Though inwardly shocked, Lu Mingye did not lose his composure. He acknowledged that his enemy was indeed powerful, but that did nothing to shake his confidence.
After studying Jiang Chen with a deep, penetrating gaze for a moment, Lu Mingye spoke coolly: "Jiang Chen, for years now, Wanyuan Island has been buzzing with your name. Wherever you go, people seem to crown you as the number one genius of the younger generation on Wanyuan Island. Don't you feel unworthy of that title?"
Jiang Chen hadn't expected Lu Mingye to open with such a far-off remark. He had assumed Lu Mingye would speak up on behalf of Qin You and the others, or at least proclaim that he was going to restore the honor of the Hundred Saints Holy Land's fellow disciples.
But Lu Mingye didn't utter a single word about that. Instead, his opening gambit was nothing but jealousy-fueled bickering with Jiang Chen.
Jiang Chen couldn't help but laugh. In truth, the spread of his name across Wanyuan Island was not something he had sought. He didn't really care about such empty fame.
It was just that the Eternal Sacred Land perhaps enjoyed such things — and more often than not, it was the Eternal Sacred Land that had fanned the flames.
After all, having such an extraordinary genius to promote, boast about, and build hype around was enormously beneficial to the Eternal Sacred Land's reputation.
And sure enough, the Eternal Sacred Land now had its sights set on the Alliance Leader position.
Upon seeing Lu Mingye emerge, Qin You and the others began wailing: "Senior Brother Lu, you have to stand up for us! This brat is utterly ruthless — he not only robbed us of our belongings but also laid a vicious hand on us! Senior Brother Lu, save us…"
Lu Mingye was unmoved. He was an exceedingly proud man.
Seeing his fellow disciples in such a state, he actually felt deep revulsion — their wretchedness was nothing short of an insult to the Hundred Saints Holy Land's reputation.
"Jiang Chen, it seems you have no intention of voluntarily giving up the title of number one genius. Perhaps the best way to claim that title is to defeat you and humiliate you." Lu Mingye's gaze was brimming with provocation.
Jiang Chen smiled faintly. "Lu Mingye, you can't even qualify as the number one genius of the Hundred Saints Holy Land, yet here you are coveting the title of Wanyuan Island's top genius. Don't you think you're getting ahead of yourself?"
This was the one thing Lu Mingye was most sensitive about — the sorest spot deep in his heart.
Hearing these words now, he was consumed by rage.
"Boy, what happens in my Hundred Saints Holy Land is none of your business to meddle in. Today, I, Lu, will trample you beneath my feet and claim the title of number one genius." Lu Mingye said coldly.
"A fine idea — but alas, that's all it can ever be. Wait until you've actually become the number one genius of the Hundred Saints Holy Land before you challenge me. For now, why don't you call out your accomplices?"
"Accomplices?" Lu Mingye sneered. "I'm the only one here. I am the one who will defeat you today and trample you beneath my feet."
Jiang Chen smiled faintly and shook his head at leisure. "You don't qualify. No matter how desperately you try to deny it, your face plainly says it all — you are nothing but a perpetual second place. You'll never be number one. You're not worthy of being the top genius in the Hundred Saints Holy Land, let alone the number one genius of Wanyuan Island."
After just a few exchanges, Jiang Chen could tell that Lu Mingye had a thorn in his heart — and that thorn was most likely Poison Concubine Shi Qinglu.
Judging from the order in which they appeared, Jiang Chen had his suspicions.
If Lu Mingye were the strongest genius, he would surely have come out last. But the fact that Poison Concubine Shi Qinglu had yet to show herself while Lu Mingye appeared first…
What did that tell him?
It meant that Lu Mingye's ranking within the sect was certainly below that of Poison Concubine Shi Qinglu.
That was precisely Lu Mingye's weakness.
Lu Mingye's handsome face was suddenly covered in frost. Clearly, he had been genuinely provoked by Jiang Chen.
But what happened next infuriated him even more.
Jiang Chen simply ignored him outright, brushing past him as he walked on, heading deeper into the dense forest.