Chapter 415: Fighting All the Heroes Under Heaven for You!

As she spoke, a maidservant helped a graceful figure emerge from backstage.

Xiao Ruyan, in a grand red phoenix coronet and gown, looked like a celestial maiden descending to earth.

Unfortunately, her head was covered with a red veil, so her true face could not be seen.

Yet Ye Yuan could sense that behind that red veil was absolutely a face so beautiful it would make one lose oneself.

Today, whichever man could lift that red veil would surely be the happiest person under heaven!

"What's this about! We want to see the real person!"

"Exactly! If we can't see Miss Ruyan's face, how do we know it's really her? What if you're fooling us with a fake?"

"Lift the veil! Lift the veil!"

Seeing Xiao Ruyan come out with her face covered, the crowd immediately erupted in discontent.

Xiao Changfeng said sternly, "Hmph! Though the Xiao family is not a first-rate clan, we are still a reputable family in the royal city. With so many people present today, how could I make such a joke? Anyone who doesn't wish to participate in this martial contest for a bride is free to leave now!"

Seeing Xiao Changfeng lose his temper, the martial artists present fell silent; offending their future father-in-law was hardly a wise move.

Huang Wenqiu sneered, "These trash are worthy of glimpsing Miss Ruyan's peerless beauty? A toad lusting after a swan's flesh!"

"Heh, aren't you also one of those toads? What right do you have to mock them?" Xue Zaihe sneered back.

"Xue Zaihe, are you provoking me? Hmph, all talk and no action—you'll see what's coming for you!" Huang Wenqiu sneered in return.

"Heh, today I am determined to marry Miss Ruyan! Whoever dares to stand in my way, I'll step over his corpse!" Xue Zaihe said with a faint smile, but his words sent chills down one's spine.

Before the martial contest had even begun, the air was already thick with tension.

"Ruyan, go sit over there," Xiao Changfeng said to Xiao Ruyan.

Xiao Ruyan nodded slightly and went to sit aside.

Her seat was very conspicuous, visible from the entire square.

And as luck would have it, among the guests, Ye Yuan was seated closest to her—whether by coincidence or Xiao Changfeng's deliberate arrangement.

Xiao Changfeng watched Xiao Ruyan sit down, then cast a meaningful glance at Ye Yuan, as if he had already chosen Ye Yuan as his son-in-law.

Xiao Changfeng's gaze made Ye Yuan shudder, but how could Ye Yuan not know Xiao Changfeng's intentions?

Only... today's outcome would likely disappoint him.

"Today's martial contest has no special rules; the one who ultimately prevails on the arena wins! However, once you step onto the arena, you are responsible for your own life and death. You have already signed the life-and-death pledge when you registered! The Xiao family does not force anyone onto the arena; you may still withdraw now. I advise that young martial artists below the Sea of Energy Realm should not step up. Cultivation is not easy; a true man need not worry about finding a wife. Do not ruin yourselves today!" said Xiao Changfeng.

Admittedly, Xiao Changfeng's words had a significant effect, like a bucket of cold water dousing some and waking them up.

On the arena, life and death are one's own responsibility; if you die, you die, and no one will pity you!

And this martial contest had two ultimate killing stars waiting!

Fighting those two killing stars for a wife—the outcome was obvious; those two would surely go for the kill!

So whether to step up required careful consideration.

But... Xiao Ruyan's reputation in the royal city was simply too great!

Before this, various versions of Xiao Ruyan's portrait had already circulated quietly. Though the portraits differed, they all shared one trait—she was breathtakingly beautiful!

Coupled with the Xiao family's status in the royal city, most of these martial artists were still as pumped as if they had taken a shot of adrenaline!

Especially those martial artists under thirty who had reached the Sea of Transformation realm—how could they be willing to give up without trying?

"Now, the martial arts contest for a bride officially begins!" Xiao Changfeng announced in a clear voice.

Just then, Xiao Ruyan suddenly heard a voice transmission from Ye Yuan: "Good disciple, you are the first disciple I have ever taken! Today, your master will fight all the heroes under heaven for you, consider it a gift for our first meeting!"

With that, Ye Yuan drifted away and landed on the arena stage.

With her face veiled, no one could see Xiao Ruyan's expression, but her body trembled slightly.

"Huh? What's happening? Who is that?"

"You don't even know him? Have you forgotten that the Seventh Prince knelt before him in apology a month ago?"

"What! He's Ji Qing? What is he doing?"

"You pig! Coming out like this, of course he's joining the contest for a bride!"

"Nonsense, of course I know he's joining the contest, but he's only at the seventh level of Crystal Condensation—isn't that suicide?"

"Hehe, I heard Ji Qing's alchemy has reached perfection, and he completely crippled Tong Wenchang in the alchemy duel between the Xiao and Tong families, but I didn't know he was so confident in martial arts!"

...

Ye Yuan's sudden appearance caused an uproar!

Xiao Changfeng hadn't had time to exit the stage yet. Seeing Ye Yuan's move, his face turned ashen.

Today's contest had no rules—just defeat your opponent!

And among the eligible youths present today, there were at least eight thousand, if not ten thousand. And those who dared to sign up—which one wasn't an expert?

The first martial artist to step up was at the greatest disadvantage!

He would have to face a grueling battle against all the other martial artists present!

One man against ten thousand?

What a joke!

Xiao Changfeng wanted to curse out loud: If you don't want to marry my daughter, at least don't refuse her like this!

What is this supposed to mean?

Forget Ye Yuan at the seventh level of Crystal Condensation; even Shangguan Lingyun and Zhao Chengqian, hailed as the best of the younger generation in the royal city, probably wouldn't dare to be the first to step up on such an occasion!

With so many martial artists, they'd wear him down to death!

Being the first on stage clearly meant he didn't want to marry Xiao Ruyan!

His daughter must be furious right now, right?

Xiao Changfeng looked toward Xiao Ruyan and indeed saw her body trembling slightly. Hatred surged in his heart!

Xiao Ruyan marrying Ji Qing was undoubtedly the best choice, yet this guy had stood her up!

"Hahaha, so this kid is an idiot, rushing onto the stage first! Who does he think he is, Emperor Feng? Does he really think he can sweep through ten thousand martial artists alone?"

Seeing this, Zhao Chengqian couldn't help but burst into loud mockery.

"Seventh Prince, since this kid is asking for death, we won't be polite! Haha, when he's exhausted, I'll go up and give him a good beating for you!" Huang Wenqiu said with a loud laugh.

Huang Wenqiu's words drew a wave of contempt—that flattery was way too obvious!

Zhao Chengqian, however, stopped laughing. His eyes flickered, as if lost in thought.