An hour later.

Xiao Yueyin and Guo Xinyi left along with the others, returning to their disciples. The colosseum has become packed with people with high anticipation for the competition. For those that were unable to obtain a seat, there was a large screen outside the colosseum that was powered by a couple of runes. It broadcasted the scenes inside.

The burly man, Senior Lin was also present, next to him was Lin Roulan who was eagerly looking everywhere with curiosity.

There were over one hundred and fifty Sects participating in the All Desolate Competition. Each one with hopes to put their name out there to increase their prestige. For the top ten sects, they were rather relaxed, especially the Elders. They sat in separate seats in different areas of the colosseum to observe their disciples.

The participating Sects were divided into ten groups with the top ten sects leading them. They will only be one winner per group. After that, the ten winners will go against each other.

As the competition begins, Ji Xian was drawn to the matches. Underneath his messy long hair, his eyes shined with a subtle clear light. Xia Lihua was beside him, she was also watching with some interest as she was curious about the Divine Arts and cultivation method of this world. She glanced at Ji Xian and was amused seeing how focused he was.

“What are you doing?” She asked.

“Studying.”

Xiao Yueyin and Guo Xinyi were beside Xia Lihua, they had also heard him, and the two of them shared the same confused expression as her.

Studying… fights?

Xia Lihua wanted to ask more questions but Xiao Yueyin suddenly cut in before she could do so.

“Senio- Miss Xia, there is something I need to ask.”

She was feeling conflicted, it was only natural to call Xia Lihua Senior based on her strength but there was something deep down in her soul telling her not to lower herself. Thus, she changed her form of address.

Xia Lihua looked at Xiao Yueyin indifferently and waited for her to continue.

After listening to Ji Xian, she was no longer as cold to Xiao Yueyin as she was before. They belonged to the same lineage after all. But deep down, she still dislikes her. As for why it was too hard to explain.

“Less than a week ago, did you release your pressure at East Solitude Inn?”

“So what if I did?” Said Xia Lihua with a flat tone.

Xiao Yueyin nodded, and her suspicion was confirmed. She breathed out a sigh of relief but inwardly, she was uncomfortable with how indifferent Xia Lihua acted towards her.

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Guo Xinyi was currently shocked, Xiao Yueyin didn’t use her spiritual sense to talk with Xia Lihua so she heard their exchange.

Seeing this, Xiao Yueyin finally explained to her what happened that day minus some details through spiritual sense.

“But I was in the room as well! I didn’t sense anything.” Guo Xinyi exclaimed.

“I don’t know either, everything happened too fast and before I know it, I was unconscious.”

Guo Xinyi looked at Xia Lihua with mixed feelings, she said, “Looks like I was deceived…”

Suddenly, a thought came to her, “Yueyin, you can evenly fight against someone at the Early Stage Holy realm and can last a short while against a Middle Stage Holy realm expert, for you to be defeated so fast, is Xia Lihua…”

Xiao Yueyin nodded seriously, “Yes… she is at least at the Late stage. There also a chance she's at the Peak or maybe… the Extreme.”

“That can’t be! Anyone at that level can already ascend to the Upper World. Why would they remain in the Lower World?”

Guo Xinyi shook her head and continued, “But even if that isn’t the case, how can someone like her be unknown? There are only around a dozen people at the Late stage in Mortal Desolate.”

Xiao Yueyin didn’t reply. She had the same thought. In the past couple of days, she had tried to contact her master, but she never received a reply.

…

Xia Lihua was observing a fight between a disciple from the Dreamless Sect and a disciple from another Sect when she suddenly heard Ji Xian’s voice in her head, “This world is quite strong.”

She raised an eyebrow, “You listened to their conversation?”

She had felt a fluctuation between Xiao Yueyin and Guo Xinyi and knew they were talking to each other using their spiritual sense.

The two of them didn’t have any bad intentions so Xia Lihua didn’t bother to do what Ji Xian did, but even without intercepting their spiritual sense, she already had an idea of what they were talking about.

“Yes. I listened to all their conversations.”

“All?”

She glanced at Ji Xian. Just from his eyes, she can tell that he was cheekily smiling at her underneath his mask and she understood what he meant.

…

After half an hour, the battles intensified with the crowd loudly cheering. The clear light in Ji Xian's eyes faded and he leaned back in his seat before closing his eyes. He looked like he was resting but he was taking in everything he had attained.

When he opened his eyes again, they flickered with a spark before disappearing.

He stood up and stretched his body, “I’ll be right back.”

“Where are you going?” Asked Xia Lihua.

“Just going for a stroll. I’m not going far, after all, I might have to take my own life if I separate too far from you.” Ji Xian teased.

Suddenly being reminded of what she once said, Xia Lihua felt embarrassed and she blushed.

Xiao Yueyin noticed this and her heart skipped a beat, she stared at Xia Lihua, carefully observing her beautiful features and her face reddened, causing Guo Xinyi to suspiciously look at her.

It can't be helped Xia Lihua was just too beautiful!

As Ji Xian leaves, he can feel Xiao Yueyin glaring at him behind his back.

He shook his head and chuckled to himself, finding the situation absurd.

After leaving the colosseum, he walked aimlessly on an empty street and took in the sights around him.

He saw an ordinary old lady selling steamed buns, he found it strange and approached her.

“Granny, why are you selling your buns here? Wouldn’t it be better to sell it near the Colosseum?”

The old lady sighed, “How can I compete with the other vendors, my old bones can’t handle it.”

Ji Xian smiled gently, “I’ll take everything you got. Go home and rest.”

He paid the old lady with mortal currency, gold.

She gratefully accepted the money and handed Ji Xian a large bag filled with steamed buns before leaving.

Lifting his mask, he popped a bun into his mouth and appreciated the taste.

“Miss Hong, why are you here and not participating in the competition?” He suddenly said aloud.

Behind him, standing a hundred feet away was Hong Tian, wearing a bright red robe that looked too big for her. Her dark crimson hair swayed gently to the wind and partially covered the golden flame symbol on her forehead.

“There isn't a need for me to participate."