"Li Huo is probably confident enough in his ability to challenge Li Mo."
"Well, of course. Although there are rumors that he broke through to Level Eight one year ago and became an Eminent Master, don't forget that Li Mo has already broken through to the same level two years ago. I can only wonder how much more he's improved in the span of two years."
Li Ye found out from the surrounding conversation that more than seventy percent of people were at all not optimistic about Li Huo's challenge. Two different Eminent Masters may sometimes have a stark difference in strength.
At its simplest, Eminent Masters might be different in terms of the battle skills or physical techniques that they cultivate. Each of them might have different levels of proficiency in their respective techniques. All those factors could potentially contribute to the final difference in strength between the two sides.
"Li Mo! You defeated me with three moves two years ago. Today, I shall get my revenge!"
Apparently, Li Huo lost his standing to Li Mo two years ago. Two years later, Li Huo was gearing to make a comeback and wanted to prove himself!
"You will end up with the same result today as you did two years ago. Your chances are still zero! Three moves are still enough to defeat you!"
Arrogance! Li Mo did not hide his arrogance, but in the eyes of everyone, he had every right to be proud!
He was in first-place among the clan's three prodigies and was one of the Wu Prefecture City's Four Great Prodigies!
"You are as arrogant as before, but I am not the same as I was in the past!"
Li Huo yelled, unfolding a powerful vigor that could only belong to an Eminent Master. Li Ye felt a sense of dread after feeling that immense vigor.
The difference between the bloodsoul strength of Level Seven and Level Eight are at least tenfold. Looks like I'm still not good enough to face a Level Eight Eminent Master, even if I have raised my state to Level Five."
As for the bloodsoul strength in Li Ye's body, Level Four would be equivalent to a normal person's peak Level Six, which was already approaching the level of a normal Level Seven cultivator. Since he had already entered Level Five, his bloodsoul strength increased threefold, though it was only equivalent to a normal person's peak Level Seven.
"If I don't use my bloodpupils, I have less than a ten percent chance against a Level Eight Eminent Master. Even if I did use them, the spiritual will an Eminent Master will only give me a thirty or forty percent chance of winning."
Li Ye was quick to analyze such a result. In all honesty, he was not disheartened because the gap would surely become smaller as he continued to have breakthroughs. Perhaps one day he would even surpass those Masters.
A faint red glow was exhibited on Li Huo's body.
"The bloodsoul's Qi!"
People began feeling the heat after seeing that spectacle.
Martial cultivators cultivated the bloodsoul strength that was contained in their bodies. For Martial Spirit Levels One to Six, it was difficult to use that power for anything other than enhancing their physical fitness. Only by reaching Level Seven were they truly able to use that peculiar power. It was like an internal strength, capable of greatly enhancing the efficacy of one's combat efficacy, including being able to use some powerful combat skills! Doing all that required one to expend one's bloodsoul strength to a certain degree.
Once a person reached the level of Eminent Masters, they were then able to turn that power into hardened Qi, the power is extremely amazing!
"Li Huo looks ready to go all out!"
Seeing the faint red light on Li Huo's body, people began to gradually understand his intentions.
"Although an Eminent Master can push the power of the bloodsoul out of the body and produce huge destructive power in the form of hardened Qi, it comes at a huge expense. Even if the Eminent Master's bloodsoul is extremely powerful, this state can only be maintained for about ten or so minutes."
The person next to Li Ye remarked indifferently. When Li Ye turned to look at him, he coincidentally turned around as well, nodding amicably to Li Ye with eyes that were clear and calm.
Li Ye had heard of that person.
"Li Yuanjia, fifth-place inner disciple, second only to the clan prodigy Li Yue. His breakthrough to Eminent Master came at the age of eighteen, but he conducts himself with a low-profile and doesn't show off his talents." None of that information was nearly as important compared to the fact that Li Yuanjia was Li Hounian's adopted son! Li Hounian adopted him as an orphan of one of the extended families and they were not biologically related. Despite that, Li Yuanjia displayed an immense amount of talent that surpassed even other main family disciples.
"My father spoke about you. He previously entrusted me to take care of you in secret. In my opinion though, you don't need much protection from me and my father, Brother Ye."
Li Ye heard a faint voice in his ears. It was apparent that Li Yuanjia sided with Li Ye because of Li Hounian. Since Li Yuanjia was on his side, it was imprudent for Li Ye to maintain a frigid disposition. The boy proceeded to nod as a greeting gesture.
"What are Li Huo's chances of winning?"
Li Ye asked softly. By then, Li Huo had already started to attack Li Mo. The intensity strengthened his understanding of an Eminent Master's true strength.
"None." Li Ye originally thought that Li Huo—in his desperation—had at least a thirty or forty percent chance of winning. Li Ye did not expect the fifth-placed Li Yuanjia to shake his head and shoot down Li Huo's chances.
"Why is that?" Li Ye was very curious.
"Li Huo's move is a desperate attempt. Although he would see a vast and immediate improvement due to the hardened Qi of his bloodsoul, it will not last long. That, however, isn't the most important factor. The most important factor lies in the gap between himself and Li Mo. It is far greater than he imagines it to be."
In the arena, Li Huo's entire body appeared shrouded in a red glow. His might was so overbearing that he suddenly took the lead, spurring a flurry of cheers from the crowd.
"How much strength do you think Li Huo can force Li Mo into showing?"
By then, almost all of the top ten inner disciples were whispering secretly to each other. They were unsure if it was lucky or unfortunate that they had to deal with Li Mo, the clan's foremost prodigy, for so many years. During that time, they were constantly suppressed and suffered extreme humiliation.
"It's hard to say, but this year, Li Huo has stabilized the introductory stage of
The one who spoke was the tenth-placed inner disciple. The nine-placed Li Gei and the eight-placed Li Xuan were both injured and recused themselves from the venue. The tenth-placed disciple was the only one along with Li Ye who were not Eminent Masters but made it to the top ten.
"Wrong. In my opinion, Li Mo has yet to reveal even half of his strength. He's just playing Li Huo for a fool! Pity that Li Huo's desperation makes him look like a clown in Li Mo's eyes!"
Someone harrumphed coldly. Li Ye looked over and saw that it was the second-placed inner disciple. The young man was twenty-four years old, and was considered the one of the older ones. However, his vital force was also the most impressive and he went by the name of Li Ji.
Sure enough, Li Ye took a closer look. Although Li Huo had an awe-inspiring presence, Li Mo smirked and remained calm. There was even a touch of mockery in his expression. His hands were placed behind his back and he looked as though he was taking a leisurely walk. Under Li Huo's crazed flurry of attacks, Li Mo dodged left and right with such ease and freedom of movement.
Many yearning girls screamed in delight! He was not that good-looking and might even be considered ugly, but in a world that revered strength, his status as one of Wu Prefecture City's four prodigies meant that there was no shortage of female adulation.
"An Eminent Master can stimulate their own bloodsoul strength for a short amount of time, thereby producing a power similar to hardened Qi. But that cannot be sustained for long. Once there is too much energy consumption, the weakened state that would befall them afterward would be much worse than an ordinary person!"
Li Yuanjia's no-nonsense analysis was picked up by Li Ye's ears. Li Ye nodded as he felt the same. He then heard Li Yuanjia continue, "Cloudveil Continent has a legacy that spans millions of years. The so-called Martial Spirit Levels are just a starting stage. Rumor has it that the true mastery of hardened Qi can only be possible if you first break free of the Martial Spirit shackles, then step into Innatism and become an Innate Sovereign. As for Eminent Masters or Grandmasters, they are nothing but children trying to imitate adults. A foolish and laughable exercise."
At that point, Li Huo's pale red hardened Qi gradually disappeared, and his vital force waned instantly.
"Li Mo! Are you looking down on me!"
Li Huo was well aware that despite his older age, he was no match for the man in front of him. He was unwilling to resign himself to that fact.
"Look down? Is there any reason for me to look up to a piece of trash like you?"
As soon as that remark was made, Li Huo was not the only person who pulled a long face. Almost all the inner disciples, including Li Yuanjia and the rest who had reached the stage of Eminent Masters, had a sour look as well.
Even though Li Huo's strength was the lowest among them, they were not better than him by much! Li Mo's derisive remarks encompassed practically every single one of them!
"Li Mo! You may be powerful, but you are also incredibly arrogant!"
Several people stood up abruptly and looked rather unhappy.
"Hmph. A bunch of garbage. You really think you can fight with me? Don't waste your time then. Come and join us up here!"
Li Ye was also extremely surprised by Li Mo's arrogance. Most of the powerful inner disciples were known to the present there. Everyone else there was an Eminent Master except for Li Yue, whose reasons for absence were not known. Any number of them could quickly overwhelm a Grandmaster if they worked together!
"Madness!" Someone yelled suddenly. No one stopped them as of then. Perhaps the senior members of the clan would be happy to see a trend of such simultaneous face-offs.
"Bunch of ignorant people. In that case, let me show you what it means to be someone who has never seen the world!"
Li Ye soon understood why Li Mo was so arrogant.
"Impossible!"
Boom! At that very instant, the vigor skyrocketed from Li Mo's body! He broke through from Level Eight and entered into a higher state!
"Martial Spirit Level Nine! A Grandmaster!"
Every single one of those powerful disciples, including Li Yuanjia, exclaimed immediately! The fighting spirit that they originally had disappeared in no time!
Li Ye even felt that a formidable pressure was preventing him from moving. He might not be the main suffering party, but he nonetheless felt an unrelenting pressure.
All inner disciples were thoroughly convinced without the need to do battle.
"Martial Spirit Level Nine! And it looks like it's at least the greater attainment stage [1]! Li Mo has hid it well!"
Li Yuanjia took a deep breath, shook his head, and smiled bitterly.
The disparity was too great, to the point where none of them could rise to the occasion and catch up to Li Mo.