Chapter 314: The Character

At this point, anyone who went up would likely only be asking to be mocked.

Qin Yue's gaze swept over the crowd. She was about to say that since no one else was coming up, they should just move on, when Nie Li stood up and smiled calmly. "Mind if I give it a try?"

The entire side hall fell dead silent. Everyone stared blankly at Nie Li.

What was going on?

Who was this guy?

After Yan Yang and the other two, someone still dared to step forward?

"Who is this kid? He's got some nerve!"

"I know who he is — the number one genius of the younger generation in the Feather God Sect!"

But even if he was the top prodigy among the younger generation of the Feather God Sect, to challenge Yan Yang and the others in comprehension of the Dao — wasn't that going a bit too far?

Yan Yang, Mingyue Wushuang, and Long Tianming all glanced toward Nie Li. They were clearly a bit surprised, but they watched calmly, wanting to see what Nie Li had in mind.

Ye Xuan looked at Nie Li and couldn't help but think with disdain, *Show-off!* Even if Nie Li truly had the skill, if he'd gone before Yan Yang and the other two, no one would have said anything. But to go up after them? That was sheer arrogance! No matter what Nie Li achieved, everyone would compare him to Yan Yang and the trio!

Ye Xuan secretly figured that Nie Li had probably seen him go up and show off in front of Xiao Ning'er, and couldn't hold himself back either.

He glanced at Xiao Ning'er beside Nie Li. Her taste really was something — picking such a fool. Even if he wanted to compete with Ye Xuan, this was hardly the right moment.

Murong Yu let out a contemptuous scoff. Did Nie Li really think he could challenge Yan Yang and the others now? Talk about overestimating himself!

Li Xingyun nearby looked at Nie Li with mild surprise. Why had he chosen this moment to stand up? Li Xingyun felt that Nie Li never did anything without reason — he wouldn't just go up there to humiliate himself. What exactly was Nie Li planning? He couldn't quite figure it out.

Gu Bei was also stunned for a moment. He certainly didn't believe Nie Li could surpass Yan Yang and the others in Dao comprehension, so what was he going up there for?

But Xiao Ning'er, Lu Piao, and Xiao Xue showed not a hint of surprise. They'd known Nie Li long enough to understand that he never made empty moves. They had absolutely no worry about him losing face.

Long Yuyin also looked at Nie Li in confusion. Ever since Nie Li had put her in her place, she'd sensed that his cultivation in the martial path was unfathomably deep. But she still didn't believe he could overshadow Yan Yang and the other two. She had just witnessed their astonishing strength — their comprehension of the Dao had reached an extraordinarily profound level. So why would Nie Li choose to go up now? A strong sense of curiosity stirred within her.

Nie Li patted Gu Bei on the shoulder and said, "Watch closely in a bit. Look with your heart and feel the artistic conception within. It'll be a huge help to your cultivation."

"Oh." Gu Bei nodded, though his expression remained somewhat bewildered.

Hearing Nie Li's words, Long Yuyin paused. Her curiosity about what was about to happen grew even stronger. She straightened up, her expression serious, wanting to see clearly what Nie Li intended to do. If Gu Bei could gain insight from it, why couldn't she?

Ye Xuan and Murong Yu both sneered. With Nie Li putting on that seasoned-master act, did he really think he was some kind of grandmaster?

Li Xingyun looked at Nie Li with mild surprise, and anticipation began to build.

Nie Li turned and walked toward the front. Xiao Ning'er and the others fixed their gazes entirely on him.

Every other eye in the side hall locked onto Nie Li as well. Even Yan Yang and the other two sized him up, and upon noticing that his cultivation hadn't even reached the Heavenly Fate Realm, they couldn't help but smile. With that level of cultivation, what understanding of the Heavenly Dao could he possibly have?

Qin Yue's gaze fell on Nie Li, and a sweet smile appeared on her face. "This junior brother seems rather young. Since he's willing to come up and demonstrate, that's truly commendable courage! We shouldn't be too hard on him."

A soft ripple of laughter ran through the audience. Qin Yue was clearly leaving Nie Li a graceful exit.

Nie Li showed no trace of stage fright. He spoke in a calm and unhurried tone, "Earlier, someone wrote the character for 'love.' I'm no expert, but I'll humbly offer a character of my own."

*So he's targeting me after all!* Ye Xuan wore a knowing expression. What a fool — even if he wanted to compete with Ye Xuan, he should have done it before Yan Yang and the others. Going up after them, no matter how well Nie Li wrote, he'd be mocked for his ignorance.

Even setting aside Yan Yang and the others, thinking he could surpass Ye Xuan was nothing but wishful thinking!

Nie Li's gaze swept over the audience below, and he smiled faintly. "This character of mine is for someone destined to receive it."

The crowd in the side hall exchanged glances. Was Nie Li really taking himself that seriously? Everyone here was a top prodigy from one of the three great sacred sects — who needed Nie Li's guidance? They were all waiting to see him make a fool of himself.