Chapter 4601 — The Difference Between Geniuses
The Blossom Guardian · Page 2 of 2
Shangguan Lan'er truly could not stand Ma Dangfeng, but credit where it was due: judged purely on hard credentials, this so-called top new talent king was no self-inflated braggart—he genuinely had the goods. Even measuring Wei Zhao against him, it would be hard to come out ahead; one might well end up the loser.
"This Ma Dangfeng is indeed the top new talent king, and indeed a Nascent Soul expert," Shangguan Tianxia said, shaking his head and smiling. "But that does not make him a true genius. The reason he could become the new talent king is that he crushed the field with the absolute power of the Nascent Soul stage. Every opponent he met in the inner sect tournament was a Golden Core disciple—naturally none could bar his path. But think on it, little Lan'er: what if his opponents had likewise been Nascent Soul experts? Would he still have any absolute advantage to boast of?"
"Ah?! Right—I see it now! The reason our little junior brother is a top genius is that he can face foes above his own level with ease. But this Ma Dangfeng cannot!" Shangguan Lan'er clapped a hand to her forehead, suddenly delighted.
"Exactly. That is the gap in potential—one far greater than any gap in present strength." Shangguan Tianxia nodded. He had never truly observed Ma Dangfeng, nor even laid eyes on him, yet he could state with certainty that the young man was incapable of the overlevel fighting Wei Zhao managed.
The reason was simple: a Nascent Soul expert who could fight above his level would never deign to notice a Golden Core expert at all, much less scheme specifically to deal with one. His gaze must always be fixed upward—only so could he grow stronger. Otherwise, fighting above one's level was simply out of the question. As the old saying went, the stage is only as vast as the heart.
"Hehe, I knew it—how could a loathsome creature like that compare with our little junior brother? The man isn't fit to carry his shoes!" Shangguan Lan'er was finally in high spirits again. Had anyone else said such a thing, she might have doubted it—but coming from her grandfather's own lips, it was certain as certain could be.
"As unfair as it sounds, that is indeed the way of it. Strength alone signifies nothing. Never mind a mere Nascent Soul expert—even a Mystic Ascension expert would be no more than an ant in my eyes, not worth a second thought. But Wei Zhao is different. The potential in his future is not simply a matter of reaching the Mystic Ascension stage," Shangguan Tianxia said with a nod.
"I understand. But if that is so, Grandfather, why not intervene? Our little junior brother's potential is vast, true, but for now he is only at the Golden Core stage. If Ma Dangfeng finds him, he will still be in grave danger. It is rare for you to hold someone in such regard—you cannot let a wretch like Ma Dangfeng snuff him out halfway." Shangguan Lan'er clung to Shangguan Tianxia's arm and wheedled.
"It does not matter. Whether Ma Dangfeng goes to South Island or not makes no difference to Wei Zhao," Shangguan Tianxia said with a faint smile.
"No difference? How can that be?" Shangguan Lan'er was utterly baffled. She might secretly hold Ma Dangfeng's sort in contempt, might think the man unworthy to be mentioned in the same breath as Wei Zhao—but he was a Nascent Soul expert all the same, and at Wei Zhao's present strength, meeting him would still be a fearsome headache, would it not?
"Do not forget—on South Island, Wei Zhao was hunted by a Mountain-Opening stage heretic of the Old Sect of the Western Hills..." (To be continued) R466