The competition among Martial Saints to host the annual Celestial Pride Positioning Competition was always extremely fierce.

Although these youths were currently weak, their talent was extraordinary. Once they entered university, with an ample supply of resources, they would quickly develop immense combat strength, reaching heights most Martial Artists could only dream of.

Making an appearance today would surely leave a shocking impact on them, etching the name Zhuo Feiming, Commander of the Shenxiao Army, into their minds. When it came time for military recruitment, they would naturally feel a certain affinity for the Shenxiao Army. Besides, who knew how many Grandmasters, or even Martial Saints, would emerge from these 876 prodigies in the long years to come.

The seeds of destiny had been sown.

’If only I could poach all these little ones for the Shenxiao Army...’

Zhuo Feiming mused to herself as she watched the eager crowd.

’Hmm? I sense battle intent...’

A Martial Saint’s perception was incredibly sharp; she locked onto Yu Fei in the crowd almost instantly.

She remained outwardly calm, carefully sensing the aura of Yu Fei’s intent.

’It’s not hostility, nor is it killing intent... It’s just... a pure desire to defeat me?’

Zhuo Feiming couldn’t help but be amused. With her level of cultivation, a single glance was all it took to see right through Yu Fei’s capabilities.

’Second Realm, entry-level Dharma Body, with a hint of Sharpness... Is that... Sword Intent?’

No wonder, Zhuo Feiming thought, now understanding.

Among all methods of cultivating intent, those who practiced Sword Intent and Fist Intent were a special breed. The former, when faced with a stronger opponent, would always overestimate their own abilities and challenge them to a bout, usually ending up thrashed.

Those who cultivated Fist Intent, however, possessed an overwhelming desire for control. They were incapable of listening to reason until they had beaten their opponent into submission. Every master of the fist was a stubborn and self-important sort.

’This kid’s aptitude for cultivation is a little lacking, but the fact he can maintain his battle intent in the face of a Martial Saint like myself is especially precious. He’ll probably get his ass kicked a lot in the future.’

’I hope one day he’ll be able to stand before me as an equal.’

Zhuo Feiming put these thoughts aside. A faint smile touched her lips as her aura suddenly erupted. Her phoenix-like eyes swept over the entire assembly, and the world fell silent.

"I declare the New Era’s 838th Celestial Pride Positioning Competition officially open! Young ones, I hope that one day we will fight side-by-side. I’ll be waiting for you in the Shenxiao Army!

This is my promise, as Honglian, the Martial Saint!"

SHING! A dark gold spear materialized in Zhuo Feiming’s hand. She thrust it toward the heavens, and a blinding red light seared everyone’s vision. When they recovered, they stared in horror to find a pitch-black hole torn into the sky!

"Did... did she just pierce the atmosphere? Are we seeing outer space?"

"The pinnacle of human combat strength..."

The 876 prodigies could only offer 1,752 wide, staring eyes in response. The power of Honglian, the Martial Saint, was seared deep into their minds, a memory they would likely never forget.

Just then, Zhuo Feiming’s husky, yet incredibly charismatic voice rang out once more.

"Everyone, let me forge a path for you all!"

The moment she finished speaking, Zhuo Feiming transformed into a fire phoenix with wings unfurled, soaring into the high heavens and vanishing from sight.

It was over-the-top, but incredibly effective.

The Martial Saint Honglian’s words sent the prodigies’ blood boiling. This was a group with sky-high ambitions. The same speech from a Grandmaster wouldn’t have had nearly the same effect, but coming from a Martial Saint, it was a different story entirely.

The crowd of prodigies erupted into a fanatical frenzy, wildly chanting the name of Honglian, the Martial Saint.

The middle-aged man in military armor frowned, having to shout for several minutes before the impassioned prodigies finally calmed down.

"Now, please follow instructions! We will begin the first assessment!"

-----------------

"Had your fun, Little Phoenix?"

Zhuo Feiming flushed with embarrassment. ’Referring to myself as ’this one’ was so mortifying.’

"Thank you, Senior Zhuoye!"

The man with long, grizzled hair stood deeper within the clouds. With a casual wave of his hand, he scattered countless motes of brilliant light, mending the massive hole Zhuo Feiming had torn.

"If you’re done playing, come help out!"

Zhuo Feiming gave a sheepish grin and joined in the repair work, putting her back into it!

To pull off this stunt, Zhuo Feiming had specially asked Senior Zhuoye to provide backup, and she now owed him several favors.

The home planet’s environment was too fragile to withstand a Martial Saint’s unrestrained power. She had only done this to leave a lasting impression on the 838th class of prodigies.

Even so, she wouldn’t be able to avoid a hefty fine against her merit points.

There was no other way. This was supposed to be a golden age of martial arts. Logically, with geniuses emerging one after another and Grandmasters as common as rain, humanity’s strength was at least a hundred times greater than it was a millennium ago. The alien races should have been exterminated long ago.

But those damn alien races were seemingly endless, as if some unseen mechanism was maintaining a balance of power.

For centuries, whenever humanity grew stronger and achieved some initial victories, the strength of the alien races would inevitably surge in response.

After so many rounds of this escalation, they didn’t dare fall back. What if humanity’s power waned, but the aliens’ didn’t?

That would truly become a war of annihilation.

To ensure more prodigies would join the Shenxiao Army in the future, she had to go all out.