Chapter 52

After some polite conversation, Xiao Hai and the others finally left.

Xiao Yun, on the other hand, gathered with Yan Shifei and others for a small get-together and did not practice cultivation.

The next day, when the first ray of sunlight pierced through the clouds and shone down, the entire Ziyun County became bustling with activity.

Cultivators from all the major clans gathered together, ready to set off.

For today was the day of the grand competition among the major clans of Ziyun County.

If the young disciples of the clan could stand out in the competition, they would gain the opportunity to participate in the Tianyuan Sect's disciple selection in the capital. If a disciple from within the clan caught the eye of a prominent figure, the entire family could rise to prominence and enjoy the blessings.

Today, the Xiao family also appeared quite lively, with the elders gathered together, full of anticipation.

If it were five days ago, the Xiao family would have been filled with worry about this competition.

Because there was almost no one in the clan who could match Fang Hao!

But now, the brothers Xiao Hai and Xiao Hong were full of confidence.

However, some clan members were still deeply concerned, as they did not know how strong Xiao Yun was.

"Master Xiao Yun, do you have the confidence to defeat Fang Hao?"

"It is said that Fang Hao has long reached the Xiantian realm!"

Some clan members began to ask Xiao Yun when they saw him, showing great concern about the matter.

"Hehe, you will know when the time comes," Xiao Yun said with a smile, not saying much more.

Yan Shifei stood by Xiao Yun's side, radiant and charming, her every smile and frown making the world seem dim in comparison. She smiled, full of confidence in Xiao Yun. How could this young man, who had not only recovered his talent but also mastered the Fire Flame Martial Soul, be inferior to Fang Hao?

Seeing Xiao Yun's confident demeanor, the people of the Xiao family also breathed a sigh of relief.

However, some of the elders still looked worried.

"Why hasn't the family head come out?" the Great Elder asked.

"Yes!" the others also chimed in. The Xiao family's patriarch had the highest cultivation, and without him, everyone felt uneasy. After all, the elders of the major clans would all be present during the competition, and it would be inappropriate for the Xiao family to have no one to represent them.

"Father is in seclusion; there's no need to disturb him," Xiao Hai said. "Let's set off. I'm sure the Fang family is waiting to see our embarrassment."

"Alright," Xiao Hong said. "Let's go."

Seeing the confident expressions on the two brothers' faces, the clan members were taken aback.

"Have you both broken through?" the Great Elder asked, his face full of suspicion. After a careful sensing, he suddenly discovered something.

"What? Broken through?" the other elders also looked surprised upon hearing this.

How could this be?

The two brothers had been stuck at the Xiantian Full Circle realm for over a decade!

Xiao Hong and Xiao Hai just smiled faintly.

"Xiao Hu, you are responsible for protecting the family," Xiao Hong said to Xiao Hu beside him.

"Yes!" Xiao Hu nodded. "Don't worry, I will protect the family."

He understood what Xiao Hong meant.

With the patriarch in seclusion, he had to stay behind to guard him, to prevent anyone from disturbing him.

"Let's go!" Xiao Hong waved his hand and led the clan members away.

"Today, I will prove to your parents that I, Xiao Yun, am not a waste," Xiao Yun said, holding Yan Shifei's soft hand.

"I believe in you," Yan Shifei said, her eyes twinkling, her breath like a fragrant breeze. Her beautiful face was filled with a happy smile. After today, she would no longer have to worry about her parents' opposition and could be with this young man openly.

As the Xiao family marched in a grand procession towards the martial arts arena in Ziyun County, the vast square, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people, was already filled with a crowd, the noise and chatter deafening.

On the platform provided for the major clans, people from the various clans were already beginning to ascend.

In the center of the platform stood the City Lord of Ziyun County, Yan Rong.

Yan Rong was dressed in a brocade robe, his face solemn, exuding an aura of authority.

This city lord had the cultivation of the True Essence Full Circle realm and was only forty years old, making him a formidable figure.

In the entire Ziyun County, few dared to offend him.

Beside Yan Rong, Lady Yan was also present, and beside her stood a graceful young woman.

This young woman was naturally Yan Shiyi.

"Why hasn't Brother Xiao Yun arrived yet?" Yan Shiyi's beautiful eyes blinked, her lips tightly pursed, her clear eyes scanning the crowd below, seemingly searching for the young man's figure, but to no avail.

"This brat," Lady Yan frowned, her heart filled with suspicion. "Could she also like that Xiao Yun boy?" At this thought, Lady Yan's face darkened.

At this moment, a group of people arrived and ascended the platform.

"Ha ha, City Lord Yan, it's been a while!" An elder with slightly white whiskers walked up, his eyes sharp and his face smiling, exuding a gentle demeanor, but an invisible aura emanated from his brows, making people dare not look him in the eye.

"Fang Kun?" Yan Rong frowned, sensing an inexplicable pressure from the old man. "Could he have broken through?"

At this thought, Yan Rong felt uneasy.

"Hehe, Old Master Fang, you look more spirited than ever!" Yan Rong stood up and greeted the old man with a smile.

This man was the head of the Fang family, a prominent figure.

"I'm old," Fang Kun smiled, taking large steps towards a row of seats on the platform.

Behind Fang Kun were many members of the Fang clan.

Fang Xun and Fang Hao were among them.

Beside Fang Hao stood another person, Qiu Yuchen.

Qiu Yuchen also took a seat, as a disciple of the Tianyuan Sect, he was on equal footing with these elders.

Fang Hao also sat down, his eyes half-closed, his mind calm, not giving the elders a second glance.

"Why isn't your daughter Shifei here?" Old Master Fang asked, his eyes half-closed, smiling at City Lord Yan.

The other Fang family members standing beside him all cast inquiring glances.

Yan Rong's brows furrowed tightly, unsure how to respond.

"My sister is at the Xiao family," Yan Shiyi pouted, seemingly displeased with Old Master Fang.

Yan Shifei's departure from home was already known to Qiu Yuchen, but for the other party to ask so directly was rather nauseating.

"The Xiao family," Old Master Fang said, his eyes narrowing. "City Lord Yan, the Xiao family is not what it used to be. It's not a good thing for your daughter to associate too closely with Xiao Yun. I advise you to bring Shifei back as soon as possible."

"Hehe, this girl is too headstrong. It's time to discipline her," Yan Rong said, slightly embarrassed, forcing a smile.

"This is a family matter, I have said my piece," Old Master Fang said indifferently, not saying more.

"Is this old man really planning to target the Xiao family?" Yan Rong thought to himself.

Beside him, Qiu Yuchen remained calm, seemingly indifferent to the matter, but a hint of coldness appeared at the corner of his mouth.

Fang Hao's sharp eyebrows and piercing gaze gave him a cold and handsome appearance.

Seeing this, Yan Rong felt a sense of unease.

These people were too calm.

Especially Qiu Yuchen, who had proposed to his daughter but said nothing after Yan Shifei's refusal.

This was too abnormal.

Then, more people arrived, the Zhou family, led by an elder who greeted Old Master Fang first.

"Hehe, Brother Fang, you are early!" The Zhou family elder, nearly sixty years old, still looked radiant and full of energy.

"Brother Zhou is not late either!" Old Master Fang smiled faintly.

After greeting Old Master Fang, the Zhou family elder then greeted City Lord Yan.

This unusual behavior surprised many.

After the Zhou family arrived, the Lin family also came.

Among them was Lin Xiaoman, who blinked her beautiful eyes and walked over to Yan Shifei.

Then, cultivators from some smaller clans also arrived and took their seats on the platform.

"Hehe, Brother Fang, you have a fine grandson. From the aura of Young Master Fang Hao, he should have reached the Xiantian Mid-Stage, right?" Some elders smiled, their eyes filled with admiration as they looked at the young man with half-closed eyes.

He was the pride of Ziyun County!

"Xiao Hao has extraordinary talent, his cultivation indeed surpasses his peers," Old Master Fang smiled faintly, not saying more.

"It is said that Young Master Fang Hao has been chosen by Elder Qiu of the Tianyuan Sect. Will he participate in the competition?" someone asked.

Some of the elders and young men from other clans cast inquiring glances, clearly very interested.

The winner of this competition would gain the opportunity to participate in the Tianyuan Sect's selection in the capital, which was crucial for their future!

If Fang Hao participated, it would be almost impossible to win the spot.

"If there is a worthy opponent, perhaps Xiao Hao will participate," Old Master Fang smiled faintly, speaking ambiguously.

This made the people from the various clans frown slightly.

"Already chosen by the Tianyuan Sect, why would he participate?" they thought, but dared not speak out.

The Fang family was at the height of its power, and no one dared to openly offend them.

"Brother Xiao Yun has arrived," Yan Shiyi said, her eyes shining with excitement.

In the crowd, Xiao Yun was walking towards the platform with Xiao Hong and others.

"Just a waste, are you really that happy?" Lin Xiaoman raised an eyebrow, speaking indifferently.

"Brother Xiao Yun is not a waste," Yan Shiyi smiled, showing a pair of cute little fangs. When her eyes fell on the young man holding her sister's hand, a hint of jealousy appeared in her eyes.

"Flirt," Lin Xiaoman rolled her eyes at the girl beside her, but when her eyes fell on the young man below, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. "Why is Sister Shifei with Xiao Yun? They seem very close!"

For some reason, seeing the young man and Yan Shifei holding hands made her feel a bit uncomfortable.

"Hmph, he is destined to be a waste, no matter who he is with," Lin Xiaoman shook her head, not paying attention to the young man below. Her eyes turned to the closed-eyed Fang Hao, her frown gradually smoothing out. "He is the dragon among men, but his standards are too high, I am not worthy of him."

"Is that Xiao Yun?" As Xiao Yun walked through the crowd, countless eyes were fixed on him.

"Hehe, it is said that Xiao Yun hasn't broken through for eight years!"

"Does he also want to participate in this competition?"

"It is said that he once poisoned Young Master Fang Wei, causing a rift between the Fang and Xiao families. Now, if he dares to participate, isn't he courting death?"

"Xiao Yun was once the acknowledged genius of Ziyun County, but now he has come to this."

"What genius, just a waste of a martial soul." Many people sneered, their faces full of disdain.

"Look, even Miss Yan is with him." Suddenly, someone exclaimed.

"What, Miss Yan is with him today?" Upon hearing this, many eyes turned to look.

"Ah, a good cabbage has been eaten by a pig!" Subsequently, many people sighed, their eyes filled with envy.