The Outrageous Standard for a Heavenly Prodigy, Too Hard to Believe

The crowd witnessed Ma Desheng effortlessly defeat Wang Qiang, causing an uproar and a constant stream of gasps of surprise.

"My God, where did this Ma Desheng come from? How can he be so powerful?"

"This year's selection of the Holy Son has been full of twists and turns, with one expert after another emerging. Could it be that there are some formidable figures hidden among them who haven't yet made their move?"

"Ma Desheng's combat strength is so terrifying, he's definitely a prodigy, why is he denying it?"

"If even he can't be considered a prodigy, then what kind of strength is needed to be worthy of the title of prodigy?"

"Based solely on the skills he just displayed, none of the previous Holy Sons could match Ma Desheng."

"I heard that Ma Desheng only has Three Spirit Root and was never this powerful before. How did he suddenly become so strong? Could it be that he obtained Tianji?"

"He must have encountered an extraordinary stroke of luck, otherwise his strength could never have improved so quickly."

Lin Tian, Huang Liang, and the other cultivators with Heavenly Spirit Root stood there in a daze, their faces blank.

Just when we thought that the emergence of two dark horses Gao Ming and Wang Qiang, was the limit, we were surprised to find that Ma Desheng, who was even stronger, had also emerged.

Everyone was filled with despair. Why were all the cultivators with non- Heavenly Spirit Root so powerful?

In contrast, those with innate Heavenly Spirit Root who were called the pride of heaven were crushed and couldn't even lift their heads.

In a short period of time, the rules of the entire cultivation Immortal Realm seemed to have been completely turned upside down, and everything before them was so unfamiliar that they could hardly accept it.

"Why? I possess Heavenly Spirit Root, I should be the darling of heaven and earth, so why am I inferior to these cultivators without Heavenly Spirit Root?"

"Could it be that the power dynamics of the world have changed? Are cultivators with non- Heavenly Spirit Root now having the upper hand?"

Gao Ming stared at the scene on the arena for a moment, then realized that Ma Desheng must also be a system host, and his strength was far superior to his own.

He inwardly grumbled, feeling utterly resentful. "Good heavens, with such strength, they've been hiding it all this time, that's just Taiyin."

If he had gone on stage earlier, I would have seen the difference in skill sooner and wouldn't have gotten injured, lost to Wang Qiang, and been humiliated in public. It's infuriating."

The members of the All Heavens Chat Group were also greatly shocked.

"Hiss!"

Chen Yan gasped, exclaiming in astonishment, "I never expected Wang Qiang to be so powerful, losing so easily. Ma Desheng's strength is truly terrifying."

Ji Haoyue looked on in astonishment. "With Ma Desheng's strength, he fully deserves the title of a prodigy, so why does he deny it?"

Zhong Yue sighed, "This person is indeed formidable. Even if I were to fight him at the same level, I wouldn't be confident of victory."

If this level of skill doesn't qualify someone as a prodigy, then how powerful must the true prodigies of the Azure Billows Realm be?

The others in the All Heavens Chat Group were also amazed, filled with doubts and curiosity about the true criteria for judging the geniuses of the Azure Billows Realm.

On the other side, Wang Qiang's injuries had eased slightly, and he managed to stand up and slowly walk towards the edge of the ring.

Just as he was about to step off the stage, he paused, turned to look at Ma Desheng, and asked with a heart full of doubt:

"Since you refuse to admit you're a prodigy, then in your eyes, what standard must one meet to be considered a prodigy?"

Seeing the intense curiosity in Wang Qiang's eyes, and glancing at the expectant gazes of the crowd below the stage, Ma Desheng chuckled softly:

"The title of 'prodigy' is not something one can bestow upon oneself; only those with exceptional combat prowess are qualified to bear this title."

If you don't understand, I'll give you an example.

True geniuses, at the Golden Core Realm, must at least condense Nine-Pattern Golden Core and comprehend the Great Dao Principle.

His strength was enough to defeat all cultivators of the same realm on the Azure Mist Continent, and he could even contend with reincarnated Immortal King of the same realm.

Only by reaching this level can one be considered a prodigy.

Wang Qiang froze on the spot, his eyes vacant, staring at Ma Desheng with disbelief.

He never expected that the other party's standards for a prodigy would be so high.

"Impossible! You must be joking!"

Who in this world can reach such a standard of excellence? I absolutely do not believe that anyone can achieve it.

Ma Desheng shrugged slightly and replied with a smile, "Just because you can't do it doesn't mean others can't."

Moreover, what I just described is rather simplistic; the true standards for exceptional talents will only be far more stringent than I have described.

"I don't believe it! Just condensing Nine-Pattern Golden Core and comprehending the Great Dao Principle is something very few people can accomplish."

Wang Qiang shook his head, finding this explanation unacceptable.

Even with access to All Heavens Chat Group, he wasn't entirely confident in cultivating Nine-Pattern Golden Core and comprehending the Great Dao Principle.

Not to mention Golden Core Realm cultivators who could single-handedly sweep across the entire Azure Mist Continent.

This is something no human could do.

Ma Desheng smiled faintly and slowly said, "Now I have already refined the Nine-Pattern Golden Core and comprehended the Metal Principle."

Looking across all the Golden Core Realm cultivators in the major cultivation sects of the Azure Mist Continent, there are very few who can surpass me, perhaps not even one.

Even so, I am still extremely far from being a true prodigy.

"You actually cultivated Nine-Pattern Golden Core and even comprehended the Metal Principle?"

Wang Qiang stared wide-eyed at his opponent, his face filled with shock, finally realizing the immense gap between them.

If Ma Desheng's foundation and strength can't be called a prodigy, then what kind of terrifying strength is required to qualify as a prodigy?

Could it be that what the other person just said was true?

If the standards for prodigies are truly like this, then the requirements for prodigies in the Azure Billows Realm are far too high.

This was completely different from what he had previously known.

But how many people in the world can meet such stringent conditions?

Even figures like Zhong Yue, Fengyun Wuji, and Han Li, who are protagonists of their respective worlds in the All Heavens Chat Group, would probably find it difficult to achieve this.

These standards for prodigies are outrageous; they don't seem real at all.

Seeing the incredulous looks on everyone's faces, Ma Desheng smiled.

He wasn't exaggerating; the difficulty of climbing the Combat Power Ranking and becoming a prodigy is far greater than that of sweeping through the Azure Mist Continent of cultivators of the same realm.

However, having said all that, it's time to reveal some of their true capabilities.

Otherwise, if he were to obtain the position of Holy Son without possessing the aptitude of Heavenly Spirit Root, it's hard to guarantee that the sect's higher-ups wouldn't harbor resentment and interfere, causing uncertainty in his already secured position.

With a thought, he activated the Metal Principle, and a faint golden Daoist aura enveloped his body.

"This is the Dao light emanating from the Metal Principle. As for the Nine-Pattern Golden Core within my body, it is not convenient to display it in public."

"This... this really is the aura of the Principle!"

Wang Qiang gazed at Ma Desheng, whose body radiated a sacred light imbued with the essence of metal.

Although he had not comprehended the Great Dao Principle, he was certain that this was the light emanating from the Principle themselves.

Moreover, with everyone watching, the sect's higher-ups were also observing from the high platform.

If Ma Desheng were to fabricate evidence, he would be exposed on the spot, gaining nothing and potentially losing the very position of Holy Son that was within his grasp—a truly disastrous outcome.

Therefore, the other party has truly grasped the Metal Principle.

What the other person just said might be true.

The Azure Billows Realm is far more terrifying than I know; what I've seen now is merely the tip of the iceberg.