It was no use regretting it now; he couldn't just kick her away like a ball.
If Chen Xiao had done that, the poor girl would likely not have escaped the pursuit of the Xioumen sect.
The two followed the crowd into Houtu City.
Houtu City was already bustling, and with the preliminary matches of the Heavenly Pride Competition about to begin, the city's population was even larger than usual.
The happiest people were the various merchants, as the influx of so many young talents meant that even the most mediocre businesses could make a fortune.
After all, these young talents were the hope of their respective sects, and they were sure to have brought plenty of travel funds before setting out.
Compared to the secular world, the attire in the Immortal Hidden Realm was much more monotonous and limited. Cultivators mostly wore Daoist robes, with only slight variations in color and pattern; the styles were largely the same.
As for the common folk, having moved in five hundred years ago and not being exposed to outside cultural influences, they still dressed in ancient styles.
Some wore more fashionable clothing, such as Zhongshan suits, which clearly indicated they had entered the Immortal Hidden Realm within the last century.
However, the proportion of such people was extremely small, and they could even be considered deviants.
The Holy Sons and Holy Daughters were young and spirited, and as the favored children of heaven, they were exceptionally arrogant. Collisions and conflicts were inevitable.
Often, a few words like "What are you looking at?" or "What about it?" would escalate into drawing swords and fighting.
To maintain order within the city, the Earth Sect dispatched a large number of disciples to patrol the city.
These disciples' Daoist robes were embroidered with a mountain peak, serving as their symbol.
With these Earth Sect disciples maintaining order, the security improved significantly, as no one dared to disrespect the Earth Sect.
Houtu City was exceptionally lively, but that was only in comparison to other towns in the Immortal Hidden Realm. Compared to the outside secular world... well, there was no comparison at all.
So, despite the liveliness, Chen Xiao was not particularly enthusiastic and just wanted to find an inn to settle down quickly.
Su Meinan, on the other hand, had sparkling eyes and found everything novel. For a girl who hadn't seen much of the world, coming to Houtu City at this time was like Liu姥姥 entering the Grand View Garden.
Chen Xiao felt pity for her and tentatively offered to take her out of the Immortal Hidden Realm when he left. The outside world, he said, was a hundred times, no, a thousand times, ten thousand times more exciting than this place!
However, Su Meinan scoffed, disdainfully stating that the secular world was a world for inferiors, and how could she, a dignified citizen of the Immortal Hidden Realm, condescend to move to the secular world?
Only then did she realize she had said the wrong thing and quickly covered her mouth.
Chen Xiao shook his head noncommittally. Some people were born in a cage and didn't even realize it; it was truly pitiable.
Chen Xiao and Su Meinan had arrived quite late, so most of the large inns in Houtu City were already fully booked.
In the end, they only found an inn with rooms available in the outskirts of the city, and booked two ordinary rooms... because the superior rooms were all taken.
However, fortunately, even though they were just ordinary rooms, the hygiene and facilities were up to par, which was enough for Chen Xiao.
The first floor of the inn was the dining hall, filled with many diners. Although most of them were Holy Sons and Holy Daughters participating in the Heavenly Pride Competition, it still had a strong martial world atmosphere.
Chen Xiao liked this atmosphere, finding it vibrant. He ordered a few small dishes and a pot of wine from the waiter, intending to eat, drink, and listen to the gossip of the Holy Sons and Holy Daughters.
As for Su Meinan, she was simply eating and drinking. Although she was also a cultivator, her strength was too weak; she couldn't even achieve grain abstinence and would feel uncomfortable if she missed a meal.
The dining hall was packed and noisy. Two people who were joking with each other one moment would draw their swords the next and be ready to fight.
The surrounding people made no attempt to stop them, all looking eager for a spectacle.
Just then, several Daoists with mountain peak patterns embroidered on their robes rushed in and stopped the two who were about to fight.
Upon seeing these Earth Sect patrol disciples, the onlookers cried out in disappointment, lamenting that the fight wouldn't happen.
The leading Earth Sect patrol disciple was a female disciple with a clear face and sharp features. While not a great beauty of unparalleled charm, she possessed an inherent heroic and spirited demeanor.
Moreover, due to her cultivation, the female disciple's skin was delicate and fair, and her eyes were clear and beautiful, like two clear springs.
If she were in the secular world, she would be considered a beauty of at least eight out of ten.
Chen Xiao glanced at the female disciple and silently rated her.
However, after stopping the two who were about to fight, the female disciple walked directly towards Chen Xiao.
Although Su Meinan had been busy stuffing herself with food, she noticed the female Daoist approaching Chen Xiao.
She nudged Chen Xiao's arm and whispered, "Brother Chen, is she here to cause trouble~~"
"Eat your food, why are you bothering me!"
Chen Xiao muttered irritably.
At this moment, the clear-faced Daoist had arrived at Chen Xiao and Su Meinan's table, scrutinizing them with an arrogant gaze.
"What are you looking at?"
Chen Xiao asked, eagerly anticipating the other party to retort with "What about it!"
However, the other party clearly wouldn't say that. She sized up Chen Xiao and Su Meinan, her lips parted slightly, and she said faintly, "One wrapped entirely in a black robe, whose cultivation is indiscernible, and beside him a big-eyed little girl at the Golden Core stage... My Holy Son senior brother said it was you two, right!"
The big-eyed little girl at the Golden Core stage... Su Meinan was not very pleased with this description and immediately pouted.
However, she couldn't refute it, as what the other party said was the truth.
"Heh, are you here to avenge your Holy Son senior brother?"
Chen Xiao asked with a light chuckle.
"The Dao Head has ordered that no fighting is allowed within Houtu City during the preliminary matches of the Heavenly Pride Competition. I am the Holy Daughter of the Earth Sect, and naturally, I will not violate the Dao Head's decree!"
The Daoist said calmly.
However, her words caused a stir, as no one expected this cold and aloof Daoist to be the Holy Daughter of the Earth Sect!
Her background was no ordinary matter!
Chen Xiao was also surprised, as he hadn't expected the Earth Sect to have a Holy Daughter in addition to a Holy Son.
Chen Xiao cupped his hands: "So it is the Holy Daughter gracing us with her presence, my apologies!"
"Heh, you don't need to be so polite with me."
The Holy Daughter gave a dry laugh. "Although I don't like my Holy Son senior brother, the fact that you cut off one of his hands is truly unforgivable."
Upon hearing this, the crowd erupted again.
Who exactly was this person in the black robe? To have cut off the hand of the Earth Sect's Holy Son was truly a display of both great strength and arrogance!
The other Heavenly Pride contestants didn't feel any ill will towards such a person.
"And then, you're not here just to say this, are you?"
Chen Xiao asked.
"In tomorrow's Heavenly Pride Challenge, I will issue a challenge to you, provided, of course, that you can pass the test of the Four Elements!"
"Farewell!"
With that, the Earth Sect Holy Daughter left the inn with her disciples.
The Holy Sons and Holy Daughters who had been eating and drinking rushed over to Chen Xiao to curry favor.
Even though they considered Chen Xiao a man doomed to die, it didn't diminish their admiration for him.
Cutting off the hand of the Earth Sect's Holy Son was not something ordinary people could do.
Chen Xiao also took the opportunity to ask, "What is this test of the Four Elements she mentioned?"
"You don't even know what the test of the Four Elements is? Didn't your master tell you before you left?"
"To come to the preliminary Heavenly Pride Competition without even knowing this? You're truly something!"
Everyone was discussing it, looking at Chen Xiao as if he were an anomaly.
However, some kind souls began to explain.
"The test of the Four Elements is actually a test of the four natural forces: wind, water, fire, and lightning. After passing these four tests of natural forces, the next stage is the freely chosen Heavenly Pride Challenge, where participants can challenge each other until only fifty remain. These fifty people will be the fifty favored children who participate in the main competition of the Heavenly Pride Battle!"
"The test of the Four Elements is not difficult, nor is it easy. It's essentially a hard requirement. According to previous Heavenly Pride Battles, three-quarters of the participants fail the test of the Four Elements."
After hearing everyone's explanation, Chen Xiao had a general understanding of the preliminary matches for the Heavenly Pride Competition. He was not interested in the subsequent attempts by others to curry favor and build connections with him, so he made an excuse and returned to his room.
The preliminary matches for the Heavenly Pride Competition were not scheduled to officially begin until tomorrow, so Chen Xiao began to cultivate upon returning to his room.
Although the concentration of spiritual energy in the Immortal Hidden Realm was far greater than in the secular world, for Chen Xiao, such cultivation was like a drop in the bucket.
However, in the path of cultivation, a persistent attitude was more important; one couldn't slack off just because progress was slow.
After all, excellence comes from diligence, and idleness leads to ruin.
Once immersed in the state of cultivation, Chen Xiao gradually forgot the passage of time.
After an unknown amount of time, the creaking sound of a door opening was suddenly heard.
Entering was a middle-aged man dressed in white.
The middle-aged man had strong facial features and long, curly hair. Sparse stubble grew on his lips, which, rather than making him look sloppy, added a touch of dashing nonchalance.
Upon seeing this person, Chen Xiao was stunned.
The first name that flashed through his mind was – the White Robed Sorcerer Group!
Immediately after, Chen Xiao's heart sank, and he thought of another person.
Although there was no reason and no trace to follow, the name of that person truly flashed through his mind.
Chen Sihai!
Chen Xiao was almost certain that this person was Chen Sihai!
Suddenly, Chen Xiao could feel his heartbeat accelerating wildly, rising to his throat, as if it would fly out with a single word...
"Xiao'er..."
The man was also extremely emotional. As he spoke, his voice choked, and the stubble on his lips trembled.
"You are my Xiao'er, you are my Xiao'er..."
The white-robed middle-aged man repeated this sentence over and over, his eyes suddenly becoming moist and red.