Yuan locked eyes with Chen Ming, a quiet curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Are you participating in Fighting Competition after this?"
Chen Ming released an aura of arrogance, his demeanor imposing. "Why? You want to challenge me?"
Yuan shook his head, his face calm. "No, I have no interest in competing with you. Besides, with your level of strength, I doubt you can do much."
"What?" Chen Ming turned completely silent in shock after Yuan finished speaking.
The onlookers drew closer, hoping for a good show. After all, they were all young people filled with youth energy and vigor. They all expected sparks to fly between the two young men.
"You son of a—Explain yourself." Chen Ming roared, his voice echoing off the arena walls.
"I can assure you, there are more than ten people stronger than you here," Yuan replied, his tone unwavering. Although he had never cultivated in the conventional sense, his senses trained in between the life-threatening dangers in the forest were far sharper than any of these participants.
The contestants went quiet, absorbing Yuan's words. If more than 10 people were stronger than Chen Ming here, then what about the other sections? And what about the contestants participating directly in Fighting Competition?
In a sense, Yuan was right. No one can say that he was the strongest and be certain of victory, especially in Fighting Competition. There were many hidden dragons and crouching tigers in the world.
Just then, a voice cut through the tension. "Chen Ming, why are you wasting your time talking to a cripple?"
Heads turned to see a young man clad in purple, striding confidently toward them. Chen Ming immediately calmed down, quickly restricting his aura. "Cai Shuan, what do you mean by that? Are you trying to defend him?" he asked in a forced voice.
Cai Shuan halted before Chen Ming, a smirk curling his lips as he eyed Yuan with undisguised disdain. "I'm not here to 'save' him," he said dismissively, "Besides, it's beneath you to attack a cripple."
Hushed voices began to appear. The presence of the descendants of three of the four most powerful families only deepened the curiosity, leaving everyone wondering about Yuan's identity.
"He's the infamous young master of Menghao Beast Pavilion," Cai Shuan declared slowly, malice seeping into his words. "A cripple who can't cultivate, and is showing off because of his powerful parents."
'Your pavilion dared to compete with my Cai family. I will make you pay for it' He sneered in his heart.
Cai Shuan was the only son of Cai Guan, the manager of Cai Family's, Star Beast Pavilion. Both father and son had long despised Menghao Beast Pavilion for its growing influence.
But because of Mother Bing's strict management, they weren't able to do much. Thus, they had always tried to keep a lookout for opportunities to ruin the reputation of the Menghao Beast Pavilion whenever possible.
Yuan becoming famous in the city as a cripple also had their dirty hands behind it.
The reason he was participating in the Beast Evaluator Section instead of Fighting Competition was also to defeat Menghao Pavilion in front of everyone.
People were shocked by the new information. Almost all of them had heard about the famous Young Master of Menghao Beast Pavilion, but they hadn't seen him before.
Yuan's face turned pale. Though he knew his inability to cultivate wasn't his fault, hearing it laid bare in front of so many was a sharp sting. His dreams of becoming a powerful Beast Master felt mocked at that moment.
But the misfortune didn't stop there. "Isn't he the one who said he wants to marry the princess?" a voice chimed in, loud enough for everyone to hear.
The atmosphere became interesting with a mix of amusement and disdain.
Yuan's lips twitched involuntarily hearing that. He couldn't deny it—he did said it, and the memory of the incident came rushing back.
Years ago, during a gathering hosted by the City Lord, the children of many influential families were asked what they dreamed of becoming. One by one, they proudly declared their ambitions. City Lord's son was especially praised for his valiant answer.
When it was Yuan's turn, he declared in his determined yet childish voice, "I will become a Beast Master and marry a beautiful princess."
Instead of praise and admiration, his innocent dreams had met laughter, their absurdity apparent to the crowd. Fortunately, no princesses of suitable age existed in the Crimson Empire at the time, or he might have faced repercussions for his boldness. Yuan became famous after that.
He even ended up receiving a lecture from his parents. Other people talking behind his back already angered Young Yuan and when he received a lecture from his parents, he had boldly told his parents. "Mom, Dad, I will become an awesome Beast Master and marry three girls, and one of them will be a princess. You can't change that"
His parents had dismissed his words, thinking it was just a childish fantasy, however till today, he had never let it go and has always been working toward his goal.
(Back to the story)
As the murmurs surrounded him, Yuan inhaled deeply, steadying himself. He cast a determined glance at Cai Shuan and said, "Oh, Cai Shuan. It's you. You look pale. Still getting beaten by your Soldier Bear?"
Cai Shaun's face sunk. Yuan's words struck a hard nerve. His already paled face lost more color. He had made a contract with a Soldier Bear, but he wasn't able to control his pet and got beaten every time, he didn't listen to its orders.
The crowd watched in silence, anticipating the next move.
Chen Ming, unable to hold back, snickered loudly. "Pfft!"
"Enough!" Cai Shuan seethed, his patience snapping. He glared at Chen Ming before turning back to Yuan. With a swift motion, he lunged forward, punching Yuan straight on his chest. Yuan was caught completely off guard and wasn't able to react on time. The force of the punch sent Yuan stumbling backward, sliding several meters before coming to a stop.
Cai Shuan sneered, advancing on him with cold malice. "No matter what you say, you're a cripple. You'll always be one. Let me put you out of your misery." He drew his sword with slow deliberation.
The crowd held its breath, but the moment Cai Shuan unsheathed his blade, an overwhelming presence erupted from the VIP section of the arena. A fiery, controlled rage flared from Mother Bing, her face flushed crimson with fury. She was ready to tear Cai Shuan apart for daring to lay a hand on Yuan.