Xiao Ning stood on the edge of the training ground converted into a temporary duel arena and looked around with interest.
In the middle, there was a solid ground made from precious stone that showed the heritage of the Misty Cloud Sect.
On the sides stood newly constructed raised wooden platforms for the audience.
Finally, in the front, there were five raised stone pillars, and on the top were five stone chairs.
On the back of each chair, there was a symbol painted in red, representing different forces.
Among five, two chairs were reserved for the Misty Cloud Sect, and the rest were for the royal family, the Nalan clan, and the Xiao clan.
After quickly looking at the arrangement, Xiao Ning glanced at the people present and clicked his tongue.
On the front row of the wooden platforms, the Misty Cloud Sect's disciples wearing moon-white robes, sat with their backs straight. Xiao Ning could feel that even their breathing was synchronized.
Once again, the heritage of the Misty Cloud Sect refreshed Xiao Ning's view. Hundreds of disciples sat in an orderly manner, with their collective momentum as one.
It was a simple but powerful formation, and once they struck, it could bring down a Dou King; even a Dou Emperor needed to be careful.
...
At this moment, everyone's eyes were glued to Xiao Ning's figure, and they waited for his next actions.
In the crowd, there was no shortage of smart people; who instantly understood Misty Cloud Sect's plan after they saw the five stone pillars.
At first glance, the seat seemed to have been prepared for the Xiao Clan, but there was no other way to the top apart from flying.
It was another open trap laid by the Misty Cloud Sect for Xiao Ning and the Xiao Clan behind him.
If Xiao Ning couldn't even sit in the position prepared for him, that only showed his incompetence and that he wasn't qualified to negotiate with them.
Xiao Ning naturally saw through their intentions for setting up five stone pillars and sneered. The next moment under the gaze of countless people, a pair of golden wings emerged from his back, and wisps of dark-golden flame flashed in them.
"Swish," With a single flap of his wings, Xiao Ning disappeared from the ground and appeared in front of the chair designated for him. Under the shocked gaze of the crowd, he elegantly sat on the chair and closed his eyes. He was too lazy to pay attention to them.
The crowd who came to watch the excitement were shocked by his actions, and the hundreds of Misty Cloud Sect's disciples looked at Xiao Ning with mixed emotions.
...
As the time passed, the important ones began arriving on the scene.
Mu Chen, the clan leader of the Mu Clan, was the first to arrive, followed by Nalan Jie, the head of the Nalan Clan.
Before they could greet each other, two more people flew down. They were Fa Ma, the president of the Alchemy Association, and Primer Tengshan, the grand elder of the Primer clan.
Three Dou Kings and a Dou Emperor stood together. Their presence silenced the crowd.
Nalan Jie waved his hand and greeted the other three. The four chatted for a moment and strode towards their seats.
The moment they turned around, apart from Nalan Jie, the faces of the remaining three darkened. They saw the five stone pillars in the front, and apart from the Nalan Clan, the other three forces did not have a seat.
Although their faces were ugly, still considering the occasion, the three did not make a fuss and chose to bear it. On the other hand, Nalan Jie smiled lightly as he flew toward his seat.
He felt because of his granddaughter Nalan Yanran the Misty Cloud Sect provided him with a place.
It showed the importance the sect paid to his baby granddaughter. Nalan Jie sat with his back straight, and it seemed as if this old man had become a few decades younger and returned back to his youth.
Xiao Ning opened his eyes and glanced strangely at the old man smirking weirdly beside him. He wisely chose to close his eyes and ignore this weirdo.
Nalan Jie, who was feeling proud of his granddaughter, didn't know that he had been labeled as a weirdo by Xiao Ning, whom he never paid attention to since the moment he arrived.
...
As the two were immersed in their thoughts, a group of old people led by two breathtaking beauties walked to the middle of the field. All disciples present stood up together, bowed, and saluted, "Sect master, young sect lord."
It was none other than Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran; behind them were the elders of the sect.
Yun Yun looked around, a gratified look flashed in her eyes, and she waved her hand, gesturing for everyone to take their seats. "Do your best and leave the rest to the teacher," Yun Yun spoke softly to Nalan Yanran next to her and flew up to her seat.
She nodded slightly at Nalan Jie and Xiao Ning on her left. Nalan Jie responded, and the next moment his eyes flickered as he looked at Xiao Ning. He felt he could not see through the young man sitting next to him.
Yun Yun, on the other hand, looked deeply at the young face sitting on her left side. "Xiao Patirach, you are here."
Xiao Ning nodded and responded politely, "Sect Master of Misty Cloud Sect invited; how can my small Xiao Clan not give you a face."
Yun Yun snorted lightly; she understood the other party was retaliating against her for the recent events. Then, she no longer paid attention to him and nodded at the old man on her right.
It was Jia Xing Tian, the guardian of the royal family. He silently appeared out of thin air, and it seemed like this old man was showing his power.
Now, four of the five seats were occupied by their owners, and the last remaining seat was for the grand elder Yun Leng.
...
As the one with the most responsibilities, Yun Leng looked around to check if everything was up to mark.
The moment he flew toward his seat, the surrounding temperature began to drop, clouds began to gather above the sect, and an old man's voice sounded, "Will you be kind enough to lend this old man your seat."
The next moment, an old man in a blue robe with sharp eyes sat in Yun Leng's seat without waiting for him to react.
Yun Leng stood in the air, stunned; he couldn't believe someone would threaten him inside the sect.
Yun Yun looked at the old man sitting beside Jia Xing Tian and spoke in an icy voice, "Ice Emperor, should I consider your words as a provocation towards my sect?" She fully showed the majesty of a sect leader.
Hai Bo Dong's eyes narrowed, and ice began to form in the air surrounding him. His actions were clear; he was never the one who ran away from a fight.
Jia Xing Tian, who was sandwiched between them, rubbed his forehead, and a troubled expression formed on his face. "Sect Leader Yun, let it slide for my sake." Then he glared at Hai Bo Dong, who had an arrogant expression.
Yun Yun glanced coldly at Hai Bo Dong and turned her head. Her action clearly meant that she gave the royal family face.
Yun Leng, the person involved, had an ugly face. Even as he retreated, his eyes were fixed on Hai Bo Dong as if the next instant, he would attack the latter.
...
Xiao Ning was least concerned about them; he carefully looked at the young figure in black clothes with a ruler on his back. He wasn't the only one; Nalan Yanran also stared at the somewhat mature face.
While others were bickering, the protagonist of today's duel had arrived.