Arrival at Sky Martial City

"Brother Jiang, Sky Martial City is just ahead. Flying is forbidden beyond this point, so let us proceed on foot," Wu Er said.

"Mm." Jiang Ming nodded. The two of them stepped off the flying vessel first, with Xu Jiang and Mo Ling'er following behind. The remaining attendants parked the flying vessel at the designated location and waited.

Mo Ling'er barely spoke along the way. Perhaps Jiang Ming's overwhelming strength had frightened her, or perhaps it was because Qiu Shuihan and the other had left.

A long queue had already formed outside Sky Martial City, so Jiang Ming and the others could only wait.

"The Hundred Domains Competition is about to begin. The flow of people in Sky Martial City will reach its peak. Brother Jiang, did you reserve rooms in advance?" Wu Er asked.

"No." Jiang Ming shook his head.

"We happen to have two vacant rooms. Brother Jiang may choose one," Wu Er said with a smile.

"Then many thanks." Jiang Ming smiled faintly.

After about the time it took to burn an incense stick, Jiang Ming and the others entered Sky Martial City.

"Brother Jiang, we reserved rooms at the Martial Immortal Residence. Follow me." Wu Er walked ahead to lead the way.

Before long, the group arrived at the Martial Immortal Residence. Spiritual energy was abundant within, and the surroundings were beautiful and tranquil. It truly was not bad.

After exchanging greetings, Jiang Ming entered his private room. This Wu Er made friends with everyone and did not wish to offend anyone.

The process for this Hundred Domains Competition was very simple: all contestants would enter a False Spirit Realm together.

From what Jiang Ming had learned, this False Spirit Realm had been left behind by the Hundredwood Saint. Because it was located near Sky Martial City, it was controlled by the city and used to raise demon beasts.

This competition required them to enter it and slay demon beasts, with rankings determined by the demon beasts they killed. However, the Jiang Clan would make its selections based on their specific performances in the Hundred Woods Realm. In other words, this ranking was not the deciding factor for entering the Jiang Domain.

Early the next morning,

"Morning, Brother Jiang!" Wu Er greeted Jiang Ming with a smile when he saw him.

"Morning!" Jiang Ming replied politely.

"Where are they?" Jiang Ming asked.

"They should still be in their rooms," Wu Er said uncertainly.

"Big Brother Wu Er, Big Brother Jiang Ming, good morning!" Mo Ling'er suddenly appeared.

"Morning." The two spoke in unison.

Today, Mo Ling'er had regained her usual liveliness.

"Big Brother Wu Er, where are you going?" Mo Ling'er asked curiously.

"The Hundred Domains Competition is tomorrow. Brother Jiang, how about we go place some bets?" Wu Er asked.

Jiang Ming raised his brows. Wasn't this the classic protagonist pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger, then making a fortune?

"Let's go!"

The three entered the gambling house in high spirits. It was already packed to the brim, and there was even a ranking list.

First place, Zhang Wushuang, Tenth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm

Second place, Chen Lin, Tenth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm

Third place, Lin Yan, Tenth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm

Fourth place, Xu Nuo'an, Tenth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm

Fifth place, Zhuge Jinyue, Tenth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm

Almost everyone on the list came from the Eight Great Saint Clans and Six Great Sacred Lands, all of them at the Tenth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm.

"What does this list mean?" Jiang Ming asked curiously.

"This ranking was made by the gambling house itself. It is not accurate. Most likely, it is meant to mislead those placing bets," Wu Er said.

"Then how are the odds calculated? Can people like us who are not on the list place bets too?" Jiang Ming asked.

"Yes. Those on the list all have odds of one to two, while those not on the list have odds of one to five. There is only one thing to bet on: who can be selected by the Jiang Clan."

Jiang Ming's expression turned strange after hearing that. The Jiang Clan's choice was something he could decide with a single sentence.

"Based on past experience, the Jiang Clan will choose five people, usually the top five in the competition. That is why those fourteen at the Tenth Layer of the Nascent Soul Realm are all favorites. After all, those five slots will basically come from among them," Wu Er said.

"Who do you think has a chance, Brother Wu?" Jiang Ming asked.

"From what I know, Xuanyuan Tian, the Xuanyuan Holy Son; Xuan Wuying, the Earthshadow Holy Son; Ouyang Yuegui, the Bright Moon Holy Maiden; Zhuge Jinyue, the eldest daughter of the Zhuge Clan; and Zhang Wushuang, the Zhang Clan's young master—these five are stronger than the others. Though each has their own trump cards, I feel these five have a greater chance of obtaining the slots," Wu Er said after thinking for a moment.

Jiang Ming nodded. "Then Brother Wu plans to bet on those five?"

"No! I'm betting on myself." Wu Er smiled. "Even though I know I have no chance."

Jiang Ming gave him a thumbs-up.

"I want to bet on myself too!" Mo Ling'er called from the side.

Jiang Ming smiled and went with them to the betting counter.

"One hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones on Wu Er of the Martial Domain!"

"One hundred thousand High-Grade Spirit Stones on Mo Ling'er of the Martial Domain!"

Jiang Ming smiled and followed suit. "One hundred thousand Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones on Jiang Ming of the Azure Region!"

Wu Er and Mo Ling'er looked at Jiang Ming in astonishment.

"The Azure Region? Which Azure Region?"

"Just some desolate frontier. Its strongest cultivator is only at the Nascent Soul Realm."

"Don't joke with me. How could a Nascent Soul cultivator possess Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones?"

"Who knows? Maybe he was lucky enough to encounter a Supreme-Grade Spirit Stone mine, or maybe he came across some fortuitous encounter." Someone waved a hand.

"Jiang Ming of the Azure Region? I can't find him!" the gambling house attendant said. "Azure Region, Jiang... Jiang Ming?"

"Are you from the Jiang Imperial Clan?"

Jiang Ming raised his brows. "You could say that..."

"Hiss—" Everyone present sucked in a breath of cold air. If he was from the Jiang Imperial Clan, he might have some connection to the Imperial Clan.

"Brother Jiang, you... I always thought your surname was Jiang as in river, with the three-dot water radical." Wu Er looked at him with a complicated expression.

"Is that so?" Jiang Ming laughed.

"Then, Brother Jiang, your relationship with the Imperial Clan..." Wu Er asked quietly. Everyone nearby pricked up their ears.

Jiang Ming had not intended to hide it. "I am from the Imperial Clan."

"Hiss—" The entire hall was shocked.

Only the gambling house staff wore expressions as though they had swallowed something rotten. You were already from the Imperial Clan, so why were you still participating? Wasn't this bet guaranteed to be collected by you?

He could only secretly contact the owner, whose reply was simple: "As long as Jiang Ming is happy!"

Anyone capable of opening a gambling house in Sky Martial City had some strength. They would not go back on their word over a few Spirit Stones.

No one dared question whether Jiang Ming was truly from the Imperial Clan. Who would dare impersonate one? They would not even know how they died!

"Big Brother Jiang Ming, if you are from the Imperial Clan, why did you say you were from the Azure Region?" Mo Ling'er asked curiously.

"I was traveling, and the first place I went was the Azure Region."

"Big Brother Jiang Ming, are all the people in your Imperial Clan very powerful?" Mo Ling'er blinked her large eyes.

"I don't know," Jiang Ming said. He had barely interacted with the younger generation of his clan and had no idea how strong they were.

"Alright, Ling'er. Brother Jiang, let's head back first." Wu Er stepped in at the right moment to interrupt Mo Ling'er's questions.

When they returned to the Martial Immortal Residence, the three happened to run into Xu Jiang. Xu Jiang had the weakest presence among them and often remained silent without speaking to anyone. After exchanging greetings, they each returned to their rooms.

However, what Jiang Ming did not know was that he had become famous!

News that an Imperial Clan genius was participating in the Hundred Domains Competition spread swiftly. Before long, the entire Sky Martial City knew.

Some wondered what the Imperial Clan intended to do, while others wanted to challenge the Imperial Clan genius.

They were all young geniuses—why not ask whether the Imperial Clan genius feared them?