Violet Peak, Mt. Xianshu;
At the third highest peak of the mountain, controlled by the Xianshu sect, four youngsters were panting hard as they lay on the ground; they just finished their spar with the strongest inner disciple of the violet peak.
Yang Zenchao has already entered the prestigious Exalt realm and cannot participate in the tournament. He was merely giving pointers to these juniors who came from far with their elder, who is by the way his acquaintance.
After stopping the spar, Yang Zenchao praised a couple of them, "Miss Ai and Mr. Wang are really skilled at combat. Both of you geniuses can hold off your own against a higher-realm opponent. If luck is on your side, you can enter the top 30."
"Eh? Top 30?" Ai Qing and Wang Teng were surprised. When both of these 5-circle realm Spirit Warriors heard the praise from this good-natured senior, they were hoping for a better ranking figure, not mere top 30, and that too if luck favors them.
As the representatives of the great Wuji sect, it is like humiliating to them. However, they don't want to unnecessarily get into a feud with this genius who had powerful connections.
Wang Teng swallowed his pride and thanked the senior for his evaluation.
"By now, all the qualification matches must have been completed. I'm going to the main peak to check out the list of qualified individuals. Do either of you want to tag along?" Yang Zenchao liked these two juniors because they not only have talent but don't show their arrogance.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtIn his opinion, those who know the ways of the world will do great in their lives. They are worth befriending compared to those who go against the world for the sake of pride.
That is why he extended friendship toward these two worthy individuals, not knowing that their impending doom has already on its way.
Meanwhile, at the bottom of the mountain, Mark was arguing with his fiancée, trying to convince her to not climb with them. The others can only silently look at the couple with mixed feelings.
"My Schatz, there's Baltrow here to take you up. Why do you want to trouble yourself? Listen to me. You can see how high the mountain is."
On the other hand, Song Yue doesn't want to be treated like a princess. She said, "No thank you. I can climb up there. It is only 5 kilometers of hiking right?"
"It isn't as easy as you say." Mark tried to make her understand that trekking is different from walking on the ground. "The path isn't that good. It is narrow and irregular. Or else, we would have taken the carriage to the top."
"That's fine with me. It is not like I'm a civilian and I don't want to depend on it too much." Song Yue continued to be stubborn.
Having no other choice, Mark bent his body and suddenly picked up his fiancée, taking her by surprise.
"Markie, let me down. It is too embarrassing…" Song Yue covered her face in shame as the people were staring at them.
While Lan Ju and Yang Bingwen didn't think anything, the two young couple looked away while blushing, not being able to see such romance in the open as it is too much for them.
As for Song Yun, his feelings were a bit complex. He was after all a conservative man. But then again, after seeing how happy her daughter was, he can only bless them in his heart and acted as if he didn't exist. The two coachmen also behaved like they didn't see anything.
Mark didn't listen to her and said, "I will give you two choices. One, Baltrow will take you there. Two, I will carry you like this all the way up to the top. What will you prefer?"
"You always do things for me and don't let me do anything on my own." As Song Yue puffed her cheeks and complained in a mumble, Mark leaned his head to her ear and whispered, "Well, then, don't do it for free. Let's see… A kiss for every kilometer. How about you repay me with five kisses tonight?"
Song Yue's face immediately turned red upon being teased by her fiancé. She tried to get free while playfully pushing away his chest, "Get lost…"
As Mark refused to put her down, in the end, she resigned to the ultimatum and reluctantly agreed to sit on the manticore's back, although not forgetting to complain that he is a bully.
"Hahaha… cute…"
Mark let out a laugh and put her down before proceeding to Violet Peak, leaving their bicorn carriages at the stables located at the foot of the mountain.
As no one is in a hurry, the mountain hiking lasted for about a couple of hours before finally passing through the gate.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmThe sunset hasn't arrived yet. So, everyone could clearly see the grand elder escorting Mark and others. Combined with Mark and Song Yue's great looks, they attracted so much attention that none of the spectators could turn away their heads and look elsewhere.
As Yang Bingwen was personally escorting them to the lodging areas, from the other side, Yang Zenchao appeared to be walking with the beauty. Both of them were all smiles as they were in their own world, chatting with each other and almost ignoring their surroundings.
Both of the parties were now in a distance where they can see each other and Dong Fang's expression turned sour as soon as he saw them. He couldn't control his emotions and roared in anger, "Ai Qing…"
The beauty beside Yang Zenchao startled for a moment and looked in the direction of the voice. Her face darkened instantly, "Dong Fang? Zi Ling? These guys are alive after all."
As Dong Fang was ready to charge forward and attack her, his arm was caught by Mark. "This is not the right time." Dong Fang didn't dare to move after being warned by Mark but he couldn't help but look at her with hatred. Zi Ling was silent but she too hatefully glared at the woman who she thought was a friend but instead turned out to be a spy from their rival sect.
The two parties walked toward each other amidst the curious gazes of the participants and the inner sect disciples of the Violet Peak.
Yang Zenchao observed the expressions of the girl beside him and the strangers who were beside the grand elder. He neither asked her nor did he leave her side. He accompanied her and calmly greeted the old man. "Grand Elder Yang."
The old man didn't pay attention to either the girl or the people beside him, not intending to involve in their matters. He calmly nodded in response and said, "Zenchao, Go and bring Elder Yang to my residence. Oh, and also inform Patriarch that I'm busy accompanying a distinguished guest. Hence, I cannot meet him at the moment."
From the corner of his eyes, Yang Zenchao took a glance at the people who were tagging along with his great-granduncle. His attention was mostly grabbed by the silent middle-aged-looking fellow and the manticore. As for the others, he didn't spare a glance and cupped his fists, "understand."
"Miss Ai, come…" Yang Zenchao dragged the girl along with him, taking her away from Mark's group. She too was silent after realizing the identity of the grand elder, based on earlier conversation.