Starting as a Grandmaster, all of my cultivation techniques are at max level.

Xia Jin narrowed her eyes slightly.

That overwhelming sense of oppression is something that ordinary people cannot possess.

Even from several meters away, Xia Jin could still clearly feel the invisible aura emanating from the other party. It wasn't a deliberately released pressure, but rather an innate aura of a powerful figure, refined and tempered through countless trials.

The fifth level of the Immortal Realm.

Skilled in Kendo.

No one has ever been able to force him to reveal his true strength.

Just as Xia Jin was sizing up Shen Jinghong, a clear voice suddenly came from the side.

"Hey kid, you've gone mad from staring at my sworn brother, haven't you?"

Xia Jin's gaze moved towards the direction of the voice, only to see Pei Qianling looking at her with a gloating expression. She was holding a folding fan and was still dressed like a young master.

Xia Jin glanced at her but didn't reply.

This tiger-woman seems to hold a grudge quite a bit!

Seeing that Xia Jin didn't respond, Pei Qianling became even more smug and sneered at Xia Jin, "Boy, let me tell you, my sworn brother is personally taking action today. You'd better think about how you're going to kneel down and beg for mercy later. Because that guy... he never holds back when he strikes."

Unfortunately, no matter how much Pei Qianling provoked her, Xia Jin still ignored her.

Pei Qianling, feeling rebuffed, shut her mouth in annoyance, but her eyes still kept glancing at Xia Jin, her gaze full of provocation.

Pei Linhai, sitting in the center, glanced at Xia Jin, then looked at the other city lords.

"Everyone, now that everyone is here, let's begin."

"As is customary, today's competition will be conducted by drawing lots. The five city lords' recommended candidates will compete in pairs, with the winners advancing to the next round to determine the final champion."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and five jade tablets flew out from his sleeve, hovering in mid-air, emitting a faint light.

Let's draw lots.

He had just finished speaking, and before Xia Jin and the others could make a move, a deep voice suddenly sounded from behind Pei Linhai.

"Godfather, there's no need to go to such trouble."

All eyes turned to the source of the voice, to the man whose right hand was wrapped in white bandages and who carried a giant sword on his back.

Shen Jinghong.

"Let them attack together. Whoever can defeat me will naturally be the victor."

These words shocked everyone present.

On the high platform, the expressions of the city lords were all different.

Pei Linhai frowned slightly, but a barely perceptible look of satisfaction flashed deep in his eyes. The other city lords, some seemed thoughtful, others looked displeased, but quickly concealed their emotions.

The young people standing behind their respective city lords, except for Xia Jin, all showed a hint of displeasure in their eyes at almost the same time.

"This adopted son of Pei Linhai is really..." The Grand Hall Master said in a low voice, only saying half of his sentence before stopping, but the complex meaning in his tone was already very clear.

Arrogant?

confidence?

Or both?

Xia Jin didn't care at all. Although the other party's words were arrogant, he did have the right to be so. Besides, for her, it would be foolish not to take advantage of such a benefit.

At this moment, Pei Linhai, the city lord of Longyuan City, finally spoke.

"Jinghong, how can you speak like that?" Pei Linhai's voice carried a hint of reprimand, but anyone could tell that there was no real anger in the reprimand; it was more of a show for others.

"Among the talented young people present, which one is not exceptionally gifted and capable? Your words not only show disrespect for them, but also disregard for the dignity of us four city lords."

As Pei Linhai spoke, his gaze swept over the other four city lords, and a slightly apologetic expression appeared on his face.

However, which of the city lords present was not a shrewd and cunning individual?

Old fox.

These three words flashed through the minds of several city lords at the same time.

Upon hearing this, Shen Jinghong cupped his hands in apology to the city lords, saying, "My apologies, it was my oversight."

Just then, a hearty laugh suddenly rang out.

"Hahahaha!!" Suddenly, Teng Qingya, the city lord of Jinhui City, who was sitting to Pei Linhai's left, burst into laughter.

"Lord Pei, we've all witnessed the strength of your adopted son," Teng Qingya said with a smile, his gaze sweeping over Shen Jinghong with admiration in his eyes. "I think this suggestion is quite reasonable, saving us from wasting time with round after round of competition. Don't you all agree?"

His last words were addressed to the other city lords.

"That's right, I agree with this proposal too." After a moment of silence, Yuan Wangshu, the city lord of Shuangyue City, nodded in agreement.

The two city lords expressed their support.

Pei Linhai's lips curled up slightly, but he quickly suppressed it. He turned his head and looked at the remaining two city lords: Jiang Yunzhou, the city lord of Tianbao City, and the Grand Hall Master beside Xia Jin.

"Lord Jiang, what do you think?" Pei Linhai asked.

Jiang Yunzhou, the city lord of Tianbao City, was sitting on the far right. When Pei Linhai called his name, Jiang Yunzhou slowly raised his eyelids and uttered four words: "I have no objection."

The Grand Master turned around and looked at Xia Jin behind him.

The two exchanged a glance.

Xia Jin nodded gently without hesitation.

The Grand Hall Master turned around, faced Pei Linhai, and said in a deep voice, "I have no objections either."

"Since no one has any objections, let's do as Jinghong says. Jinghong, go. Be careful not to kill them."

Pei Linhai's seemingly unintentional remark made the faces of the young people present even more unpleasant.

Xia Jin, however, remained expressionless, though the light in her eyes was even more profound than before.

Upon hearing Pei Linhai's words, Shen Jinghong nodded slightly, "Don't worry, godfather."

As soon as he finished speaking, he moved and leaped off the high platform, landing on the arena in the center of the training ground.

Shen Jinghong stood in the center of the arena, his right hand hanging at his side, the white bandages standing out starkly in the sunlight. The greatsword behind him remained silently hanging on his back, showing no sign of being drawn.

He stood there, but the invisible pressure he exuded was even stronger than when he was on the high platform.

On the high platform, Pei Linhai nodded in satisfaction.

"Xia Jin," the Grand Hall Master glanced at the arena in front of him, then said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Be careful."

Xia Jin did not answer, but took a deep breath and stepped off the platform.

The others exchanged glances and then leaped down from the platform, landing on the arena.

Four people, including Xia Jin, surrounded Shen Jinghong from four directions, trapping her in the center.