The Humble Gate Opens at Last (6)

Qiao Gan clicked his tongue in secret, then could not help leaning closer to Ning Yantong and lowering his voice. "Good heavens, these people from the Azure Sea Dynasty not only put on quite a show—they really don't look like people to be trifled with."

A nearby Evergreen Valley disciple stared at the striking royal brother and sister and muttered softly, "I don't know why, but their manner... feels a little like that person from earlier..."

Qiao Gan did not react for a moment. "Which person?"

The disciple lowered his voice even further, until it was nearly just breath. "That... young master from the Ye Family earlier..."

"That is still different." Ning Yantong shook his head slightly, his gaze remaining on the royal siblings. "That young master of the Ye Family was, in the end, merely relying on his family background to throw his weight around. He was strong on the outside but weak within, fierce in appearance but timid at heart. No matter how harshly he spoke, he knew perfectly well that he was the one in the wrong."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Azure Sea Dynasty party's innate arrogance. "But these two before us, including everyone behind them, believed from the bottom of their hearts that we land-based sects were nothing more than frogs at the bottom of a well, trapped in one corner, no different from dust and ants."

Thoughts raced through his mind. The Azure Sea Dynasty's initiative in appearing at the Hundred Sects Tournament was undoubtedly a thought-provoking signal to the entire Nine Domains. But behind that signal—was it goodwill, a test, or something else entirely?

The young man in brocade stood still until the little princess reached his side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Only then did he finally move,