The dawn was faint.
The sky was just beginning to lighten, and the Feng Manor was bustling with activity.
The younger generation had already gathered at the Feng family residence, busy seeking guidance from the elders.
Even though the competition was imminent, they were still cramming, hoping to learn a little more.
Feng Ninghe, who was meditating on her bed, exhaled a breath of spiritual energy. She sensed something and suddenly opened her eyes.
Within her dantian, a potent surge of spiritual power was spreading throughout her body.
This spiritual energy was pushing her cultivation towards a breakthrough.
A spiritual light shot out from her dantian.
"Xiao Zhao, you woke up just in time. If you had been any later, you would have missed the Hundred Arena Competition."
Feng Ninghe smiled and lowered her gaze to the ball of light before her.
Within the ball of light, Xiao Zhao had shed its fluffy form and transformed into a little boy of six or seven, with a pair of adorable little horns on his head.
He was excitedly examining himself, occasionally moving his little arms and legs, clearly quite pleased with his new body.
"Master, the Hundred Arena Competition is incredibly exciting. I couldn't possibly miss it."
He grinned, revealing a pair of cute little tiger teeth.
Feng Ninghe stared at him for a while. "Those horns on your forehead are quite conspicuous. Can you change back to your original form?"
These horns were clearly not something an ordinary spirit beast would possess.
Various sects would be attending the Hundred Arena Competition as spectators. It was possible someone might discover Xiao Zhao's true identity.
"Of course."
As she spoke, Xiao Zhao flickered and transformed back into his former round, fluffy self. He quickly leaped onto Feng Ninghe's shoulder.
However, Feng Ninghe could clearly feel that the weight on her shoulder had increased, and Xiao Zhao appeared even more plump.
*Thump—*
The door to the room was gently knocked.
Old Man Xu stood impatiently at the doorway and asked, "Ninghe, are you ready?"
Old Man Xu was eager to witness a good show.
Five years ago, he had fought Feng Ninghe for the first and last time.
He also wanted to know how much Feng Ninghe had grown over the years.
Feng Ninghe finally got up and opened the door.
Old Man Xu's eyes immediately fell on Xiao Zhao, who had grown larger. He couldn't help but tease, "Xiao Zhao, it seems that Heartless Fruit had quite an effect. Your cultivation has also improved."
Xiao Zhao opened his large, azure eyes and gently nudged Feng Ninghe's neck with the inconspicuous little horns on his head, whimpering softly.
*As a Qilin, I cannot be a burden to Master. Naturally, I must level up quickly.*
*Once I grow a bit more, I will be able to transform away the horns on my head, and no one will recognize my identity.*
*The Qilin is an ancient divine beast, long extinct.*
*Before Xiao Zhao has sufficient power, his identity must absolutely not be revealed.*
*Otherwise, there's a risk that those with ill intentions might become greedy.*
*If the other party is so powerful that even Feng Ninghe cannot protect Xiao Zhao, that would be unacceptable.*
In front of the Duke of Zhenguo's manor, the elders were taking attendance.
A few of the younger Feng family members were still sparring with each other, hoping to stand out in the Hundred Arena Competition.
"Where is Feng Ninghe?"
At the very front of the crowd, Feng Tongtong's gaze quickly scanned the surroundings, but she couldn't find Feng Ninghe anywhere.
Madam Zhang also turned her attention to the surroundings.
Most people had arrived, with only Feng Ninghe missing.
Even Feng Guangyao couldn't help but frown. "Hasn't Feng Ninghe fled before the battle? Everyone is ready now, and only she is missing. At this critical moment, is she really going to mess things up?"
Ultimately, what they feared most was Feng Ninghe fleeing and refusing to participate in the Hundred Arena Competition.
Feng Tongtong was anxious and quickly turned her gaze to Taohua beside her. "Quick, send someone to Shiyuan to ask Feng Ninghe when she'll be here. Is she afraid and unwilling to compete?"
She had prepared a lot in secret. This woman couldn't back out at the last minute, or wouldn't all her preparations be in vain?
Madam Zhang didn't forget to add specifically, "I've also spent quite a few spirit stones betting on Feng Ninghe to lose. I didn't bet on her forfeiting."
Just as Taohua took a step forward to leave, a clear female voice reached everyone's ears.
"Since I said I would participate in the Hundred Arena Competition, I will never go back on my word."
Feng Ninghe walked over from the side, a small beast lazily perched on her shoulder.
Old Man Xu followed behind her with a swagger.
Her appearance also made Feng Tongtong breathe a sigh of relief, a hint of arrogance involuntarily appearing in her eyes. "Why are you so late? I thought you were scared and didn't dare to participate in the Hundred Arena Competition."
Feng Ninghe glanced at her. "Immortal Xu came out with me. If what you say is true, then Immortal Xu can't watch the Hundred Arena Competition either."
These simple words caused Feng Tongtong's expression to change immediately. Her face was like that of someone who had eaten Huanglian and could not express their bitterness.
Feng Ninghe seemed to recall something and deliberately added, "Third Miss, the Hundred Arena Competition is full of talented individuals. You should be more careful with that wig of yours."
Mention of the wig caused Feng Tongtong's gaze to darken involuntarily. Her sharp eyes scanned Feng Ninghe inch by inch.
"Feng Ninghe, it's strange. No matter what methods I use, no matter how many spirit pills I take, my hair just won't grow. What did you do to me?"
A sharp female voice, grating on the ears, was heard.
She remembered that time when Feng Ninghe had specifically forced a pill into Feng Tongtong's mouth.
That pill was the culprit that prevented her hair from growing.
Poor Feng Tongtong still didn't know that she couldn't grow hair because she had been poisoned.
Their commotion successfully attracted the attention of the First Elder.
The First Elder looked at Feng Tongtong with some displeasure, his words carrying a strong warning. "Enough. Today is the day the Hundred Arena Competition begins. Everyone should be in high spirits. Let's not say anything that dampens the mood."
The First Elder wanted good luck and didn't want to hear the younger generation bickering first thing in the morning.
Feng Tongtong had no choice but to swallow her grievances, looking at Feng Ninghe with resentful eyes, a hidden murderous intent in her gaze.
*This woman won't be arrogant for much longer. She'll soon be sent to the netherworld.*
The Hundred Arena Competition was held in an arena.
When the Feng family arrived, more than half of the spectator seats were already occupied.
The people from the major immortal sects also arrived in a grand procession at this moment.
The elders of the four great families hurried forward to greet the representative elders of the major immortal sects.
Feng Ninghe took her seat with the younger generation of the Feng family.
Vaguely, she sensed a gaze fixed intently upon her.
Such a stare sent shivers down her spine and made her feel deeply uncomfortable.
She subconsciously looked up, following her intuition toward the source of the gaze.
In the sect seating area, Mo Zisang sat quietly. He had a feminine and devilishly charming appearance, not bad-looking at all, but his sharp eyes were extremely unsettling.
At this moment, Mo Zisang's gaze was unable to shift away from her, staring directly at her.
Their eyes met, and an unspeakable depth could be seen in both their gazes.
Recalling the night raid on the First Prince's manor and the conversation she had accidentally overheard, Feng Ninghe felt nauseous.
She contemptuously raised her middle finger at Mo Zisang.