Mu Qingqing and Xuan Kong had just arrived in Haoxing City when they heard bursts of clamor from within.
"Oh my heavens, this is Haoxing City, the most prosperous city in the Eastern Continent!"
"It's only been a short while since we last visited, and Haoxing City has become so flourishing. It seems we truly are frogs in a well!"
"How many geniuses do you think will participate in the Haoxing Grand Competition this time?"
"Hard to say, after all, there are too many geniuses coming this time. It'll be incredibly difficult for us to even make it into the top one thousand."
...
Hearing the discussions of the people around, Mu Qingqing and Xuan Kong each had their own thoughts.
"It's too lively here with so many people. Let's go, we'll find an inn to stay in first. When night falls, I'll take you around Haoxing City."
"Okay!"
Xuan Kong and Mu Qingqing immediately headed towards an inn.
On the streets of Haoxing City, both Mu Qingqing and Xuan Kong were dressed in ordinary attire.
"This Haoxing City is truly vast!" Mu Qingqing blinked, exclaiming.
Xuan Kong nodded in agreement.
"Indeed, though Haoxing City isn't the largest city in the Eastern Continent, it ranks among the top three in the entire continent. Moreover, Haoxing City has many special shops offering all sorts of rare treasures."
"And every session of the Eastern Continent Grand Competition attracts many people. In terms of fame, Haoxing City can be considered second to none in the Eastern Continent."
Mu Qingqing nodded upon hearing this.
At this moment, the two suddenly heard a commotion from afar.
Following the sound, Mu Qingqing saw two groups of people arguing on the street in the distance.
One group consisted of nearly twenty individuals.
Their attire was opulent, with a golden star emblazoned on their chests. They carried themselves with arrogance, appearing quite presumptuous.
Their leader was a middle-aged man in the Celestial Venerable realm.
This man had a stern face and cold eyes, exuding a powerful aura.
The other group turned out to be Dean Liu and his companions.
At this moment, Dean Liu and his group were confronting people from the Tianxing Pavilion in the middle of the street.
"Liu Yuanhao, it's been a few years. When did your Four Symbols Academy become so pathetic?"
"You dare to send out only these few disciples to participate in the Eastern Continent Grand Competition? It's a shame your Four Symbols Academy is the top academy in the Eastern Continent."
A peak King realm expert from the Tianxing Pavilion sneered.
Liu Yuanhao's expression turned grim. If it weren't for the heavy losses the Four Symbols Academy suffered in the Blood Ghost incident in the Sky Pit Secret Realm,
And then encountering a lightning storm on their way to Haoxing City, which left one disciple’s fate uncertain to this day.
If not for these misfortunes, why would they have sent only a few disciples to compete?
"Wang Qiong, don't speak too soon. Although the Four Symbols Academy has lost many disciples, it doesn't necessarily mean your Tianxing Pavilion can easily defeat us."
Liu Yuanhao snorted coldly.
Wang Qiong burst into laughter.
"Liu Yuanhao, aren't you thinking too highly of yourself? With your three disciples, do you think they can contend with our Tianxing Pavilion disciples?"
"I'm afraid your Four Symbols Academy disciples will be eliminated long before they even encounter the Tianxing Pavilion."
Another King realm expert from the Tianxing Pavilion's group also sneered and mocked.
"Enough! All of you, shut up!"
At this moment, the Celestial Venerable realm expert from the Tianxing Pavilion suddenly roared.
Wang Qiong and the King realm expert immediately fell silent.
Liu Yuanhao couldn't help but break into a cold sweat.
He knew that the Celestial Venerable realm expert before him was the Pavilion Master of the Tianxing Pavilion, the Seven Star Sword Venerable—Lin Hengtian.
Lin Hengtian's strength was extraordinary.
In the entire Eastern Continent, besides the Dean of the Four Symbols Academy, Lin Hengtian possessed the highest cultivation.
"Seven Star Sword Venerable, why have you graced us with your presence, venerable elder?"
Lin Hengtian's gaze swept towards Liu Yuanhao.
"Where is Dao Yuanming, that old gambler? Such an important event as the Eastern Continent Grand Competition, and that old gambler has no time to come personally?"
Dao Yuanming was the name of the Dean of the Four Symbols Academy.
Upon hearing Lin Hengtian's words, Liu Yuanhao quickly replied,
"The Dean is busy with his affairs and is temporarily unable to come."
Lin Hengtian frowned slightly, his gaze sharp, making Liu Yuanhao shiver.
"Busy? That's quite a good excuse."
Cold sweat beaded on Liu Yuanhao's forehead.
He assumed that Heavenly Venerable Lin had already seen through his lie.
In truth, the Dean had been away for many years with no news. Liu Yuanhao was worried that something might have happened to the Dean.
The news of the Dean's disappearance could not be known to other forces, which was why he attempted to use "busyness" as a pretense to brush it off.
Just as he thought Lin Hengtian was about to become enraged, Mu Qingqing suddenly appeared.
"Dean Liu, what are you all doing here?"
Mu Qingqing walked up to Liu Yuanhao and asked curiously.
"Xin Ci!"
Upon recognizing the person's appearance, Dean Liu and the others were stunned, their faces filled with disbelief.
"Little Xin Xin, you're incredibly lucky to have survived the lightning storm."
Liu Mu Ming looked at Mu Qingqing with utter disbelief.
That lightning storm was no trivial matter; even a Celestial Venerable realm expert might not necessarily survive it.
Mu Qingqing narrowed her eyes, smiling at Liu Mu Ming, and waved him over, saying, "Liu Mu Ming, come closer, let's chat."
Liu Mu Ming eagerly drew near, a playful grin on his face.
"Alright, alright, Little Xin Xin, do you want to tell me some secrets... Ouch!"
Before he could finish speaking, Mu Qingqing smacked him on the head, making him yelp in pain.
"Little Xin Xin, you hit too hard! It hurts so much!"
Liu Mu Ming rubbed his head, looking at Mu Qingqing with a wronged expression.
"Liu Mu Ming, I'm telling you, don't act so flippant. And how many times have I told you, don't call me Little Xin Xin, this name."
Mu Qingqing glared at Liu Mu Ming, speaking indignantly.
Observing Mu Qingqing's expression and tone of voice, Liu Mu Ming's eyes held a peculiar glint.
He felt that Xin Ci seemed different from her usual self. Why did her tone of speech and behavior feel like a completely different person?
"Little Xin Xin, I feel like you're a bit different from usual."
"How so?"
Mu Qingqing blinked.
"You're different in every way. Weren't you taciturn before? Why have you changed so much now!"
"This..."
Being brought up by Liu Mu Ming like this, Mu Qingqing immediately reminded herself that she was currently inhabiting Xin Ci's body.
She couldn't reveal any slip-ups, or everything would be in vain.
Therefore, after some thought, she casually offered a reason: "I've been in a good mood lately, so I've changed."
"Oh..."
Liu Mu Ming responded, but he didn't believe it deep down, as such an excuse could hardly fool anyone.
"Regardless of anything else, Xin Ci, we are relieved that you have returned safely,"
Dean Liu said, looking at Mu Qingqing.
"Liu Yuanhao! Are you ignoring us completely!"
The people from the Tianxing Pavilion became enraged upon seeing Liu Yuanhao speaking with Mu Qingqing.
They, a group of over twenty people, were suddenly ignored by Liu Yuanhao. How could they possibly feel comfortable about that?