Volume 3 - Chapter 401: Defeating All in the Same Realm (Part 3)
Su Wanqing and Su Wanxue both frowned. With the current rules, even they couldn’t claim absolute certainty—especially with the Lin and Jiang clans present.
“It seems this time, we’re destined to go head-to-head. When the time comes, Sister Su, I hope you’ll show mercy,” Lin Jinrou said with a gentle smile.
Su Wanxue replied calmly, “I quite like that Immortal Aura Purple Osmanthus myself.”
Su Wanqing pressed her lips together without speaking, but as a woman, how could she not be fond of it?
Su Muqing, on the other hand, remained silent. Her gaze was calm but radiated confidence. As the Su Clan’s True Phoenix, she was at the sixth level of the Immortal Lord Realm. Within her realm, she had yet to meet an equal.
Amid the buzz of conversation, Li Hao couldn’t help but grow curious. Although he had noticed the osmanthus by the waterfall was a spiritual plant, he hadn’t sensed anything overwhelming from it. Turning to Su Wanqing beside him, he asked:
“Is that osmanthus some kind of rare divine medicine? What does it do?”
Su Wanqing shook her head gently. “It’s just a rare immortal flower. As for its effects… not much. It’s not the sort of great medicine you’re thinking of.”
Li Hao was puzzled. “Then why fight over it?”
“Because it’s beautiful,” Su Wanqing replied softly. “Beautiful, rare, and difficult to obtain. That’s why everyone wants it. Originally, it was just a token prize in a friendly exchange among noble clans. But over time, it became a symbol of prestige and elite status. If it were only a divine herb or spiritual ganoderma, something so mundane, we wouldn’t be here fighting for it. A single word to our clans and they’d prepare as many as we wanted.”
Li Hao blinked in realization. So it was a product of clever branding—once something was given meaning like “nobility” and “elite,” it naturally became highly coveted.
“And besides,” Su Wanqing added, “these flowers only last ten years before they wither. That kind of rarity—who wouldn’t want one?”
Li Hao nodded thoughtfully.
Just then, Immortal King Tan raised his hand and conjured a dueling platform in front of the Sword Pool, setting up a sealing array around it.
The contest began.
Each noble clan was free to send up challengers at their discretion. The duels were not just a battlefield of pride and skill—they also made for a kind of entertainment. Elegant immortal maids moved between the seats, serving spirit fruits and divine nectar, lending the event a leisurely, almost festive air.
The Su, Jiang, and Lin Clans made no move. Other, slightly less powerful clans sent their own young elites to the platform to spar with immortal techniques, one by one.
The three great clans, with their pride and composure, chose to observe first. They allowed the smaller clans to take the stage and showcase themselves. As was befitting their status, they weren’t in a rush to perform.
“Lin Jinrou, where’s your brother today?” Jiang Huanhuan asked, seated to the right of the Su Clan. She looked past them to Lin Jinrou on the left.
Taking a sip of nectar, Lin Jinrou answered indifferently, “If my brother were here, would there be any need for competition at this event? The moment he arrives, all eyes would be on him.”
Jiang Huanhuan pouted slightly, but she didn’t argue. She had to admit—if the Lin Clan’s true dragon showed up, the place would explode. Everyone would be drawn to him instantly.
Su Wanqing heard the two and glanced at Li Hao. Seeing that he seemed unaware and unbothered, she felt relieved, though she still sighed inwardly.
Time passed. Spirit fruits were served continuously. Li Hao quietly sampled them. The others murmured and chatted among themselves. Aside from occasionally asking Su Wanqing a question, he merely sipped alone—though his eyes often lingered on Su Muqing. Memories of the past, of that tea stand in a remote human town, rose unbidden in his mind.
Suddenly, a burst of cheers snapped him from his reverie.
“Incredible! Bai Mocheng from the Bai Clan has improved so much—ten wins out of thirteen battles at the third level of the Immortal Lord Realm! Too strong!”
“That’s one less Divine Spring Golden Osmanthus. Down to thirteen now.”
“Seems like, apart from the Four Little Phoenixes, Bai Mocheng is now a contender among the top-tier elites.”
A handsome youth with graceful bearing stepped down from the dueling platform, sheathing his sword. He returned to his clan’s section and took a seat beside a sweet-smiling girl.
She immediately checked him for injuries, eyes filled with concern. He simply laughed it off. “As long as you like it, that’s all that matters. When I pick one of those blossoms, I want everyone to know—whatever others have, my sister will have too.”
Her eyes shimmered with emotion.
Li Hao realized then—not every man came here purely to compete with their peers. Some were here to claim glory for their sisters, or even for someone they loved.
“The Bai Clan has really begun to rise these past few years,” Su Wanxue commented quietly.
Su Wanqing nodded, then turned to Li Hao.
“Haotian, why don’t you give it a try? With your strength, you stand a good chance of reaching ten victories and claiming a Divine Spring Golden Osmanthus.”
At her words, even Su Qiyu and the others turned toward Li Hao in surprise.
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