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nEverybody hurried downstairs to watch the show. Although they wouldn’t be considered proper candidates, it didn’t stop them from enjoying the commotion.

nThe city lord, his daughter, and the five candidates were all important individuals that could attract much attention on their own, let alone all five of them put together.

nHimmel Soan put down his glass and followed the crowd. His mental force could cover half a city now, so he could tell which part was the most bustling.

nOnly one place was packed now, and that had to be where the contest was. He could find it even if he didn’t follow the crowd. He was just going with the flow.

nNo one noticed him. It was as if he was invisible.

nHimmel Soan did it on purpose, creating the effect with his mental force so that everyone around him wouldn’t realize his presence.

n“My lord, everything’s ready!” said one of the subordinates.

n“I see,” Peklon Baih nodded. He could see it too and didn’t need the subordinate’s reminder.

nHowever. he was distracted. He felt like being watched, but he couldn’t say for sure. It was a strange feeling.

nWas there a capable cultivator in town?

nPeklon sensed the energy in the city, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. There wasn’t any powerful energy, so what was going on?

nBut now wasn’t the time to be distracted. The contest was waiting.

n“Let’s begin.”

n“The contest starts now!”

n…

n“Finally! We’ve been waiting forever!”

n“Our lord is always punctual. Why is he late today?”

n“It’s not a big deal. We only waited a bit longer. Everybody needs some time to prepare!”

n“That’s right! Are you accusing our lord of not being punctual?”

n“Of course not! I’m just curious!”

n“Curiosity will get you killed!”

nThe competition began amid the crowd’s discussions. They didn’t take the battles too seriously. The first few rounds were only for show. They were there to fill the numbers.

nThe actual contest would take place between the predetermined candidates. Those five men were the real deal.

nSome of the five young men even came from other cities. All of them were here because the Biah family’s daughter was looking for a husband. Moreover, she was a pretty girl that had been raised well. No one wanted to miss such an opportunity.

n“Shif Woad is a handsome man. No wonder he’s one of the candidates!”

n“He fights well, too!”

n“I think Yov is better. Shif is too fair and too civilized. He won’t last for long.”

n“Neither of them is handsome enough. Hoy is much better-looking!”

n“I guess he’s alright, but only one of them can marry the lord’s daughter. Who do you think will be the lucky man?”

n“I don’t need to think! It must be Shif!”

n“No, I think Yov has a better chance. Shif isn’t good enough!”

n“…”

nThe discussion revolved around the five candidates.

nHimmel Soan saw how people in this world fought, observing the way they put spiritual essence into use. But he wasn’t going to take up that method. He still found his own way more effective.

nHe soon lost interest. He already knew what the result of this contest would be. If everything went on like this, Shif was going to win. That man could easily crush the others because his cultivation level was the highest among the five.

nShif hadn’t even used his full strength. If he exerted all his power, he could probably fight all four opponents at once.

nHowever, Shif didn’t do that. Himmel Soan didn’t know why, and he didn’t need to either. He only wanted to find the city lord and had no interest in the contest. If he had to be someone’s husband, that person could only be Gina.

nHis sole purpose was to find Gina.

n“Wait… is that him?”

nPeklon looked in Himmel Soan’s direction while he was also looking at him. He was surprised when he saw Himmel Soan’s face. The other party looked like a man in his early twenties, yet he could calmly meet Peklon’s gaze without looking away. That was very rare!

nMoreover, Peklon knew he could sense everybody in his surroundings, and Himmel Soan shouldn’t be an exception. But when he saw Himmel Soan, it was as if he had appeared out of the blue.

nPeklon could recognize all the people even if he glanced at them for the briefest moment. But not Himmel Soan.

nAlthough he had been standing there the whole time, Peklon had somehow ignored him.

nHimmel Soan slowly walked toward Peklon, who told his servant, “Make some tea.”

nThe servant was dumbfounded. The contest wouldn’t finish for a while. Wasn’t it a bit too early to make tea?

nDespite the confusion, he still carried out the order. He didn’t need any answers and only needed to do as he was told.

nHimmel Soan arrived at the building Peklon was in. Naturally, the gate was guarded. The guards stood in his path, blocking his way. “Who are you?”

n“I’m the guest of your lord.” Himmel Soan smiled and walked past them.

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