“Didn’t expect them to show up too!” Lin Xiao’s brows furrowed slightly. These two, rumoured to wield illusion techniques, were undoubtedly dangerous figures.
Especially Huandie, ranked second among the outer disciples— far stronger than Ji Qingshan. Her power was surely fearsome.
They warranted caution.
“I’m Ji Mo— may I know the ladies’ names?” At that moment, a young man’s voice sounded from behind.
The crowd turned to see a tall, handsome youth in black robes striding forward, an extraordinary aura radiating from him.
Behind him stood dozens— youths and elders alike. Three elders at the front subtly exuded Martial King auras, their gazes coolly fixed ahead.
“That’s Ji Mo, the Ji family’s genius! Barely over twenty and already at half-step Martial King— his strength is terrifying!”
“They say Ji Mo’s incredible— his Silent Sword is swift and unmatched, able to rival Liu He of the Liu family and Gong Feiyun of the Gong family!”
Gasps of awe and wariness rippled through the crowd, parting to clear a path.
“Though the Ji family lacks a Martial Venerable, their patriarch’s at Martial King ninth tier, and two elders are mid-tier Martial Kings. With the Liu and Gong families tied up, the Ji family’s the top force here!” a Martial King elder muttered, eyes brimming with caution.
Lin Xiao’s brows twitched. A ninth-tier Martial King and two mid-tier ones vying for the prize— bad news.
Glancing back at Ji Mo and the three Martial Kings, Huandie and Yunlian flashed traces of wariness. But Huandie’s quickly faded. She smiled, swaying into a seductive pose, “I’m Huandie— pleased to meet Young Master Ji Mo!”
“Young Master Ji Mo’s talent and strength are extraordinary. Once we enter Junzang, do look after me a bit,” she purred, her voice irresistible.
Charmed by her flattery, Ji Mo beamed, “So it’s Miss Huandie! You flatter me— but if you’re willing to ally with us, I’ll naturally lend a hand where I can.”
“Then I’ll thank Young Master Ji Mo in advance!” Huandie’s eyes twinkled as she giggled.
“Heh, Young Master Ji’s quite lucky— meeting two heavenly beauties right off,” another youth’s voice chimed in. The crowd turned to a refined man in white, fanning himself as he approached.
His grace and looks matched Ji Mo’s.
“Qi Mubai, the Jade Fan Sect’s top disciple— half-step Martial King, with unfathomable strength!”
“The Jade Fan Sect and Qi family are always at odds— seems they wouldn’t miss this either.”
“Qi Mubai, Ji Mo, Liu He, Gong Feiyun— if not for the Liu-Gong war, this region’s four top geniuses would’ve all gathered!”
Whispers buzzed— some wary, others admiring.
“Qi Mubai!” Ji Mo’s brows knit at the sight, “Your Jade Fan Sect’s keeping a low profile, hiding in the crowd.”
“With so many experts here, our Jade Fan Sect lacks your Ji family’s might— we can only blend in,” Qi Mubai replied, fanning himself with a faint smile.
“Heh, Brother Qi’s as silver-tongued as ever. A year apart— wonder how your strength’s progressed?” Ji Mo sneered, catching the subtle jab. The Qi family and Jade Fan Sect were near equals.
“Still half-step Martial King— can’t quite break through. If Brother Ji’s keen, we could spar,” Qi Mubai said coolly.
“Heh, last time ended undecided— I’d indeed like to test Brother Qi again,” Ji Mo’s eyes glinted coldly, a hint of killing intent flickering. Their rivalry went beyond mere sparring.
But with Junzang’s opening imminent, they wouldn’t clash now.
“Giggle— both are dazzling talents. I’ll be in for a treat,” Huandie cooed, her seductive smile flitting between them.
Lin Xiao marvelled inwardly— beauties drew attention anywhere, luring even this crowd’s top geniuses.
Yet he pitied the pair— this beauty was a venomous snake. One misstep, and they could both fall to her.
“Whoosh!” Just then, a whistling came from the southern sky. An elder soared in on wings of vital qi, his energy surging, leading a dozen others.
At the sight, Ji Mo and Qi Mubai’s eyes flashed as they spoke in unison, “Liu He!”
Lin Xiao’s gaze chilled. He didn’t know Liu He, but the elder leading them was unmistakable— Liu Yan, the Liu family patriarch.
The Liu family had arrived.
Yet they looked haggard— blood-soaked, fresh from battle, rushing here in haste.
No one dared mock them, though. Liu Yan was a true Martial Venerable— even wounded, he wasn’t to be trifled with.
Lin Xiao scanned the Liu group— mostly youths. Beside Liu Yan stood just one Martial King elder. The war with the Gong family had likely cost them another Martial King— a heavy toll.
“Could that be Liu He, the Liu genius? Pity he wasn’t at their base— didn’t get to kill him,” Lin Xiao muttered, eyeing the youth beside Liu Yan.
No need to guess— these were the elites sent to hunt him, absent from the Liu stronghold then.
If anyone heard Lin Xiao now, they’d be dumbfounded— lamenting not killing a regional top genius?
“Bloody hell, those two old dogs are here too!” Hu Yue grumbled beside him.
Liu Yan’s icy gaze swept the crowd below, searching briefly before descending with his group, fruitless.
The crowd parted, wary of provoking the furious Liu family.
The Liu contingent stayed silent. Even Liu He merely cast a cold glance at Ji Mo and Qi Mubai, taking no further action.
Everyone knew the Liu family, battered, was here for Junzang out of desperation— normally, they’d never be so subdued.
At that moment, from another direction, the Gong family arrived. Gong Hongyun and two Martial Kings swept in with twenty or thirty others, their momentum shaking the surroundings.
