C49 Huang Ruoshan(2)

If a man can enter the inner circle, then the decision about the engagement rests entirely with him. Even if he wants the woman to take a lesser role, most families would agree because the significance of being an inner circle disciple of the Four Great Sects far outweighs that of an outer circle disciple. Even if the inner circle disciple never visits the family, just having that title can elevate a family's status.

Many disciples without family ties choose to take on tasks with families of similar strength. Woo Zhengyang's task was one such mission, which explains why Yuwen Feifei's attitude changed so drastically when she learned he was a new disciple.

Knowing this, Woo Zhengyang could only smile wryly, feeling relieved that he was pushed out. Otherwise, it might have ended poorly.

The next day, Bright Sun City was buzzing like never before. Farmers, laborers, craftsmen, merchants, and even socialites were all talking about Woo Zhengyang. Once the son of the celebrated Lau Feixu, and the least favored relative of the Lau mansion, Woo Zhengyang returned after a year, having joined the Profound Heaven Sect.

On the eve of Lau Ruyue's celebration banquet, Woo Zhengyang defeated Sun Wuji, slapped Lau Ruye, and made Lau Ruyue concede. With just one hand, he challenged the younger generation of the Lau mansion, and no one dared to oppose him.

Though these events truly happened, they sounded like a legend, captivating everyone who heard the story.

Certainly, the most thrilling event is the upcoming duel between the Iron Cloud Sect's prodigy, Huang Ruoshan, and Woo Zhengyang. For the small town of Bright Sun City, this is an unprecedented spectacle.

At the city lord's pavilion by the lake, where Woo Zhengyang had recently departed, a conversation unfolds.

"What did you say? The person you're challenging today..."

"Is that kid from the Profound Heaven Sect?"

This unique back-and-forth comes from the Wind Howl Sect's Qian Fang and Qian Yuan brothers.

"Yeah," Huang Ruoshan replies absentmindedly, nodding with a hint of indifference.

"Interesting. We all underestimated him. That kid's got potential. But even so, Brother Huang, there's no need for you to lower yourself to challenge him," remarks Ye Qiufeng from the Blue Moon Sect, sipping his fragrant tea.

"Exactly. Even if he's decent with his fists and feet..."

"He's still practicing an outdated Body Tempering Technique."

"In this era where Body Tempering cultivators are declining..."

"His achievements are insignificant, not worth mentioning," the Qian brothers say, each taking turns.

Huang Ruoshan grins without a word, remaining detached. He's not entirely sure why he challenged Woo Zhengyang yesterday. There's something about Woo that others lack, something intriguing.

"I hope he makes this trip worthwhile," Huang Ruoshan muses to himself.

Among the five individuals, Yuwen Feifei appeared calm on the surface, but inside, she was a bundle of nerves. As the daughter of the city's lord, she hadn't attended the party at the Lau mansion the previous day, but she was well aware of everything that had transpired. She never imagined that someone she hadn't paid much attention to could possess such talent. Recalling her conversation with her father yesterday only added to her turmoil.

Of those who came, Ye Qiufeng, despite being a nine-star Martial Disciple, was already over nineteen. The four major sects required entry into the Martial Master Stage by the age of twenty. Even with his family's support, Ye Qiufeng's chances seemed slim. As for the Qian brothers, Qian Fang and Qian Yuan, both were eight-star Martial Disciples. Together, they were not weaker than Ye Qiufeng, and at just eighteen, they still had some hope. However, they proposed a condition that Yuwen Feifei found hard to accept: they insisted on sharing a wife because they couldn't be separated.

She could tolerate one unattractive husband for the sake of her family, but the thought of two unattractive husbands, who were identical yet one was thin and the other plump, made her want to scream. Then there was Huang Ruoshan, not yet eighteen and an eight-star Martial Disciple, who was actually the best prospect among the three. Yet, since his arrival, he seemed disinterested, no matter how she dressed up, failing to catch his attention, leaving Yuwen Feifei feeling uncertain.

Yesterday, Woo Zhengyang, whom she had dismissed, was not yet sixteen. Though he was only at the first level of pulse refining, his body tempering skills were impressive. Having just joined the sect, no one could predict where he might be in a year.

The rule of strength was everywhere, even in Bright Sun City, where the city lord was chosen based on martial prowess. This led to fierce competition among the city's three major families. The tension between Woo Zhengyang and the Lau family was something the Yuwen family valued highly.

If Huang Ruoshan won today's duel with Woo Zhengyang, Yuwen Feifei would set her sights on Huang Ruoshan. However, if Woo Zhengyang emerged victorious, her father insisted she should swallow her pride and pursue Woo Zhengyang.

Yuwen Feifei regretted her change in attitude that day. She had driven him away, and now it was embarrassing to try to win him over. Even if she humbled herself, Woo Zhengyang was a genius disciple of the Profound Heaven Sect. With his current achievements, a mere invitation from him would have countless women in the country vying for his attention. Even prominent families might gamble by offering a daughter. What leverage did she have to compete?