Li Mao stared at Liu Wuzhou, his face crestfallen. A bitter feeling welled up inside him.
He couldn’t accept it.
However, Liu Wuzhou frowned.
The result was a far cry from what he had imagined.
Still, it was more than enough to crush the geniuses of the Eighteen Kingdoms and obtain the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique.
Liu Wuzhou glanced at Li Mao and said, "Nothing’s impossible. As far as I’m concerned, you’re all trash."
"Liu Wuzhou, don’t be so arrogant."
"So what if your Talent Value is a little high? What’s there to be so smug about? For all you know, one of us might have a Talent Value even higher than yours."
"That’s right! With all the geniuses in our Eighteen Kingdoms, there’s no way we can’t find someone more talented than you."
The geniuses of the Eighteen Kingdoms fumed.
Liu Wuzhou said confidently, "Then go on and test. Just don’t delay me from receiving the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique."
"Let us try too!"
Seeing that Liu Wuzhou had finished, Wu Hao and Man Mountain couldn’t resist stepping forward to begin their tests.
"Man Mountain, age twenty-three, Early Stage Martial Artist, Talent Value: 8/1000."
"Wu Hao, age twenty-three, Early Stage Martial Artist, Talent Value: 8/1000."
Everyone stared, stunned by their test results.
They were actually the same as Liu Wuzhou.
It looked as if the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique was destined for one of these three.
Liu Wuzhou said coldly, "Hmph, so you two want to compete with me? Just wait. I guarantee you’ll be left speechless."
"Who’s afraid of you?"
"Bring it on, Liu Wuzhou! Luoyun Mountain isn’t afraid of your Red Blood Mansion."
Man Mountain and Wu Hao said, not wanting to be outdone.
Liu Wuzhou shot the two a cold glare, then addressed the geniuses from the Eighteen Kingdoms. "Don’t say I never gave you a chance. Trash like you is unworthy of receiving the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique."
"Here he goes again!"
"Did he eat shit? His mouth is so foul."
"Damn it! Is anyone brave enough to test and beat this guy’s Talent Value? To slap him right in the face!"
The young geniuses from the Eighteen Kingdoms muttered indignantly.
"I’ll go!"
Refusing to be cowed, Qian Yi stepped forward. He infused his Spiritual Qi into the Martial Emperor Ancient Stele, which displayed the results: "Qian Yi, age twenty-two, Warrior Great Perfection, Talent Value: 6/1000."
"It’s only 6/1000. That’s not enough to beat Liu Wuzhou."
"Sigh..."
A wave of disappointment washed over the geniuses of the Eighteen Kingdoms, and they sighed in unison.
Qian Yi was the Prince of the Daqian Empire and one of the top geniuses of the Eighteen Kingdoms. Although his Talent Value was close to Liu Wuzhou’s and Wu Hao’s, he had failed to surpass it.
"I..."
Qian Yi’s face was a mask of frustration.
Liu Wuzhou sneered. "Your talent is impressive, but it’s still a bit lacking compared to mine. Now scram, and stop dreaming."
Qian Yi gritted his teeth, hung his head, and walked away.
Liu Wuzhou asked, "Anyone else want to test? If not, I’m going to accept the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique."
No one dared to step forward.
Liu Wuzhou taunted, "I knew it. You lot of trash..."
Just then, Huang Yunan, who had been silent all this time, snapped, "Liu Wuzhou, clean up your filthy mouth! You’re incapable of saying anything decent, aren’t you?"
"Well, well, if it isn’t Her Highness, the princess of the Desolate Empire."
Liu Wuzhou chuckled. "If Your Highness finds me arrogant, then by all means, take the test. Defeat me with your talent. Otherwise, your words are meaningless."
"Fine!"
Huang Yunan strode boldly to the Martial Emperor Ancient Stele. She took a deep breath, pressed her hand against its surface, and frantically poured in her Spiritual Qi.
BUZZ!
The Martial Emperor Ancient Stele shimmered with a brilliant light and displayed the result: "Huang Yunan, age nineteen, Warrior Great Perfection, Talent Value: 15/1000."
What!
Huang Yunan’s Talent Value was that high?
Seeing the value displayed on the Martial Emperor Ancient Stele, Liu Wuzhou was instantly dumbfounded.
Wu Hao and Man Mountain were also staring in disbelief.
How could her talent possibly be higher than all three of theirs?
"Hahaha! Liu Wuzhou, you were so arrogant a moment ago. Keep going!"
"He’s been surpassed. What does he have to be arrogant about now?"
"A genius of our Eighteen Kingdoms has finally risen to the occasion!"
All the geniuses from the Eighteen Kingdoms erupted in excitement.
Even though they couldn’t get the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique themselves, they would support anyone who could take Liu Wuzhou down a peg.
"Desolate Old Monster, you must be pleased now."
"Desolate Old Monster, congratulations!"
Everyone greeted the Desolate Old Monster one after another.
"Thank you, everyone!"
The Desolate Old Monster beamed. "Xiaonan is still young, with a long road ahead of her. I hope you will all continue to support her in the future."
"Of course!"
Pingyangzi said with a smile, "Although Xiaonan is from your Desolate Empire, she is also one of our Eighteen Kingdoms. We of the Eighteen Kingdoms are always united."
"Well said. It is precisely because the Eighteen Kingdoms are united that we can resist foreign invasion and maintain our foothold in the Northern Profound Domain," Daoist Xuanqing agreed.
Liu Wuzhou had a change of heart. He stepped forward and said, "Miss Huang, the Red Blood Mansion is powerful and welcomes geniuses of all kinds. If you are willing to join us, I guarantee..."
Huang Yunan said coldly, "Hmph. Now you have the gall to ask me to join you? Have you forgotten how you mocked this princess just moments ago? Let me tell you something: I, Huang Yunan, would rather die than join your Red Blood Mansion."
"You... How shameless."
Liu Wuzhou was filled with rage.
He had originally thought that recruiting Huang Yunan into the Red Blood Mansion would be a way to complete his mission, but who could have known she would be so utterly disrespectful?
"Miss Huang..."
Wu Hao and Man Mountain also walked over at this time.
Huang Yunan cut them off. "Please, save your breath. I, Huang Yunan, was raised in the Eighteen Kingdoms. I live as a person of the Eighteen Kingdoms, and I will die as a ghost of the Eighteen Kingdoms. I will never join any power outside of my home. Do not bring this up again."
"Very well."
The two returned to their spots, looking dejected.
The testing continued.
A few other young geniuses had decent Talent Values, but none surpassed Huang Yunan. At best, they merely came close to the scores of Liu Wuzhou and Wu Hao.
Huang Yunan remained firmly in first place.
Just then, Chu Tianxiong approached Su Mo and asked respectfully, "Elder Su, would you like to test your talent as well?"
Everyone else turned to look at Su Mo.
Essentially all the young geniuses present had taken the test; only Su Mo and the members of the Xiao Family had not.
They were all curious to see what kind of Talent Value Su Mo would achieve.
Huang Yunan was very nervous.
’Although Su Mo’s Realm isn’t as high as mine, his actual strength is far greater. His score will definitely be very high.’
’If that happens, I won’t be able to get the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique.’
However, Su Mo simply waved his hand and refused. "I have no interest in the inheritance of the Martial Emperor Technique. There’s no need for me to test."
"This..."
The crowd exchanged hesitant glances.
They had all been eager to see just how high Su Mo’s talent was, but they never expected him to refuse the test. Their anticipation had been for nothing.
Just as everyone was feeling disappointed, Xiao Lang spoke up. "Young Master, I’d like to give it a try. May I?"