Chapter 93: Princess Yaoyue's Selection

Imperial Palace

After being strictly searched, Xiao Ding and the others entered the Candidate Hall.

Xiao Ding glanced briefly at the others, forming a rough idea in his mind.

Over twenty people had come; aside from him, all were Great Fighters, mostly low-rank Great Fighters.

After all, which Spirit Fighter would willingly come to be a guard?

The head of the Mo Family is also a Spirit Fighter; relying on his connection with the Cloud Mist Sect in the Northeast Province of the Jia Ma Empire, he is one of the four great families, far more glorious than being a guard.

On a concealed viewing platform, the two sisters Yaoyue and Yaoye observed the candidates.

Yaoye pointed at one and said, "That person has the deepest cultivation; he's probably quite strong even among Great Fighters—I think he's not bad."

Yaoyue followed his gaze, pouting, "He looks so fierce; I might mistake him for a kidnapper."

Yaoye laughed helplessly, "Then you still want to find someone more handsome?"

Yaoyue's eyes rolled as she noticed Xiao Ding in the corner, humming, "I think he's not bad; his demeanor is refined, fitting my status as an imperial princess—at least taking him out won't embarrass me."

Yaoye glanced, then froze for a moment—not because of Xiao Ding's handsomeness, but because of his age.

"He looks about my age, and he's already a Great Fighter?"

Yaoye thought to herself, Everyone here has been screened; only Great Fighters are eligible, so Xiao Ding's cultivation is surely reliable.

Looking at Xiao Ding's youthful appearance, Yaoye already had a plan; even if he wasn't selected, she would bring him into her team to train him well—perhaps he'd become a Spirit Fighter powerhouse someday.

Standing in the center of the hall, a middle-aged man in black armor, seeing that the time was about right, called out loudly, "Everyone, the trial begins—step forward and draw lots."

On the ground lay a redwood box containing twenty-four numbers; nearby pairs would fight, and finally six victors would emerge to become Princess Yaoyue's guards.

Xiao Ding walked unhurriedly to the end of the line, which also made it convenient for him to observe the other participants.

"Hey, kid, which major power's young master are you? Come over and fight us for a guard position."

A man with shifty eyes muttered discontentedly, "These people came here mostly because they have no backing, hoping to rely on the imperial palace, or to advance further."

But Xiao Ding looks so young; he surely has powerful backing—why would such a talent compete with them for a guard spot?

Xiao Ding gave a faint smile, "I, Xiao, merely had some luck; I'm not a genius."

Seeing his punch land on cotton, the shifty-eyed man turned his head away.

The surname Xiao—there doesn't seem to be any major clan with that name in the capital's great families.

Soon it was Xiao Ding's turn to draw lots; he casually grabbed one from the redwood box and returned to the corner.

"9"

Xiao Ding pocketed the slip without a change in expression and began to watch the fights on stage.

The two fighters on stage were a three-star Great Fighter and a four-star Great Fighter; their match was evenly matched.

Most of those who came here had no backing, using at most low-rank Profound techniques; to Xiao Ding, they offered no challenge, since he completely outclassed them in techniques, skills, and cultivation.

"In this situation, wouldn't beating several at once draw more attention? … Never mind—'the bird that sticks out gets shot'; offending these Great Fighters wouldn't be wise."

Xiao Ding dismissed the thought that had arisen in his mind; he was really influenced by his second brother, who, upon returning last time, said that in a hunting competition just after entering the inner court, he had made everyone go all out.

"Next group, number nine, number ten."

Catching sight of the refined Xiao Ding stepping onto the stage, Yaoyue tugged excitedly at Yaoye's sleeve.

Yaoye slapped Yaoyue's hand impatiently, "Can you be a bit more composed?"

It's not Yaoyue's fault for seeming unworldly; after discovering her talent for alchemy as a child, she had been taught solely by a group of old men.

When she grew up and began meeting more people, it was just the palace eunuchs, whose effeminate faces made Yaoyue think they were more womanly than her sister Yaoye.

Finally seeing some guard candidates, they were all a bunch of rough brutes, each uglier than the last; she clearly remembered from the maidens' storybooks that handsome men were supposed to have sword-like brows and starry eyes, with graceful bearing.

No matter what the little princess thought, Xiao Ding had already stepped onto the arena.

"Please!"

A long sword was drawn; Xiao Ding showed no fear—he was merely a two-star Great Fighter, and having already familiarized himself with his current strength on the road, a single strike could defeat him.

"Yellow Rank High-Level Technique, Horse Four Young Three!"

Seeing his palm strike coming, Xiao Ding placed his sword horizontally before his chest; the strong wind ruffled the strands of hair by his ears, then he rotated the sword blade to deflect the opponent.

Xiao Ding flickered, appearing before the retreating man, and thrust a palm forward, sending him off the stage.

"I accept your concession."

Xiao Ding clasped his hands, then calmly stepped down from the stage; although his opponent was somewhat unwilling, Xiao Ding had held back, and the opponent could not find a pretext to press further, so he left the imperial palace in dejection.

The middle-aged man in black armor flashed his gaze, looking at Xiao Ding with some surprise.

"A Spirit Fighter powerhouse… how could such a strong person come to be a guard?"

The middle-aged man felt puzzled but did not speak up; this situation might be an enemy state's spy, and raising alarm would be unwise.

Afterward, the middle-aged man's gaze seemed casual, but he kept watching Xiao Ding while standing in front of the princesses' observation point to prevent any mishap.

After twelve bouts ended, the second round began; this time Xiao Ding faced number twelve, and winning this match would secure his selection.

"Number nine, number twelve, enter the arena."

Xiao Ding stepped onto the stage calmly, while number twelve's back was already soaked in cold sweat; Xiao Ding, who could defeat a two-star Great Fighter with a single move, was undoubtedly the strongest contender in this selection.

"I, concede."

Number twelve said with a dry throat, "I'm only a four-star Great Fighter; rather than suffer a beating, it's better to wisely concede now."

"Hey, sister, look—he really got selected!"

Yaoyue gripped the railing with both hands, speaking rather excitedly.

Yaoye's face, however, grew somewhat solemn; the middle-aged man had just transmitted his judgment to her, so she needed to be careful from now on.

……

"The selection is over; please wait a moment, fill out some basic personal information, and I will reply to you in a week."

Holding the collected information sheets, the middle-aged man's eyes showed less vigilance.

"Xiao Ding, the eldest son of the City Lord of Wutan City, is he coming to the Imperial Palace to gild himself? Or to expand his family's influence?"

The middle-aged man stroked his chin, somewhat unsure of the accuracy of this news; he needed to investigate.

Within this week, Xiao Ding and the six of them will stay in a Side Hall, awaiting the results; during this period, they are not allowed to go anywhere.

(End of chapter)