"Hah!? Big gorilla?!"
A girl behind Long Aotian couldn't hold back any longer.
Ning Tian and the others turned toward the voice—and found that this girl's beauty rivaled even the finest among the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's women.
She wore a soft yellow gown, her eyes shimmering like rippling water. She appeared delicate as willow fluff in the wind; even from afar, one could sense the faint, gentle aura she exuded.
Yet that gentleness seemed merely a façade—at least right now.
"How dare you give someone such an ugly nickname out of nowhere?! And 'big gorilla'? You don't look like some commoner—just which family raised you with so little manners?!"
Not a single vulgar word was spoken, yet her rebuke burned like fire—each sentence striking straight into Wu Feng's heart.
"You—!"
Wu Feng immediately bristled, but Xiao Xiao and the Lan sisters yanked her back with all their might, whispering urgently:
"Sister Xiao Feng, calm down!"
"Yeah! This is still the tournament registration area—starting a fight here would cause huge trouble!"
"Exactly! Better to wait for the right moment later… maybe stuff her in a sack and drag her into an alley for a proper beating."
That last line was muttered under her breath—but to everyone present, it might as well have been shouted aloud.
For a moment, Ning Tian's polite smile—really just a practiced mask—nearly slipped off her face.
"Sister Feng," Ning Tian chided gently but firmly, "this is Princess Vina before you. Show some decorum."
The reprimand instantly silenced Wu Feng.
She studied the yellow-gowned girl with confusion—So this woman is actually a princess?
As if her identity had just been exposed, Vina's earlier fury vanished in an instant. In its place bloomed a warmth as soothing as a spring breeze.
This princess changes faces faster than anyone!
The thought flashed simultaneously through everyone's minds.
"Miss Ning, are you leading the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect's team this time?" Vina asked sweetly—a clear pleasantry. The news of the sect's participation wasn't exactly public knowledge, but the factions involved in planning the assault on the Sun Moon Imperial Palace certainly knew. And as Princess of Tianhun, Vina was among them.
"Of course," Ning Tian replied smoothly, her gaze sweeping over Long Aotian and his teammates. "But if Your Highness is representing Tianhun's Di Ao Academy, shouldn't you be registering elsewhere instead of waiting in this lounge?"
"That's because I'm not competing under my academy's banner," Vina said with a faint smile—then fell silent, clearly unwilling to elaborate further.
Meanwhile, Long Aotian and Chen Junting had long been aware of everything happening around them, yet neither had moved or spoken—locked in a silent, invisible standoff that only ended when neither side yielded.
Chen Junting finally broke the tension. "Sir, our team is about to be called for registration. Are you really going to keep blocking me until we both lose our eligibility to compete?"
Long Aotian remained expressionless at the jab.
"Of course not."
"Then kindly step aside. We've no grudge between us—it's unseemly to block someone like this." Chen Junting paused, then added pointedly, "Unless… you're stopping me for another reason?"
At that, Long Aotian's eyes lit up with unmistakable excitement.
"I want to fight you."
Ever since awakening his martial soul, he'd trained relentlessly from childhood. Later, he caught the eye of Sect Leader Du Busi and became his personal disciple. Blessed with extraordinary talent, his progress had been meteoric. Within his sect, no peer at his level could match him—and even those above his rank often fell before his might.
Simply put: among his generation, no one was worth fighting.
So he'd secluded himself in rigorous training ever since.
He originally saw no point in this tournament and had no intention of coming—until his master convinced him, saying, "This year's competition is brimming with genius; many prodigies your age will be competing."
And sure enough—he'd already found one.
No, actually—three within a single team.
Though the other two weren't as dazzling as the one before him.
So naturally, he'd challenge the strongest!
"Right here? Right now?"
Sensing Long Aotian's surging battle intent, Chen Junting was genuinely surprised by how impulsive he was—ready to issue a challenge on the spot. Definitely a full-blown martial maniac!
"Wel—"
Long Aotian took a deep breath, about to answer—
But…
"Aotian!"
Vina's sharp call snapped him back to reality. He remembered—they were in a hotel. Fighting here was impossible. If he wanted a duel, he'd have to wait for the arena.
What a shame. He'd have to wait a while longer.
A flicker of disappointment crossed his mind.
"I am Long Aotian, of the Bo… Snow Demon Sect," he declared, correcting himself mid-sentence. "Though we can't spar today, I'll be waiting for you in the finals."
His tone dripped with arrogance—as if reaching the finals were as effortless as plucking a fruit from his pocket.
"So confident you'll make it to the finals?" Chen Junting raised an eyebrow.
"Naturally." Long Aotian's eyes blazed. "In my eyes, every other team is beneath notice. Only we will reach the finals."
He clasped his fists respectfully, awaiting Chen Junting's name in return.
"I am Chen Junting, of the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Sect."
"So it's you…"
Long Aotian murmured softly, his gaze growing even more intense, his fighting spirit flaring higher. Clearly, Sect Leader Du Busi of the Body Sect must have mentioned Chen Junting to him.
Since they couldn't fight now, there was no reason to linger. True to his decisive nature, Long Aotian turned on his heel and led his team away without another word.
Watching them leave, Wu Feng snorted coldly.
"That guy's way too arrogant—what a big mouth."
Yet despite her words, there was no trace of real disdain in her tone.
Clearly, it was just Wu Feng being stubborn as usual.
The others simply sighed inwardly—they were long used to it. Even if Wu Feng died and was reduced to ashes someday, her sharp tongue would probably survive intact.
"First I met a sword maniac," Chen Junting mused with a wry smile as he retracted his gaze, "and now I've run into a martial maniac."
He didn't dislike Long Aotian, though.
Arrogant? Yes—but he had every right to be.
A true martial enthusiast who still retained a pure, earnest heart was rare indeed.
And though Long Aotian would eventually die protecting his fiancée, he'd fall heroically in defense against Sun Moon's invasion—giving his life for his country.
All things considered, it was hard to truly dislike the guy.
Meanwhile, Ning Tian watched the direction they'd disappeared in, her expression thoughtful.
Noticing this, Chen Junting leaned closer and asked quietly, "Xiao Tian, what's on your mind?"
"Nothing much," she shook her head lightly. "But if I recall correctly, Snow Demon Sect is merely a mid-tier sect in the Tianhun Empire. They shouldn't have the standing to include a Tianhun princess in their team… nor the capability to produce disciples of such caliber."
"Xiao Tian, they're not from the Snow Demon Sect at all."
Chen Junting shook his head. "Even though Long Aotian corrected himself quickly, I still caught that slip—'Bo…' He meant to say 'Body Sect.' It seems the famously secretive Body Sect is entering under a false name this time."
Ning Tian blinked in surprise. "Are they up to something again?"
Chen Junting gave a faint smile. "This time, it's not just them."
No sooner had he spoken than—within three breaths—
"Honored guests," a hotel attendant approached with a slight bow, "thank you for your patience. Your turn for registration has arrived. Please follow me."
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read the completed exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect' + get up to 40 Chapters ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)