Outside the Pure Void Secret Realm, the sun had set, casting a dim yellow hue across the sky.
The elders of various sects gazed upwards at the phantom images suspended in mid-air, each displaying the figures of the contestants within the Great Green Mountain.
"The genius from the Ye family truly lives up to their reputation, effortlessly dealing with a stage three demon beast."
A disheveled man exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief at the scene unfolding before him.
He was questioning his own understanding of reality. A stage three turtle demon, taken down in an instant by a stage two esper with a mere flick of a wrist. How was this possible?
"Indeed, it's terrifying. While it was only a nascent stage three turtle beast, it's an existence many contestants wouldn't dare provoke," a middle-aged man beside him sighed, also observing the spectacle. "But for Ye Gong, this demon beast was merely one of countless prey."
"As expected of the Ye family. A peerless genius seeking to break through to stage three in seclusion. He's surely the victor of this preliminary selection," the elder from the Tian Yu Sect added with a smile.
"Hahahaha, gentlemen, please don't heap such praise upon our Ye family," a middle-aged man in a dark brown patterned robe spoke from the Ye family's direction. He then cast a meaningful glance towards the Jiang family's contingent. "Though my Ye family members are formidable, how could they possibly be as formidable as the Jiang family? They've specifically sent a genius to intercept us!"
"It's just that if they truly meet and cannot defeat him, it would be quite the laughingstock."
The current patriarch of the Ye family chuckled, his words laced with mockery.
The Jiang family only knew that Ye Gong hadn't succeeded in his breakthrough. They were unaware that even without breaking through, Ye Gong could skillfully wield stage three abilities and had awakened new elemental powers, leading to a qualitative leap in his combat prowess!
For the Jiang family to send Jiang Taixu to intercept him was akin to seeking their own demise!
"After so many years, Ye old brother, your tongue remains as sharp. I hope you can still be this arrogant when your Ye family is eliminated," Jiang Liyun, the current patriarch of the Jiang family's direct line, stated calmly.
After witnessing Ye Gong effortlessly slay a stage three great demon, he was merely surprised, not panicked.
This was because Jiang Taixu was not their strongest contender. Even if he failed, there was still Jiang Zheye.
As long as Ye Gong remained at stage two, he would never be a match for Jiang Zheye, whose sole mission since birth was to destroy the Ye family!
"A joke. Setting aside who is stronger between Jiang Taixu and Ye Gong, my Qi family is also in the secret realm. Do you not see, Patriarch Jiang?" From a bamboo chair beneath the Qi family's flying ship sat a middle-aged man with thick eyebrows, dressed in a purple vest, his expression chilling.
He was confident that Qi Ye was no weaker than either Jiang Taixu or Ye Gong, perhaps even stronger. Moreover, given the current situation, it was highly probable that it would be a two-on-one scenario. He truly couldn't understand the Jiang family's inexplicable confidence.
"Qi Ye? Heh, then you just wait and see. Watch how both your Qi family and the Ye family are eliminated together," Jiang Liyun replied with a calm, indifferent gaze.
"Hahaha, Brother Jiang, your confidence is truly remarkable. Don't blink later."
The Ye family patriarch laughed, eager to witness Jiang Liyun's expression when Ye Gong eliminated Jiang Taixu.
Meanwhile, Jiang Liyun offered a mysterious smile, equally anticipating the expressions of the other two patriarchs when Jiang Zheye eliminated Ye Gong.
"Still laughing, such fools!"
The patriarchs of the Qi, Ye, and Jiang families exchanged glances and simultaneously cursed each other inwardly, each deeming the other a fool. Unbeknownst to them, not far away, in a patch of woods, an old man was observing them with the look one reserves for idiots.
...
Gongsun Jingming gazed at the sky.
Through the spatial rift, Xu Mu's figure was reflected.
He saw Xu Mu physically resist the Grizzly Bear Demon and witnessed the arrow he loosed from his bow, an arrow that sent shivers down his own spine.
Finally, Gongsun Jingming's gaze fell upon the patriarchs of the great families, his face etched with mockery.
"A genius comparable to Ji Chang has appeared. Ming Yu shines so brightly, yet the world remains blind, thinking themselves clever."
"What?" A tall, thin Daoist beside Gongsun Jingming asked, not quite catching his words.
He only knew that he had been standing there for hours, neglecting precious alchemy time. Yet Gongsun Jingming refused to explain why he had summoned him, only saying it was something of great importance.
But what could be more important than his crafting of immortal pills?
"Senior Brother, if you don't tell me what you need me for soon, I'll be leaving," the Daoist stated earnestly.
"Junior Brother, do you think the geniuses of the Jiang family, the Qi family, and the Ye family compare to Ji Chang of yesteryear?" Gongsun Jingming asked.
"Vastly inferior, not even on the same level," the Daoist replied instantly, without a second thought.
Ji Chang, participating as a rogue cultivator, had fought his way from the preliminary rounds to the Ten Thousand Races Assembly, ultimately dominating an era of prodigies, with countless individuals kneeling before him.
Even the Holy Son of the Nangong family, who was said to have grasped the Great Desolate Dao, had been trampled under his feet. Such an exceptionally gifted individual, how could these mere children compare?
"I've found a genius whose talent rivals Ji Chang, perhaps even surpasses him. Do you believe me?" Gongsun Jingming turned, his eyes burning with fervor.
"How could this... be possible." The thin Daoist instinctively prepared to retort, but seeing the intense, almost desperate ardor in Gongsun Jingming's expression, as if a fish on the verge of death had found water, he couldn't dismiss it so easily and began to consider it seriously.
"Senior Brother, this is no laughing matter. Is there truly such a person?" The thin Daoist's expression turned solemn. The entire continent of espers knew how monstrous Ji Chang was back then. Now, Gongsun Jingming claimed to have found someone with even higher talent. If this got out, it would be catastrophic!
"Of course, it's true. I've verified it. He possesses extraordinary talent in alchemy, capable of independently developing pill formulas and refining medicines without regard for the principles of mutual generation and restraint. He can even cure patients I cannot save."
"Furthermore, his cultivation talent is also immensely powerful!" Gongsun Jingming's face flushed crimson. He excitedly pointed to a corner of the sky-projected image where Xu Mu was visible, speaking somewhat incoherently. "Just now, I personally witnessed him shoot and kill a peak stage three bear demon with a single arrow."
"One arrow, a direct kill! Compared to that, what is the Ye family's Ye Gong?"
Upon hearing this, the thin Daoist was struck as if by lightning, frozen in place.
Independently developing medicinal formulas and disregarding the principles of mutual generation and restraint. To him, a fifth-stage alchemist, these were fantastical tales. Yet Gongsun Jingming claimed he could also kill a peak stage three demon beast with a single arrow.
"If this is true, we in Medicine King Valley must secure this person and nurture him. He could even refine the legendary divine pills!" The thin Daoist's eyes gleamed as he gazed at Xu Mu in the void, but his expression quickly turned grave.
He remembered that during Ji Chang's Ten Thousand Races Assembly, countless forces vied for him, but all failed. This ultimately led to that earth-shattering blood calamity, causing a peerless prodigy to be demoted to mediocrity.
This time, the young man Gongsun Jingming spoke of would undoubtedly attract intense competition from numerous powers. For their Medicine King Valley to obtain him, they needed to be fully prepared in advance!
"It's not enough. The two of us are too few," the thin Daoist said gravely, looking at Gongsun Jingming. "Senior Brother, I suggest we immediately contact the Valley Master and have all our Medicine King Valley's high-end combat power come here to ensure absolute success!"
"No, that would be too conspicuous," Gongsun Jingming shook his head, immediately rejecting the Daoist's suggestion. "Moreover, I'm not the only one aware of this kid's talent. Someone from the Jiang family's collateral branches also knows, though it seems he hasn't informed Jiang Liyun."
"Excellent! Doesn't that mean that right now, no one knows of his talent, and therefore no one will compete with us for him?!" the thin Daoist exclaimed with delight.
"Yes, let's just hope he doesn't reveal any exceptional strength at this stage," Gongsun Jingming said, regrettably punching a nearby large tree. If he had known this, he would have directly recruited Xu Mu into Medicine King Valley yesterday.
However, he had been too overwhelmed by the shock, repeatedly proven wrong, and his emotions were too complex, causing him to miss the optimal opportunity.
Now that Mu Xu had entered the Pure Void Secret Realm and wouldn't emerge for another fifteen days, would their plan still proceed smoothly?
"Fortunately, this kid knows how to divert attention and conceal himself, so no one should have seen him," Gongsun Jingming said, trying to comfort himself as he looked at Xu Mu.
But he was unaware that near him, a very short old man had been watching Xu Mu from beginning to end.
This old man had sunken eye sockets and wore a large black hat, obscuring his face.
However, if Xu Mu were present, he would immediately recognize this as Degas, the dwarf master artificer from Tu City, with whom he had a significant connection.
He could recognize Degas, and therefore Degas could recognize him.
"The Elven Bow, Silvan, truly a surprise," Degas chuckled, revealing a mouth full of yellow teeth as he looked at Xu Mu's image in the sky.
He truly hadn't expected Xu Mu to actually find the Elven Kingdom and bring out the sacred relic from it.
"Although I lost control initially, thankfully I found you again," Degas said, a greedy and sinister smile gracing his face as he looked at Xu Mu.
The Elven Bow would undoubtedly be his!
...