Chapter 413: Making a Grand Entrance!

"The Heavenly Net Soul Refining Art is just an ordinary ninth-rank technique, at most supporting your cultivation to the level of a Pill Emperor. It's nothing remarkable. But for your current realm, it's more than enough," Ye Yuan said.

To Ye Yuan, a ninth-rank technique really was nothing remarkable.

In Ye Yuan's mind, there were over a dozen ninth-rank techniques, and the Heavenly Net Soul Refining Art was just an unremarkable one among them.

Both being ninth-rank techniques, the Heavenly Net Soul Refining Art was far inferior to the Thousand Derivations Soul Art.

After all, the Thousand Derivations Soul Art was the technique that supported both Ji Zhengyang and Ji Qingyun in reaching the peak of the Pill Emperor realm—it was absolutely the finest of the finest.

In both his past and present lives, Ye Yuan had only passed this technique to his father, Ye Hang. Even Li Daoheng, who was practically his disciple, had not been easily taught it.

"Th-thank you for your great kindness, senior!" Xing Yuan said, unable to contain his gratitude.

Ye Yuan waved his hand and said, "Not to mention that you helped me a great deal, just the fact that you are Li Daoheng's disciple makes teaching you a soul technique no big deal."

Saying this, Ye Yuan's expression darkened. "Living a second life, I actually regret a lot from my previous one. That boy Li Daoheng had considerable talent; if I had taught him properly, he would have become a generation's Pill Emperor. But in this life... I don't know if I'll have a chance to make up for it."

On such a topic, Xing Yuan felt he had no room to interject, so he simply remained silent.

Ye Yuan transmitted the Heavenly Net Soul Refining Art to Xing Yuan, who no longer had any doubt about Ye Yuan's identity.

How could a mere Crystal Formation Realm youth know a ninth-rank technique?

That was a ninth-rank technique!

For martial artists in the lower realm, a ninth-rank technique was the supreme existence!

The Divine Realm? What did that have to do with lower realm martial artists?

...

Two days later, the largest square in the royal city—Phoenix Square.

Perhaps the Xiao family was not a top-tier great clan, but Xiao Ruyan, one of the two peerless beauties of the royal city, was almost a household name!

Her martial arts contest to select a husband naturally drew the attention of the masses!

At this moment, Phoenix Square was packed with a surging crowd, so dense that not even water could seep through.

The Xiao family had never anticipated such a scene.

The contest had been ongoing for several months, and the number of qualified martial artists had reached tens of thousands.

Among these people, the vast majority were merely seeking fame.

Because everyone in the world knew that this contest was essentially for the Huang and Xue families.

Huang Wenqiu of the Huang family and Xue Zaihe of the Xue family were almost the leading figures among the younger generation in the Gale Realm. With the other two experts of the royal city absent, they were almost certain to win!

To the Huang and Xue families, the Xiao family was indeed insignificant, but to the countless martial artists of the world, the Xiao family was an extremely formidable existence.

For the younger generation of martial artists, the temptation of winning the beauty and entering the Xiao family was simply too great!

Thus, even though everyone knew they had no chance of winning, the number of young registrants was still overwhelming.

In the center of Phoenix Square stood a high platform.

On the platform, distinguished guests filled the seats, including the high-ranking members of various great families and the outstanding figures of the younger generation. Huang Wenqiu and Xue Zaihe were prominently present.

Whether by design or accident, these two outstanding figures of the younger generation ended up sitting together.

Before the arena competition had even begun, the air between them was already thick with hostility!

"Xue Zaihe, I advise you to find an excuse to withdraw now. After today, there will be no more tied second-best experts in the royal city." Huang Wenqiu's words were dripping with provocation.

Xue Zaihe, however, responded with a faint smile: "Heh, I think so too! Don't you think two second-best experts are too many?"

Huang Wenqiu's face darkened. "It seems you won't give up until you're at death's door! Fine, today I'll make you taste defeat and show you that there is always a sky above the sky, and people beyond people!"

Xiao Changfeng, sitting not far from the two, was well aware of the friction between them. He chuckled and said, "You two nephews need not be so heated. Both of you are the cream of the royal city's youth, destined to surpass us old fogies. Today is merely a martial contest for a bride, not a clan feud. Do not let this harm your goodwill."

His words sounded like a peacemaking effort, but upon closer reflection, there was something off about them.

The two, still lacking in deep cunning, responded to Xiao Changfeng's intervention. Huang Wenqiu was the first to speak: "Father-in-law, please sit for a moment. Let Wenqiu sweep away those rotten fish, and tomorrow I will come to marry Ruyan!"

Xue Zaihe sneered, "You? First get past me!"

They traded barbs back and forth, and Xiao Changfeng's words, instead of calming them, only intensified their conflict.

Just then, Tong Su'an announced in a clear voice: "Shangguan Yi, head of the Shangguan family, arrives... His Highness the Seventh Prince arrives..."

As his voice fell, the square instantly grew much quieter.

Shangguan Yi, the head of the Shangguan family, leisurely ascended the high platform, and Xiao Changfeng quickly rose to greet him.

Behind Shangguan Yi followed Shangguan Lingyun and Shangguan Lingxue.

"Brother Shangguan and His Highness the Seventh Prince gracing us with your presence truly brings glory to the Xiao residence!" Xiao Changfeng hastened to say.

Shangguan Yi said lightly, "Heh, Patriarch Xiao is too kind. You have raised an excellent daughter, and now she is about to leap over the dragon's gate!"

Xiao Changfeng glanced at the Seventh Prince behind Shangguan Lingxue and smiled, "Not at all, not at all. If anyone is leaping over the dragon's gate, it is you, Brother Shangguan! How are you, Your Highness the Seventh Prince?"

Xiao Changfeng then greeted Zhao Chengqian.

Zhao Chengqian's expression was cold, but he was clearly pleased by Xiao Changfeng's words. He smiled, "Patriarch Xiao's words make me feel ashamed!"

Xiao Changfeng said awkwardly, "Heh, Your Highness the Seventh Prince is one whom Heaven is about to appoint to a great task. Past events can only spur Your Highness to greater heights; they are not worth mentioning!"

Zhao Chengqian nodded slightly, "Heh, I am grateful for Patriarch Xiao's kind words."

"Haha, please take your seats!" Xiao Changfeng laughed.

These words sounded simple, but they concealed several rounds of verbal sparring.

After all, Ye Yuan was inextricably linked to the Xiao family, and the Seventh Prince had made such a fool of himself, so Xiao Changfeng was naturally quite embarrassed.

Zhao Chengqian's words also hid a blade, but Xiao Changfeng smoothed it over with a few flattering remarks, thus passing the test.

No one dared to take Zhao Chengqian lightly.

Xiao Changfeng was well aware that Zhao Chengqian's heart was set on Shangguan Lingxue. His earlier words had also served to smooth things over.

Just then, Tong Su'an suddenly raised his voice and announced loudly, "Shi Haoran, under the command of the Star Abyss Emperor, arrives with seven fellow disciples!"

The excitement in Tong Su'an's voice was impossible to conceal.

And as soon as he spoke, the tens of thousands present were startled!

The eight great disciples under the Star Abyss Emperor attending together—what an honor this was!