330: Chapter 330: The Treasure Presentation Ends, Zhu Xue Challenges a Battle

"Second Brother, since the Fox Race has presented such a treasure, is there still a problem?"

Zhu Qing and Zhu Yin began to Face off.

One had a cold and fierce gaze, while the other wore a smile on his lips; the air between them almost solidified into something tangible.

But the figure on the main seat merely swept a faint glance over them, instantly causing both of them to quiet down.

"Enough."

The Old Dragon's voice was not loud, yet it carried an unquestionable majesty.

He did not look at Zhu Qing, nor did he look at Zhu Yin. His gaze fell upon the three longevity pills presented by Jiuer, lingering for a moment before he reached out his hand.

The jade box flew up from the steward's hand and landed in his palm.

He looked down at it, said nothing more, and simply put the jade box away.

"This Deity accepts the goodwill of the Fox Race."

His tone was flat, as if he were speaking of an insignificant matter, but everyone knew that these words meant the Fox Race was temporarily safe in front of the Dragon Palace.

The treasure presentation segment came to an end, and the atmosphere in the grand hall softened slightly.

The brief clash between Zhu Yin and Zhu Qing subsided with the Old Dragon's single word, "Enough."

The Old Dragon was clearly still drawn to the three longevity pills.

Although his cultivation was heaven-defying, he had ultimately been dragged down by the shackles of his Lifespan for many years. The temptation of the longevity pills far exceeded that of any Magic Treasure.

He accepted the jade box and did not pursue the matter of the Fox Race any further.

This was a tacit approval of the Fox Race's presence.

Chu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, but he did not let down his guard.

When Zhu Yin retreated into the shadows of the side hall, his final gaze pricked the back of Chu Sheng's head, refusing to dissipate for a long time.

To liven up the atmosphere, the Old Dragon ordered performance segments to entertain the guests.

First was the dance of the Merfolk; the water screen was filled with flowing light and vibrant colors as ten thousand fish swayed their tails.

Then came the Bone Flood Dragon blowing the conch horn, sending out waves of dragon ballads, making the scene quite lively.

But the most eye-catching event was the upcoming match.

The Old Dragon's daughter, Princess Zhu Xue, stepped forward.

She wore a tight-fitting martial outfit, tall in stature, with heroic features and a sharp, fierce edge between her brows.

She was not majestic like Zhu Qing, nor was she effeminate like Zhu Yin; instead, she possessed a direct, undisguised sharpness.

She walked to the center of the grand hall, cupped her hands toward the main seat, her voice clear and resonant like striking metal.

"Father, I have nothing to do, so I would like to exchange a few blows with the peers present here to liven things up."

The Old Dragon did not speak, but he clearly gave his tacit consent.

Princess Zhu Xue then turned around, her gaze sweeping across the younger generation of the Yao Race present.

"Who will step up?"

The Tiger King's son was the first to stand up.

He was a burly youth with a broad back and thick waist, a fierce Face, and a pair of bright, piercing tiger-like eyes.

He strode into the arena, cupped his fists in salute, and said in a booming voice, "Hu Xiao of the Tiger Race, please guide me, Princess Zhu Xue!"

Princess Zhu Xue said nothing more. She simply nodded slightly and fell into a stance.

The two clashed, and it took only ten moves.

Hu Xiao's Tiger Fist was fierce and overbearing, but in front of Princess Zhu Xue, it felt like striking cotton.

Princess Zhu Xue's movements were clean and agile, without a single wasted motion; every strike precisely targeted Hu Xiao's weaknesses.

On the tenth move, Hu Xiao was struck in the chest by a palm. He retreated several steps, clutching his chest, his Face flushed red.

He cupped his hands in defeat and withdrew.

The Tiger King sat in his seat, his expression unchanged, as if he had long expected this.

Next, King Peng's son stood up.

He was a slender youth with handsome features and an innate arrogance.

After entering the arena, he said no words, but directly spread his wings and swept up, turning into an afterimage as he attacked Princess Zhu Xue.

His speed was extremely fast, almost imperceptible to the naked eye.

Yet Princess Zhu Xue remained unfazed. She was like an old pine rooted in the ground, standing completely motionless no matter how the fierce wind blew.

King Peng's son attacked for thirty moves but failed to break through Princess Zhu Xue's defense.

On the thirty-first move, Princess Zhu Xue threw a backhand punch, precisely striking his shoulder blade and knocking him to the ground.

King Peng's son scrambled up, his expression rather unsightly, but he still cupped his hands and admitted defeat.

King Peng sat in his seat and nodded to his son, saying nothing more.

This was not his most favored son, so he did not care much about the outcome of this match.

However, Chu Sheng noticed that King Peng's gaze lingered on Princess Zhu Xue for a moment, as if evaluating her.

Princess Zhu Xue had won two consecutive matches, yet she showed no sign of smugness.

Her gaze swept across the crowd and then landed on Chu Sheng.

She tilted her head slightly, as if she had discovered something interesting.

"Would that Fellow Daoist of the Human Race like to come down and try as well?"

Her tone was not provocative; it was more like pure curiosity.

The grand hall fell silent for a moment, and everyone's eyes converged on Chu Sheng.

Chu Sheng's heart tightened, but he did not let it show on his Face.

He knew that his meager disguise was completely insufficient in front of truly powerful experts.

Most of the Yao Race members present had high cultivations and had long since seen through him.

But no one pointed it out.

First, because the longevity pills presented by the Fox Race were indeed heavy enough, giving the Old Dragon Face.

Second, because the Yao Race had always revered strength, and the appearance of a Human Race member of the Daocheng Realm here was enough to pique some interest.

Chu Sheng fell silent for a moment, and then he stood up.

He did not decline or back down; he simply walked into the arena calmly and cupped his hands toward Princess Zhu Xue.

"Junior Chu Sheng, please guide me, Princess."

Princess Zhu Xue looked at him, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly.

"You are quite frank."

She took her stance, a hint of seriousness appearing in her eyes.

Chu Sheng also took a deep breath and clenched his fists.

He knew that in this battle, he could not lose too miserably, but he also could not win too conspicuously.

On the Dragon Palace's territory, a sense of propriety was more important than victory or defeat.

He nodded slightly to Princess Zhu Xue, indicating they could begin.

The gazes in the grand hall once again converged on the center of the arena.

This match was destined to be more worth watching than the previous two.