Elder Hu and Elder Wang led Ian Song and the group toward the arena, but halfway there, they were blocked by a tall, burly, red-faced elder in black robes.
This was the same man who, yesterday, stood atop a demonic bird and was called 'Brother Ming' by the Ao brothers. His name was Mason Ming, a Mystic Gate Elder of the Divine Moon Sect.
The Divine Moon Sect's territory bordered Pristine Way, so their disciples often clashed, and relations between the two sects were notoriously poor.
The Divine Moon Sect's disciples were also divided into four ranks: Outer Sect, Inner Sect, Upper Sect, and Mystic Gate.
A Mystic Gate Elder was equivalent to a Core Elder of Pristine Way. Howard Gu, Harriet Gu's close male relative, was among the Inner Sect disciples present.
"Brother Hu, Brother Wang, I heard Pristine Way can only field three disciples for the duel. Want Divine Moon Sect to lend you two more?" Mason Ming said with a playful grin.
"We appreciate Brother Ming's kindness, but there's no need to borrow anyone," Elder Hu replied coolly.
"Ah, I was only trying to help... But if you don't want it, so be it!" Mason Ming said, feigning regret.
Elder Hu and Elder Wang could see Mason Ming was just putting on a show, so they brushed him off with a few words and continued with Ian Song's group to the arena.
At this moment, there was still nearly half an hour before the hour of Chen.
The Sea Emperor Sect hadn't arrived yet.
"Leon, maybe you should reconsider. How about letting me and Harriet Gu take on Invincible Xiong and Evan Ouyang?"
Yoon Zhengyang quietly discussed with Leon Huang.
Last night, after Elder Hu announced Leon would face Sea Emperor's top three Inner Sect disciples, Yoon Zhengyang and Harriet Gu both came to his room, saying they were willing to take on Invincible Xiong and Evan Ouyang.
But Ian turned them down.
Everyone thought Pristine Way was destined to lose this match, but Ian intended to defeat all of Sea Emperor's contestants himself.
Yoon Zhengyang and Harriet Gu still had a real chance against Derek Long and Lily Xuanyuan, but against the other three, defeat was certain.
That was why he refused their good intentions.
"I appreciate your kindness, Brother Yoon! But let's stick to Elder Hu's arrangements," Leon gently shook his head.
Yoon Zhengyang sighed softly and said no more.
As the hour of Chen approached, the Sea Emperor Sect finally arrived.
Leading them, of course, were the Ao brothers, Logan and Hugh.
Trailing behind were four men and one woman.
"Brother Hu, are your contestants ready?" Logan Ao swept his gaze over Ian Song and the other two, smirking.
"Thanks for your concern, Brother Ao. We're ready," Elder Hu replied calmly.
"In that case, let's start early!"
Logan Ao nodded, then turned to the girl in white, Lily Xuanyuan. "Lily, you go first!"
"Okay!"
Lily Xuanyuan was only eighteen, petite and exquisitely beautiful. With a graceful leap, she landed atop the five-meter-high platform.
"Which senior brother or sister from Pristine Way wants to come up?" Lily called out with a playful smile.
With a blur, Fairy Gu landed on the platform.
Both young women were stunningly beautiful, and as they stood together on the stage, the crowd was dazzled—like rival blossoms vying for attention.
Lily Xuanyuan sized up Fairy Gu with curiosity. "Sister, you must be Fairy Gu. I've heard your name before."
Fairy Gu nodded coolly. "I've heard yours too. Well, let's begin."
"Hehe, then I won't hold back!"
With a light laugh, Lily suddenly struck. Her weapon was a fiery red whip.
With a flick of her wrist, the whip became a blur of red, lashing toward Fairy Gu.
Ssshing!
Fairy Gu's longsword flashed from its sheath.
Her sword turned into a streak of silver, stabbing out and clashing with the whip, producing a crisp sound.