Though Sheng Xuehuai was plain in appearance, standing upon the stage, he conversed and laughed with Xian Nankui, commander of the Divine Strategy Army and a powerful figure in the Cave Manifestation realm.
Despite drawing the worst lot, his demeanor remained composed.
This bearing was in no way inferior to others.
His gaze first fell upon the southern stands.
This was, of course, the “correct” order.
For many would first look in this direction.
Seated in the center of the southern stands was none other than Yelaner, rumored to be the most beautiful woman in Chu.
She was draped in a magnificent, floor-length gown.
The embroidery of a phoenix singing on the Wutong tree was astonishingly lifelike.
Radiant gold, deep green, and fiery red, these three colors were wondrously interwoven, creating this peerless treasure.
Every material composing it was extraordinary, yet when woven together, it possessed only aesthetic value, without any abilities of a magical artifact.
From its very creation, it was intended solely for her to wear at the Yellow River Meet.
As the Yellow River Meet forbade the use of magical artifacts, magical robes were naturally included. The craftsmen of Chu’s Heavenly Crafting Bureau deliberately employed special techniques to suppress the possibility of it generating abilities.
Such a breathtakingly beautiful gown, were the wearer’s beauty even slightly less, would instead overshadow her.
But Yelaner merely sat there, and all eyes were drawn to her face.
This was a face crafted with divine skill.
All other beauty was merely a衬托 (chèntuō – foil,襯托).
One could not describe her features, only call them perfect, every detail captivating, even her eyebrows were just right.
She possessed a intense, dazzling, and highly aggressive beauty, yet her personal temperament was gentle and coolly aloof.
This fatal sense of contradiction brought forth a suffocating charm.
No man’s gaze could escape her.
Neither could a woman’s.
Did you not see how Huang Sheli’s eyes lit up from the start, constantly glancing towards Yelaner?
From the moment Yelaner took her seat until now, he had been turning his head frequently, truly seizing every moment to look.
In contrast, Murong Longqie, seated beside her, remained upright and gazed straight ahead.
In the southwestern stands, Ye Qingyu, her face veiled in light muslin, couldn’t help but admire Yelaner with a few glances. Then, she looked slightly towards the eastern stands, only to see that Jiang Qingyang of Qi, like everyone else, was intently staring at the southern stands.
She watched for a while and couldn’t help but smile.
Jiang Wang was indeed seriously observing the southern stands, but his gaze was not at all focused on Yelaner. Instead, it was on a robust man seated to Yelaner’s front left.
This was a man with a proud expression and profound features, seated there like a mountain. Of course, the most striking feature was his pair of eyes, born with the unique double-pupil phenomenon.
That was a potential opponent for Jiang…
The Inner Palace realm prodigy of Chu, Xiang Bei.
Sheng Xuehuai’s gaze swept over Yelaner, without the slightest hint of inferiority due to the vast difference in their appearances.
He looked with the gaze of someone assessing an opponent.
Then turned west.
Seated in the very center of the western stands were several prodigies from Qin, along with Zhang Gu, the commander of the Tyrant Legion, who served as their leader.
Sheng Xuehuai’s gaze fell upon Huang Budong.
This was a prodigy with an “aged appearance,” clearly under thirty, in his twenties, yet he looked like a little old man, sitting there, half-lidded eyes, looking drowsy…
He presented a picture of someone nearing the end of their days.
This was probably the most unmotivated prodigy in the entire arena, and he also lacked any sense of youthfulness. It made one truly want to verify if he was indeed under thirty.
Beside him, the Tyrant Legion commander Zhang Gu, with a composed and gentle face, possessing the demeanor of a renowned general. He subtly pricked Huang Budong with his divine soul energy.
Huang Budong jolted, straightened his back, and shook his head side to side: “What’s up!”
Zhang Gu smiled and said: “How about you go back and rest?”
Huang Budong stood up, ready to leave, but fortunately realized where he was and sat back down sheepishly.
He even very naturally raised his hand and waved to Sheng Xuehuai, who was looking over.
Sheng Xuehuai smiled and nodded, moving his gaze to the next prodigy.
Murong Longqie of Jing was a man with a cold face, exuding an aura that kept strangers away.
He met Sheng Xuehuai’s scrutinizing gaze with a hard stare, practically saying directly: “Challenge me, and I’ll send you back immediately.”
Sheng Xuehuai did not respond to this provocation, his gaze continued to move.
Cang Ming, known as the “Emissary of the Present World,” wore a large cloak that heavily obscured his face. He held a scripture scroll and sat in meditation the entire time, seemingly unconcerned with anything.
Sheng Xuehuai’s gaze, having circled around, finally landed on Ji Zhaonan.
The peerlessly graceful Ji Zhaonan had also been one of the focal points of the circular stands.
Facing Sheng Xuehuai’s gaze, which was picking an opponent, Ji Zhaonan showed neither disdain nor particular regard, merely looking back at him calmly.
Just as the prodigies of Mu country would prioritize challenging the prodigies of Sheng country in the main competition to suppress them, from Sheng country’s perspective, the opponent Sheng Xuehuai should choose should undoubtedly be Cang Ming.
His pretentious scrutiny was truly not very interesting.
Hence, Murong Longqie’s gaze was so unforgiving.
But Sheng Xuehuai’s gaze stopped on Ji Zhaonan.
“The strongest in this place, I believe, is you, esteemed one.”
He cupped his hands towards Ji Zhaonan: “Brother Ji, please guide me.”
Upon hearing this, Huang Budong and Cang Ming had no reaction, one too sleepy to respond, the other’s reaction hidden by his cloak. Murong Longqie’s sword-like eyebrows raised slightly, clearly unwilling to agree.
Yelan’er, on the other hand, looked at Ji Zhaonan, observing his reaction.
Ji Zhaonan smiled, stood up tall, holding the Shao Hua spear as white as frost and snow, and stepped down from the stands.
He smiled at Sheng Xuehuai and said: “At least in terms of discernment, you are worthy of being called a prodigy!”
Sheng Xuehuai bowed slightly, his demeanor graceful: “Brother Ji’s praise, I, Sheng, accept with humility.”
As the foremost prodigy of Sheng country, a peerless figure who achieved Divine Arrival before the age of thirty.
He had the freedom to choose his opponent.
Challenging Cang Ming, forcing out more of Cang Ming’s techniques, preventing Mu country from achieving a better ranking… this might be the choice that better aligned with Sheng country’s interests.
But there was nothing wrong with him wanting to challenge the strongest person he perceived.
Xian Nankui on the sidelines couldn’t help but take another look at Sheng Xuehuai.
As a renowned general of the Daoist Sect country, he had to admit that he had always only heard of Sheng Xuehuai, the foremost prodigy of this vassal state, and did not truly know the person.
After all, Xian Nankui’s gaze, if it fell upon anyone, would be on individuals of the caliber of Meng Wuya.
Judging by Sheng Xuehuai’s choice at this moment, his previous mention of the Jing country’s prodigy… was genuinely laced with a hint of eagerness!
He only wanted to challenge the strongest!
Since the Yellow River Meet evolved into a gathering of national prodigies, there have been instances of small countries achieving surprising victories in the Inner Palace realm and Outer Building realm matches. Though very rare, it had happened.
However, in the unrestricted matches for those under thirty, the champion had never left the hegemonic nations.
Because prodigies at this level were no longer simply capable of leveling the gap through luck or a few powerful divine abilities. Everyone was a top-tier prodigy, everyone possessed top-tier talent.
What Dao do you pursue? What Dao have you accomplished?
The prodigies of powerful nations in the world also possessed the most top-tier inheritances, the most top-tier resources, and the most top-tier guidance.
And despite all this…
Sheng Xuehuai still wanted to challenge the strongest!
Everyone had come from the era of young prodigies, and Xian Nankui’s jujube-red complexion showed little expression.
He simply raised a hand and said: “Please!”
Ji Zhaonan, the unparalleled individual with the unparalleled spear, had already stepped onto the martial arts stage.