429: Hero saves beauty!

“Whose Family disciple is this?” someone nearby asked.

“No idea, perhaps he found a way to get in, hoping to make a name for himself.”

Everyone nodded lightly, then no longer paid attention.

Situations like this happen every time during the Prefectural Examination; there are always people who think too highly of themselves, spending all their Family wealth to buy an opportunity, believing they can stand out and win the top spot.

However, the reality is quite the opposite. Those disciples from large Families are meticulously cultivated by their Families from a young age. Whether it’s the Cultivation Technique they practice, the spells they refine, or the Medicinal Pills they consume, all are of the highest quality. What can a mere peasant compare with?

Do they really think a burst of courage is enough?

Heh… naive!

Xu Sanyan propped his chin with his arm, quietly watching Tang Huanhuan perform, recalling bits and pieces of their past.

At that time, although they ate and lived together, they were still wary of each other. If not for the circumstances, they would never have gotten along.

Actually, Tang Huanhuan’s personality is very similar to his own: an extremely selfish mentality of “I’d rather betray the world than let the world betray me.”

Back then, Tang Huanhuan loved alcohol and was drunk all day, yet her blade skills were surprisingly precise. He wondered how she managed it.

“Drink!”

With a soft shout, Tang Huanhuan’s long blade erupted like a thunderbolt, cutting a streak of crimson flame through the air, stirring up a sky full of white smoke that obscured vision. When the white smoke dissipated, the long blade was already resting on her opponent’s neck.

Xu Sanyan raised an eyebrow slightly. With his strength, he could naturally see through Tang Huanhuan’s movements. This little girl indeed had some skills; she hadn't wasted these past years.

“Huh, she won?”

Someone nearby sounded surprised, clearly not expecting this peasant to actually win. He wondered whose Family disciple her opponent was; his future days would likely not be easy.

Although being born into a large Family offers a higher starting point, the competition is also intense. Losing to a Loose Cultivator is considered a blemish and will inevitably affect the allocation of future Family resources.

“Hmph!”

The Huang Family Patriarch snorted, a hint of disappointment in his eyes, clearly indicating that Tang Huanhuan’s opponent was a Huang Family disciple.

“Character C, Number 3 wins!”

After her victory, Tang Huanhuan found a corner to recover her Qi. Her calm demeanor showed no joy in victory, as if winning was simply a matter of course.

As time passed, Qin Shutong also entered the arena.

“Character A, Number 19, Character B, Number 19, proceed to Arena Number 3.”

Qin Shutong, from a distance, waved high at Xu Sanyan, her face beaming with a smile, full of youthful passion.

Xu Sanyan smiled in response.

Behind him, Prefect Qin looked at his daughter, a benevolent smile appearing on his face.

Li Wuxing turned his head and said, “This must be Associate Prefect’s beloved daughter, correct?”

“Haha, indeed it is my humble daughter. She’s a bit mischievous, Lord Li. Please forgive her.”

Li Wuxing nodded slowly, his gaze falling on Xu Sanyan, his expression thoughtful.

Currently, Xu Sanyan is highly sought after; everyone wants to pull him into their own camp. Prefect Qin wants him, Li Wuxing wants him, and even the Prefect likely wants him.

However, the Prefect received the news a bit late and hadn’t had time to make arrangements, while others had already begun to act.

Prefect Qin used his daughter as a means, luring him with beauty.

Li Wuxing used emotion, relying on the Dan Family father and son to build a closer relationship with him. What means would the Prefect use?

Actually, Li Wuxing and Prefect Qin do not have a competitive relationship, because Li Wuxing wants him to join the Tai Chang Palace, while Prefect Qin wants him to become his son-in-law. The two are not in conflict.

Xu Sanyan was unaware of their thoughts, or even if he knew, he wouldn’t care. He liked honey traps the most.

Especially a lively young girl like Qin Shutong; she was truly beautiful to his heart’s content.

Xu Sanyan propped his chin with one hand, smiling as he watched Qin Shutong’s match. He saw her wielding a long sword with peach blossom patterns, moving swiftly and decisively, displaying impressive martial arts.

But Xu Sanyan’s attention was not on this at all; he only stared at Qin Shutong’s slender legs and delicate waist, his expression gradually becoming lewd…

Danzhou Mountain nodded slowly and said, “In just a few days, Shutong’s cultivation has improved again.”

Because Qin Shutong often went to play with Dan Qiuyu, Danzhou Mountain was quite familiar with her, and his words held the affection of an elder towards a Junior.

“Haha, this little girl just knows how to run around all day. Sooner or later, I’ll find a Family for her to marry into.” Prefect Qin’s words were suggestive, and Danzhou Mountain, with a clear mind, glanced at Xu Sanyan.

“Drink!”

Just then, a soft gasp was heard from the arena. Qin Shutong controlled her sword with her finger, and the sword, like a flying shuttle, appeared before her opponent in the blink of an eye. The light pink sword light even exuded a hint of ferocity.

Her opponent was a young man. Judging by his attire, his Family background was certainly not ordinary. Facing Qin Shutong’s sword, he showed no panic. He spread his five fingers, and a golden light shield appeared before him.

“Clang~!”

The long sword fiercely struck the golden shield. Golden light flowed, and as if using the opponent’s force against him, the long sword was actually deflected, turning uncontrollably to stab back at Qin Shutong!

Seeing this, a glint flashed in Xu Sanyan’s eyes. What a miraculous spell! It could return the opponent’s attack completely intact. Truly profound.

“Ah!”

Qin Shutong was startled. She clearly hadn’t anticipated this result, and her movements became somewhat flustered. In a panic, she pressed her two fingers together into a sword shape, attempting to regain control of the Flying Sword.

However, the Flying Sword’s momentum was fierce. Although it slowed slightly, it still stabbed directly towards Qin Shutong’s heart. Panicked, she was too late to dodge.

“Oh no!!”

Now everyone saw that something was wrong. Qin Shutong’s opponent was also greatly alarmed, and for a moment, he didn’t know what to do. His “Heaven and Earth Golden Light Shield” could only return the opponent’s attack; he couldn’t control the direction of the attack.

The referee below the arena tried to intervene, but he was only in the Mystic Path Realm. Although he tried his best to remedy the situation, it happened too suddenly and he was too late.

Seeing the dire situation, Prefect Qin suddenly stood up and, with a flash of his figure, swiftly dashed towards his daughter, wanting to offer assistance.

“Bang!!”

At this moment, a wooden chair exploded, and then a streak of light, like a lightning bolt in a clear sky, instantly surpassed Prefect Qin and arrived on the arena.

Everyone could only see a fleeting phantom; even their vision couldn’t keep up with his movements. When they recovered and looked closely, a figure had already appeared in front of Qin Shutong.

He flicked his large sleeve, and the sword light instantly vanished. The long sword with peach blossom patterns had obediently fallen into his hand, showing no trace of its previous ferocity, like a docile little cat.

“Hoo~”

The young man opposite let out a long sigh of relief. The weight on his mind lifted as if a heavy stone had dropped to the ground. He finally relaxed and wiped the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.

He knew the identity of the young girl opposite. If he accidentally injured her, he might not have good days in the future.

Or rather, whether he even had a future would be uncertain.

In contrast, Qin Shutong was staring blankly at the tall figure in front of her, her eyes slightly red. That instant had truly scared her. She had thought she was going to die there.

At that critical moment, Liang gege appeared like a savior sent from heaven, firmly protecting her behind him, blocking all dangers in front of him, as reliable as a majestic mountain.

Qin Shutong’s heart was surging with an indescribable feeling.

The crowd below also stared blankly at Xu Sanyan, all showing expressions of disbelief.

What kind of strength is this?