Why Choose Him Instead of Me

Under Ling Shuangshuang's orchestration, news of the arena tournament grew wings and spread throughout the entire Lingxiao Divine Dynasty. In merely half a day, every young talent in the dynasty had heard about the event.

Ten days from now, an arena tournament would be held at the martial training grounds of the Lingxiao Divine Dynasty. The reigning champion was the Princess's Dao companion, Ye Hao, whose cultivation was at the peak of the Mahayana Realm. Challengers were restricted to cultivators of the Lingxiao Divine Dynasty at or below the Immortal Realm. There was no limit on the number of people or matches; he would fight as many as dared to come.

Anyone who defeated the champion would be rewarded with an Emperor-tier cultivation technique, a million immortal crystals, and a personal favor from Her Highness the Princess. Furthermore, to ensure all the various prodigies could arrive at the imperial capital on time, the teleportation arrays in all major cities were activated.

The moment this news broke, the entire Lingxiao Divine Dynasty exploded in an uproar.

"Arrogance! A cultivator at the peak of the Mahayana Realm actually dares to boast about challenging the Immortal Realm, even claiming he'll fight however many come? Is this man insane? Only by becoming an Immortal does one have the right to say they've truly stepped onto the path of cultivation. Beneath Immortals, all are but ants! He's merely in the Mahayana Realm, with the Tribulation Transcendence Realm still standing between him and Immortality. How dare he?"

"Exactly! Moreover, this man is Her Highness's Dao companion. Princess Ling Shuangshuang is the number one beauty of our Lingxiao Divine Dynasty. Her talent is unparalleled, reaching the Immortal Realm at such a young age—truly unprecedented. How could her Dao companion be such a reckless brute?"

"Haha, don't you all think this is actually a good thing? We are all Immortals, yet we suffer from not having a good cultivation technique, leaving our cultivation speed stagnant. If we defeat this guy, not only can we obtain an Emperor-tier technique, but we'll also gain cultivation resources and a favor from the Princess. He's practically delivering an opportunity right to our doorstep!"

Voices of doubt and discussion surged from every corner of the Lingxiao Divine Dynasty. Like boiling water bubbling over, the fervor rapidly swept across the entire dynasty and even reached the ears of other major factions in the Ten Directions and Nine Netherworlds.

The Ancient Xiao Family of the Ten Directions and Nine Netherworlds.

"Interesting. The Lingxiao Divine Dynasty has truly provided us with some great entertainment this time. A Mahayana Realm cultivator challenging all cultivators at or below the Immortal Realm. I really must go and see exactly what kind of abilities the person who proposed this challenge has!"

The Xiao family's Emperor Son, Xiao Junbao, raised his eyes toward the direction of the Lingxiao Divine Dynasty, a blazing will to fight igniting in his gaze.

"Lord Emperor Son, how can a firefly compete with the bright moon? In this old servant's view, this is most likely a gimmick by the Lingxiao Divine Dynasty to build momentum for their Prince Consort. They might even just put on a show, finding a few random Immortals to pretend to be defeated by him to earn him some fame."

Saintess of the Moon Palace:

"One person fighting all the prodigies of an entire divine dynasty alone... Does he truly have the strength, or is it just empty bravado? It seems I also need to make a trip to the Lingxiao Divine Dynasty."

Similar scenes played out within all the major factions. When Qin Hao set up the arena and invited the prodigies of an entire divine dynasty to battle, the self-proclaimed extraordinary geniuses of the major factions all sprouted the desire to fight him.

......

On the third day after the news of the arena tournament spread, Ling Shuangshuang was in the study of the Princess's Manor, flipping through the registration lists sent from various regions.

"The number of people who registered is far greater than I imagined. I suppose everyone saw the rich rewards but noticed the champion's strength is only at the Mahayana Realm, so they all want to come and score an easy win."

Ling Shuangshuang leaned back in her chair, resting her bare feet on the edge of the desk. The hem of her purple dress slipped down from her knees, revealing a section of her fair calves. Her gaze fell out the window, and Qin Hao's face involuntarily surfaced in her mind.

"What is that guy doing right now?"

"Shuangshuang! Shuangshuang!"

Just as Ling Shuangshuang's heart was completely occupied with thoughts of Qin Hao, an urgent call came from outside the door, interrupting her train of thought.

Ling Shuangshuang frowned slightly and slowly walked out of the study. She saw a tall, slender figure striding into the room. The man had a handsome face, an innate noble aura between his brows, and a faint, perfectly measured smile hanging on his lips.

If it were any other woman seeing such a figure, her heart would surely race and her face would flush red. Unfortunately for him, the person standing before him was Ling Shuangshuang, who only had eyes for Qin Hao.

"Shuangshuang!" Ling Feng walked briskly up to her.

"Shuangshuang, when did you get a Dao companion? How did I not know? What is going on with this arena tournament? Why is everyone saying the champion is your Dao companion?"

Ling Shuangshuang furrowed her brows tightly. "Ling Feng, please mind how you address me. Our relationship is not close enough for you to call me that!"

Seeing Ling Feng, dark lines formed on Ling Shuangshuang's face. This man was her suitor, the heir of the King of Pingnan of the Lingxiao Divine Dynasty. Three years ago, when they first met, this man fell hopelessly in love with her.

But how could Ling Shuangshuang ever take a liking to him? After all, from her perspective, Ling Feng was the continuation of her brother's bloodline. Even if she had feelings for him, she couldn't possibly be with her brother's child, let alone the fact that she had absolutely no feelings for him in the first place.

Hearing Ling Shuangshuang's words, Ling Feng's expression stiffened, but he took a deep breath and quickly restored his gentle and refined demeanor.

"Shuangshuang, we've known each other for so many years. You should be very clear about my feelings for you. I know you have high standards, so I've always been working hard, cultivating diligently to make myself worthy of you. Do you know how much it hurt when I heard this news today?"

Ling Shuangshuang curled her lips dismissively. "Ling Feng, I don't care about your feelings. I don't like you, and you should stop liking me too. I'll say it one more time: my affairs have nothing to do with you."

Ling Feng's expression grew even uglier. His lips trembled a few times as if he were holding something back, but ultimately, he did not lose his temper. Instead, he continued to maintain his gentle facade.

"Shuangshuang, I won't give up. But at the very least, you have to let me understand what kind of background this Ye Hao has! What gives him the right to be worthy of you? He's nothing but a rogue cultivator in the Mahayana Realm, while I am in the Tribulation Transcendence Realm! A fifty-year-old Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivator—looking across the entire Ten Directions and Nine Netherworlds, I am among the most top-tier prodigies!"

"Why? Why won't you even spare me a glance, yet you choose to become Dao companions with a nobody?"

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Feng stopped, because he saw a man walk up to Ling Shuangshuang's side. That man wore a dark-colored robe without any superfluous decorations, and even his hair was just casually tied back.

However, even such a simple outfit could not erase the man's handsomeness. Ling Feng had always felt that his own appearance was quite good, but upon seeing Qin Hao, he couldn't help but feel a sense of inadequacy.

"Is it him? Is that Ye Hao? He certainly was born with a good face! Shuangshuang, don't tell me you were bewitched by his looks?"

"What's the use of looking good? You have heaven-shaking talent; only I am worthy to stand by your side."

Hearing Ling Feng's lovesick ramblings, Qin Hao couldn't help but speak up and tease:

"Who are you? How come I've never heard Shuangshuang mention you?"