"These geniuses — you never see a single one at the previous examinations, and now they've all shown up at once. Is today some kind of special occasion?" someone exclaimed, unable to resist speculating.
"That's right. Even Gu Bo is here. He's the current number one young talent of the Spirit World Association — only sixteen years old and already at the seventh level of Yuan Martial. They say his mastery of barrier techniques is unmatched."
Even more eyes converged on the young man standing at the very front of the group of geniuses. He had delicate, almost feminine features, and a warm smile hung on his face without a trace of arrogance.
"So, Gu Bo, you've finally decided to take the White Robe Examination?" Just then, a loud voice rang out. Looking toward it, they saw a group of young men and women dressed in black stride into the hall.
There were nearly a hundred of them, and every one was a cut above the rest. Not only did their numbers rival those of the Spirit World Association's geniuses, but their cultivation was no weaker either.
The young man leading the group in particular was at the seventh level of Yuan Martial, just like Gu Bo. They were even close in age — both seemed to be sixteen.
However, the contrast between these youths and the Spirit World Association's geniuses couldn't have been starker. Not a single smile graced their faces; instead, arrogance radiated from every one of them.
"The Jie clan's geniuses! They're here for the White Robe Examination too? What kind of day is this?"
"That one — could that be the number one among the Jie clan's younger generation, Jie Bufan?"
The appearance of this group of young men and women stirred up yet another wave of commotion. They were none other than the ancient genius clan, the Jie clan.
"Jie Bufan, a hundred years ago our Spirit World Association's predecessors and your Jie clan had a barrier-technique duel in the Twisted Forest that ended in a draw."
"Now, with our younger generations gathered here once more, it truly must be fate," Gu Bo said with a smile.
"Save the pleasantries. Back then, if that mysterious person hadn't shown up and caused trouble, my Jie clan would have beaten your Spirit World Association long ago."
"Gathering here today isn't fate — it's a showdown between our two sides' younger generations. We both know it, so spare the act," Jie Bufan snorted coldly.
"What are you so cocky about, Jie? Today we'll crush you in the Asura Ghost Tower and make sure you can't even reach the fourth floor!" a young man from the Spirit World Association shot back angrily.
"The fourth floor? Can even you get there?" Jie Bufan sneered.
"I..." The young man's expression faltered, leaving him momentarily speechless.
"If you're useless, then keep your mouth shut. You talking about the fourth floor — you'd be lucky to make it to the third," Jie Bufan said with utter disdain.
"Maybe I can't reach the fourth floor, but Gu Bo definitely can. He'll bury you on the fourth," the young man retorted.
"Gu Bo? I'm sure Gu Bo can. But unfortunately, my target is the fifth floor. Gu Bo, do you dare follow me up there?" Jie Bufan asked.
"Then let's meet on the fifth floor," Gu Bo replied with a faint smile. He wasted no more words, leading the Spirit World Association's geniuses toward an opulent room — a place for rest, though not everyone was allowed inside.
As the geniuses walked over, the Spirit World Association's members bowed and scraped before Gu Bo and his companions, making it clear that their talents were matched by their status. Otherwise, how could these powerful figures treat them with such deference?