When Chu Xisheng arrived at the South Street Temple Fair, crowds had already packed the Victory and Defeat Building inside and out, with its entrance jammed so tightly that not even water could pass.
Yet as Chu Xisheng and his sister strolled over together, those frenzied gamblers spontaneously parted to either side.
By now, everyone in the Ancient Market Town recognized Chu Xisheng's face.
He was a rapidly rising powerhouse in Xiushui Commandery's martial world. Not only was he numbered among the Ten Divine Talented Young Blades, but he also commanded thousands of gang members. A month earlier, he had even arrayed nearly ten thousand ninth-rank martial cultivators beneath the walls of Xiushui City, a mighty display of force.
Reportedly, just yesterday, he had become the Iron Banner Gang's Young Banner Chief, second to one man and above ten thousand within the gang.
Only twenty-odd people in Xiushui Commandery could now stand shoulder to shoulder with him.
As Chu Xisheng stepped through the Victory and Defeat Building's entrance, he focused his gaze on the arena in the center.
Liu Ruoxi stood on the right side of the arena, poised and valiant, her hands resting on the twin sabers at her waist.
The girl's opponent was a burly man built like an iron tower.
The two faced each other from ten feet apart, waiting for the referee's signal.
Chu Xisheng lost interest after a single glance.
That iron-tower-like man was strong. Around twenty-four or twenty-five, he had reached the upper eighth rank, possessed five or six magic artifacts, and had densely packed battle diagrams tattooed over his body.
He held an extra-thick, extra-heavy broad-backed saber, giving him an especially imposing air.
Who knew where this expert had come from? His fighting strength ranked among the very best of the eighth rank.