Famed Genius

"Martial Artist Level Seven, pass!"

"Martial Artist Level Eight, pass!"

"Martial Artist Level Nine, pass!"

"Martial Artist Level Seven, pass!"

…

On expert after another streamed forward after the scarred face man, all of them there with recommendation letters. With the vetting that must've come with their recommendation, each expert easily passed.

So far, the strongest examinee had been a Level Nine Martial Artist without any sign of anyone stronger.

Ye Tian waited quietly, meditating with his eyes closed, his curiosity about the test satisfied.

Some time later, a series of exclamations roused Ye Tian from his calm repose.

"Level Nine Martial Artist. Not bad—Brother Yang has a good successor." The Thousand-Man Commander smiled faintly at the young examinee in the brocade robes.

Ye Tian was somewhat surprised. This was the first emotion the commander had shown, but this young man was only a Level Nine warrior.

"Level Nine Martial Artist, hiss~~~ how old is that brat?"

"How ignorant. That's the Yang Family's young master, the fifteen year old Yang Tianyou, one of the most famous geniuses in Blood Jade City."

"To think Yang Tianyou came to take the test today. A fifteen year old Level Nine Martial Artist? Tsk tsk, his fame will only grow. Truly shocking."

…

Ye Tian finally understood the fuss. A fifteen year old Level Nine Martial Artist—an expert actually younger than him. This Yang Tianyou was truly an impressive talent. It was no wonder that even the Thousand-Man Commander was impressed.

"Young Master Yang, this is your Scarlet Guard token. As a Level Nine Martial Artist, you can compete for the position of squad leader. Congratulations." The Scarlet Guard in charge of registration politely handed Ye Tianyou a Scarlet Token.

The Yang Family was a large family in Blood Jade City and this young master was incredibly talented—even the Scarlet Guard needed to deal with Yang Tianyou carefully, none of them willing to anger him.

Yang Tianyou accepted the Scarlet Token proudly, walking over to thew registered crowd of newly-minted Scarlet Guard warriors, looking back disdainfully at the Martial Warriors still waiting to take the test.

In his eyes, these people were nothing but clowns.

"How proud. But he truly has the strength for his pride," someone muttered. Many of the attentive experts noticed Yang Tianyou's demeanor. Although some of them were angered, none of them dared to say anything.

With his status as the young master of a great family and his own talent, his existence had most quaking with trepidation.

Despite the stir, the test continued unabated. After all, geniuses like Yang Tianyou were quite rare.

Soon another hour passed.

"Next," the Thousand-Man Commander called out indifferently.

A grey robed man approached the Mysterious Stone Wall.

The man was tall and strong, his hair dark as ink, his long brows perched over his sharp eyes. He wore a saber on his back, and as soon as he stepped forward, he unleashed his forceful Qi, attracting every eye.

"En?" The Thousand-Man Commander examined the middle-aged, grey-robed man, cocking his brows as he nodded, smiling.

The crowd of onlookers were once again in for a surprise.

There was finally another examinee who satisfied the Commander.

Everyone turned to stare at the grey-robed man, guessing at the cultivation level necessary to please the Thousand-Man Commander.

Ye Tian turned curiously, noticing the excitement in the crowd. He opened his eyes and examined the man beside the wall.

Judging by his Qi…he should be a Level Ten Martial Artist! Ye Tian thought to himself.

Ye Tian watched as the grey-robed man roared and punched forward, revealing his steel muscles and boulder-like fist as he smashed his hand against the Mysterious Stone Wall.

The golden lines flickered again, forming another set of golden characters.

"Half-Step Martial Master!"

The characters shone with dazzling brilliance, stunning every wide-eyed person.

The square fell silent.

"Not bad—you have one foot in the Martial Master realm. Looks like our Scarlet Guard will soon have another Centurion. What's your name?" The Thousand-Man Commander smiled, speaking to the grey-robed man.

The middle-aged man hurriedly replied, full of respect: "Honored One, this junior's name is Wu Qinghu."

"Go register. Cultivate well and you'll soon enter the Martial Master realm," the Thousand-Man Commander replied, nodding.

The square began to murmur as people stirred from their astonishment, quietly gossiping as they respectfully examined Wu Qinghu. A powerhouse demanded attention wherever they went.

Even the proud Yang Tianyou was looking at Wu Qinghu with a sliver of seriousness.

Half-Step Martial Master? To think such an expert would show himself today. He's as strong as the Village Chief, Ye Tian thought to himself with some surprise, though not too impressed. Wang Tian had also been a Half-Step Martial Master.

Another hour flew by and it was finally Ye Tian's turn.

"Next," the Thousand-Man Commander called out in his indifferent voice.

Ye Tian walked out and came under the curious gazes of the gathered crowd.

As soon as he appeared, the crowd began to chatter excitedly as people began to gossip cheerfully.

Of course none of them knew Ye Tian's name, but his youthful face spoke for itself. It was clear with a glance that he wasn't even twenty years old.

Only Yang Tianyou had been as youthful as him.

Of course, nobody expected Ye Tian to be as talented as Yang Tianyou; after all, such a genius was rare even in Blood Jade City.

So when Ye Tian approached the Mysterious Stone Wall, many people sneered.

"Where did this brat come from? Have his balls even dropped? Wanting to join the Scarlet Guard, haha, what a joke!" A big man laughed mockingly.

"Perhaps he's as talented as Young Master Yang!" Another person joked.

"When did geniuses become so common? If he passes the test, I'll eat that stone wall." A middle-aged man snorted.

"Ay, who knows which master wrote him this letter of recommendation? Even if they wanted to sneak him in through the backdoor, this is too much. The brat is at most a Level Four Martial Artist." Another person shook his head in dismay.

…

As mocking words flew and the crowd grew more and more unbridled, noise filled the square.

"Silence!"

The Thousand-Man Commander called out, his loud voice deafening. Everyone turned silently to watch Ye Tian approach the Mysterious Stone Wall, many of them filled with schadenfreude.

The Martial Warriors who had already passed were also examining him mockingly.

"What a joke, hmph!" Yang Tianyou sneered.

Wu Qinghu narrowed his eyes, examining Ye Tian with careful seriousness, a fine light glimmering in his gaze.

"Quickly, approach!" The Thousand-Man Commander called out almost impatiently, excitement flickering in his eyes.

If even a Centurion like Li Tian could sense Ye Tian's cultivation level, then the Thousand-Man Commander would definitely understand his strength. The truth was that the Commander had long ago noticed Ye Tian and had been waiting for just this moment.

But in the eyes of the sneering crowd, the Thousand-Man Commander seemed impatient, so the mockery on their faces only thickened.

Ye Tian paid them no mind, nodding at the Commander.

The grey-white Mysterious Stone Wall glowed faintly before him as Ye Tian breathed deeply, focusing on his Dan Tian. Slowly, he circulated his Qi and readied his slim, elegant right arm.

"Bah, still pretending!" A quiet sneer pierced the air.

Shua!

Snapping forward like a sharp arrow, Ye Tian's fist blew forward in an explosion of his Qi, pounding into the Mysterious Stone Wall.

Golden lines trembled and congealed, finally forming four golden characters: "Level Ten Martial Artist!"

The dazzling gold shone brilliantly, silencing the square.

The distant Yang Tianyou's eyes narrowed, his face filled with disbelief.

Wu Qinghu's serious face also froze, astonishment flickering in his eyes.

The entire square fell silent!

Everyone could only stare in shock at the golden words on the Mysterious Stone Wall, their expressions especially brilliant. Finally, a shuddering gasp seemed to sweep through the crowd.

"Gu Dong!"

People swallowed audibly as they turned astonished faces towards Ye Tian, their sneezes frozen on their faces.

"Hahaha, I didn't misjudge you. Kid, what's your name? How old are you?" The Thousand-Man Commander laughed uproariously, his cold restraint disappearing as he examined Ye Tian with glowing eyes.

Ye Tian calmly bowed and replied: "Honored Commander, this junior is called Ye Tian. This year I am sixteen."

"Hiss!!!!"

Another round of shuddering gasps filled the square.

A sixteen year old Level Ten Martial Artist expert! Such an accomplishment was rare even in the many centuries of Blood Jade City's history. A true genius even more talented than Yang Tianyou!

"Gulp…" Yang Tianyou swallowed, his disdainful sneer half frozen and mixing with his growing astonishment into a truly spectacular expression.

Wu Qinghu's pupils shrank as his serious demeanor seemed to thicken.

"Good! Ye Tian, I will remember you. My name is Zhao Dapeng. If you need anything in the future, come directly to me!" the Thousand-Man Commander cheerfully replied.

These words sent another wave through the crowd as looks of admiration and envy began to cover people's faces.

They could only imagine the sort of impact the Commander's promise would have on Ye Tian's career. With the expert looking out for this peerless talent, Ye Tian's future as a famous powerhouse in Blood Jade City was all but sealed.

"Many thanks, Commander Zhao!" Ye Tian hurriedly bowed, expressing his sincere gratitude, happy to have found such a powerful backing.

"Hahaha, go register." Zhao Dapeng smiled and nodded.

The Scarlet Guard in charge of registration moved quickly, quietly recording Ye Tian's name. Everyone knew that the news of this youth's talent would soon spread throughout the city as the different powers jostled to rope him into their factions.

Ye Tian calmly accepted his Scarlet Token, walking over to the new Scarlet Guards before resting, closing his eyes and meditating.