The long-calm Royal City welcomed a grand event — the Eight Halls Rotation Battle!
After a long time, this special competition was finally set to commence today!
Initiated by the Demon Slaying Hall, the purpose was to rebuild the Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division.
Si Bingwen used this opportunity to publicly disclose all the tragic conditions in Pei Prefecture that Li Xuanxiao had described.
This immediately caused an uproar in public opinion.
"The Pei Prefecture Demon Slaying Division has actually ceased operations, and even the Commander is being hunted by the Demon Emperors, his fate unknown..."
"That's terrifying. Why hasn't the Royal City sent anyone to support Pei Prefecture?"
"It's not just Pei Prefecture. I heard Yu Prefecture is even worse; the Demon Slaying Division has fallen, and even the Commander has died in battle!"
"Ah! So many things have happened in the prefectures below, and we didn't know anything at all!"
"If Li Xuanxiao hadn't initiated the Eight Halls Rotation Battle, all of us would have been kept in the dark!"
"I heard this Martial Artist is from Pei Prefecture. He came to the Royal City alone this time, initiating the Eight Halls Rotation Battle solely to save his hometown."
"What is the Royal City doing? The prefectures below have suffered such severe damage, yet instead of saving them, they forced the Martial Artists below to come to the Royal City to beg for aid!"
Public opinion began to ferment, putting pressure on the Demon Slaying Hall and the Royal Family.
Si Bingwen's lips curved slightly. His temperament was relatively gentle, and he disliked conflict. He wouldn't express dissatisfaction as directly as Li Xuanxiao.
But using public opinion to pressure his rivals, as he was doing now, was something he was capable of.
Under his maneuvering, countless citizens of the Royal City felt sympathy and support for Li Xuanxiao.
The majestic image of a Martial Artist whose hometown was ravaged by demons, forcing him to leave his home and come to the Royal City alone to seek aid, even daring to initiate the Eight Halls Rotation Battle to save his homeland, stood firm in everyone's hearts.
Even if Li Xuanxiao ultimately failed to win the Eight Halls Rotation Battle, the fermentation of public opinion would create pressure on those in power, forcing them to take this matter seriously.
...
The martial arts arena where the Martial Artists would compete was located in the most prosperous district at the center of the Royal City.
This area was already incredibly bustling, but now it was extraordinarily lively, reaching a point where Martial Artists had to be deployed for traffic control.
The prices for tea houses, taverns, and lodging nearby had jumped several times over!
At this moment, surrounding the martial arts arena, Martial Artists from various branches of the Demon Slaying Division were seated, led by their respective Hall Masters.
To the north of the arena, on a high platform noticeably taller than the surroundings, members of the Royal Family, rarely seen normally, were all gathered.
Such a grand spectacle and level of participation pushed the heat of this competition to an unprecedented level.
"Nervous? You rarely saw so many people when you were in Pei Prefecture, right?"
Si Bingwen turned his head to look at Li Xuanxiao, who was sitting beside him, and asked with a smile.
Li Xuanxiao shook his head. If it were his previous life, he might have been nervous, but after going through so much along the way, he had certainty in his own abilities, allowing him to remain calm.
Amidst the eager anticipation of the crowd, the Martial Artist hosting the competition wasted no time with excessive formalities.
After a brief greeting and introduction, he immediately began the random sorting for the competition.
Soon, the first opponent was determined.
"First Match!"
"Demon Slaying Division's Li Xuanxiao versus Mission Hall's Fang Huang!"
As the words fell, cheers like a surging tide erupted from all around. Everyone was filled with anticipation for the upcoming fight.
After all, clashes between Martial Artists at the Mystic Realm level were rarely seen in general.
"Good luck on the first draw~"
Li Xuanxiao chuckled lightly. The first match was against a Martial Artist from an allied branch.
Amidst waves of cheers from the crowd, Li Xuanxiao quietly stood up and walked to the center of the martial arts arena.
However, as he moved, many discordant sounds began to mix with the cheers.
"Holy crap!"
"Is that Li Xuanxiao?"
"But how old does this kid look?"
"Are you sure? Can he really be in the Mystic Realm?"
The cheers of the crowd suddenly turned into a buzzing murmur of doubt and astonishment.
Across from Li Xuanxiao, Fang Huang, who was walking slowly, also showed a look of shock.
He was a talented Martial Artist who had broken through to the Mystic Realm at the young age of thirty-five.
Such speed already put him ahead of over ninety percent of Martial Artists!
But he never expected the person before him to be such a heavyweight!
This Li Xuanxiao looked at most twenty-something, yet he had already reached the Mystic Realm—terrifying!
It wasn't just Fang Huang; from ordinary Martial Artists to Hall Masters in the major branches, everyone was surprised.
The two Hall Masters who were on good terms with the Demon Slaying Hall frequently glanced at Si Bingwen, exchanging meaningful looks to express their inner shock.
Si Bingwen smiled without speaking, finding their expressions quite comical.
From the moment he saw Li Xuanxiao, he had been anticipating this moment.
Seeing his colleagues startled now, he instantly felt the joy of a cunning plan succeeding.
Serves them right!
I was shocked back then, and now none of you can escape!
This age, this Realm—what concept does that represent?
We usually only use two words to describe such a person...
A Martial Freak!
On the northern high platform, countless members of the Royal Family also wore looks of astonishment.
As the ruling class of the Dayu Dynasty, the Royal Family members possessed extremely strong pride.
Even the geniuses from past generations of the Demon Slaying Hall had to lower their proud heads when facing them.
This was not only due to the difference in status but also because the Royal Family descendants were generally martial arts geniuses with great talent.
They possessed the Dayu's top cultivation resources and began their martial arts training from childhood in the Royal Court Martial Academy, which exclusively served the Royal Family.
Normally, it was they who would casually reveal their talent and Realm to shock others.
When had it ever been the case that others got to shock them?
Now, Li Xuanxiao had done it. He had successfully captured the attention of most Royal Family members.
"In three minutes, I want to see all the information on this kid!"
"This must be the kind of Prodigy that the teachers at the Royal Court Martial Academy occasionally mention, right?"
"When did our Dayu produce such a figure? We didn't know anything about him?"
"Hmph, it's too early to be surprised now. Who knows if he truly has the ability?"
"Exactly. He might just be one of those fakes who forcefully advanced by Cultivating multiple Xuan Realm Cultivation Techniques!"
The Royal Family members spoke one after another.
Although their words expressed disdain for Li Xuanxiao, any discerning eye could tell that they had lost their former reserve and composure.
In the past, they wouldn't even bother discussing a Martial Artist who wasn't of Royal Family descent.
But now, they were like the commoners they always looked down upon, pointing fingers and criticizing others.
Li Xuanxiao was completely unaware of the stir his appearance had caused.
His thought was very simple.
Since he was on the martial arts arena, determined to decide the outcome, he would focus wholeheartedly and give it his all!
"Sigh, what a nuisance."
Fang Huang smiled helplessly. Before coming, his Hall Master had specifically instructed him to go easy and concede if things got close, as the opponent was an ally.
But now, he felt a surge of Battle Intent rising within him.
This kid, at this age and this Realm, just standing there was like indiscriminately mocking everyone who saw him!
It was as if he was declaring to everyone: "Look at me, you bastards! Do you even deserve to Cultivate martial arts?"
"Damn it, I'm inexplicably angry!"
Fang Huang took two deep breaths, silently drawing his blade: "Young man, I was originally supposed to put on a show and surrender, but now I've changed my mind."
"I plan to go all out to fight you!"
"You better be careful."
Li Xuanxiao smiled lightly and nodded, his own Battle Intent soaring: "Going all out is the greatest respect you can show me. Bring it on!"
The ming cha blade at his waist was slowly drawn out, emitting a cold, sharp gleam.
Li Xuanxiao stared directly at Fang Huang, his eyes filled with calm indifference and a hint of eagerness to test his strength.
If he remembered correctly, this seemed to be his first time fighting a human Martial Artist of the same Realm since advancing to the Mystic Realm.
He was truly looking forward to it!
The hosting Martial Artist felt the atmosphere was about right. He immediately brought his fingers together, forming a blade with his palm. First, he raised it, then violently swung it down!
"The first match begins!"