Faced with all those stares from the gathered prodigies, Ian Song acted as if he hadn’t noticed a thing. He just sat there, relaxed as ever, drinking wine and eating spirit fruit, occasionally whispering something intimate to Lena Wei.
He had three reasons for not wanting to step up.
First, he wasn’t from the Sky-Sun Region, so he had neither the need nor the obligation to fight for their reputation. Besides, these same prodigies had all gloated over his troubles before—he was already being more than generous by not kicking them when they were down.
Second, whether it was Jasper Xie, Serena Sima, or Victor Wang, they might have wanted to defend the Sky-Sun Region’s honor, but a lot of their motivation was personal. Most of them were just hoping to win Princess Myra’s favor.
But in the end, they’d only brought humiliation on themselves.
Ian had zero interest in currying favor with Princess Myra, so naturally, he had no intention of making a move.
Third, although he only showed as late Law-Phase Realm, his real strength far surpassed Demigod-level experts. He might be interested in fighting someone on his level or stronger.
But none of Princess Myra’s people were stronger than him, so he had even less reason to step out.
Seeing that Ian Song had no intention of standing up, the various prodigies grew anxious—quite a few even started to resent him.
"Ian, for the honor of the Sky-Sun Region’s prodigies, please take the field!"
Gavin Tian quietly sent a sound transmission, his tone earnest and even a little pleading.
Ian glanced at him, neither answering nor making any decision.
"Ian, only you can salvage the Sky-Sun Region’s reputation now. Please, step up!"
A slightly recovered Serena Sima also sent a sound transmission.
Ian still didn’t react.
"Ian, please take the field! If you don’t, all the Sky-Sun Region’s prodigies will be a laughingstock!" Victor Wang transmitted.
"Ian, just fight. If you do, I’ll apologize to you afterwards!"
Victor Wang also tried to persuade him via sound transmission.
But Ian Song still had no intention of making a move. He just ate spirit fruit and sipped fine wine, treating himself as a total outsider.
Elder Sean and Elder Miles couldn’t stand it any longer.
Elder Sean sent a sound transmission: "Ian, don’t be stubborn. This isn’t just about the Sky-Sun Region—it’s about the Ward Family’s reputation too. Get down there and challenge! If you win, Elder Miles and I will jointly petition the family head to reward you!"
Of course, Princess Myra noticed everything happening at the lower end of the hall. Watching Ian Song refuse to fight, a thoughtful look flashed in her eyes.
As for the lively young maid Sunny, she looked a bit anxious. Ian Song was the king of geniuses—only if he lost could she prove her point, so she was just as eager for him to step out and fight.
Next, representatives from all the major powers started sending sound transmissions to Ian Song, promising him benefits if he’d fight. This was about the Sky-Sun Region’s reputation. For this moment, they set aside old grudges and private conflicts—even if it meant letting the Ward Family take the spotlight, they still wanted Ian Song to fight.
But to their frustration, Ian Song remained unmoved.
"Ian, you coward! You don’t deserve to be king of geniuses!"
At last, one of the prodigies couldn’t hold back and started cursing him—this time not through sound transmission, but out loud.
"Yeah! Cowardly as a mouse—you don’t deserve it!"
Someone immediately echoed the sentiment.
Seeing all this, Princess Myra didn’t stop them—on the contrary, a playful smile appeared at the corner of her mouth. As for Sunny, her face lit up with delight. She’d never liked Ian Song, and now, seeing him scolded by his own side, she couldn’t help but feel a secret thrill.
It was clear Princess Myra wasn’t going to stop them, and she didn’t look displeased either.
Other prodigies joined in, cursing out loud. At least they kept their insults to calling Ian Song cowardly or timid—they didn’t go any further.
Finally.
Ian Song set down his wine cup and slowly swept his gaze over the prodigies who were shouting the loudest.
In an instant, those people all shut their mouths.
Ian Song finally spoke: "First off, I’ve never admitted to being king of geniuses, so whether I fight or not is up to me. If I want to fight, I’ll fight; if I don’t, you can shout yourselves hoarse and I still won’t. Second, let me remind everyone here—I’m pretty vindictive. I’ve memorized every single person who just cursed me. After this banquet, I’ll be paying each of you a personal visit!"
Hearing this, the prodigies who’d cursed Ian Song all changed color.
Especially those without strong backers—they felt a surge of fear and regret. What if Ian really did come after them for revenge? What would they do then?
For a moment, they all started thinking about fleeing the place.
Run! The farther, the better!
Princess Myra watched the scene unfold, her smile growing even wider. Her gaze toward Ian Song now held a clear note of interest.
Sunny, on the other hand, was thoroughly dissatisfied—Ian was nothing but a shameless rogue in her eyes.
"Ian, please fight!"
At that moment, Gavin Tian suddenly stood up and bowed deeply to Ian Song: "Anyone who insulted Ian, you don’t need to worry—I’ll personally take care of them for you!"
"Count me in too!"
Serena Sima also stood and bowed deeply.
"Ian, please fight!"
Victor Wang stood up and bowed as well.
Wang Teng gritted his teeth, stood and bowed: "Ian, if you won’t fight, then I’ll just stay kneeling!"
"Ian, please fight!"
Jasper Xie struggled to his feet and bowed toward Ian Song.
"Ian, I take back what I said a moment ago. As long as you fight, you can do whatever you want with me!" One of the prodigies who’d insulted Ian Song stood up and bowed as well.
One by one, the prodigies who’d cursed Ian Song all stood up and bowed, declaring that as long as he fought, he could do whatever he wanted with them.
The hall was suddenly filled with a heavy mix of humiliation and helplessness.
Moira Ji and Adrian Zhang were swept up by the mood too—they looked at Ian Song, eyes full of pleading.
Lena Wei hesitated, wanting to speak but holding back.
"Sigh!"
Ian Song let out a heavy sigh and stood up: "I really didn’t want to steal the spotlight, but you guys just keep forcing me into it. I honestly don’t know what to say to you all!"
"Pfft!"
Sunny couldn’t help but giggle quietly, muttering, "Shameless."
"You really do make an entrance after countless calls, Ian. I hope you won’t disappoint me. If you win, I’ll give you a handsome reward!" Princess Myra suddenly announced.
"What kind of reward?"
Ian Song blurted out.
"How dare you!"
"Ian, watch your tongue!"
Elder Sean and Elder Miles both turned stern, scolding him in succession.
"No harm done!" Princess Myra waved her hand, looking at Ian Song. "If you can defeat him, I’ll grant you one request."
"Ha, that’s great!" Ian Song laughed heartily, glancing at Sunny before leaping into the center of the hall.
Sunny felt a faint unease when Ian Song looked at her, but soon found it amusing—surely this guy couldn’t threaten her, could he?
"Come on!"
Ian Song beckoned to the late-stage Saint Sea soldier from the Myriad Forces Army.
His opponent stepped forward and launched a punch at Ian Song—a punch like a raging sea, vast and overwhelming, surging toward him from all directions.
Sensing the aura, everyone’s expression changed slightly. They realized the Myriad Forces soldier had held back when fighting Wang Teng earlier; now, his power was several times greater than before.
For a moment, everyone felt a surge of worry—could Ian really stand against him?