CHAPTER 1681: CHAPTER 1684: BLASTED AWAY

The Heavenly Dynasty Empire is clearly looked down upon by the forces of the White Tiger Continent. This is quite normal, as they are neither vassals of the Four Great Empires and Zhengyi Sect, nor do they have the qualifications to stand on equal footing with them.

"How insolent, this young hero is asking you a question, have you become mute?"

One person in the crowd stood up in violent anger, glaring at Ling Xiao, evidently furious.

"Stay calm, stay calm, this is a banquet today. Let’s not get angry."

Fan Ruohai said with a smile, and that person swallowed back their curse words and sat down.

This is the awe that comes from strength and influence.

These people present are simply in fear of Fan Ruohai, which is why they listen to him.

"Brother Ling, right? Are you here to participate in the White Tiger Summit?"

Fan Ruohai looked at Ling Xiao again and asked with a smile.

Fan Ruohai is already over thirty years old. Although only thirty-two, he no longer has the qualification to participate in the White Tiger Summit.

However, his maid Mu Wan Shuang is only twenty-two and does have this qualification.

The young people present here all have the qualification to participate in the White Tiger Summit as martial artists.

Whether they eventually can go still depends on the changes of circumstances in the coming days.

But for now, they are all potential contestants.

The same goes for Ling Xiao, who might be killed at any time, just like what happened on the ninth layer before.

"Indeed!"

Ling Xiao answered Fan Ruohai with an unyielding gaze.

Although he couldn’t see through Fan Ruohai, he also didn’t need to be afraid.

How could the heart of a martial artist speak of fear?

Upon hearing Ling Xiao’s words, everyone began to discuss fervently.

After all, Ling Xiao appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen years old, quite young indeed.

Generally, according to previous data from the White Tiger Summit, among the martial artists who finally participate, there are only a few under the age of twenty. The rest are between twenty and thirty years old.

The closer to thirty, the more the number of martial artists.

This is quite normal, considering the years of cultivation. Usually, unless one is a peerless prodigy, the differences are unlikely to be that vast.

Ling Xiao, at this age, was selected to participate by the people of Dragon and Phoenix Mountain. Although not officially recognized yet, this already attests to his remarkable talent.

However, even so, Ling Xiao is still looked down upon.

For in the eyes of the martial artists from the White Tiger Continent, martial artists from the Heavenly Dragon Continent and the Divine Phoenix Continent are not qualified to compete on the same stage with them.

This time, the rules of the White Tiger Summit were changed to include young martial artists from the Heavenly Dragon Continent and the Divine Phoenix Continent, which met with a lot of opposition.

But this was the result of discussions between the Four Great Empires and the Zhengyi Sect, and there’s hardly anyone who can change it.

However, those people, even if unable to change the rules, can still disdain the martial artists from the Dragon and Phoenix Continents.

Just like the martial artist who was previously ignored by Ling Xiao.

At this moment, he stood up again.

Wearing a green battle robe, he looked exceptionally eye-catching.

"Hahaha, is this the quality of the Dragon and Phoenix Continent? Truly laughable. I advise you to get back to your kennel as soon as possible. This is no place for a child like you.

Otherwise, if you die, no one will pity you."

His voice was filled with strong mockery.

The banquet erupted in laughter.

Almost all the martial artists believed that what the green-robed man said was correct.

Their laughter was filled with disdain and strong contempt for Ling Xiao.

Only Fan Ruohai and Mu Wan Shuang remained indifferent.

Fan Ruohai still carried an inscrutable demeanor, lazily sitting there, as if watching a show.

Mu Wan Shuang remained ice-cold, her eyes only seeming to allow for Fan Ruohai, ignoring all others.

In fact, it’s no wonder those people mocked Ling Xiao.

It’s well known that those with a cultivation level of the Yin-Yang Realm Fourth Layer at previous White Tiger Summits truly were only qualified to be stepping stones, without any chance of achieving results.

In the end, they would leave in gray defeat, embarrassed.

To put it nicely, they were there to compete.

To put it bluntly, they were just there to serve as foils.

Ling Xiao certainly knew these people’s thoughts.

He had also seen previous data from the White Tiger Summit; martial artists with a cultivation level of the Yin-Yang Realm Fourth Layer were usually eliminated in the first round.

Some couldn’t even enter the official competition, inexplicably dying upon reaching the Empire’s capital.

To have a fair chance at entering the official competition of the White Tiger Summit, one at least needs to reach the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer. Only then can one barely be eligible to enter the official competition.

Moreover, this is merely eligibility—the outcome is entirely up to luck.

Encountering formidable opponents spells doom.

Of course, this statement is based merely on ordinary martial artists; for talented prodigies or monsters, it’s another matter.

In previous White Tiger Summits, there were cases of those defeating opponents two levels above them, albeit very rare.

Yet, the martial artists of the Heavenly Dynasty Empire are an unusual lot.

Though the martial artists of the White Tiger Continent have excellent cultivation conditions and environments.

The competition among martial artists from the Heavenly Dragon and Divine Phoenix Continents is more fierce, with fewer prodigies, making it harder to stand out.

Those who do, are often the cream of the crop.

One could say the martial artists from the Heavenly Dynasty Empire represent the pinnacle of the Heavenly Dragon and Divine Phoenix Continents.

While the twenty-plus people present here are excellent, except for Fan Ruohai and Mu Wan Shuang, they can’t be considered at the top.

"Heh, do you mean if a wretch like you dies, someone would pity you? You’re merely at the Yin-Yang Realm Fifth Layer, a level higher than me, but you’re older by a decade or so, right? Just how shameless are you to dare mock me?"

Ling Xiao chuckled, turning to that person with a retort.

Those familiar with Ling Xiao know this guy is not only fearfully capable but also quick with his tongue.

His words brimmed with provocation and ridicule.

"Insolent! A martial artist from a tiny rebellious country, daring to spout nonsense here in the grand Qijing Tower, truly has a death wish!"

The green-robed man’s chest heaved with anger, unable to contain his rage.

"Heh, maybe it’s not me who’s spouting nonsense?"

Ling Xiao coldly laughed, "I came to the White Tiger Continent and saw many inspiring and worth-learning people and things.

Such as the profound Qijing Tower.

But also some disappointing things, like you, trash, holding a spot in the White Tiger Summit, laughable really."

"You court death!"

The green-robed man finally lost all his rage.

Ignoring Fan Ruohai’s presence, he suddenly burst forth, lunging at Ling Xiao.

Facing the green-robed man’s attack, Ling Xiao didn’t even glance, letting the fist land on his head.

"Are you just scratching me?"

Ling Xiao sneered, suddenly retaliating with a punch, sending the green-robed man flying out the window.

"Apologies, for disturbing everyone’s enjoyment, please continue."

After knocking the green-robed man flying, many people’s gazes toward Ling Xiao changed.

After all, martial artists uphold the strong.