"This is aweso! Sister, I'm sorry—I thought you were so uncool before!"
Shan Yifeng's voice was filled with excitent as he clung to the white tiger's back. The beast sprinted across the rugged terrain at full speed, and if he didn't yell, Zhao Yun might not have heard him.
Well, actually, she could hear him just fine—her Gold Rank senses made sure of that—but she didn't say a word. Instead, she simply enjoyed the childlike wonder in the boy's voice.
"I recently got this beast as a gift from my master for doing a good job!" Zhao Yun called back, matching his enthusiasm for no real reason other than finding it fun.
Shan Yifeng's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's so cool!"
Before long, they arrived at the city gates. With a swift motion, Zhao Yun dismounted and patted the tiger's head. "Dixie, be a good girl. I'll call for you again later."
The great beast let out a soft rumble before vanishing into a speck of light, seamlessly rging back into Zhao Yun's body.
Shan Yifeng, who had been watching with wide eyes, gasped. "Wow, Sister! That was amazing! I want one too!"
Zhao Yun chuckled, placing a hand on her hip. "Huhuhu, let's enjoy our trip first. If you're good, I'll teach you how to ta one later."
"Really?! Okay!" Yifeng nodded eagerly, his excitent practically radiating off him.
The two stepped into the bustling city, instantly surrounded by a sea of people. Vendors shouted over one another, eager to sell their wares, while laughter and chatter filled the streets. The scent of sizzling at and freshly baked bread drifted through the air, making Shan Yifeng's stomach growl.
"Sister Zhao, I want to eat first. I'm hungry," he said, tugging at her sleeve.
Zhao Yun glanced down at him and smirked. "Alright, I know a good place."
Without hesitation, she led him through the busy streets, weaving past rchants and custors alike until they arrived at a well-known restaurant.
The aroma of rich spices and roasted ats filled the air as they stepped inside. A waiter greeted them with a polite nod, and Zhao Yun quickly placed their order.
"The best chicken dish and your best pork!" Shan Yifeng declared eagerly when Zhao Yun asked what he wanted.
She chuckled and ordered a simple soup and beef for herself.
As they waited for their al, Yifeng leaned on the windowsill, his eyes drawn to the bustling streets. A large crowd had gathered near an open square, excitent buzzing in the air.
"Sister Zhao, what's going on over there? It looks like sothing big is happening."
Zhao Yun followed his gaze and smiled. "That? It's for the Rising Dragon and Phoenix Tournant. A competition held for kids under fifteen. There are seven prestigious titles up for grabs—four Dragon titles and three Phoenix titles. Only the strongest, smartest, and most talented fighters earn them."
Yifeng's eyes lit up. "What are the titles?"
"For the dragons, there's the Azure Sky Dragon, Crimson Fla Dragon, Erald Earth Dragon, and Shadow Fang Dragon. Each one represents a different kind of strength and mastery in combat."
"And the phoenixes?"
"There are three—Golden Radiance Phoenix, Scarlet Moon Phoenix, and Silver Wind Phoenix. They're awarded to the most exceptional competitors, those who possess grace, speed, or an overwhelming presence."
"Sister Zhao, does that an if I beat that guy over there, I'll beco one of the Dragons or Phoenixes?" Shan Yifeng asked, his eyes gleaming with excitent.
Zhao Yun chuckled, shaking her head. "No, this is just the selection process. Right now, they're choosing candidates to represent the city."
She leaned back in her chair, watching the bustling crowd. "The rewards are huge. The city gains recognition, and the winners receive incredible prizes. But you see… commoners don't stand much of a chance. The sect disciples dominate the competition, hoarding all the titles. Even if you're strong, the best you could probably achieve is a runner-up position."
Yifeng frowned. "That's not fair."
Zhao Yun smirked. "Life rarely is."
After a brief pause, Yifeng looked up at her with curiosity. "Sister Zhao, were you one of the Dragons?"
Zhao Yun let out a small laugh, her tone light yet honest. "Hah… I wish. But no. I was too old by the ti I was strong enough. Besides, I was never talented enough to earn one of those titles."
She admitted it without a hint of bitterness, as if she had long accepted her limits.
Yifeng, however, didn't look convinced. He clenched his fists. "Well, I'll do it then! I'll take one of those titles for us!"
"Hah, bold words, kid. Let's see if you can back them up."
A deep, slurred voice interrupted them. A drunk man staggered toward their table, reeking of alcohol and arrogance. His eyes glead with amusent as he sneered, swaying slightly.
"I'll bet 1,000 gold ingots that you can't even last a minute against that boy over there," he scoffed, jerking his thumb toward a young fighter standing in the selection ring.
Zhao Yun's expression darkened instantly. Her eyes sharpened, brimming with lethal intent.
Did this fool really just swagger up to her table, a Gold Rank cultivator, and spew nonsense?
Her fingers twitched, ready to draw her sword. She wasn't a Dragon, no, but she was not so lowly commoner to be disrespected like this.
The pressure around them grew suffocating. A few nearby diners instinctively backed away.
But just as she was about to act, a small hand tugged at her sleeve.
"Sister Zhao, wait!"
Shan Yifeng's eyes burned with excitent, completely unfazed by the tension in the air. He turned to the drunkard, grinning.
"I'll defeat him—in a minute!"
His voice rang with absolute confidence, his fists clenched in anticipation.
Zhao Yun's gaze shifted to Shan Yifeng, her sharp eyes assessing the situation.
The opponent in question was a Minor Silver Rank, while Shan Yifeng had only just stepped into Initial Silver Rank—a full minor realm below. By all logic, he should have been at a disadvantage.
And yet, the boy stood there, brimming with unwavering confidence, his fists clenched in eager anticipation.
Where was this self-assurance coming from?
A spark of curiosity flickered in Zhao Yun's chest, quickly followed by excitent.
She wasn't just about to witness a simple match—she was about to see the true strength of a disciple personally trained by an envoy of the Divine Garden.
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