Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, his voice cold and bored:
"Sky Demon ants. Still barking after all these years."
The Holy Saint Sky Demon stiffened.
The crowd around immediately hushed up all of a sudden. Tension thickened by some points.
Elder Mang Qi strode forward with flashing killing intent in his eyes, but was subtly intercepted by the calm-smiling Elder Mo Cang.
"Elder Mang Qi, long time no see."
".Mo Cang."
The two elders stared at each other, their sects having always been hostile.
Long ago, an Azura Cloud Holy Son killed Sky Demon Holy Land's Holy Saint, and the grudge was never erased.
Lin Chen snorted inwardly. He has already see all disciples around the Sky Demon Holy Land, but did not find single Heaven's chosen. After all Sky Demon Holy Land is one four great Holy Land and these disciples are also top disciples in their Holy Land.
In the story, Sky Demon Holy Land may be a place with villain-type geniuses with twisted personalities.
He smiled slowly. This was only the beginning of the gathering, yet hostility crackled through the air like lightning.
An uncomfortable silence swallowed the grand reception platform.
Dozens of imperial guards straightened their backs. The young geniuses from the other sects subconsciously held their breath. Some even stepped backward soundlessly, afraid that a fight between two Holy Lands would break out on the spot.
One insult had turned the whole stage into a pressure cooker.
Just when the tension reached a dangerous limit—
A clear, aged voice finally broke the silence.
"Calm your tempers, noble guests.
One of the three Imperial Saint Elders stepped forward. The golden robes rustled softly on his person as an aura as heavy as a mountain flowed out of his body. The air wavered as if reality was bending.
Saint Elder Wu Tian - the second strongest amongst the Imperial Family's Saint Elders.
He raised his hand, pushing it gently downwards.
Instantly, a wave of soft force diffused and dissolved the clashing auras of the Sky Demon and Azura Cloud Holy Land like mist under sunlight.
"We welcome guests from all corners of the Tianxuan Continent," Wu Tian said, his tone polite but with completely unmistakable pressure. "This platform is not a place for conflicts."
Elder Mang Qi snorted coldly, then retreated half a step.
Elder Mo Cang clasped his hands in respect.
"Forgive the friction, Senior. Young disciples carry youthful blood."
Elder Wu Tian smiled slightly.
"Provided nobody tries to spill that youthful blood here, we don't have a problem."
His eyes subtly swept across Lin Chen and the Sky Demon Holy Saint.
Both were talented enough to hold the key roles in the coming generation. The Imperial Family did not want a corpse before the gathering had even begun.
Saint Elder Wu Tian's words changed the atmosphere, as he spoke with much experience.
"The arena competition in the Imperial Genius Gathering is going to begin tomorrow. Each Holy Land will send out the most powerful young talents."
Turning to Elder Mang Qi and to Elder Mo Cang, he said:
"If your juniors feel dissatisfaction… the arena is where they should resolve it."
The implication was clear: Fight in the arena, not here, not now.
Elder Mang Qi laughed deeply and with arrogance.
"Hmph! Of course. My Sky Demon disciples are dying to know what this so-called Celestial Dao Bone Holy Son will do."
His eyes flashed toward Lin Chen in a blatantly provocative way.
Elder Mo Cang's expression did not change.
"Azura Cloud Holy Land welcomes any challenge."
Elder Mang Qi sneered.
"We shall see if a mouth is enough to survive on the stage."
Saint Elder Wu Tian coughed lightly, and once again fire no longer rose.
"Good, good, young people should compete. A healthy rivalry makes the continent prosperous." He made a gesture behind him. "Since all Holy Lands and big sects are arriving, let us not clutter this platform any more. We have prepared private courtyards for each power."
The two holy land disciples were led by the elders to their respective courtyard. There was an engraving above the gate that stated "Azura Cloud Holy Land," which meant that they would be staying there for the next few days.
"Elder Mo Cang, you've to rest here for a few days. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask. Imperial trade fair already started. So your disciple can go their." The elders said politely inviting their group into the courtyard.
"Thanks for the trouble!" Elder Mo Cang clasped his fist in greeting. The elders all bowed and drew back.
He swiftly shut the courtyard gate, while checking the surroundings for any hidden perils.
"The courtyard is fine," He found the courtyard safe and fully equipped, requiring no further preparation. Besides, the courtyard was big enough to hold more than fifty people.
"You all have three days in the Imperial Genius Gathering. Today is the famous trade fair in black emperor city. Next day, it would be a gathering of various geniuses, as well as arena competition between all over young generations.
As for the last day, it would be a big auction by Silver Moon Pavilion in Black emperor city. Use this time wisely. The Imperial Trade Fair has already begun—go broaden your horizons. See the world beyond the sect."
"Yes, Elder!"
The disciplined voices reverberated in the courtyard, but the excitement hidden beneath their composure was unmistakable. Not even Core disciples training every day under strict rules were able to hide the anticipation in their eyes.
The Imperial Trade Fair wasn't some ordinary bazaar. It was a sacred event that happened once every century, a showcase of wonders from all corners of the Tianxuan Continent:
Just then, the most senior true disciple, Bai Ruoyan, a woman dressed in azure, stepped forward, her noble temperament reflected upon her face.
"Holy Son," she said softly, "since this is your first time in the Imperial Capital… do you want to go and see the trade fair with us?
Beside her, three male true disciples supported her suggestion.
"Holy Son, the market is so big. It's not convenient to go there alone. We should go together."
"Moreover, you represent the Azura Cloud Holy Land. If you walk separately, people may misunderstand and cause unnecessary trouble."
The last one grinned confidently. 'Also, we can help you bargain.'
Lin Chen raised his eyebrow. He had planned to wander alone at first-easier to observe destinies without interruption.
But… having the sect disciples around him wasn't a disadvantage. Actually— Heaven's Chosen usually revealed themselves by causing drama and nothing causes more drama than a group of disciples from a big Holy Land walking together.
"Very well," he said, voice calm and faintly amused. "Let's go together."
Instantly, the disciples' eyes lit up.
"Yes!"
The fifty disciples stood neatly in their positions-true disciples at the front, core disciples behind them, and Lin Chen walking naturally at the center, as if the position belonged to him from birth.