The skies above the Demon-Subduing Sea were packed with people.
Cultivators of the Eastern Region had one particular trait.
No matter who was fighting or what they were fighting over, as long as there was a spectacle to watch, they would never miss it.
All the more so today, when the top spot on the Azure Profound Ranking was being defended.
People filled every inch of the sky above the sea.
Some stood on swords, some rode cranes, some sat in flying boats, and others simply floated.
They gathered in groups of three or five, whispering among themselves.
"He's here! Shi Ming's here!"
The crowd automatically parted in midair.
A young man flew in from afar and stopped above the sea.
White robes, a longsword, stern brows, and handsome eyes.
He stood suspended above the water, ignoring everyone's reactions, and simply closed his eyes to wait in silence.
"So that's Shi Ming? He's pretty good-looking..."
"Good-looking? Early twenties, Nascent Soul late stage, ninth on the Azure Profound Ranking. If you had his abilities, you'd be good-looking too."
"I heard Shi Ming fought his way up without a single defeat."
"So what? Has Li Tiezhu ever lost?"
Discussion rose and fell around him.
But Shi Ming seemed not to hear any of it. His eyes remained closed, his body utterly still.
Someone muttered, "Look at him putting on airs... Anyone who didn't know better would think he was number one."
The person beside him nudged him. "Keep it down. This guy's vicious."
The man shrank back and said nothing more.
A long while passed.
Someone grew impatient. "Why isn't Li Tiezhu here yet?"
"What's the rush? Experts always arrive last."
"But this is getting ridiculous..."
The words had barely left his mouth when a flurry of petals drifted over from