Chapter 414: A Gathering of Heroes!

"Patriarch Xiao, Shi here wishes you success in finding a worthy son-in-law today!" Shi Haoran said with a clasped hand.

Although Shi Haoran had not established his own independent status and was merely a disciple under Xingyuan, his strength as a Pill King was something no one dared to overlook.

Setting aside Xingyuan, Shi Haoran's strength could rank among the top five of all Pill Kings in the royal city!

Even veteran Pill Kings like Yang Xiu would not dare claim certain victory over Shi Haoran in the art of alchemy.

Thus, Shi Haoran's position in the alchemy circles of the royal city was quite transcendent!

His coming alone would have already honored the Xiao family greatly. Now, leading seven junior disciples, the scene was all the more astonishing!

"The Xiao family has such great face! Pill King Shi usually never appears at public events, yet he made an exception today. Truly surprising!"

"Heh, have you heard? Xiao Ruyan has a close relationship with Shi Haoran's youngest junior disciple, Ji Qing. This time, Shi Haoran is probably here to escort his junior brother!"

"Is that so? But with Ji Qing's strength, he probably can't even make the cut, right? Today's competition isn't about alchemy but real martial force. As a Condensation Crystal realm martial artist, he has no chance, does he?"

"Haha, who knows! But... the eight disciples of Star Abyss Sovereign coming together seems unusual somehow. Hmm? That... that..."

"What's wrong?"

"Wasn't Ji Qing at the second level of Condensation Crystal? How long has it been, and he's already at the seventh level? What happened?"

"This..."

Many people noticed Ye Yuan's change and were shocked!

If the Pill Competition a month ago had not caused much stir, then the matter of Seventh Prince Zhao Chengqian carrying a thorny branch to apologize had made everyone in the royal city know Ye Yuan!

Ye Yuan's cultivation level had long been dug up by busybodies.

Yet, unseen for a month, Ye Yuan had broken through five realms in a row—this was simply unbelievable!

Xiao Changfeng laughed heartily: "Then I'll take Pill King Shi's good words! Haha!"

The two exchanged glances and laughed again.

"Pill King Shi and the several masters, please take your seats!"

In Xiao Changfeng's words, Shi Haoran's junior disciples had all become 'masters,' naturally including Ye Yuan.

As soon as he sat down, Ye Yuan felt several gazes fixed on him. One of them was extremely venomous—who else could it be but Zhao Chengqian?

The matter of punishment was over, and the army had already marched. Zhao Chengqian no longer needed to suppress his anger.

The whole city knew he hated Ye Yuan to the bone; such feelings needed no hiding and could not be hidden.

Of course, as long as he was in the royal city, he dared not do anything to Ye Yuan.

It wasn't that he truly feared the promise he made that day; what he feared was Xingyuan behind Ye Yuan.

That old man's influence was too great!

However, Zhao Chengqian had clearly noticed Ye Yuan's breakthrough of five realms. In his eyes, besides venom, there was deep wariness!

Another person looked at Ye Yuan with intense curiosity.

Seeing Ye Yuan look over, that person smiled slightly at Ye Yuan, and Ye Yuan returned the smile.

"That man is Shangguan Lingyun, who is as famous as the Seventh Prince. The position of Wind Sovereign is passed only to the strongest, so the Seventh Prince's greatest rival is him!" Shi Haoran said from the side.

Ye Yuan asked in surprise: "Isn't the Seventh Prince the first heir?"

Shi Haoran smiled: "If Shangguan Lingyun breaks through to the Boundless realm, even if the Wind Sovereign passes the throne to the Seventh Prince, it would be useless, wouldn't it?"

Ye Yuan thought for a moment and nodded: "That makes sense, but... the Wind Sovereign could suppress the Shangguan family and prevent their rise!"

Shi Haoran shook his head: "The Wind Sovereign's position is stable not only because he is the only Boundless realm expert but also because he maintains the stability of the royal city. Almost every first-rate family has a Sovereign-level expert. If the Wind Sovereign deliberately suppresses them, the royal city will never know peace. The Wind Sovereign will eventually ascend to the Divine Realm. If he incites public anger, his family will sooner or later be replaced, even annihilated!"

Ye Yuan suddenly understood: "So that's how it is. It seems even an invincible existence has many concerns."

"Hehe, naturally! In this world, who is truly invincible? No matter how powerful a person is, they have their weaknesses; it's just a matter of whether others can discover and exploit them. By the way, the Shangguan family is the clan of the former Wind Sovereign." Shi Haoran smiled.

"No wonder the Shangguan family is so strong! Alas, as one of the Twin Beauties of the royal city, Shangguan Lingxue is much luckier than Xiao Ruyan, who is not her own master." Ye Yuan said in surprise.

Speaking of which, Ye Yuan's entry into the royal city owed thanks to this other Twin Beauty, but since Shangguan Lingxue was too close to Zhao Chengqian, she naturally grew distant from Ye Yuan.

"Different people have different fates. No matter how extraordinary one is, they cannot choose their parents. Xiao Ruyan's greatest misfortune is being born into the Xiao family. But... her greatest fortune is meeting you! Haha." Shi Haoran laughed.

Ye Yuan couldn't help rolling his eyes. Here came the senior brother again...

"Senior Brother, are you so confident in me?" Ye Yuan asked curiously.

"If it were before, I wouldn't have much confidence in you. But since Master is so confident in you, I naturally trust his judgment!" Shi Haoran said with full confidence.

"Oh? How so?"

Shi Haoran smiled and explained to Ye Yuan.

It turned out that after Ye Yuan left Xingyuan's place that day, Shi Haoran had gone to see Xingyuan, expressing his concern about Ye Yuan's rapid breakthrough.

Xingyuan only said calmly: "Your junior brother is exceptionally talented. Breaking through five realms is nothing to make a fuss about. As for the martial arts contest for marriage, just accompany him and make sure no one harms him. Bring him back safely."

Clearly, Xingyuan was full of confidence in Ye Yuan, and having him accompany Ye Yuan was only to prevent accidents.

"Hehe, Junior Brother, just go ahead and do your best. With me here, no one dares to do anything to you!" Shi Haoran himself was also full of confidence.

"Haha, with Senior Brother's words, I'm reassured!" Ye Yuan laughed.

Just then, Xiao Changfeng stepped onto the center of the arena, channeled his primal energy, and announced loudly: "Today is the happy occasion of my daughter Xiao Ruyan's martial arts contest for marriage. I didn't expect so many people to come and support us. I thank you all here!"

"Patriarch Xiao, stop with the pleasantries. Let Miss Ruyan come out so we can feast our eyes!"

"Patriarch Xiao, I am a devoted fan of Miss Ruyan, and my admiration for her is endless!"

"Yes, for this martial arts contest, we should at least see what the bride looks like, right?"

For a moment, the crowd below the arena was buzzing with noise, all eager to catch a glimpse of the Twin Beauties of the royal city.

Xiao Changfeng smiled: "Everyone, please be patient. My daughter will be out shortly."