The Public Selection for the Dragon and Phoenix Competition continued, and Nie Fengzhuo emerged as one of the ten participants allowed into the Main Event.
Talks about the winners began to spread, but even more than that, it was the unexpected exchange between Bai Zihan and Nie Fengzhuo that became the center of attention.
This led to a significant rise in Nie Fengzhuo’s reputation.
Many even speculated that the relationship between the two clans might return to what it once was before the annulment of the engagement.
Then came even bigger news—Bai Zihan, the one who had gained unparalleled fame and was said to be the strongest of his generation, would not be participating in the Dragon and Phoenix Competition.
"Bai Zihan offered marriage to Nie Fengzhuo?"
"He even tried to bribe him with pills?"
"He’s not joining the competition?"
"Tch! Must be scared. His fake reputation would be exposed if he competed."
Many who had never seen Bai Zihan in person felt that his reputation was overblown.
Now that he had declined to participate in Dragon and Phoenix Competition, they believed he was doing so to avoid being exposed. They couldn’t think of any other reason.
Of course, there were also others who reasoned that perhaps Bai Zihan had no reason to participate, as he already had all the resources he could want from the Bai Clan—not to mention his fame and reputation.
Even if he were to win the competition, his reputation might not increase by much, since it was already so high.
The news eventually reached the Heaven Sword Sect.
Naturally, it reached Bai Xueqing as well.
She was far from amused when she heard that Bai Zihan had tried to rope Nie Fengzhuo into the Bai Clan.
"This... Just what is he thinking?"
Bai Xueqing’s brows furrowed in frustration. She usually didn’t care what Bai Zihan did, but this involved her.
Just when she found out that Bai Zihan was out of seclusion, what’s the first thing he does? He goes to her ex-fiancé and tries to recruit him into the Bai Clan.
Nie Fengzhuo—her ex-fiancé—was also someone who had once dared to challenge her despite being utterly unqualified.
She had always thought of him as someone who talked big but couldn’t back it up.
Of course, she knew he was no longer the same trash he used to be, and now he was even qualified to enter the Dragon and Phoenix Competition.
But that didn’t matter. She wasn’t going to lose—not to Nie Fengzhuo or anyone else.
"Looks like he’s just doing whatever he pleases as usual."
Chu Ziyan added with a light chuckle.
"Offering marriage to Nie Fengzhuo of all people... What the hell is he thinking?"
"Maybe... maybe he has his reasons,"
"Reasons?" Bai Xueqing’s tone turned sharp.
"Even if he does have reasons, he should’ve known better than to do something —especially considering my history with Nie Fengzhuo."
"Haha... You know Bai Zihan wouldn’t care about that."
Chu Ziyan said. It’s foolish to expect Bai Zihan to consider others when he does things.
Bai Xueqing shot her a cold glare.
"Don’t laugh. You’re his fiancée now—start acting like it."
Chu Ziyan’s smile froze.
Truthfully, she didn’t even know what her relationship with Bai Zihan really was.
A friend? An acquaintance? Her best friend’s younger brother?
A fake fiancée? Or a real one?
Initially, she had agreed to the engagement because it would benefit her clan—and because it would stop others from pressuring her into marriage.
Unlike before, when most girls avoided proposing to Bai Zihan due to his dark reputation, the situation had completely changed.
She had heard rumors that even the top clans were now trying to marry off their daughters to him.
Yes, everyone knew she was engaged to Bai Zihan—but in their eyes, someone like him was too valuable to lose just because he was "engaged."
Besides, hadn’t she herself once claimed that their relationship was fake, and that even if they got married, she didn’t mind him taking concubines?
At the time, she really felt that she wouldn’t care if he did find someone else. Rather she thought that meant that she didn’t need to look after Bai Zihan and could focus on things that she wanted.
But now, she wasn’t sure.
She remembered getting genuinely angry when the Fourth Princess blatantly proposed to Bai Zihan—ignoring her existence entirely.
It had caught her off guard.
Back then, she thought her anger stemmed from being disrespected.
Before Chu Ziyan could reflect further, a crisp bell echoed through the Heaven Sword Sect’s inner mountain—three solemn chimes that resonated across the skies.
Bai Xueqing turned toward the direction of the sound.
"It’s time," she said.
Chu Ziyan quickly stood up, brushing a few stray strands of hair behind her ear.
"You can continue your complaints to Bai Zihan later. Looks like we’ll be meeting him soon! And also... your ex-fiancé!"
Indeed, she would be meeting her ex-fiancé after two whole years—a time during which he had changed drastically.
But she believed she had changed too.
On the other side, a handsome young man also emerged, heading toward the direction of the chiming bell.
"Young Master should’ve called for me the moment he came out of seclusion," he muttered, sounding a little resentful.
He couldn’t help but feel a bit left out—he had been the last of the three to hear that Bai Zihan had ended his seclusion.
But then his expression changed. A smile tugged at his lips, and his steps grew lighter.
"I wonder if Young Master will be surprised by how much I’ve changed?"
He spoke aloud, exuding a confidence the old Lin Xuan never had.
From nearby, a group of female disciples caught sight of him and squealed.
"Lin Xuan! Marry me!"
"Ahhh! He’s so handsome! Why didn’t I see that before?"
"Let me bear your child!!"
With his exceptional talent and striking looks, he had quickly risen to become one of the most well-known disciples of the Heaven Sword Sect—admired by many and pursued by even more.
Of course, he paid no attention to the admirers. His focus remained solely on cultivation and serving Bai Zihan.
As he walked through the Main Gate of the Heaven Sword Sect, where countless disciples were gathered, the shouts and excited voices only grew louder.
But Lin Xuan didn’t react. He simply walked past them, heading steadily toward the Flying Ship.
There, all the participants had already gathered—including Bai Xueqing, Chu Ziyan, and even Han Zhenwu, who looked visibly displeased.
"Looks like everyone’s here! Then let’s depart!"
Elder Qinglan announced, her voice echoing across the landing platform.
The Heaven Sword Sect’s participants stood tall, ready to depart for the Dragon and Phoenix Competition!