The sun was bright in a clear, cloudless sky.
Millions of people had gathered in the massive Artifact Arena. People from all walks of life were present, and a constant buzz of discussion rose and fell throughout the crowd.
From the chatter, certain bits of information naturally erged...
The three most popular contestants in the competition were, of course, Huo Yan, Tang Muxue, and Qin Mutian.
Huo Yan was the absolute favorite to win the championship. Tang Muxue and Qin Mutian were expected to vie for second and third place, though many hoped the two could challenge Huo Yan's top position. As for a so-called "dark horse," most believed such an outco was highly unlikely.
This was simply because Huo Yan, Tang Muxue, and Qin Mutian were far too powerful.
To shake their positions, a contestant would need to be at least close to the High-level Tier Two standard.
But it seed no expert of that caliber had appeared.
In the north, the centermost viewing platform was magnificently decorated in gold. A watery, curtain-like barrier of energy enveloped it, obscuring the view of those inside.
However, everyone knew that behind this shimring curtain sat the host of the competition.
And not only that...
She was also the Qin Kingdom's most beloved princess, the Third Princess, ranked first among the four great beauties of Qin Royal City!
At this mont, behind the watery curtain, a graceful figure in a long red dress sat upon a chair carved with swirling golden phoenixes. Her hair cascaded down her back, and she exuded the noble and sacred air of a peony.
This was none other than the Third Princess—first among the four great beauties of the Qin Kingdom, the King's most cherished daughter, and the host of this competition.
Her fingers tapped lightly on the armrest. Her soft voice seed to carry a sweet fragrance that could sway one's very soul. "Aunt Leng, how is the intelligence gathering for the competition coming along?"
"Princess, all the information is here."
Standing beside the Third Princess was a woman in a black dress who was like an iceberg.
If Beichen Tianshuang's coldness was one of chilly arrogance, then this woman's coldness was an indifference that ca from the depths of her heart.
She retrieved a list and handed it to the Third Princess. "Besides Crown Prince Qin Mutian and Tang Muxue of the Spiritual Craftsman Guild, the one most worthy of attention is Huo Yan. These three are the strongest, and Huo Yan, in particular, is the publicly acknowledged favorite for champion. It's unlikely anyone can challenge their positions."
"Huo Yan? He certainly has so skill, but it's a pity he's one of the Wang Family's people. It's impossible to recruit him. As for the Crown Prince... heh..."
The Third Princess seed to feel a trace of disgust at the ntion of her brother. She gently rubbed her brow. "After the competition ends, Aunt Leng, accompany to the Spiritual Craftsman Guild. It's been a while since I've seen little sister Mu Xue!"
Aunt Leng nodded.
She hesitated for a mont before saying, "Princess, your subordinate has made an unexpected discovery regarding Huo Yan's participation in the competition."
"Oh?"
Aunt Leng nodded, her expression a little strange. "Your subordinate has discovered that Huo Yan changed his mind and decided to participate because Wang Fei personally intervened to make him do so. As for why Wang Fei acted, it's related to soone Miss Beichen has recently been in contact with."
"Tianshuang? Ever since Beichen Ba went into seclusion, the burden on her shoulders has indeed grown much heavier. And Wang Fei is no pushover. I just wonder, what kind of person could possibly catch Tianshuang's eye?" the Third Princess murmured.
Leng Yi hesitated, then sighed softly. "Princess, you should look at the end of the list yourself."
"The end of the list? Aren't these just so Tier One Spiritual Craftsn? How could Tianshuang... What?"
The Third Princess had been glancing through it casually, but when she saw the last na, her hand trembled violently. She could barely maintain her composure...
"Him? What is he doing here?"
...
"Brother, there are so many people here!"
Little Feng skipped along cheerfully, holding Hong Yu's hand with one of his and Beichen Tianshuang's with the other.
Beichen Tianshuang kept her head down, her face completely flushed.
Hong Yu rubbed his nose, feeling a bit helpless.
Beichen Tianshuang was, after all, one of the four great beauties, a fact known to everyone in Qin Royal City. Who wouldn't be captivated upon seeing her? Ordinarily, she never got overly familiar with any man, but now, she was walking alongside a complete stranger.
And to top it off, a little one was holding both of their hands.
They looked just like a family of three.
This naturally drew the hateful glares of countless n.
"Brother, why are all these uncles looking at you like that? It's like you stole their food or sothing," Little Feng asked innocently.
Beichen Tianshuang's pretty face grew even redder, and she practically buried her head between her twin peaks.
Hong Yu gave an awkward cough. "Miss Beichen, why don't you take Little Feng to the viewing stands first."
"Okay!"
Beichen Tianshuang couldn't wait to get away.
Little Feng reluctantly waved his small fist at Hong Yu. "Go, Brother!"
"I will!"
Hong Yu nodded.
He let out a long breath and walked toward the center of the Artifact Arena.
By now, quite a few people had already gathered in the center of the arena. With only ten-odd minutes left before the competition began, the contestants were entering one after another.
Of course, the first to arrive were all small-fry.
The true favorites always made their entrance last.
Hong Yu stood among the crowd. Being quite young, he didn't stand out much.
A bare-chested uncle stood next to Hong Yu, his body covered in muscles that looked like they were forged from steel, radiating a sense of explosive power.
A full, bushy beard made him look even wilder. The uncle glanced at Hong Yu. "Hey, buddy, you competing too? You look like you're only fifteen or sixteen. Compete this year, you can co back again next year. Did your folks send you here to toughen you up?"
"..."
Hong Yu rolled his eyes, annoyed at how he always ran into these overly-familiar types. He shot a look at the man. "Uncle, doesn't the competition have an age limit of thirty? Isn't it a bit shaless for soone of your age to be here?"
"Shaless, my ass! I'm only twenty-nine," the uncle roared.
Hong Yu froze.
He looked the uncle up and down. Seeing the man's serious expression, which didn't seem like a lie, he couldn't help but twitch his nose. "Then I can only say you look like you were in a hurry to grow up."
"..."
The uncle scratched his head in frustration.
Just then, a commotion erupted in the crowd. "Quick, look! That's Tang Muxue!"
"What? The cutest and most adorable of the four great beauties, Tang Muxue?"
Everyone turned to look toward the entrance.
A dazed, adorable girl, like an elf, ca hopping clumsily toward the center of the Artifact Arena. Her long, cyan hair swayed with her every movent, srizing countless eyes like a pair of flowing cyan water-sleeves.
The uncle gulped. "Holy cow! This Tang Muxue isn't old, but that pair of weapons is definitely top-tier!"
"..."
Hong Yu had just turned to look, but Tang Muxue had already run past him, and he missed her.
Just as he was feeling disappointed, the bearded uncle yelled again, "Holy shit, isn't that Crown Prince Qin Mutian? Hey buddy, did you know..."
The man familiarly slung an arm around Hong Yu's neck. "Ten years ago, I fought a legendary battle against His Highness the Crown Prince. Though I was narrowly defeated, it caused a huge sensation in the Royal City back then! The Crown Prince and I were even known to the world as the 'Twin Prodigies of the Royal Capital'!"
Hong Yu glanced at the dashing and elegant Qin Mutian, then back at the sloppy-looking uncle, and rubbed his nose. "Are you sure the word 'prodigy' applies to you?"
"Er, well, anyway, His Highness the Crown Prince and I are on great terms!"
As the uncle was speaking, he suddenly noticed Qin Mutian walking toward him. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly straightened his posture, whispering, "See that? His Highness is coming over to greet !"
He failed to notice, however, that when Hong Yu saw Qin Mutian and the brocade-robed youth behind him, he couldn't help but frown and sigh to himself. 'Trouble's here.'
"Your High—"
When Qin Mutian arrived in front of him, the uncle reached out a hand, intending to exchange a few pleasantries.
But...
Qin Mutian walked right past him, leaving him hanging, and went straight to Hong Yu. He sized Hong Yu up and gave a faint smile. "You are Hong Yu?"
"Yes," Hong Yu replied calmly.
Before Qin Mutian could speak, Qin Mufeng, who was behind him, snapped angrily, "Hong Yu, my big brother is the Crown Prince! What kind of attitude is that?"
"Royal Brother, leave this to ."
Qin Mutian shot Qin Mufeng a cool glance before turning back to Hong Yu. "Although this brother of mine is sowhat worthless, he is still a prince of the Royal Family, and more importantly, my brother. Since you struck him, you must pay the price. But rest assured, I, the Crown Prince, do not bully people with my status. Since you've entered this competition, we will settle things in the arena. I hope you won't disappoint ."
With that, Qin Mutian turned and left.
Qin Mufeng shot Hong Yu a vicious glare. "Kid, you just wait. You'll be crying soon enough."
After the two left, the uncle finally turned around. Showing no embarrassnt for his misjudgnt, he stared at Hong Yu in astonishnt, his expression exaggerated. "Buddy, you're incredible! You even dared to offend the current Crown Prince? I'm impressed, truly impressed..."
"Get lost," Hong Yu said irritably.
The uncle just chuckled, but then his eyes widened, and he slapped Hong Yu on the back. "Quick, look, Huo Yan is here! Damn, he's an expert from the Guiyuan Sect, an existence even more badass than the Crown Pr—... huh?!"
The uncle was suddenly dumbstruck.
Because he discovered that Huo Yan was also walking straight toward Hong Yu.
Huo Yan was like a ferocious tiger. A domineering and vicious aura instantly locked onto Hong Yu. His Mid-stage Celestial Soul Realm cultivation was more than a level higher than that of Elder Luo, who had been at the sa realm in the past.
Huo Yan revealed a savage grin. "You're Hong Yu? Heh heh heh, you should know why I've co for you..."
"I don't," Hong Yu said flatly.
"You..."
Huo Yan faltered, then laughed coldly. "Good, good, good. A real man, indeed. Heh heh heh, you dare to injure my brother and oppose Sister Fei. I'll make sure your death is very... rhythmic! Hahaha..."
Huo Yan laughed wildly and arrogantly, then turned and left.
Watching Huo Yan's departing figure, Hong Yu couldn't help but frown.
He felt an intense threat from this man. It was an instinctual feeling, one that told Hong Yu his chances of winning against Huo Yan were slim.
If he wanted to defeat Huo Yan, his only hope was to achieve another breakthrough in his understanding of the *Initial Understanding of the Dao of Artifacts*.
Taking a deep breath, Hong Yu muttered, "Crown Prince Qin Mutian, Guiyuan Sect's Huo Yan... no matter how strong you are, no matter what your status is, none of you will stop from obtaining the *Celestial Soul Nine Refinents*!"
As this thought crossed his mind, Hong Yu turned around and jumped in surprise.
The burly uncle was staring at him with an expression of utter, prostrate admiration...
"Buddy, you're the man! Not only did you offend the Crown Prince, but you even dared to provoke Huo Yan? I'm completely in awe. I bow to you!"
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