C280 We Are Equally Handsome!
Reinhard had certainly captured Chu Yi's interest.
His strength was undeniably formidable.
Were it not for Chu Yi's slight edge, Reinhard would unquestionably stand as the supreme prodigy of this era within the entire Terran Federation.
This is no overstatement!
Chu Yi had already encountered the cream of the crop in the current Adirang Region. Of course, there were still a few fearsome Invincible Geniuses lurking in the shadows, awaiting their moment to emerge during the national war.
Yet, Chu Yi was aware that even if those legendary figures were more powerful than the up-and-comers he had faced, their might had its limits.
Reinhard, however, was a different story.
How to describe this prodigy?
If pressed to articulate it, Chu Yi could only conclude that Reinhard was a genius who had utterly transcended the geniuses of this age!
Indeed, this meant that Reinhard's very existence towered above the civilization of this time!
Chu Yi had also witnessed the extraordinary talents and rare breeds within higher-level civilizations.
On the battlefield of the Human Race's Elite War, Chu Yi had directly confronted numerous Four-star and Five-star adversaries.
And the impression Reinhard left on Chu Yi was that he was on equal footing with those Four-star and even Five-star marvels.
Keep in mind, these marvels were the elite of Four-star and Five-star civilizations. Yet, Reinhard managed to give Chu Yi the impression that he could stand shoulder to shoulder with them, which was nothing short of horrifying!
Of course, this isn't to say that Reinhard has already reached the pinnacle of Fourth or Fifth Level civilizations, but rather that he possesses the potential to do so.
If not for his birth on Earth, if not for the constraints imposed by the Earth Civilization's level, and the scarcity of resources available to Reinhard, perhaps he might indeed rival the top geniuses or even the top Invincible Geniuses.
This was the most dazzling genius Chu Yi had encountered on Earth.
Reinhard truly deserved Chu Yi's earnest consideration.
"To be honest, I have a fondness for the Adirang Region. I'm drawn to its culture, its environment, and even its history..."
Reinhard suddenly spoke, expressing sentiments that somewhat puzzled Chu Yi.
The Adirang Region was, after all, the cradle of spiritual energy. Not only did the First Demon King emerge from the Adirang Region, but the First War God was also born there.
Since time immemorial, the Adirang Region has been the epicenter of the world, the mightiest force, untouched by the decline seen in later eras. Consequently, the Adirang Region has consistently maintained an overwhelming lead over other regions from start to finish.
In a previous era, many people admired countries like the United States and the United Kingdom. Similarly, nowadays, many individuals from other regions aspire to become part of the Adirang Region.
Nonetheless, within the Adirang Region, there are those who wish to join the Oleini or Yeidia regions. These areas are perceived as safer compared to Adirang, and years of propaganda have led some to believe they have even surpassed the Adirang Region.
However, the Adirang Region's elite pay little mind to the promotional tactics of others. They understand that anyone who can be so easily influenced is not suited for significant roles. It's better for such individuals to leave, sparing the region from wasting its resources.
Chu Yi could comprehend Reinhard's affection for the Adirang Region. Yet, it was puzzling why Reinhard would suddenly broach these topics during their conversation.
"You must think I'm a bit neurotic, huh? Why else would I suddenly express such sentiments?" Reinhard was aware of Chu Yi's thoughts, and the peculiar look Chu Yi gave him made everything clear. But Reinhard remained unconcerned.
"Here's to the bright moon, as we form a trio with our shadows..."
"The moon of today once shone upon the ancients..."
"Everyone has a purpose in life, and even a fortune spent can be regained..."
Reinhard recited these ancient verses from the Adirang Region with ease.
In contrast to his past life, where such poetry was an essential part of the curriculum from elementary to high school and a key component of exams, in this world, they were seldom studied. This world still revered martial arts above all, and next in popularity was science and technology. The status of science and technology was second only to martial arts, with their significance greatly surpassing that of the previous world.
In today's world, countless civilizations lie in wait, and a single misstep could spell doom for one's own. It's like the humanities of my past life, where I delved into ancient poetry, pored over geography magazines, and explored the rich tapestry of history and literature. But in this world, what was once considered humanities has morphed into the science and technology of the past—no, it's even more complex, filled with concepts that baffle Chu Yi completely.
The world has changed so much that the ancient poems of history have scarcely been preserved. In the Adirang Region, it's rare to find someone who can recite even a handful of Tang or Song dynasty poems. Yet, there's someone from another region who can recite them effortlessly. If Chu Yi hadn't interrupted him, he might have gone on indefinitely. It's a humbling thought for those of us from the Adirang Region.
"Chu Yi, do you know which ancient poem is my favorite?" Reinhardt asked, catching Chu Yi off guard in the midst of his reflection. Before Chu Yi could even respond, Reinhardt eagerly shared, "My favorite lines are, 'The heroic spirit of youth, befriending the five great heroes, with bold hearts and bristling courage, standing tall in conversation, sharing a bond in life and death.'"
"Wait, hold on..." Chu Yi certainly recognized the poetry. He may not have been a scholarly prodigy in his previous life, but he cherished the beautiful verses handed down from his ancestors. Yet now was not the time to dwell on them.
"What is it you're really after?" Chu Yi asked, genuinely puzzled by Reinhardt's intentions. Initially, Chu Yi had thought Reinhardt simply wanted to meet, considering that in Reinhardt's view, they were both among the elite. Getting acquainted seemed like a sensible idea.
After all, in this world, despite the intense rivalry among the main districts and the frequent power struggles, these contests were strikingly similar to the conflicts between the Aristocratic Alliance and the government.
Ultimately, their actions were all in the interest of the Terran Federation's development.
After all, the first individual of a First Level civilization could hardly be compared to the hundredth of a Second Level civilization.
The fundamental disparity between civilizations is what truly influences everything.
Hence, even the high-ranking officials from other regions hoped for the emergence of more geniuses within humanity—those exceptional prodigies.
The stronger the Terran Federation became, the greater the benefits they would reap in the end.
This was something those individuals understood perfectly well.
As a result, a healthy competitive spirit also took hold among these top-tier geniuses.
These prodigies maintained a friendly rapport with each other. Despite the competition, they actually had quite a good relationship beneath the surface.
Thus, it was commonplace for them to meet and exchange ideas before a battle.
Chu Yi had assumed Reinhard shared this mindset, but who could have guessed that upon his arrival, Reinhard would ramble on in such a manner?
Seeing Chu Yi struggling to contain his reaction, Reinhard slightly curled his lip.
Hadn't he memorized all that material just to make an impression today?
Yet now, he wasn't even given a chance to perform.
Chu Yi noticed something odd in Reinhard's gaze.
It wasn't anger or contempt, but rather—it bore a hint of...
Resentment?
What in the world was that about?
Chu Yi felt a shiver run through him.
Even though Reinhard was formidable, Chu Yi had never taken him too seriously. But now, for some inexplicable reason, he felt somewhat daunted in Reinhard's presence.
This was rather impressive...
"So, what is it you wanted to talk about?"
"I'm basically illiterate; I don't know anything."
"You're wasting your breath with me!"
Chu Yi was dead serious.
I'm illiterate, your words are lost on me, I don't understand a thing.
So please, let's not waste any more time.
Reinhard seemed to be sizing up whether Chu Yi was just playing him, but upon encountering Chu Yi's earnest gaze, he finally shook his head in resignation.
"Fine, but remember, you asked for it."
Chu Yi nodded eagerly.
The look of resentment in Reinhard's eyes had genuinely unnerved him.
"Cough, well, have you ever noticed how similar we actually are...?"
Similar?
Chu Yi was bewildered.
What could possibly be similar between them?
"Take a look, our talents are top-notch, aren't they? Within our respective districts, we are truly unbeatable!"
Although Reinhard hadn't witnessed the extraordinary individuals Cage referred to, those hidden aces prepared for national conflicts, he was confident in asserting that Chu Yi's talent was unparalleled in the entire Adirang Region.
Just as Chu Yi had never encountered those individuals, yet he still believed Reinhard's talent to be far superior to theirs.
"Our backgrounds are remarkably similar, too. We both hail from noble houses, and our respective families are the preeminent ones in their regions."
Chu Yi wasn't entirely clear on this point. Reinhard's family was the Teitig family, but he knew nothing about them.
However, since Reinhard made such a claim without Cage offering any objections, it likely held some truth.
"Exceptional talent, a formidable lineage, and I can sense that you, too, are a peerless genius with a relentless dedication to the path of cultivation!" Reinhard spoke with earnest conviction.
He had once thought Chu Yi merely relied on his innate abilities, but his opinion had evolved.
After meeting Chu Yi in person, Reinhard was convinced that Chu Yi was cut from the same cloth as himself.
Chu Yi remained silent, simply observing Reinhard with a calm demeanor.
"Of course, there's another critical point, the most crucial of all!" Reinhard's expression turned grave, his eyes brimming with sincerity.
"And that is our appearance—"
"We're both incredibly handsome!"