Chapter 302: Chapter 302: The Match Begins

The next day, the first rays of morning sun spilled over the Ancient City. A faint golden light reflected off its surfaces, making the entire Desert City look as if it were cast from gold!

"Let’s go, let’s go! Today’s the duel between Murong Wanqing and that kid with the surname Shen. We can’t be late!"

"Hah, it’s a fight with no suspense. Miss Murong is obviously going to win!"

"Tch, who doesn’t know that? You think we’re going to watch the fight? We’re going to get a glimpse of Miss Murong’s beauty! A direct descendant of the Murong Clan... I’ve never seen one in my entire life!"

"Then what are you waiting for? Hurry up! If we’re late, the fight might already be over, and Miss Murong will be gone!"

Early in the morning, the city was already filled with a clamorous uproar. Countless people flowed toward the martial arts grounds, converging in what could be called the largest commotion in Desert City in recent years. It was quite a spectacle!

At the Han Family estate, Shen Haoran walked out of his room to see Han Xu standing at the door, a worried expression on his face as if he had been waiting for him.

"Brother Shen, you’re finally out. How are you? Have you really thought this through? You’re going to accept Murong Wanqing’s challenge? It’s not too late to back out!" Han Xu said gravely.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran smiled and said, "Since I’ve already agreed to the fight, I won’t back down now. Brother Han, you don’t need to persuade me."

"You... alright then. I’ll go with you today. Don’t worry. Even if you lose, I will protect you. I’ll make sure you leave the Northern Domain safely!" Seeing Shen Haoran’s determined gaze, Han Xu could only give up and made his promise.

Looking at Han Xu’s solemn face, Shen Haoran felt a little moved. ’Not just anyone has the courage to stand up to the Murong Clan for my sake.’

"Don’t worry. This is a battle I will not, and cannot, lose!" Shen Haoran said in a deep voice, patting Han Xu’s shoulder.

Han Xu nodded heavily. Then, the two of them set off for the martial arts grounds together.

...

At this moment, the martial arts grounds in Desert City were already packed to the brim. This was already one of the most popular places in the city, and now with the arrival of Murong Wanqing, its popularity had exploded. Looking out over the entire grounds, one could see almost nothing but a sea of people, without a single empty spot.

On the martial arts grounds, Murong Wanqing was already standing on the Martial Arts Arena. She still wore her fiery red combat attire, which did nothing to hide her stunning figure. Her icy demeanor, combined with her unparalleled beauty, made every Martial Artist in the stands stare at her with fiery gazes, their eyes full of adoration.

"Sigh, I’m so jealous of the kid who’s dueling Miss Murong. I want to get up on that stage and have a match with her too!"

"You? You’d be knocked flat in a single move. You still want to fight her?"

"Hmph, to be defeated by Miss Murong’s hand would be a blessing I earned in my past life!" Below the stage, Murong Wanqing’s presence had stirred up a storm of heated discussion.

"You guys have no idea. I did some digging into Miss Murong’s background yesterday, and what I found will scare you to death! This Murong Wanqing isn’t just a direct descendant of the Murong Clan—she’s the biological granddaughter of the Murong Clan’s own head, Mr. Murong!"

"What? Mr. Murong’s granddaughter! Her status is no small matter, then!" At this, the way the crowd looked at Murong Wanqing changed slightly, a trace of reverence now mixed in their eyes.

"Look, the kid’s here!" 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Just as the crowd reeled in shock, a shout snapped everyone’s Heart Spirit back to the present. All eyes turned toward the entrance of the martial arts grounds, where Shen Haoran and Han Xu were slowly approaching. At the same time, Murong Wanqing opened her eyes and cast a cool glance at Shen Haoran.

"Brother Shen, be careful!" Han Xu whispered a reminder.

Shen Haoran nodded, then leaped gracefully onto the Martial Arts Arena, facing Murong Wanqing directly.

"I still don’t know your name," Murong Wanqing said, staring at Shen Haoran. Her ruby lips parted, and a voice like celestial music emerged.

"You have no need to know it. I don’t want my name to be spoken by anyone from your Murong Clan!" Shen Haoran snorted, showing Murong Wanqing no courtesy whatsoever.

"You seem to hold some resentment toward our Murong Clan. However, that is no reason for you to insult my family. Today, we will have a match. If you lose, you will apologize to the Murong Clan in front of everyone!" Murong Wanqing said, her expression gradually turning cold as she looked at Shen Haoran.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran scoffed, "Apologize to your Murong Clan? Hmph. Even if I die, I will never bow my head to your family!"

"You... Fine. In that case, I’ll grant you your wish!" Murong Wanqing’s face flushed with anger. A flash of red light appeared in her hand, and a longsword materialized. A sharp glint of light flashed from it, carving a deep gash into the hard bluestone tiles of the arena.

"That sword must be a Top Grade Spiritual Artifact! The Murong Clan is truly a great clan!" Seeing the sharp sword, a flicker of greed flashed through Lan Sha’s eyes.

"Draw your weapon!" Murong Wanqing barked, pointing the tip of her sword directly at Shen Haoran.

Shen Haoran took a deep breath, crouched slightly into a combat stance, and then said coolly, "I don’t need one to deal with you."

Seeing Shen Haoran’s arrogance, Murong Wanqing’s expression darkened. A terrifying aura erupted from her body, instantly kicking up a storm of Spiritual Power on the martial arts grounds!

"A Tier Six Spirit Marquis! A seventeen-year-old Tier Six Spirit Marquis! As expected of Mr. Murong’s granddaughter. Her Talent far surpasses that of ordinary geniuses!"

"To reach such heights at her age... her future is limitless!"

"That Shen kid still dares to be so arrogant? He won’t even know what hit him!" the crowd murmured, looking up at Murong Wanqing.

On the Martial Arts Arena, Shen Haoran’s brow twitched as he felt the aura coming from Murong Wanqing. ’A seventeen-year-old Tier Six Spirit Marquis. A true genius among geniuses. It seems the Murong Clan’s foundation is quite deep!’

’Hmph, a genius, you say? Then let me see just how capable you, Murong Wanqing, truly are!’ Shen Haoran snorted inwardly. The Spiritual Power in his body surged, and an overwhelmingly domineering aura burst forth, forcefully pushing back against Murong Wanqing’s own.

"Just a Tier One Spirit Marquis. The glow of a firefly daring to rival the brilliance of the moon. Shen Haoran will surely die today!" Lan Sha sneered, a murderous glint in his eyes as he watched Shen Haoran stand his ground against Murong Wanqing on the Martial Arts Arena.

"Go. Pass down my orders. The moment Shen Haoran is defeated, attack the Han Family immediately. Today, Shen Haoran’s life and the Han Family’s fortune... my Lan Family will devour them both!" Lan Sha commanded the Guard beside him coolly, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

BOOM...

The moment Lan Sha’s words fell, Shen Haoran moved. Despite being ostensibly weaker than Murong Wanqing, he still chose to attack first. ’This is the only way to control the tempo of the battle. Otherwise, I’ll be forced to react passively to her moves!’