"Chen Lin? He actually came?"
Ning Chuan narrowed his eyes, recognizing the young man in the brocade robe.
Of the four great Lineages of Jade Capital City, Ning Chuan belonged to the Ning, while Chen Lin came from the Chen. Judging by his clothing, Chen Lin had also become a disciple of Black Tortoise Academy, and he had actually come to Flame Dragon City with Li Zhenfei.
Before all his meridians had been crippled, Ning Chuan had been the Ning's Martial Dao prodigy. His talent had stood unrivaled throughout Jade Capital City, and even Chen Lin had been overshadowed by him.
Moreover, Ning Chuan keenly sensed Chen Lin's covetous interest in Shen Qianxun, and a cold sneer rose in his heart.
You fool who doesn't know whether to live or die. You dare covet my woman? If you dare provoke me, don't blame me for showing you no mercy!
Ning Chuan thought to himself.
"The city lord has arrived!"
"The master of Treasure Pavilion has arrived!"
Just then, two voices rang through the air.
In the distance, two figures approached side by side.
One was an imposing old man in black robes, his hair and beard entirely white. He was none other than Zhao Songzhai, the lord of Flame Dragon City!
The other wore a red dress and a gauzy veil, her skin as white as jade. Though her face was obscured, her figure was voluptuous, her legs long and straight, and every inch of her radiated alluring charm.
She was Huo Xiyan, the master of Treasure Pavilion!
"City Lord Zhao is presiding over this Spirit-Seizing Battle, but why has the master of Treasure Pavilion come too?"
Someone asked in confusion.
"I've long heard that the master of Treasure Pavilion is a peerless beauty. Now that I see her, the rumors certainly weren't empty! That seductive charm doesn't pale beside Shen Qianxun's in the slightest. She really sets the heart racing!"
Someone said, utterly entranced.
"Are you courting death? Do you know what an important figure the master of Treasure Pavilion is? Even the city lord has to show her deference. Is she someone you can covet?"
"Exactly! Still, Treasure Pavilion stands above worldly disputes. It never meddles in conflicts between other factions and has always remained neutral. Why would she come to watch this Spirit-Seizing Battle?"
"Could it be because of Young Master Li Zhenfei?"
"Quite likely! After all, Young Master Li Zhenfei is a disciple of Black Tortoise Academy. Surely even Treasure Pavilion has to show him some respect!"
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Seeing Zhao Songzhai and Huo Xiyan approach together, Li Yan flushed with excitement and immediately moved to greet them.
Li Zhenfei's expression grew proud. He likewise believed Zhao Songzhai and Huo Xiyan had come on his account.
Yet neither of them had expected Zhao Songzhai and Huo Xiyan to walk straight past without so much as a glance at him, heading directly toward the Shen group.
The smile on Li Yan's face froze, and his expression turned exceedingly ugly.
"Head of the Shen, Elder Shen Wan, I will be presiding over today's Spirit-Seizing Battle. Rest assured, I will be fair and impartial, and I won't allow any petty scoundrels to disrupt it!"
Zhao Songzhai smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting to Shen Qianxun and Shen Wan.
"Thank you, City Lord Zhao!"
Shen Wan said, somewhat overwhelmed by the unexpected favor.
At the same time, she was puzzled. The Shen did not seem to have any particular ties to the City Lord's Manor, so why was Zhao Songzhai treating them so warmly today?
"Young Master Ning Chuan, I hear you will also be taking part in today's Spirit-Seizing Battle? Then let me wish you victory the moment your banner rises!"
Zhao Songzhai said to Ning Chuan with a smile.
His heart was filled with gratitude. If not for Ning Chuan, he and Luo Luo would likely have perished in the Great Wilderness Mountains. Besides, they still had to rely on Ning Chuan to deal with Luo Luo's god-devouring gu poison.
"Thank you, City Lord Zhao!"
Ning Chuan replied with a calm smile.
"Young Master Ning Chuan, you truly are blessed, marrying such an extraordinarily beautiful wife. How enviable! I hear you are well versed in the Dao of Alchemy. When will you come to Treasure Pavilion and offer this humble woman a little guidance?"
Huo Xiyan's eyes shimmered as she spoke to Ning Chuan with a smile.
Her words were full of probing intent.
"You flatter me, Pavilion Master. My paltry skills are hardly enough to offer you guidance!"
Ning Chuan answered with a faint smile. He saw through Huo Xiyan's probing, but naturally, he could not admit that he was that mysterious Alchemist.
"Is that so? You really are modest, Young Master Ning Chuan!"
Huo Xiyan covered her mouth and chuckled, her beautiful eyes lingering on Ning Chuan with a playful glint.
Everyone who witnessed this scene was utterly astonished.
When had the Shen become so close to the City Lord's Manor and Treasure Pavilion?
More importantly, they could all see how highly Zhao Songzhai and Huo Xiyan regarded Ning Chuan. Was a useless live-in son-in-law really worth these two powerful figures lowering themselves for?
Shen Qianxun, Shen Wan, and Shen Qingqing were equally astonished, even overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. They had never imagined that Zhao Songzhai and Huo Xiyan would regard Ning Chuan so highly.
Could it be because of Ning Chuan's mysterious Alchemist master?
Shen Qianxun and Shen Wan silently speculated.
Unable to bear the loss of face, Li Yan sneered. "City Lord Zhao, isn't it time to announce the start of the Spirit-Seizing Battle? I'd like to see just how the Shen can win today's battle!"
With a wave of his hand, Li Zhenfei and four others instantly swept onto the arena platform. Spiritual energy surged around them, each radiating overwhelmingly powerful fluctuations of aura!
Everyone's expressions changed in an instant.
Before you continue