“Who’s that guy? With one hundred forty-eight geniuses in the first round, he thinks he can take first? Is he crazy?”
“Every youth at this summit is the top genius of their region. Every team has powerful Martial Emperor direct descendants. This guy, carrying a big blade, thinks he can claim first? Is there something wrong with his head?”
“Being arrogant in his own region is one thing, but to act so boldly at the Southeast Region Youth Summit? Isn’t he afraid of being ganged up on?”
“Worthily the gathering of the strongest youth generation. To make such bold claims in this grand setting, what confidence! He’s an idol for our generation!”
“Confidence is fine, but it needs to be backed by strength. Otherwise, it’s just asking for trouble and making a fool of himself.”
“To speak so boldly, he must be confident. His strength can’t be weak.”
“Even if he’s strong, declaring it like that will make him a target. He can forget about taking first in this round.”
“Exactly. Even if he’s strong, can he defeat two or three other top contenders?”
The plaza buzzed with endless chatter. Some cursed, some admired, some were optimistic, and others were utterly dismissive, their voices filling the air.
Some recognised the red-robed youth, and their exclamations drew attention.
“That’s Duan Tianya, a direct descendant of the Duan family’s Martial Emperor, at the First Stage Martial Lord realm. His combat power is terrifying. Everyone who’s fought him has been defeated with one strike, never failing. It’s said he even killed a veteran Third Stage Martial Lord.”
“Really? That strong?”
“Absolutely. No one’s seen his strongest trump card. He might actually have a shot at first in this round.”
“I’ve heard that too. Duan Tianya has comprehended the Killing Blade Intent and possesses a Mysterious Mid-Grade Blade Phenomenon, extremely fearsome. It’s said he has a special, powerful bloodline, though only Emperor Duan and the Duan family’s top brass know what it is.”
“So, Duan Tianya is indeed remarkable. His boldness isn’t brainless.”
“No matter how talented he is, the other geniuses aren’t pushovers. Some are stronger than him. By making such claims, he’s sure to anger other powerhouses. Let alone first, he might even get killed and ejected.”
More discussions followed.
At that moment, another figure flew toward the illusion array gate.
Like Duan Tianya, this person could have stored their weapon in a storage ring but chose to carry it constantly.
They had a particular fondness for their weapon.
It was a white-robed youth carrying a giant sword, his face strikingly cold.
“That’s the lone swordsman, Ping Tianhao, with overwhelming strength. He swept through the Jin family’s geniuses and joined their team,” someone who knew him exclaimed. “Ping Tianhao is also exceptionally talented, having comprehended Sword Intent. At First Stage Martial Lord, he defeated the Jin family’s strongest Second Stage Martial Lord direct descendant. If not for the cultivation-based selection for the third round, the Jin family would have chosen him.”
“So strong? He swept a Second Stage Martial Lord direct descendant?” another gasped.
More heated discussions arose.
“Want to take first? Ask my Ping Tian Giant Sword first!” Ping Tianhao said coldly, his sharp gaze fixed on Duan Tianya.
He seemed like a sword ready to unsheathe, exuding a piercing aura.
Duan Tianya’s eyes narrowed, and he sneered, “Ping Tian Giant Sword? In that case, I might as well call my blade the Tianya Giant Blade. Nice name, but your sword won’t do!”
Duan Tianya remained as arrogant as ever.
“We’ll see if it does,” Ping Tianhao replied calmly, unruffled.
“Your blade won’t do either. You’re not worthy of first in this round!” At that moment, another voice rang out, and a youth flew toward the illusion array gate.
“Who’s that? Calling out Duan Tianya directly?”
“No idea, but his strength must be formidable. It’s hard to say who’s stronger.”
“That’s Wen Mochang, a direct descendant of the Wen family. He’s said to have a chilling attribute Dan Tian Phenomenon, though its specifics and grade are unknown. Apparently, he’s never used his Dan Tian Phenomenon and still defeated all opponents.”
Gasps and exclamations continued, and then a woman rushed forward.
She appeared to be twenty-four or twenty-five, dressed in ornate silk, her hair adorned with glowing pins, her skin fair as jade, and her beauty cold and refined, carrying a melancholic, sorrowful charm.
“That’s the daughter of the Yu family, Yu Dandan. It’s said she was abandoned by a man at eighteen, became melancholic, and comprehended the Melancholy Sword Intent. She fused the Yu family’s techniques into her unique Melancholy Swordsmanship, specialising in killing charismatic men. Countless men have died by her hand.”
“She kills charismatic men? How’s charisma judged?”
“She’s killed refined, handsome men; talented, charismatic youths; ordinary-looking but exceptionally gifted and powerful men; those with no talent but strong backgrounds; and men skilled at sweet-talking women. Even some with no standout traits but who attract women. Basically, any man who draws women’s attention, even if he has nothing else, she’ll kill.”
“Then I’m in danger too?”
“You? Forget it, you’ve got no charisma…”
“Such a woman exists? The Southeast Region Youth Summit truly has all kinds of peculiar figures.”
The crowd buzzed with discussions. The woman’s melancholic beauty drew countless eyes.
But hearing her “hobby,” many sucked in a breath, quickly dismissing any thoughts of her.
This woman was too dangerous. Best to stay as far away as possible, lest they end up dead without knowing why.
“That bald fatty is Huyanziru, a rare Buddhist cultivation genius!”
“Buddhist cultivation? It was glorious in ancient times but nearly extinct now. Someone actually obtained a Buddhist inheritance and became a Buddhist cultivator?”
“Buddhist cultivation differs greatly from Yuan cultivation. Even with the inheritance, it’s hard to succeed. For Huyanziru to achieve this, his talent must rival any Martial Emperor direct descendant.”
“His talent’s impressive, but Buddhist cultivation has declined for a reason. Even with unique attributes, it’s likely hard to compete with other geniuses.”
“Another one’s gone up. That’s Xiang Wuhen, a direct descendant of the Xiang family.”
“That’s Xing Feng, a direct descendant of the Xing family!”
Exclamations rang out as one youth after another flew to the illusion array gate, each exuding an extraordinary aura that exerted an inexplicable pressure.
The total soon reached over a dozen.
Within moments, the number grew to thirty-five. Almost every faction’s strongest genius among the four competing in the first round had gathered at the gate.
It was clear that no faction was willing to appear weak.
