Chapter 604: Chapter 605: The Contest
 

“Yes!”

Led by Situ Guixiong, a group of disciples, as if infused with an invigorating elixir, had their faces flushed with blood, filled with a fighting spirit.

This was approval from their superior, and they had to perform well and show all that they had learned in life!

Li Xiaobai stood by, dumbstruck. It was just a Heavenly Fragrance Life-extending Pill, yet in an instant, these proud talents felt so grateful, was it really that serious?

One should know that this thing was available in System Mall in whatever quantity one wished for, an inexhaustible supply. On ordinary days, he treated it like candy.

He had been careless. Had he known earlier, aside from the bathhouse, he should have sold the Heavenly Fragrance Life-extending Pill as well, missing out on a significant source of income.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please take a moment to catch your breath. In a quarter of an hour, prepare to go on stage for the competition. Here are the Tokens, randomly assigned, pairing you off one by one.”

“The purpose of martial arts competition is to verify each other’s learning by comparison, stop when you hit, do not injure each other’s lives!”

The Great Elder flicked his wrist, and more than a dozen golden Tokens shot out, speeding towards the numerous cultivators present.

Each Token recorded the opponents they were paired with. Li Xiaobai glanced at the golden Token in his hand, on which the characters of Ao Gou were inscribed in a dragon and phoenix dance.

After recalling briefly, Li Xiaobai remembered this person was a disciple from the Beast Taming Family, with whom he had a brief encounter during a road race and who was extremely at odds with his Sixth Senior Brother Liu Jinshui. Unexpectedly, this person had also made it to the last moment, ending up as his opponent.

What a strange world.

Lifting his head, he looked around for the trace of Ao Gou, and their eyes met in the crowd.

In that instant, Ao Gou’s body trembled; he quickly lowered his head. This man, although not giving off the aura of a strong man, was giving him endless pressure.

He wasn’t dull. From inside the Linglong Pagoda until now, he had noticed through a series of subtle clues how extraordinary the other person was.

Li Xiaobai’s cultivation level was not just strong; he was far from being his match.

“Brother Ao, your first opponent is actually that shameless Li Xiaobai. You must teach him a harsh lesson!”

“Brother Ao is the direct descendant of the number one Beast Taming Family in Aolai Country, commanding countless powerful Demonic Beasts. You can surely suppress that Li Xiaobai!”

“Yes, Brother Ao, you can do it. You must vent this frustration for all of us!”

A number of prominent talents gathered around, cheering him on, treating Li Xiaobai as a real enemy.

Having failed to frame him in secret, they now wanted him to pay the price on the stage and to relieve the hatred in their hearts!

“Cough cough… Thank you all. I’ll do my best.”

Ao Gou’s face was a bit pale, and he spoke uncomfortably.

He had just barely entered the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. Although he detained two Tribulation Crossing Demonic Beasts with his family’s resources, he had no confidence at all regarding how effective they would be against Li Xiaobai.

Yet, considering the hopeful eyes of so many disciples around, he found it hard to make further excuses.

“He’s even more formidable than I imagined. Such cultivation, it’s impossible to see his depth.”

“Grandfather’s decision was the right one. Now that I’ve seen him, he indeed has the strength worthy of the title ‘Son-in-law of the Eastern Sea’.”

Long Xue stared intently at Li Xiaobai, her lips slightly parting as she whispered to herself.

Seemingly recalling something embarrassing, a blush crept over her stunning face.

On the high platform.

The assembly of Family Heads pointed and gestured towards the area below.

Patriarch Situ smiled faintly and said, “Patriarch Ao, it seems your son is about to compete. His opponent is none other than Li Xiaobai. Are you confident?”

“Of course! After all, the Ao Family is a Beast Taming Family; once they make a move, they unleash several Demonic Beasts of the same realm at once. With such group battle tactics, ordinary folks simply can’t withstand them.”

“Indeed, it looks like the younger generation is very confident in Young Master Ao. Who knows, he might even deliver a performance beyond everyone’s expectations.”

The Family Heads laughed heartily.

“You jest, Patriarch Situ. We are all aware of Li Xiaobai’s strength; he’s an ancient being in disguise. Please don’t make fun of me. If that useless thing of mine can spar with such an expert, I only hope he can be clever about it and learn a thing or two.”

Patriarch Ao wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed somewhat awkwardly.

After all, taming beasts was merely a minor path; in the journey of cultivation, one must eventually rely on the cultivator themselves. In the face of a realm difference, even with the help of Demonic Beasts, one would only face a bitter defeat. This he understood all too well.

“Hehe, then tell me, if this tournament were to go to the very end, who is most likely to claim first place?” Patriarch Situ asked with a smile.

“Naturally, it would be Young Master Situ from your family.”

“Yes, indeed. Young Master Situ possesses unparalleled talent. At such a young age, he is already a fourth-level expert in the Transcendance Tribulation Stage; his future is limitless!”

“Absolutely, absolutely…”

The Family Heads immediately started to flatter shamelessly, their words lacking conviction as they occasionally glanced furtively towards Li Xiaobai and Long Xue below.

Putting aside Li Xiaobai, who was suspected to be an ancient being, Long Xue was indeed a genuine prodigy of the Sea Clan. At her young age, she had already stepped into the eighth layer of the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. Given time, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to reach the Great Perfection Realm, or even to enter into the world of the Mahayana Realm.

Such a peerless talent was indeed the true number one expert among the younger generation.

In her presence, any talk of being the top contender, or the preeminent young individual of Aolai Country, paled in comparison.

“Hehe, you’re not being honest, are you? But it doesn’t matter. A moment’s victory or defeat doesn’t mean much. Once the Third Family Head takes control of the territory, we as Family Heads will gain access to more resources. I have confidence in Guixiong; he will surely reach heights never before achieved by his predecessors!”

Patriarch Situ chuckled lightly, fully aware of the flattery. The reason he had raised the question was to hint to the others that among the younger generation, his Situ lineage should be esteemed above all.

If the Third Family Head’s plan succeeded, these family powers would undoubtedly get a larger piece of the cake.

This was about establishing authority for the future Situ Household, making others recognize the reality, as well as paving the way for Situ Guixiong. After all, being able to suppress his peers at such a young age, the day he truly became the pillar of the family, the Situ Household’s position would be even more secure.

Below the stage, noise from the spectators was incessant, as if they were venting their dissatisfaction.

They came here to watch the competition, but before the fight even began, the number of contestants had plummeted to one-tenth. Where was the lively atmosphere that a grand event should have?

However, for the Family Heads and the two in charge alike, this was good news. After all, everyone present had motives beyond just the spectacle of the fight.

With the tournament’s duration shortened, they could proceed with their subsequent plans more swiftly, hence no objections were raised.

“The hour has come; the tournament shall begin this moment. The first match, Ao Gou vs. Li Xiaobai!”

The Great Elder called out loudly, indicating for everyone to keep quiet.

“It’s my turn!”

Li Xiaobai got up, walked slowly onto the stage, and stood opposite Ao Gou at a distance.

“Fight and spar to the point, but do not take lives. Understood?”