Hearing Bai Yaoyao’s words, Xu Zimo nodded slightly.
“Young Master Xu, if you’re not busy, would you and your senior come visit our home? My master and my father both want to thank you,” Bai Yaoyao said quickly.
“It’s fine. It wasn’t a big deal, and we’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Xu Zimo replied, shaking his head.
As they chatted, the battle at the center of the plaza was reaching its final stage.
The stronger of the two young fighters let out a roar.
His muscles bulged so much that his shirt ripped open.
He lifted his opponent over his head and hurled him forward.
Seeing the man flying toward them, the crowd around cried out and quickly stepped back.
Xu Zimo frowned slightly, the man was being thrown directly at him.
With a wave of his hand, Xu Zimo used spiritforce to stop the man in mid-air.
The man landed on his feet, breathing hard and clearly shaken. He quickly bowed and thanked Xu Zimo.
Xu Zimo nodded, then narrowed his eyes at the bulky youth who had thrown him.
The youth walked up with a smug look and said with a smile, “My bad. I only used half my strength.”
Xu Zimo was almost certain the guy had done it on purpose.
But they didn’t know each other, why would he target him for no reason?
Just then, a Mountain River Sect disciple walked over and smiled at Bai Yaoyao.
“Miss Bai, you’re here too? Come to watch our tryouts?”
Bai Yaoyao nodded calmly. “Young Master Song, my father asked me to tell Elder Blue River that if your sect isn’t in a rush after the tryouts, he’s prepared food and drinks at the residence to host you.”
“No rush at all! Please thank City Lord Bai, we’ll definitely attend,” the young man replied cheerfully.
It was obvious to anyone watching that this Song fellow had strong feelings for Bai Yaoyao, his expression made it clear.
Xu Zimo thought back to his friendly chat with Bai Yaoyao just moments ago…
Then connected the dots: Song was an official disciple of the Mountain River Sect. The muscular youth clearly wanted to join that sect.
Putting that together, Xu Zimo realized, he’d just gotten dragged into someone else’s petty jealousy.
“Kid, if you’re fine, then let it go,” the muscular youth said dismissively.
“Do you have a death wish?” Xu Zimo turned and said calmly.
“This man is now a disciple of Mountain River Sect,” Song said with a laugh. “And you weren’t hurt. No need to escalate.”
“Miss Bai, didn’t I save your life before? Shouldn’t you repay that?” Xu Zimo asked her.
“Please tell me how,” Bai Yaoyao replied, confused.
“Kill him,” Xu Zimo said, pointing at the bulky youth. “Call it repayment for saving your life, and we’ll be even.”
The bulky youth’s expression changed immediately.
Bai Yaoyao slowly turned her gaze toward him. Her eyes were calm, unreadable.
“Brother Song,” the bulky youth, named Wang He, turned to Song in panic.
Bai Yaoyao’s father was the City Lord of White Bone City, and her grandfather was the famed White Bone Sage.
In these parts, his name carried more weight than even the Vast Immortal Sacred Ground.
Song forced a smile and said, “Miss Bai, Wang He is now one of our sect’s chosen disciples. Elder Blue River personally selected him. I doubt your father would approve of this. Is it worth straining relations between your family and our sect over an outsider?”
“How I handle things is none of your business, Young Master Song,” Bai Yaoyao replied coldly.
Then she waved her hand. The crowd parted as a group of armored city guards rushed over.
“Miss,” the leader, dressed in black armor, bowed respectfully to Bai Yaoyao.
“Take him. Let Young Master Xu deal with him,” she said calmly.
Wang He panicked. He shouted, “Brother Song, help me! I did it for you!”
“What nonsense are you spouting?” Song’s face darkened, and he scolded him sharply.
The guards didn’t wait, they rushed forward and subdued Wang He, dragging him to Xu Zimo.
“We have no personal grudge,” Xu Zimo said, smiling at the terrified Wang He. “Tell me who ordered you, and maybe I’ll let you go.”
“It was him! Brother Song told me to send you a warning!” Wang He yelled without hesitation.
“Liar! Wang He, even facing death you try to drag me down?” Song snapped.
“I’ll give you one more chance,” Xu Zimo said, patting Wang He on the shoulder. “Kill him, and I’ll let you leave White Bone City safely.”
The guards released Wang He. He squinted his eyes and roared as he charged at Song.
“You’re insane!” Song yelled in panic.
As the two men fought, Xu Zimo chuckled.
“This kind of fight between insects is pointless. Better to kill them both,” the God Emperor said beside him.
“You wouldn’t understand. Dog-eat-dog battles are entertaining,” Xu Zimo said with a small smile.
Just then, the elder sitting on the bone chair stood up, having noticed the commotion.
“What’s going on here?” he asked, frowning.
“Uncle Blue River, Wang He went crazy! He’s slandering me and trying to kill me!” Song shouted while pushing Wang He away with a palm strike.
“Enough!” the elder in gray slapped his palm down. The pressure of his Imperial Meridian Realm cultivation pinned both men to the ground.
“What’s happening?” he demanded as he walked over, clearly annoyed.
Song quickly explained the situation.
After hearing it, the elder snorted and turned to Bai Yaoyao.
“Miss Bai, this matter concerns our Mountain River Sect. It would be best if your father discussed this with me. You should step back for now.”
“What’s got you so fired up, Brother Blue River?”
Just then, a loud voice came from outside the plaza. The crowd parted to make way.
A middle-aged man walked in, followed by a group of soldiers.
He wore a long white robe that wrapped around his entire body.
His skin was pale, so smooth and soft it looked almost unreal.
The shape of bones showed through his face, as if he had no flesh, just skin stretched over bone.
Beside him stood a man dressed in green robes.