C291 A True Super Genius!(2)

Increasing one's lifespan may not exactly reverse aging, but it comes pretty close. Take a martial artist in their seventies or eighties, for instance. If they suddenly break through to the Shape Gathering Stage, extending their lifespan to two hundred years, their current age would be equivalent to being in their forties or fifties. Consequently, their physical condition would gradually resemble that of a middle-aged person, and they would age at half the previous rate.

This is why it's common for those at the Shape Gathering Stage to appear younger than those at the Reality Condensing Stage. However, maintaining youthfulness in the Reality Condensing Stage is rare unless they advance to the Essence Shaking Stage, which offers another chance for rejuvenation.

Of course, this isn't a universal rule. In this world, there are many people, many cultivators, and many geniuses. With so many geniuses, super geniuses naturally emerge, especially during legendary periods of great fortune, when they appear as frequently as fish in a river.

Woo Zhengyang and Moh Lunhui are considered super geniuses, primarily due to their extraordinary strength for their age. However, whether they truly are super geniuses remains to be seen over time.

Woo Zhengyang knows one such super genius, Loong Zhiwu. She even took Woo Zhengyang to the Heavenly Martial Academy in Cloud Fluttering Country to test her bone age, just so he would call her "big sister." Bone age is a mandatory test for any faction recruiting disciples, as while one's stated age can be exaggerated, bone age cannot be falsified.

When Woo Zhengyang became a miscellaneous disciple at the Profound Heaven Sect, his bone age was tested at fifteen. By the time he tested at the Heavenly Martial Academy in the Cloud Fluttering Country, he had just turned sixteen. Meanwhile, Loong Zhiwu's bone age was only twenty-three.

A seven-year difference might not mean much to cultivators, as it becomes less noticeable over time. However, the gap from a Martial Disciple to the Shape Gathering Stage is an insurmountable chasm. Loong Zhiwu wasn't just at the Shape Gathering Stage; she was on the brink of the Reality Condensing Stage. According to her bold claims, she could break through in just a few years at the latest.

Woo Zhengyang didn't show any reaction at the time because Loong Zhiwu had a knack for being overbearing and persistent. Yet, inside, he was profoundly shocked for quite a while. This experience made Woo Zhengyang skeptical of many so-called geniuses. Many of these so-called prodigies were around Loong Zhiwu's age, with the highest being only at the Advanced Martial Master level. To reach Loong Zhiwu's level, they might need years, decades, or even longer.

Unconsciously, memories flashed through Woo Zhengyang's mind—days of playful banter and life-and-death experiences shared with Loong Zhiwu. He wondered how she was doing now.

"The rules of the Heavenly Martial Realm, I'm sure you're all familiar with them, so I won't elaborate. Now, let's distribute the number plates."

Woo Zhengyang was still lost in his memories when Elder Beiming of the Heavenly Martial Sect began to speak. Hearing these words, Woo Zhengyang felt a deep sense of resentment.

The traditions of each sect had been passed down for so long that many rules were ingrained in the minds of their disciples, who gradually came to understand them. Martial Dao cultivators were naturally unconstrained by minor details, which led to many rules becoming common knowledge, no longer needing to be announced. Because of this, Woo Zhengyang often found himself unwittingly caught up in trouble.

He was manipulated on the life-and-death stage, leading him to challenge Liu Tianli, the seventh-ranked disciple, in a fit of anger. When the Mystic Trace Realm opened, he unknowingly entered first, which angered the members of the Heavenly Martial Academy, who then sought to hunt him down. In the end, Woo Zhengyang defeated them all, leading to a series of events involving Moh Lunhui and others.

These were significant events that greatly impacted Woo Zhengyang, while smaller matters, like how to ascend the Martial Master Path, had become routine for him. Fortunately, this time he had the talkative Fu Chuan by his side, helping him understand the rules and avoid potential trouble. However, some troubles were simply unavoidable!

One by one, jade plates flew from Elder Beiming's hand, landing precisely in the hands of the Heavenly Martial Seeds. Then, Elder Beiming gave a signal, and those from the Heavenly Martial Sect, who had been waiting at various locations in the Heavenly Martial Realm, pressed an object against the realm's light curtain.

The light curtain, which was originally just a swirling white mist, suddenly burst into a brilliant array of colors after those people made their move. A colorful portal appeared in the clearing in front of Woo Zhengyang and the others.

"Go on in!" Elder Beiming, a man of few words, gestured simply with his hand.

As members of the Heavenly Martial Academy, they naturally enjoyed certain privileges, including being closest to the portal. It was expected they'd be the first to enter. However, this time, everyone paused, turning their attention to Woo Zhengyang.

The conflict between Woo Zhengyang and Moh Lunhui over the Mystic Trace Realm was well-known. Everyone was curious to see if Woo Zhengyang would still choose to enter first.

Woo Zhengyang chuckled wryly. He wasn't afraid of anything, but he wasn't one to seek attention either. That one time, he just hadn't known the rules!

"What? You all want to see me go in first again? If that's the case, as you wish!" With that, Woo Zhengyang stepped toward the light curtain.