The cool night was as serene as water, and a solitary lamp burned dimly.
In the study of the outer courtyard of the Xie Family, a dozen people stood in a row, not daring to even breathe loudly. The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
They all hung their heads, waiting for the old man sitting behind the table to speak.
The Elder Xie closed his eyes for a while, then suddenly opened them. Looking at a middle - aged man standing in the middle, he said, "Tomorrow's high - platform martial arts competition. Eldest son, you take your nephew and pick a few good hands. You don't need to show off. Just ensure our family's quota."
The middle - aged man looked up. It was Xie Zhenkai, the head of the Xie Family. At this moment, he looked at the Elder Xie excitedly. "Yes, father. But what about that stinky girl, Nan Chaoyu..."
The Elder Xie gave him a cold look, which made his heart skip a beat. He immediately swallowed the rest of his words and replied respectfully, "Yes, father. I guarantee to complete the task."
"Eldest son, remember, you are the head of the Xie Family, not a hot - headed young man engaging in petty disputes," the Elder Xie said calmly. His words made Xie Zhenkai tremble, and he lowered his head to receive the admonition.
"I know you're angry about Haotian being crippled. So am I. But we can't fight against a more powerful force. What is Nan Chaoyu's current status? And what is our Xie Family's status? We must use our heads in everything."
Hearing the name Xie Haotian, the fingers hidden in Xie Zhenkai's sleeves tightened. Suddenly, he spoke up, "Father, do we have to endure like this? When has our Xie Family ever suffered such a loss? Nan Chaoyu is just a yellow - haired girl. What kind of storm can she stir up!"
"Humph! A yellow - haired girl!" The Elder Xie slapped the table, making everyone's hearts skip a beat. The next sentence made Xie Zhenkai feel extremely ashamed. "You can't even defeat a yellow - haired girl, and you still have the nerve to talk?"
Being scolded by the Elder Xie in front of so many people, Xie Zhenkai's face flushed red. "Father, I was just being overconfident and unprepared!"
"I don't care if you were overconfident. In tomorrow's high - platform martial arts competition, you must not act rashly. There must be many experts around Nan Chaoyu. Don't make a fool of yourself and ruin the important matter!"
Although Xie Zhenkai was not convinced, due to the Elder Xie's authority, he didn't dare to refute at all. "Yes, father. I will definitely not act rashly."
"Alright, you can go," the Elder Xie waved his hand, dismissing everyone. But he pointed at a young man in the corner. "Third son, stay behind."
Hearing this, Xie Zhenkai glanced at the young man, curled his lips in disdain, and left with his men.
The young man stood up and slowly walked towards the Elder Xie. His steps were unsteady. It turned out that he was lame.
Looking at the young man's leg, a flash of pain crossed the Elder Xie's eyes. He asked with concern, "Zhenming, does your leg still hurt?"
Xie Zhenming shook his head. There was no emotion on his pale face, and he said flatly, "It doesn't hurt anymore. Father, do you have any instructions for me?"
The Elder Xie pondered for a moment and said, "Tomorrow's high - platform martial arts competition is crucial to the survival of our Xie Family. I don't trust your elder brother. If you take action, do you have the confidence to win the quota?"
"Father, are you afraid that someone will interfere?"
"Exactly. Nan Chaoyu was the foolish son of the former city lord's mansion, the child given to Haotian by Li Yuejinding. Now she has become the Grand Princess of the Holy Light Empire. Our Xie Family has offended her. Today, I wanted to use the opportunity of the torn page to scheme against her, but unexpectedly, she defused it with one move."
This was a major matter for the Xie Family. Although he didn't want to entangle with Nan Chaoyu, he had to be on guard and not let her ruin everything!
Xie Zhenming was a smart man. He understood the Elder Xie's implication. "Father, do you want me to take action against Nan Chaoyu or just win the quota?"
"If there is a chance to completely get rid of Nan Chaoyu, then do it. If not, act according to the situation!"
*
The next day was a sunny day.
In the square in the center of Dream Sea City, two martial arts arenas that could accommodate three or four hundred people were built.
The square was surrounded by common people who came to watch the excitement. On a temporarily built high - platform on one side of the square, the city's high - ranking officials and their female relatives were seated.
The high - platform martial arts competition before the opening of the Soul - Devouring Sea Secret Realm had a long history.
It was simply a competition where the participants were divided into several groups. They could fight in groups or alone. As long as they could stay on the stage in the end, they were the winners.
For example, this time, a hundred people could enter the Soul - Devouring Sea Secret Realm. The competition was held on two stages, so the last fifty people would be qualified to enter the secret realm.
Ting Lan stood beside Nan Chaoyu. Her eyes swept over the team of more than a dozen people beside them, and then she looked at the three people behind Nan Chaoyu. She said worriedly, "My lady, the other teams have so many people. With just a few of us, can we do it?"
"Don't worry. What's the use of having a large number of people? It's not a war where we need cannon fodder. The one who laughs last is the winner."
Nan Chaoyu was very confident. Her people, if not able to fight against a hundred, could at least fight against ten at the same level.
Ye Yun behind her took over the conversation. "Sister Ting Lan, don't worry. Don't you trust our fighting ability?"
They had experienced so many battles with their lady. A mere martial arts competition was nothing to them!
Seeing their confidence, Ting Lan didn't want to say anything discouraging. She could only exhort them, "You must protect the princess well. You must not let anything happen to her."
Hearing this, Nan Chaoyu frowned and suddenly interrupted, "Ting Lan, it's about to start. Go and watch from there."
Ting Lan nodded and left, looking back every few steps.
After she left, Ye Yun rushed up and stood beside Nan Chaoyu. He asked curiously, "My lady, they all say you're a princess. Are you really a princess?"
Looking at the curiosity in Ye Yun's eyes, without any trace of fear or awe, as if being a princess was a common thing, Nan Chaoyu felt relieved and nodded.
"I'm a princess, but I'm also your lady. So don't slack off in the fight later!"
"I won't," Ye Yun exclaimed like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "I always go all out in every fight. My lady, you're being partial."
Nan Chaoyu rubbed her nose and ignored him. She looked back at Feng Xiao and Feng Ji standing behind her and tentatively asked, "Do you mind my identity?"
Feng Lei answered seriously, "We don't mind. You're always our lady."
And Feng Xiao just simply shook his head, indicating his attitude.
Nan Chaoyu felt relieved. The Ye, Feng, Lei, and Shuang groups were the forces she established after she woke up. These people were her comrades - in - arms.
She had always been reluctant to admit her identity and had even hidden it from the people around her.
Now that she had been given the title of Grand Princess, she was really afraid that these people would not be able to accept her princess identity.
After all, this identity not only brought glory but also more responsibilities and restrictions. No one wanted to be restricted.
Now, hearing the answers from these three people, she suddenly felt confident.
"Sir, there are so many people! What on earth is this Soul - Devouring Sea Secret Realm that can attract so many people?"
Nan Chaoyu was interrupted from her thoughts by a curious question. She turned her head.
Oh, it was really an acquaintance!