The dueling arena was permeated with a mysterious and powerful force. The entire expansive arena was paved with black stones, each inscribed with Grand Sage runes that flowed across their surfaces. The energy enveloping the arena emanated from these stones, forming a protective barrier to prevent the area from being damaged during battles.
"A dueling arena at the Grand Sage level!" Though not his first time here, Nan Huairen was once again awed by the vastness and solemn atmosphere.
The disciple named Zhang couldn't help but feel proud. "This dueling arena was personally crafted by our founder. It can withstand the power of Grand Sage-level battles!"
An arena capable of accommodating battles between Grand Sages showcased the profound heritage of the Nine Saints Demon Gate. For many sects, this was indeed something to be proud of.
"Our Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect once had a dueling arena from the Mythical Era..." Nan Huairen couldn't help but murmur, but his voice trailed off, and he chose not to continue.
Indeed, the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect possessed a dueling arena superior to the one before them. Legend had it that Immortal Emperor Ming Ren had moved it directly from the distant depths of the starry sky. It was said that the arena could even withstand the invincible power of an Immortal Emperor.
Unfortunately, for unknown reasons, that arena was later sealed, and no one in the sect had been able to open it since.
"The Four Symbols Stone Statues," Leon Nightfall murmured, his gaze fixed on the four massive stone sculptures at the corners of the arena.
At each corner stood an enormous stone statue, towering over a hundred meters high like giants. Each statue had a unique expression, crafted with astonishing realism, as if sculpted by a master artisan. The carvings were so natural, it seemed as if they had formed on their own.
This was what Leon most wanted to see. Since Sage Nine Saints had passed away, he hadn't visited the Nine Saints Demon Gate, nor had he cared to. He hadn't expected that after countless years, these four stone statues were still there.
While Nan Huairen and his friend were chatting, they didn't notice Leon at first. But soon, the disciple named Zhang frowned and said, "What's that idiot doing?"
Nan Huairen looked over and saw Leon attempting to climb one of the massive stone statues at the eastern corner. However, with his limited abilities, he couldn't reach the top of the hundred-meter-tall statue despite several attempts.
By now, quite a few disciples had gathered around the arena. Seeing Leon acting like a country bumpkin—touching and examining the giant stone statue, murmuring to himself as if he'd never seen anything like it before—many nearby disciples burst into laughter.
The scene made Nan Huairen feel embarrassed. Although these four stone statues weren't sacred relics of the Nine Saints Demon Gate, Leon's behavior—poking and prodding, even trying to climb them—made him seem like a yokel. He didn't know whether to stop Leon or pretend not to know him.
Just as Nan Huairen was feeling awkward, Leon waved at him to come over. Under the gaze of so many onlookers, Nan Huairen felt torn. In the end, he had no choice but to walk over to Leon.
"This statue is a bit tall; help me up," Leon said calmly, unaffected by the crowd's stares.
"Uh..." Nan Huairen was at a loss for words. He genuinely wondered whether Leon was just thick-skinned or simply clueless. In front of so many disciples of the Nine Saints Demon Gate, he was acting like a bumpkin wanting to climb the giant statue. Wasn't this bringing shame upon the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect?
"Are you going to help me up, or shall we continue entertaining everyone?" Leon seemed indifferent, his demeanor relaxed, as if he were the one watching the show.
With so many eyes on them, what could Nan Huairen do? Gritting his teeth, he grabbed Leon and leapt up onto the massive stone statue.
Leon sat comfortably on the statue's shoulder, leisurely swinging his legs and gazing out over the Nine Saints Demon Gate, taking in the vast mountains and rivers.
Nan Huairen, lacking Leon's thick skin, quickly jumped down to stand aside. He wanted to leave but couldn't just abandon Leon up there. If Leon couldn't get down and was left hanging, it would only bring further embarrassment to their sect.
As for Zhang, Nan Huairen's friend, he didn't want to stay and be humiliated any longer. Without even saying goodbye, he turned and left.
"Hmph! The people from the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect are nothing but rude country bumpkins!" Some disciples of the Nine Saints Demon Gate scoffed upon seeing Leon sitting atop the statue.
"He really thinks he's some big shot, daring to sit up there. He should take a good look at himself!" Another disciple sneered.
Many of the disciples were displeased with Leon's outrageous behavior. As for Leon himself, he paid them no mind, sitting on the stone statue's shoulder, leisurely swinging his legs and chatting away as if conversing with the statue.
To others, his behavior was that of a fool—utterly oblivious.
The situation made Nan Huairen feel extremely awkward. He wished he could leave immediately but couldn't just abandon Leon.
Leon, however, showed no awareness of causing any embarrassment. He remained relaxed, seemingly engrossed in a conversation with the stone statue.
Time dragged on, making Nan Huairen feel like he was sitting on pins and needles. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Leon seemed to have had enough and waved for Nan Huairen.
Feeling relieved, Nan Huairen quickly leapt up, helped Leon down, and immediately suggested, "Senior Brother, it's getting late. Let's head back." He didn't want to wander around with Leon any longer, fearing he might do something else outrageous.
Leon merely smiled at Nan Huairen's attitude and nodded lightly.
"Bah!" Unable to bear Leon's calm demeanor, one of the Nine Saints Demon Gate disciples sneered at him. "The Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect is just a worthless, unranked sect. A nobody like you dares to dream of marrying our Senior Sister? You're nothing but a toad lusting after a swan!"
Directly provoked, Leon slowly turned to look at the disciple, replying calmly, "Marry your Senior Sister? You're giving yourself too much credit. Even if a celestial fairy wanted to marry me, I'd have to think it over. Let alone your Senior Sister."
"You insolent fool!" Leon's words instantly ignited the crowd's anger. Many of the male disciples present were admirers of Li Shuangyan, and they glared at Leon with fury.
"Peace, peace," Nan Huairen was terrified, his back breaking out in cold sweat. He quickly grabbed Leon and began to lead him away. He didn't want to let Leon stay any longer.
"Coward! If you've got guts, don't run!" Some disciples shouted angrily. If Leon and Nan Huairen weren't guests, they might have chased after them to teach Leon a lesson.
Practically dragging Leon back to the small courtyard, Nan Huairen finally breathed a sigh of relief. He was still shaken and began to wonder whether Leon was just arrogant or genuinely clueless.
"Senior Brother, we can't afford to offend the Nine Saints Demon Gate. It's better to take a step back; patience is a virtue," Nan Huairen couldn't help but advise Leon. It wasn't just for Leon's sake; he didn't want to lose his own life there.
"What's there to tolerate?" Leon replied calmly. "If soldiers come, we'll fight them; if water floods, we'll block it."
Nan Huairen was at a loss. Dealing with someone like this was asking for trouble. He began to regret taking on this task.
The matter of the marriage alliance between the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect and the Nine Saints Demon Gate had caused great dissatisfaction among many of the younger disciples in the Nine Saints Demon Gate. Li Shuangyan was the pride of the sect, admired by countless young male disciples. The idea that she might be betrothed to the chief disciple of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect naturally angered them.
To them, the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect was a declining, unranked sect, unworthy of forming an alliance with their sect—especially when their chief disciple was a mere mortal waste.
The prospect of the alliance tarnished the image of their goddess in the hearts of many young male disciples. Some wished they could crush Leon then and there.
Du Yuanguang was one such disciple who couldn't stand Leon. An outer disciple of the Nine Saints Demon Gate, Du Yuanguang had excellent talent and was known as a budding genius. In just five years since joining, he had reached the peak of the Palace Expansion realm. After passing this year's assessment, he would become a key disciple of the sect.
Du Yuanguang was one of the disciples most infatuated with Li Shuangyan. When he had been recruited into the sect, it was Li Shuangyan herself who had overseen the selection.
From the moment he first saw Li Shuangyan, Du Yuanguang was captivated by her beauty. Being chosen by her to join the sect, he believed she favored him.
Confident in his talent, Du Yuanguang hoped that one day he could cultivate alongside Li Shuangyan and become her Dao companion.
Now, out of nowhere, came news of a marriage alliance with the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect, filling Du Yuanguang with hatred for Leon, whom he'd never met. Especially after hearing about Leon's dismissive remarks about Li Shuangyan at the dueling arena, Du Yuanguang's anger soared.
"That ignorant brat courting death! A mere mortal waste dares to boast shamelessly—an arrogant and ignorant fool. If I don't teach him a lesson, he'll never know how high the heavens are or how deep the earth is!" With these thoughts, Du Yuanguang's eyes flashed coldly, murderous intent surging.