C41 The Gathering of Heroes

Hongxing City, despite being a central city within the Azure Sky Realm, appeared to be nothing more than a backwater to the young girl, clearly indicating her worldly experience.

The city guards watched Yan Tianni with keen interest, eager to see how she would handle the situation.

Year after year, the guards encountered individuals like Yan Tianni, brimming with arrogance nurtured over time, yet oblivious to the fact that they were no longer on the fringes but in the heart of the Azure Sky Realm—a place teeming with talent where there was no room for their kind.

Yan Tianni's brows knitted as she asked icily, "Who are you calling a bumpkin?"

The girl replied with scorn, "I'm calling you bumpkins. What's it to you? Do you really want to challenge me? Honestly, it's beneath me to even bother with you bumpkins!"

Yan Tianni, known for her fiery temper, was instantly irked. She dismounted her White Fox Stallion, drew her sword, and challenged, "Is it disdain or fear that keeps you from fighting me? What does it matter if you're from a prestigious family? Are you proud to flaunt a status built on nothing but cultivation resources?"

The girl's anger flared, but before she could dismount her beast, a voice called out urgently, "Qingqing! Don't be rash!"

Liu Xingchang turned to see two more Heart Swallowing Snow Leopards approaching swiftly.

Astride the leopards were a man and a woman. The woman, bearing a resemblance to the young girl, seemed more mature and intelligent. Clad in a pristine white outfit, she radiated an untainted beauty. The man, in a brocade robe with striking eyebrows, exuded a dashing presence.

The leopards halted at the city gate, and the woman in white addressed the girl with a frown, "Qingqing, what trouble have you stirred up now?"

Feeling both aggrieved and annoyed, Qingqing retorted, "It's these bumpkins who are the bullies! You didn't hear the awful things they said. They called me trash, a product of mere cultivation resources! You know my talent—how could I tolerate such slander?"

Upon hearing the remark, the young man snorted disdainfully and leaped off his leopard, confronting Yan Tianni with a cold voice, "Trash built up from cultivation resources? Is that what you said to Miss Bai?"

Before Yan Tianni could respond, Liu Xingchang stepped in front of her, shielding her with his body. They were good friends, after all, and Liu Xingchang wouldn't stand by and let Yan Tianni be mistreated.

Liu Xingchang addressed the young man, "My friend, there's something you should understand. My friend only spoke those words because Miss Bai insulted us first. And it's not about conceding; it's about setting the record straight. While my friend did suggest Miss Bai's abilities were bolstered by cultivation resources, she never used the word 'trash'. She may be proud, but she's never rude."

The young man retorted icily, "So, if your friend isn't rude, are you implying that my friend is?"

Liu Xingchang replied firmly, "That is precisely my point."

At that, everyone around them was taken aback.

They had assumed Liu Xingchang would opt for a more subdued approach after stepping in to protect Yan Tianni, perhaps even bowing down to defuse the situation, especially given the vast gap between the influence of peripheral forces and the central families.

Ignoring the three young members of the prominent families, the mere presence of their three Snow Devouring Ice Leopards was enough to give Liu Xingchang and his companions a run for their money. These Third-Tier Demon Beasts were formidable adversaries, on par with Cultivators of the Spirit Origin Realm. Even a single Heart Devouring Snow Leopard could decimate the group of five.

The city guards, the merchants from the passing caravans, and the small teams of competitors were also taken aback.

"This kid's lost his mind, right? Why is he still holding onto his opinion? He should just admit defeat."

"Tsk tsk, he's practically asking for trouble."

"The principle he's standing by could very well be the death of him."

The young man's tone grew even colder, his eyes narrowing as he spoke, "Kid, do you realize what you're saying?"

Liu Xingchang stated, "I know."

The young man challenged, "Do you believe I could kill you right now?"

Liu Xingchang slightly raised an eyebrow and replied, "Sorry, I find that hard to believe."

"Very well!"

A fierce glint shone in the young man's eyes as his hand inched toward his waist, and he stepped closer to Liu Xingchang.

He was intent on killing.

In that moment, Liu Xingchang had converted all ninety of his Spirit Mark Runes into defensive ones.

He wasn't worried about evading the attack; his concern was that the young man might suddenly wield a powerful spiritual weapon.

It wasn't unusual for scions of great families to possess life-saving measures and powerful, instant attack methods. As the former ruler of the Northern Polar Heaven Domain, Liu Xingchang understood this all too well.

Just then, a young woman dressed in white tapped the young man's shoulder and cautioned, "Huan Kejian, don't act rashly. If you kill someone here, you'll lose your right to compete!"

The young man glanced at the woman, then at Bai Qingqing, clenched his teeth, narrowed his eyes, and with a cold huff, turned his attention back to Liu Xingchang.

"Kid, you should be grateful for Hongxing City's rules. But once we're in the arena, whether your head remains on your shoulders won't be up to the city's laws!"

Liu Xingchang responded, "We shall see."

The young man glared fiercely at Liu Xingchang and retorted, "We'll see if you're still this cocky when the competition starts!"

With that, he swept his sleeve, turned on his heel, and mounted his Heart Swallowing Snow Leopard.

Before departing, Bai Qingqing also pulled a face at Liu Xingchang and Yan Tianni, sticking out her tongue in a taunting gesture.

Liu Xingchang held his tongue, opting not to respond; anything else would have been undignified.

As the trio rode away on their Heart Swallowing Snow Leopards, the merchants and small groups passing by cast mocking looks at Liu Xingchang. Regardless of his ability to get through the auditions, the mere threat posed by Bai Qingqing and her companions was more than he was expected to handle.

To many, it seemed that Liu Xingchang's efforts this year might have been in vain.

Yan Tianni gazed at Liu Xingchang with a complex look in her eyes and apologized, "I'm sorry... I've made you a target of their resentment because of me."

Liu Xingchang offered a slight smile and replied, "Let them hold their grudges. As for who will manage to keep their head in the audition, that remains to be seen."

Yan Tianni couldn't fathom where Liu Xingchang's confidence originated, but somehow, his seemingly arrogant words felt natural and imbued with a confident, sunny disposition when he spoke them. Was this the so-called charm of personality?

After entrusting the White Fox to the city guards, Liu Xingchang and his companions made their way into the vibrant and expansive Hongxing City.

With two days remaining before the auditions began, the group's priority was to find an inn for lodging.

Hong Tengqing, the wealthiest of the bunch, eagerly volunteered to cover the upcoming expenses.

Striding with pride, Hong Tengqing led Liu Xingchang to the grandest and finest establishment in Hongxing City, the Immortal Return Restaurant, a place so enchanting it was said to captivate even the divine.

Hong Tengqing declared that his trip was not solely for competition but also for pleasure. He had thoroughly researched before arriving, knowing not only the best taverns in Hongxing City but also where to find the most beautiful women.

Upon entering the restaurant, the five companions subtly arched their brows in anticipation.