Worry

"Everyone, this Ming Hai has a famous reputation in the capital. Do not be distracted by his unfair accusations because he is simply projecting his insecurities and flaws onto others!" Tian Guan said.

"That's right!" Another voice jumped in, "Ming Hai is a colored wolf, a crafty person that preys on women. He also has a special preference; I don't know if Brother Tian knows of this?"

Chen Wentian had to suppress a laugh. This new immortal was obviously in league with Tian Guan and was moving together to slander Ming Hai.

Tian Guan nodded gravely, "Indeed I know of this. This thief has a special taste for women who already have other men in their hearts. Wives, concubines, and fiancées… Even childhood sweethearts whose relationships are as pure as snow. He loves to take these women for himself and see their men suffer humiliation and injustice!"

There was an audible gasp around the amphitheater, especially from the guests. A wife bandit was the most despicable kind of man!

Eyes were filled with hostility as they glared at Ming Hai. Those who had female companions hugged them tight and tried to block Ming Hai's line of sight.

"Tian! Guan!" Ming Hai bellowed.

His spiritual energy erupted in bright white light. It was a minor miracle that he did not immediately charge over and start a duel.

"This is the Immortal Sect Competition Award Ceremony! There are thousands of dignitaries here today and they are not here to listen to your slanderous words!" Ming Hai shouted.

While he looked about to blow up, Tian Guan had a casual expression.

"Ming Hai, don't try to hide. Everybody has preferences, you don't have to be ashamed of yours. In fact, I recall that your disciple, Mo Erniang, had such a childhood sweetheart before she became your disciple. Tell me, does she still have a relationship with that man she grew up with or is she too busy warming your bed?"

"…You! Absolute nonsense!"

Ming Hai and Tian Guan continued arguing back and forth. Both sides had supporters and it became a noisy affair. While Ming Hai had more immortals on his side, he was on the back foot because of accusations from Chen Wentian and Tian Guan. But Ming Hai wasn't made of tofu and soon began to sling accusations of womanizing back at Tian Guan.

Chen Wentian didn't say anything and watched from the side. He was merely a bystander in a conflict between two young masters of two powerful factions. He wasn't sure if Ming Hai directly wanted to slander him or it was because of some scheme by Tian Guan to damage his rival. It didn't feel good to be used by others but there wasn't anything he could do at the moment.

He was under no illusion that Tian Guan was a good person. Both Ming Hai and Tian Guan were people born into power, status, and wealth. They reminded Chen Wentian of the young masters and princes that tormented him in the past. They were two sides of the same coin, both immortal men who enjoyed the company of women and who could not stand others obtaining what they could not.

The difference was that one was more direct and simpler minded while the other was scheming. Ming Hai was the type of person to ask someone to slap their own face thirty times and break their legs in public. Tian Guan, on the other hand, would rather go after a person's weaknesses including their family and loved ones.

The idle accusations that the two threw at each other were of no consequence to Chen Wentian. He had experienced losses from these types of men so many times in the past. He was well learned and could judge accurately.

He spoke to his disciples using spiritual energy, "Ignore what's happening. It has nothing to do with us anymore. Qianyu, Yifei, do not be distracted and remain focused on your upcoming task inside the dream array. Letting your emotions be stirred before entering will cause more uncertainties and strange dreams. Be calm, don't worry."

"Yes, master…"

He had faith in Wu Qianyu. The depth of her feelings for him could not be swayed by idle words from a few strangers.

The one he worried about was Long Yifei. She was a proud woman that came from a proud background. Sometimes, he felt that she was still holding many things back, even when they were locked in a passionate embrace.

Just the previous evening, he had offered to help Long Yifei prepare for the dream array but she was reluctant. He did not think too much of it at that time and only stayed with her for an hour while before spending the rest of the evening with Wu Qianyu. Now, a tinge of doubt crept into his thoughts.

She was talented and ambitious and she held dreams of being the best. Although she had declared her feelings to him, he could not bring himself to trust her words entirely. He had no reason to doubt her except for his intuition as a man and the instinct of the blue dragon soul.

There were many types of women in the world. Some like Gong Liyun and Mei Qiaofeng were tigresses. They were the ones pushing men down and riding them on top. He did not want to be involved with these women.

Others were like Lin Qingcheng, Zhou Ziyun and Wu Qianyu. They would give their hearts to a man and their decision would never waver. They were loyal, faithful, and dependable.

But… there was also a large portion of women who were unpredictable and whose feelings changed with time. This was a reality not just for women but men as well. It was why some relationships do not last forever and why even marriages do not last forever.

The human heart was often fickle and what a person truly thought deep down was difficult to measure. With Long Yifei, he could only take it step by step carefully. He felt the situation as it was currently was good but it might not be good in the long term. Particularly, if there was someone who could solve the matter of her virginity and her mysterious physique, then he would end up suffering a huge loss!

This was his worry, and perhaps the worry of all men who held insecurities from their youth. He wanted to have faith in Long Yifei but he couldn't help but feel a little uneasy…

While he was worried about his own matters, the argument between the two young lords had finally reached a boiling point. Both sides were ready to fight and the ceremony was about to be turned into a brawl between immortals.

Right when the situation was about to completely erupt, a massive wave of spiritual energy blanketed the amphitheater. It completely suppressed all of the Spirit Lords with its majesty and power. The two conflicting sides sat down meekly and looked up into the sky.

The intensity of spiritual increased crushingly as four figured descended, four Spirit Kings!

"Ahh, Old Ming, that son of yours is getting more and more brazen every time I see him." A robust voice sounded.

"Old Tian, it was your son that sought trouble first. He even dared to slander young Chen Wentian. Is this how you teach him?" This next voice was equally forceful.

"Quiet… you two have brought me enough headaches. Can you two behave for just a little while?" The tired voice of Huang Wuji chided the two younger Spirit Kings.

"Men…" Gong Liyun muttered.

The four of them landed in the middle of the platform and faced the crowd in all directions. Gong Liyun ignored their continued bickering and found Chen Wentian in the front row. She immediately started giving him charming winks and bewitching smiles. She even blew him a few kisses.

"Immortals, disciples, esteemed guests of the Eastern Sanmu Subcontinent!" Huang Wuji's voice silenced everyone, "The time has arrived. Welcome to the Sky District of the capital. Welcome, the talented youths of the Immortal Sect Competitions. Let the ceremony begin!"

--

Thank you to all my patrons!

Support me and read ahead by 5 or even 10 chapters!

p atreon.com/kigreenwriting

Join my discord for updates, delays, and my ramblings :)

d iscord.gg/dY5UApw

--

My second novel The Treasure King has just finished its first arc, please take a look!