Within the western Star Palace, the elder addressed as Senior Brother Huo Mi wore an apricot-yellow ritual robe and a Chaos One-Qi Scarf, with a silken sash around his waist and a three-foot sword as clear as autumn waters on his back. Tall and powerfully built, he commanded awe without anger.
Had Chen Heng been there, he would have recognized Huo Mi at once as the Jade Dawn School elder from the Wine Vessel Assembly years ago.
Back then, he had been secretly contending with True Person Mingyou, who came from the Aristocratic Clans, and had specifically arranged the demonstration of Qi Soldier arts.
It was by defeating Sima Quantong, Xie Tang, Jiang Tongyuan, and the others in successive Qi Soldier bouts that Chen Heng had earned Huo Mi's personal praise as the "Combat Arts Victor."
From then on, his reputation had truly spread, making his name known throughout the Four Courts!
Now, hearing the sound beside his ear,
Huo Mi opened his eyes slightly, glanced at the elder who had transmitted his voice, and said,
"What are you plotting now, Junior Brother Liu Jue? Which of my possessions has caught your eye?"
Hearing this, the elder Liu Jue could not help smiling and sighed.
"In the grand competition, everyone has always relied on their own abilities. What schemes could I possibly have?
"Though my descendant Liu Xu is here, even an old man like me would not believe he could take first place. Compared with those three, Liu Xu still falls somewhat short in ability.
"If we were to ask who feels most assured right now,
"surely it would be Junior Brother Gu Zhao and Junior Brother Wei Zhan?"
At these words, modest replies sounded from the flying Star Palaces to the north and south, both disclaiming such confidence.