Chapter 309 Confidence of the Falling Star’s Genius

“Father Emperor-why make our top geniuses fight him?”

She asked quietly, positioning herself close enough that only the Emperor and his nearest aides could hear.

The Emperor’s expression was unreadable for a moment, but his voice was low and matter-of-fact.

“Because these young men and women are our future, Yaoqing’er. They will be the ones who defend this Empire when its hour comes.”

The Emperor’s gaze fell on Bai Zihan.

The Emperor realized that the information about Bai Zihan must be correct.

The way he carried himself and the confidence he exuded was that of a powerful person.

He wanted the geniuses of his Empire to know what a Desolate Heaven Empire genius was capable of.

Sun Yaoqing frowned.

“You risk angering the Bai Clan.”

He smiled-no warmth, only calculation.

“Do you think I do not know that? But I think it would be worth it.”

Sun Yaoqing blinked. Her father’s meaning settled on her like a chill.

“You just want to see how strong he really is.”

Sun Yaoqing muttered.

Although it seemed like her father had some grand intention in mind, it was probably more because he was curious about Bai Zihan’s power.

The Emperor’s gaze swept the training ground as if he could still picture the assembled geniuses.

His daughter wasn’t wrong, since he also wanted to see whether the rumors about Bai Zihan were true.

Could such a monstrous genius really exist?

Someone who was said to have defeated the Spirit Severing Realm while still in the Soul Formation Realm, at the age of sixteen?

It didn’t seem possible. At least by his common sense, it shouldn’t be possible.

“You know Bai Xueqing, the winner of the Dragon and Phoenix Competition, is said to have reached at least the Mid Soul Formation Realm at the age of nineteen. He is her brother, and some say he is on par with her-or even surpassed her though I have no idea why he didn’t participate, if the information is true”

Sun Yaoqing’s face tightened; she had also heard about such things in the palace.

While she too was considered a monstrous genius in the Falling Star Empire, she couldn’t comprehend just how such a feat was possible.

Soul Formation Realm below the age of twenty-she didn’t know what kind of talent was needed to achieve such a result.

And you say that Bai Zihan who is younger than Bai Xueqing has achieved the same, she can’t believe that.

“Anyways, if that is true, it is a good opportunity to test our own genius against theirs.”

While that was true, the age gap between them was quite huge to be called a genius of the same age.

Bai Zihan was eighteen years old, while on the other side their Empire’s geniuses called here were mostly in their thirties, with some even in their forties.

But well, if they brought a genius at the same age as Bai Zihan, everyone knew it wouldn’t even be a fight.

After all, most of their geniuses at that age are still in the Golden Core Realm.

“So this is… a measuring stick?”

Not only Bai Zihan, but also to gauge the talent of the Desolate Heaven Empire. Such an opportunity was indeed rare and precious.

“Exactly!”

He inclined his head.

“It could be a learning opportunity for our geniuses if they lost, but if they won, it could boost the confidence of geniuses throughout the Empire!”

Sun Yaoqing understood the reason. Whether they win or lose, it was good for them.

“Watch closely, Yaoqing. This is an opportunity for them-and for you.”

***

The geniuses of the Falling Star Empire were full of confidence.

Although they knew that Bai Zihan’s potential and talent were far higher than theirs, at the moment their cultivation was similar, but they had more experience, making them stronger-or so they thought.

“I will go first!”

One of them declared confidently, who happened to be in the Soul Formation Realm.

No one objected since he was one of the strongest and most experienced among them.

Even those who thought they were stronger than him wanted to see him test Bai Zihan first, so that they could be the ones to defeat him.

One should know that defeating a genius from the Desolate Heaven Empire could bring a lot of prestige, and there was also Princess Sun Yaoqing watching -a chance to impress her.

Who knows? If the Emperor was pleased, he might even give them her hand in

marriage.

Well, they could dream.

The Soul Formation cultivator stepped forward, chin high, his steps ringing with confidence as he entered the center of the training ground.

His aura flared out, steady and oppressive, a clear declaration of his realm.

He clasped his fists toward the Emperor first, then turned to face Bai Zihan.

“I am Lu Feng,” he announced, his voice carrying across the ground. “Age thirty-five. Mid Soul Formation Realm. Today, I ask for Young Master Bai’s

guidance!”

A ripple of murmurs spread among the gathered geniuses and officials.

“When did Lu Feng advance to the Mid Soul Formation Realm?”

“No wonder he is so confident.”

“Damn! Bai Zihan shouldn’t be defeated right? I will lose my chance to show

off!”

It seemed Lu Feng had hidden his advancement well, keeping it a secret even from the closest of his friends.

Thirty-five years old and already at the Mid Soul Formation Realm-he was undoubtedly among the shining talents of the Falling Star Empire.

Many younger cultivators looked at him with admiration, convinced that Lu

Feng could at least put Bai Zihan in his place.

Lu Feng felt all the stares at him, some envious, others admiring, which he took

with relish.

This was what he had been waiting for-a chance to show off!

Bai Zihan, however, stood still, arms folded loosely behind his back. His crimson

eyes slid lazily over Lu Feng, as though weighing him on an invisible scale.

Then, with a faint tilt of his head, he spoke.

(Mid Soul Formation Realm? Not even worth my time.)

But what could he do? He just wanted to finish this quickly and get on with his

business.

Lu Feng’s lips curved into a self-assured smile, his aura swelling even more as if to remind everyone just how vast the gap was between him and most others

present. “Since you’re still so young,” he said, voice laced with mockery, “should I give you some chance? Perhaps you’d like to take back your arrogant words from earlier? If you admit you were wrong, I won’t mind going easy on you.”

The crowd stirred, some smirking, others nodding. To them, Lu Feng’s words sounded reasonable-even generous.

It was true, Bai Zihan was only eighteen. Even with his talent, his foundation couldn’t possibly match decades of cultivation experience.

Bai Zihan, however, merely tilted his head slightly, his crimson gaze glinting

with amusement.

“Go easy?”

He let out a soft chuckle, the sound cutting sharp through the murmurs.

“Come with your full strength.”

His smile sharpened, cold and arrogant.

“Otherwise, don’t complain later about not getting the chance later.”

The mocking reversal struck like a whip.

Lu Feng’s expression hardened, his earlier smirk fading into a sharp, focused

glare. His qi surged, twisting the air around him with heat and pressure.

He drew in a deep breath, steadying himself, and his eyes gleamed with battle

intent. “Good! Then don’t blame me for showing no restraint. Since you seek humiliation, I’ll be glad to provide it.”

A ripple of excitement swept the crowd-battle was inevitable now.

“Let me show you,” Lu Feng declared, his voice booming, “the strength of a

genius of the Falling Star Empire!”

Bai Zihan didn’t even shift his stance. His smile remained, faint and dismissive,

as though watching a child throw a tantrum.

“Well then,” he said lightly, crimson eyes narrowing ever so slightly, “come!”

Whoosh!

Lu Feng truly didn’t hold back, instantly charging at Bai Zihan with his full speed and brandishing his sword.

He carefully observed Bai Zihan, trying to guess just how he would defend against him.

But Bai Zihan stood there lazily, not even trying to fight back.

(He is really underestimating me!)

Since that was the case, Lu Feng felt no pity and wanted to show what

happened when one underestimated him.

But just as he thought he had won, Bai Zihan casually disappeared from his

sight, appeared behind him, and pulled his leg, sending him crashing down.

BANG!

Lu Feng fell and was knocked unconscious.

This wasn’t just a win, it was a humiliation.

Bai Zihan, without even revealing much of his strength, had defeated Lu Feng-

who was twice his age and had decades of experience.

Yet, defeating him was as easy as casually walking.

There was a moment of silence, a moment of realization for the others to

understand who they were facing.

Many even felt embarrassed at how easily Lu Feng got defeated.

Even Sun Yaoqing couldn’t help but widen her eyes in surprise.

(That speed…)

“Next, I’ll go!”

They were not going to give up so easily. Another genius of the Falling Star Empire stepped forward, someone even stronger than Lu Feng.

He thought Lu Feng had overestimated himself and made a huge mistake, costing him the match.

Unlike Lu Feng, he wouldn’t make such a mistake.

“I will properly show you the power of the Falling Star Empire!”