Talent Ratings

After sweeping his gaze over the crowd once more, Bai Luoyan said in a low voice, "The rules have been explained. If you have any questions, you may ask them now. If there are no objections, the competition will begin immediately."

As Bai Luoyan's words fell, the battle spirit of more than ten million young clansmen rose with them.

This was a perfect opportunity to display their talents before the higher-ups, and many among them were eager for a fight, hoping to test themselves against the prodigies from across the land.

When no one spoke up, Bai Luoyan didn't hesitate any longer.

"I'm about to send you into the Blade Tomb World. There's no need to panic."

The next moment, with just a thought from him, more than ten million clansmen vanished from the square.

Bai Yuan steadied himself and immediately looked around. He found himself standing on a vast plain, with a clansman he didn't recognize visible in the distance.

But his thoughts were entirely occupied by what he had just experienced.

"That didn't feel like forced teleportation. Could it have been the Law of Space? If it really was the Law of Space, wouldn't that mean this person is most likely a World Lord?"

He was secretly astonished. The clan's competitions had always been presided over by Universe Realm experts. Why had a World Lord suddenly appeared?

In another space, nearly a thousand figures sat quietly on stone chairs, all gazing at the enormous information projection floating in midair.

Images flickered across it, showing the scenes inside the Blade Tomb World in real time.

"Someone's already fighting. That was quick."

"I wonder if any truly outstanding prodigies will emerge this time."

"I'm more curious about why Lord Luoyan suddenly came in person to preside over the competition."

Someone in the crowd suddenly voiced a question.

According to the original arrangements, he was supposed to preside over this year's clan competition, but Bai Luoyan had suddenly appeared and taken his place.

Everyone present was a Universe Realm expert. Their duty here was to observe the young clansmen.

If they discovered anyone particularly talented, they could take them on as disciples or recruit them into the legions under their command.

As for Domain Lords, ordinary geniuses were beneath their notice.

Even in the great powers with World Lords in residence, not everyone called a Special Grade Elite or a First Grade Elite could advance to the Domain Lord level.

Only someone who performed brilliantly enough might catch the eye of a Domain Lord and be taken in as a disciple.

"Old Ning, isn't your nephew competing too? I remember he's quite perceptive."

A figure in a golden helmet and Golden Armor, seated not far from Bai Tianning, asked.

"Not at all, not at all. The child's cultivation talent is quite ordinary. He's twelve and still stuck at Apprentice Level 8. As for his perceptiveness... I suppose he just barely gets by." Bai Tianning smiled faintly.

"Haha, that's already pretty good. At least he's not hopeless," the man in Golden Armor said with a laugh.

Clearly, Bai Yuan's performance so far meant nothing to them.

Every one of them had been a genius among geniuses in their youth before breaking through to the Universe Realm.

One had to understand that, under normal circumstances, a Universe Realm expert might emerge only once in an entire star system.

Though they were Blade Clan members with sixth-grade bloodlines and a complete cultivation system, breaking through to the Universe Realm was still no easy feat.

--

"Apprentice Level 8, and instead of running away when he sees me, he actually comes straight at me?"

Inside the Blade Tomb World, Bai Kami looked surprised as he saw Bai Yuan charging toward him.

Bai Yuan didn't waste words. The moment he reached his opponent, he drew his blade and struck.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Bai Yuan's figure transformed into a sharp streak of Golden Flowing Light. His blade followed his body, and his frame vibrated six times in a single moment. His speed was so great that Bai Kami's expression changed.

"So fast!"

Bai Kami didn't dare hold back and immediately unleashed his strongest attack.

World Lord secret technique—Aurora Slash!

His War Blade swept through the air, its light like a brilliant river of stars, surging toward the Golden Flowing Light.

This strike had a Force Amplitude of 4.5 times and contained a trace of the "Aurora" Concept. Its radiance dazzled, and its momentum was unstoppable.

Yet the Golden Flowing Light swept through the brilliant river of stars as if nothing stood in its way, then slammed straight into Bai Kami's War Blade without the slightest hindrance.

Its incredible speed endowed this strike with unparalleled force!

Clang!

The moment the blades met, Bai Kami's expression changed drastically. He felt an intensely concentrated force surge along the blade and into his arm, numbing it from shoulder to wrist.

Before he could dispel that force, Bai Yuan swung again.

With the force still unresolved, Bai Kami couldn't wield his blade freely and was unable to block the strike.

His War Blade had barely touched Bai Yuan's before it was knocked from his grasp.

The next instant, the blade's light pierced through his body.

Bai Kami froze, staring at Bai Yuan in disbelief.

He couldn't understand it. His level was clearly higher, so why couldn't he withstand even two of his opponent's strikes?

Whoosh!

A flash of white light passed, and Bai Kami's figure disappeared.

Back on the square outside, Bai Kami appeared out of thin air and slumped to the ground, his spirit broken.

The defeat had dealt him a crushing blow.

Being defeated by someone of a lower level was bad enough, but he had lost so quickly and so miserably.

At the same time, more defeated clansmen were teleported out one after another, their faces full of regret, frustration, and resentment.

But no matter what, their battles had come to an end.

Meanwhile, the Intelligent Life's voice echoed through the area again and again, announcing the end of one battle after another.

"Zone Fifty-Four, Bai Xingyun, age twelve, comprehended the Water Moon Concept, Force Amplitude 4.5 times, blade techniques combining hardness and softness. Awarded First Grade Elite."

"Zone Thirty-Seven, Bai Nantian, age fourteen, comprehended the Earth Concept, Force Amplitude 6.2 times. Awarded First Grade Elite."

"Zone Ninety-Eight, Bai Tianluo, age fifteen, comprehended the Thunder Concept, Force Amplitude 5.8 times. Awarded Second Grade Elite."

"..."

"Zone Thirty-Five, Bai Yuan, age twelve, comprehended the Sharp Metal Concept, mastered Man-Blade Unity, Force Amplitude 4.8 times. Awarded First Grade Elite."

Hearing Bai Yuan's name, the man in Golden Armor jerked his head up. "Hm! I remember the boy was fairly perceptive, but I didn't think he was this impressive."

Young disciples who had touched the threshold of a Concept weren't uncommon, but fewer than a hundred had truly mastered a complete Concept.

Bai Yuan had not only fully comprehended a Concept, but had also reached the realm of Man-Blade Unity.

That step was even more difficult than comprehending a Concept itself.

Bai Tianning beamed. He knew Bai Yuan's true strength all too well. What he had shown so far was merely the tip of the iceberg.

Then he looked at the other First Grade Elites. These young people were all worth recruiting in earnest.

Especially the youth in the blue robe, holding a blade in each hand.

Anyone with a discerning eye could tell he hadn't used his full strength.

Even so, his ability as he had shown it so far was more than enough to earn him the rank of First Grade Elite.

As everyone discussed the results, the Intelligent Life spoke again. This time, however, its normally calm voice carried a trace of surprise.

"Zone One, Bai Luoyan, age eleven, comprehended three Concepts—Wind, Lightness, and Piercing Thrust—mastered Man-Sword Unity, Force Amplitude 6.6 times. Awarded Special Grade Elite."