Xingsha City.
The central area.
Next to the Xingsha Lake ruins stands a massive martial arts arena.
In the center is a battle stage constructed entirely of granite, and surrounding the stage are no less than thirty thousand spectator seats.
The martial arts arena is already packed to capacity.
Dozens, even hundreds, of large and small families in Xingsha City, as well as powerful individuals from Xingsha City who have come to watch, have filled the arena.
The Qiao family of Xingsha City, Qiao Feiyu, Qiao Feihu.
The Ma family, Ma Yun.
The Deng family, Deng Wu, Deng Wen.
The Miao family, Miao Renfeng, Miao Jingjing.
From the Liu family, Liu Xiwei.
From the Xingsha City Blacksmiths' Guild branch, Zhang Junfeng.
...
Even amidst the countless people, these renowned young talents remain the focus of everyone's attention, their legendary deeds constantly discussed.
Liu Xiwei stretched her slender neck, like that of a swan, her smooth chin slightly raised, basking in the admiring glances. A faint pride flowed across her face.
She casually glanced at Ling Fan.
Ling Fan, clad in a simple gray cloth robe, was lost among the Liu family disciples, appearing so dim and unremarkable. Though only a few meters away from her, they seemed like people from different worlds.
"You merely bask in the glory of the Lan family. What right do you have to be arrogant before us of the Liu family? Remember, for a martial artist, strength is fundamental!"
"Someone like you, a pampered and defiant individual, arrogant and looking down on others, yet lacking the corresponding strength to support it, will ultimately be but a supporting character in this world! I, however, am the protagonist of this magnificent world."
Unwavering pride flickered in Liu Xiwei's eyes.
She had initially intended to offer some guidance to Ling Fan, out of consideration for him having saved her sister.
However, Ling Fan's attitude that day had been excessively arrogant and disrespectful.
This had caused her to abandon that thought.
Rotten wood cannot be carved!
Ling Fan seemed to sense her gaze and calmly met her eyes.
But to her considerable disappointment, after meeting her gaze, Ling Fan showed no change in expression, remaining calm and composed.
He did not exhibit the self-consciousness she had expected.
She snorted inwardly, thinking, "How long can you maintain this facade?"
Soon, when you witness the strength of myself and the other geniuses, you will feel your own insignificance and powerlessness.
With this thought, she turned her head away like a proud swan, no longer paying attention to Ling Fan.
Beside Ling Fan, Liu Xiran had clearly noticed the exchange of glances between Ling Fan and Liu Xiwei.
She couldn't help but tug at Ling Fan's sleeve.
She was a little afraid of her sister; she was too serious, too proud, though also very accomplished. When with her sister, Liu Xiran always felt a sense of pressure.
"Brother Ling Fan, don't mind my sister. She's just like that, she's not a bad person. Why don't you apologize to her and yield a little? I believe she'll be happy to accept your apology."
Ling Fan smiled and gently patted Liu Xiran's head.
He knew the little girl was looking out for him.
After all, in her eyes, Ling Fan still relied on the Liu family's protection in Xingsha City.
Otherwise, if the City Lord's mansion came looking for him one day, wouldn't Ling Fan be left without support?
However, Liu Xiran did not know that with the power Ling Fan now commanded, who in the mere Xingsha City was worthy of his respect, and who could make him bow his head?
Those worthy of his respect, he would naturally not be stingy with his respect.
As for others, Ling Fan had no need to change his attitude.
The dignified Azure Cloud Emperor, who traversed the six directions and eight wastes, the four realms of the universe, when had he ever needed to curry favor with anyone?
On the high platform at the very front of the martial arts arena.
This was the exclusive seating for the Xingsha City Lord's mansion.
The Young City Lord, Xiong Fei, lounged with his legs crossed, comfortably leaning back in his chair, looking down at the multitude of powerhouses below.
Suddenly, his gaze fell upon a certain spot below, and his eyes shot out needle-sharp, piercing light.
"Damn it, damn it! It's... it's..."
"That kid and that one-eyed fellow!"
Enemies meeting with eyes burning red.
Xiong Fei became so agitated that he began to stutter.
A strong man from the City Lord's mansion standing beside him exclaimed in surprise, "Young City Lord, it really is those two!"
"We searched high and low, and now we've found them without even trying. We thought that kid wouldn't dare to step out of the Liu mansion after we staked it out for three days, thinking he was too scared to come out. We never expected him to dare to come watch the martial arts gathering!"
"Young City Lord, I'll go capture and kill that brat right now!"
The City Lord's mansion strongman beside him said with palpable killing intent.
"Wait!"
Xiong Fei stopped him, smiling sinisterly, "No need to rush! Everyone's attention is on the martial arts gathering now. After it concludes, I will then tear this brat and that one-eyed fellow to pieces before everyone. Only then can my hatred be appeased! And it will also demonstrate the might and authority of our City Lord's mansion!"
"Hurry and notify my father and all the Xuan Gang realm cultivators still in the mansion. Set up a net around the martial arts arena. Make absolutely sure these two don't sneak away."
"Just wait until the martial arts gathering ends, and it will be time for us to cast our net. Then, let's see where these two fools can escape!"
"The Young City Lord is brilliant!"
...
The geniuses of Xingsha City and the watching powerhouses were all immersed in the lively atmosphere of the martial arts gathering.
Most people were unaware of the undercurrents surging beneath the surface of the event.
Soon, the martial arts gathering officially began.
The geniuses from various families in Xingsha City stepped forward one after another, fighting fiercely for a spot in the top ten.
The rules of the Xingsha City martial arts gathering were not significantly different from those of Jiangnan City.
Both adopted a challenge system.
Losing one match meant elimination.
The weaker were quickly eliminated by stronger challengers.
Ultimately, only the ten most powerful geniuses would remain, becoming the final fortunate ones.
...
Liu Xiran, being a young girl with a child's disposition, couldn't tear her eyes away from the exciting battles.
Especially when the younger generation of the Liu family took to the stage, she clapped her hands until they were sore, completely unaware.
If a member of the Liu family won, she would jump up and down with joy.
If a member of the Liu family lost, her exquisitely carved little face could not hide her disappointment.
Ling Fan watched from the side, amused.
As for the battles on stage, they held no interest for Ling Fan.
Although the overall strength of Xingsha City's younger generation was slightly stronger than that of Jiangnan City, with many geniuses at the late stage of Qi Refining, and even peak Qi Refining stage geniuses not being uncommon.
There were even a few who were infinitely close to the Xuan Gang realm.
Such as Qiao Feiyu and Qiao Feihu of the Qiao family, Ma Yun of the Ma family, Deng Wu and Deng Wen of the Deng family.
Miao Renfeng and Miao Jingjing of the Miao family.
From the Liu family, Liu Xiwei.
From the Xingsha City Blacksmiths' Guild branch, Zhang Junfeng.
All were existences close to being invincible below the Xuan Gang realm.
However, no Xuan Gang realm geniuses had appeared yet.