Though they couldn't hear Dyon's thoughts, they could clearly feel enough of his emotions to understand what he was thinking. These words alone were enough to light a fire under them.
"If you lift a finger during this expedition, I won't forgive you again!" Shere roared, her battle intent spreading across the dusty. A dense slaughter qi sliced the air apart as though reminding them all below how mighty she was.
Dyon smiled. "This was my intention all along. I'll be relying on you four to sweep through the 100th quadrant. Take hold of this opportunity well, don't let Chenglei look down on you!"
Shere growled, her deep white eyes flickering with a devilish blue flame.
She was itching on the inside. It wasn't just her, but Biibi, Linlin and Sen as well. They knew that they only needed a thought to enter the dao realm, but they continuously suppressed it.
They weren't fools, they knew was Dyon needed. He could already battle Peak Dao experts alone, he didn't need normal beast partners. He needed supreme grade allies no weaker than a Dragon! Only then could they stand proudly by Chenglei and Dyon's sides.
Under Shere's raging battle intent, the tournament below reached its apex.
In the end, the final eight of the younger generation were Saru, Ryu, Pjisel, Brahman, two young men and two young women from lesser Clans.
The two light grey skinned young men were from a very familiar Clan to Dyon, the 21st ranked Gemini Clan.
[Author's Note: introduced just before Dyon entered the Valley of Geniuses.]
The Gemini Clan were formed of an odd race of humans that were guaranteed to be born as twins. In addition to this, there was even a good chance they'd be born as triplets, quadruplets, or even quintuplets!
Their foremost geniuses of this generation were two sets of identical triplets born to the same mother at the same time. These two young men were from the male set of triplets. Unfortunately, their younger brother hadn't managed to make it into the top 8 though he too was part of Dyon's battalion.
When others saw that all three triplets landed in Dyon's hands, they couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. But Dyon stood silently, his skin as thick as a city wall. Even if they beat him to death, he would never admit foul play.
The other two women were familiar to Dyon as well. One was from the Streluna Clan, the current 12th ranked among the quadrants. Dyon had fought a battle with her elder brother back when his cultivation was sealed. Dyon thought she might have held a grudge about this, but her eyes shone with nothing but reverence when she looked at him.
Of course, as a woman of the Streyluna Clan, in addition to be a blood boiling beauty, she had two gorgeous moon sabers strapped to her wide curved hips.
The final woman was actually a member of the 17th ranked Amazonian Clan. But, unlike the she-man Dyon had fought back when his cultivation was sealed, this lady was incredibly delicate. Well… As delicate as an 8-foot-tall woman could be.
Still, despite her height, she was a city toppling beauty. And, the way her bow strapped across her chest, pushing those proud mounds outward, stimulated the soul of every man present.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to bed a taller woman…
...
Dyon was quite satisfied with these results. The only reason Kaeara, Zaire and Little Lyla hadn't been in the top 8 was because Dyon hadn't allowed them to participate.
Kaeara had an eccentric personality and was even madly in love with Ryu who was several years younger than her, but her power was indisputable. Though not as intelligent as her elder brother Alidor, her battle prowess was actually greater than Alidor's.
While Alidor was Dyon's right hand man and most trusted commander, he was best used for his mind. In fact, Dyon believed that Alidor was no less intelligent than himself. He was a man far more worthy of the genius minds list than Kaori and Aritzia.
Of course, this wasn't to say Alidor was weak. Alidor was worthy of being placed within the Vice Commanders of the Demon Generals. Kaeara was just that much of a monster.
She grasped Ethereal Permeation far faster than her brother did, her energy cultivation speed was much quicker, having reached the Higher Celestial Realm, and she was battle hungry.
It was as though Alidor got all of their family's soul talent, while his little sister took over all of the energy and body talent.
As for Little Lyla, it hardly needed to be explained why she shouldn't participate. Her doing so would just be a form of bullying.
The same reasons stood for Zaire.
In fact, the only reason Dyon even let Ryu participate was to prove a point.
"It seems my words were proven correct." Dyon said with a light smile.
Though the geniuses below showed some indignation, there was nothing they could do. Ryu easily took first place among them all and hadn't even broken a sweat. The most humiliating part was that he hadn't said a word the entire time.
Originally, Dyon was going to have Ryu stand off to the side as well, but others found this unfair. So, Dyon changed his mind.
He told them that if they could beat Ryu, he'd demote Kaeara, Lyla and Zaire to regular foot soldiers.
Unfortunately, their dreams were too easily crushed.
Maybe the greatest shame was that they had allowed a Saint to make it into the final 8. In fact, Saru ranked 4th, above the Gemini triplets, the Amazonian girl and the Streyluna Clan girl, despite only being a Peak Saint!
"There's nothing to feel ashamed about." Dyon said lightly. "I haven't come here to humiliate you all. In fact, following me for the next few years will bring you endless benefits, that I promise. I'll provide you with all the resources you need to improve and I have no intention of using you as canon fodder as some others might.
"That said, don't take my word for it. Time will show all that it needs to show. Now…"
