Chapter 367

Hua Xixi earnestly said: "Those girls are all from prestigious clans, ladies of noble birth—how could they possibly take a liking to you street ruffians, with no cultivation, no money? At best they'd spend their lives as cooks or waiters in taverns, or work in dye shops or breweries; you couldn't afford a house in the city, nor even a carriage—hmph!"

"Exactly! Totally mismatched!" the other two girls also said.

"Too realistic, isn't it?"

"Give people at least a little fantasy!"

Hua Aiai, Xiao Huzi and the others looked embarrassed.

A chubby youth retorted: "And what about you?"

Hua Xixi's eyes lit up, pointing at Bai Zixuan, who had drawn an eight-hundred-stone bow and was riding a flower-headed leopard: "That Young Master Bai is handsome and suave, charming and talented, with cultivation, looks, and family background—he's practically a perfect match!"

A skinny girl beside them pointed at Wang Qing, who had drawn a five-hundred-stone bow and was riding a horned horse: "I don't discriminate; that Young Master Wang is not bad—though his complexion is a bit dark, he certainly has a manly bearing!"

"Eh……"

Hua Aiai and the other youths looked completely bewildered.

Xiao Huzi youth widened his eyes: "You didn't say anything about mismatched families?"

Hua Xixi twirled her hair: "Boys and girls are different, after all—men need family background, power, and cultivation, while we girls just need beauty and the ability to bear children!"

The skinny girl said: "Yes, yes, someday these young masters will meet us, then fall in love at first sight, domineeringly kiss us, treat us as delicacies, then ruthlessly abandon us, only to come back begging desperately, saying they have unavoidable difficulties, and from then on they'll dote on us like little princesses or queens, hehe..."

"Well……" a group of youths again gaped in astonishment.

At that moment a plump girl with a reddish complexion looked at Heng Xian: "I, I actually think this young man is better-looking than them all, and also has bearing!"

Hua Xixi and the skinny girl then genuinely looked at Heng Xian; a flash of amazement crossed their eyes, then faded: "Too bad… he's not much better than us, just a kid from an ordinary family—what's the use of just looking good if you have to sneak a peek here? Honestly, sigh!"

Heng Xian subconsciously rubbed his nose.

Hua Aiai looked at him: "By the way, Heng Brother, which girl are you interested in?"

Everyone also looked at him.

Heng Xian fell silent for a moment, thinking, "Alright, I came here to see which girl I'm interested in," then casually pointed at Song Dou'er: "I think that girl is passable, at least suits my taste!"

As soon as he spoke, Hua Aiai and the group's faces changed, and they fell silent together.

After a while, Xiao Huzi youth coldly said: "You can't think like that; Dou'er girl is the princess of our Nan Yan City, pure and immaculate, of exalted status, sacred and inviolable—her husband and beloved must be a peerless talent, invincibly brave! Saying that is a desecration of her!"

The skinny girl also said: "People like you, having such thoughts are dangerous; I advise you to dismiss this idea!"

Heng Xian was somewhat surprised, and chuckled: "Just being pretty also requires someone to appreciate it… and… how do you know what kind of person I am?"

"You're exactly the fearless type!" The group fiercely defended their Nan Yan City goddess, the little princess, their little boat of friendship—saying it could overturn at any moment.

Heng Xian really had no interest in arguing with this bunch, so he simply stayed silent, yawned, and continued watching.

……

At this point, the rankings in the field had been decided.

Da Luo Holy Sect's Wang Ling hit six out of nine arrows, killing the strongest demon beast, which was upper fourth rank, equivalent to sixth or seventh layer of the Qi Hai Realm!

Next were Bai Zixuan and Mu Lanqing!

As for Wang Qing, whether from nervousness or being too eager to prove himself, he only hit two of nine arrows, still lowly first- or second-rank wild beasts, instantly becoming a laughingstock!

Walking back to Heng Yue Ruo's side, he was completely dazed.

Although Heng Yue Ruo was full of disappointment, she could only try to comfort him.

Mu Lanqing also returned to Song Dou'er's side, pouting: "Really, compared to archery, thank goodness Wang Qing is at the bottom, otherwise where would I put my face?"

"You, you don't even look at who you're being compared to!" Song Dou'er lightly tapped her forehead.

Mu Lanqing stuck out her tongue: "Yeah, looks like it's your turn next, huh?"

Just as her words fell, the field's chief steward shouted: "Miss Song Dou'er of the Song family, Young Master Mu Ti of Mu Qing City, Young Master Xiao Yujian of Qu Feng City!"

"My turn!"

Song Dou'er waved her sleeves, walking toward the field with graceful poise.

On the other side, the square-faced Mu Ti and the cold Xiao Yujian also stepped forward.

The field instantly erupted with cheers; today's final three had taken the stage!

Mu Ti readily laughed: "Let's keep it simple—compare archery, I'm a few years older, I'll go first!"

Speaking without waiting for their response, he flashed onto a batch of idle twin-headed giant wolves, grabbed a thousand-stone bow, and charged at the beast herd.

"First time seeing a thousand-stone bow in action—130,000 catties of pull—Young Master Mu is truly mighty!"

Someone in the crowd couldn't help but praise.

The matriarch of the Mu family smiled so wide her mouth couldn't close.

"Whoosh..."

At this moment, Mu Ti had already consecutively shot nine arrows, hitting seven, his achievements shining brightly!

This drew cheers from all around.

Mu Ti's face flushed red, riding back on the twin-headed wolf, he chuckled: "This thousand-stone bow is indeed fierce—your turn now!"

The icy cold Xiao Yujian stepped forward, ready to act,

Song Dou'er suddenly gave a light smile, performed a bow: "How about I go first to cast a brick to attract jade, Senior Xiao takes the final spot—that would make a fine story!"

Xiao Yujian had no objection, and didn't even glance at Song Dou'er, stepping aside.

Song Dou'er nodded slightly, then also walked toward the thousand-stone bow.

The field once again filled with gasps.

The strength difference between men and women still exists—how could the fairy-like Dou'er girl possibly wield a thousand-stone bow?

Mu Ti laughed and reminded: "Miss Song, you should act within your strength!"

"Thanks for the reminder, Senior Brother, it's fine!" Song Dou'er gave a light smile, leapt onto the back of a red-headed, green-eyed spirit eagle, nocked and shot an arrow, the string like a full moon, one arrow fired, then another...

Her clothes fluttered, her bearing heroic and vigorous—female valor not yielding to men!

All around, shouts and applause never ceased.

Mu Ti opened his mouth wide, his face full of admiration.

Even Xiao Yu Jian glanced several more times, a hint of approval appearing on his face.

Soon, Song Dou'er shot all nine arrows, hitting eight; the highest was already approaching a fifth-rank demon beast.

Then he leapt down from the spirit eagle, face not flushed, breath not labored, and looked toward Xiao Yu Jian.

Countless gazes in the arena also turned toward Xiao Yu Jian.

What about the next Golden Core experts?

Xiao Yu Jian strode straight to the Precious Eagle Bow, two grades above the Thousand Stone Bow, picked it up casually, then leapt onto a Thunder Tiger Beast, galloping off, nocking and shooting arrows, likewise drawing the bow to a full moon, one arrow after another……

"Whoosh……"

Each arrow tore through the sky, stirring up a sound of wind and thunder and a ripple of spiritual energy.

This is something others do not have.

"Pfft pfft pfft……"

The first eight arrows killed eight ferocious fifth-rank demon beasts; the last arrow, a double strike, killed two Zewei monsters!

He then leapt down from the Thunder Tiger Beast, and the Precious Eagle Bow returned to its place.

All the moves were done in one fluid motion!

The entire arena fell silent!

The gazes toward Xiao Yu Jian were filled with disbelief!

Because this achievement far surpasses the combined strength of everyone before him!

Immediately, the arena stirred, with cheers everywhere.

Mu Ti gave a wry smile: "Cousin, cousin, you… are you even letting people live?"

Song Dou'er's eyes bright, her face tinged with shyness, she bowed: "Brother Xiao, truly formidable; I willingly admit defeat!"

"Not at all!" Xiao Yu Jian nodded.

The chief steward beside him also felt parched, full of admiration, saying: "Young Master Xiao's valor is unmatched in my lifetime; this round, of course, Young Master Xiao takes first place—please withdraw, three of you!"

Xiao Yu Jian, Song Dou'er, and the three of them each returned.

From all directions came a crowd of teenagers chasing after stars.

Meanwhile, the ladies of the great cities and families chattered nonstop, with the matriarch of the Mu family and the Xiao relatives being the most pleased……

The Song family matriarch suddenly felt moved, looking at the Mu family matriarch: "I wonder if Young Master Xiao has ever married?"

The Mu family matriarch blinked, then broke into a smile: "Oh, what a coincidence! That Xiao Jian child has always used cultivation as an excuse, and remains unmarried to this day……"

……

"Do you know how many things Miss Dou'er has done for the poor of our Nan Yan City?"

"Do you know how kind her heart is?"

"How can you defile her and then feel not the slightest remorse?"

On the corner of the city wall, Hua Aiai, Xiao Huzi, and several others glared at Heng Xian, chattering nonstop.

Heng Xian moved his shoulders and limbs, then casually said: "What a hammer, so noisy!"

Having said that, he tapped his foot and vanished from the spot.

"What kind of lightness skill is that—just a whoosh and gone!" Hua Aiai exclaimed in shock.

……

At that moment, the chief steward was clearing his throat about to speak when suddenly his vision blurred and he discovered a person had appeared beside him.

A youth dressed in white brocade, with a handsome appearance and an otherworldly aura.

"Eh, who are you?" the steward blinked.

"Huh, who is that……"

The ladies, misses, and young masters of the great families from all directions turned to look.

Song Nantian, the Song family matriarch, the Mu family matriarch, and their group, who had been speaking reservedly, stopped talking and also looked over.

(End of chapter)