Apart from Yun Jin, who was the likely candidate, and a dazed Qian Xiao, the other twenty-one young Martial Artists all stared over with strange expressions.

Your dad? Who the hell is your dad?

Deng Shu of the Penglai Sword Pavilion sneered. "The one with the wooden sword claiming he'd leave his name on the Sword Ranking was already the funniest joke I've heard all year. I can't believe there's another one like you."

Another sect disciple laughed as well. "Little girl, you may not know this, but only a peerless powerhouse can leave their name on that Sword Ranking. Your father, I'm afraid…"

He didn't finish his sentence, but everyone present knew what he meant.

Facing their doubt, Xu Yiyi puffed up her cheeks and declared word by word, "My dad is the most powerful person in the world! It has to be him!"

"Uncle Xu can fly, make cloud candy, and even took us to Sea City! He can definitely do it," Qian Xiao chimed in.

Deng Shu and the others curled their lips, paying no more mind to the children. They're strong, but their brains are addled. If your dad and uncle really left their names on the Sword Ranking, I'll eat that entire mountain, bite by bite! And Sea City… Do you have any idea how dangerous Sea City is? Even those in the Divine Gate Realm have to tread carefully. Being able to get in and out alive is a blessing from the heavens.

With those thoughts, the group dispersed unhappily.

Yiyi was still sulking. Dad is so amazing, yet they doubted him. This is outrageous!

Little Glutton consoled her, "Yiyi, don't be angry. They're just a bunch of kids. Don't lower yourself to their level."

"Yeah!" Yiyi said with dissatisfaction, "What a lousy competition. Let's go home, we're not playing anymore."

"...Huh?"

Deng Shu and the others raised their eyebrows. "You want to withdraw? Be my guest."

Nobody cared if they withdrew. In fact, it would be better if they did. With three strong competitors gone, everyone else had a better chance of securing a good ranking.

"You're just lucky! Otherwise, when the competition started, we'd beat the shit out of you!" Qian Xiao muttered defiantly.

"What did you say?!" a young girl in a Daoist robe demanded, her voice cold as ice.

She came from the Dao Sect, one of the Three Sects, and was a leading figure among its younger generation. Although only twelve years old, the Dao Arts she cultivated were comparable to a peak Fifth Grade Martial Artist's, so she naturally carried herself with pride.

"I was talking to you! What about it?!" Though short, Qian Xiao was full of spirit and not the least bit intimidated. "And you, you, you, and you! I could take all of you on without a problem!"

Deng Shu was so angry his nose was practically crooked.

The One Faction, Three Sects, and Nine Pavilions. These were all hidden sects with legacies spanning thousands of years. They considered themselves the orthodox path of Cultivation, so their disciples naturally felt a sense of superiority over the Loose Cultivators of the outside world. Therefore, when challenged by a few Loose Cultivators—mere bean sprouts at that—they were all furious.

"My apologies," Yun Jin said, trying to smooth things over. "My two friends are a bit blunt, please don't take it to heart."

"Yun Jin, you—" Qian Xiao's eyes widened. This traitor! He's actually scared!

"Then kneel and apologize," another sect disciple said menacingly. A Martial Arts Grandmaster was not to be insulted, so how could they, disciples of the great sects, tolerate being humiliated!

The One Faction, Three Sects, and Nine Pavilions had been hidden for too long. Perhaps the world had forgotten the terror of these thirteen sects. Today, they would let these bean sprouts and the thousand Martial Artists in the stands know that the Holy Lands of the thirteen sects remained inviolable!

"Ah, kneel? No, no, no, you've misunderstood." Yun Jin revealed an innocent, radiant smile. "My friends didn't express themselves clearly. Allow me to rephrase for them. Everyone here, and I mean every single one of you, is—"

"Trash!"

Yun Jin enunciated each word. "And you want us to kneel and apologize? Let me ask you one thing: Who the hell do you think you are? Are you worthy?!"

"..."

Silence. The youths fell silent once more.

From the distant spectator stands, the audience could see the twenty-three prodigies gathered together, but they couldn't hear what was being said. Seeing them conversing so amicably, they felt a sense of deep relief. This is the future of Hua Country's Martial Dao. Look how harmonious they are!

The three Ninth Grade Martial Ancestors, led by Xu Wandao, were busy discussing the next stage of the competition and failed to notice the tense atmosphere brewing in the arena.

By the time they reacted, it was already too late.

"Kill!"

The girl from the Dao Sect and Deng Shu from the Penglai Sword Pavilion attacked first. One formed a talisman with a flick of her fingers. The other tossed aside his wooden sword, and a slender silver sword flashed into his hand; its silvery glow made it clear it was no ordinary item.

But what was most shocking was that this thirteen-year-old boy actually possessed a precious storage-type treasure.

As the two made their move, the other eleven disciples from the sects acted at once. They had always stuck together through thick and thin, so how could they stand idly by now!

"Xu Die, what should we do...?" the little boy behind Xu Die asked anxiously.

"You stay back. I'll help them!" Xu Die replied, still holding her wooden sword as her Sword Intent began to spread, ready to aid Xu Yiyi.

"Huh?" The little boy was confused. "But they insulted us, too..."

"We're helping them anyway."

Xu Die didn't know why, but she felt an inexplicable familiarity with Xu Yiyi. It was like the Moonlight Butterfly from that night, so she didn't hesitate to stand by Xu Yiyi's side.

Only—she was overthinking things.

Before she could even make a move, the little girl who had called everyone trash tilted her head and beamed.

It'd be great if I could eat them. What a pity, I can't. Since I can't eat them, I might as well teach these little kids a lesson and show them there's always a bigger fish in the sea!

"Leave it to me," Yun Jin said, then simply let out a yawn. "I'll count to three. Anyone who hasn't retreated in three seconds will face the consequences. Three—"

Her words were directed at Deng Shu, the girl from the Dao Sect, and the other attacking disciples, not at Xu Die or the other bystanders.

"Ridiculous!" Deng Shu snorted. "Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents! Sword, come!"

Deng Shu tossed the silver sword into the air. In an instant, it multiplied into ten identical swords, each radiating a chilling killing intent!

"Two."

Little Glutton acted as if she hadn't even seen the attacks. Just as the first silver sword was an inch from her forehead, she smiled. "One. You didn't listen, you know."

As the last word left her lips, a terrifying aura erupted from her.

Dark clouds instantly enveloped the sky above the Martial Dao Association's Martial Practice Field, and bolts of lightning crackled within them. It was a celestial phenomenon caused by her sheer pressure!

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

The attacks from the thirteen attacking sect disciples all shattered. Their pupils shrank in unison. Whose pressure is this? How can it be so terrifying?!

Before they could even think, the pressure slammed down on them like a tidal wave, forcing all thirteen, including Deng Shu, to spit out a mouthful of blood, their faces turning deathly pale.

At the same time, their souls trembled, their legs buckled uncontrollably, and the primal instinct of fear forced them to their knees

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