“The Jin Clan’s direct-line prodigies of this generation are roughly similar to the Zi Clan’s, about seven or eight in total,” Zi Ling replied. “For this group battle, both clans have confirmed two direct-line participants. The Jin Clan’s are Jin Zhengyang, at the ninth level of Martial Venerable, and Jin Zhengji, at the eighth level. Their strength is comparable to our Zi Clan’s Zi Yi and Zi Hui. Zi Hui was defeated by Jian Wuqu in ten moves, but you don’t need to worry about Jin Zhengji.”
“As for Jin Zhengyang, if you were still at the fourth level of Martial Venerable, you’d need to be cautious. But now that you’ve broken through to the fifth level, it shouldn’t be much of an issue.”
“Our Zi Clan’s Zi Yi and Zi Hui will also participate, helping you take down Jin Zhengyang and Jin Zhengji. As for any fallout from the Jin Clan, you don’t need to worry, the Zi Clan will handle it.”
“Two direct-line prodigies?” Lin Xiao sighed, then asked curiously, “What about the stronger direct-line prodigies of the Zi and Jin Clans? What realms are they in?”
“Let me start with the Zi Clan. Besides me, the stronger ones are Zi Huan and Zi Long,” Zi Ling explained. “Zi Huan is at the first level of Martial Lord, aged twenty-four. Zi Long has the most terrifying talent, reaching the second level of Martial Lord at just twenty-five.”
“Of course, in terms of strength and cultivation among the Zi Clan’s younger generation, there’s someone even stronger.”
“That’s Zi Yuan, at the fourth level of Martial Lord. He’s not a direct-line descendant of a Martial Emperor, but his talent is extraordinary, making him the strongest among the Zi Clan’s youth. However, at twenty-eight, he’s too old to participate in the Southeast Region Youth Summit.”
“So, the two slots for the summit are Zi Long and Zi Huan.”
Hearing Zi Ling’s explanation, Lin Xiao was stunned. Twenty-four or twenty-five years old and already at the first or second level of Martial Lord? The Zi Clan’s direct-line prodigies had astonishingly high cultivation realms.
As for Zi Yuan, reaching the fourth level of Martial Lord was a level that could shock many in the Southeast Region.
Martial Emperor clans were indeed different, with exceptional talent and vast resources, capable of nurturing Martial Lord powerhouses under thirty.
“As for the Jin Clan, it’s similar. They have three Martial Lord youths: Jin Yong, Jin Yuxuan, and Jin Wucheng. Jin Yong matches Zi Yuan’s cultivation at twenty-nine and isn’t a direct-line Martial Emperor descendant either,” Zi Ling continued. “Jin Yuxuan is at the second level of Martial Lord, and Jin Wucheng is at the first level. Both are direct-line descendants, aged around twenty-five, and will be strong competitors for the Zi Clan at the Southeast Region Youth Summit.”
Lin Xiao couldn’t help but marvel at Zi Ling’s words.
Both the Zi and Jin Clans could produce Martial Lord youths under twenty-five. Did other Martial Emperor clans have the same capability?
Wouldn’t that mean nearly half the participants at the Southeast Region Youth Summit would be Martial Lord youths?
“With over three months left, I hope I can get some Martial Emperor essence blood from Zi Huang once the slots are confirmed…” Lin Xiao thought to himself.
If he could obtain some essence blood to advance his cultivation further, he might stand a chance against Martial Lords.
He was confident in facing any ninth-level Martial Venerable, but he was still far from contending with a Martial Lord.
Afterwards, Zi Ling briefed Lin Xiao on the tactics for the group battle tomorrow and then left.
…
The night passed quickly. When morning arrived, Lin Xiao, Ling Hu, and Zi Ling headed to the outer perimeter of the Zi Clan’s city wall.
Outside the wall, a dense crowd had gathered, and Lin Xiao’s group took positions at the forefront.
This competition was led by the Zi Clan’s Great Elder, Zi Gong, with key elders like the Second Elder, Zi Jinchen, and others present.
There were also tens of thousands of Zi Clan youths, including those from vassal forces, leaving Lin Xiao in awe of the clan’s scale.
Beside him, two youths stood out. One wore grey robes, with a broad face and an impressive eighth-level Martial Venerable aura.
The other, dressed in fine brocade, had a refined appearance and a restrained aura that couldn’t hide his ninth-level Martial Venerable strength, his face calm and composed.
These were the Zi Clan’s direct-line descendants, Zi Hui and Zi Yi.
“Though Zi Yi failed to break through to Martial Lord, he’s nearly unmatched at the ninth level of Martial Venerable. After his last defeat, Brother Zi Hui reflected deeply and made great progress. With Lin Xiao’s heaven-defying combat strength, our Zi Clan has a strong chance in this group battle,” someone said.
“Definitely! Lin Xiao’s move is… well, terrifyingly powerful. One strike could wipe out who knows how many opponents,” another added. “The final battle is in the bag. For the third battle, the Jin Clan’s Jin Lin’er challenged Zi Ling. Jin Lin’er is at the sixth level of Martial Venerable, while Zi Ling’s spiritual power is also fifth-grade intermediate. But a spiritual controller’s combat strength is far more terrifying than a martial artist’s, so our Zi Clan has a good shot there too.”
“For our Zi Clan’s battle, Zi Huan is challenging Jin Wucheng. Zi Huan’s combat strength is so formidable that even our clan’s first-level Martial Lord elders can’t match him. It won’t be easy for Jin Wucheng to win.”
“As for the joint battle, Elder Zi Jinchen, a ninth-level Martial Lord, faces Jin Wuhuan. Both are top-tier ninth-level Martial Lords, so the outcome is hard to predict. But overall, our Zi Clan has the upper hand.”
“Don’t underestimate the Jin Clan. I hear Jin Lin’er and Jin Wucheng are strong, and their Third Elder is no slouch either. It’s hard to say who’ll win.”
“How can you boost their morale and dampen ours? No matter how strong the Jin Clan is, our Zi Clan is stronger.”
…
Heated discussions echoed around.
Lin Xiao was slightly surprised. It seemed the rules for these battles were similar to the earlier ones.
For the third battle, both sides selected one fighter with pre-agreed conditions, but this time it was more direct, openly stating who would fight and challenging specific opponents.
However, news of Zi Ling’s breakthrough didn’t seem to have spread within the Zi Clan, let alone to the Jin Clan.
More accurately, the challenge letter was issued before Zi Ling’s breakthrough. If the Jin Clan learned she had advanced one spiritual level, what would their reaction be?
They’d probably regret it bitterly.
A spiritual controller’s level-up was equivalent to a martial artist advancing three cultivation realms. Jin Lin’er, at the sixth level of Martial Venerable, stood no chance against Zi Ling’s fifth-grade advanced spiritual power.
But since the challenge was already set, the Jin Clan’s regrets were useless.
Lin Xiao was also intrigued by the battle between Zi Huan and Jin Wucheng, eager to see how strong a direct-line Martial Lord from a Martial Emperor clan could be.
The fourth battle, a joint contest between Zi Jinchen and Jin Wuhuan, surprised Lin Xiao.
Both clans fielded their Third Elders, both over a hundred years old, with combat strength likely close to Half-Step Martial Emperor.
These two were probably the strongest contenders below Half-Step Martial Emperor.
The Zi and Jin Clans were competing thoroughly, from top to bottom. For the younger generation, even observing would be greatly beneficial. Both clans likely intended for their youths and others to witness peak Martial Lord battles.
