Chapter 51: The Arrogance of A Genius

Yuan Ye, a smile plastered on his face, eagerly approached Meng Yang. "It's indeed Young Master Meng! Shall we go and greet him?"

"Young Master Feng! Nice to meet you. I didn't expect you to come," Yuan Ye said, extending a hand.

"Oh, it's Yuan Ye Ah, no need for formalities. Just call me by my name; we're not outsiders," Meng Yang replied with a smile. He was about the same age as Yuan Ye, but possessed a far more mature aura.

"Yes, you're right," Yuan Ye agreed, beaming and nodding eagerly, hanging onto Meng Yang's every word. He then turned to the younger members of the Yuan family. "Hurry and greet Young Master Meng."

Yuan Mengyao and the others rushed forward, bowing respectfully in unison. They were nervous, barely daring to breathe loudly, lest they displease the esteemed Young Master Meng. He was not only exceptionally gifted but also came from a powerful family. The Meng family was the foremost family in Yunhai City, closely related to the influential Meng family, one of the Seven Great Houses, in Tianyang Prefecture.

Meng Yang acknowledged the greetings with a smile. His gaze then fell upon Xiao Chen, the only one who hadn't acknowledged him, seemingly preoccupied with something beyond meng Yang.

"Who is this person, Xiao Yuan? Is he with you?" Meng Yang asked, surprised.

"Yes, meng Yang. He's my cousin," Yuan Ye replied, his expression shifting slightly. He then turned to Xiao Chen, his tone commanding.

"Xiao Chen, what do you think you're doing? Hurry and greet Young Master meng! I won't be able to protect you if you offend him!"

Xiao Chen frowned slightly but nodded and offered a simple, "Hello."

A collective gasp echoed through the hall. How dare Xiao Chen greet meng Yang so casually?

"Who does he think he is? How dare he treat Young Master meng like that?" someone whispered.

"He's really courting death! This is Young Master meng! Even the patriarchs of some large families wouldn't dare speak to him this way!"

Yuan Mengyao's lips curled into a mocking smile. Even Yuan Ye had to be respectful in front of Feng Yang. The Yuan family was far inferior. Yet, Xiao Chen remained oblivious, showing no respect whatsoever.

"I asked you to greet Young Master meng. What's with that tone?" Yuan Ye scolded, his face darkening. He then turned to meng Yang, apologizing profusely. "Meng Yang, my cousin is…not sensible. He's…"

"It's okay. He's just a young man. It's normal for him to behave like that," meng Yang said magnanimously, though a hint of displeasure lingered in his eyes. Few dared to speak to him so dismissively. "But your cousin is rather arrogant. Is he from Yunhai City?"

"No, he's from Yunhai City," Yuan Ye corrected.

"Yunhai City? No wonder," meng Yang murmured, nodding. The young man was clearly unaware of his status and influence. That explained his indifference. The thought soothed meng Yang's ego.

Suddenly, something clicked in his mind. He smiled.

"Your surname is Xiao? Are you from the Xiao family in Yunhai City?"

"That's right," Xiao Chen confirmed.

"Oh, do you know Xiao Lei? He's the number one genius of the Xiao family." Feng Yang's tone was casual, yet laced with arrogance. "Speaking of which, Xiao Lei and I have some ties. He consulted me once, though at the time, he was only at level one of the Spirit Incarnation Realm. I wonder how far his cultivation has progressed."

"What? He's the number one genius of the Xiao family and even consulted with Young Master Feng?" Yuan Ye interjected quickly. "I didn't expect you two to have such a relationship. What a coincidence!"

Xiao Chen gave meng Yang a strange look. The number one genius? Meng Yang hadn't mentioned it, he would have almost forgotten about Xiao Lei. "Oh, you might be mistaken. He's not the number one genius. I am the number one genius of the Xiao family," Xiao Chen stated blandly.

"What? Xiao Lei isn't the number one genius anymore? Are you serious?" Meng Yang stared at Xiao Chen, a flicker of genuine interest in his eyes.

Xiao Lei had already reached level one of the Spirit Incarnation Realm when they last met. He should have advanced to level two by now. But this young man claimed to be the number one genius? Did that mean he was stronger than Xiao Lei?

Meng Yang studied Xiao Chen, realizing he couldn't discern his cultivation level. Outwardly, he appeared no different from an ordinary person. But if he dared to claim the title of number one genius, he couldn't be ordinary.

Meng Yang was perplexed.

The Yuan family members were equally stunned. They hadn't expected such…shamelessness. This was the first time they had seen someone so brazenly declare themselves the top genius. They all knew Xiao Chen's reputation. He was a good-for-nothing who spent his days sleeping!

"Xiao Chen, how dare you lie to Young Master meng!" one of the younger Yuan family members exclaimed angrily. Even Yuan Ye's expression changed drastically. "Xiao Chen, what nonsense are you spouting? Get the hell out of here if you're going to keep this up!" he snapped, before turning to meng Yang with another apology. "Meng Yang, I'm so sorry. My cousin is an idiot!"

"Huh? What do you mean?" Meng Yang was confused.

Yuan Ye gave a wry smile. "My cousin is just talking nonsense. He only has a level one talent for cultivating. How could he be the top genius of the Xiao family? In fact, in Yunhai City, his reputation as a good-for-nothing is well-known."

Hearing this, everyone burst into laughter.

"Haha, is that true?"

"Damn it! This guy is a freak! He's so shameless!"

"I feel sorry for him! Not only can't he cultivate, but he also has a poor memory!"

"Tsk, tsk. How dare he deceive Young Master meng and lie so foolishly? I'm impressed by his shamelessness!"

Meng Yang's demeanor shifted instantly, arrogance replacing his earlier curiosity. He snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over Xiao Chen. He said nothing, but his expression spoke volumes. He had initially thought Xiao Chen's strength was so well-hidden that even he couldn't perceive it. It turned out he was just a good-for-nothing!

Xiao Chen's face flushed, a cold fury rising within him. He glanced at the Yuan family members, especially Yuan Ye. How dare Yuan Ye embarrass him publicly? Did he think Xiao Chen would tolerate such treatment just because he was his grandfather's grandson?

Xiao Chen smirked, placing his hands behind his back. He looked at meng Yang coldly. "I am not only the number one genius of the Xiao family, but Xiao Lei is also dead. I killed him."

"You still dare to fool me? With your ability, you could kill Xiao Lei? What a joke!" Meng Yang was furious. Xiao Lei was at least level one of the Spirit Incarnation Realm. Even meng Yang doubted his own ability to defeat Xiao Lei!

"This Xiao Chen really has no sense of self-preservation! How dare he try to fool me with these lies?" Meng Yang thought.

He glared at Xiao Chen. "For Yuan Ye's sake, I initially didn't want to argue with you. But you continue to offend me. You leave me no choice but to teach you a lesson today!"

He rolled up his sleeves, and terrifying Spiritual Qi flowed through his body.

"Meng Yang!" Yuan Ye cried out in fear, looking at Xiao Chen with anger. "Damn it! How dare he offend Young Master meng!"

"Yuan Ye, you don't need to say anything," Feng Yang said, smirking. "It's pointless! I have to teach him a lesson today!"

"With your ability?" Xiao Chen mocked disdainfully. Feng Yang was merely at level three of the Spirit Incarnation Realm, yet he dared to act so presumptuously towards him? He prepared to retaliate.

Just then, a familiar voice rang out, halting all movement.

"Oh, Xiao Chen, why are you here?"