In the square before the Great Hall of Military Merit.
Lin Changheng gazed at the barefoot woman with her enchanting smile. Her beauty was beyond compare, her sapphire-blue eyes like precious gems, brimming with exotic charm. Even he lost himself for a moment.
But he recovered in the next instant and glanced at True Lord Qingwei, who was stroking his white beard and smiling at him, and True Lord Jingxuan, who watched quietly from the middle. He shook his head with a chuckle. "I never expected so many fellow cultivators to come watch the outcome of my merit contest. I am truly honored."
"Your mighty reputation rings like thunder in all our ears, Ten Thousand Longevity. It is only natural that you draw attention."
True Lord Qingwei had been about to speak, but True Lord Jingxuan spoke first, delivering those words with a slight smile.
"Not at all. These are merely minor exploits at the Nascent Soul early stage. How could they catch the eye of a middle-stage cultivator? A realm between us is a mountain between us. You give me far too much credit, Daoist Friend Jingxuan."
From True Lord Qingwei's words, Lin Changheng had deduced the motives and habitual tactics behind True Lord Jingxuan's invitation to hunt demons. Though he was less wary and resistant now, he still felt little goodwill toward the man, hence his reply.
"Heh... I meant nothing of the sort. Those words came sincerely from the bottom of my heart."
True Lord Jingxuan immediately shook his head in denial, then added, "After all, many Nascent Soul middle-stage cultivators could not match your achievements or the combat strength they demonstrate. Your means of utterly destroying Nascent Soul cultivators are particularly astonishing!"
He paused, then continued, "Nowadays, whenever middle-stage fellow cultivators of the Azure Abyss Inner