Talented Martial Hero
Chapter 126 A Real Young Genius

"Don't you mention anything regarding the groom-recruiting competition of the Holy Maiden again, you hear me? You're talented, but still far too young. At present, you're an ant compared to the genius young men of the Ancient Families,” Colin said, trying to dissuade Darren. "But don't worry, if you practice for a few more years until you reach the age of twenty, you'll be the strongest cultivator among your peers,” he added.

Darren did not want to hear any more explanations from Colin. He was definitely interested in hearing more about the Ancient Families, on the other hand.

"Sir, may I ask a question? There must be countless heroes and gifted cultivators in the Holy Land, so why haven't any of them defeated the Ancient Families? How strong are the Ancient Families exactly?" Darren inquisitively asked, bowing with his hands arched to show respect.

What Darren had just asked Colin was something that most of the disciples present wanted to know.

Colin pondered for a moment then sat down as he started, "The history of the Ancient Families goes back to the ancient times. They have an unusual blood lineage that can enhance their fighting power to its full potential. But of course, there are two sides to every coin. Because of the unusual bloodline, their progress in the cultivation realm is much slower than that of other gifted disciples in the Holy Land.

Luckily, there is always an exception to everything. In recent years, the three Ancient Families have nurtured quite a number of geniuses. So, not only do those geniuses have the unusual bloodline that enhances their powers, but they can also improve their cultivation realms quickly. The speed of their realm promotion is almost equal to that of the geniuses in the Holy Land. As far as I know, they have several young men under the age of twenty who have already reached the seventh stage of the Mysterious Realm, which is exceptional, given the adverse effects that come with their bloodline. What's even more exceptional, is that it is said that there are also several young men just a little over the age of twenty who have reached the Wonder Realm. They're geniuses,” he concluded. "They reached the seventh stage of the Mysterious Realm before the age of twenty? Do you know how strong they are in actual combat, though?" Darren continued his questions in curiosity.

Colin chuckled, "Well, with the advantage of their unique bloodline, they will be invincible against warriors at the realms below the Wonder Realm. And Darren, I know what you're thinking, but with your current strength, you won't be able to win in the Holy Maiden's groom-recruiting competition,” But there's no need to lose heart! You will be strong enough to compete with them. All you need is time, understand?" he cheerfully reassured Darren.

Darren was saddened by the information he just heard. However, he was not one to give up that easily. He still had some confidence in himself.

"May I ask you another question, sir? Is there anyone from the Ancient Families at the Mysterious Realm who can defeat a Wonder Realm master?" “Since their blood lineage is so strong, when they reach the peak of the Mysterious Realm, they can fight even against the Wonder Realm masters..." he thought, mind already beginning to come up with some sort of plan.

Colin chuckled amusedly at Darren's question. "You should be clear that only a cultivator who masters the hidden skills can challenge the opponents who are in a higher cultivation stage than him. It's simply impossible for anyone to win such challenges. Even if they have the strongest blood lineage, they can't cross the realm limit to defeat a Wonder Realm master. So, to answer your question: no, there isn't anyone from the Ancient Families who'd be able to do that,” Colin replied, shaking his head.

Hearing this, Darren was relieved

Back when he still had not broken through to his current cultivation realm, with his sword intent increased two thousand times, he had fought a Wonder Realm cultivator who didn't use the Omnipotent Talent Skill, and he was able to kill him with his sword intent increased four thousand times. Now that he had reached the Mysterious Realm, the power of his sword intent and other abilities had been improved tenfold. If his cultivation were to upgrade by several more stages, his strength would be greatly enhanced. By then, he wouldn't need to be afraid of the Ancient Families’ invincibility.

'I have to practice harder to accelerate my cultivation so that I can win the competition, * Darren thought secretly, his mind already made up.

"Now, Darren, you have become a supreme disciple. Come with me to see the Holy Lord right away," Colin ordered as he got ready to leave.

"Wait just a minute, sir,” Darren hastily replied. He wore a determined look on his face. "I think I should be made an outer disciple. I must attend the groom-recruiting competition of the Holy Maiden," he continued.

Colin's face scrunched up in frustration, "You! Why are you so stubborn? To be honest, this recruitment is related to the reputation of the Holy Land. Our outer disciple defeating a disciple of the Ancient Families? I want to be able to witness that — more than anyone else. But it's just impossible. I've already told you so much, but looks like my words are all in vain, huh?

Besides, how could you be so unfaithful at a young age? Haven't you thought about how Elsa would feel about this? I hate unfaithful people and if you insist on being stubborn, the Holy Land will not recruit a supreme disciple of poor moral character like you!" Colin angrily spluttered, disappointment evident on his face.

But then, unexpectedly, before Darren had the chance to speak up, Elsa stepped forward and respectfully spoke, "Sir, I sincerely support Darren's participation in the recruitment competition.” "What?

What did you say?" Collin cried out in surprise. Just what kind of enticement did Darren use to lure Elsa to make her support her own boyfriend to compete in another girl's groom recruitment?" thought one of the men.

'I'm so jealous. I would probably die if I meet such a beautiful and magnanimous girl, * mused another.

Everyone was too stunned to talk after hearing Elsa's words. They then cast an envious look in Darren's direction.

Much like everyone else there, Colin was at a loss for words.

Darren politely smiled as he turned to face Colin, "Sir, if you're doubting my strength, why don’t you just test me?"

"You mean," Colin furrowed his brows, "You want to fight against me?" he confusedly asked.

"Are you out of your damn mind, Darren? How can you make such an outrageous demand?" the Outer Elder scolded.

"Sir, please calm down. I'm just requesting Mr. Li to lower his cultivation realm to below the Wonder Realm to test my strength,” Darren respectfully replied.

"You little brat!" Colin chuckled. Colin suddenly remembered that Darren had passed the final test for supreme disciple election. He did guess that the young man could fight those at much higher cultivation levels. “But that was just an estimated guess. Is he really that good, maybe even better?" he thought as he looked at the confident expression on Darren's face.

He lightheartedly shrugged, "All right. I'll fight you. If you lose, you'll go with me to see the Holy Lord immediately and practice well in the future. Don't think about anything else, okay?" he said, finally giving in.

"Understood, sir. Thank you," Darren beamed. And then he abruptly proposed, not more than a second later, "But what if I win?"

The whole room roared with laughter at the seemingly absurd question

Colin held in a chuckle, "Well, if that happens, I will not only allow you to participate in the competition, but also give you a sizable gift." He thought he could take this opportunity to discourage the young man.

"You're currently at the first stage of the Mysterious Realm. I'll suppress my cultivation to make it at the peak of the Spirit Realm. You have special abilities and other hidden talents, so I think this is relatively fair," he stated as he hyped himself up for the fight.

Colin was a master who almost reached the peak of the Wonder Realm. His physical strength and cultivation base were many times stronger than Darren's. In order to defeat Darren, he wouldn't lower his realm down to the Primary Realm, but just down to the Spirit Realm.

Darren also readied himself for the challenge. He mobilized all his strength and put it all into a single punch.

It carried both the blade internal force and the sword intent, but not the demonic internal force. He did not dare use it in front of such a strong master.

"Ah-ha, not bad!" Colin exclaimed, his eyes widened in amusement. He noticed that Darren's punch had the power of either the seventh or eighth stage of the Mysterious Realm. It seemed that he had really underestimated him. "However, there's no need to take it seriously, * Collin thought.

He nonchalantly stretched out his hand to block Darren's attack.

However, his face changed dramatically just as their two fists met.

He felt just how powerful Darren's punch was. There were two strong forces that burst through his hand and went straight to his chest.

"Bang!"

The sound of the impact echoed in the air.

Everyone watched the scene in disbelief.

"Damn. I was too careless,” Colin lamented, then proceeded to praise Darren. "I thought I wouldn't have to use any strength to deal with you, but I didn't expect that you have such powerful hidden skills. You're quite as strong as the ninth-stage of the Mysterious Realm," he admitted.

He fell back half a step after receiving Darren's punch. Luckily, he inconspicuously activated his strength at once to control his body.

"What do you think, sir?" Darren asked as he held out his hand to Colin.

"I admit defeat. You're very good. You really are a young genius,” Colin remarked, reaching out his hand to grab Darren's outstretched one. Instead of condemning Darren, he looked at the young man with admiration in his eyes.

After the people had heard it directly from Colin, they finally believed the scene that happened in front of them to be true.