Stop joining in the fun, you pathetic simp.

Ling Shuangshuang wrapped her arms around Qin Hao's neck, standing slightly on her tiptoes with her body pressed tightly against his chest. She looked up. At this distance, she could even see her own reflection in Qin Hao's eyes.

"Then, what kind of person are you normally?"

Looking at the beautiful face so close at hand, the corners of Qin Hao's mouth curled up slightly. He raised his hand. Ling Shuangshuang's breath hitched, her heart skipping a beat.

Qin Hao's hand landed on her chin, his slender fingers gently gripping her jaw while his thumb rested just beside her lips.

Ling Shuangshuang's mind buzzed, going completely blank.

Qin Hao leaned in slightly, closing the distance between them until Ling Shuangshuang could feel the warmth of his breath. Their lips were only a finger's width apart.

"What kind of person do you think I am?"

Ling Shuangshuang felt her body go weak. It was a softness that seeped from her very bones, leaving her unable to even stand steady. And then, she ran.

She didn't even dare to look at Qin Hao again, fleeing in a panic at top speed.

Watching Ling Shuangshuang's flustered, retreating back, Qin Hao couldn't help but laugh and shake his head. "What do you call this? Is this the legendary 'terrible at the game but loves to play'?"

Curling his lip, Qin Hao returned to his room to begin cultivating.

He was in no rush to advance his cultivation realm, focusing instead on tempering his physical body.

"Three days of separation makes one look at a person in a whole new light. Ru Yan! Just you wait. When I get back, I'll make you kneel on the ground and sing Conquer for me!"

Holding onto this determination, Qin Hao spent his days and nights endlessly cultivating his physical body...

Seven days passed in a flash. The martial arts arena of the Lingxiao Divine Empire had never been as bustling as it was today.

The arena, spanning hundreds of meters in radius, had been temporarily converted into a massive combat ring. Directly north of the ring stood a newly built elevated platform. Dozens of seats had been set up upon it, filled with the royal relatives of the Lingxiao Divine Empire, high-ranking court officials, and representatives from various major factions.

The central seat on the platform remained empty. It was originally prepared for the Emperor, but since the Emperor was at a critical juncture in his closed-door cultivation, Crown Prince Ling Yun was hosting the event in his stead.

Ling Yun glanced at the sky and then asked:

"It is almost the designated time. Why haven't our little sister and her so-called Dao companion arrived yet? The number of people who came for this arena tournament is far greater than I imagined. The Desolate Ancient Xiao Family, the Moon Palace, the Nether Valley, the Heavenly Demon Hall... I never expected that even these people would be drawn here."

Second Prince Ling Yu scoffed coldly. "I don't know why little sister had to make such a grand spectacle. I heard that Dao companion of hers is merely a Mahayana realm cultivator. The Mahayana realm! The factions today have all sent Immortal realm prodigies. Can he win? If he loses, who knows how they will mock our Lingxiao Divine Empire behind our backs."

Within the crowd, Ling Feng, who had angrily stormed out of the princess's estate seven days ago, was conspicuously present. Looking at the surrounding top-tier prodigies from the Ten Directions and Nine Underworlds, he could not help but sneer repeatedly in his heart:

"Hmph, that guy named Ye Hao has really blown his own trumpet too hard. A Mahayana realm challenging Immortals—only you could come up with such a thing. At first, I was worried that Shuangshuang would arrange paid actors for you so you could scrape by, but now it seems my worries were unnecessary. Other people might be actors, but there is no way the Imperial Sons of these Desolate Ancient families are actors too!"

"Once they make their move, your true colors will be completely exposed. However, I must defeat you before they get the chance. I want to make Shuangshuang see that you are utterly unworthy of being with her."

At the thought of Qin Hao's weak and delicate appearance hiding behind Ling Shuangshuang, Ling Feng burned with anger. He swore that he would personally teach Qin Hao a severe lesson.

Suddenly, the clamor of tens of thousands of people in the arena fell completely silent in an instant. Everyone's gaze was simultaneously drawn to two figures appearing at the entrance. It was as if an invisible hand had covered everyone's mouths, bringing the noise to an abrupt halt.

The young man walking in front had sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes. His facial features were extraordinarily handsome. His lips were slightly pursed, carrying a faint, almost imperceptible curve at the corners that teased the heart.

In the spectator stands, an unknown female cultivator cried out. Following that, the sound acted like falling dominoes, spreading from east to west and rapidly engulfing the entire arena.

"He is so handsome!"

"Is... is this the arena defender? He is simply too good-looking."

"I take back what I said earlier. I don't want to teach him a lesson anymore. If I hurt him, my heart will ache."

"Don't stop me, I want to have a hundred of his babies."

Compared to the enthusiasm of the female cultivators, the expressions of the male cultivators soured at a visible rate.

"These women really let their morals follow his facial features. He's just a bit handsome, that's all. What the hell is the use of being handsome! Out in the world, it is strength that matters. No matter how handsome he is, he is still just a Mahayana realm cultivator. Just watch how I beat him into a swollen pig's head later."

"The world has changed. We painstakingly cultivate for hundreds of years, and in the end, we still cannot compare to a pretty face."

In the center of the viewing platform, Crown Prince Ling Yun's expression shifted upon seeing Qin Hao. "Now I finally understand why little sister went to such great lengths to build up momentum for this guy. It turns out she was bewitched by his good looks!"

In the crowd, when Ling Feng saw Ling Shuangshuang following behind Qin Hao like a little attendant, his fists clenched involuntarily:

"Hmph, what is the use of being handsome? Later on the arena, I will let you know that a pretty face is utterly worthless in the face of true strength!"

Qin Hao merely swept a casual glance around. He discovered that in this world of the Ten Directions and Nine Underworlds, the strength of the cultivators was generally a notch higher than those in the Three Realms and Nine Heavens. He guessed it was due to the flaws in the Great Dao.

The Great Dao of the Three Realms and Nine Heavens was missing two-thirds, whereas here it was only missing one-third. Because of this, cultivators at the same realm here would be stronger than those in the Three Realms and Nine Heavens.

Qin Hao leaped onto the arena and stood with his hands clasped behind his back. The sounds of provocation and ridicule from below the stage were endless, but Qin Hao said nothing. The arena was right here, and he was right here. Whoever was dissatisfied could simply come up!

"He is a decent opponent," the Imperial Son of the Desolate Ancient Xiao Family said as he stared at Qin Hao. Although the aura Qin Hao displayed made him look completely ordinary, he could sense that Qin Hao was like a peerless divine weapon concealed within its sheath, hiding his sharp edge.

"Does the Imperial Son wish to be the first challenger?"

Hearing this, Xiao Junbao waved his hand. "No need. If I make a move, the game will be over. No matter how extraordinary he is, he is ultimately just a Mahayana realm cultivator. Let's give him a chance to show off a bit."

The prodigies from the other major factions shared Xiao Junbao's thoughts. They were all prepared to wait and see.

Right at this moment, the sound of something tearing through the air broke the silence. "I will challenge you!"

Qin Hao followed the sound. When he saw the newcomer's face clearly, he shook his head in disappointment. "You shouldn't come join the fun, Brother Simp."