Never Feed the Genius

The sun shone high, a gentle breeze blew, and the cries of birds in the mid-air were exceptionally clear and crisp.

In the seats of the main hall, guests from Beifeng had gathered. A middle-aged swordsman, having just witnessed his nephew gain fame, was receiving congratulations from everyone, his face flushed with pride.

"Tang Si, your nephew must have opened five Observation Divine apertures, right? To reach such a realm at such a young age is no simple feat."

"I'd say opening the sixth aperture is within reach soon."

"A twenty-three-year-old with six Observation Divine apertures... I fear the future burden of your Tang family will fall on his shoulders."

"In today's sparring exchange, your junior truly stole the show. His swordsmanship must be a testament to your excellent guidance."

"Too kind, too kind! That boy just has good innate talent and works hard."

Tang Si puffed out his chest, his face glowing as he waved off the compliments.

Beifeng was distant, a land of many wandering heroes and stalwarts, though most were not widely known across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. But it wasn't always so. Centuries ago, Beifeng was dense with great sects, masters emerged in great numbers, and they even formed a Martial Alliance, their power reaching its zenith.

The decline of Beifeng, however, began over two hundred years ago, starting with an alliance leader who was draped in a yellow robe...

In any case, after that, the place mostly saw single-lineage transmissions or reclusive sects, rarely even participating in events like the Hidden Dragon Assembly.

But who doesn't like fame and fortune?

Seeing his nephew shine brilliantly on the stage filled Tang Si with emotion. If not for the Heaven's Blade Tang family's philosophy of harmonizing with the world and keeping a low profile, wouldn't the Heaven's Blade technique have already shaken the world long ago?

A pity. The family elders often said there is always someone better, skies beyond skies, that heroes in this world are as numerous as fish in a river, and it was not yet their time to show their edge.

Tang Si was precisely the opposite. He believed the Way of Heaven's Blade cultivated an aura that could swallow vast distances, a spirit of boundless passion. How could a swordsman not nurture the ambition in his heart?

Thus, he often encouraged the younger generation to charge forward with high spirits!

"Ah, right. People from Penglai, the Heavenly Mountain Sword Manor, Hengyun Sword City, Gangdou Sect... they're all here. Why aren't they going up to exchange a few moves?"

"Strange, why has it suddenly gotten so quiet?"

"The Qingyuan Sect has lost two in a row. Who is Young Tang's next opponent?"

"Could it be no one will accept the challenge?"

As the voices around him gradually softened, Tang Si snapped back to attention.

He looked up towards the stage and couldn't help but jolt.

No wonder everyone had fallen silent, their expressions looking as if they'd seen a ghost.

Well...

Ever since Little Li took to the stage, the area before the main peak's hall had fallen into utter silence.

The martial artists from various regions and sect representatives who had gathered all fell into deep contemplation simultaneously.

As everyone knew, it was normal for the younger generation to spar and exchange martial insights. Everyone played along, lifting each other up. Regardless of win or loss, after a fierce and exciting fight, they'd exchange a few polite words. Everyone saved face and fostered camaraderie.

That's what you called an exchange.

You, the former Hidden Dragon first... well, now a top ten on the Human Ranking, what are you doing up there?

Is being young something special? Do you get a prize for winning?

You're in the Fourth Realm!

"It's a joyous occasion; having someone die wouldn't be good, right?"

"What is Young Master Li doing up there? This is bullying the weak with strength."

"Well, from an age perspective, it doesn't seem entirely inappropriate."

"But he's already taken the Hidden Dragon first place. Winning offers no benefit. This damn well isn't a sect competition; isn't this just picking on the honest folk?"

"Young Master Li doesn't seem like such a shameless person. Could there be some unspeakable difficulty?"

"Remembering that Young Master Li's master is Shang Wu, it doesn't seem entirely impossible either..."

While discussing, the crowd couldn't help but feel puzzled.

The disciples of the Qingyuan Sect weren't saying any encouraging words either; instead, they looked awkward.

What could they say?

Should they say, "Go, Junior Brother Li, you're in the Fourth Realm of Inner Scenery, you must defeat that powerful Observation Divine Realm opponent!"?

But they were members of the Qingyuan Sect; they couldn't very well cheer for Tang Liu...

"You... you..."

Tang Liu pointed at Li Mo, the hand holding his sword trembling slightly.

Precisely because he was considered strong among his peers and had broader vision, he was more acutely aware of his current predicament.

The sharp six senses granted by his Observation Divine Realm soul told him... he would die...

He was terrified!

"......"

Li Mo took a slight breath and finally realized something was amiss.

Geniuses clashing, challenging those beyond one's level...

If someone later asked him how the spar felt, couldn't he say he, an Inner Scenery practitioner, fought an Observation Divine Realm opponent? How was that not a challenge beyond his level?

Right, how did he even end up on stage?

Li Mo silently glanced back. Ouyang was pretending to be engrossed in a picture book, seemingly appreciating it, but he was even holding it upside down.

This guy was hopeless.

Little Li took a deep breath. Fortunately, he was a genius:

"Your swordsmanship is not bad, but it still lacks a bit of polish."

"Oh?"

Tang Liu was taken aback.

"Is Li Mo going on stage to give Tang Liu some pointers?"

"Not sure. I haven't heard that Young Master Li is also versed in swordsmanship."

"Perhaps his martial arts have reached the realm where understanding one method illuminates ten thousand others?"

The crowd's speculation mirrored Tang Liu's own thoughts.

His expression turned serious.

"What is the most important thing for a successful swordsman?" Li Mo asked.

Tang Liu hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "I don't know."

He had many answers but didn't know which was the most important.

"Naturally, it is to dare to draw your blade against any enemy!"

Little Li clasped his hands behind his back, saying solemnly, "The blade is the most daring of all weapons. No matter what difficulty you face, you cannot be afraid. Face it bravely!"

"Yet your moves, though exquisite, lack courage in your heart. Any blade technique in your hands is weakened by three parts from the start!"

Tang Liu's face flushed red from the criticism. "I..."

"Your hand was trembling just now," Li Mo said calmly.

"......" Tang Liu's words caught in his throat. In truth, he wasn't just trembling; a few drops of urine had nearly escaped.

"A genius must constantly challenge the strong, even fight beyond their level. If you're afraid just because someone's realm is slightly higher, then what's the point of martial competitions in the future? Whoever has the lower realm should just concede."

"Naturally, it cannot be so."

"Then I am only one realm above you. What are you afraid of?"

Below the stage, Tang Si's eyes shone, welling up with admiration.

Correct! It wasn't just Tang Liu; the entire Tang family had long lost its fierce, advancing courage. Continuing in this despondent state, the exquisite Heaven's Blade technique would eventually be lost!

No wonder he was the Hidden Dragon champion, the little overlord who brings prosperity to his wife! At such a young age, his thinking aligned perfectly with his own!

"Fourth Uncle has said similar words..."

Tang Liu felt as if a deafening bell had tolled, seeming to gain some insight.

Words with roughly the same meaning had different effects coming from different people. Moreover, he was experiencing it firsthand now, granting a unique understanding.

"Make your move!" Li Mo said gravely.

"Alright!"

A sharp gleam returned to Tang Liu's eyes. He had figured it out.

Clang—

A snow-bright long sword was drawn, its sound like a tiger's roar. This was a treasured blade his fourth uncle used in his youth, a famous weapon that had slain hundreds, even thousands, of enemies in Beifeng, overflowing with killing intent.

He had always treasured this blade like a wife.

"I'll show my poor skills!"

Blades of light erupted, their sharp radiance illuminating the face of everyone present. This saber truly was like the heavens being torn asunder, a divine light piercing through, with saber energy bursting forth!

Well, well, wouldn't you know it.

Tang Liu made his move again, and it indeed seemed three parts more fierce and resolute than before, subtly aligning with the essence of the Heavenly Saber!

"Excellent!"

Li Mo's expression was one of relief and approval as he let out a sigh.

Yes, this was more like it.

They would exchange a couple of moves just for show, then he would praise the other's saber technique. That would save face for everyone, and this little misunderstanding would be settled.

And as luck would have it, Tang Liu seemed to have genuinely gained some insight, which made the whole situation even more plausible.

Thinking this,

Li Mo raised his palm, preparing to cross blows with his opponent. A perfectly ordinary, unremarkable palm strike. If asked, he would simply say the Great Dao returns to simplicity.

Clang... Crack.

The perfectly ordinary palm struck the treasured saber, which let out a despairing whine.

Tang Liu's hands went numb from the shock. He stared, and his world collapsed.

His treasured saber was broken, cracks spreading like a spider's web until... right before his disbelieving eyes, it shattered into a pile of useless scrap metal.

"NO!!!"