"Linghu Hongfei?"
"Why is he here? I thought he wasn't going to participate in this selection?"
Linghu Hongfei's arrival caught everyone by surprise, yet it also brought a tremendous wave of excitement.
After all, Linghu Hongfei was universally acknowledged as the strongest genius of the Ancestral Martial Starfield.
A selection of the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars without him was simply incomplete.
Forget about seeing him fight — just catching a glimpse of him in person was a wish held by many, especially the younger generation. And among the young, it was the women who were most thrilled.
What woman wouldn't want the most outstanding man in all the heavens and earth to be her protector?
Without a doubt, Linghu Hongfei was the partner they desired most. It was a pity that he stood so far above them — they knew they were not worthy of him. But that did nothing to diminish their admiration and adoration for him.
"Linghu Hongfei, it seems you've changed your mind?" Wuming Ken asked.
"This junior encountered some trouble earlier. At the time, he believed he would not make it in time for the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars selection and did not wish to hold everyone up on his account, so he withdrew. However, once his body recovered, he rushed here immediately. I hope, Senior, that you might give this junior a chance." Linghu Hongfei clasped his fists and spoke, his tone humble yet eloquent — neither impolite nor lacking in dignity.
Not only were the young generation captivated, but the elders were also full of praise.
"So your body is fully recovered now?" Wuming Ken asked.
"Thank you for your concern, Senior. This junior has fully healed," Linghu Hongfei replied.
"That is good. You are a pillar of the Ancestral Martial Starfield's future. If anything were to happen to you, it would be grim news for our starfield."
"As for whether you may continue to participate in the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars selection, this old man cannot make that decision alone. I must go discuss it with the clan's elders."
With that, Wuming Ken shot toward the war chariots at the forefront of the Starfield Main Realm.
No one knew exactly who was inside, but without question, there were prominent figures from the Starfield Main Realm holding court within — quite possibly even Supreme Realm experts.
Before long, Wuming Ken flew back out from the chariot and returned to where he had been standing.
"Linghu Hongfei, with the approval of the clan's elders, an exception will be made today, allowing you to join the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars selection mid-course," Wuming Ken announced.
"Thank you, Senior." Linghu Hongfei clasped his fists in gratitude. Though a smile graced his face, there was no trace of wild elation — it seemed he had been confident of this outcome from the start.
In truth, it wasn't only he who was confident. Many people present felt that as long as Linghu Hongfei wished to participate, he would certainly be allowed to.
After all, he was universally acknowledged as the strongest genius. Even without participating, he was still the strongest genius.
It was the so-called Ancestral Martial Ten Stars without him that lost some of its weight.
But if he did participate, the rankings would regain their proper prestige. So even if it meant making an exception, the Starfield Main Realm would allow him to compete.
"There is, however, one condition," Wuming Ken spoke up again at that moment.
"What condition? Please speak, Senior," Linghu Hongfei asked calmly.
"To satisfy the crowd, you may not take the Hidden Paths — only the Bright Paths. If you can walk the Bright Paths all the way to the end, I trust no one will dare object. At that point… you may challenge any one of those ten individuals. Win… and only then will you earn the right to participate in the selection," Wuming Ken said.
"He has to take the Bright Paths? That requirement is far too harsh!"
"Indeed. There are Venerable Realm Fierce Beasts lurking along the way."
"It's an impossible task for anyone else. But… for Linghu Hongfei, perhaps not."
Many felt the condition was far too demanding, yet others believed that while it would be virtually impossible for anyone else, for Linghu Hongfei it might not be so difficult.
After all, Linghu Hongfei's strength was far beyond what any other young cultivator could match — otherwise… he would never have earned such a towering reputation.
What was a prodigy? Linghu Hongfei was a true prodigy.
What was a genius? In the presence of Linghu Hongfei, everyone else hardly qualified as geniuses.
"Very well. This junior accepts," Linghu Hongfei agreed without hesitation.
Whoosh—
With that, Linghu Hongfei launched himself into the air, arriving directly atop the Nine Dragon Phenomenon Ridge. He passed through the gate of the Grand Heaven and Earth Bell and stepped inside.