“Originally, there were some casualties in the contest, which is nothing unusual. It’s quite normal. Some people practice unknown techniques, each proficient in sinister magic and poison arts of the demonic path. Every disciple who lost to them either mysteriously fainted or was severely poisoned, each injury extremely tricky and difficult to treat easily! Fortunately, since these people are within Yanling Castle, they have some reservations, and no disciples have died from severe injuries so far. This is a blessing in disguise! *Ahem*, it’s truly embarrassing that you two have witnessed such a scene at the Yan family!” Yan Yu said with an ashamed expression.
“However, when we left, we heard that the elders were also getting restless. They had already sent for the disciples from the Martial Training Hall under my elder brother’s command. Those are our Yan family’s elite disciples who have practiced secret techniques. They will definitely teach these people a harsh lesson.” Yan Ling couldn’t help but interject from the side, even waving her small fist.
“Nonsense! How can a girl like you always be thinking about fighting and killing? Now that we’ve brought these guests back, quickly ask Uncle Li to send the next wave of welcoming disciples. Don’t keep other guests waiting any longer!” Yan Yu sternly reprimanded his younger sister and then sent the somewhat unhappy girl away.
He then turned to Han Li and the others to explain, “Because there have been many guests recently, and the crowd is mixed, our Yan family has activated part of the castle’s protective restrictions. Several special areas within the castle can no longer use long-distance spells like message talismans, so we had to send my younger sister to deliver the message in person. Originally, my sister and I weren’t responsible for receiving guests, but the castle is severely short-handed now. With some people coming with ill intentions, we had to temporarily help out.” After saying this, Yan Yu’s expression darkened as he glanced into the distance, where Yan family disciples and the strange individuals had already begun spell battles.
“So, Brother Yu is actually an elite disciple of the Yan family. You must be highly valued within the family!” Dong Xuan’er’s eyes sparkled as she smiled enchantingly. Her already beautiful appearance suddenly became even more captivating, causing Yan Yu across from her to momentarily lose himself in a daze.
“This… I suppose so!” Yan Yu murmured absentmindedly, not even sure what he was saying. He only felt that this Miss Dong was too beautiful, exactly like the sweetheart of his dreams.
“Giggle! Then…”
“Brother Yan, would it be convenient to go observe the contest over there? I’d like to see who exactly has the audacity to cause trouble at the Yan family!”
Dong Xuan’er found his expression quite amusing and was about to tease him a few more times when, unexpectedly, Han Li suddenly spoke up from the side, interrupting her next words.
“Ah… observe? Of course! The one currently facing off against them is my cousin. His mastery of Daoist techniques ranks within the top ten in the Martial Training Hall. He should be able to teach them a lesson!” Yan Yu, awakened from his daze by Han Li, was momentarily startled but then agreed very readily.
Hearing this, Han Li smiled inwardly, knowing that the other party had no reason to stop him and also felt confident about winning this match, hence the quick agreement.
Thus, the three of them flew down near the competition arena and walked toward the crowd of spectators.
As they got closer, Han Li was surprised to find that there were over a hundred cultivators watching. Strangely, based on their attire, most of them were not local cultivators from the Yue Kingdom but had come from other countries. This was quite peculiar!
Han Li’s suspicions grew, but given his status as a guest, he couldn’t ask too many questions. He could only keep his doubts to himself and pretend not to notice.
As for Dong Xuan’er beside him, she continued to laugh and chat merrily with Yan Yu. However, Han Li noticed a faint trace of surprise in her eyes. It seemed this girl wasn’t just a pretty face!
But for some reason, this willful girl, like Han Li, showed no intention of asking about the underlying secrets, which somewhat frustrated him.
“Xuan’er, you’re here too! That’s great. I thought Master Hong Fu wouldn’t let you out!” Just as the three approached, a handsome male cultivator in front unintentionally turned around and happened to see Dong Xuan’er. His face immediately lit up with joy as he quickly walked over, addressing her with intimate familiarity.
As this person approached, Dong Xuan’er’s smile stiffened, while Yan Yu’s expression turned somewhat displeased, his eyes flickering uncertainly.
Han Li, as an outsider, remained calm and composed, showing no surprise. He thought to himself that this person was likely one of Dong Xuan’er’s former admirers. But with the surname Feng, could he be the “Feng family boy” that his master’s wife had mentioned last time?
Senior Brother Feng! I really didn’t expect Uncle Du to have you participate in this gathering! A flicker of unusual emotion passed through Dong Xuan’er’s eyes, but it vanished in an instant. With a calm and composed demeanor, she greeted him openly and directly, as though he were just an ordinary friend.
This immediately improved Yan Yu’s mood, but Senior Brother Feng was taken aback before finally noticing Yan Yu and Han Li beside Dong Xuan’er.
Han Li simply smiled faintly when the other looked over and took half a step away from Dong Xuan’er to show his innocence. Yan Yu, however, met his gaze unapologetically. It was clear to Senior Brother Feng who his love rival was, and his face immediately darkened as he scrutinized Yan Yu continuously.
Seeing this, Han Li found it somewhat amusing but also strange. Wasn’t it rumored that Dong Xuan’er and this Senior Brother Feng had already intended to become cultivation partners? But now, the willful girl didn’t seem to favor Senior Brother Feng. Could the rumors be wrong?
After briefly pondering, Han Li shook his head and decided not to dwell on it. He didn’t want to waste mental energy on such gossip.
Thus, he took a few steps forward, leaving the other three behind.
Han Li couldn’t care less about how Senior Brother Feng and Yan Yu competed for favor, nor was he concerned about how Dong Xuan’er played both sides. At that moment, he was completely captivated by the battle within the light barrier.
Yan Yu truly hadn’t been boasting!
His cousin was indeed extraordinary, wielding earth-attribute Daoist techniques with divine skill. Meter-wide millstone-like rocks were hurled incessantly from his palms toward his opponent, seemingly endless. Before him stood a triangular yellow banner, summoning a yellow wind that enveloped him tightly, providing solid defense.
However, the green-robed opponent was not to be outdone! Several jets of pitch-black energy emerged from his body, howling like venomous snakes as they danced wildly, weaving into an impenetrable black net in front of him that rebounded all the rocks. Sometimes they were reflected back toward the Yan family elite, causing him some fluster. As for magical instruments, there were six or seven pale white skulls floating around him, their purpose still unknown.
Thus, one fiercely attacked while the other steadfastly defended, resulting in a temporary stalemate!
However, it was clear that these two were testing each other and hadn’t gotten serious. Despite the spectacular scene—massive rocks flying everywhere and rolling black energy—they remained calm and composed, showing no signs of strain.
Han Li was watching intently when he suddenly heard Dong Xuan’er say, “Senior Brother Han, don’t you think so?” This made him slightly startled, and before he could turn around, he reflexively responded with an “Mhmm.”
But as soon as that sound left his mouth, Han Li inwardly cursed his mistake and quickly turned to look.
He saw that the two love rivals, who should have been hostile toward each other, were now giving him unfriendly looks, seemingly united against a common enemy.
Clearly, he had been framed by that willful girl!
“You heard it! Senior Brother Han himself admitted that I must stay by his side every step of the way on this journey. This is my master’s direct order!” Dong Xuan’er said with a pitiful expression. But when the two infatuated guys weren’t paying attention, she immediately stuck her tongue out at Han Li, leaving him speechless.
Taking advantage of his momentary negligence, Dong Xuan’er had seized the opportunity to land him in big trouble. Clearly, she held a grudge because he had used Hong Fu’s name to suppress her throughout the journey, and this was her revenge. No doubt she would be quite pleased if these two taught him a lesson!
Han Li glanced at the two hostile figures, sighed, and was about to say something when the expressions of the two opposite him suddenly changed. Yan Yu, in particular, looked tense as their gazes shifted from Han Li to the competition arena.
Seeing this, Han Li immediately understood that something else must have happened in the arena and quickly turned to look.
The stalemate within the light barrier had finally broken!
The Yan family disciple had stopped using the giant rock technique and instead held a cyan-yellow paper fan with both hands, facing his opponent as he labored to wave it again and again. Although the paper fan should have been light, each swing seemed to drain the Yan family disciple immensely, leaving him drenched in sweat.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage