Chapter 62: Martial Arts Tournament 2

When Tan Xiaoyu received the invitation, she couldn't help but hesitate a little.

She did not have a deep friendship with Shi Zhuli, but since the other party had extended the invitation, it wouldn't look good if she didn't go. Besides, Shi Zhuli had mentioned that it would be best for everyone to attend.

When Tan Xiaoyu brought it up to Xue An, he was rather indifferent. There were still three days left anyway; if they stayed cooped up in the hotel for all three days, he would be fine, but the two little girls would probably not be able to stand it.

"Then let's go!" Xue An said calmly.

Since Xue An had spoken, Hua Tingting naturally had no objections either!

By evening, Qingmang Town became exceptionally lively.

Martial artists were generally unrestrained and unconcerned with minor details, and especially after eating and drinking to their fill, they were prone to various disputes.

Therefore, as Xue An and his group walked along the main street, they could see people fighting every few steps. But these individuals were usually just ordinary people who knew a few rudimentary punches and kicks, and after a fight broke out, not many people would bother to gather around and watch.

On the other hand, Xue Xiang and Xue Nian were very curious, constantly looking around everywhere. After all, people walking on the street were dressed in all sorts of attire. There were some wearing Zhongshan suits and carrying nunchucks, others wearing Japanese kimonos with bamboo hats and holding Japanese swords, and even a few bare-chested, drunk burly men wrestling on the street without a shred of inhibition.

These scenes made the two little girls think they had stumbled into a circus.

Xue An walked behind the two little girls with a constant smile, accompanying them as they looked here and there. This made Shi Zhuli feel even more disdain in her heart, especially since Xue An's behavior made him look like some country bumpkin who had never seen the world.

Shi Hao had already booked a private room in advance at Green Bamboo House, the largest restaurant in Qingmang Town. Upon arrival, the group went to the third floor of the Green Bamboo House. The windows of the private room facing the street were wide open, allowing a distant view of Mount Qingmang far away. A mountain breeze swept through, refreshing everyone and making them feel broad-minded and relaxed. Naturally, the price of this private room was far from cheap.

After the dishes were served, Shi Hao frequently fawned over Tan Xiaoyu and Hua Tingting, completely ignoring Xue An. This made Tan Xiaoyu quite embarrassed, and she glanced at Xue An from time to time.

However, Xue An did not care about this at all and remained wholeheartedly focused on picking food for the two little girls.

Hua Tingting handled the situation much more smoothly. Having spent a few years navigating society, she could naturally tell that this Shi Hao harbored malicious intentions. However, having received a good education since childhood, she did not show it on the surface and simply responded with aloof composure.

Shi Hao became even more captivated by Hua Tingting's words and manners. Getting carried away as the conversation flowed, he brought up the purpose of this trip to Qingmang Town.

With a three-tenths intoxication, Shi Hao puffed out his chest and said boldly, "My purpose in coming here this time is precisely for the Heavenly Pride Ranking!"

The Heavenly Pride Ranking!

Tan Xiaoyu's expression couldn't help but stir as well.

Shi Hao continued, "The once-every-four-years Martial Arts Tournament is naturally a great opportunity for the younger generation to make a name for themselves. I have already prepared thoroughly, and at the very least, I will fight my way into the top fifty of the Heavenly Pride Ranking!"

That was a rather boastful claim.

Even so, Hua Tingting nodded, "Then I wish you victory upon your first battle!"

Shi Hao drank this cup of wine with utmost self-satisfaction, and then deliberately looked at Xue An, "What is this friend here for at the Martial Arts Tournament?"

The table fell silent, and many people turned their gazes toward Xue An.

There was a hint of disdain in Shi Zhuli's eyes. She had already observed this man carefully just moments ago; this fellow had definitely never practiced martial arts, because his hands were as slender and fair as a woman's. Which martial artist's hands were not thick and rough? Take her older brother's hands, for instance—they had already become deformed due to years of practicing the heavy Monument-Splitting martial arts. That was the price one inevitably had to pay for practicing martial arts.

At this moment, Xue An put down his chopsticks and smiled faintly, "Me? I didn't come for anything in particular, nothing more than bringing the kids out to play."

As soon as these words were spoken, a flash of contempt crossed Shi Hao's face, and he couldn't even be bothered to look at Xue An anymore.

"Miss Hua, tomorrow is the preliminary round, and I will be stepping onto the arena to compete. By then, I hope everyone can come and take a look. For example, this friend here, you can also bring your kids along to broaden their horizons!" Shi Hao said complacently.

Xue An nodded, smiling with a meaning that was hard to decipher, "Alright, we will definitely go when the time comes."

Shi Hao enjoyed this meal immensely, feeling especially pleased with how his progress with Hua Tingting was going, and eventually left with a tipsy gait.

Upon returning to the Juelai Hotel, Xue An led his two daughters back to their room to sleep.

Hua Tingting returned to her room, sharing it with Tan Xiaoyu.

"Tingting sis, that Shi Hao today probably has designs on you!" Tan Xiaoyu chuckled.

Hua Tingting frowned and said dismissively, "Just a fool! I was merely being polite, but I didn't expect him to push his luck!"

"Then, are we going to watch tomorrow's competition?"

Hua Tingting pondered for a moment, "Will Mr. Xue go?"

Tan Xiaoyu thought about it, "That will depend on what the two little girls want. Didn't you notice? Mr. Xue is a total daughter-slave!"

A "daughter-slave" was a term used to describe a father who spoiled his daughters to the heavens, which fit Xue An quite aptly.

Hua Tingting couldn't help but smile faintly as well.

Before her eyes emerged the scene from the Qin family estate when she first met Xue An. That man, standing with his hands behind his back and a calm expression, had appeared in Hua Tingting's dreams more than once. Therefore, when coming to Qingmang this time, she had followed along without the slightest hesitation.

However, she also felt worried for Xue An. She had heard that the person coming to settle a grudge this time was an unfathomably powerful supreme expert. Mr. Xue had said he was just bringing the kids out to play, but could things really be that simple?

Hua Tingting fell into deep contemplation.

It wasn't just her; everyone, including Xue Lan and Song Yi, felt a sense of anxiety.

Right at this moment, Song Yi was inside Xue An's room, saying with a grave expression, "Mr. Xue, this Elder Pointing to the Sky is no ordinary person. Although he has been in seclusion from the world for thirty years and his reputation has faded, I estimate that his current strength is at least among the top five of the Heavenly Pride Ranking."

Xue An nodded noncommittally, then suddenly said calmly, "I noticed Xue Lan's demeanor; it seems she has been practicing martial arts?"

Song Yi was startled, then quickly lowered his head and said, "Mr. Xue, I am truly sorry. I originally didn't want to teach Miss Lan, but she was extremely stubborn and insisted on learning no matter what. Left with no other choice, I had no option but to teach her some basic fundamentals."

As he spoke, cold sweat broke out on Song Yi's forehead. He now held Xue An in awe as if he were a divine being, and he was terrified of offending Xue An over this matter.

Xue An merely nodded, "Alright, I'm not blaming you. Since she wants to learn, you can teach her a bit."

"Yes!" Song Yi nodded hurriedly.

"It seems you are very close to breaking through the True Human Realm and are about to step into the Free and Unfettered Realm?"

"Yes!" Song Yi was shocked. He hadn't been wasting his time these past few days and had been practicing diligently and bitterly. Starting two days ago, he had vaguely sensed a bottleneck. This indicated that one of his feet had already touched the threshold of the Free and Unfettered Realm, though he just hadn't found the way to cross it yet. He hadn't expected Xue An to see through it at a single glance.

"Since that is the case, I shall lend you a helping hand!" With that, Xue An raised his head abruptly, a brilliant divine light blazing in his eyes.