Young Master in Flower City

During this period, Xiao Tianyu indeed did not go visit the other three great families again. Perhaps what Xiao Tianyu said was right: he was only at the Divine Level Seventh Layer; even if he went to visit, they would never employ someone at the Divine Level Seventh Layer, so these days, Xiao Tianyu had been staying in the inn, shutting himself in to cultivate.

With Xiao Tianyu’s talent, plus his utterly thorough comprehension of Martial Arts over billions of years, his progress could be called astonishingly fast. In just over half a month, his cultivation rose to the Peak of the Divine Level Seventh Layer, only one step away from stepping into the Divine Level Eighth Layer.

His power over Law and Daoist Skill also advanced across the board.

One could even say that Xiao Tianyu’s Daoist Skill had already stepped into the Daoist Skill Second Realm.

Daoist Skill was something that generally only experts of the Divine Separation Stage could even glimpse, yet Xiao Tianyu, merely at the Divine Level Seventh Layer, had reached the Daoist Skill Second Realm. Looking across the entire Firmament World, very few people could accomplish this.

Of course, this was inseparable from the billions of years of solitude Xiao Tianyu had endured in the Eternal Hell.

Billions of years—what an incomparably long span of time. One could say that during these billions of years, Xiao Tianyu had long since seen through the mysteries of heaven and earth.

Even if Xiao Tianyu’s innate talent was not the most outstanding, after someone has gone through billions of years of cycles of reincarnation, whose state of mind could be more open and transparent than his? Broader, with a stronger will?

For those who cultivate, willpower is often the most important; talent is only an aid.

Without powerful willpower and faith, what use is excellent talent?

As for Hong Yiyi, she had awakened long ago, ten days earlier, and would occasionally come to Xiao Tianyu’s room to talk about past events.

However, over this half month, Hong Yuan had not been idle, running around everywhere. Perhaps Heaven does not disappoint the one with a heart: he was taken on by the Zhuang Family, becoming one of the participants in this session’s Wind and Cloud Banquet.

Among the four great families, the Fang Family was filled with prodigies, so perhaps the Zhuang Family felt pressure and thus chose to employ Hong Yuan. In any case, this was Hong Yuan’s good fortune. Even if he lost in the Wind and Cloud Banquet, at least he had tried; even if he could not detoxify Hong Yiyi, at least he could face his own conscience.

Night, inside Xiao Tianyu’s room.

"Brother Xiao, tomorrow is the Wind and Cloud Banquet. Are you really going to participate?" Hong Yiyi sat beside Xiao Tianyu, her beautiful eyes sparkling. Xiao Tianyu tapped Hong Yiyi’s little head and said with a smile, "Of course I’m going. Otherwise, who’s going to treat my little sister’s illness?"

"But the registration fee is ten thousand Spirit Stones!" Hong Yiyi looked at Xiao Tianyu and said seriously, "Does Brother Xiao really think someone will pay that registration fee for you tomorrow?"

"Maybe someone will." Xiao Tianyu nodded. Hong Yiyi was utterly speechless. She really couldn’t understand—Xiao Tianyu was just a Divine Level Seventh Layer cultivator, where did his confidence come from? Was he deliberately bragging in front of her?

Looking at his appearance, he clearly did not seem like someone who liked to boast. Could it be that she had been deceived by his looks?

"Has Brother Hong not returned yet?" Xiao Tianyu changed the topic. Hong Yiyi said, "He’s now been taken in by the Zhuang Family, so he probably won’t come back tonight. Brother Xiao, do you think my brother has a chance to break into the top ten?"

"I can’t be sure about that either." Xiao Tianyu shook his head.

"I actually hope my brother can enter the top ten. I have no hopes for the top three, nor have I ever expected the City Lord to treat my illness. I only hope that while I’m still alive, I can see my brother become someone admired by thousands. Then I’ll be at ease!" As Hong Yiyi spoke, she did not forget to give a faint smile; clearly, she did not fear death.

"I told you, you’re not going to die." Xiao Tianyu gently stroked Hong Yiyi’s silky hair. Hong Yiyi nodded. "Mm."

Though Hong Yiyi nodded, how could she not understand her own outcome? This was an unsolvable situation, unless Hong Yuan could break into the top three.

As for Xiao Tianyu, Hong Yiyi did not hold any hope at all. After all, Xiao Tianyu was only at the Divine Level Seventh Layer; it was simply impossible for him to shine brilliantly on the Wind and Cloud Banquet. In fact, in Hong Yiyi’s view, he would probably be eliminated in the first round.

Thinking of this, Hong Yiyi’s beautiful eyes looked at Xiao Tianyu’s handsome face, and she said solemnly, "Thank you, Brother Xiao!"

"Silly child, why be so formal with your Brother Xiao?" Xiao Tianyu smiled. This pair of siblings was truly pitiful. Hong Yuan’s talent was not bad to begin with; one could say he had been dragged down by Hong Yiyi.

Of course, this was precisely the main reason Xiao Tianyu admired Hong Yuan.

After the two talked for quite some time, Hong Yiyi’s little head rested on Xiao Tianyu’s shoulder and she fell asleep. Xiao Tianyu gently stroked Hong Yiyi’s hair, then picked her up and softly laid her on the bed, tucking her in.

After finishing all this, Xiao Tianyu sat alone at the bedside, closing his eyes to rest.

The next morning.

The Wind and Cloud Banquet officially convened.

The City Lord had invited all the families in Ice Sea City that had some hope, and one could say guests came from all directions. Early in the morning, the area around the vast Wind and Cloud Battle Platform was deserted—everyone had gathered there.

The Wind and Cloud Banquet, held once every three years, was, in the eyes of the people of Ice Sea City, the place where the younger generation rose to prominence. The top ten prodigies were the focus of everyone’s attention.

"Look, people from the Zhuang Family, one of Ice Sea City’s four great families, have arrived. The Zhuang Family’s Clan Leader has personally come!" Many gazes turned toward the void, where they saw a group of people walking on air. The leader was none other than the Zhuang Family’s Clan Leader, Zhuang Yue. Behind him followed many young disciples, each extraordinary in bearing.

The Zhuang Family was one of the four most prestigious families in Ice Sea City and naturally had a place at the Wind and Cloud Banquet.

Beside Zhuang Yue was a white-robed young woman, exceptionally beautiful; using "beauty that could sink fish and make birds fall" to describe her would not be an exaggeration. However, her temperament was aloof, making people feel an infinite sense of distance.

This woman was none other than Zhuang Feiyan, ranked third at the Wind and Cloud Banquet and one of the three great beauties of Ice Sea City.

Behind her, the young man was Hong Yuan.

"The people of the Yan Family have arrived as well. Yan Hai, ranked fourth in the Wind and Cloud Banquet, is among them. I hear Yan Hai’s ambitions are great—he’s come for the top three and wants to enter the Cold Ice Tower!"

Soon, another group walked on air—it was the Yan Family, one of the four great families.

Not long after, there was movement again in the void, and someone spoke up: "Look, it’s the Fang Family. The Fang Family’s lineup is so strong. Worthy of being the family with the deepest foundations in Ice Sea City. It’s said that half of the prodigies of the Wind and Cloud Banquet have been recruited by the Fang Family. It seems this time the Fang Family is determined to win the top three of the Wind and Cloud Banquet!"

"Of course!" Many people nodded. "The Demon Sword Zhan Tian has also joined the Fang Family. Half a month ago, Zhan Tian publicly declared that he came for the top three. Those words have caused quite a stir in Ice Sea City!"

"It seems this session’s Wind and Cloud Banquet will be even livelier than previous years!"

"..."

The appearance of the Fang Family attracted many gazes. Beside the Fang Family powerhouses stood the siblings Fang Yue and Fang Hai. These two were the most outstanding disciples of the Fang Family and naturally drew a lot of attention.

"Aren’t those Fang Yue and Fang Hai?"

"Of course it’s them!"

"Half a month ago, have you heard about what happened at the White Jade Pavilion?"

"Of course we’ve heard!" Everyone nodded.