Encountering them would likely lead to defeat.
These two were publicly acknowledged as the first and second supreme prodigies of Liangcheng Commandery. Their exact ranking was unknown, but they were certainly far stronger than the others.
Unlike the Lin family's spiritual body geniuses who felt inferior, Fang Ming didn't believe he couldn't defeat these two. They were at the peak of the tenth layer of Condensation Pulse, not yet in the Dao Foundation realm, so there wasn't much to discuss.
Below the Dao Foundation, all were ants.
Although Liangcheng Commandery was vast, the competition venue was not far from the Lin family. Moreover, the four members of the Lin family were quite strong and walked quickly. Thus, it only took them a short while to reach the designated competition area.
Upon arrival, they saw several large arenas in the center of a spacious area.
Below the grand arenas were numerous cultivators. It seemed that not only the five great families but also rogue cultivators wished to participate and join the Lingxiao Sect.
This was the designated competition site chosen by the Golden Core True Person, Dao Xuan. These large arenas had been erected by the five great families in just a few days.
The arrival of Fang Ming and the other three also drew the attention of these cultivators, especially those from the other four great families.
"Quick, look, the Lin family is here."
"What? The Lin family is here too?"
"I don't see Lin Yao..."
"Instead, there's a new face."
The cultivators present had already noticed the arrival of Fang Ming and the other three.
It might seem strange that they immediately attracted everyone's attention.
However, it wasn't strange at all. Except for Fang Ming, the other three had already made names for themselves in other families, so it was normal for them to be recognized.
Conversely, it would be abnormal if they weren't recognized and didn't cause a stir.
At this moment, the discussions of the cultivators reached Fang Ming's ears.
"Look, that's Lin Junjie. He once defeated two geniuses of the same level together. His cultivation has reached the eighth layer of Condensation Pulse, and his body cultivation is also at the eighth layer of Condensation Pulse. He's definitely a formidable opponent."
"And that's Lin Qingwan? My goddess..."
Hearing the comments, Fang Ming glanced at Lin Qingwan. She had a cold, indifferent expression, clearly accustomed to such remarks.
"This girl was quite enthusiastic earlier, but now she's so aloof. Her mood changes quickly," Fang Ming thought.
Earlier, Lin Qingwan had been playfully interacting with them all the way. Now, in front of everyone, she had become aloof. Was it a case of a cold exterior but a warm heart, or was she simply fed up with her admirers?
Fang Ming pondered for a moment and then mentally categorized her as someone with a cold exterior but a warm heart.
He assessed Lin Qingwan's personality.
While Fang Ming was assessing others, the other cultivators also noticed him and began to assess him.
"Huh? Why is there someone so young? Is he a junior brought out by Lin Junjie and the others to experience the world?" Among the cultivators, sharp-eyed individuals spotted Fang Ming in the middle.
Fang Ming's current body was only fourteen years old, a significant difference compared to adults like Lin Junjie and Lin Hangyu. He was immediately noticed by everyone.
"Young, wearing blue... I think I've heard of this young man somewhere."
Some cultivators desperately tried to recall who Fang Ming was. Then, someone, perhaps unknowingly, revealed Fang Ming's identity.
"It's Lin Xuan! The one who defeated Lin Yao!"
"That's him! Only at his age of fourteen is he so easily recognizable!"
"Damn! I never believed that rumor. How could such a monstrous genius defeat a spiritual body genius at the seventh layer of Condensation Pulse who cultivated both pháp and body, and more importantly, was only fourteen years old? It seemed impossible... I didn't expect such a person to exist, and he's really just a child!"
"Incredible! Truly incredible!"
"We haven't seen anything like this in this region for a thousand years!"
Upon hearing the more explosive news, or rather, the juicier gossip, the cultivators' topic shifted from the other members of the Lin family to Lin Xuan, discussing him animatedly.
The combination of a top-grade Profound Law of the Mortal tier, fourteen years of age, and defeating Lin Yao at the seventh layer of Condensation Pulse was a significant shock to everyone's worldview.
Was he so monstrously talented at such a young age? How did he cultivate? Were their own aptitudes too low, having cultivated for twenty years to reach the seventh layer of Condensation Pulse?
Even the two acknowledged supreme prodigies of the region, Lei Jian of the Lei family and Wen Liang of the Wen family, who were clearly at the ninth layer of Condensation Pulse and suspected to have secretly reached the peak of the tenth layer, turned their gazes towards him, their expressions filled with surprise.
"Seventh layer of Condensation Pulse at fourteen years old. While not unheard of in major sects like Lingxiao Sect, it's unheard of in Liangcheng Commandery, a family like the Lin family, which lacks a Golden Core cultivator or even a Nascent Soul ancestor... How could they nurture such talent? Such a thing has never been heard of in this region," said Wen Liang, who, true to his name, was a dashing and elegant young man. He was discussing Fang Ming with Lei Jian.
Lei Jian's attitude was different from Wen Liang's. He scoffed, "The vast Kyushu Great World is boundless, with countless secret techniques from senior experts. I've heard rumors about this person; he's just a young man who got lucky with a fortuitous encounter. How can his age compare to yours and mine?"
"With so many prodigies here, he might not even make it into the top twenty. The Lingxiao Sect recruits disciples only once every twenty years. If you miss the time and opportunity, what's the use of even the greatest talent? If he doesn't join Lingxiao or a major sect, and remains in this small Lin family, a Dao Foundation family, he will ultimately be lost in the crowd. What's there to worry about?" Lei Jian held Fang Ming in contempt. He was just a brat, and it was uncertain if he could even secure a spot as an outer disciple.
Let alone compare him to themselves.
As the acknowledged top prodigies of Liangcheng Commandery, they were almost guaranteed the first or second spot. Not only had they secured spots as outer disciples, but they had also obtained spots as inner disciples.
Wen Liang clearly disagreed with him. He smiled and said, "Perhaps this young friend will surprise us." He then closed his eyes to rest.
Below the stage.
Fang Ming paid little attention to the gazes of the crowd. He had seen much grander scenes.
What was this small spectacle?
Suddenly, he felt a gaze fixed upon him. Looking up, he saw Lei Jian's disdainful look.
"He looks down on my chances of ranking in this competition?" Fang Ming, with his keen insight into people, could clearly discern the meaning behind that gaze with just a glance.
He outwardly showed no reaction but inwardly sneered.
A mere tenth layer of Condensation Pulse, how dare he compare himself to me.
This person looked at him with disdain, unaware that Fang Ming was the one who utterly disdained him.
Even the peak of the tenth layer of Condensation Pulse couldn't withstand a single finger of a Dao Foundation realm cultivator.
Time passed quickly.
As the competition drew closer, a powerful pressure descended. A maiden who looked about eighteen or nineteen years old descended from the sky. This was the Golden Core True Person – Dao Xuan.
The crowd below the arena turned pale under the pressure. This was the result of the Golden Core True Person holding back; otherwise, many would have been injured or killed. Those with low cultivation would have been crushed to death by the pressure.