Ch. 1449 - Conflict Erupts

Everyone’s attention was on the duels taking place below.

As the martial contest for marriage progressed into its later stages, the fighters stepping onto the stage grew stronger. At the same time, more and more people filled the seats of the Paradise Tower.

Xu Zimo noticed that the Wang Imperial Clan, the Lu Imperial Clan, and the Zhuo Imperial Clan had all arrived one after another. These three were the major families of Ocean Sage City, second only to the Dragon Lord.

However, since they lacked deep heritage, their true strength was only mediocre.

This time, each of the three families had members of the younger generation participating in the contest. Naturally, it made sense that they’d come to watch.

After all, the City Lord’s daughter was a treasure everyone coveted.

Not only did she have the City Lord as her father, but also a Saint Sovereign as her master.

In all of Ocean Sage City, no one could compete with her background.

So, everyone shared the same thought, if you can’t beat her, join her. Whoever won the contest would marry into immense power.

“Who do you think will win that fight?” Shangguan Xian asked, clearly bored.

“The guy in yellow,” Xu Zimo said casually.

“They’re about the same realm, but the one in yellow has a stronger foundation.”

No sooner had Xu Zimo spoken than the battle ended.

Both fighters were battered and bloodied, but the one in yellow still managed to stand at the end.

As the two chatted, a waiter suddenly approached, carrying a tray of pastries.

The pastries were crafted with care, each shaped into tiny lifelike figurines.

“These are our Paradise Tower specialty, the Eight Immortal Pastries. This young lady should have a taste,” the waiter said with a smile.

Xu Zimo had been about to take one himself, but the waiter blocked him.

“This plate was sent by that young master over there for the lady,” the waiter said apologetically. “If you’d like, sir, I can bring you your own.”

Xu Zimo turned his head and followed the waiter’s gaze.

On the far right sat the Wang Imperial Clan group.

A man in white robes, wearing a jade crown, was looking in their direction, smiling politely as he nodded to Xu Zimo.

“A beauty brings trouble,” Xu Zimo said with a faint grin. “Looks like he’s taken an interest in you.”

“What, regretting bringing me along?” Shangguan Xian teased.

“Not quite regret,” Xu Zimo replied, smirking. “Just saying, if you attract trouble, you deal with it.”

Crossing one leg over the other, he looked back at the waiter. “Bring me a plate of all your specialty pastries.”

“Right away, sir,” the waiter said quickly, handing the original plate to Shangguan Xian.

But she shook her head slightly. “I don’t eat food from strangers. Please return it to that young master, I don’t know him.”

As she spoke, the man in white had already stood and was walking toward them.

“Every acquaintance begins as strangers,” the man said with a pleasant smile. “No harm in that.”

“I am Wang Xian, eldest son of the Wang Imperial Clan. May I ask the lady’s name?”

“Shangguan Xian,” she replied calmly.

“You don’t seem to be from Ocean Sage City,” Wang Xian continued with a friendly air. “No woman of such beauty has ever come from here.”

“I came with my friend,” Shangguan Xian said, nodding toward Xu Zimo. “We’d heard of the event and wanted to see for ourselves.”

“Oh? And this gentleman?” Wang Xian asked politely, turning to Xu Zimo.

“Name’s Zimo. Xu Zimo.,” Xu Zimo said with a small smile. “Tell me, Wang Xian, why didn’t you join the contest?”

Wang Xian chuckled and took a seat beside them. “Everyone wants to marry Long Wulin, but for me, power isn’t what I seek. She’s not my match in any case.”

He glanced back at Shangguan Xian with another smile. “Will Miss Shangguan be staying in Ocean Sage City for a while or leaving soon?”

“Not sure,” she said. “Depends on how things go.”

“Well, Ocean Sage City is my home,” Wang Xian said warmly. “You could at least allow me to show you some hospitality. My family has some influence here, you and your friend could stay at our residence. If anything arises, I can help.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Shangguan Xian said, shaking her head. “We’re used to wandering free. I’d hate to owe you a favor.”

As they spoke, another group arrived not far away.

“Wang Xian!” someone shouted his name.

They all turned to see a group ascending to the sixteenth floor and heading straight toward them.

Judging from their clothing, they were from the Lu and Zhuo families.

“Wang Xian, flirting again?” a young man in a green robe said with a smirk. He had a lazy, insolent air about him.

“Zhuo Yuan, watch your mouth,” Wang Xian snapped, his expression darkening. Then he forced a smile and gestured toward his friends. “Allow me to introduce them, Zhuo Yuan of the Zhuo Imperial Clan, and Lu Ming of the Lu Imperial Clan.”

He didn’t bother introducing the others trailing behind them, clearly, they weren’t important.

Shangguan Xian gave a polite nod as acknowledgment.

“Wang Xian, looks like she already has a lover,” Zhuo Yuan said mockingly, glancing at Xu Zimo.

“If you can’t speak properly, shut up,” Wang Xian said sharply.

Even Shangguan Xian’s expression had turned cold.

After all, the word “lover” carried an unpleasant meaning.

“What’s wrong?” Zhuo Yuan said, smiling in disdain. “Come on, Wang Xian, with your family’s power, you could have any woman you wanted. Why bother being so polite? Just take her.”

At that, before Wang Xian could even respond, Shangguan Xian’s voice cut through the air, icy and clear.

“Do you know how annoying you are just standing there? You make me sick. You’re like a mangy dog, unwanted, yet still wagging your tail.”

“Little girl,” Zhuo Yuan sneered, his eyes narrowing, the air around him beginning to stir with menace. “Don’t think that because Wang Xian is here, I won’t touch you. He can’t protect you.”

“I’m not close to him,” Shangguan Xian said evenly. “But if you keep running that filthy mouth, I won’t hesitate to cut you into pieces.”

Her tone was calm, but the threat was real.

Zhuo Yuan laughed instead. “Hear that, Wang Xian? She says she’s not close to you, so you can’t interfere.”

He waved his hand, and several Zhuo Imperial Clan retainers immediately surrounded Shangguan Xian.

“Watch closely,” Zhuo Yuan said with a sneer. “I’ll show you how to tame this girl. Take her down.”

Zhuo Yuan had been one of the participants in the martial contest but had lost earlier.

Now, his frustration found a new target.

As the retainers closed in, Shangguan Xian let out a cold snort.

A spark flared in her palm, the divine flame of the Immortal Spirit.

In the blink of an eye, it erupted outward from her body.

A wave of fire swept across the area, blasting the retainers away in all directions.

Comments