“Lin Xiao, it’s Lin Xiao!”
“His cultivation has broken through one level, reaching the Seventh Level Martial Venerable. He could kill someone at the Fifth Level Martial Venerable, so how strong must he be at the Seventh Level?”
“Defeating a First Level Martial Monarch shouldn’t be a big issue, right?”
The youths’ discussions erupted again, with no shortage of outstanding figures like Zi Hao and Zi An in the crowd.
Yet even Zi Hao, having witnessed Lin Xiao’s various talents and his defeat of Jian Wuqu, had developed a sense of admiration.
Lin Xiao was stronger than some of the Zi family’s direct-line descendants.
Upon reaching Ling Hu and the others, Lin Xiao greeted them.
But Lu Qingyu, Pan Zihao, and Liu Yiran clearly didn’t think highly of him.
“At the Southeast Region Youth Summit, there’ll likely be plenty of Martial Monarchs. I wonder if a Seventh Level Martial Venerable has the ability to fight them?” Lu Qingyu said with a hint of disdain as Lin Xiao approached.
He’d heard of Lin Xiao’s talents and knew they were impressive.
But with only Seventh Level Martial Venerable cultivation and mid-grade Fifth Rank spiritual power, he was surely no match for a Martial Monarch.
Lu Qingyu didn’t believe Lin Xiao could currently compete with him.
“Are you indirectly mocking me? Believe it or not, I’ll have my father kick you out and pick someone else?” Before Lin Xiao could respond, Ling Hu snapped angrily from the side.
Hearing Ling Hu’s words, Lu Qingyu remembered that Ling Hu’s cultivation was also only at the Seventh Level Martial Venerable. He wisely shut his mouth.
In terms of status, even Zi Huan and Zi Long of the Zi family couldn’t compare to Ling Hu.
They were great-grandsons of a Martial Emperor, while Ling Hu was a Martial Emperor’s son, two generations apart.
If Ling Hu was provoked and made a fuss, there was a real chance Emperor Ling could have him removed.
From what he could tell, Emperor Ling’s temperament was much like Ling Hu’s, bold enough to even kill a Martial Emperor. Removing him would be a mere word away.
“If you think breaking through to the Martial Monarch realm makes you exceptional, you might as well skip the Southeast Region Youth Summit,” Lin Xiao replied coolly.
“You!” Lu Qingyu’s face darkened. Ling Hu, as a Martial Emperor’s son, could speak that way, but who was Lin Xiao to threaten to have him kicked out?
Still, wary of Ling Hu’s influence, Lu Qingyu held his tongue, swallowing his frustration.
Lin Xiao didn’t bother wasting more words on Lu Qingyu.
“Zi Huan and Brother Zi Long are here.”
At that moment, a commotion arose, and the crowd parted as two young figures approached.
One, clad in elegant white robes, exuded an extraordinary aura, faintly radiating powerful energy, handsome and refined.
Lin Xiao recognised him as Zi Huan.
The other was far more reserved, with plain features and simple, unadorned robes. His aura was restrained, with no trace of it leaking out.
Even Lin Xiao couldn’t discern Zi Long’s exact cultivation level.
Yet as Zi Long’s gaze swept over, he seemed like a dragon lurking in the abyss, ready to soar into the sky. His eyes held boundless battle intent and an aura of astonishing potential.
But in an instant, that aura vanished completely, and he walked towards Lin Xiao and the others with calm, natural steps.
“Truly remarkable,” Lin Xiao thought, watching Zi Long approach.
If Zi Long were an opponent, he would be a formidable one.
“Little Sister Zi Ling, I heard you recruited an exceptionally monstrous genius for our Zi family. Is this him?” Zi Long smiled, shifting his gaze from Zi Ling to Lin Xiao.
“Indeed, this is Lin Xiao,” Zi Ling nodded in response.
Lin Xiao noticed that Zi Ling didn’t show the same aversion towards Zi Long as she did towards Zi Huan, her expression carrying a hint of respect.
“I’ve heard of Brother Lin Xiao’s deeds. You’re truly a peerless prodigy, one we can’t compare to,” Zi Long said, cupping his hands towards Lin Xiao with a tone both calm and courteous.
Lu Qingyu was stunned. Zi Long, practically the top direct-line genius, was so polite as to cup his hands to Lin Xiao?
And Lin Xiao was the first he greeted?
Liu Yiran and Pan Zihao were equally shocked. This Zi Long was nothing like they’d imagined.
They even began to reflect, realising they’d grown arrogant after breaking through to the Martial Monarch realm.
Compared to Zi Long, they were far inferior in both talent and background.
Yet a genius like Zi Long was so humble, leaving them no grounds for pride.
Lin Xiao was also slightly surprised; Zi Long’s humility was unexpected.
“You flatter me, Brother Zi Long. Your strength and demeanour are beyond what we can match,” Lin Xiao replied courteously.
“You’re too kind, Brother Lin Xiao!” Zi Long returned the gesture, his tone even.
“Emperor Zi and Emperor Ling are here!”
At that moment, someone exclaimed.
Lin Xiao glanced to the side, seeing Emperor Zi, Ling Xiao, Zi Gong, and a few others approaching the centre of the martial arena.
“Emperor Zi, Emperor Ling!” Lin Xiao and the others bowed.
The two nodded calmly.
“Let’s prepare to depart,” Emperor Zi said briefly, waving his hand. Two Sky-Controlling Boats appeared in everyone’s view.
With that, Emperor Zi stepped forward, entering one of the boats first.
Ling Xiao followed, stepping into the other.
Seeing this, Lin Xiao, Zi Ling, and the others boarded the two Sky-Controlling Boats accordingly.
Joining Lin Xiao on the same boat was Elder Zi Jinchen.
The Ling family’s boat carried six people, while the Zi family’s, with Lin Xiao, carried seven.
It seemed Zi Jinchen was accompanying them to look after the younger generation.
After all, a Martial Emperor’s status was extraordinary, making it inconvenient for them to handle minor matters personally.
As for why Zi Jinchen and not another elder, it was likely because he belonged to a neutral faction within the Zi family.
Lin Xiao didn’t dwell on it; having Zi Jinchen along was a good thing.
Once aboard the Sky-Controlling Boat, Emperor Zi scanned everyone and said, “Everyone, await our good news.”
“We await the triumphant return of Emperor Zi and Emperor Ling!” the crowd responded, their faces filled with anticipation.
Emperor Zi nodded, exchanging a glance with Ling Xiao, then activated the Sky-Controlling Boat.
Both boats lit up, transforming into beams of light and shooting towards the horizon at incredible speed.
“Where is the Southeast Region Youth Summit held?” Lin Xiao asked curiously inside the boat. He was eager to know where all the most outstanding youths under twenty-five and the thirty-six Martial Emperors of the Southeast Region would gather.
