Translator: CinderTL
TL/N: East Sea Province 🡪 Donghai Province for consistency.
Elder Bai's words sent a jolt of excitement through everyone in the cabin.
Champion!
Was Elder Bai placing such high expectations on Jiang Ye?
Shen Changxi, Liu Wanxiao, and the others exchanged astonished glances at Jiang Ye.
Yun Qing'er, however, remained timid and seemingly unsurprised.
"Elder Bai, I will give it my all," Jiang Ye replied solemnly.
"Hmm," Elder Bai nodded, offering no further comment.
Regarding the Genius Cup's objectives, the teachers of the ten participants had already set the standards two months prior. Elder Bai was merely reiterating them.
As for Jiang Ye?
With the combat prowess Jiang Ye has demonstrated, securing a top-three finish should be more than achievable, Elder Bai thought to himself. The only variable is that Li Clan brat.
Li Qi of Star River University!
This student possessed formidable strength.
In Elder Bai's view, if Jiang Ye could defeat Li Qi, the championship would be his for the taking.
Conversely, they would only be able to reach the top three.
Zhu Honglie had already provided Jiang Ye with a detailed analysis of this information, so Elder Bai didn't need to repeat it.
"We're almost there," Elder Bai sensed.
The aircraft sped onward, nearing the venue for this year's Genius Cup: the Mountains and Rivers Secret Realm. Despite being called a "secret realm," it was actually similar to the Cosmic Divine Path.
The Federation's forty provinces each had specialized entry points.
Of course, backward provinces like West Mountain Province lacked such entry points.
But Donghai Province, as the central province of the Eastern Ten Provinces, possessed its own secret realm entrance located in its capital city, Donghai City.
This year's Twenty-Five School Genius Cup was being held in Donghai City.
Soon, the aircraft arrived in Donghai City and landed near a massive bird's nest-shaped structure.
Led by Elder Bai, Jiang Ye, Liu Wanxiao, Shen Changxi, Yun Qing'er, and the other seven team members entered the bird's nest building and emerged into a vast, open-air plaza.
To their surprise, over a hundred thousand spectators were already seated in the bird's nest's stands, their voices creating a deafening roar.
"It's Penglai University."
"The leader of the twenty-five school alliance!"
"The guy leading them is so handsome!" A wave of excitement rippled through the audience as Jiang Ye and his team entered.
In previous Genius Cups, Penglai University had always been the center of attention.
Penglai itself was a sacred land revered by countless people!
However, this time, Jiang Ye and his team had barely arrived when...
Whoosh!
Whoosh! Whoosh! The sound of air being torn apart echoed through the arena.
Several figures clad in magnificent battle armor, radiating immense pressure, descended like shooting stars onto the plaza.
Whoosh! A vast, overwhelming aura erupted from the armored figures, sweeping across the entire arena.
Clearly, not everyone had entered through the main gate as obediently as Jiang Ye and his team.
"Donghai University?"
"Their skills might be mediocre, but they sure know how to show off!" Liu Wanxiao sneered, watching the spectacle. "Using battle armor to flaunt their status? How pathetic."
"Keep your voice down," Elder Bai glared at him.
The others exchanged glances.
Liu Wanxiao was right.
Battle armor was prohibited inside the secret realm, so none of them had worn it.
The Donghai University group was clearly just showing off.
Jiang Ye turned his gaze to the leader of the group, a red-haired youth with rugged features.
"That must be Wang Bo," Jiang Ye sensed. He was the strongest member of Donghai University's team.
As Jiang Ye looked at Wang Bo, the red-haired youth also turned to meet his gaze.
"It's him—Jiang Ye," Wang Bo recognized Jiang Ye instantly.
The reason was simple: Jiang Ye's appearance was simply too striking.
"Jiang Ye, my opponent," Wang Bo narrowed his eyes. "I may have lost to Li Qi and Lin Qingxue, but Jiang Ye... I must defeat him!"
This was Donghai University's chance to surpass Penglai University.
Wang Bo had already made up his mind.
Inside the bird's nest-shaped arena, participants from various universities began to file in.
Every competitor here was either a top genius from the twenty-five school alliance or a martial dao university.
Every participant exuded an extraordinary aura.
But as Jiang Ye surveyed the scene, he realized that the Martial Dao Aura of most competitors paled in comparison to his own, and even fell far short of Liu Wanxiao's.
"Penglai University, as the leader of the twenty-five school alliance, truly lives up to its reputation," Jiang Ye mused inwardly.
Unless the ten great schools entered the competition, Jiang Ye and his team of ten would undoubtedly be the strongest in their cohort!
Just then, the tens of thousands of spectators in the bird's nest erupted into renewed excitement.
"Star River University and Northern Territory University are entering!"
"It's the ten great schools!"
"Students from the Top Ten Elite Schools!"
The stands erupted in cheers.
For most ordinary people, Penglai University was a sacred place, but the ten great schools were the stuff of legends.
These institutions were so distant from the common folk that even catching a glimpse of their geniuses was a rare privilege.
Their status and power were like an unbridgeable chasm.
Two impeccably organized teams marched through the entrance.
One team was led by a black-clad girl.
The other was headed by a purple-haired, rebellious youth.
The purple-haired youth's arrogant gaze swept across the arena, pausing briefly in Jiang Ye's direction.
"Is that Jiang Ye?"
Li Qi nodded slightly to himself. "He's not bad-looking, though he's still a few levels below my own handsomeness."
Meanwhile, Jiang Ye narrowed his eyes, studying the leaders of the two opposing teams. "Li Qi and Lin Qingxue?"
The true opponents who could finally push him to his full potential in this Genius Cup had finally arrived.
He could sense the terrifying power hidden within both of them.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Jiang Ye's expression shifted as he spotted an unexpected figure.
"Wan Yaoyang?" Jiang Ye's gaze locked onto an eerily handsome youth in the Northern Territory University team.
The young man possessed striking features: dark golden eyes, crimson lips, and an otherworldly, unsettling beauty that seemed almost demonic.
It was Wan Yaoyang, the same Wan Yaoyang with whom Jiang Ye had clashed before!
"Wan Yaoyang? That guy went to Northern Territory University?" Yun Qing'er exclaimed in surprise.
"You know him?" Jiang Ye asked curiously.
"Of course I do," Yun Qing'er whispered. "He's got a grudge against Sister Tong'er, so I made sure to remember him."
"Su Tong'er?" Jiang Ye's mind conjured the image of a soft, adorable girl with white hair.
"Does he have a grudge against Su Tong'er?" Jiang Ye wondered aloud. "This guy really seems to have enemies everywhere."
Wan Yaoyang not only held a grudge against Jiang Ye but had also provoked Zhao Qingli in the past. Now, Su Tong'er and Yun Qing'er also seemed to harbor ill feelings toward him.
Enemies all over the world, huh?
"Sister Tong'er said Wan Yaoyang has a grudge against you, and since you're her friend, she has a grudge against him too," Yun Qing'er added softly.
Jiang Ye nodded expressionlessly.
Hmm, the little witch is actually quite cute!
Meanwhile, the eerie young man, Wan Yaoyang, had also noticed Jiang Ye's group.
"That kid?" Wan Yaoyang froze for a moment.
His eyes darkened, and he sneered inwardly. I didn't expect him to end up at Penglai University, let alone sneak onto the competition team.
Good.
I thought I'd missed my chance to settle things after the Star Profession Assessment, but it seems I'll get to teach him a lesson after all. Wan Yaoyang's eyes gleamed with anticipation.
He was no longer the same person he had been back then.
At that time, Wan Yaoyang had scored an impressive 970 points, earning him admission to Northern Territory University, one of the ten great schools, as a B Class student.
Although Northern Territory University ranked ninth among the ten great schools, it was still one of the Top Ten Elite Schools!
After half a year of arduous cultivation at Northern Territory University, Wan Yaoyang had already reached the mid-second breakthrough stage.
He had mastered several top-tier profound tier cultivation techniques, each approaching Major Success.
Wan Yaoyang had entered the competition aiming to secure a spot in the top five, or even the top three!
"I hope I get to face that kid," Wan Yaoyang muttered, glancing in Jiang Ye's direction with a hopeful glint in his eyes.
Time ticked by, minute by minute.
By exactly 9:00 AM, all 500 participants had gathered in the open-air plaza.
The bird's nest stadium was packed with over a hundred thousand spectators, their voices creating a deafening roar.
Suddenly—
Whoosh—
The sky abruptly darkened.
This wasn't a figure of speech; the sky truly went dark.
In an instant!
The once clear sky seemed to be gripped by an invisible giant hand. Light was swiftly drained away, plunging the surroundings into an endless darkness. It was as if the entire world had been shrouded in a black curtain, as night descended with an oppressive and absolute force.
A howling gale raged, tearing through the air.
An overwhelming sense of dread settled over everyone's hearts.
"What is this?" Jiang Ye felt an overwhelming pressure and looked up at the sky in astonishment.
How did it suddenly get so dark?
Even Shen Changxi, Liu Wanxiao, and the others were bewildered, staring at the sky with a mixture of shock and suspicion.
Only Elder Bai remained calm, standing motionless in place.
Boom!
Suddenly, golden lightning crackled across the sky like colossal dragons, illuminating the profound darkness.
In that fleeting moment of illumination, everyone saw two enormous, indescribably vast golden pupils appear in the dark sky.
These pupils gazed down upon the plaza with an air of mysterious majesty, inspiring awe and reverence.
Under the gaze of those colossal golden eyes, everyone felt as if their hearts were being gripped by a giant hand, their breath catching in their throats.
"That... that's?"
"Is that a person?" Many spectators stared at the sky in utter shock.
Before those massive golden pupils, a faint, indistinct figure hovered in mid-air.
"I am Chu Jingye."
A deafening voice boomed from the heavens, resonating like the voice of the Dao itself, echoing through the minds of all present with overwhelming grandeur.
It seemed to carry the might of the heavens!
Shen Changxi, Liu Wanxiao, and the others' expressions changed drastically.
Not just them—Li Qi, Lin Qingxue, and the rest also showed signs of unease. Under this terrifying phenomenon, they felt an urge to submit.
Only Jiang Ye's eyes burned brightly as he stared intently at the indistinct figure.
[Physique: Martial Fetus Holy Body]
[Innate Talent: Transcendent]
"Transcendent Aptitude!" Jiang Ye realized that this phenomenon was likely the talent phenomenon associated with Transcendent Aptitude.
True geniuses were said to be accompanied by unique phenomena in their every action.
He had never truly understood this saying before.
But today, Jiang Ye experienced it firsthand.
"Transcendent... so this is what it means to be transcendent," Jiang Ye murmured, his gaze fixed on the figure, his heart filled with longing.
With a mere flick of his fingers, he plunged the world into darkness.
Beneath those colossal eyes that seemed to survey all living beings, even Jiang Ye felt as if his life and death were completely controlled.
This was the unique power of Transcendent Aptitude—the Transcendent Domain!
Also known as the "Heaven and Earth Phenomenon."
Unlike the Substantial Domain associated with Dao Bone Aptitude, the Transcendent Domain could truly alter the environment, even severing it from the surrounding world to create a territory uniquely his own.
Within this 'territory,' opponents would be absolutely suppressed.
"It's a transcendent domain."
"A peerless prodigy with Transcendent Aptitude?" Shen Changxi, Liu Wanxiao, and the others reacted, staring in awe at the figure.
As geniuses with Dao Bone Aptitude, they felt the suppression even more acutely.
Within his domain, their own Innate Domains would be completely nullified.
Even without exerting any pressure, the figure made it nearly impossible for them to breathe.
Fortunately, the figure named Chu Jingye quickly retracted his domain.
"Huff~"
The dark curtain dissipated, and the sky cleared.
A handsome young man in black robes descended gracefully from mid-air.
"Hello everyone, I'm Chu Jingye from Heaven's Gate University. I'll be hosting this year's Genius Cup," he announced in a clear voice.
"Heaven's Gate University?"
"The number one ranked school among the ten great schools?"
"Judging by his age, he must still be a student, right?" The participants exchanged astonished glances.
Jiang Ye's expression also turned serious.
Heaven's Gate University was a tier above White Dragon University in prestige.
Judging by his age, the young man appeared to be only a few years older than Jiang Ye.
Clearly, this youth named Chu Jingye was one of the most dazzling peerless prodigies of this era.
"This year's Genius Cup will be held within the Mountains and Rivers Secret Realm," Chu Jingye announced, his voice ringing across the plaza.
"The 500 participants will be teleported into the secret realm, where they will..." Chu Jingye briefly explained the competition rules, wasting no words.
"I hereby declare the Twenty-Five School Genius Cup officially open!" Chu Jingye proclaimed loudly.
As he spoke, a flash of light erupted from his hand, and a Flowing Light descended into the center of the plaza.
Boom!
The entire plaza trembled violently, erupting in a torrent of radiant light.
Simultaneously,
Swish! Swish! Swish! The 500 participants on the plaza transformed into phantom-like figures and vanished from their positions.
It turned out the entire plaza was a massive teleportation array, connected directly to the Mountains and Rivers Secret Realm!
"The competition has begun," Chu Jingye murmured, watching with a faint smile.
Within seconds, all 500 participants had vanished without a trace.
Immediately afterward,
Buzz! A massive holographic projection screen materialized above the plaza, displaying live footage from within the secret realm.
"It's finally starting," Elder Bai murmured from his seat in the audience, his eyes fixed on the plaza with anticipation. "I hope Jiang Ye and the others achieve their goals."
Several elders of similar age approached him.
"Elder Bai, Penglai University seems exceptionally well-prepared this time," a purple-robed elder remarked with a smile. "Your students look remarkably strong!"
"Donghai University's team is also impressive," Bai Qiudao replied calmly. "I expect several of your students to reach the top eight."
"Top eight?" The purple-robed elder shook his head and chuckled. "I heard Jiang Ye is aiming for the top three this year?"
"Competing for the top three won't be easy this time."
"Even without Li Qi, the remaining students from Star River University are formidable," the purple-robed elder continued, shaking his head. "And Lin Qingxue and the others from Northern Territory University are equally tough contenders."
"If Donghai University manages to get two students into the top eight, that would be considered a success."
The purple-robed elder shook his head repeatedly.
Elder Bai smiled faintly but remained silent.
That's because you're Donghai University!
Penglai University would never settle for such modest ambitions.
"Look, the competition has begun!"
"Everyone has entered the secret realm!" The crowd's attention snapped to the holographic projection.
Elder Bai's gaze immediately locked onto the screen, swiftly locating Jiang Ye, Shen Changxi, and the other Penglai University students.
Then, his expression shifted.
"Hmm? What's Jiang Ye up to now?!"
(End of the Chapter)
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