Chapter 971: Chapter 971: Competition

    Many people witnessed this scene: how did Qin Hao and his two companions end up on the Duke’s residence carriage? Are they heading to the Duke’s residence?

    Last night Qin Hao almost killed the Duke’s heir, so what’s the purpose of going to the Duke’s residence today?

    It seems the Duke’s residence has invited Qin Hao. Could it be that they plan to ambush and eliminate him?

    That possibility is unlikely. Qin Hao’s combat power is terrifying; if the battle takes place in the Duke’s residence, it might demolish half of it.

    It’s very likely that the Duke’s residence is extending an olive branch to Qin Hao, as a young genius like him is extremely rare, it’s better to befriend than to offend.

    The Duke’s residence.

    The beast-driven carriage descended into the front yard of the Duke’s residence. Upon disembarking from the carriage, Mr. Gao spoke, “Mr. Qin, please come with me.”

    Under Mr. Gao’s guidance, Qin Hao and his two companions walked through a corridor, passed several halls, and arrived at the expansive rear garden of the Duke’s residence.

    Reaching the inner yard, where flowers were in full bloom, and there was the chirping of birds, fragrance of flowers, ponds, pavilions, spirit beasts, ancient trees—truly a paradise.

    After a short distance, Qin Hao arrived outside a pavilion where a middle-aged man dressed in luxurious robes sat. The front of his robe was embroidered with an ancient fierce beast, and on a grassy area outside the pavilion, three young men and women were honing their martial skills.

    “Duke, Mr. Qin is here.” Mr. Gao stood respectfully outside the pavilion and said.

    Gao Yuan turned around, stood up, and said, “Please have Mr. Qin come in and take a seat.”

    Qin Hao and his companions entered the pavilion and sat on jade stone stools, which were made from special jade stones that made the body feel warm all over, and the speed of cultivation technique operation would unconsciously increase a bit.

    Pretty maidservants soon brought up some spirit fruits and snacks.

    Gao Yuan looked at Qin Hao with a full smile and said, “Mr. Qin, we can say we got acquainted after a fight. My son was young and impulsive, if there was any offense, I hope Mr. Qin does not mind.”

    Qin Hao: “It was just a sparring match, Duke, you’re overthinking it; I didn’t take it to heart.”

    Gao Yuan smiled faintly, turned to the two men and one woman outside the pavilion, and said, “Linglong, the three of you come over.”

    Gao Zhan Tian, Gao Youwei, and Gao Linglong walked into the pavilion and stood behind Gao Yuan.

    Gao Yuan smiled at Qin Hao and said, “Mr. Qin, these are three children I think highly of; what do you think of them?”

    Qin Hao nodded and said, “They all have great talent for cultivation, their future may be far greater than Duke Gao’s.”

    He was speaking the truth, these three siblings, each more terrifying than the other, Gao Youwei was in the Late Stage Grandmaster Realm and had a great potential to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm in the future.

    Gao Zhan Tian was also in the Late Stage Grandmaster Realm, and Gao Linglong had just reached the Peak of the Grandmaster Realm; judging by her aura, she seemed to have just broken through and not yet stabilized.

    Gao Yuan laughed heartily. Clearly, he was also very satisfied with his three children: “It’s their honor to be praised by Mr. Qin.”

    Gao Youwei’s expression was a bit complicated, not realizing how naturally his father conversed and laughed with Qin Hao.

    Gao Linglong felt somewhat unconvinced: “I heard Mr. Qin’s combat power is astounding, and I would like to learn from him.”

    Gao Yuan’s expression faltered: “Linglong, don’t be disrespectful. Even though Mr. Qin’s realm is not high, his grasp of the rules of heaven and earth is very strong, and his sword qi moves with his heart. Such an understanding of Sword Dao even I cannot achieve.”

    Gao Linglong was his beloved daughter, and she was very promising, having just reached the Peak of the Grandmaster Realm, very close to the Heavenly Human Realm.

    “Father, it’s because I heard that Mr. Qin is very powerful, and he defeated my brother last night, so I wanted to spar with Mr. Qin,” Gao Linglong said, pouting her rosy lips.

    She was also very beautiful, with a fiery figure, a perfect face inherited from her mother, exquisitely beautiful.

    Xian Yin spoke, “If Princess Gao wishes to spar, perhaps I could spar with her first. If she wins, she may challenge my master later.”

    Everyone’s eyes inevitably turned to Xian Yin, and upon seeing her appearance and figure, they couldn’t help but sigh in their hearts: What a peerless beauty!

    Gao Linglong was about to speak when Qin Hao opened his mouth and said, “This is Xian Yin; her strength is also formidable. If Princess Gao can defeat her, then challenge me.”

    “Very well, Miss Xian Yin, please.” Gao Linglong nodded in agreement upon hearing his words.

    She did not believe that a woman by Qin Hao’s side could be so formidable.

    Gao Yuan spoke, “Just demonstrate your skills, do not injure each other.” With that, he tossed an object from his hand.

    That object expanded in the wind, eventually becoming a large arena in the air.

    Gao Linglong and Xian Yin flew up, and once both sides were prepared, they started their match.

    Gao Zhan Tian and Gao Youwei watched the two on the arena intently, disbelieving that any woman by Qin Hao’s side could be so extraordinary.

    Gao Yuan also found it hard to believe; his eyes fixed on the two in the arena. When the two engaged, the strength Xian Yin exhibited made Gao Yuan’s eyes narrow slightly.

    Very strong, this Xian Yin is very strong, not falling behind in the fight with his daughter. Her movement technique and musical attack are impressive, even overpowering his daughter in that aspect.

    The two fought on the arena for over half an hour, through hundreds of rounds, unable to gain the upper hand.

    Gao Linglong unleashed her strongest Divine Skills, and Xian Yin left no reserve, engaging in a fierce clash.

    “Alright, Linglong, step down now.” Gao Yuan spoke at this moment.

    Continuing would mean little; Xian Yin’s movement technique and attacking Divine Skills were very strong and impressive. If she further improved even a small realm, his daughter might be no match.

    After separating from Xian Yin, Gao Linglong looked at her and said, “Miss Xian Yin, your skills are extraordinary, Linglong is impressed.”

    Xian Yin smiled gently, “I am simply benefited in movement and Divine Skills. If Princess Gao in the future learns powerful movement and Divine Skills, she could easily defeat me.”

    Gao Linglong chuckled, “Miss Xian Yin is too modest.”

    The two descended from the air arena, returned to the pavilion, and Gao Linglong said to Qin Hao, “Mr. Qin, if I was rude earlier, I hope you’ll forgive me.”

    Qin Hao smiled slightly, “Princess Gao, there’s no need to be polite; it’s human nature.”

    Gao Yuan laughed heartily, “Mr. Qin is indeed a person of good character. The reason I invited Mr. Qin here today is to discuss something with you.”

    “Duke Gao, please speak freely.”

    Gao Yuan: “Mr. Qin, are you aware of the century-old young talents selection tournament on the Southern Continent?”

    Young talents selection tournament?

    Qin Hao shook his head, “I wasn’t aware of this.”

    Gao Yuan: “The Southern Continent’s young talents selection tournament happens once every century. The young talents selected from the various empires and kingdoms of the Southern Continent will gather at the Southern Continent Heavenly Earth Academy to witness this once-in-a-century grand event. The Skyfire Dynasty will likely announce the competition in the next couple of days.

    All young generations from the Skyfire Dynasty, under the age of thirty, can register to participate. Only the top five ranked in the entire dynasty can proceed to participate in the Southern Continent’s grand competition.”