Translator: 549690339

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Zhen Qiankun didn’t feel much of a psychological burden. After all, he had already knelt once within the Tianbei Secret Realm, and along the way, many geniuses no less talented than himself had knelt before Li Xiaobai. Compared to them, he didn’t find it shameful.

However, these exceptional youths were stunned.

They directly knelt down after the slash of that sword. What kind of move was that?

Is there even such a sword technique?

Especially the youth in white, who was at the very front, knelt in the most standard pose. His hands firmly caught Li Xiaobai’s slash, his knees touching the ground, and his stance exuded extreme worship.

This shameful display made him wish he could immediately find a hole to crawl into. Just a second ago, he had vowed to show his superiority over his opponent, yet the moment Li Xiaobai made his move, he found himself kneeling without any chance to resist. The intense contrast between before and after was almost too much for him to bear.

He couldn’t comprehend how he, a prodigy, could be so thoroughly defeated. It felt almost like sparring with the Family Head—what kind of cultivation level was that?

The other geniuses were similarly engulfed by a storm of shock. With this kind of prowess, toying with them at will, he was simply not on the same level. It was no wonder that Zhen Qiankun had earlier asked them to honestly hand over their Space Rings; he truly had their best interests at heart.

Regret now filled their hearts. If only they had known, they would have handed over the rings earlier to avoid such humiliation.

Li Xiaobai looked down at the neatly kneeling group and chuckled, “Well then, do you still wish to challenge me?”

“No, no, please take my Space Ring, Brother Li!”

“Indeed, only the wise can recognize the current times. We misjudged Brother Li’s true strength. Please take the Space Ring, and if there are any other demands, just speak, and I will surely fulfill them!”

“Brother Li, please have mercy!”

The geniuses quickly responded, now unable to move, stripped of any strength to resist. They were acutely aware of what this meant.

It meant that their lives were firmly grasped in the hands of their opponent – whether they lived or died was at his mere whim.

“Hmph, if only you had been so compliant earlier. Taking my kindness for weakness!”

Zhen Qiankun snorted coldly, his actions entirely aimed at preserving these people’s lives. If it weren’t for the fact that they all had to continue traveling together toward the borderlands, he wouldn’t have cared about their fates.

“Indeed, the enlightened man is discerning. I’ll accept this ransom,” Li Xiaobai said with a cheerful laugh. His hands moved swiftly as he quickly pocketed the Space Rings from the several geniuses.

After a quick glance, his breathing quickened. The top-grade Spirit Stones piled up like mountains inside the rings, and the Magic Treasures and miraculous potions were too numerous to count—each Space Ring was comparable to a small sect’s treasury.

This was truly finding a treasure. With these, he could not only become rich, but he could also finish advancing his Hellfire.

Indeed, ransom was the strongest path to wealth!

Without paying any further attention to the group, Li Xiaobai sheathed his longsword and approached the eighth Formation. Several people within the Formation who were trying to crack it had witnessed everything. They had been hesitant, unsure whether to leave or stay.

Now seeing Li Xiaobai step into the Formation and approach them, they quickly removed their own Space Rings and threw them to Li Xiaobai.

“Boss, this is all I’ve got, please spare me!”

“Boss, here’s your ransom!”

“Boss, your cultivation shakes heaven and earth, moves spirits and gods—we are no match for you, too ruthless!”

“I acknowledge you, Boss, as the strongest!”

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Watching Li Xiaobai draw ever closer, the cultivators within the Formation nearly cried, a strong desire to survive flaring up as they all began to fawn and flatter without shame.

Li Xiaobai was rather speechless at this, putting away several people’s Space Rings and said indifferently, “I still prefer the defiant look you had before.” “Understood, boss!” The proud geniuses instantly straightened their backs and their eyes gleamed with determination, their formidable aura piercing the skies. Li Xiaobai nodded in satisfaction, as these were all his defeated subordinates. The road to cultivation was all about surroundings that complement one’s prowess; the stronger these cultivators who knelt in seconds acted, the more impressive he seemed by contrast. This was the highest realm of showing off without even trying. I don’t show off myself, I let others come and show off for me—how could you not be convinced? After today, Central Province would probably start spreading legends about him. He advanced leisurely through the eighth Formation, with his Attribute Points rapidly increasing. The Formation’s power was strong, but still far from reaching the System Defense’s limit; it was entirely within the range of endurance. The free geniuses watched Li Xiaobai walk away, their expressions incredibly complex. His series of casual moves left them feeling daunted. The gap between them was probably a vast gulf. This was the eighth Formation, the Slaughter Formation. Yet, Li Xiaobai just walked through as if he was strolling, without a single issue. If they didn’t know this place was the Array Formation Sect’s trial ground, they would really start to doubt if this was even a Slaughter Formation. “This is Li Xiaobai. With such cultivation level, no wonder he escaped from the hands of the Three Sects’ Sect Masters time and again!” “Looking at our clan, I fear only the high-ranking Elders are qualified to battle him.” “This man’s strength is too defiant of the natural order, we can only befriend him, not antagonize. If he grows further, the Three Sects are in for huge trouble!” “Saint Heir, we apologize for earlier, it was wrong of us to disappoint your kindness. Here, we offer you our apology!” “Indeed, Saint Heir, we were impulsive. Who could have imagined such a monster exists among the younger generation? It’s truly unbelievable!” “He has the shadow of Elder Tianwu’s past. Elder Tianwu also crushed everything in his path, taking life and death lightly — anyone who disagreed with him was simply dealt with!” The geniuses were full of dread, realizing that if it weren’t for the Array Formation Sect Saint Heir’s familiarity with Li Xiaobai and the few good words he spoke, they could have been left to remain here forever today. Considering the condition of the previous Formations, it was entirely possible for him to do so. To brush past the Grim Reaper, too thrilling! “Heh, as long as you know. When has this Saint Heir ever harmed you? A true man can bend and stretch. It’s just kneeling once; it’s nothing. Just cultivate well!” Zhen Qiankun said indifferently. “The Saint Heir is right. Losing to such a person, our kneeling is not unjust. The day when Immortal Spirit Qi is bestowed is drawing near. As long as we can capture a trace and diligently cultivate, we may well catch up to his footsteps!” One of the geniuses cheered on, having truly been a frog in a well today. They realized what a true genius looked like and, unwittingly, set a new benchmark in their hearts—it was a good thing. “Well said, but let’s talk about the future later. I don’t want to go through another Formation today. You guys keep going, I’m out of here!” “Me too, not attempting it anymore. Reaching the seventh level is already quite satisfying. I’m leaving first, farewell!” “I’m off as well!”