The Lineage's Three Great Geniuses

Across all ten arenas of the martial grounds, there had been little suspense from the very beginning. Aside from a few outstanding disciples from the branch families, most of the spotlight had belonged to the main family's disciples!

But there were exceptions!

For example, on the second arena, a simple-looking youth of sixteen or seventeen had defeated seven main family disciples in a row, becoming a dark horse! "This Li Datou is simply monstrous! Which one is this now?"

With a scream, a young man fell from the arena and passed out on the spot.

"The tenth! And another main family disciple at that. Is this kid trying to defy the heavens?!"

The youth on the arena still wore that foolishly honest grin. Scratching his head, he asked, "Anyone else want to spar?"

Everyone—especially those in the second arena's group—was left with black lines across their faces.

Even the two Spirit Martial Tier Five experts did not dare step forward.

"Is this kid really at the peak of Spirit Martial Tier Four?!" These two were fairly renowned geniuses in the second group. One came from the main family, while the other hailed from one of the more famous branch families.

Yet they had clearly seen another person of roughly their level go up earlier, only to be punched off the arena by that grinning fool in fewer than three moves, passing out immediately.

It would have been one thing if his cultivation level were higher than theirs. The crucial point was that this kid was a whole realm weaker than them! That was what made it so incomprehensible and maddening.

"This child is extraordinarily gifted. The Blood Soul he condensed must lean toward strength. Still, for him to reach such a degree... I truly look forward to seeing what his true Blood Soul will look like once he enters the Innate Realm."

In the stands, many people had noticed Li Datou, this dark horse who had suddenly sprung up, and began paying him far more attention.

There were also some impressive figures on the other arenas who made a stunning first impression, but all of that was within expectations. The sole exception was the sixth arena, where Li Dakui—a genius renowned even within the main family—was sent flying by a single punch, instantly causing an uproar.

Very quickly, Li Datou of the second arena and Li Ye of the sixth arena became the two most dazzling dark horses at this stage.

The two of them swept through their matches almost without obstruction. No one could stop them as they easily claimed twenty consecutive victories and advanced directly to the next round!

Of course, Li Ye also noticed a figure on the first arena, radiant in bearing and elusive in his movements. It was Li Huangran's son, Li Xuan!

"Seventh level of the Spirit Martial Realm. There won't be much suspense."

Those assigned to Li Yue's group cursed their terrible luck. Besides Li Xuan, that seventh-level Spirit Martial Realm monster, the first group also contained three Spirit Martial Tier Six experts and five at Spirit Martial Tier Five. It could almost be said that everyone else could only compete for the final remaining spot.

Sure enough, Li Xuan deservedly took twenty consecutive victories and claimed first place in his group. The other eight at Spirit Martial Tier Six and Spirit Martial Tier Five occupied second through ninth place. In the end, a lucky youth at the peak of Spirit Martial Tier Four seized the final chance to advance.

In half a day, all ten groups had decided their top ten.

"Great! At the very least, I can become an Outer Disciple and remain in the Lineage to cultivate!"

Many branch family disciples secretly rejoiced, basking in the blazing, jealous gazes of hundreds around them. Of course, many others remained calm, making it clear that they were not satisfied with their current results.

"Among the ten groups, only four people managed twenty consecutive victories."

Li Ye had finished early, so he had been observing all along. He discovered that aside from himself, only Li Xuan from the first group had used his powerful seventh-level Spirit Martial Realm cultivation to suppress everyone with ease. He had even been faster than Li Ye by quite a bit; everyone who faced him, even those at Spirit Martial Tier Six, had been dealt with in a single move.

The honest-looking youth from the second group had also claimed first place forcefully despite being only at the peak of Spirit Martial Tier Four, defeating three Spirit Martial Tier Five experts in succession. Those who had rejoiced upon seeing that the strongest members of the second group were merely Spirit Martial Tier Five immediately began cursing.

The remaining one was a girl of sixteen or seventeen from the tenth group. Her icy temperament was like ten thousand years of frost. Yet her breathtaking beauty had drawn plenty of attention, and people had privately given her the nickname Iceberg Beauty.

"At the peak of Spirit Martial Tier Five, but her true combat strength is not much weaker than that of an ordinary Spirit Martial Tier Six cultivator."

Li Ye had watched carefully. Although the Iceberg Beauty was only at the peak of Spirit Martial Tier Five, ordinary Spirit Martial Tier Six cultivators could not last ten exchanges against her. As for that honest youth, although his realm was low, he possessed innate divine strength and was several times more terrifying than Li Dakui, whom Li Ye had defeated.

"One punch carries the force of a thousand jin! His true combat strength should be at least at the peak of Spirit Martial Tier Six!"

Li Ye could not help but put away the pride that had begun to rise within him. His ability to fight above his realm did not mean others could not do the same. In fact, aside from cultivating faster than others, the ability to fight above one's realm was also a measure of a true genius! Otherwise, no matter how high one's realm was, it merely meant one had cultivated longer than others.

"Unfortunately, I haven't seen Li Yue and the others."

Within the Li Family, there were truly three geniuses famous throughout Wuzhou City!

Among them was the current acting clan head's son, Li Yue, who had briefly exchanged blows with Li Ye at Virtue Moon Tower!

Yet despite entering the seventh level of the Spirit Martial Realm before the age of seventeen, Li Yue could only rank last among the Li Family's Three Great Geniuses!

"I heard that Li Yating, one of the Three Great Geniuses and the one who was accepted into Heavenly Profound Sect back then, will return this time as well. This is truly something to look forward to! I wonder what kind of result the clash between the Three Great Geniuses will bring!"

"Not just that. Li Xuan has now entered the seventh level of the Spirit Martial Realm as well. He is qualified to contend with those three! In the future, there may no longer be Three Great Geniuses, but Four Great Geniuses!"

Hearing the conversations around him, Li Ye understood that whether they were branch family disciples or young masters and ladies of the main family, they could only look up to those few geniuses who drew the attention of countless people. After all, these people did not merely suppress the younger generation; even some elders of the older generation were only their equals.

"Three years ago, Li Mo suppressed the other two at the peak of the seventh level of the Spirit Martial Realm when he was fifteen. Three years have passed now—I wonder what realm he has reached!"

Li Mo! The Li Family's publicly acknowledged number one genius, hailed as the person most likely to catch up to Li Kainian's legend from back then. At the same time, he was the eldest son of the Lineage's current acting clan head!

"Hmph, Li Mo is indeed formidable, but don't forget that Li Yating was only fourteen three years ago. She was only slightly behind Li Mo and lost by a single move in the end, which caught Heavenly Profound Sect's eye. Now that she has returned in such imposing fashion, it will be hard for Li Mo to hold on to his position as the Lineage's number one genius!"

"Don't forget Li Yue! It must be said that the First Elder's two grandsons are both dragons and phoenixes among men. Li Mo alone suppresses everyone of his generation, while even his younger brother Li Yue ranks among the Three Great Geniuses. It is simply envy-inducing!"

Of course, it was clear that among the Three Great Geniuses, everyone favored Li Mo and Li Yating more. Li Yue was obviously a notch weaker than the two of them.

Li Ye clearly saw that apart from several Lineage elders, there were only three chairs in the stands whose occupants were not elders. Sitting in one of them was a young man around eighteen years old.

His face was cold, his bearing arrogant, and his gaze sweeping over the masses was like that of an emperor perched high above all living things.

"Li Mo!"

Li Ye's heart tightened. His memories clearly recalled the man's disdainful, cold mockery from back then.

The other two chairs were empty, and Li Ye knew they belonged to Li Yating and Li Yue. As the Lineage's publicly acknowledged Three Great Geniuses, their status within the Lineage was equivalent to that of elders! Their standing was even higher than that of some stewards.

"The lowest rank in the Li Family is that of Outer Disciple, yet even that draws countless people who rush toward it like ducks. Above Outer Disciples are Inner Disciples, who can enjoy treatment equal to that of a main family young master. But before elders, they are still insignificant. Only those like the Three Great Geniuses receive the Lineage's special attention! Even elders do not dare do anything to them! They themselves even possess strength no weaker than that of ordinary elders."

With such thoughts flashing through his mind, Li Ye's goal was far from merely becoming an Outer Disciple!

"At the very least, an Inner Disciple—or even the top ten!"

Within the entire Li Family, apart from the Three Great Geniuses, there were also several people under eighteen who had reached the seventh level of the Spirit Martial Realm. Naturally, some had only recently broken through, such as Li Xuan.

Thus, Li Ye's most conservative goal was to fight for a top ten position! Of course, his greater ambition was to challenge the Lineage's Three Great Geniuses—and defeat them!

Only then could he make those people in the Lineage understand how foolish they had been to drive him away back then!

Suddenly, Li Ye saw someone in the stands winking at him. Looking carefully, he nearly choked—it was actually Xiao Qing!

"This kid came too. It seems Li Yating has arrived."

Sure enough, before the Lineage's referee could announce the start of the next round, waves of cries and commotion rose from afar.

Several figures then leaped onto the stands. Among them, a graceful female figure drew the attention of many people. There was also a young man in white following close behind.

"Yating, it has been many years. Your strength has become even harder to fathom."

Li Mo, who seemed to look down on everyone, finally reacted when another figure appeared beside him. His eyes narrowed, his words carrying a hidden meaning.

Li Yating! Seeing that familiar lovely face, Li Ye did not know why, but warmth rose in his heart. Back then, that little girl not yet fourteen had been the only person to step forward and protect him. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed. The little girl of the past had now grown into a slim and graceful young beauty, drawing fiery, adoring gazes from the Lineage's many young men.

"Likewise." Li Yating smiled faintly. A small canine tooth made her seem even more charming and adorable. Even Li Mo was slightly distracted, a glimmer of greed flashing through the depths of his eyes.

But Li Yating had no time to look at him. Her beautiful eyes swiftly swept over the crowd below, as though searching for something, leaving everyone puzzled. Soon, however, she seemed to find what she had been seeking. A knowing smile surfaced on her lips, only to vanish again moments later.