lin Xiao felt a wave of speechlessness. These prodigies were likely all capable of fighting above their level. How could he compete against Martial Monarch-level prodigies? Seeing his reaction, Zi Ling teased, “Hey, don’t look so reluctant. The Southeast Region Youth Summit is exclusive to the thirty-six factions. Countless others would kill for a chance to participate. Those from other factions must join a major faction and compete against their geniuses to even qualify. With your ambition, don’t tell me you’re not interested in this summit.”
“Do you know how much I argued with my great-grandfather for this spot?” she added, glaring at him.
“Fine, I’ll participate, but I can’t guarantee a good ranking,” Lin Xiao finally nodded.
Deep down, as a steadfast martial artist, he was naturally intrigued by the Southeast Region Youth Summit and eager to face its top young talents.
However, with the top prodigies of Martial Emperor factions already at the Martial Monarch level, he wasn’t sure if he could reach a level capable of challenging early-stage Martial Monarchs in just half a year.
Hearing his agreement, Zi Ling’s face lit up with joy. “I knew you’d join. But while my great-grandfather is willing to give you a chance, whether you can actually participate depends on you.”
“Our Zi family only has five spots, and countless young geniuses from various factions will compete for them. The Zi family will also open these spots to youths willing to serve us.”
Lin Xiao frowned, a bit exasperated. “So, you’re saying this spot you’re offering me is basically no guarantee at all?”
