Ling Fei blinked in surprise; he had come to find Shen Yingxue.
He had even prepared a complete package for confession and proposing marriage. To his surprise, he was greeted by a complete stranger, a seemingly simple-minded fellow.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Ling Fei felt insulted. He had heard that the Wan Hua Palace had a rather unconventional way of doing things, a sect that donned the guise of righteousness while practicing demonic arts.
Elder Liu Ruoyi coughed twice and said, "Saint Son Ling, you have come at an inopportune time. Our Saintess is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm. It is a critical moment, and she cannot entertain guests. Therefore, our Saint Son will be here to host you."
Seeing Zhang Xiaohu looking completely bewildered, Liu Ruoyi, with a straight face, said to the Qing Tian Hall delegation, "Allow me to introduce Zhang Xiaohu. He is the new Saint Son of our Wan Hua Palace, possessing great strength. He is ten years younger than Saint Son Ling and is currently at the early Nascent Soul stage."
Zhang Xiaohu was startled. He had never heard of this before!
Where did this Saint Son title come from?
"Elder, I..."
Liu Ruoyi interrupted him with a gesture and transmitted her voice, "All of this is to protect Xiao Xue. You don't need to say anything later; just fight. You must win!"
Ling Fei was becoming impatient. Whether he was a Saint Son or not, he didn't care. He was ready to confess!
"Elder, actually, we are here to..."
Liu Ruoyi couldn't let him propose marriage and directly interrupted him. Then she added, "Oh, right, in case you didn't know, I'll tell you: our Wan Hua Palace's Saint Son and Saintess are already cultivation partners."
The faces of the Qing Tian Hall delegation members darkened.
Ling Fei's complexion turned ashen. He felt targeted by the Wan Hua Palace.
Even Zhang Xiaohu looked as if he had seen a ghost. He wanted to refute and prove his innocence, but remembering Liu Ruoyi's transmitted message that it was all to protect Shen Yingxue, he decided to endure it for now.
Ling Fei, enraged, smashed the table: "How can he be Xiao Xue's cultivation partner? Don't think I don't know. His talent is mediocre, and his cultivation is only propped up by medicinal drugs!"
Liu Ruoyi's expression also turned cold. The pressure of an Immortal-level expert fell upon Ling Fei, making his face turn pale.
The elders who followed the Qing Tian Hall delegation immediately dispersed this pressure.
"Elder Liu, what do you mean by this?"
"What do I mean? What right does he have to comment on the relationship between my Saint Son and Saintess? And to insult our Wan Hua Palace's Saint Son to my face, I should be the one asking what you mean!"
"Ling Fei, apologize to Elder Liu."
Although Ling Fei was displeased, he realized this was their territory. The Wan Hua Palace was among the top three most formidable powers in the world, undoubtedly due to the Wan Hua Empress.
"I apologize for my rash words. I apologize for my previous impetuosity."
"But..." Ling Fei gritted his teeth and said firmly, "I am not convinced by this Saint Son. I wish to spar with him!"
Liu Ruoyi was about to say something, but the elder from Qing Tian Hall smiled and said, "Why don't we let the juniors settle their own affairs? Elder Liu?"
They had already lost face on this trip, but if Ling Fei could heavily defeat this so-called Saint Son, then the Wan Hua Palace would be the one losing face.
It didn't matter if they refused to fight. After all, they could say back home that the Wan Hua Palace's new Saint Son had chickened out.
Unexpectedly, Liu Ruoyi chuckled: "Haha! Junior sparring is a good thing. Mutual exchange can promote progress! I have already prepared the arena. Hurry and follow me!"
Everyone from Qing Tian Hall was stunned.
The arena was prepared in advance? What kind of move was this?
They felt like they had been tricked, but looking at Zhang Xiaohu, he truly appeared unremarkable. If he possessed any special constitution, their cultivation levels would have allowed them to see it immediately.
Thus, after some fussing, they arrived at the arena.
Shen Yingxue, dressed in a white dress, was waving her arms, leading a group of female disciples from the Wan Hua Palace, holding banners and shouting loudly, "Go, Brother Hu! Brother Hu will win! Beat him to death, Brother Hu!"
The people from Qing Tian Hall and Ling Fei stared at Liu Ruoyi with countless question marks in their minds.
Is this what you called seclusion?
Also, the Saintess produced by your Wan Hua Palace is truly distinctive!
Liu Ruoyi's expression stiffened. What a disgrace! A true disgrace!
How could the esteemed Saintess disregard her words and actions in front of outsiders, just like the Wan Hua Empress!
How she got out of confinement, it goes without saying! The Wan Hua Empress must have secretly given her preferential treatment!
Neither master nor disciple are good people!
"Cough cough... Due to the failed seclusion, the Saintess came out early. She is not in a very good mental state right now. This is understandable, right?"
"Heh heh, let the fight begin!"
Seeing Shen Yingxue, Ling Fei became even more indignant. He had met Shen Yingxue during a trial once. At that time, he was injured, and Shen Yingxue happened to save him.
From then on, he developed improper thoughts about Shen Yingxue. However, to Shen Yingxue, it was merely a casual act.
Who knew this fellow would pester her endlessly, annoying Shen Yingxue.
This time, it was to help Zhang Xiaohu achieve his goals and to make Ling Fei give up.
As the Saint Son of Qing Tian Hall, Ling Fei was certainly not to be trifled with. His cultivation was at the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm.
"Zhang Xiaohu! I will defeat you with one move and let Xiao Xue know who is the most suitable person to be her cultivation partner!"
Boom!
Fiery light erupted from him, and faint red patterns appeared on his skin.
With the Fiery Yuan Sacred Body, how could he not have a special constitution as the Saint Son of a top power?
The flames, carrying a terrifying aura, pressed down on Zhang Xiaohu, but he was not afraid.
The Golden Core stage Nine Heavens Flame Emperor was a watershed.
And he had already defeated the Golden Core stage Nine Heavens Flame Emperor.
He had obtained the cultivation technique that accompanied the Nine Heavens Flame Emperor throughout his life, the "Burning Heaven Fire Record."
Zhang Xiaohu caressed his heart, and immediately, his blood boiled.
Flames as red as blood erupted from him. This was the Burning Heaven Fire, the Fire of an Immortal Emperor!
Ling Fei's entire face turned pale. He actually felt a strong sense of dominance from Zhang Xiaohu's flames.
Just like the bloodline suppression between demonic beasts, his flames actually withered.
Everyone was shocked.
"This... this flame actually possesses a trace of Imperial intent!"
"What cultivation technique is this? Damn it, we've been tricked!"
"Bad, he's been countered. Our Saint Son is going to be used as a stepping stone!"
"..."
Even Liu Ruoyi was dumbfounded. This fellow actually gave her such a big surprise.
If only he had said something earlier! If he had displayed this Burning Heaven Fire earlier, the position of Saint Son would have been a sure thing!
Shen Yingxue also clenched her fists, appearing even more excited than the two on the field.
"Brother Hu, you should have emerged triumphantly long ago! How can a genius be mistaken for a mediocre person?"