Ximen Family
A physician slowly withdrew his fingers from the pulse and shook his head with a sigh. "Your honored son has lost an enormous amount of vital blood this time. It may be impossible to fully replenish it."
Though he had long expected this outcome, hearing the physician's specific diagnosis still left Ximen Ding stunned as though struck by thunder. After a long while, he forced out, "I ask that Divine Physician do everything in your power to treat my son..."
"Rest assured, Patriarch Ximen. I will do my utmost to help Young Master Ximen recover and replenish his lost vital blood..."
After seeing the physician off, Ximen Ding returned to the bedside. Looking at the pale-faced Ximen Ding, the pain in his heart was plain to see.
Suddenly, he noticed Ximen Qing's eyelashes twitch. "Qing'er?" Ximen Ding called softly.
"How could I possibly lose?!" Ximen Qing suddenly shouted, his eyes flying open as he shot upright in bed.
He looked around at the familiar surroundings. His face began to twitch as he looked at Ximen Ding beside him, seemingly wanting to confirm it once more. He asked hoarsely, "Where... is this?"
"Your home." Ximen Ding murmured softly as he looked at Ximen Qing.
"I lost?" Though he already knew the answer, he still found it impossible to accept and asked in disbelief.
"Yes, you lost." Ximen Ding shut his eyes, unable to bear looking at Ximen Qing in his current state.
"I... want some time alone," Ximen Qing muttered blankly.
"Alright... Tell your father immediately if anything happens." With that, Ximen Ding did not linger. He left the room, giving Ximen Qing space to be alone.
Ximen Qing continued staring vacantly ahead, lost in thoughts unknown...
"Kehehehehe..."
"Why does Young Master Ximen look so utterly lost? Could it be that a mere God Tribulation Realm opponent beat the soul out of you?"
Hearing the voice, Ximen Qing immediately snapped back to his senses. He hurriedly climbed out of bed and knelt respectfully. "Greetings, Blue-Robed Envoy!"
A tall figure clad in a dark blue robe stood before Ximen Qing. The robe completely wrapped around his body, concealing the face beneath it.
"Hmph! A Level 10 God Spirit Realm cultivator losing to a Level 10 God Tribulation Realm cultivator is truly a disgrace to me!"
Ximen Qing said nothing, merely lowering his head even further. How could Xiao Feng possibly be compared to an ordinary Level 10 God Tribulation Realm cultivator?
But Ximen Qing did not explain this to the man before him... Without experiencing it personally, how could he possibly believe it? He might even take it for an excuse.
After all, even Ximen Qing himself had initially believed that five percent of his strength would be enough to crush Xiao Feng. Yet even after sacrificing his vital blood, he had failed to utterly defeat Xiao Feng and had instead been viciously humiliated by him!
Seeing Ximen Qing remain silent, the Blue-Robed Envoy gave a disdainful snort. "Now that the grand array has been completed, the plan can begin. The time has come to show your loyalty to the cult!"
At those words, Ximen Qing's pupils contracted sharply before a glint flashed through his eyes. "Please grant me this opportunity, Blue-Robed Envoy. I will personally carry out this sacrifice to prove my devotion to the cult!"
"Kehehehe..." The Blue-Robed Envoy laughed sinisterly. "You truly did not hesitate at all, Ximen Qing. Ruthless enough! You have truly opened my eyes!"
"Take this..." The Blue-Robed Envoy took out an array token from within his wide blue robe and tossed it to Ximen Qing. "This is the array core. Before long, the grand array will activate. When that happens, all the divine source energy and divine blood gathered within the array will converge upon you..."
"The Red-Clad Master places great importance on this operation and has even dispatched one of his guardians to supervise it. Do not disappoint the guardian!"
Ximen Qing caught the array core. Upon hearing the Blue-Robed Envoy's words, his expression changed in surprise. "A guardian? Even a guardian has come?"
The arrival of a Blue-Robed Envoy in a minor place like Flowing Wind City was already enough to show their importance. Yet this time, not only had a Blue-Robed Envoy come, but even a guardian from the Red-Clad Master's side had been dispatched!
"Hmph! You are usually so clever. Why are you acting foolish now? Don't you know not to ask about things you should not ask about?" the Blue-Robed Envoy snorted.
Ximen Qing hurriedly bowed. "I failed to consider properly. Please forgive me, Blue-Robed Envoy."
"Get up. You should take a good look at this city now... After all... you will not have another chance in the future..."
"Kehehehe..." Amid that suppressed laughter, the Blue-Robed Envoy's figure vanished from before Ximen Qing.
Ximen Qing rose to his feet and looked at the now-empty room. After standing there for a long time, a vicious gleam flashed in his eyes. Every word he spoke was filled with ruthlessness. "Xiao Feng... This time, I will make sure you die without a burial ground!"
After Xiao Feng successfully defended the arena, the second person to do so was also born. He had handsome features, dark skin, and a faintly resolute air in his eyes. He was Situ Xiu, the eldest son of the Situ Family's patriarch!
His entire body was covered in blood, and he was clearly badly injured. After all, the final challenger to take the stage had been a Level 2 God Spirit Realm cultivator. Only after a long and difficult battle had he narrowly won the match.
"Hahaha..." Situ Hao laughed heartily as he watched Situ Xiu standing on the arena, clearly delighted that his son had successfully defended it.
"Congratulations... The Situ Family's young master is indeed blessed by fate," Qi Yunlong congratulated Situ Hao.
"Not at all, not at all... That brat still needs more tempering."
Xiao Feng shook his head and smiled as he watched the two sides exchange compliments.
"When did you manage to cultivate Vermilion Bird Blaze? I never even knew," Qi Panjian suddenly popped up beside Xiao Feng and asked.
When the people around them heard someone ask about it, they all pricked up their ears to listen...
After learning from those who had seen Vermilion Bird Blaze that the flames Xiao Feng had used were Vermilion Bird Blaze, every one of them was shocked beyond measure.
That was Vermilion Bird Blaze! When it ignited, they had all stared with their mouths agape. None of them had imagined that Xiao Feng had such a powerful hidden trump card.
Xiao Feng replied, "Recently..."
"Recently? Do you take me for a fool? Your use of Vermilion Bird Blaze was so practiced; it did not look like something you had only just acquired. Are you lying to me? Do you think I am that easy to fool?"
Xiao Feng fell silent as he looked at the righteous-looking Qi Panjian beside him.
Seeing that Xiao Feng would not answer, everyone could only let the matter go, intending to find another chance to learn more someday.
But perhaps none of them could have imagined that before long, they would no longer have any chance at all...
As time passed and no one else stepped onto the arena, the Mystic Dao Assembly finally drew to a gradual close. Including Xiao Feng, there were ten people who had successfully defended the arena. Aside from Xiao Feng, whose God Tribulation Realm cultivation stood out sharply, every one of them was in the God Spirit Realm. Not one was below it.
Qi Yunlong looked at the empty arena and lightly cleared his throat. "Since no one else wishes to take the stage, this competition is officially over. Ten people successfully defended the arena this time. Each of you may choose one item from among the first three floors of the Qi Family's Treasure Pavilion."
"As for the other matter..." Qi Yunlong's tone shifted slightly. "It is naturally the matter of my daughter's husband. After watching so many outstanding young talents compete, does Qing Yun have someone she favors now?"
In an instant, every spectator present turned to Qi Qingyun, eager to hear her answer with their own ears...
After all, the original purpose of this competition had been to choose a husband for Qi Qingyun...
Faced with everyone suddenly looking at her, Qi Qingyun's ethereal, fairy-like bearing vanished beneath the thick worldly atmosphere... A blush instantly spread across her entire body...
Qi Yunlong, Qi Panjian, and the others remained utterly calm. After all, the matter had long been decided internally, and they already knew the outcome.
Xiao Feng looked distracted as he stared at the sky, seemingly lost in thought...
As time passed, they saw Qi Qingyun slowly raise her hand...
"Hiss—just as I thought. So that was it."
"This truly can be called a match made in heaven."
"Indeed. They are a talented man and beautiful woman, after all."
"..."
Hearing the strangely skewed comments, Xiao Feng felt puzzled. He lowered his head and turned to look—only to see Qi Qingyun's cheeks flushed red, her head turned away from Xiao Feng, while her fair, delicate hand extended a finger straight at herself...
Xiao Feng: "????"
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