SWNOVELXO Chapter 175: New Rivals
The bustling capital brimmed with excitement as streams of people made their way toward the grand stadium, the venue for the selection phase of the Dragon and Phoenix Competition.
This wasn't just any stadium—it was the largest in the Azure Sky Empire, capable of holding hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Its towering structure loomed over the city, a testament to the empire's grandeur.
The streets were alive with chatter as people eagerly awaited the arrival of the powerful clans and their renowned participants.
The crowd's attention soon turned to a group approaching from the southern avenue. Your journey continues on empire
"Look! It's the Xu Clan from the Southern Region!"
One man exclaimed, pointing toward a procession clad in green robes embroidered with intricate patterns of leaves and vines.
"They're masters of nature techniques," another added. "I heard their genius, Xu Tian, once killed a Rank 3 monster while still in the Foundation Establishment Stage!"
As the Xu Clan made their way toward the stadium, another group entered.
"It's the Lian Clan from the Northern Region!" a woman gasped.
The clan members walked with an air of icy elegance, their blue and white robes glinting in the sunlight.
"Lian Ling is with them," someone whispered.
"She's already at the Peak Grand Qi Condensation Realm at just 18. Truly a prodigy!"
The crowd buzzed with awe as the Lian Clan passed by, their presence leaving an impression of cold authority.
Not long after, murmurs spread through the crowd again.
"Over there! It's the Lan Clan from the capital!"
The Lan Clan's entourage moved with an imposing grace.
As the Lan Clan disappeared into the stadium, yet another group caught the crowd's attention.
"The Yuan Clan from the Eastern Region is here too!" someone shouted.
The Yuan Clan's participants, dressed in flowing white robes with golden accents, exuded confidence.
"Two of the Yuan Clan geniuses are said to have broken through to the Grand Qi Condensation Realm. The Eastern Region might actually have a chance this year!"
The excitement only grew as another clan approached.
"Look, it's the Feng Clan!"
Finally, Feng Clan also entered with Feng Chen leading them.
"WOW! That should be the Feng Clan Leader, Feng Chen, right? So handsome! It seems like rumors were right!"
"Indeed, a young and powerful person. Pity that his clan was weak, otherwise, decades ago, he might have been able to obtain a good ranking in the Dragon and Phoenix Competition."
"Anyway, I heard that Feng Clan also has a good number of geniuses who were able to climb many steps in Pillar Of Aptitude."
"Their genius Feng Mei climbed to the 17th step and became a direct disciple of the Icy Veil Sect's leader."
"And there is Feng Yun who is said to have climbed to the 18th step of the Pillar of Aptitude!"
With the Feng Clan rising in power, there weren't many who would dare to underestimate the Feng Clan.
Their participants were also highly evaluated by people and felt that they also had a good chance of winning.
As the Feng Clan entered the vicinity of the stadium, their arrival stirred mixed reactions.
For the common people, the Feng Clan represented a story of meteoric rise and untapped potential.
After all, who doesn't love a tale of a powerless individual defying fate to rise to greatness?
For the common people, such stories spark hope and inspiration—and the Feng Clan had become a living example of that dream.
Another reason for their growing admiration was the stark contrast between the Feng Clan and other powerful clans, often criticized for their arrogance and mistreatment of commoners.
The Feng Clan, on the other hand, had a good reputation among common people.
They were known for welcoming anyone with talent, offering fair opportunities and excellent treatment without bias or prejudice.
That's why there were many people who saw the Feng Clan in a positive light.
But among the powerful clans, their presence was met with disdain.
A scoff broke through the murmurs as Shen Ming, the genius of the Shen Clan, regarded the Feng Clan with open disdain.
The Shen Clan's arrival was a spectacle of prestige, their members clad in deep purple robes adorned with intricate silver embroidery, radiating an air of superiority.
Shen Ming, however, seemed more focused on one particular target than basking in his clan's grandeur.
"Feng Clan?" Shen Ming sneered, his lips curling in contempt. "Just an upstart playing at being important."
Beside him, his fellow Shen Clan member, Shen Rui, smirked.
"Still hung up on them, Ming? I thought you'd gotten over that whole Ling Meiyu engagement fiasco."
Shen Ming's gaze darkened, his irritation evident.
"Over it? Hardly. That country boy dared to be engaged to her in the first place. The nerve of someone like him."
Shen Rui chuckled.
"Well, the engagement is broken now, isn't it? You should be happy."
"Happy?"
Shen Ming's voice dripped with venom.
"How can I be happy when that nobody still walks around with his head held high? He's nothing but a stain on her past, and I intend to remind him of his place."
Shen Ming said as if Ling Meiyu was his.
Shen Rui raised an eyebrow, amused.
She didn't find anything wrong with what Shen Ming said. Moreover, the clan also wants Shen Ming to win over Ling Meiyu which not only means having the number one genius of Azure Sky Empire as daughter in law but also alliance with the Ling Clan.
"And how do you plan to do that? Word is, Feng Yun's not just some pushover. He's climbed the Pillar of Aptitude to the 18th step."
"Hmph," Shen Ming scoffed, his expression hardening.
"I don't care if he climbed to the heavens. I'll crush him in front of everyone, especially Ling Meiyu. She'll see who the real genius is then perhaps she will finally accept me."
His eyes scanned the Feng Clan, searching for a familiar face among the crowd.
"But where is he? I don't see him anywhere. Is he hiding? Or is he too much of a coward to show his face?"
Although Shen Ming has never seen Feng Yun, he has collected enough information of how Feng Yun look to be able to tell that he wasn't with the Feng Clan.
Shen Rui smirked again, leaning closer.
"If he doesn't show up, you'll have nothing to prove. Maybe he's smart enough to stay out of the competition this time. He is still young and could participate in the next Dragon and Phoenix Competition."
Shen Ming's jaw tightened, his fists clenching.
"He'll show up. And when he does, I'll make sure he regrets ever crossing my path. I'll humiliate him in front of everyone—especially Ling Meiyu."
With him having people to gather information on Feng Yun, it isn't a surprise for him to know about the three year promise that Feng Yun made with Ling Meiyu.
( Humph! I will beat you before you get a chance to fight with Ling Mieyu. I hope you survive until then! )
Shen Ming thought.
Shen Rui's grin widened.
"Well, this should be entertaining. Let's see if your little country rival has the guts to face you."
Shen Ming said nothing more, his gaze locked on the Feng Clan's members, waiting for his prey to appear.