"Brother Feng Hao, let's go over there," Li Xuan said, pointing to a secluded corner of the square.
"Uh, alright." Feng Hao found the spot rather secluded, but since Li Xuan had chosen it, he had no complaints.
However, Feng Hao couldn't help but wonder if the conflict between Kun Tianfan and his fellow disciples was quite significant.
The arrival of Li Xuan and his companions did not attract much attention, as spirit masters were continuously arriving. Li Xuan was content with this, as it would be troublesome if he were recognized by Qing Zhu of the Hundred Flowers Sect at this moment.
Time passed, and after a day of waiting, the number of spirit masters present had reached ten thousand. Clearly, all these spirit masters had learned of the Holy Ruins Square. Li Xuan now blended in even more with the crowd.
"Esteemed sirs, the Holy Sect ruins will likely take some time to open. Waiting is indeed tedious. How about we engage in some friendly sparring to liven things up?" At this moment, a man in a white robe spoke with a smile.
"Jun Bieli, what's the point of mere sparring? I say we both put up some stakes, make it a proper contest," a black-robed man with a sword on his back interjected as soon as Jun Bieli finished speaking.
"That sounds good too." Jun Bieli's eyes lit up at the suggestion, and he nodded. "I believe you have all acquired some spirit fruits and herbs outside. Even if you didn't get spirit stones, you must have some. What do you say, everyone?"
Jun Bieli then looked around expectantly, as the proposal had come from him. It would be quite embarrassing if no one participated.
Li Xuan, standing in the crowd, smiled and shook his head. Feng Hao noticed this and whispered, "Brother Kun, do you have something in mind?"
Li Xuan shook his head. "Aside from rogue cultivators, aren't all those who can enter this ruin outstanding disciples of the major sects? Public sparring in front of so many people, if you win, you naturally gain fame and honor for your sect. But what if you lose? Furthermore, the ruin hasn't truly opened yet. Who would be willing to reveal their trump cards?"
Feng Hao nodded with a wry smile. Li Xuan's words were sensible. He himself would not be willing to steal the spotlight. After all, what good is a trump card if it's exposed? The entrance to the Holy Sect was about to appear. Who could guarantee that there wouldn't be incidents of killing for treasures within?
Sometimes, a lower profile meant a longer life.
Time passed, and despite the presence of over ten thousand people, no one responded to Jun Bieli. His expression grew increasingly grim, but even as a disciple of the Azure Wolf Sect, he could not force anyone to participate.
"It seems everyone isn't very interested in sparring. Jun Bieli, why don't you bring out your spirit beast to entertain us? I'll be the first to participate," a man said with a smile.
"Now this will be good," Feng Hao remarked gleefully. Before Li Xuan could speak, Feng Hao elaborated.
Listening to Feng Hao, Li Xuan understood. This man was Nie Feng, the leader of the Divine Wind Sect. Nie Feng and Jun Bieli of the Azure Wolf Sect had clashed numerous times; the relationship was complex, but in essence, they had a feud.
Li Xuan also looked at Jun Bieli with curiosity. It was one thing for his earlier proposal to go unanswered, resulting in a minor loss of face. But Nie Feng's appearance was a matter of pride. If Jun Bieli refused this provocation, how could he hold his head high in the future?
Especially since both the Azure Wolf Sect and the Divine Wind Sect were among the Twelve Sects. To lose face in front of so many people would damage the sect's reputation. Jun Bieli could already imagine that if he showed any weakness, his position within the sect would be lost upon his return.
"It's not impossible to let you have my spirit beast. Nie Feng, if you are willing to bring out your Wind-Fixing Divine Pearl, how about I spar with you?" Jun Bieli said slowly, a slight curve to his lips, under everyone's gaze.
His spirit beast was Jun Bieli's powerful aid; without it, his strength would be significantly weakened. Nie Feng was in a similar situation. Jun Bieli, having fought Nie Feng so many times, knew the prowess of Nie Feng's Wind-Fixing Divine Pearl.
You want to make a fool of me? I'll see how you handle this hot potato now.
Jun Bieli sneered at Nie Feng. Indeed, he saw Nie Feng's expression darken.
"These two probably won't fight," Li Xuan said with a slight shake of his head. In the outside world, they might have fought directly. But within the ruins, neither of them was foolish enough to put themselves in danger for momentary glory.
"Your words are reasonable. Those two are cunning and naturally won't fight. However, I find you unfamiliar. May I ask which sect you are from?" Li Xuan had just finished speaking when a voice sounded. Li Xuan looked up to see a man in red robes staring at him.
"Bu Jinglei of the Heavenly Thunder Sect!" Li Xuan was about to speak when Feng Hao, standing beside him, exclaimed with a look of alarm. Seeing Feng Hao's expression, Li Xuan became curious. The Heavenly Thunder Sect was also one of the Twelve Sects, but judging by Feng Hao's reaction, this Bu Jinglei seemed quite formidable.
"Senior Brother Jinglei, please forgive me. I am Feng Hao of the Black and White Sect, greeting Senior Brother Jinglei. This is Senior Brother Kun Tianfan of the Fiery Ridge Sect. Haven't you met Senior Brother Jinglei?" Feng Hao quickly bowed and clasped his fists in greeting after regaining his composure.
"You seem quite afraid of me." Bu Jinglei glanced at Feng Hao, then looked at Li Xuan with amusement. "Kun Tianfan, Fiery Ridge Sect... However, my impression is that there is no disciple named Kun Tianfan among the disciples of the Fiery Ridge Sect who entered this Holy Sect ruin. Sir, you wouldn't be impersonating, would you?"
"Kun Peng, does your Fiery Ridge Sect have a disciple named Kun Tianfan?" Before Li Xuan could reply, Bu Jinglei turned and shouted towards the back of the square.
A glint of killing intent flashed in Li Xuan's eyes upon hearing this, but he quickly suppressed it and looked coldly at Bu Jinglei.
"So it's Brother Jinglei, I was wondering who it was. What, has one of my Fiery Ridge Sect's juniors offended you? As for this Kun Tianfan you mentioned, I have never heard of such a person." Soon, a figure turned towards Bu Jinglei and shook his head.
"Never? But this gentleman claims to be a disciple of your Fiery Ridge Sect. Kun Peng, are you perhaps deceiving me?" Bu Jinglei looked at Li Xuan with some surprise.
"Who are you, and why are you impersonating a disciple of my Fiery Ridge Sect?" Kun Peng moved instantly and appeared before Li Xuan, speaking in a cold tone.
Li Xuan did not reply, but in his heart, he cursed Bu Jinglei's entire ancestry. However, Li Xuan was also puzzled. He had never met this Bu Jinglei before; why was Bu Jinglei targeting him?
"It's you!"
The attention of Jun Bieli and Nie Feng was instantly drawn to Li Xuan by Bu Jinglei's words. Everyone was now curious. This person had impersonated a disciple of the Fiery Ridge Sect and come to the Holy Ruins Square, only to be discovered. Given Kun Peng's temperament, a good show was likely to follow. But a clear voice rang out, drawing everyone's attention once more.
The speaker was Qing Zhu of the Hundred Flowers Sect.
Seeing that he had been discovered by Qing Zhu, Li Xuan simply nodded and said to Qing Zhu, "It's me."